I don't understand all of the glowing reviews for Provenance. My experience was mediocre at best! My family and I went for brunch and the service was pretty terrible. Definitely not the level of attention one would expect from a place that charges $20 a plate for breakfast food! Our waitress was frequently MIA, and when my crab quiche first arrived it was cold. I asked the waitress if she could heat it up, and she took so long in the kitchen that the rest of my party had mostly finished their meals before my food showed up again. Also, those with allergies be warned: my mother ordered the poached chicken waldorf salad, and was rather peeved to discover that it contained onions, which was definitely not listed in the menu description. I was also very disappointed in the "chef's table" as most of the options were pretty picked over (hardly any fruit) and not replenished the entire time we were in the restaurant. Decor is very boring: modern, but more reminiscent of an office park than a high-end eatery. Given the fact that Provenance is located inside an art museum of all places, I expected it to be much more visually stimulating. The food itself was tasty, and the reason for three stars instead of two. But I don't think I would ever eat here again. read more

As much as I love the CMA and Chef Katz, Provenance just falls flat for me. I certainly appreciate the availability of freshly prepared, thoughtful, and seasonal fare in a beautiful setting, but the experience of dining in the café is a bit awkward and I have yet to be impressed with any meal I have had. Although the concept is a good one, the execution seems lacking. The process of sidling up to the stations to order, the inevitable crowding, and the fact that one must wait at the counter with one's tray - further exacerbating the crowding situation - all make the experience slightly odd and off-putting. I also feel like I've overspent for what I get: today a pretty-okay tofu sandwich and bottle of water ran me $15 and I left still feeling hungry. In the future, I may return for a beverage or snack, but will likely make a point of having a meal elsewhere. read more

The restaurant that you make a reservation for on Opentable is different from the Provenance Cafe, which is the first thing you see when you enter the art museum and turn right. The Cafe has some contained seating and seating in the atrium of the museum, whereas the main restaurant has all self-contained seating. The main restaurant is to the left of the cafe. I would like to try the cafe next time. It looked very cool - a modern, glorified cafeteria with several chef attended stations. I went for brunch which is 11-3. All entree orders entitle you to unlimited self-service access to the chef's table. It contained bakery, scones and jam, lots of fresh fruit, a light salad, etc. I loved the salad and scones. The brunch menu is amazing. If you're tired of brunch menus listing bacon and eggs this menu will not disappoint. There are only 8 options. I would consider most breakfast related instead of lunch. The crab quiche is a nice large portion with a good layer of lump crap. I think when taking into account portion size and access to the chef's table the prices are pretty cheap. Though drinks are pricy in my opinion. Street meter parking is free on weekend. Museum access is free. Walking around Wade Oval after brunch is also free and highly recommended. read more

The best brunch in Cleveland. As much local food as possible. I have been there multiple times and I have thought it the best brunch ever nothing but wonderful things to say about Doug Katz restaurants. His food helps make Cleveland Rock. read more

It's decent museum food and decent prices. I got a melty tuna sandwich that came with a side of spinach salad, small bottle of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay, and jalapeño chips for $25 The ambience is modern deco. You're allowed to take your purchased alcohol outside the restaurant but not into the museum. I would visit next time I'm at the museum read more

YUM! This cafe is superb! I went here on a Friday afternoon and what a great experience. The food options were hard to choose from and all affordable! I ordered one of the "melty sandwiches" of the day which consisted of ham, cheese and spiced apples with a honey dijon cream cheese (which was to die for) and then it was heated in the stone oven until the cheese was melted. With the sandwiches and flat breads you also receive a small arugula salad with this delectable lemon vinaigrette which is subtle but packed with flavor. I also got a fresh baked cookie with white chocolate and cranberries. I am not a sweets person but the sight of these cookies- my eyes made me order one and my taste buds were not disappointed! What a great add-on to the Art Museum! read more

Provenance - ham, cheese and spiced apples with a honey dijon cream cheese - New American Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I eat lunch here pretty much every time I stop by the art museum and the food is great, actually excellent. I've been around to many museums and none of them have food like the Cleveland Art Museum. I've had their pizza, grilled lamb on pita, salads and I can't think of anything bad to say. The one item that I didn't think looked great was their noodle salad! They also serve beer and wine if that is of interest to you. Seating is usually packed in the cafe, but you can also sit outside in the atrium. Even if you are not going to the art museum this is a great place to stop by for lunch since admission is free. Expect to pay $10+ by the time you get a drink... Members of the museum get a 10% discount. read more

Everything was perfect. Food was great service, service was superb beautiful, beautiful atmosphere. Love Cleveland Art Museum and the café to boot. We got the vegan stew and Field salad, couldn't of asked for anything better. Can't wait to go back and eat in the atrium again. read more

Provenance - Beautiful lighting in the atrium! - New American Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Upscale, urban and very comfortable, Provenance is the perfect place to rest after perusing the galleries. The restaurant looks out to wildlife and trees, bright in early-winter afternoon sun. The space is intimate and small, just right for a dinner for two. The crepes were lovely, the creme caramel very light, the perch and ravioli big hits. The wine list is acceptable, though the full bar promises better cocktails. Very nice overall. However, the staff were a bit of an embarrassment. In the museum of art, the waitstaff should be able to pronounce their dishes (our server didn't even try to say the French dishes, and she cut me off when I ordered the crepes by their name), and more importantly, their themes. The server couldn't pronounce Mary Cassat's name correctly. In a museum. Featuring a Mary Cassat exhibit not 100 feet away and Mary Cassat menu. Really? read more

The bad reviews here are silly. This is a snack bar at a public facility. Provenance Cafe raises the bar well out of reach for FAR inferior snack bars at places like The Salvador Dali Museum in St Pete and The Met and The Cloisters both in NYC. There are so many actual food choices here, I've come solely to eat at the cafe on occasion. I like that they have healthy beverage choices too. Someone mentioned the crowds...we should be so lucky to have nice crowds in Cleveland now. It's fun to sit at a table and converse with the folks at the next, who are more and more likely to not be from the U.S. Get the swordfish sandwich. read more

My generation is from the days when public buildings were lavish and awe inspiring. Theaters had red velvet and gilt; public buildings had marble staircases and frescoes. No matter our socioeconomic situation we were surrounded with luxury. Times have changed with warehouse stores replacing elegant department stores and minimalist replacing extravagant. Provenance with its Atrium seating appears to delight the younger generation. For me the cafe is very much like a factory cafeteria and the atrium very much like a bus terminal. Having to go from one food station to another to see what is available is annoying at busy times when customers crowd the counters. Prices match the quality of the food, meaning above average. The outdoor seating at the former lunch room is missed. I welcome most changes and am thankful to still be here to benefit from them. At times I do miss a little luxury and a bit of pampering. The art museum is most likely the place I have been to most in my life. In future visits contrary to what I have written I will dine at the cafe and buy things at the gift shop. Our museum charges no admission fee. The least I can do is find ways to spend money there. read more

Went today for brunch with my husband. Service is truly excellent! We had a great experience and wanted for nothing. Food. Well... The chefs table items that comes with every meal were delicious. The croissants, in particular, were fantastic. Beautiful fresh fruit. Yummy scones. I think I had a little of everything and it was all very good. Coffee: perfect. BUT our meals were hit or miss. The potatoes with chicken sausage and eggs were great. The french toast was not ok. Very crispy. Dry. Kinda over caramelized on the bottom? Neither of us really liked it, but when the server asked us if there was something wrong with it we said no. Honestly, there was nothing overtly wrong that the kitchen did to it- it's just the recipe. Anyway, I would skip it in the future. We will definitely be returning though! read more

Exceptional dining facility in one of the greatest free museums. Definitely don't expect extra quick service in the middle of rush- my food was prepared fresh, and in front of me. But sitting in the atrium eating a a delicious Mediterranean pasta salad looking at this hidden temple-esque marble facade... You can't put a time stamp on that kind of experience. Price point is solidly middle-of-the-road for attractions in the city, but quality far exceeds others. Pro tip: pay for your food right after you place your order. It helps kill time while they prepare your food in front of you and you can eat your food fresh and hot. read more

The food was overpriced and just not worth it. Their salad was 7.50 and it was more is you wanted chicken. Their food wasn't special and it's not worth bringing a group to. read more

As I get older, I appreciate the finer, simpler things. As a gift for my birthday, my wonderful wife took me to Provenance Cafe at the Cleveland Museum or Art. I appreciate art, in paint, in sculpture and especially, in food. This is a place of artistry. The food and courses we were given were by no means cheap, but then, quality IS by no means cheap; the food was WONDERFUL. I had things like a "compressed" watermelon salad, a cheese tray with hand-made crisps and scallops in a wonderful bed of vegetables. The service was great, and they even make the simple dessert of rice pudding into a piece of edible art. As this establishment is in the museum, parking is handled by them, but overall the food (and the cocktails at the wonderful bar,) are all done with care and the customer is treated like a king. So, if you want art for your eyes and mind, by all means, visit the Cleveland Museum of Art. If you want art for your pallet and soul, then stop off at Provenance Cafe:) read more

This is a fantastic cafe in the Cleveland Museum of Art. It has a wide selection of healthy and upscale items at reasonable prices. Fresh salads, tandoori, etc. A very welcome and pleasant surprise! read more

We were passing through Cleveland, on a road trip, getting lunch. This was a perfect way to get a glimpse of University Circle and the Museum, since we didn't have time to explore. Surprisingly our meal for two was under $20! For a museum cafe, that's impressive. And everything was delicious. Great service. Creative menu items. And you can sit in the atrium, which is lovely. Recommended! read more

Provenance - Turkey sandwich, bowl of chili, almond watermelon salad. mmmmm - New American Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I came here over the holidays when they were just getting started so I hope that since then some of the kinks have been worked out. I had take out lunch from the cafeteria side of the restaurant and ate out in the atrium to take in the beauty of this new space inside the art museum. I ate a special grilled cheese topped with sun dried tomatoes - it was delicious! Ordering can be a bit awkward as you have to wait in line to order, then again as your food is being prepared. The food was good but I'd probably skip the dining hall experience and get lunch before the museum at Euclid Tavern next time. read more

Provenance - Eating in the atrium - New American Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

We were visiting the Cleveland Institute of Arts Museum and arrived for our Doscent lead tour a bit early, We had reserved paid tickets for a special exhibit but were hungry when we arrived. So we asked the person at the check-in desk if we could exchange our tickets for a later tour and that was done for us. We used the time to grab something to eat and there were two choices at the Museum. One was a sit down restaurant and the other was the Provenance Café. After looking over the menus for both, we decided on the Café. The sit down restaurant was quite pricy IMO and the menu offerings were not particularly exciting. On the other hand, there were quite a few choices that looked appetizing to us on the Café menu. The menu included salads, soups, hamburgers and other grill items, international dishes and other hot and cold specialties. I had a nice cheeseburger plate that came with fresh cut French fries. The burger was served on a grilled brioche bun and it was also served with crisp lettuce, sliced tomatoes, Bermuda onions and pickle slices. My wife had a bowl of cream of broccoli soup that had big chunks of ham in it and a toasted flat bread that was grilled with cheese and fresh veggies. The food was good, but of course since this is a museum, the prices are not cheap. I think we paid about $ 30.00 before a discount was applied because of our Detroit Institute of Arts membership which reduced the cost by about 10 percent. Museum, restaurants can be horrible. But this one was great. read more

After visiting the Cleveland Museum, we ate lunch at Provenance. My daughter had the scallops with freshly made pasta. Scallops were delicious but the pasta was VERY al dente. Could have used two minutes more in the hot water but they were delicious. I had the curried chicken salad and it was yummy. I would have licked the plate but that wouldn't have been polite read more

I was visiting the museum with my daughter during a Parent Weekend at her college, and decided to eat here because, well, it was really really cold outside and we were hungry. What a pleasant surprise! My daughter had a made-to-order sandwich and I added a "soup on the side". Not only the pumpkin soup hot and delicious, it filled me. We shared a lemon bar for dessert and that was also really good. The staff are helpful and pleasant. And, while I guess it might be pricey for Cleveland, it was just about what I would pay in NYC for some pre-packaged, off-site fare. I would actually stop by for a bite, not necessarily to browse the museum, which I also loved, but that's a whole other review. read more

What a lovely place! Came in for an early lunch with two other people who are very familiar with the museum and this restaurant. To start, I absolutely love the modern decor. It is both warm and edgy. The sun greets you from the wall of windows that the dining room focuses on. (They are currently working on completing a rooftop garden that will be visualized from the dining room). From the hostess to the waitress I was pleased with the smiles and professionalism. Our waitress was adorable and thorough. She gave us the appropriate amount of time, never rushed us, made sure we knew every option of drinks, entrees, and dessert. She was very knowledgable if we had any questions and honest to say "I will check with the kitchen" if she was not sure of the answer. Two of my party ordered the Curried Chicken Salad and I ordered the Ravioletti. They both loved the salad, a generous portion for lunch, and the Ravioletti was good. It is a smaller portion but the flavor is enjoyable with a lovely cheesy center and a wonderful garnished called popcorn shoots (I had never had these before but they really do resemble the taste of popcorn like the waitress discuss with us). However the brown butter on the dish became just a little too oily for me, but overall the dish was very unique and inventive. The house cocktail, The Provenance, is beautiful and VERY strong. You will get your moneys worth of liquor in this cocktail. There is a wine list and several other options of cocktails to choose from. We had two desserts split between the three of us. They were beautiful and artistic, exactly what you would hope for from a lovely restaurant in the art museum. We were never rushed even as the restaurant filled up and we were able to sit and enjoy the coffee, dessert, and conversation without ever filling pushed by staff. This is a great spot to take time out of an afternoon at the museum and enjoy each others company and discuss what art you have seen or will be seeing. Do this while enjoying creative dishes that will allow you to appreciate a different- but just as pleasing form of art- culinary. read more

This was my second visit and I assumed it would be better than the first. Our food was alright. Nothing with the wow factor but I do not appreciate having a condiment spilled on me and not getting any sort of an apology from the waitress who did it. A sorry would have even been ok but she was in such a hurry to flip tables and get us out of there. We had to specifically ask for a dessert menu before she rushed to get our check and we weren't even give the chance to order an appetizer. Train your servers better and people will return! On a plus note, the bartender named Matt did his job very well and maybe if I do go back I will just sit at the bar. read more

I got the Ham and Cheese on multigrain bread sandwich and it was very weird. The bread was very dry and the ham was all fatty, making it hard to chew. Overall, the sandwich was not worth 7 dollars and there was too much mustard 3 stars because everything else seems ok. If the guy getting an interview next to us gets hired, we'll forget about the bad sandwich. read more

Very busy during lunch. I had to wait 15 minutes in the hearth line. There was only one person working this station where as the other unpopulated stations (salad, burger, tandoor) had 2 people working them. I got a roast beef and cheddar melt that had sauteed onions and a banana pepper relish. It came with an arugula salad with Parmesan and a lemon vinaigrette. Both were tasty. I was able to sit next to the trees in their sun filled indoor atrium which was nice on a cold day. read more

The food attempts to look good. But ends up being classic cafeteria food. Barely edible and worse yet given the price. Only worth it if you are stuck in museum while raining and starving. read more

High praise for Provenance Cafe, a small cafe in the Cleveland Museum of Art. Clean, modern space with plenty of dining areas in the atrium or in the cafe itself. I'm commenting mostly on the tandoor grill. First of all, they have an actual tandoor oven where they make handmade naan for their sandwiches/wraps. My husband and I shared the wrap since we weren't too hungry. It was a fairly large portion for one person. We ordered the house made falafel, and I think it may be some of the best falafel I've had in Cleveland. All the flavors work. Fresh garlic naan, refreshing pickled vegetables, cucumber and tomato, marinated eggplant, hummus, and red spread that we can't remember. The falafel was not shy on flavor and spices-something hard to find in a city that tries to cater to bland Midwestern palettes. Highly recommend this sandwich with the garlic fries. Pair it with a pair of pears and you are good to go! PS they sell local baked goods- gouchere and macarons from Luna Bakery. read more

The perfect lunch to go with a day at the museum. Excellent food and service. Started with the Artisanal Cheese platter. Great selection. Honey with Gouda was the best. Finished with the Cavatelli pasta. Very tasty. Ordered the 86 Sleep as a cocktail. While the drink was outstanding, I should have ordered something that would be better paired with the food. The 86 Sleep has espresso in it and would have been better as a dessert. Overall great meal and would definitely go out of my way to go back here. read more

Provenance - Cavatelli pasta - New American Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

My boyfriend and I visited the café today and found the food to be very good quality. The staff was nice and I saw them act particularly accomadatingly to another patron who was gluten free. The main reason I'm taking off stars is the wait-time and crowd management. The café quickly became crowded with many people confused as to where lines started and ended. Even worse, the time it took to get food was borderline ridiculous. I had to wait 15 minutes to get a salad, my boyfriend waited triple that for a burger. If Provenance Café works on cutting line time down and setting up more clearly defined systems, this will easily be a 5-star review read more

Had a late lunch in the cafe after visiting the magnificent museum. Very limited menu so we had the generous sized cheeseburgers. Great buns, good cheddar and most accommodating chef. I had some mixed veges as my side, and friend had mixed greens. Burgers so big we passed on dessert....and the dessert bar looked yummy! read more

This is a fantastic spot to grab lunch within the museum. Members get 15% off. read more

Provenance - Apple chutney sammy, roasted veg, 3 cheese grill, chocolate chocolate torte - New American Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Was at the museum on a rainy Sunday, needed a quick lunch. The cafeteria style arrangement in Provenance Cafe is pretty affective. Several culinary stations to choose from, I got the curry chicken stew w/ naan and butter, along w/ a macaroon. A tasty lunch, reasonably spicy, got me filled up and ready to go off and wander more exhibits. read more

Best brunch ever! Handcrafted bloody mary, mimosa, or the best direct trade coffee I've ever had. Truly this farm to table experience is nearly worth the price of the plane ticket to Cleveland! East coast folks will take a double take at the bill as I did - since this meal was less than half of what I expected - based on brunch in NYC (i.e. Landmarc). read more

Provenance - Fabulous brunch! Come hungry for farm to table greatness! House made bloody mary to direct trade coffee was exceptional! - New American Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I feels a little weird writing about the cafeteria of a museum, perhaps because there often really isn't much to write home about. Man, did the Provenance Café impress though! I will disclaim that I am an art geek and that maybe my jaunt around the gallery worked up a biased appetite. However, I've been to many museum cafés and the Provenance Café definitely stands out as one of the best by miles. What they offered was simple, yet executed beautifully with much flavor. You'd think that a cold slab of pre-cooked salmon that's been sitting in a glass box wouldn't taste good, but it was! Their gazpacho was the best that I've had in recent memory. Every biteful brought a smile to my face! I know where I'll be visiting next time I'm in the city! read more

Provenance - A minty gazpacho - New American Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Went here for a Sunday Brunch! Great food & service. I started my meal with a Bloody Mary & then visited their Chef's table which included muffins, salad, various breads & yogurt with toppings. Then your meal that you ordered is delivered to your table, I ordered the scrambled eggs with Nueski Bacon & my husband had the smoked salmon with all the toppings & he said one of the best bagels he has ever had. Both breakfasts were wonderful. My eggs were absolutely wonderful & the bacon perfectly cooked. I would love to eat here again. Very relaxing views too. read more

Honestly I will eat even eat paper sprinkled with glue or even hay within the walls of this temple of art. It's all about presentation and the Provenance does a job as good of a job as Impressionists on the second floor: food is very artistically introduced. I wish I could just watch my plate instead of eating it: but trout in my eggs benedict was calling my name. Unfortunately it was just ok. My fiancée's waldorf salad had two rusty globes of iceberg salad with some stale chicken and nuts. I had to give him the half of my egg benedict since after all, I am marrying this man. I understand it's upscale, but I thought that America loves to eat away even at upscale brunches. Choices were limited, drinks were just ok. The man at the table next to us warned not to order the French toast with this very sweet cutting the throat gesture. We left hungry and disappointed, wishing we ate at the museum cafeteria next door. But of course we decided to fill up spiritually instead and marched tall and proud into the Pompeii exhibition. read more

My wife went here for brunch with some friends. She said the service, food, and venue were absolutely flawless. She especially loved how they were so accommodating for vegans and vegetarians, how her coffee cup was constantly being refilled, and the beautiful view of the lovely landscape. She raved about it and said she would definitely return! read more

I am still thinking about the meal I had here two weeks ago. That meal started with a well-balanced cheese and charcuterie board for three, a nice crisp glass of a New Zealand Sauvignon blanc, and a Bibb Caesar salad that was the best Caesar salad of my entire life. It was knife and fork Caesar and I instantly wished I had ordered two. Those thought changed, however, once I bit into the scallops. Our waitress had told us that the blistered tomatoes were the show stoppers on these scallops and they definitely lit up the plate as the perfect balance to my buttery crisp, beautifully done scallops. It's not often that one has the pleasure of eating so many perfect scallops--five!--but Provenance provides that and so much more. I wouldn't necessarily think to go super fancy and eat at the CMA, but I am still thinking about the food, the ambiance, the service, the experience. It stands out as a top ten dinner experience. read more

This restaurant has an amazing ambiance. The staff was more than friendly and made sure they accommodate us when 2 extra people were joining us for brunch. However, they mentioned they were overly booked for brunch, during our 2 hour stay only 3 out of all the tables were filled. Most of the restaurant was empty. The drinks were great, yet the food was below average. All our friends complained that everything was too salty, and my trout meal was "meh". I know for a fact that the food in the provenance cafe next door is of higher caliber and taste. read more

Very frustrated. Walked in at 11 and they are still setting up, no one has acknowledged is standing here for 4 minutes. I hope the food is better than their service. read more