I've eaten at Safar twice now and had wonderful experiences both times. The food is incredible, and is clearly made with care and skill. The butter chicken was probably the best I have ever had and the gulabi mocktail was delicious. The service and ambience are excellent and it's very clear that that every detail about the experience has been given significant thought and consideration provide a wonderful night out. read more

Five star destination in Cleveland for a delicious Indian meal with a modern twist. I made a reservation here for a team dinner after searching for new restaurants in the area on Yelp. While they don't have a ton of reviews yet, their rating says enough. Throw in the beautiful photos of the restaurant and dishes, and it was a no brainer. Find them in Edgewater right off Clifton Blvd. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but the moment you step foot inside you're transported to a sleek dining room with a bar and an attached lounge. We were seated in a large booth, tucked in a corner, and it was perfect for our lively bunch. The service was great from the jump and the experience just got better and better with each dish that arrived at the table. As a group we shared the trailblazer crackers (papadum) that came with three dips and the pani puri shots that also came in three flavors. Both were a fun way to kick off our meal. The shots came to the table on dry ice creating a fun and highly Instagrammable visual. Many photos and videos were taken. As for entrees we each got our own, but we did share a serving of rice and three orders of different naan. The butter, garlic, and togarashi garlic, which had a spicy kick to it. All were pillowy soft with just the right amount of chew. For my main dish I went with the halibut in a coconut milk stew (moilee) and oh my goodness was it heavenly. The halibut was cooked to perfection, the stew was creamy and flavorful, and I ate every single bite. Everyone at the table was more than pleased! There were definitely more items on the menu that I would like to try so if I ever find myself in Cleveland and craving Indian food again, you'll know where to find me. read more

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Delish. Friendly and attentive customer service. Indian food with an American flare. Cozy Speakeasy room. I visited for the first time on the first Saturday of May 2026. I arrived around 6:40pm before my 2 friends and I was told there was no seating available because of booked reservations (except open bar seating). The hostess kindly found a table and chair in the bar room for my friends and I. SERVICE -- Good. We had no reservations so I asked to sit at the bar. There were 2 tables and chairs at the bar in additional to plenty of bar seats. The hostess kindly put the two tables together for my friends and I to sit at so we got lucky. We did have to wait for about 45 mins before we got our food which was the appetizer. The main dishes came about 10-15 mins after the appetizers were delivered. The waiter took a little time to come back to our table to refill our water but again, it was a busy night. FOOD -- Traditional Indian food plus American style food. Coincidentally, my friends and I ordered all vegetarian dishes. We started off with an appetizer, the cauliflower bezule ($14) which was delicious. My friend Christina and I split this vegetarian appetizer. For the main course, I ordered the Dal Makhani ($16) which are black lentils cooked in butter and cream. I got a side of garlic naan ($5). The lentils were creamy and tasty. The garlic naan was soft and perfect for dipping into the lentils. I can definitely see myself ordering the Dal Makhani again. My friend Leslie ordered the Jackfruit Kofta ($21) which are Jackfruit dumplings. She enjoyed this dish. My friend Christina ordered the Maitake Mushrooms ($21) and a side of garlic naan ($5) which she enjoyed too. I can't wait to return and try something else on their menu such as the lamb chops and maybe dessert too. The owner introduced himself to my friends and I and even checked on us during the evening which was a nice touch. I appreciate the hospitality. Although the wait was a bit longer than expected, it was a busy Saturday night. I highly recommend Safar restaurant. Try to arrive early if you want a seat but actually, just make a reservation beforehand. **** GOAL of 250 reviews in 2026 - 69/250 total reviews in 2026 - 910 total Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 4 May 2026 read more

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Had a lovely dinner at Safar meeting up with some old friends. Overall, the food was great! We enjoyed some lamb dishes, the goat pulao, and several appetizers that were awesome. There was a beef dish though that we didn't particularly care for, but we were given another dish to try instead and we really liked it! Service was great as well. The one thing I would have preferred is if we were at a proper table. While we were in a room with a wonderful ambiance, the table was very low set (lounge tables), and it made dining a little uncomfortable. Otherwise, a great time was had. read more

Safar - Indian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Came on a weekend night for dinner, under a reservation at another yelp review's suggestion. At 5:30pm there were empty tables, but it definitely got full by 6:30pm. Cheese kulcha: Unlike other places that put too little cheese, this one was sufficient. Not spicy to me despite the pepper. 4.5/5 The sweet potato chaat had a good mixture of textures, perhaps would've enjoyed a bit more sweet potato in the mix. 4/5 Malai chicken tikka is good for the show--flambéed table side. The chicken was tender, but personally for me, I didn't like that there were portions that were too soft (like a mashed meat texture). 3.5/5 The mushroom maitake masala sauce was addicting, reminded me of butter chicken sauce. 4.5/5 Mango lassi panna cotta: not really a panna cotta texture but was a thicker form of mango lassi. Very sweet. 4.5/5 They were all good. Favorites were definitely the cheese kulcha and mushroom maitake masala, with sweet potato chaat in close second place. Portion size is more on the smaller side even for the main courses. Service was attentive. Ambience is modern, dimly lit. It was interesting being in the speakeasy room--while we sat at a normal 2 person table, the bigger tables were shorter than arms level like coffee tables, so I do wonder whether it made sense for eating. Parking available as free street parking or lot in the back. Overall pricier side with smaller space, but good quality food worthy for a date night or hanging with a friend or two over drinks. read more

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This might be some of the best modern style Indian food I have ever had. From the food, the decor, vibes, and service, this place checks all the boxes. While in town for a work trip, we grabbed dinner here and it was such a well designed space from the moment we walked in. It had an upscale, modern vibe and the food smelled incredible in the restaurant. I got the Gulabi mocktail which was a lemonade based drink with a bunch of flavor. So good. I opted to go for the butter chicken and grabbed some rice and naan. I wanted to make my own version of the butter chicken tacos that I usually do at other spots. The naan was cooked and seasoned perfectly. I almost didn't want to touch my butter chicken since it came to the table looking so great but I added on my rice and chicken onto the naan and the food was amazing. It was so good, I could have been there all night ordering more naan. The butter chicken was prepared perfectly and had the perfect taste. If I lived in Cleveland, I'd be here way too much. So if you're in the area, you need to give this spot a try. you won't be disappointed. read more

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This modern take on Indian is fantastic! Plates have beautiful presentation with vibrant colors making eating an experience! The cucumber cocktail is a must!!! So refreshing and delicious and I can't wait to have it again! We went with vegetarian friends and had the easiest time choosing a variety of options (we love that they mark what's vegan and vegetarian). The food came super fast and they seemed very efficient for a new restaurant, very impressed. Our absolute favorites are the sweet potato chaat and chickpea curry. Yum! read more

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My husband and I were so excited to try Safar since we both love Indian food, and it truly offers a unique, elevated take on it. We really enjoyed our experience. Eli, our server, was warm, attentive, and made the evening even better. The food was delicious across the board. The panna cotta had great flavor, though I would've preferred it to be a bit softer. The drinks were creative and fun, but felt a little light on the alcohol. Overall, we had a great time and would definitely come back to try more dishes! read more

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Eli was a wonderful server and eager to answer my questions about the menu and pronunciations. Excellent gourmet food. Not cheap but high quality and lots of very unique flavors with a twist on Indian food. Delicious togarashi topped naan. The paneer pasanda was excellent with two large triangle paneer fritters over a super rich slightly sweet gravy. The cheese kulcha was alright- a fluffier naan with some cheese on top but nothing stuffed or particularly unique. The madras short rib should be skipped- it was very expensive for 5 small cubes of very very average beef and a side of carrots and broccoli? It was lost on the menu for sure. The sweet potato chaat was excellent- fried kale amongst a yogurt sauce covered mix of... not really sure what it was or where the sweet potato was but it was good. The cocktails were nice and unique Indian twists on classics but were definitely extremely sugary. Overall a great place to try. The only downside was that mid meal at 620pm they faded the lights. It became very dark and I really did not like the sudden darkness. Way too dim for eating and thankfully I had my tablet light to use. read more

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I honestly wish I could find something wrong with this place just to sound more balanced, but I really can't. Safar is exactly what Cleveland has been lacking. The food was actually insane--even the dessert was good, and I'm not even a dessert person. One thing though: definitely make sure you have a reservation. Also, they have a few different areas to sit; the Legacy Bar is just okay, but the other two rooms are 100% where you want to be. I'd personally skip the bar and wait for a spot in the other rooms because the vibe there is way better. Since they literally just opened this week, the service can be a little slow, but they're just starting out so it's not a big deal. If I had to nitpick one thing for them to improve, it would be the food quantity, but the quality is so high that it almost doesn't matter. So glad this place is finally open. read more

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Service from Eli was great and the food was really inventive and delicious! Long road lamb was specifically good as was the malai tikka. The atmosphere was so vibey and fun! read more

I saw an ad for a new Indian restaurant opening up in Cleveland and to be honest, I was skeptical. But, I decided to grab the wife and drag her to another Indian restaurant, with the hopes of finding a restaurant that provided me with the flavors of my childhood. For anyone thinking about giving this place a try, DO IT! The atmosphere is perfect for a quiet date night, the staff (shout out Elizabeth) is very kind and helpful when navigating the menu for the first time. The menu has staples like Chicken Biryani and Chana Masala, but it was the Maitaki mushroom tikka and Jackfruit kofta that really blew my mind. If you're looking for something to treat your sweet tooth, the spiced baked alaska is the perfect after dinner snack. The one critique I have is that there is no chai or coffee available with dessert. In my opinion, after tasting about half of the menu, I can honestly say this is some of, if not the best Indian cuisine in Cleveland. read more

Safar - Indian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Super place. Order the chicken masala. It's flaming! The butter chicken was wonderful, too. Eli was our waitress - she was accommodating, cheerful and knowledgeable. Highly recommend. read more

Ang was great!!! She was informative and knowledgeable! Good food and drink! Shrimp curry was on point

The butter chicken and raspberry gin drink were good. Didn't really care for the burrata salad or the chocolate cake (no fresh berries)

Server lacy- so personable Cocktails - I had the gin sour- perfect Dinner options - hard to choose Dad the sweet potato balls in bed of crisp kale- layers of taste Gotta go back to try the dishes I didn't choose Perfect on the house mini desert read more

The food and service were OUTSTANDING! A new "go to" place for us. Our server, Ang, was very knowledgeable and helpful. The chef came to our table twice to check in on how things were. The appetizer was a new addition special - a paneer dish. Fantastic. Food was not overly spicy or hot. Price for the quality of the food and the service was a great value. The decor is very hip and the speakeasy part looks like a great place for groups. The bar area is comfortable and welcoming to ok. We will be back! read more

Amazing!! I cannot believe they've only been open for 3 days...service was outstanding (Ricky) and the food knocked our socks off! Haven't had such a good meal in a long time. The management and our waiter gave us excellent recommendations and we ordered food we never would have tried before! It was so different from our every day dining out that I can't wait to go back and try more off the menu! Highly recommend it!! Wish my husband was annoyed with me taking food photos, I would have taken more to share. Had the crackers for an app, split the sweet potato chaat then husband had the halibut stew and I had the lamb. read more

Safar - The cracker app with 3 sauces. - Indian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Tried the new restaurant Safar tonight and had a really great experience. The food was excellent and the space is thoughtfully designed. Our server, Elizabeth, was friendly and attentive. Highlights were the Kulfi Espresso Martini, the creamy Malai Chicken Tikka (with a fun tableside flambe), the unique Spinach Burrata, and of course the warm butter naan. A wonderful new spot in Cleveland and definitely worth a visit. read more

Safar - Spinach Burrata - Indian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Terrible experience at Safar in Cleveland, Ohio. We went around 8:00 PM as a walk-in and were told that was okay, but that we needed to wait. We waited over 30 minutes, were told to sit at the bar, then kept waiting even longer. When we were finally seated, it was in an awkward spot where we could barely eat comfortably. Our food did not arrive until 9:30 PM. Poor service, disappointing food, and the whole experience ruined my daughter's birthday. We felt unwelcome the entire time. I would not recommend this restaurant. read more

Our server Ang was new but attentive and if they didn't know the answers went to the manager and they did. I have a gluten allergy so they have options and the menu is marked. However, anything that is fried is shared with gluten food. Therefore if you have an allergy cross contamination is there. Therefore burrata salad was delicious as the chicken tacos. Bring gf crackers and you can have a bite of the dips. read more

The good the bad and the ugly. The good. I ordered the garlic naan bread. Came out warm and soft. Good texture with a hint of garlic. Now the bad the drink I ordered was very strong if that's what you are looking for then great but not while I'm at dinner. Now the ugly. The rest of the food was blah blah bland. This is Indian food and it had zero flavor. And I love love Indian food. It was a bit pricey the bread,shrimp,main course and the one very strong drink came to.71.00 just form me with a tip was a very expensive dinner for one read more

The experience we had at Safar was exquisite! staff and ambience was warm and inviting. Rick our server was knowledgeable, and the presentation was excellent! We experienced a fun and cool Pani Puri shot for the first time. The lamb, chicken and fish has the perfect texture and blend of spices. Hats off to the chef! We shall be back again. Thank you!!! read more

Safar - Indian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Loved the flavors at Safar! The lamb chops were perfectly cooked, and the modern Indian dishes were full of flavor. Great spot for a tasty meal and cocktails. read more

Great food and a nice atmosphere. Service was very good as well. Will be back again soon.

Last night we tried Safar for the first time. Overall the experience was fantastic. Service was great, our server, Flavia was very attentive. We were sat in the speakeasy, which is a darker, quieter lounge setting with its own bar. I definitely recommend the speakeasy if you are looking for a quiet/chill night. As for the food, we tried several things including the Pani puri shots, Cauliflower Bezule, garlic naan and Cheese Kulcha. The cheese kulcha was my favorite, can't go wrong with cheesy bread with a kick of spice. The Pani puri are the perfect app to kickoff the night, very refreshing and light. Everything we tried was delious. Butter chicken tacos and Malai Chicken Tikka were solid. Chicken was tender and flavorful. They even light the Malai Chicken Tikka tableside too. Pretty awesome. Food is not super spicy, so don't worry if you don't like heat, nothing to worried about. Lastly, I got the Jaadui cocktail to drink, also fantastic. Again, everything we had was great. I highly recommend giving Safar a try. You will not be disappointed. read more

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The ambiance of the restaurant was excellent! So many great drink options. The food was unique and very delicious. Would definitely recommend trying it out! read more

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Wow ! What a beautiful place ! The decor is cozy and inviting! I had the lamb Shank (Nahari) and the shishito pepper cheese bread ! Delicious . Also friendly familiar faces behind the bar and on the floor ! Service was impeccable! Thank you Will, Charlie , Ruthie and Ricky . Very authentic Indian food with elevated taste! Also a more causal feel at the Legacy Bar where the menu has American classics but you can enjoy Safar food at the bar as well ! read more

Clearly a next level dining experience. Food was delicious and amazingly creative. Favorites were the biryani and mushroom masala. Eli our server was outstanding and the whole experience made us feel like we were in NY or Chicago rather than Cleveland. All at reasonable Cleveland prices. Cannot wait to go back. read more

We ordered multiple small dishes to share. Great food and friendly service. Can't wait to go back!

This was the first time I had eaten at Safar, a new Indian restaurant near the Cleveland border of Lakewood. My friend and I started with the trailblazer crackers with three dips. The crackers were more like chips as they were crisp and tasty. Each dip had a distinct flavor. The peanut dip had a nice spicy zing to it and I loved the sweet dip which tasted like a fruit chutney. For an entree I had the butter chicken which was delicious. The chicken was soft and flavorful with a rich, creamy sauce. The chef clearly has an artistic flair as everything that came out of the kitchen was presented beautifully. The dining room had an elegant, sultry Art Deco vibe. Our server, Eli, couldn't have been nicer and our service was very prompt. The only thing I would change is the music. There is a bar connected to the restaurant which was playing loud blues. I like the blues but not when I'm out to dine and relax. Next time I come here, I will sit on the side of the restaurant away from the bar! read more