Casual service meets fantastic food in an environment perfect for families & groups of friends…read more Each time I visit Northstar Cafe I love it more (and wish more deeply it would expand to a Westside location). For brunch, my go to is the biscuits and gravy. The gravy has a good heat to it and the biscuits are flaky and buttery. For lunch, the buddha bowl and chicken & avocado sandwich are both elevated classics. My husband raves about the fish sandwich - and the salad that comes as a side is anything but simple. When you enter, you'll order with the cashier and then find a seat with your number. Typical counter service - but what makes Northstar special is that the interior feels more like fine dining and the food is much much better than your standard fare. Worth a trip for its own merits, the fact that it's located in a nice shopping area is also a draw, especially for a weekend when you want to have a leisurely stroll.

Very chic looking place with open kitchen, pretty lamps and wooden accent wall…read more We were here for weekend brunch and this place was lovely with friendly staff, great food and beautiful vibe. You enter and order at the counter and then get a table. We were not planning on desserts but while ordering our food, they got fresh cookies and we had to order two. It was definitely the best decision of the day. Portions are good here and dishes are well prepared with perfect combination of textures and tastes. I especially loved the sweet potato hash. Frittata was good too. We also had hot chocolate and hot apple cider... Perfect for the cold January morning. Overall we liked this place and highly recommend it.

Absolutely Awesome! Whether in person or delivery but I prefer to go in person just to interact…read morewith great friendly and engaging staff members! Having relocated here from New York eight years ago I've always felt like a family member each and every time I walk through your doors. You have everything and especially the best produce I've seen since I relocated here. And let's not forget that the most important aspect of any customer experience is to be seen, appreciated, and treated like family. I am speaking from my past retail experiences that had me recognized as someone who always puts the customer first whether it was in the car business to food service to teaching!

Bruce Lee came here to grab some food and drinks since I was in the area. This location was a lot…read moremore easier to park and get to then the location in Pepper Pike. Staff here was very friendly and helpful. There was ample amount of parking and they had a little food truck out side the store as well. The store was easy to shop around and navigate. Great selection of snack bars and energy drinks. Even the hot food selection was pretty good too. I enjoyed it the staff is socially engaging with the customers. Easy access to the streets! Overall, I enjoyed my time here

Made a reservation for a Saturday night and were seated at a nice spacious corner booth. The vibe…read moreis amazing, dim lights, not too loud, spacious but cozy--perfect for celebrating a special occasion! Favorites were the steak tips, mushroom tartlets, mussels, crispy pork belly, and baked Alaska. The kale salad and brussel sprouts good but not too special. We thought the meatballs were nothing special and the stuffed cabbage was too salty. But overall had a great time trying the different dishes, and enjoyed the complimentary cookies and decorative postcard! Definitely would recommend!

If you're looking for a classy dining experience in Cleveland, one place that needs to be on your…read morelist is Kiln on the East Side. We stopped in for a celebratory dinner and were impressed by the ambiance and the variety of goodies on the menu. We started with a Kiln #3 and a Kiln #6 for drinks, followed by some popovers with homemade butter and berry preserves, and a bibb salad. But my favorite was the roasted candy striped beets (beets with passion fruit, blackberries, sumac, mint and almonds) along with the stuffed cabbage (kasha, eggplant, mushrooms, caraway, tomato-cashew sauce). An arctic char was the fish of the day, providing the protein and umami for the meal. And finally, a baked alaska for dessert (pistachio cake, cherry jam and vanilla ice cream). Wow, that was good. Shout out to Schuyler, our server who dutifully walked us through the menu and helped us pick fantastic dishes! If you're looking for fantastic food in Cleveland, get yourself to Kiln ASAP!

DELICIOUS!!! Best brisket and pork I've ever had…read more Donuts were amazing too! Got a dozen with sprinkles and 9 x 50 layer donuts. They were a huge hit!

Yuuuum.... I initially went inside market hall to go to…read moreninja city but they moved so I had to think of a backup plan and saw this place. I've had their donuts before and they're delicious so I thought I'd give the food a try. I got the sliced beef, two wings and an order of collard greens. The wings were good but I've had better as far as flavor goes but they were cooked well. The greens were delicious. Very melt in your mouth. I absolutely love the pickles and the slaw. And the sliced beef stole the show. It's so tender. It falls apart as you try to take it out the container. Overall, I spent about $28 and would definitely return again for the beef and greens

The Van Aken District was such a nice find while I was casually driving around. I checked out this…read morefood court recently and was really impressed with everything it had to offer. There are tons of food options including pizza, pasta, poutine, sandwiches, salads, and a huge variety of desserts. It's definitely one of those places where everyone can find something they like which makes it great for groups. I decided to try the chicken shawarma poutine, and even though it sounded a little different at first, it ended up being absolutely delicious. The fries were crispy, the chicken was flavorful, and the toppings all came together perfectly. I noticed a lot of other unique dishes at different stalls too which makes me want to go back and try more. The prices were very reasonable as well especially for the quality and portion sizes. What really stood out, though, was the atmosphere. There was live music playing, which gave the whole place such a lively and fun vibe. You can even order a beer and just walk around or head outside to enjoy it in the fresh air. Between the food variety, affordable prices, and the relaxed but energetic setting, I think this spot is perfect for a casual meal or even a night out with friends. I'll definitely be going back!

Shops, restaurants, cafes, desserts, indoor and outdoor seating, an area for kids-Van Aken is…read moresmall, but has it all. Enjoyed a good meal while sitting outside just taking in the sights and sounds. The weather was perfect so it made for a great visit.

We have been going to tibors my whole childhood and adulthood . The meat is top quality and so is…read morethe service. Our favorites are the london broil split roast , the beef chuck roast (for stews ), and the french roast / boston brisket for those special occasions. Adam the manager will take care of you from start to finish , bring your little one in for a sweet at the register from mendel. Make your week and every night super rich with a stop over at tibors.

They are right down the street from Boris's kosher market and have many overlapping items. Their…read morestaff is friendly and they make fresh chopped liver on Thursdays (late morning) for the best price (or maybe a dollar more than Boris's) in Cleveland! They have a lot of delicious to-go foods such as pargiyot, kugel, barbecue sauced brisket, and more. They have an extensive refrigerated meat section and lots of frozen foods ranging from kishka and multiple varieties of gefilte fish to several desserts.

On The Rise is famous for their sweet and savory carbs…read more We kicked off Halloween with breakfast at this local gem. Since I wanted the inside scoop on this award winning bakery, we ordered a variety of goodies to taste test. This included a chocolate chip cookie, the mushroom quiche, and the classic chocolate croissant. While each was delicious, the mushroom quiche was my favorite of all three items. This creation was warm and savory, while also being light and leaving me ready to take on the rest of a busy day. Highly recommend visiting early, popular menu items sell out fast!

Try their breakfast sandwiches!…read more On the Rise Artisan Breads is a stand at the Van Aken Market Hall. It will be right in front of you as you walk into the Market Hall. The sister location is in Cleveland Heights. This stand is an easy destination for quick coffee, tea, pastries, and breads! Tea/Coffee: Good and quick. Nothing notable. Visit the neighboring stand Rising Star for an elevated cup of coffee. Sandwiches: Breakfast sandwiches (when available) are so yummy! You can add on bacon or sausage (not both). They are prepped very quickly and have the freshest bun. Must order! I will say that they're a little pricey ($9 and $2.50 extra if you want to add bacon or sausage). Bread/pastries: The case is usually full of different pastries. Croissants are really good here but light on filling. Breads are hit or miss. On some days they are very dry, at the start of the week much better. Service: Always pleasant and quick. Usually your order is taken care of before interaction with the next customer. This keeps things moving along very efficiently. Seating: After you order, you can sit at the Market Hall or on the patio. Lots of seating choices - tables, couches, high tops, and booths. It may get crowded on weekends but you'll always find seats. Specials: Check out their specials (pastry and bread days) attached to this post and on their social media. I highly recommend them for speedy breakfast and tasty breakfast sandwiches!

I've passed Honeybirch Bakehouse more times than I can count, always thinking "oh yeah! This is…read morehere. I want to try it." Finally, my husband and I went because we set a goal for 2026 to try a new bakery. Honeybirch did not disappoint! The friendly couple who owns the shop is hard at work putting out delicious and ever changing goods. I got hooked by the cardamom bun, which luckily is one of their staples. We also enjoyed some savory pastries and loaves of bread. Can't wait to make this a more regular part of our bakery rotation.

Thanks to Too Good To Go (and my love of desserts!), I finally got around to trying Honeybirch…read moreBakehouse a few weeks ago, a "new-ish" bakery on the other side of Cleveland Heights from my house. For a discounted price of about $9, I came home with 4 delicious baked goods and a mini baguette about an hour before they closed for the day. Note: $9 is way less than what you will normally pay for these 5 items. They average around $4 each. I got a savory scone, a massive cookie, a mini baguette, an apple muffin, and a huge cinnamon roll. I ate the cinnamon roll nearly right away once I got home. The cinnamon roll with cream cheese ($6) was SOOOOO moist and decadent! I warmed it up for a few seconds and then enjoyed one of the best cinnamon roll I have ever had. The vanilla and cinnamon were very prominent. Definitely a calorie bomb though. I shared the other sweet treats with my sister the next day and we agreed that the next best item was the muffin. I should also mention that the staff member that helped me that afternoon was very nice and most likely the owner. He was very helpful in explaining what each item I got in my box was and also in helping me decide on a gift for a friend I was about to see soon. I bought my friend a box of locally made teas for about $14 and she loved them! I definitely hope to come back here soon (once I have worked off the pounds from this most recent visit haha)!

Kaba's African & Caribbean Market in Lee-Harvard neighborhood is deeply rooted in tradition and…read moreoffers a variety of products you won't find elsewhere. How did I find myself at this market? My book club was reading a book about Botswana. I wanted to share some traditional African fruit with the group. I was really pleased with the assortment! Let me share all that excited me! LAYOUT: The market is fairly small, one room retail space. Checkout is at the front and so is veggie/fruit section. Find frozen foods on the right and meat department on the left. Middle rows are reserved for everything else. Don't miss the beauty section on your right as you walk in. The store is very simple, no decor or complications. Just a simple ethnic market. The parking lot is small. INVENTORY: Kaba's offers a wide range of products that will allow you to cook full African or Jamaican meal. Categories include meat, fish, fruit/vegetables, snacks, tea, canned goods, flour, condiments, beauty, and more. You'll find the expected here like plantains, fufu, ginger, Goya products, and more. The inventory is predominantly Jamaican. I was most impressed with a rustic, wood mortar and pestle. It looked very authentic. I learned that traditionally the pair is used for milling and grinding maize, grains, cassava, and spices into powder. It is most often used to make fufu (powdered yam). What a meditative activity it must be! I love that this item was part of the store's inventory. It definitely motivated to research and learn something new. MY PURCHASE: I purchased four plantains, plantain chips, and chayote ($6 something total with credit card sub charge). I was especially excited to share chayote with my book club. It's a type of squash that is mild and crisp. It is traditionally added to salads raw, used in soups, stews, and sautés. The assortment of authentic fruits and veggies was impressive. I also felt like it was good value. My only criticism is that the fruit and veggies are not well labeled in terms of names and pricing. I had no idea how much anything cost. I would have purchased more if I knew. SERVICE: Service was warm. I had a nice casual chat with the employee about their amazing selection. When I mentioned another African store in Akron, they lovingly called them their friends. It's heartwarming that these stores think of each other as community and not competition. Overall, I was very excited to find African and Caribbean market so close to home. I often reminisce about my trip to the Caribbean. Now I have somewhere to go in order to try and recreate the cuisine. I'm most excited about trying teas during my next visit. I'm such a global tea addict!

Large selection of legit African foods. I got a pound of oxtail cut for $11. Abdoulaye was very…read morehelpful in describing the ingredients of several products I was not familiar with. Sometimes they have hot patties but they only had frozen today. Lots of frozen smoked fish, flours, fufu, ground nut products, and snacks. Lots of spices and sauces and decent prices too.

Get a free 12 oz of coffee here with any coffee beans purchase!…read more Rising Star Roasters is my destination for a strong cup of coffee. It's by far my favorite local coffee shop chain. I frequent this location inside Van Aken Market Hall. This coffee stand is located right as you walk into the main doors of the market hall. You'll need to go to the counter, order your food and/or drinks, and wait for the order to be called (typical coffee shop experience). Wait can be a little long during peak hours but it's worth it! You can then select various seating options inside the market or outside. Various options are available inside - comfy leather-like couches, leather-like booths, individual or group tables, and high tops. Outside you'll find tables immediately outside of the Van Aken Market Hall or seasonally on the lawn. If you stop by during the right times, you'll find the district bustling with music and seasonal events. It's also always a good idea to pick up a cup of coffee then go cowork at AO or browse the local shops. The menu at this and other locations is concise and simple. You can get brewed coffee, tea, espresso, lattes, and seasonal drinks. The menu is straightforward and not confusing. My morning go-to's are usually perfectly strong iced coffees. I also always pick up something from the specials menu. All specialty drinks are very well made and consistently prepared. I have never had any drinks here that disappointed me. Small batch snacks are available at this location such as croissants and tea biscuits. I sometimes purchase a snack here or patronize other vendors at the market. All coffee beans at Rising Star are top notch. I recently learned that they have a dedicated coffee buyer who travels to coffee farms and brings coffee back to Cleveland. They're also incredibly serious about their roasting process and have a local roastery. How amazing is that especially for a local coffee shop?! You can pick up beans at their location that are named after regions of where the coffee farms are located. Each coffee bean bag has taste notes listed on the bag, choose your adventure! Coffee bean bag prices vary from $16-19. They'll roast them for you and tailor to your coffee preparation method (i.e. coffee press). If you purchase coffee beans in store, you can get free 12 oz drip coffee! You can also order them online and they'll be roasted within 48 hours of shipping. I love to explore their coffees, get something new every time. I highly recommend this location for your coffee cravings! While you're here, look out for notNeutral coffee mug - sleek, 12 oz, and must have. In the words of Rising Star, "a laser-etched Rising Star emblem adds a subtle, sophisticated touch to the side of each piece."

Warning this place is always busy BUT the baristas work super hard. I have been coming here for the…read morelast 4 years and always find myself comparing other coffee shops to their vanilla latte. My personal favorite order is an Iced Lavender Latte. And being inside the Van Aken District makes this such a fun spot to yap with friends or go on a date (have done both lol).