Best American Restaurants in Downtown Cleveland / Playhouse Square

Always great food at a reasonable price. Good value.

Professional restauranters are running this restaurant. This is old school service. Front end staff is pleasant and knowledgeable. Managers are attentive. Bartender is a pro. Our apps (we had 4 I'm embarrassed to admit) were excellent. The crab app and the mushroom gnocchi app (available in bar) were outstanding. My entre (grouper) was very salty but I will give that a pass because everything else was excellent. If you are seeking an old school fine dining experience with knowledgeable and personable wait staff in Cleveland, it is basically down to Johnny's on Fulton and Blue Point. I put this place on a level with several first rate restaurants in Manhattan and Washington D.C.

We enjoyed our first experience at the Ghost Light Restaurant. Our server, Tekesha, was attentive, although it was obvious that she was overly busy. We had plenty of time before our show, so it was not an issue. The food was delicious and plentiful —I had the butternut squash soup and the fish and chips and it was so good. My companions had the short rib and the chicken and gnocchi and both loved their choices. I like the openness of the room and the absence of tvs—made for easy conversation and a more relaxed atmosphere. We will definitely include this restaurant in our pre-theater choices in the future.

Decent food but not outstanding. Service was very good and timing to get us to the show was great. I just think the food could be a bit better

I enjoyed an exceptional dining experience at a recommended restaurant; Fahrenheit... The decor, cuisine, and service were outstanding—I truly struck gold tonight! Here’s how it went. Fahrenheit opens with a small loaf of focaccia that sets the bar high: served warm, accompanied by honey, truffle oil, and olive oil subtly spiced with chili pepper flakes. Each bite of this rich, aromatic bread hints at the culinary creativity to come. When I requested fresh-squeezed lemonade, they delivered with a perfectly tart and refreshing glass—a gesture that signals the level of hospitality here. The best places always accommodate, and Fahrenheit makes it effortless. Their take on Mexican street corn? A reimagined soup, velvety like a corn chowder but brimming with depth. Corn, sour cream, shaved parmesan, bacon, and a medley of onions, cilantro, jalapeño, and spices—all come together in a luscious blend that’s as visually appealing as it is bold in flavor. For the main course, I opted for the Vietnamese Pork Chop. The meat was tender and flavorful, and when paired with the lemongrass fried rice and sautéed mango, the plate became a playground of textures and flavors, striking that perfect balance between complementary and contrasting. Imagine the thrill of fireworks on your taste buds. Despite a satisfying meal, the dessert menu was too tempting to ignore. I decided to linger, making space for the Sizzling Blueberry Cobbler. Served warm with a cornmeal cake biscuit, sweet blueberry compote, vanilla bean gelato, and a bourbon-brown sugar Chantilly, this dish crowned the meal in indulgent style. Garnished with edible flowers, it was almost too beautiful to eat—almost.