A Guide to Downtown Cleveland’s East 4th Street
Right in the heart of downtown Cleveland, close to Progressive Field and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, lies East 4th Street, a revitalized pedestrian-friendly street jam-packed with restaurants, bars, and people. With the hanging bubble lights and blocked-off vehicular traffic, East 4th Street feels like a classier French Quarter. And when it comes to food, it’s hard to miss, whether you’re craving a slice of pizza or a multiple-course chef’s table dining experience.
Here are our favorite places to eat and drink on East 4th Street.
Citizen Pie Roman Cafe
There’s nothing better than pizza and there’s no better way to eat it than by the (rectangular) slice. Citizen Pie Roman Cafe has the right idea, offering an eclectic variety of slices, both classic and unique. Two of the finest options are the Little Italy (topped with red sauce, fresh mozzarella, shallots, Holiday sausage (local to Cleveland), peppadew peppers, shaved pecorino, basil, and oregano) and the Cacio E Pepe (with garlic cream sauce, fresh mozzarella, burrata, black pepper, shaved pecorino, and basil).
Butcher and The Brewer
Don’t let the brewpub identity fool you…this spot is serving some impressive and complex dishes to accompany their many house-brewed beers. Sure, they have classic pub dishes like Beef Sliders (smashed thin and served on potato rolls and topped with American cheese and a shredded lettuce slaw) and Corn Dogs (served with “beerjanaise” and house-made ketchup), but they also have dishes like Meatballs Puttanesca and Grilled Octopus, putting the “butcher” in the name.
Society Lounge
Every bar and restaurant on E4S is lively and action-packed, which causes the mysterious-looking Society Lounge (a 21+ cocktail club) to stand out. It feels classy, with a dark aesthetic and paintings and murals on the wall like The Palm. The “professional craft cocktail bartenders” are clearly knowledgeable and passionate about the art of mixology, which will show as soon as you ask them for a recommendation. The cocktails are all unique and fabulous, especially the Agave Herb Smash which contains cilantro-infused tequila, lime, and agave. It’s described as “invigorating, tangy, and smooth,” which is spot on.
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Cordelia
Cordelia is one of Cleveland’s hottest new restaurants, and certainly the culinary gem of East 4th Street. Their style is “midwest nice”, and everything is appropriate comforting yet refined, like the Burger Box, Chicharrones, and Fried Chicken. The Sunday Brunch offers some morning gems, like the B.E.C. (bologna, bodega egg, hot sauce mayo, and smoked cheddar) and French Toast Fries, and the cocktails are fantastic. Perhaps the highlight of the menu, though is the Bellie Up tasting menu, which encourages the diner to “try a little bit of everything.” It’s tremendous value for one of the tastiest meals you’ll ever eat.
The Corner Alley
The Corner Alley, a sports bar aptly named for its spot in the corner of Euclid and (you guessed it) East 4th Street. The vibes here are impeccable, whether you’re there for a Browns, Guardians, or Cavs game or to go bowling. The food and drinks are just what you’re looking for, things like: T.C.A. Buffalo Eggrolls, Mozzarella Sticks, and Garlic Parmesan Fries. They pair quite nicely with their roster of crisp beers.
Barrio
Barrio has locations all over Ohio, Michigan, and more, but it’s mainly centered around Cleveland, including this East 4th Street hub. Whether you’re on the patio, at the bar, or at a table inside, there’s always a unique variety of quesos and guacamoles, not to mention margaritas. But Barrio is all about the tacos, whether you’re getting El Jefe’s Selecciones (including the double-shelled El Sully with chorizo, chihuahua, lettuce, pico, and Barrio secret sauce) or building your own creation.
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