Sky-high rooftop views, panoramic riverfront vistas, laid back tropical flair or chic industrial courtyards – some of the many unique settings where one can enjoy a cold beverage, delicious food and great company at Downtown Cleveland’s beautiful restaurant patios. No matter your food or libation of choice, here are six of the best Downtown patios to enjoy the city’s summertime beauty while sipping on cocktails.
Where craft beer and scratch-made cuisine meet, foodies will find Collision Bend. Named for the countless ships that navigate the narrow passages of the Cuyahoga River it overlooks, this East Bank brewery features handcrafted beer from brew master Luke Purcell, who helped launch Great Lakes Brewing Company into national fame. The views? Out of this world. The riverfront restaurant manages to rise to any occasion—from happy hour to tailgate menus. Get meta and enjoy a “Lake Erie Sunset” pale ale while enjoying the real thing from the patio.
If you prefer a more upscale and refined dining experience, Alley Cat Oyster Bar’s panoramic riverfront provides top notch dining and drinks with unmatched views. The perfect place to watch massive freighters traverse the twisty waterways while the sun sets below the horizon; this serene, swanky yet comfortable restaurant has become a staple of Flats East Bank. Enjoy a bottle of wine, a Lobster Roll and, of course, some oysters while relaxing on the banks of the Cuyahoga.
Looking for an al fresco cocktail or dinner in the heart of a chic urban courtyard to get the full city experience? Look no further than the hidden gem of a patio at Cleveland Chop; a delicious and industrial Warehouse District steakhouse. While the filets and indoor ambiance are beloved, the back patio is lesser known. Perched on a scenic deck that overlooks a grassy courtyard and the beautifully restored Worthington Yards apartments (a century-old collection of historic warehouses and industrial brick buildings), your dining experience is elevated to an entirely new level due to the intimate and just plain cool surroundings.
Perched high in the sky at The 9, an iconic Downtown building home to luxury apartments and a hotel, The Garden of Eden serves up delicious cocktails with unparalleled skyline views. Whether you’re captivated by vistas of Terminal Tower’s sunset glow or the city’s twinkling lights as darkness sets in, the views here are incredible. Stop by on a weekday evening for a more relaxed experience, or enjoy a lively and upbeat atmosphere on the weekends. Regardless, you can’t beat the cityscape views while sipping on a refreshing summer cocktail.
One of Cleveland’s few lakefront restaurants, Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar (located next to North Coast Harbor’s Voinovich Park) offers an expansive patio with views overlooking the park, marina, lake and Downtown skyline. The tasty selection of food paired with fruity margaritas and a wide selection of tequilas results in a beautiful, delicious experience. The lively atmosphere and fun setting go perfectly with a plate of tacos.
While not in Downtown, All Saints Public House is only a quick bike or scooter ride away along the Lakefront Bikeway. Located near Edgewater Park in Detroit Shoreway’s Battery Park neighborhood, All Saints has one of the most serene and relaxing patios in all of Cleveland. The canopy of tall trees, intimate atmosphere and nighttime lighting make this patio one worth including if you’re looking for a scenic spot to enjoy wonderful food and handcrafted drinks. The chef’s daily features are always amazing, plus the summer cocktails are some of the most refreshing around. Come for the menu and stay for the atmosphere – you won’t regret it. Because of this, they can often be very busy, so get there early or be prepared to wait. But trust me - it’s absolutely worth it, and it might just become your new favorite patio.