With apologies to Bryan Adams — in Cleveland, it’s easy to be nostalgic for the summer of 1994. We had a shiny new baseball stadium (and a team in contention), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was under construction and revitalization was in the air. It was radical; hella gnarly, even.
Luckily, the summer of 2025 is shaping up to exude similar resurgence vibes, with the Guardians on a hot streak, new restaurants popping up all around and downtown buzzing with activity.
Here’s a two-day itinerary of things to see and do that’ll give you a throwback vibe from a time when The Land was similarly on the rise.
Day 1
A Tremont staple since the late 1990s, the cozy café Grumpy’s serves up what it calls Cleveland feel-good food — meaning breakfast fare like omelets, pancakes and waffles or heartier dishes such as tomato bisque and grilled cheese or their signature meatloaf.
Opened in 1912, the largest continuously operating public market in Cleveland offers up no shortage of homemade grocery delights for purchase from businesses like Ohio City Pasta, Pierogi Palace and the legendary Frank’s Bratwurst, as well as the lunch-appropriate West Side Market Café.
The Land’s craft beer scene is booming — and it all started with the Great Lakes Brewing Company. Founded in 1988, the brewery anchor of the Ohio City neighborhood is located right down the street from the West Side Market. Try a refreshing Dortmunder Gold, which never goes out of style.
Nosh on BBQ at Mabel’s
East 4th Street has come a long way in the last few decades, thanks to concert emporium the House of Blues and a string of well-regarded restaurants. You can’t go wrong with Chef Michael Symon’s Mabel’s BBQ, which boasts barbecue sauce made with a local staple (Bertman’s Ballpark Mustard) and tender meat smoked over local fruitwood.
You’ll know you’re in sight of Playhouse Square — the Land’s own Broadway district — when you spot the dazzling chandelier overlooking Euclid Avenue, which boasts 4,200 gleaming crystals. The sights and sounds inside the theaters are equally impressive, as Playhouse Square draws high-profile touring productions year-round.
Late Night
Tucked away down an alleyway, the late-night institution Johnny’s Little Bar is a classic Cleveland bar — intimate, with an amazing beer list and full of character (and characters).
Option 2: Snag a late-night snack at Swenson’s
Hungry for a late-night snack? Head to one of the locations of Swenson’s Drive-In, which boasts heavenly milkshakes and some of the most delicious burgers in the area.
Day 2
Consistently one of the highest-rated brunch spots in the city, the Tremont café Lucky’s dishes up a thoughtfully curated menu full of locally sourced ingredients.
Sure, the Rock Hall didn’t open until September 1995 — but given that we’re now far enough out for new inductees to be from the ’90s (shout out class of 2024 members Mary J. Blige and Dave Matthews Band!), the decade that spawned an abundance of classic grunge and hip-hop artists is well-represented these days.
Afternoon
The vibrant Midtown neighborhood boasts an abundance of art and locally owned boutiques and shops — as well as beloved restaurants like dim sum destination Li Wah and the Vietnamese-focused Superior Pho.
Option 2: Grab a burger at Bearden’s
If you’re hankering for a hamburger instead, head west to another local classic, the old-school diner Bearden’s. The Rocky River institution’s signature dish is a patty with peanut butter and sweet pickles.
Soak up our lake views
Our Lake Erie shoreline is a gem, in no small part, due to the spectacular views — perch on Lakewood Park’s Solstice Steps or the newly refurbished Bradstreet’s Landing in Rocky River.
Have a delicious dinner at Pier W
End the weekend with a fancy meal out at the pinnacle of dining sophistication. Pier W., built to look like a cruise ship hull, has been serving up seafood, steaks and fine wine since 1965.
Decades ago, weekends meant thousands of people headed to The Flats, an entertainment district located on each bank of the Cuyahoga River. Although many of the bars and clubs are no longer there, the West Bank institution Shooters holds strong. Especially during the summer, the bar’s combination of cover bands and cold brews is undefeated.