Ohio City Neighborhood Guide
Just west of Downtown Cleveland, Ohio sits the historic neighborhood of Ohio City. Once a fierce competitor of the city of Cleveland, it’s now one of Cleveland’s most interesting and fun historic neighborhoods. Minutes away from Downtown, Lake Erie, The Flats, Tremont, and the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood you’ll never run out of things to do.
Ohio City Highlights
- Visit the historic West Side Market for delicious food and amazing people watching.
- Enjoy one of the several outdoor festivals and events from City Stages, Station Hope, and the Ohio City Street Festival.
- Visit one of the many breweries in town, including a book-themed brewery called Bookhouse Brewing.
- Have fun at The Vibe Garden where a variety of fun events are held throughout the year from yoga to markets, and concerts.
- Find all of the amazing street art throughout the neighborhood, the perfect photo-op.
- Get your art on at Spaces Gallery or The Transformer Station.
Newness In The Neighborhood
Updated: 4/29/22
New businesses, community spaces, and restaurants that we’re looking forward to, Some have just recently opened, and others are coming soon or in the near future.
- Restaurants
- Juneberry Table
- Amba
- Bartleby Supper Club
- CHOOLaAH
- Bright Side
- Bird of Paradise
- jaja
- Leaps & Bounds
- Pioneer
- community
- Irishtown Bend park
A Mix Of Old & New
A stroll through the Ohio City neighborhood will show you many beautiful old homes with a quaint and cozy feel to them. While venturing to the outskirts of the neighborhood and near the popular W.25th Street, you’ll see a lot more new construction mixed in.
The Best Brunch Spots In Ohio City
Le Petit Triangle
French-inspired cafe serving up fresh croissants, crepes, and savory dishes like cassoulet, shakshuka, steak tartine, and of course French toast. I highly recommend the Roasted Potatoes, they are so, so good.
Cleveland Bagel Co.
Self-proclaimed Cleveland-style bagels – malty, boiled goodness. Grab a Rosemary Sea Salt bagel sandwich and hit up the beach to enjoy your brunch outdoors, you can thank me later. Good luck finding a parking space, though. This is a popular spot.
Touch Supper Club
You wouldn’t think a place with “supper club” in its name would have a good brunch, but you would be wrong. Try the Fruity Pebble Pancakes if you want to have some fun!
West Side Market Cafe
A simple cafe serving up go-to breakfast and lunch classics all day. Get the Market Breakfast if you want to keep it simple, or try their Belgian Waffle if you have a sweet tooth.
Amazing Street Art
MURALS GALORE
In the past 5 to 6 years there was a huge influx of public art popping up around the neighborhood. These colorful and fun murals brought the brick-covered industrial parts of the neighborhood bursts of color and fun.
The neighborhood even hosted International artists to leave their mark around Ohio City. Check out my post on Ohio City Murals to learn more.
Hingetown
An enclave of Ohio City that spans a few city blocks and includes a lot of the newness in the neighborhood. From new apartments with awesome community space to weird domes dubbed Creative Hangers (being built now), shops, restaurants, and unique outdoor spaces.
Hingetown is also known for its rich history for the Cleveland LGBTQ community, most particularly W. 29th Street (Read more), and having historical significance to the Underground Railroad with Saint Johns Church, one of the last stops before making it to Canada.
While it’s all technically part of Ohio City, Hingetown has its own unique vibe. With art galleries and museums, historical spaces, unique apartments, fun outdoor community spaces, restaurants, bars, and shopping there’s a little something for everyone.
Hingetown Photo-Ops
The Living Wall
succulent city
Located on the outside wall of The Cleveland Tea Revival, this green wall changes each year and is a beautiful touch of nature in the heart of the city. The plants are watered with stormwater from the roof, so cool.
Mirrored Corner
A moment to reflect
On the corner of W. 28th and Detroit is a unique building my photographer’s eye is always attracted to. The curved, mirrored corner makes for a fun photo-op.
The Red Slide
Between cHURCH + STATE
Between the new apartments Church + State is a unique community space that includes one popular red slide that goes from the public parking level down to the community space. Have fun!
Coffee & Breweries
I’m not a coffee or beer drinker, but I would be remiss to not mention the huge amount of breweries and coffee shops in town.
Great Lakes Brewery for a locally brewed beer and German-inspired fare
Bookhouse Brewing is the cutest and only book-themed bar and brewery in town
Platform Beer local brewery and taproom
Nano Brew small brewery that serves yummy food
Market Garden Brewery local brewery with a huge production brewery nearby
Hansa Brewery authentic Eastern European restaurant and brewery
North High Brewery is a new addition to the brewery scene
Passport Cafe located inside the Cleveland Hostel
Rising Star Coffee is my husband’s favorite spot to get beans to grind
duck-rabbit coffee ethically sourced beans
Lekko Coffee serves living wage coffee
Koffie Cafe small local coffee shop
Favorite Lunch Spots In Ohio City
Ohio City Burrito
A buffet-style array of yummy ingredients for your burrito or bowl. Full of flavor and delicious options. Also, guac does not cost extra.
Citizen Pie
Yummy Neapolotain-inspired pizza pies crafted in front of you and cooked in under 2 minutes in a hot oven. They also make amazing soft-serve ice cream in-house.
Jukebox
Local music-themed spot with beers, cocktails, and bar-themed foods with some unexpected options mixed in. There are often vegan and gluten-free options available.
Souper Market
A great spot to get soups, broths, sandwiches, and salads. Grilled cheese with soup is the perfect meal sometimes. They also have vegan and gluten-free options.
Ohio City Photo-Ops
Interiors
unique & fun
Many restaurants in Ohio City were built in existing buildings, or are just funky and unique. One of my favorites is inside Heck’s Cafe (shown), it gives New Orleans courtyard vibes to me.
Old Homes
classic views
While many complain about the new construction, there are still many old homes throughout the neighborhood that are enjoyable to view. You’ll find plenty of unique paint color combinations as well as renovated gems.
West Side Market
historic + food
The historic West Side Market makes for an incredible photo-op from the incredible brickwork in the ceiling to the unique food stands and crowds of people.
Shopping In Ohio City
There are a handful of great shops sprinkled throughout Ohio City. Here are some of my favorites.
The West Side Market: An over 100-year-old marketplace that you must see when in town.
Shore Society: Coastal apparel and accessories.
Him & His: Curated and stylish home goods.
Helm Collective: A small but beautifully curated vintage goods shop.
Avalon Exchange: A buy, sell, trade, and resale clothing boutique.
Cleveland Candle Co: A candle shop where you can buy a unique scent, or make your own.
Rising Boutique: Cute clothes and accessories.
Horizontal Books: Soon to be rebranded as Index Coffee & Books, this bookstore is known for displaying its books horizontally.
All Things For You: Two floors of amazing vintage and antique goods.
Joy Machines Bike Shop: A small community bike shop.
Harper & Ivory: A bridal boutique shop
Urban Orchid: An upscale floral and gift boutique.
Lake Erie Pet Food Co.: Fresh, local small-batch dog, and cat food.
Cleveland Brew Shop: For all the homebrewers out there.
Ohio City Provisions: a small grocery/ butcher shop with all local goods and much more.
The Grocery: Small, local ready-to-eat meals, grocery, and cafe.
Fridrich Bicylcle, Inc: An institution in Cleveland that’s been around since the late 1800s!
Ohio City Dinnertime Favorites
What I love the most about Ohio City is its incredibly diverse food scene. You can get food from around the world in just one neighborhood. Here is a curated list of some of our favorites and places we’re looking forward to. Note that several of the lunch spots listed above are also open for dinner. Enjoy!
Momocho
If you want the best guac in Cleveland, here is where you’ll find it. We sat at the chefs’ table once, it was a lot of fun!
Nano Brew
This is a new favorite on our list as we have enjoyed getting their comfort food lately, they make a killer grilled cheese sandwich.
Avo Modern Mexican
Tacos, burritos, and cheese dip oh my. Love the flavors and enjoy their cheesy Fundido dip.
Saucy Brew Works
They are known for their Apizza style pizza, but we really like their white sauce pizza and garlic Saucy Bread. Yum.
You should also check out these spots: Soho Chicken + Whiskey, Heck’s Café, Banana Blossom Thai Cuisine, The Harp, Ohio City Pizzeria, Hansa Brewery, North High Brewing, Great Lakes Brewery.
A few on our to-visit list: Heart Of Gold, Alea, Johnny Mango World Café.
Coming soon spots we’re excited for: Amba, Bartleby, Choolaah, and Juneberry Table
More Ohio City Photo-Ops
Ohio City Flags
Iconic
You’ll find them all over the neighborhood including a don’t give up the ship flag. Flags in Ohio City are like the Leg Lamp to Tremont (A Christmas Story home location). I love seeing them around town.
Your Meal
deliciously photogenic
With so many delicious things to eat, you’ll want to remember it all. What better way than to take a picture of your meal! My tip is to do it quickly and move on, but it makes a nice memento.
Murals
POPS OF COLOR
There was once a time when there was hardly a mural to be found in all of Cleveland. Those days are gone, and Ohio City harbors a lot of the best murals in all of Cleveland. I’ve even posted about how to find many of them here!
Favorite sweets & treats in Ohio City
Mason’s creamery
Unique and tasty flavors can be found at Mason’s, plus they have hyper-color spoons. Love it.
Mitchell’s ice cream
This is their main hub, so you can watch them make ice cream-so fun! Popular, go-to flavors and seasonal delights.
Larder dELICATESSEN
They are a deli so there is more than just delicious baked goods. Their Black & White cookies are my fave.
The West Side Market
At over 100 years old, this historic marketplace is an institution to the neighborhood and the city of Cleveland. This is the place you recommend to out-of-towners, people watchers, photographers, and those just looking to buy their daily or weekly groceries.
The market is overdue for a change which is something often talked about by locals. Looking forward to a bright future for the market. My favorite thing to do is to grab a light bite to eat or snack on and make my way up to a small viewing deck and people watch. (It’s also how you get a shot like this!)
Neighborhood Events & Entertainment
Station Hope
May
Cleveland was a pivotal part of the Underground Railroad, nicknamed “Hope”. This event is a celebration of hope and tackles contemporary topics and historic events with art, spoken word, and performances.
City Stages
July/August
Hosted by the Cleveland Museum of Art, this summertime concert series is a beloved event in Ohio City that brings the entire neighborhood together for an evening of music in the city.
Street Festival
September
An inclusive neighborhood celebration for residents and visitors full of food, music, art, and fun. Family-friendly performances, games, and activities. A great time for everyone.
Ohio City is a vibrant neighborhood with several key events that happen throughout the year welcoming the community and its visitors to celebrate music, art, and history. These are the three big events that happen yearly that you should definitely check out. Note: Some events have been postponed or cancelled due to the pandemic in the past two years.
The neighborhood also has a lot of fun places to visit and play, create, and experience. Here are a few listed below to check out when in the neighborhood.
16 Bit Bar & Pins Mechanical
Both are new to Ohio City and just opened in a huge, two-story building on the popular W. 25th Street. Looking forward to checking them out soon!
Forest City Shuffleboard
Shuffleboard is for everyone at this cool arena that also serves beer, wine, cocktails, and food.
Glass Bubble Project
Learn how to blow glass, or watch the pros do it.
Cleveland Candle Company
Learn how to make your very own candle, or buy one of their many fun-themed scents.
Saucy Brew Works Vibe Garden
This outdoor space transforms to the occasion. It’s a beer garden, a makers market, a yoga studio, and beyond. Great use of what was once an empty lot.
Coming Soon: Irishtown Bend Park
Imagine a park with views of the city like this. In roughly four years, you won’t have to imagine as this is the site of the future Irishtown Bend Park project and I am so excited for what will be an incredible addition to the neighborhood and Cleveland alike.
The history of Irishtown Bend is deep, and I cannot tell it better than this Wiki article here (take a look for an interesting background). The L|A|N|D| Studio is working on this project and shares visuals of the plans and progress on their page here. I add this to the neighborhood guide because construction has already begun and visitors to Ohio City may notice as it’s right at the northern entrance to the neighborhood. We are so excited to see how this park develops!
There you have it, my Ohio City Neighborhood Guide complete with curated lists of things to do, eat, see, and experience. Ohio City is one of our favorite neighborhoods and is constantly growing and changing. I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide and find it helpful for planning your visit.
