Balaton

13133 Shaker Square

Cleveland, Ohio 44120

(216) 921-9691

Price Range: $$$

Time to go: This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, but is closed Mondays.

Who to bring: This seems like a family friendly restaurant, but the food selection may be a bit mature for the younger crowd. 

Balaton offers traditional Hungarian food (not something the average person gets every day-unless, of course, you are Hungarian...). It feels as though you're stepping into Eastern Europe when you come here, as the walls are decorated with plenty of Hungarian paraphernalia, and soft folk music (or, you know, renditions of Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" in Hungarian) plays in the background. The food is hearty and well-spiced, and certainly makes for an enjoyable experience.

Maria and Amy suggest:
Chicken paprikash

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Captain Tony's

13206 Shaker Square

Cleveland, OH 44120

(216) 561-8669 

Price Range: $-$$

Time to Go: Captain Tony's is open for lunch and dinner every day.

Who to Bring: Anyone who likes tasty Italian food can come!

 If you're low on cash, or you just want what some claim to be the best pizza in town, come to Captain Tony's. This establishment offers a great variety of tasty pizza, subs, and pasta, at very affordable prices. You can buy your pizza by the slice, or by the pie. Seating is available inside, and outside for nice weather. 

Deweys

13201 Shaker Square

Cleveland, OH 44120

(216) 991-1101 

 Price Range: $

 Time to Go: Weekend nights, or anytime!

 Who to Bring: Friends and family; they'll all like Deweys.

One of our personal favorite places to hang out on the Square is Deweys. The chill atmosphere, great selection of coffee shop drinks, and sweet live music scene make it a great place to visit- Dewey’s prides itself on the fact that it is “Shaker Square’s Gathering House.” The establishment opened in 2005, when Dewey, the owner of the famous Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop, was approached to open that same store here at Shaker Square. He agreed, having grown up near Shaker Square, but only if he could open a coffee shop as well, and in this way Deweys Coffee was born. This opportunity was especially exciting to Dewey since he loves the people of Shaker Square. As he told us, the Square offers, “a taste of every nationality on earth… and everyone gets along.”  This store has pointedly chosen to serve only fair trade and organic coffee, meaning the products are a little more expensive, but even more delicious and ecologically and socially friendly. On a smaller scale, Deweys is also involved in community sponsorship and support, and is a member of Cleveland Independents. For the everyday customer, Dewey’s offers free WiFi and live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Music performances are eclectic; folk, jazz, Celtic, and poetry readings are the normal genres. Students come to hang out here late afternoons, evenings, and weekend nights, and many are high schoolers.

Dewey Recommends:
Stuporball, Dew's Brew coffee

Maria Suggests:
Mocha Swirl, Speedball

Amy Likes:
Irish Crème Hot Chocolate

 fire

13220 Shaker Square

 Cleveland, OH 44120

(216) 921-3473

Price Range: $$$$

When to Go: fire is open for dinner every night (closed Mondays) and has Sunday brunch from 10am-2pm.

Who to Bring: Family and friends; young children are accommodated well  

 There is no better place on Shaker Square- and, likely, in all of Cleveland- for upscale American cuisine than fire food & drink. Although fire’s prices are on the expensive end, all the dishes are excellent and very elegantly presented. Owner and Executive Chef Doug Katz (a Hawken alum! yeah!) opened fire in 2001, and it has flourished there ever since, and is a member of Cleveland Independents. A longstanding favorite of many Clevelanders, fire is open only for dinner, but they also offer a Sunday brunch. The menu changes seasonally, but favorites reappear each year along with the new dishes.  In his menu, Katz tries to use local and organic food as often as possible, and he is supplied by the farms of the North Union Farmer’s Market. The restaurant’s décor is what we like to call “industrial chic,” mixing modern with historic, which gives it a cool atmosphere for dining. You can see the chefs and cooks from your table as they prepare your meal. There is also the option to sit outside on the patio during the summer. Fire is a great place to go for a nice dinner with friends, or if you’re celebrating, fire has a private party room, a bar, or they can even cater an event. While the crowd at fire may usually be a little older (sometimes…a lot older), students shouldn’t feel left out at this excellent restaurant- there are definitely affordable options for those of us who are scint (that’s broke, by the way).

 Reservations are strongly recommended (and can be made online). Valet parking available.

Amy and Maria recommend:
    Cheeseburger

Fire staff recommend:
    Mussels, Large-mouth Bass, Tandoor roasted organic pork chop

        picture courtesy fire website 

Grotto Wine Bar

13101 Shaker Square

Cleveland, OH 44120

Corporate Office: (216) 664-1120 

 Opening Soon! A new wine bar and restaurant from the owners of Gusto in Little Italy and Lago in Tremont.

Saravá 

13225 Shaker Square

Cleveland, OH 44120

(216) 295-1200

Price Range: $$$-$$$$

When to Go: Saravá is open every night for dinner.

Who to Bring: Friends or family; there is a kid’s menu

 Saravá, owned by Brazilian-born Executive Chef Sergio Abramof, has a cool vibe and atmosphere, and offers great food. The name of the restaurant, Saravá, is a Brazilian greeting- like aloha- that can mean hello, goodbye, peace, and good luck, and the atmosphere of the restaurant is high energy and fun. Saravá, also a member of Cleveland Independents, is a Brazilian-inspired restaurant. The menu, like Brazil itself, is a blend of different styles of cuisine: both traditional Brazilian dishes and ones that Sergio has created. There are lots of options on the menu, and especially for students on a, shall we say ‘smaller budget,’ Saravá has Street Plates. Street Plates are smaller dishes inspired by foods sold on the street around the world, and are definitely affordable. Sergio uses local produce as well as ingredients from Brazil and Miami, and this is obvious from the stronger flavors of his dishes. The restaurant itself is very atmospheric and high energy, and is large enough to offer different dining options depending on your wants and needs: the bar, the private Rio Room, the indoor tables, and in the summer, the patio. Saravá has Brazilian-influenced live jazz music on the weekends, and hopes to have dancing in the near future. Oh yes, that’s right. Bust a move.

Reservations recommended (and can be made online). Valet parking available.

Maria likes:
Artichoke Fritters, Xim-Xim

Amy suggests:
Baby Lou Po-Boy, Tamale Cakes

Sergio recommends everything, but especially:
Mercado Sandwich, Beef Picanha, Coconut Butter Cake

SASA 

13120 Shaker Square

Cleveland, Ohio 44120

(216) 767-1111 
 
Price Range: $$$

When to Go: SASA is open for dinner and Dim Sum on Sunday from noon-3

Who to Bring: SASA is a family friendly restaurant. Although they serve mostly Asian cuisine, they have something for every taste palate.

If you’re looking for a fun and modern restaurant to chill at with friends, family, or your significant other, we would heartily suggest SASA. This establishment offers delicious Japanese cuisine, by maintaining traditional tastes, but also incorporating modern interpretations. For those of you who don’t like sushi, don’t worry: this Japanese eatery offers the whole spectrum of types of food. Formerly the restaurant Matsu in Shaker Heights, the restaurant was redesigned when it was moved to Shaker Square to better fit the diversity and fun of its new location. It now offers Japanese Izakaya, which are small dishes like Spanish tapas, along with some larger meals. This means that SASA is the kind of place you can come in and not “break the bank.” Depending on how many small dishes you order, you can control the price of your meal. SASA promises that employees will never pressure anyone to spend x-amount of money, and they encourage people who want a large meal or just a cup of tea to come in and enjoy themselves. The restaurant strives to be a fun, cool place to work, eat, and hang out for every age, and that is precisely what we experienced at our visit. For a completely different SASA experience, we were told to try the Dim Sum with friends on Sundays from noon to three. Not only is the food scrumptious, but also most of it is organic and/or locally grown, which means it’s better for you and the community economy. Overall, the service is quick, the employees are extremely friendly, and the food is delicious and reasonably priced. Thus, it’s almost certain you’ll enjoy yourself at SASA. Valet parking is available.

Exciting Up-and-comings: 
Live upbeat jazz in the summer 

Staff Picks: 
Avocado Salad, Shrimp Yakiudon, 5 Mushroom Tofu, The Rock

Maria and Amy Suggest: 
SASA’s Fries, Kobe Beef Gyoza, Tempura Dessert!!!!

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Subway

13113 Shaker Square

Cleveland, OH 44120

(216) 561-0077

Price Range: $-$$

When to Go: Subway is open for lunch and dinner

Who to Bring: Anyone of any age 

We're pretty sure everyone knows what Subway is (really, who hasn't heard the "5 dollar foot long" ad that gets stuck in your head forever) and the Shaker Square Subway is no different. Get your fresh made-to-order sandwiches here. Eat in the restaurant or take it to go!

Yours Truly

13328 Shaker Square 

Cleveland, Ohio 44120 

(216) 751-8646  

Price Range: $$

When to Go: Yours Truly is open from breakfast to dinner

Who to Bring: Yours Truly is the epitome of a family restaurant. Bring anyone you like! 

 
Yours Truly is a local restaurant chain, which offers good food, affordable prices, and friendly service. Whether you’re there to have breakfast with the family, a milkshake with friends after a movie, or are just there to enjoy some Notso Fries, this Shaker Square location holds a relaxing air of nostalgia with old-fashioned architecture, soft lighting, a chandelier, large windows overlooking the Square, tiled floors, and a jukebox. Yours Truly is a family friendly restaurant, meaning you and the older crowd can bring the little siblings or cousins, grab them some crayons (or, you know, keep the crayons for your own coloring pleasure) and enjoy a carefree meal in the establishment’s fun atmosphere. Everything on the menu is under fifteen dollars, which means students on limited budgets can afford to hang out here all the time. Not only does this restaurant offer all-day breakfast, which Amy believes to be a super big plus, but they purchase some of their food from Ohio farmers and local coffee chains. To add to their community interest, Yours Truly participates in supporting local school systems, as well as a few charities. Their involvement in the surrounding areas, affordable menu, lively atmosphere, and pleasant employees make this a business worth supporting.  
 

Employee Spotlight: 

To add to the allure of diversity in the Square, 18-year-old Omar, an exchange student from Iraq, works at Yours Truly. He enjoys working with the good people there (as well as making money—a desire all teens can identify with). Omar has finished high school and has attended classes at Tri-C. He likes to hang out at Dewey’s and the movie theater on the Square in his free time. 

Staff Recommendations: 

Notso Fries, Patty Melt, Chicken Wrap, Grilled Chicken Quesadilla  

Maria likes:

Notso Fries, Chicken Quesadillas 

Amy Suggests:

Tangy Limeade, Buttermilk Pancakes