Best Casual Restaurants in Downtown Cleveland

Cannot say enough about this place. My girlfriend and I went there for her birthday. This was the day the Cavs played the Thunder so it wasn’t as busy around 7pm so we got a beautiful booth for just the 2 of us. Our server was Michael and he was awesome. As someone who works in fine dining I’m aware some people like when their servers are robot like but he was professional while also being human. Laughing and cracking jokes when appropriate but not staying too long at the table. The bread plus the dip they start you out with is amazing bread was always fresh and hot and dip was oil, seasonings, breadcrumbs, and cheese I believe but it could’ve been my whole meal. I started out with the RED house salad and the raspberry vinaigrette was addicting I’ve been thinking about it since I left. I also started with “Bravery in a Glass” one of their cocktails and it was spot on delicious while my girlfriend started with their Moscato that either of us could’ve drank like apple juice. Finally for dinner we both got the 8 oz filet. I’ve never tried Chiles and Garlic as a topping for a steak but after trying it here I feel I can never eat a steak again without it. My girlfriend also got Mac and Cheese with her entrée that was the perfect balance of cheesy, creamy, and a nice char on top. At the end of the day I was expecting to spend a minimum of $300-$350 but my bill came out to $194. Since it was such a pleasant surprise I made sure to give our server a nice bonus for his amazing service. Finally we got complimentary donut holes with 3 different dipping sauces as a birthday gift for her that once again were fresh, hot, and delicious. I cannot recommend this place enough. After my last few experiences I expect my girlfriend and I to become regulars there. 100/100

Very good first experience. Sea food tower was a bang for your buck, oysters were top notch and serving size was big. Even the ahi tuna amount was wild. Seared scallop dish was delicious, scallops big, juicy and flavorful. Will be coming back. Service was great as well drinks never ran low before being asked if we needed another.

I recently visited Agave & Rye, and overall, it was a great experience. The food was outstanding—creative, unique, and packed with bold flavors. Each dish felt thoughtfully crafted and offered something different from the usual fare. The atmosphere was lively, though quite loud, but that’s to be expected when you’re dining during a Cleveland Browns home game. The energy added to the experience rather than detracting from it. Service was a bit slow, but given the influx of people, it was understandable. The staff remained friendly and professional despite the busy environment. If you’re looking for a spot with fantastic, unique food and don’t mind a bustling atmosphere, Agave & Rye is definitely worth a visit. I’ll be back!

As always a great Christmas Eve experience with Mike Petrone at Johnny’s Downtown.

Attentive staff, great food, cozy ambiance, great date night experience