The Best Diners in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

It’s almost impossible not to have fun eating in a diner. Those sleek, shiny icons from the 1950s just exude fun and good times. Fortunately, Cleveland and northeast Ohio have several good diners, lovingly restored to their mid-century finest. Below are our choices for the best diners in the Cleveland area. Most are authentic; a couple of them are very good reproductions.

Annabelle’s Diner in Mentor

Located off of Rte 615 in Mentor, near the post office, Annabelle’s Diner is an authentic, restored, stainless steel diner. The menu features traditional diner fare–burgers, chili dogs, milkshakes and more. The diner hosts a classic car show each weekend in the summer and frequently has live entertainment.

Annabelle’s Diner
8637 Twinbrook Road
Mentor, OH 44060
440 255-6924

John’s Diner in Lakewood

Though not technically a diner (John’s is a renovated trolley car), John’s Diner has all of the style and unpretentious elegance of a true diner. Located on the west side of Lakewood, John’s is a family-run business that serves good, affordable breakfasts as well as sandwiches, home-made soups and a variety of yummy desserts.

Note: John’s Diner is a cash-only establishment. However, there are many ATMs in the neighborhood.

John’s Diner
18260 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, OH 44107
216 228-0871

Mary’s Diner in Geneva

Located just east of downtown Geneva in northeast Ohio’s wine country, Mary’s is a reproduction diner but you’d swear it’s the real thing. The friendly eatery is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfasts are hearty, the sandwiches delicious, and the dinner specials home-made. The cheerful atmosphere and nostalgic tunes will have you smiling.

Mary’s Diner
666 E Main Street
Geneva, OH 44041
440 466-6393

Nancy’s Place in Grafton

Nancy’s Place, located in the heart of Grafton about 45 minutes west of downtown Cleveland, is a classic 1950s-style diner with table-side jukeboxes and old 45s adorning the walls. The menu is standard diner fare, featuring sandwiches, shakes, soups, and rib-sticking breakfasts.

Nancy’s Diner
426 N Main Street
Grafton, OH 44044
440 926-2462

State Street Diner in Conneaut

Located in the heart of downtown Conneaut, in the extreme northeastern corner of Ohio, the State Street Diner is an unpretentious, homey, irresistible spot to stop for a turkey sandwich or a piece of pie.

State Street Diner
251 State Street
Conneaut, OH 44030
440 593-5061

Katz Club Diner in Cleveland Heights

The newest addition to northeast Ohio’s diner scene, Katz Club Diner is the brainchild of Doug Katz, the owner of Fire on Shaker Square. This 45-seat authentic, stainless steel diner will make you think you’ve stepped back into the 1950s. The menu features classics like meatloaf sandwiches, chicken noodle soup, chicken a la king, and breakfast all day long.

Katz Club Diner
1975 Lee Road
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
216 932-3333

Steel Trolley Diner in Lisbon

Located in Lisbon, in Columbiana County southeast of Cleveland, the Steel Trolley Diner is an authentic 1930s Jerry O’Mahoney diner. The eatery features a traditional lunch counter and home-cooked favorites like meatloaf, burgers, and apple pie. Moreover, this diner is open 24/7, making it a convenient choice for late-night cravings.

Steel Trolley Diner
140 E Lincoln Way
Lisbon, OH 44432
330 424-3663