Cordelia

Cordelia is upscale enough for a family dinner, but still has the comfort of heading to your grandmother’s tchotchke-filled house for an after-school snack. The owners call their food “Midwest nice,” which basically means fancied up ‘90s-era favorites. To see this in action, order the White Castle-inspired burger box—you‘ll get a gigantic smashburger that can be torn apart into four smaller sliders topped with smoked cheddar, pickles, and onion.

We never miss Cordelia, where Vinnie Cimino and his talented team of chefs tap into Midwestern nostalgia and history but present all the dishes in forward-thinking ways. We’ve been here half a dozen times, and love the $90 per person Bellie Up menu — this is the way to go, since the kitchen will send you a whole bunch of plates. On our most recent visit last month, we loved the fancy take on Cincinnati chili dip, the barbecued carrots, and the bone marrow pot pie, which Cimino described as “the best Dinty Moore you’ve ever had.” Many dishes nod to Cleveland’s history, and the chefs will tell you about how restaurants such as AsiaTown’s LJ Shanghai have inspired their takes on modern Midwest cuisine.

Why we love it: Opened in 2022, Cordelia blends “Midwest nice” hospitality with bold, seasonal cuisine crafted by James Beard Award finalist chef Vinnie Cimino. The interior exudes charm and a modern-granny aesthetic with cozy booths, textured wallpaper and vintage-inspired fixtures. Try this: The Burger Box ($22) is a splittable cheeseburger that includes a house-made Japanese-style milk bun with everything spice, two Certified Angus Beef smash patties, smoked cheddar cheese, shaved sweet onions, house-made special sauce and Nana’s Kool-Aid pickles.

Opened in 2022 and led by led by James Beard Award Finalist Chef Vinnie Cimino, Cordelia has quickly rocketed up to the top of my “best restaurants in Cleveland” list. The concept is simple: modern takes on Midwest “comfort food.” When I first went to Cordelia, I was told the vibe was “modern grandma,” and that totally tracks. The dishes at Cordelia change slightly based on what local produce is in season, but you can always expect a variety of small plates and mains, many of which are made to share.

Lola was a tough act to follow, but the crew at Cordelia on East 4th has more than risen to the occasion. In the kitchen, chef Vinnie Cimino reminds diners that eating out can still be daring and delicious. What's coming out of that kitchen is a sort of upscaled Midwest grandma fare, with dazzling snacks, toasts, and a signature smash burger, which is actually a pull-apart, four-slider affair with an epic griddle-melted cheese skirt that sets it apart.

Some of Cleveland’s most celebrated restaurants and entertainment hubs pepper this pedestrian-only street, including Lola, The Greenhouse Tavern, and Pickwick and Frolic. EVENING: PLAY ON Depending on what season you're in town, you can cheer on one (or more) of our three major league sports teams or our minor league hockey team. The Cleveland Indians (MLB), Cavaliers (NBA), Browns (NFL) and Monsters (AHL) are all located Downtown.

Located in Lola’s former space, Cordelia lives up to its predecessor’s deliciousness but has an entirely different personality. The mood lighting gives the restaurant a cozy vibe which their seasonal, regional dishes like these spicy corn ribs emphasize. This is my current pick for Cleveland’s best seasonal farm-to-fork menu, with the chicharrones and the jammy eggs reason enough to make a dinner reservation.

Cordelia is upscale enough for a family dinner, but still has the comfort of heading to your grandmother’s for an after-school snack. The owners call their food “Midwest nice,” which basically means fancied up ‘90s-era favorites. Order the White Castle-inspired burger box—you‘ll get a smashburger that can be torn apart into four smaller sliders topped with smoked cheddar, pickles, and onion.

Take the Burger Box at Cordelia, our 2023 reader-voted Best New Restaurant. Between the lines of a recipe that calls for neon-green pickles and crispy griddled cheese, you find executive chef Vinnie Cimino's journey from the defunct Greenhouse Tavern to pandemic pop-ups, selling an early iteration of that burger — and back to East Fourth Street. Food is an extension of those who cook it.

Leading Cleveland's restaurant scene, Cordelia has consistently earned recognition as one of the city's premier dining destinations. This elegant establishment focuses on refined American cuisine with seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. The restaurant's sophisticated atmosphere and expertly crafted dishes make it perfect for special occasions and business dinners alike.

Cordelia is the East Fourth spot to take someone that you want to celebrate who ultimately prefers comfort food over steakhouse entrees or small plates. Cordelia is a celebration of Midwest cuisine, with its sharable relish trays perfect for sharing. Its menu is always changing, but some celebratory items include the 1920s-style burner box and the daily catch from Kate’s Fish.

James Beard finalist Chef Vinnie Cimino and Proprietor Andrew Watts have created a menu that makes you feel at home. That’s because it’s based on Grandma Cordelia’s recipes, but with a modern refresh. The fried chicken and the pork collar schnitzel will bring a nostalgic smile to your face, but the fresh, seasonal, innovative dishes will surprise and delight.

Get ready to see the name of one Cleveland restaurant appear on national “best restaurants” lists very soon: Cordelia. This East 4th restaurant opened in July 2022 and its kitchen sends out shareable plates from a limited, rotating menu for the evening meal and Sunday brunch. Brunch looks phenomenal, but their Supper service makes for the perfect date night.

Cordelia is putting a unique spin on Cleveland Thanksgiving with garlic mashed potatoes, miso green bean casserole, and chicken skin dressing. Remember the cranberry relish and a pickle dip that’ll keep your taste buds dancing. This Thanksgiving, it’s all about adding a dash of difference.