American restaurants

Winking Lizard Downtown Cleveland

A 22-seat kitchen run by Eleni & Yassine, serving the dishes their grandmothers argued about on Tuesday nights in Kreuzberg.

1300 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114, United States $10–20
4.2
2,207 notes from regulars
01 The story, in three paragraphs

Why everyone keeps coming back.

Located in the heart of downtown Cleveland, Winking Lizard Downtown Cleveland masterfully delivers an authentic American dining experience that perfectly blends bold flavors with a welcoming atmosphere. This vibrant eatery is a must-visit for anyone craving classic, hearty American fare with a twist, served in an upbeat, lively setting that keeps the energy high and guests engaged.

The menu is highlighted by expertly prepared dishes that capture the essence of comfort food with layers of enticing flavors. Start your culinary journey with their beloved Lizard Wraps, such as the Cajun Chicken Wrap—a tantalizing combination of cajun-charbroiled chicken breast, crisp lettuce, fresh onion, green pepper, tomato, and melted cheddar cheese all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla, paired with a creamy Southwestern ranch sauce. For a spicier bite, the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, drenched in signature hot sauce and loaded with crunchy veggies and cheddar, offers a perfect balance of heat and freshness.

Sandwich aficionados will appreciate the Chicken Chest Sandwiches selection, featuring standout choices like the BBQ Chicken Club. This sandwich layers charbroiled chicken breast basted in an award-winning BBQ sauce with sharp cheddar, savory applewood bacon, and crisp lettuce and tomato, delivering a smoky, savory bite that lingers. Meanwhile, the Jerk Chicken Sandwich pulses with Caribbean flair—jerk-seasoned chicken basted in vibrant wing sauce, topped generously with fresh lettuce, tomato, and zesty red onion.

For those who prefer a hearty plate, the Lizard Grill offerings certainly satisfy. The BBQ Chicken Dinner showcases a generous 12oz boneless charbroiled chicken breast glazed with their signature BBQ sauce, while the 12oz Strip Steak, tender and juicy, is expertly seasoned to order—a true delight for steak lovers. The Teriyaki Chicken Dinner is a delicious fusion of sweet and savory, featuring charbroiled chicken topped with a pineapple ring for a touch of tropical freshness. Notably, the St. Louis Rib Dinner promises melt-off-the-bone tenderness with a rich, smoky finish.

Atmosphere-wise, Winking Lizard Downtown Cleveland buzzes with the infectious energy of sports fans and locals alike. Dozens of TVs frame the walls, creating the perfect backdrop for catching your favorite NFL games, making it an ideal spot to gather with friends and enjoy spirited conversations over top-notch American classics. The upbeat setting complements the flavorful food perfectly, delivering an experience both casual and exciting.

Customers consistently praise the quality and generous portions here. Don Frankle highlights the flavorful burger and perfectly cooked steak fries enjoyed in a lively environment, while Ricardo Lehy appreciates the balance that dispels the myth that American food is always overly salty. Other guests commend the friendly and efficient service, with Taylor being noted as a standout server, and the fresh, satisfying fish dishes that keep diners coming back.

Whether you’re stopping in for a casual lunch or an energetic dinner watching the game, Winking Lizard Downtown Cleveland impresses with its crave-worthy menu, convivial vibe, and genuine American spirit. It’s a place where every bite feels comforting yet exciting, and every visit invites you to linger a little longer.

03 Notes from regulars

2,207 notes — the real pulse of the room.

4.2
Based on 2,207 verified notes
5 1,257
4 577
3 187
2 77
1 162
All Beer Selection Popcorn Machine Outdoor Seating Wings Mac N Cheese Watching Games Boneless Wings Bbq Sauce Happy Hour Whiskey Selection
Don Frankle.
2 month ago
Had the burger and the steak fries and both were good. The food was flavorful and cooked well, and the atmosphere was upbeat. Service was solid and the overall experience was good. I’d give it a solid 4 stars and would definitely stop back in again.
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David L..
2 month ago
We visited on a Thursday afternoon in mid-April 2025 for lunch. We had just eaten the previously at the location in Peninsula and had a great experience. However this location was not the best. Service started out great. We were happy to find out that we could do carry out with the daily specials, which is burgers for Thursdays. We placed our order and instead of waiting in the cramp sitting area with small wooden chairs while other patrons were coming it, we took a seat just outside the restaurant but inside the building it was in. There is a bunch of soft sofas in the lobby area still in perfect view of restaurant. They said it would be about 20 mins. We sat there for exactly 20 mins and went in and the food was already ready and just sitting behind the counter. We had no idea how long it was sitting there but we were kind of in a hurry to get back to the museum. There were 3 staff working the front and very few patrons in the restaurant. A little upset not one of them walked out to let us know our food was ready but probably watched all of us just sitting there on the couches/benches. They were nice and pleasant but it was just the extra foresight to be like oh, maybe I should let them know it's ready because they are just sitting over there. I could give them the benefit of the doubt and maybe they were all busy doing something else and didn't make that connection. We took our food to eat outside as there are picnic areas at the nearby park with the big "FREE" stamp. We got all the way there and took the food out and realized that they had never put the ranch in that we asked for and the extra ranch too that was written on the receipt. The hostess who took our order even made multiple comments about it with my wife. It was a couple blocks away and we did not want to walk all the way back just for ranch. I also opened my large Deluxe Pizza which I also ordered from the other Winking Lizard location in Peninsula and this one was much more under whelming. There was maybe half the amount of toppings as the other restaurant. Disappointing knowing what it could be like and what I ended up getting. I'm going to conclude this review with a, your mileage may vary and depending on which location you're going to you may have different experiences as well. If this was my first experience with Winking Lizard I probably would try something else next time.
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Ricardo Lehy.
2 month ago
Here’s a polished and natural-sounding English review: ⸻ I guess the idea that American food is always salty was just a misconception. Everything we ordered — the mac and cheese, chicken garlic pizza, and chicken wings — was delicious and generously portioned. What I loved the most was that it’s the perfect spot to watch NFL games. There were dozens of TVs mounted across the walls, so no matter where you sit, you get a great view. Highly recommended!
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Andrei Hogas.
3 month ago
Very tasty burger. Good quality ingredients. Giving 4 stars just because my medium rare. I had an appointment so couldn't wait to get another one. It was super tasty. Although I like the steak medium rare I will come back and hope next time it will be done right
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Born To Be Retired.
3 month ago
Nice options for an afternoon lunch . Taylor was a great server. We had the fish sandwich and the fish was really good. We also had the spinach salad which was good
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Gerry John.
4 month ago
Nice food selection. Burgers were excellent. Steak fries are always delicious. Good variety of beers to choose from. Local sports crowd when there are games. Plenty of televisions throughout. Service was good, quick, attentive. I will note that one of the burgers we ordered did come out extra rare and had to be sent back. The waitress was apologetic and got it taken care of quickly. Overall, I would recommend :-)
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Amber Easom.
4 month ago
My son, my sister and her child had a day trip to Cleveland a couple of days ago and we picked Winking Lizard for lunch. We were very happy with our food and server. He was very attentive but not bothersome. Our food was hot and fresh and also delicious. My sister and I split 2 different white pizzas and chicken wings (bone in and boneless). You can only pick one sauce so we split our orders The atmosphere was pub-like with music and several TVs around the inside. The music was kinda loud where we were seated, but only bothered my nephew because it was their type of music. They did offer outdoor seating but we noticed as we walked up that there were no umbrellas and it was a very sunny day so we passed on sitting outside. I should also mention that they do offer take out. I hope you enjoy the Winking Lizard as much as we did.
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Marisel Lopez-Gonzalez.
5 month ago
Food was good, not great. Our server doesn't look very happy to be there, but she did her job.
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04 When to visit & how to find us

Hours & the door on Bergmannstraße.

Opening hours
Monday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday (today) 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday Closed
Finding the door

1300 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114, United States

05 What makes this place friendly

The details you usually have to call and ask.

Service options
  • Outdoor seating
  • Delivery
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
Highlights
  • Fast service
  • Great beer selection
  • Great cocktails
  • Serves local specialty
  • Sports
Popular for
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee
  • Happy hour drinks
  • Happy hour food
  • Hard liquor
  • Late-night food
  • Private dining room
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
  • Wine
Dining options
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Catering
  • Counter service
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service
Amenities
  • Bar onsite
  • Restroom
  • Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Trendy
Crowd
  • College students
  • Family-friendly
  • Groups
  • Tourists
Payments
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
Children
  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
  • Kids' menu
Parking
  • Paid parking garage
  • Paid parking lot
  • Paid street parking
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