The Homestyle Restaurant In Cleveland With Food So Good You'll Ask For Seconds... And Thirds
By Nikki Rhoades|Published October 04, 2023
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
There’s just something irresistible about diner food, isn’t there? Simple, understated, and big on flavor, you can’t go wrong with a classic breakfast or a good sandwich. Nowadays, it seems like restaurants like this are fading into mere memory… unless you know where to look, that is. There are plenty of old-school neighborhood restaurants in Cleveland that have delighted diners for decades, and most have a loyal following to this day. Today, we’re going to take a virtual visit to one such neighborhood diner in Cleveland that keeps food delicious without threatening to break the bank. Hope you’re hungry, because this restaurant is cooking up something delicious as we speak.
On the corner of East 71st and Harvard Avenue in Slavic Village, you'll find an old-school diner that locals love.
Casual, laid-back, and endlessly welcoming, restaurants like Harvard Inn in Cleveland are a treat to visit. These old-school, long-standing neighborhood restaurants just have a certain charm about them that you can't resist. It feels like the kind of place where everyone knows your name!
Since 1999, Harvard Inn Restaurant has delighted diners with indulgent, home-style eats.
Since before the Millennium and all the changes it brought to the world, this Cleveland restaurant has been treating foodies to classic breakfasts (served all day, of course) and delicious lunches. You'll find all the diner classics, from omelets to deluxe burgers.
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From the outside, the restaurant looks like any other long-standing Cleveland staple.
In fact, you might not even notice the restaurant the first time you drive by! Eateries like the Harvard Inn Restaurant don't need a big, flashy sign to capture traffic... word of mouth and loyalty keeps customers coming back time and time again.
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Inside, however, a vivid atmosphere sets the scene for many early morning meals and casual lunches.
Warm, welcoming, and clean, the ambiance of this diner is best described as cozy. As a booth fan myself, I appreciate the spacious cushioned seats and variety of tables. Even when they're busy, it feels like they always have a spot ready for you!
Fans of diner-style food come here for the homemade breakfast, which is always a gracious helping.
If you're anything like me, then you know the value of all-day breakfast. Sometimes a perfectly prepared serving of eggs and toast plus a steamy, delicious coffee is all you need to kick-start a day of adventures! When it comes to eggs, I like them as an ingredient on breakfast sandwiches since it's less messy. Harvard Inn's breakfast sandwiches can be served on a croissant, which is a fluffy, buttery, and delicious way to start any day.
The Harvard Inn menu has tons of handhelds... and even if you stop in for all-day breakfast, you should grab one to go! With a number of classic deli sandwiches, grilled sammies, hot open-face handhelds with a side of soup, and burgers, you can't go wrong with any of the lunch options. As a Clevelander, you're almost obligated to try the corned beef at least once!
Overall, their menu has something for everyone, from simple, traditional breakfasts to mouthwatering comforts like Fancy French Toast.
The best thing about diners is their unfrivolous, totally classic approach to food. The flavors speak for themselves, and you don't need to pile plates high with exotic ingredients to delight a crowd. All you need is a meal prepared with love!
Whatever you opt for, just be sure to come hungry... their portions are no joke!
You might expect to take home a doggy bag... the portions always look manageable at first, but once you dig in, you'll realize you have a ton of food to work with! And the prices won't break the bank. Everything on their menu is less than $10, and classic options like the Harvard Breakfast Special (which includes two eggs, home fries or grits, toast, and a side of meat) are less than $5.
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Harvard Inn Restaurant is open daily from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., so you can stop in early to start your day on a strong note or meander in to refuel mid-day.
This is an awesome place to start your day! While it's not open late, it's one of those rare restaurants that's open early enough to beat city traffic and crowds alike.
The welcoming ambiance makes it easy to want to to kick back and relax... and you totally should!
This neighborhood restaurant is a long-standing community staple, and it's a great place to meet up with friends! Casual, unfussy, and always delicious, this might just become one of your new favorite businesses in Cleveland's Slavic Village.
Next time you're on Harvard Avenue, keep your eyes peeled for the little red sign that has welcomed customers for over 20 years.
This neighborhood diner in Cleveland has been serving up delicious meals since 1999, and it continues to help Clevelanders kick-start their day with generous helpings and unbeatable flavors. Classic diners like this shouldn’t be passed up… if you’re in the area, stop by for big servings, delicious options, and a super friendly waitstaff.
