Cleveland Dining: Your Guide to Eats Near Rocket Arena for March Madness
March Madness is here, and Cleveland is buzzing! If you’re heading to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for the NCAA men’s basketball games, you’ll want to fuel up with some fantastic local eats. This guide highlights prime dining options just steps away from the arena, ensuring a delicious game-day experience.
East 4th Street: A Pedestrian Dining Hub
Blue Agave
Blue Agave offers authentic street tacos and margaritas, located at 2073 E. 4th St.
Cordelia
Named Cleveland’s Best New Restaurant (2023), Cordelia features “Midwest Nice” cuisine from Akron native Chef Vinnie Cimino, at 2058 E. 4th St.
Flannery’s Pub
A Cleveland landmark, Flannery’s Pub provides classic bar food and beers in a lively setting at 323 Prospect Ave.
Goma
For fine dining Japanese cuisine, Goma features a sushi bar and speakeasy lounge, owned by local restaurateur Dante Boccuzzi, at 2079 E. 4th St.
Mabel’s BBQ
Chef Michael Symon’s Mabel’s BBQ offers “Cleveland-style” barbecue with unique sauces and local fruitwood smoke, at 2050 E. 4th St.
Pickwick & Frolic Restaurant and Club
Pickwick & Frolic combines traditional entrees with Hilarities 4th Street Theatre’s comedy acts, at 2035 E. 4th St.
RED, The Steakhouse
Ranked among the nation’s top steakhouses, RED, The Steakhouse provides an upscale experience at 417 Prospect Ave.
Saigon
Saigon delivers “exotic” Chinese, Thai, French, and Vietnamese fusion cuisine with creative cocktails, at 2061 E. 4th St.
Society Lounge
A speakeasy-inspired bar, Society Lounge specializes in craft cocktails and small plates, at 2063 E. 4th St.
Butcher and the Brewer
This brewpub and butcher shop, Butcher and the Brewer, offers shareable dishes, craft beers, and multiple TVs for catching games, at 2043 E. 4th St.
Wonder Bar Cleveland
Wonder Bar is a central watering hole with diverse drink options, connecting entertainment hubs at 2044 E 4th Street.
Good Pizza
New to the scene, Good Pizza serves New York-style and specialty pizzas, along with desserts and beverages, at 2057 E. 4th St.
More Great Dining Near Rocket Arena
Barrio
Enjoy build-your-own tacos at this casual local chain, Barrio, located at 503 Prospect Ave.
Geraci’s Slice Shop
A family-run spot, Geraci’s Slice Shop offers New York-style slices, subs, and salads at 603 Prospect Ave.
Zanzibar Soul Fusion
Savor casual Southern cuisine, including BBQ beef shank and mac and cheese, at Zanzibar Soul Fusion, 627 Prospect Ave.
House of Creole Cleveland
House of Creole Cleveland delivers contemporary Cajun dishes and craft cocktails with a New Orleans influence at 668 Euclid Ave., Unit 2.
Southern Tier Brewery Cleveland
This taproom at Southern Tier Brewery Cleveland features craft beers and complementary menu items, with a street-level tasting room, at 811 Prospect Ave. East.
Harry Buffalo
A restaurant and bar chain with a New American menu, Harry Buffalo offers bison burgers and craft beers at 2120 E. 4th St.
Shake Shack Downtown Cleveland
Get “gourmet fast-food” like burgers, fries, and frozen custard at Shake Shack Downtown Cleveland, 1965 E. 6th St.
Buffalo Wild Wings
For wings, burgers, and multiple TVs to catch games, head to Buffalo Wild Wings at 724 Prospect Ave. East.
Wahlburgers
Paul and Mark Wahlberg’s Wahlburgers serves burgers, tater tots, and beer at 2105 Ontario St.
Dining at a Glance for Game Day
Making a quick decision? Here’s a brief comparison of some top choices near Rocket Arena:
| Category | Recommendation | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Dining | RED, The Steakhouse | Top-tier Steaks & Wine |
| Local BBQ Flavor | Mabel’s BBQ | “Cleveland-style” BBQ |
| Brewpub & Sports | Butcher and the Brewer | Craft Beer, Shared Plates, TVs |
| Quick & Casual | Good Pizza or Barrio | Pizza Slices / Build-Your-Own Tacos |
March Madness Dining FAQs
- Are reservations recommended during March Madness?
Yes, especially for popular spots like Cordelia or RED, The Steakhouse, due to increased visitor traffic. - What is “Cleveland-style” barbecue?
Mabel’s BBQ defines it with local fruitwood smoking and Bertman’s Ballpark Mustard in its unique sauce. - Which places are good for watching other games?
Butcher and the Brewer and Buffalo Wild Wings are excellent choices with multiple TVs. - Are there vegetarian-friendly options?
Many restaurants, particularly Barrio and the pizza joints, offer good vegetarian selections. Most can also accommodate dietary requests.
From gourmet dining to casual game-day grub, downtown Cleveland’s diverse culinary scene around Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse offers something to satisfy every palate during March Madness. Enjoy the games, and enjoy the food!
Cleveland March Madness Arena Eats Guide
