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Where to Eat in Cleveland, Tennessee for Local Flavor

ByPaige Watts

Cleveland, Tennessee has a lot more local flavor than you might expect. You’ll find everything from burgers and Hot Slaw (a Cleveland signature) to fresh-baked apple cider donuts, local coffee, and an upscale Italian spot.

I ate around Cleveland and found a mix of restaurants, bakeries, and casual spots that are well worth a visit. Some are local institutions, some are great for a relaxed breakfast or lunch, and some are better for a special dinner out.

If you’re wondering where to eat in Cleveland, Tennessee for local flavor, these are the places I recommend starting with.

A special thanks to Visit Cleveland, TN for hosting my trip! As always, all opinions are my own.

Seven breaded fried Deviled Eggs topped with pale green whipped sauce are arranged in a circle around sautéed greens with bacon and onions on a large white plate at Headrick's Gourmet Burger Bar in Cleveland, Tennessee. The symmetrical plating and crisp golden crust make the appetizer feel polished, savory, and meant to share.

Best Places to Eat in Cleveland, TN

1. Inman Social

Italian, Upscale

Deep bowl of spaghetti covered in thick red meat sauce is topped with a large meatball and a heavy sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese from Inman Social in Cleveland, Tennessee. The close up view and rich layers of sauce and cheese make the pasta feel hearty, messy, and comforting like a classic Italian dinner.
Pull apart cheesy bread sits sliced on a wooden serving board with browned melted cheese bubbling over the top, alongside cups of red marinara and green herb dipping sauce from Inman Social in Cleveland, Tennessee. The crispy edges, gooey center, and restaurant table setting make it feel like a rich shareable appetizer.
Breaded cutlet on an oval plate is topped with a bright arugula salad, halved cherry tomatoes, and capers, with a pale creamy sauce pooling underneath from Inman Social in Cleveland, Tennessee. The crisp coating and fresh greens make the dish feel like a lighter upscale entrée with both crunch and freshness.
Shallow white bowl holds a crispy fried entrée topped with chopped herbs, diced pink fish, pale vegetables, and bright orange roe in a light sauce on a dark restaurant table at Inman Social in Cleveland, Tennessee. The candlelit setting and carefully layered garnish make the dish feel refined, colorful, and plated for an upscale dinner.
Slice of dark glossy pie topped with fine toasted strands sits beside a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a white plate with green floral patterns at Inman Social in Cleveland, Tennessee. The rich filling, crisp crust, and melting ice cream make the dessert feel elegant, indulgent, and made for sharing after dinner.
Three scoops of light brown ice cream sit in a small silver dessert dish on a dark restaurant table, with the texture clearly visible where one scoop has been broken into at Inman Social in Cleveland, Tennessee. The simple presentation and low warm lighting make the dessert feel rich, classic, and like a quiet finish to dinner.

Inman Social is an upscale Italian restaurant that’s a unique find for a small town like Cleveland. Their menu is designed by Chef Wesley True, a two-time James Beard semi-finalist who has been featured on “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Top Chef” Season 13.

They’re known for their handcrafted pastas, brick oven pizza, and Italian classics with a modern twist.

I recommend the Garlic Cheesy Bread, the “Spaghetti” & Meatball (made with the fun bucatini noodle instead of a spaghetti noodle) and the House-made Chocolate Gelato. Also popular at our table were the Chicken Limone, Catfish Fritto, and Milk Chocolate & Pistachio Tart.

201 Keith St SW Ste 79, Cleveland, TN 37311

2. Headrick’s Gourmet Burger Bar

Burger, Sandwiches

Two small white ramekins of creamy coleslaw sit on a rectangular plate with tiny spoons beside them, set on a restaurant table with a water glass and diners blurred in the background at Headrick's Gourmet Burger Bar in Cleveland, Tennessee. The simple side dish presentation makes the meal feel casual and shared, like appetizers or table sides arriving before the main course.
Burger with a glossy brioche bun, leafy lettuce, and a thick beef patty sits beside a pile of thin fries on a white plate at a busy restaurant table at Headrick's Gourmet Burger Bar in Cleveland, Tennessee. The close angle and casual dining background make the meal feel hearty, classic, and served for a relaxed dinner out.
White dinner plate holds a ring of breaded fried Deviled Eggs topped with pale green dollops of sauce, arranged around a small mound of sautéed greens and bacon bits in the center at Headrick's Gourmet Burger Bar in Cleveland, Tennessee. The neat circular plating, water glasses, and steakhouse style table setting make the appetizer feel polished and meant for sharing.

Headrick’s Gourmet Burger Bar is known for their burgers (naturally). But they also have chicken sandwiches, various other sandwiches, pasta, shareables, and milkshakes on their menu.

Their also a great place to get Hot Slaw, a Cleveland delicacy that is spicy cabbage salad (spicy coleslaw). This was actually the first “state food of Tennessee”; Nashville Hot Chicken and Memphis Barbecue were a little slow on the uptake for getting the official designation, and Hot Slaw got there first!

I recommend the Fried Deviled Eggs, The Pimento Perfect Burger, and a side of Hot Slaw. Their burgers are huge, so just be forewarned you’ll probably have leftovers! You can also get Hot Slaw added as a topping on any of your sandwiches.

223 Inman St E, Cleveland, TN 37311

3. Dos Bros Fresh Mexican Grill

Mexican, Fast Casual

Two large foil catering trays from DosBros Fresh Mexican Grill in Cleveland, Tennessee hold chopped cooked meat, one darker and one lighter seasoned variety, each with a black serving spoon resting inside. The buffet setup and steaming trays make the scene feel like food being served for a casual group meal or event.
Buffet line set up with large foil trays from DosBros Fresh Mexican Grill in Cleveland, Tennessee of tortilla chips, hard taco shells, soft tortillas, and pans of rice and other fillings stretches across a table while people serve themselves. The long row of taco fixings and casual indoor setting make the scene feel like a self serve meal for a group gathering.
Paper plate holds a soft taco filled with chopped beef, shredded white cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream, served with tortilla chips and a scoop of chunky guacamole on the side from DosBros Fresh Mexican Grill in Cleveland, Tennessee . The simple buffet style plating makes the meal feel casual, quick, and easy to eat.

Dos Bros Fresh Mexican Grill is a fast-casual franchise that was started in Cleveland, TN. It’s a simple, but delicious, build-your-own burrito concept.

You can choose to build a burrito, bowl, salad, tacos, nachos, or quesadilla. They have protein options like chicken, steak, carnitas, barbacoa, spicy tofu, and veggies.

Dos Bros catered our lunch with the Remember the Removal Memorial Bicycle Riders while we explored Cleveland’s Cherokee history.

4450 Frontage Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312

4. Apple Valley Orchard

Apple Orchard, Bakery, General Store

Glazed cake donut sits on a white paper liner in the foreground, with rows of colorful bottled ciders softly blurred behind it on wooden shelves at Apple Valley Orchards Store in Cleveland, Tennessee. The shiny icing and orchard market backdrop make the treat feel like a simple bakery snack picked up while browsing local cider flavors.
Hand holds a bottle labeled "Apple Valley Orchards Strawberry Cider" filled with bright red cider inside a wood lined orchard market. The bold color and close focus on the label make the drink feel like a fresh local specialty picked out while browsing farm store shelves at Apple Valley Orchards Store in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Rustic store shelves are lined with rows of bottled fruit ciders in shades of gold, red, purple, and brown, with labels such as "Peach Cider" visible on the front bottles at Apple Valley Orchards in Cleveland, Tennessee. The colorful lineup and wood paneled shop interior make the display feel like a country orchard market stocked with many seasonal drink flavors.
Bakery display case filled with donuts and hand pies shows labeled trays reading "DONUT $.75," "DUMPLINGS $4.00," "BLUEBERRY $3.75," "CHERRY $3.75," "APRICOT $3.75," "APPLE $3.75," and "PEACH $3.75." The rows of browned pastries on colorful trays make the case feel like a simple old fashioned bakery counter with lots of fruit pie options at Apple Valley Orchards Store in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Apple Valley Orchard is a local apple orchard with two locations: their orchard location with a store and a visitor center with a store and bakery.

I visited their visitor center store since it was the off-season when their orchard wasn’t open. In season, their bins will be full of apples, but in the off-season, you can still get local fruit ciders, local jams and jellies, whatever produce is in season, and fresh baked goods.

I recommend getting the fresh Apple Cider Donuts and a small bottle of Strawberry Cider for the perfect breakfast in Cleveland.

Visitor Center/Store: 5008 Waterlevel Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37323

Orchard/Store: 351 Weese Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323

5. First Bloom Coffee and Bakery

Coffee, Bakery

Hand holds a tall iced green drink in a clear plastic cup with a black straw, with condensation visible on the cup and dark ice cubes near the top at First Bloom Coffee and Bakery in Cleveland, Tennessee. The exposed brick walls, soft string lights, and vintage seating in the background make it feel like a cozy café stop with a refreshing matcha or green tea latte.

First Bloom Coffee and Bakery is another great spot for breakfast in Cleveland, or just a mid-day pick-me-up. Located in the historic Old Woolen Mill in Downtown Cleveland, right outside Grit & Grace Market, this coffee shop is a cozy place to sit for a bit.

They have a menu of coffee, espresso, tea, lemonade, breakfast bagels, avocado toast, breakfast burritos, and lunch paninis and croissant sandwiches.

I stopped in for a break after shopping Grit & Grace and got an Iced Matcha Latte.

445 Church St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311

Cleveland, TN Restaurants Map

Ready to take a bite out of Cleveland, Tennessee? Find all the restaurants listed in this post on the map below!

I hope you have a great time dining around Cleveland, TN!

Where to Stay in Cleveland, TN

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cleveland Northwest

Modern hotel room with a king bed dressed in crisp white bedding sits between two lit bedside lamps, with dark wood furniture, a blue accent wall, and a small desk and chair near the window. The clean layout and soft warm lighting make the room feel simple, spacious, and comfortable for an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cleveland Northwest in Cleveland, Tennessee.

During my weekend in Cleveland, TN, I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cleveland Northwest. This hotel has a great location just off I-75, so it’s an easy drive to all the attractions in Cleveland and throughout Bradley County.

My room was large, the bed was comfortable, and I appreciated having a free breakfast to keep me fueled for a day of exploring.

Book your stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cleveland Northwest here.

More Southeast Tennessee Adventures

Find more fun things to do in this part of Tennessee in my posts below:

Ready to visit Cleveland, TN? Plan your trip with these tips.

Cheers!

Paige

Where to Eat in Cleveland, Tennessee for Local Flavor

What are your favorite restaurants in Cleveland, Tennessee? Let me know in the comments!

Paige Watts is a travel expert and author of What's With Atlanta?, a guide to the quirks and charm of the ATL. A life-long traveler, Paige is dedicated to helping you discover the best things to do in the Southern USA and around the world. Her work has been featured in The Culture Trip, Matador, Newsbreak, MSN, NPR, and countless other interviews and podcasts.

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