Cleveland has one of the largest Hungarian populations in North America, and as a result, offers a bevy of authentic Hungarian restaurants.
The city of Cleveland is nestled along the southern shore of Lake Erie near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, approximately an hour west of the Pennsylvania border. Those looking to savor the authentic and mouthwatering cuisines of Hungary have numerous places to choose from in the Cleveland area, which at one point featured the largest population of Hungarians in the world outside of Budapest.
Little Budapest Restaurant
This quaint mom-and-pop-style bistro is just a simple brick building with turquoise blue awnings tucked away within a local strip mall. But the unassuming facade belies the tasty, authentic, Eastern European cuisines that await inside, which is decorated with numerous Hungarian knickknacks, while black and white photos of the Old Country line the walls. The extensive menu features a range of appetizers, from potato pancakes to feta cheese dumplings to sausage and sauerkraut. Popular entrees include tender Wiener schnitzel, cabbage stuffed with beef, and veal or chicken paprika, while a full bar serves beer, wine, and spirits. Weekdays are more relaxed, while weekends tend to get crazy. In addition, there is plenty of free on-site parking, and takeout is offered as well.
- Little Budapest Restaurant
- 25124 Center Ridge Road
- Westlake, OH 44145
- 440-617-0404
Balaton Restaurant
This traditional Hungarian restaurant is nestled on the corner of a cozy, tree-lined street and has been serving locals and tourists alike since 1964. The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday and is closed on Mondays. It is perhaps most famous for its mouthwatering Wiener schnitzel, while other notable dishes include the duck roast, stuffed trout, goulash soup, and Hungarian Lecso stew. Additionally, an extensive wine list includes labels from both northern Hungary and the Lake Balaton region, for which the restaurant is named. Top ratings have been awarded by food critics at such well-respected local publications as the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland Magazine, Ohio Magazine, and Northern Ohio Live Magazine.
- Balaton Restaurant
- 13133 Shaker Square
- Cleveland, OH 44120
- 216-921-9691
- Cleveland.com
To-Go Hungarian Food
Diners who are looking for delectable Hungarian dishes combined with friendly service need look no further than this charming and unassuming corner restaurant in the heart of Willoughby. Patrons can order light starters such as a cucumber salad, Szekely (pork) goulash, or cabbage and noodles before moving on to heartier entrees such as chicken paprika over noodles, crumb-breaded pork cubes with apple sauce or kielbasa and sauerkraut. Sandwich lovers can also enjoy an open-faced sloppy joe on either one bun or two, while prepackaged cabbage rolls can be ordered by phone with a week’s notice. All entrees are prepared from scratch using fresh ingredients. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday but is closed on Sundays and holidays.
- To Go Hungarian Food
- 34912 Ridge Road
- Willoughby, OH 44049
- 440-942-1387