Lakefront restaurants in Greater Cleveland

Yes, patio restaurants are nice, but Greater Cleveland is lucky to have miles of Lake Erie shoreline and a number of eateries that take advantage of the spectacular and ever-changing landscape of the lake. Plus, it's usually a few degrees cooler by the shoreline, making Northeast Ohio's lakefront restaurants great places to beat the summer heat. Below are a few lakefront favorites:

Lakefront Restaurant
5243 Lake Ave. in Geneva-on-the-Lake
440-466-8111

This restaurant is so unassuming from the street that you might be tempted to drive on by. Stop! This Geneva-on-the-Lake charmer with the no-nonsense name sits right on the lake and offers a huge two-tier deck with 180-degree water vistas. There's also a Florida-style bar that sits facing the lake for afternoon cocktails with a spectacular view. The food's good, too. Sandwiches include a grilled shrimp club with bacon and cheese as well as a lake perch sandwich with zesty tartar sauce. There are plenty of choices for non-fish lovers, also.

Lakefront Restaurant is open from April to November for lunch and dinner. Hours vary.

Pier W
12700 Lake Ave. in Lakewood
216-228-2250
www.SelectRestaurants.com/pier

Pier W's elegant lakeside dining room is ideal for special occasions or a festive Sunday brunch with the family. Located in the Winton Place condo complex in Lakewood, Pier W has been serving seafood since 1965. The 165-seat dining area is cantilevered over the Lake Erie shoreline and offers dramatic views of the downtown Cleveland skyline. The dinner menu features a variety of seafood and a smattering of steaks. One of the menu highlights is the Seafood Tower, an iced selection of shrimp, crab legs, mussels, oysters and lobster salad. Brunch includes traditional breakfast offerings as well as seafood newburg, smoked trout and salmon, and mustard-crusted salmon. Reservations are recommended for dinner and brunch.

Pier W is open for lunch, Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 pm. Dinner hours are Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 pm., and Sunday from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday brunch is served from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Quaker Steak and Lube
5150 Liberty Ave. in Vermilion
440-967-3724
www.QuakerSteakAndLube.com/vermilion_OH

Travel west from Cleveland to the small boating mecca of Vermilion for scenic vistas and good, affordable food. The Quaker Steak and Lube franchise occupies one of the best locations in the area, right on the Vermilion River, which flows into Lake Erie. Sample one of the many different kinds of wings on the restaurant's wrap-around porch while watching the small, medium and large watercraft head out to the lake. Other menu highlights include steakburgers and the Lake Erie perch sandwich.

Quaker Steak and Lube is open for lunch and dinner daily. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 pm.

Lakehouse Inn and Winery
5653 Lake Road E. in Geneva-on-the-Lake
440-466-8668
www.TheLakehouseInn.com

Also located in Geneva-on-the-Lake, the Lakehouse Inn and Winery is a quiet retreat just a half-mile from the bustling Strip. The winery has several terraces overlooking Lake Erie where you can enjoy a glass of wine or a sandwich. You'd think you were in northern California. The manicured gardens add to the soothing atmosphere. Menu choices include salads, pizzas and seafood. There's also several appetizers, including a cheese and fruit plate.

The Lakehouse Inn and Winery is open daily during the summer, starting at noon. Closing hours and winter hours vary, and the winery is closed in January.

The Harp
4408 Detroit Ave.
216-939-0200
www.The-Harp.com

For some reason, Cleveland proper doesn't have many lakefront restaurants, despite its large stretch of shoreline. The Harp, located just west of downtown, is a welcome exception. The Irish pub/restaurant is warm and welcoming inside, but it's the spacious deck overlooking Lake Erie and the downtown Cleveland skyline that keeps people coming back each summer. The menu at the Harp includes traditional Irish specialties like corned beef, boxty cakes (Irish potato pancakes) and shepherd's pie. There are also seaside favorites (even if they aren't from the lake) like crab cakes and lobster pierogis. Of course, there's a full sampling of beer, both Irish and domestic, including 11 draft choices.

The Harp is open for lunch and dinner. The kitchen is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The pub stays open until midnight Monday through Thursday, until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and until 10 p.m. on Sunday.