Flat Iron Cafe

Great location, cheap parking across the street. For Clevelands oldest irish pub, the food was awful ! Had the primante Cleveland corn beef, just sad. The clam Chowder was the worst, and the fries were burnt and dry. Service, oh my God, really ??? Ordered one beer, and she brought me the wrong one and ran off. Then, I proceeded to order the one I originally wanted, and she brought me a different one again and ran off. I personally would sit at the bar and drink, but I would definitely eat somewhere else.

I hosted a bridal shower for my future daughter in law at the Flat Iron Cafe in their banquet room. The room was a nice size with a bar area and clean restrooms. The owners were flexible and responsive to work with when arranging the details for food selection, setup plans and general questions. The food was delicious! If you are planning an event soon you should consider having it here. Wonderful experience!

Everyone there makes you feel so comfortable and welcomed. Food Serviceis amazing. Wing Wednesday are a must. Their chili is top tier with a nice kick of spice to it. But everything else made with love as well.

Flat Iron Cafe, known as the oldest Irish pub in Cleveland, has a rich history that adds charm to its vibrant atmosphere. Upon entering, I was immediately drawn in by the warm, inviting decor and the lively buzz of patrons celebrating the Guardians' recent victory. The sense of community and excitement in the air made for an enjoyable ambiance. However, my dining experience was a bit mixed. I had high expectations for the shepherd's pie, a classic Irish dish, but unfortunately, it fell short in terms of flavor. It lacked the robust seasoning I anticipated, making it a bit bland for my taste. On the other hand, the pierogi were a pleasant surprise. They were well-prepared, with a perfect balance of textures and flavors that left me satisfied. While the food did not fully meet my expectations, the overall atmosphere and the friendliness of the staff contributed positively to my experience. It's clear that Flat Iron Cafe is a beloved local spot where people come together to celebrate and enjoy each other's company. I appreciate the rich history and the sense of community here, and while I might not order the shepherd's pie again, I’d be open to returning to try other menu items and soak in the lively environment once more.

I didn’t catch her name. There’s a server she’s mid height, skinny, short black hair, older lady. Shes an absolute angel. I came there after the browns game 11/22. It was snowing and my shoes were soaking wet. She offered to look for some socks for me in her car. she couldn’t find any so she gave me her jacket. She was so amazing wouldn’t even accept my tip. Protect her at all costs 🫡🥹

Staying in the area for work, and had a couple locals tell me to “go to the flat iron and order lake perch”. Finally made it in for lunch, ordered the perch sandwich and onion rings. This is said to be local Lake Erie perch and a “must have” while in the area. They did not lack in the portion size, the sandwich was stacked with fish, which was fried perfectly, and delicious! The onion rings were enormous and crispy and maybe even stole the show from the perch. Washed it all down with a local beer, and out the door for around $20. Great lunch, great historic location, and great staff! I’d return again, next time later in the evening to enjoy a few more beers and the live music advertised.

My boyfriend and I had a BLAST! The main reason coming in was my endless craving for lake perch, and I PERSONALLY believe THIS PLACE FRIES THE BEST PERCH! Yup, I said it. We sat at the bar, and the bartender was amazing, and the root beer float for dessert was just as good. It's definitely not a "white tablecloth" place, hence the occasional patrons singing along to the music playing in the background. Come in and hoist a few and grab a platter of fish while you're there. It's definitely worth the 3 hour drive.

Loved the French onion soup! I think this might have been my favorite soup! For appetizer we had the rib/fry combo - the ribs were great...plenty of meat and a great sauce. The fries were probably the biggest let down...just regular greasy pub fries. The garlic parm wings were fantastic tho! I had the Perch which was really good - flaky and plenty of it. Taste was great, loved every bite! My daughter had the Carolina chicken and absolutely loved it as well! We weren't crazy about the cucumber ranch - the cucumber taste was too strong, it was good, but might have been a little better if it was toned down...but that might just be us. The server was very friendly and attentive - unfortunately I don't recall her name. Overall I would highly recommend Flat Iron!!

My wife and I have a pre Christmas tradition of hitting Cantonese's seafood shop for oysters and then getting lunch at Flat Iron across the street. I'm always impressed with the quality of the food here! My Reuben was one of the best I've had, and that includes the very good one at Larder. Neighborhood bar environment, full of regulars, and our server was super attentive and went out of his way to look after us. This year we will be back *before* Christmas!

Oldest Irish pub in Cleveland. Great service. Food was delicious and servings are enormous. You will leave stuffed and in a larger pants size. Decor is cool without looking trendy/hipster. Conveniently located across from Larry Flint's Hustler club if dinner and a show is your idea of a cool time.

It's located in a very convenient place in the area. Personally didn't live up to the hype I was seeing. Flavors were bland. Our server recommended the wings so we got 6 wings to share and it really didn't have a lot of flavor to it. I did have the French onion burger special and that was good but the fries were bland. Be prepared to use some salt and ketchup to give it some flavor. Our server was really great. Very knowledgeable of the area and gave us tips on where to go and the best way to get around. If we're back in town we'd only be stopping here for drinks

My mom and I were on our way to the aquarium when we saw this spot and wanted a small snack to hold us over until our flight back home. We stopped in and I'm so glad we did. We ordered the pierogis, fried pickle spears (ask for ranch), and the mozzarella sticks. The server was so kind and very attentive. She checked in just the right amount of time. The food was all delicious and very fresh tasting. The pickles are spears and they're beer battered, which I personally love better than a bread crumb coating. The pierogis were delicious and had the perfect amount of filling. If I'm ever back in Cleveland, I'll stop back.

I visited here last night after looking at recommendations for the area. I always like to visit local dives and eateries and this seemed like a good fit. It's located in the Flats in a great location on the canal. It was a big menu for pub food. I had the fish and chips. It was a big portion and very good. Great service and good food. I would recommend!

On a date night before a show on a Sunday evening we randomly stopped. It was perfect caught a seat at the bar had a flat iron steak and cornbeef. Top notch food and cool vibe.

Great food and service! This little Irish pub turned into such a great find for us. We found parking on the street and did the meter app payment. Walking in, we were greeted and we took in the atmosphere. It was a traditional pub with wood tables, chairs and bar seating. The drinks flowing and various sports were on the many tv's. Very clean on the inside too. I had a delicious Hot Ham & Cheese with cheddar. This was such a good sandwich and a solid choice. I went with the homemade pasta salad as my side. The sever let me try a sample before I committed to it and after a bite I was all in. My partner enjoyed the French Dip and he said it was perfect. Our server was great and attentive and was spot on with his recommendations. Extra points for suggesting trying a sample of the Pasta Salad and the cheddar for the sandwich.

My favorite Lake Erie perch in town! Beer selection is decent. They also often have live music!

All I'm gone say is Ashley rocked it out..It took us some time to get our food,I said before I get a attitude let me peep out the scenery....I then watched as she went to every single table...I came up with."She doing it alone so I can't complain...She attentive she running,she clearing tables,she cleaning and still checking on everyone with a smile though..I called her over to the table and asked for to go boxes....She returned,I said you by yourself ain't you...She explained that someone new was there as well,I said Ashley,that don't even matter,you know your shit,you on top of it and you doing a Great job...I told her I had to give her a shot out because she deserved a round of applause...If you ever go to Flat Irion Cafe,request Ashley.She the bomb

Great food, service, and ambience. Pierogis were best in town on our Pierogi Week pub crawl!

I got the wings because the reviews say you should get the wings. They were absolutely gross what a fried joke of frozen trash wings. Honestly very flavorless and disappointing. And i thought winking lizard was bland

Been to this restaurant a few times. Always get the same server. She's awesome and friendly. Great food and good vibes. I travel for a living, I make sure when I'm in town, I always go to and recommend this place for a quick bite to eat and drinks.

Sexually harassed by the bartender and his friends on 6/13/2024. When we arrived the bar was relatively empty and the bartender was visiting with some guys around his same age. As soon as we walked in the bartender made a sexually inappropriate comment about us and the other guys at the bar joined in. Their comments included things about their genitals, what they wanted to do to us, and where they lived. We felt extremely uncomfortable and decided to leave. As we were walking away from the bar, the bartender, and the guys he was with, continued to shout sexually inappropriate things at us that we could hear from the street. We did not feel safe here and are very disappointed by this place.

Fantastic Irish pub nestled in the Flats. Haven't eaten here yet, but quenched my thirst in the midst of a 25 mile bike ride. The Guinness here is poured by professionals and tastes great, just as it should. Great atmosphere inside. Need to come back to eat here

Recently stopped at the Flatty on our way home for the clinic. Warm welcome from staff. Sat at bar & service was quick & drinks done well. Hubby & I split a dozen wings. Food arrived hot & quick. Wings were beyond delicious ! Very crispy juicy & meaty. Hubby also had a bowl of chili & was very pleased with the flavor . Definitely will return & recommend Flat Iron for drinks & food

Came here for 2021 Cleveland Burger Week. They were jam-packed, but we got a table within maybe 20 minutes of arriving, then the line was out the door! Service was slow, but rather expected given their lack of staff that night. Servers were working their butts off!!! We sampled several burgers and two flavors of chicken wings. The double smashburger was good but lacked seasoning and flavor, it came flattop grilled to a perfect medium with onions and American cheese on a toasted brioche bun that held up well. The Bourbon bacon burger was slightly better in taste but was overcooked. It came topped with cheddar cheese, seasoned thick-cut bacon, onion straws and a Bourbon based BBQ sauce. Both meals came with fresh cut fries that could have been cooked slightly longer. We also sampled their hot garlic parmesan wings which were very crispy outside and juicy inside with a light sauce on top. The sauce was not hot at all but had a solid garlic and parm flavors combined. Their house made bleu cheese dressing was tangy and thick. Food was fairly average, but I'm willing to give them another try to see if that particular night was an anomaly.

Good perch fry, bangers and mash, and shepherd's pie. Fries need work though. Way to greasy.

This place did the damn thing! We had the party room reserved! When I say the staff are amazing and very attentive. The kept the drinks flowing and the food was beyond fresh and hot. I ordered outside of the catered food the Buffalo pierogie and they were amazing. The have a large selection of alcohol since they are a full service bar: the space was clean and social distanced:

Free street parking on Saturday early afternoon! Fresh, delicious food crafted with love by Master Chef, Doug. Large portions! Pierogi appetizer is the very BEST pierogis I have ever eaten in the entire Northern Ohio area!! My daughter in law loved her meatloaf sandwich and her sister was not able to finish her huge Club sandwich. Fries are fresh, delicious and not greasy. Our server was fast, friendly, efficient and attentive. This is the perfect place to eat before a 3pm Goodtime cruise. BTW this restaurant is situated parallel to the canal the Goodtime and Caroline use. You'll see them going by. This restaurant also offers free use of their upstairs banquet room and free shuttle service to sports games in the area.

This is the best place to grab a bite in Cleveland. I travel a lot and have been all through Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati--and in between--and I can say without a doubt that, at least in my opinion, Flat Iron has the best wings in the state of Ohio. The alcohol selection was also fantastic. Best part is everything is very reasonably priced and the people who work there are always so kind and cheerful. Every experience I've had here was absolutely perfect, and I can't wait to come back next time I'm in town for a Guardians or Cavs game.

Ate and drank here before the 4:25 Browns game on 10/11/2020. Not our first time here. Once again, fantastic. We sat at the bar and watched one of the early games. Drank some beer, had a couple of shots. Ate lunch. Everything was really good. Fish and chips are highly recommended. Prices are great. Service was perfect. Just the right amount of attention. No shuttle to the game, I don't think. We didn't ask, but we didn't see it. Figured it was due to the pandemic. Fine with us, the walk to the stadium did us some good.

Went there for lunch today and arrived BEFORE the lunch crowd. We placed our order and proceeded to wait and wait and watching people come 15-20 minutes AFTER you getting their food. we work for a large organization that will be advised to stay away. UPDATE : After posting this review the owner called me and called me a keyboard warrior for my review. pathetic individual.

Food, service and ambiance top notch plan to take a group there this friday that is how impressed i was everything about flat iron cafe.Fish and Chips is what i had 3 big pieces of beer battered i think it was cod.

Went here for dinner yesterday after attending winter warmer beer fest at windows on the water. Service was impeccable, we were served quickly and were never without what we needed. I really wanted to try bangers and mash but they were out. Ordered the corned beef and cabbage instead. For an Irish place I expected better honestly. The mashed potatoes, vegetables and cabbage were really good, but the corned beef was super thin and full of gristle. Also very dry without much flavor. Was disappointed in that for sure. My brother got a burger, don't remember which one but he said it was really good. My sister in law got the Cobb salad, it was huge!! Would def go back if I'm down by the flats, not sure I'd try the corned beef again however.

after a day out and about in the busters cold of November in Clevelan, we were looking forward to a warm and tasty dinner at the flat iron grill. it's location is superbly atmospheric and picturesque, nestled at the base of one of the old stone viaducts. the signage outside is seemingly vintage neon- give the impression that it's true gem of a restaurant that has stood the test of time. however, once inside, the fantasy ideal begins to fade rather quickly. The lighting is garishly too bright. In an empty restaurant we're asked if we have reservations. When we say no we're advised that all the tables are reserved. A manager steps in and seats us. Our waitress, dour with disheveled, stringy hair, seems to go to great pains to let us know how impatient and disdainful she is of our table. Rolling of eyes, sighing, abrupt prompting. The food: my hot toddy was not hot, but Luke warm, my French onion soup, underneath the melted cheese, was cold. I sent it back to be made warm/ hot. my perch sandwich was made with leathery little bits of deep fried perch that was no longer warm, as if the sandwich had been sitting for 15 minutes.the fries on my plate had also lost their warmth long before reaching our table. The bill was mangled multiple times by our server. My advice to you, flat iron grill: invest in some better servers and cooks. You have an excellent location and potential to live up to the expectations you set by your outward appearance. please make this a happier experience.

We had the Perch plate as well as some chicken wings. Both were very good. The service was outstanding. Being from out of town this was our first visit to FIC. The Irish ambience was.present and you could tell the crowd was having fun and enjoying the dinner. We have already recommended the restaurant to a friend who will be in Cleveland soon

The Cleveland Primanti = freaking fantastic! Corned beef, coleslaw and fries toasted in sand which heaven! Yes! It sounds weird as hell, but it's fantastic! It came with their beer battered onion rings? Layers of tasty onions with a beer batter, I tasted the pale ale they used and my taste buds danced so hard, i wanted to make it rain. Angel's Lake Perch Sandwich = the best perch I've had in a very long time! Probably the best perch i have had anywhere! It's breaded in some sort of corn meal breading and it's light and fluffy! The sandwiches came with home made coleslaw, a perfect blend of creamy and cabbage. Wasn't really sweet and not overpowering. It was pretty refreshing! They have a great selection of beers and spirits, of which i did not take part. However, when i come back, I'll definitely try a Great Lakes brew! CHECK THIS PLACE OUT!!!!

A solid spot within walking distance of the Jacobs pavilion. Stopped here for dinner before a concert and really enjoyed ourselves. A nice selection of beer and the Shepherds Pie lived up to the hype. I was also pleased that we were able to get a table On a Friday night!

Don't ask me why but I haven't been to the Flat Iron in years. Ordered the fried perch as you can see the portion was enormous! I think it was the first time I've ever been to a restaurant and didn't eat all the perch. That said as much as I enjoyed it it could have been cooked a little longer. The coleslaw had a slight aftertaste that I didn't go for. But all in all everything was pretty good and the 2 Guinness made my day.

Dirty and small but food was good. Service was fine. Stopped in before the Motley Crue concert so it was a weird time in the afternoon.

Small local bar/restaurant that's been in Cleveland in the Flats. Good food good beer selection. Friendly folks the restrooms are newly remodeled. Local fresh fish. Lake Erie perch.

Great cozy bar in a little nook of Cleveland that is often overlooked. Great wings and great burgers

Sad and disappointed to report that my days at the Flat Iron Cafe are over. The perch platter featured a giant plate of fries and three tiny perch filets and some tasteless Cole slaw. The perch tasted OK but they were SO SMALL. To include a Diet Coke my bill was $25!!!!! Brittany was my server and did a great job. Lovely and very pleasant. But $25??? Sorry. No more. Sad. A Cleveland institution for so long is now a shadow of what it once was.

We stopped here while visiting a friend in town and were happily surprised. This place is definitely a little local gem! Our meal consisted of mozzarella sticks, teriyaki wings, Angel's Lake Erie Perch, cole slaw, fries, and a french dip sandwich. Everything was pretty good, but the wings were the star of the show! Perfectly crispy on the outside and everything. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!! Plus our server Brittany was so friendly and attentive. Thanks for the meal and we'll be back next time we're in town!

The Flat Iron Cafe is a wonderful gem in the flats. With a myriad of drink options and an even more diverse menu. Regardless of what your craving is, The Flat Iron has it, burgers to bangers and everything in between. With its roots dating back over a hundred years, you are entering not only a landmark but also a tradition. The bartenders are well versed in their drink repertoire. For an Irish pub they even have all the Irish whiskeys you could dream of, from special release Jameson to red bush. I had one of their specials of the day, the Heart Attack burger, with half off burger night, a $7 burger with two grilled cheese that melts in your mouth is beyond worth it. The vibe is fun and friendly, especially for a Monday night. Come in with an empty stomach and an open mind and leave happy and feeling more Irish than you ever knew you were. I'm

Made reservation over phone few days in advance and when we arrived waited 10 minutes before anyone even acknowledged us - then was told that someone cancelled our reservation- in which I did not. Our server DJ was accommodating but still very slow service. The woman behind the bar was very, very rude - glad they finally ended up seating us upstairs in the banquet area and we didn't have to deal with her -hope they get their reservation system figured out because when we finally got our food - a few things were forgotten- it was good food

Not super impressed which makes me sad it's right down the street from our apartment. Onion soup so salty couldn't eat it. Hubbies burger was delicious my salad nothing to write home about. Also think waitress was having a bad night. Loved the music. I think maybe an off night. Will try again.

My wife and I have come here a handful of times before Indians games. It came highly recommended to me from some people from work, and it's a location that will always be an option. They always have a bus that will take you to and from the game, and my wife and I used this for all of the all star events with ease. The only requirement to ride the bus, is to have bought something from the bar, a very reasonable request. The first night we were not particularly hungry but split some pierogies, and were very pleased. The second night I had the burger special, a BBQ burger, and my wife had the Philly Chicken. I had the pleasant surprise of ordering the burger on burger night, so it was half off. Both sandwiches were solid, and the fries were homemade and delicious. This is a great bar to visit. Beer list has a good mix of craft brews and domestics. Food is good and pretty reasonable prices. The bus to and from the games is prompt and comfortable. Definitely worth a return trip.

Excellent experience!! Sheppards pie was outstanding and service was great. We had our family of 5, 3 teens and us, and we all enjoyed ourselves. Good place to pop in after your tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I love this place. Very friendly and the food will fill a spot in your soul as well as your stomach. They have a dad beer night which is fun. 10/10

Great bar, took two visitors from Belfast IRE on evening before Indians/Milwaukee game. They were impressed with the fact Harp was on tap, pictures and flags from Northern Ireland. One had a rueben for the first time (not a sandwich that actually exists in Ireland). She loved it. Bartender worked her butt off by herself, never waited for a drink. Great time!

First time visit at the Flat Iron was for lunch. Ordered pirogies, perch plate, steak salad for dine in and a corned beef sandwich to go. All of dine in choices were okay, nothing really stood out as great.The sandwich to go was probably the winning choice. Really good quality corned beef. Anyway, I would try them out again to see if maybe it was just an off day in the kitchen.

Decided to end our Cleveland trip at Flat Iron Cafe, as the reviews were pretty good not to give a try! I got their french onion soup- and it was AMAZING. The cheese, the onions, everything about it was delicious. Mind you it was very very salty, though I tend to like my french onion soup that way. I also got their pork ribs with onion rings. Their Onion rings are MASSIVE, a bit too big for my liking, though my husband enjoyed them. He ordered one of their Carolina Chicken sandwiches, which he said was delicious! It is definitely a cute little restaurant with a bar inside and TVs. The waitress was fantastic, always refilling are waters. I would definitely go back here next time I am in Cleveland!

Great food! Great atmosphere and great waitstaff. Would definitely be back when in town again.

Not a fan. Half of our group's food came out cold. The wing sauce was extremely spicy although not described to me that way. I would overlook this but since everything else was bad about them it's worth mentioning. They were not crispy at all, they were cold, and they were drowning in sauce. The breading also didn't stick well on the fried pickles or onion rings. The ranch is good. It's homemade. The claim chowder was also pretty good. It had a thinner broth which I actually like but I do wish it had more chunks of clam and potato.

Loved the food and the atmosphere. Parking was close by easy for being in downtown Cleveland.

Flat Iron cafe: My mom and dad would take the family here for fish fry on Fridays when we lived in Lake View terrace, a government living assisted project. We would walk here through the Flats, (My mom made bomb parts there at the old White Sewing machine factory during WW2) then cross over the Cayuga river over a very scary draw bridge and then enter the bar through a screen door. My dad was a Yellow Cab driver and a big Browns fan. The owner of the Browns at the time also owned the Yellow cab company. Does the "Taxi Squad" the Brown used for more players come to mind? Anyway, the Flat Iron had great memories for me back then in the 1940's. The bar tender would tell me the low lying bar cabinets had snakes in them in order to keep me out. Loved this place, but now live in the land of "fruits and nuts" (CA) and nothing out here can beat the FIC. Arnie

I came here recently for lunch and it seemed that they were understaffed for a lunch rush. We didn't see our waitress for quite sometime after getting our waters. The menu has a good selection of food and they always have daily specials. I ordered the french onion soup which was good and you could tell it was homemade. I also got a chicken wrap but there wasn't much flavor to it which was a bummer because I felt like it was something I could make at home. The space definitely has the Irish feel and they have a good size party space upstairs.

Located in the Flats, Flat Iron is the oldest Irish pub in Cleveland and has been around for over 100 years. Now, know going into this that I'm by no means Irish or a huge drinker. But the Flat Iron has that friendly Irish vibe that makes you want to drink a beer with a stranger. In fact, it's easier to have several beers here and not know the passage of time. They also have an Indians and Browns shuttle, and will even come pick up your party at a downtown office for free for transport to them. Flat Iron also has regular live music, which is hard not to appreciate. In general, this is a great place to hang with friends or grab a drink before a game. Every Clevelander should visit at least once! Also, try the Shepherds Pie or Bangers and Mash if you're in the market for some Irish eats.