Johnny's Bar on Fulton - Cleveland, OH

​We headed to Johnny’s on Fulton for a guys' night recently, and it’s definitely the kind of place that knows how to host a group. The atmosphere has that classic, old-school feel that makes you want to settle in and stay a while. ​The service was the absolute highlight of the night. Our waitress was fantastic—she caught onto our group’s dynamic immediately and started giving us a hard time right back. She was hilarious, quick with a comeback, and really kept the energy high at the table. It’s not often you get a server who can join in on the banter while still staying on top of everything, and she made the experience a lot more memorable. ​As for the food, I went with the Ribeye. It was a decent cut and cooked how I asked, though I’d say it was okay compared to some of the other legendary dishes Johnny’s is known for. It got the job done for a steak dinner, but it didn't quite steal the show compared to the veal, filet, or pasta that others in my party ordered. ​Overall, it was a solid night out. You go to Johnny’s for the tradition and the atmosphere, and in our case, the great service. If you’re looking for a spot with personality and quality Italian food, this is it.

Old school Italian joint in a little neighborhood. Lots of veal on the menu but also pasta, fish, and other entrees. The food came out piping hot, large portions, really satisfying. We shared stuffed calamari, I had grouper, and the pecan tart with a chocolate base was exquisite. Reservations needed. Stellar wine list.

Talk about an incredible meal! From the moment we walked in the door we felt a truly warm and inviting welcome and could just tell it was going to be good. While the interior of the restaurant sports an old leopard print carpet and a bit of an old school mobster vibe, you are truly treated like family and provided with fantastic service and delicious, huge portioned dishes. Pricing is very reasonable considering how large and delicious the entrees are and the specials can’t be beat! We certainly cannot wait to be back.

Folks, let me tell you, Johnny’s Bar on Fulton Road is a TOTAL WINNER. This place has been around forever – we’re talking decades of greatness – and you can feel the history the moment you walk in. It’s classy, it’s cozy, it’s just fantastic. Everyone says so. The veal? Oh, it’s incredible. Believe me, nobody does veal like Johnny’s. The stuffed banana peppers with veal? It’s a flavor explosion, folks. Probably the best veal I’ve ever had. Maybe the best in the world. People are talking about it everywhere, and they’re right. And the Old Fashioneds – let me just say, PERFECT. They make them strong, smooth, and so, so good. Some places water them down – not Johnny’s. These are the REAL DEAL. You have one of these, and you’re on top of the world, folks. The service? Top-notch. They treat you like royalty here. The staff knows what they’re doing – very smart, very talented. You sit down, and they make sure everything is just perfect. And the ambiance? Let’s just say, it’s like dining in style from another era. It’s beautiful. Johnny’s Bar is a total moment for your taste buds. It’s a Cleveland landmark, folks. You gotta go. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

First timers, and it didn't disappoint!! We came at the right time for me (nobody really there)! The food was on point, and so was the service!!! We will definitely be back!! Thank you for a good dining experience!

This is five stars for me. From the time I pulled up to the valet to getting back into my car, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. As soon as I pulled up I was greeted with a friendly welcome and asked to just leave the keys in my car. I checked in for the reservations and was greeted with a smile. My table was not yet ready so they said please have a seat at the bar and have a drink while the rest of your party arrives. It was just a warm friendly welcome. This location is small and intimate, the entire staff was friendly and accommodating in every way. They even changed the channel so I could watch the playoffs. The food blew me away. I tried duck and it was almost like juicy steak. I tried calamari unlike any I have ever had in the most delicious marinara sauce I could ever remember having. I had the Ribeye which was the special and it was one of the best. It was perfectly cooked, so very flavorful and the sauce I could not getenough. I was using bread to soak it up and eat it. After all this great food and service I was given a friendly farewell on my way out to find my car already pulled up to the door. This was top tier dining and service. I highly recommend this gem.

Staff was great. Food was not very good and portions very small. $33 for dry sauce, slightly undercooked pasta, six shrimps. Not for me. Hope everyone else has better experience.

I was admittedly unhappy they advertised a Veal Parm sandwich and said that was actually Chicken. I'm out of my league as well here: $24 for my lunch to go, was steep. This may be better suited for a rare extravagant dinner for me, personally.

Excellent Food in THE LAND! Excellent service and cool ambiance. Started with the Caprese and Veal stuffed banana peppers which were so tasty. Table had the ribeye and mushrooms special and peppercorn filet. Everything was excellent and we all agreed it by far the best meal of the trip. The KEY LIME CHEESECAKE was Wow!!!! We are still talking about it the next day. Must visit restaurant when in Cleveland.

If you're looking for a truly unique Cleveland experience, I highly recommend Johnny's. It's an institution and it hasn't rested on its laurels. The small, old school bar is fun to sit at, but the elevated dining room just off the bar is a beautiful place to have a nice meal. We split a Caesar, had the veal medallions and chicken piccata. Nothing nouveau here, just really good classical Italian dishes executed to a tee. The staff have all been there for ages (at least the ones we interacted with) and while many have specific quirks they're all extremely friendly and do an amazing job. Almost a David Lynchian type vibe. Really nice meal - can't to return.

We popped in unexpectedly and sat at a table in the bar area. Server was friendly and attentive. Cocktails were good. Our entrees were delicious and the tiramisu was perfect size for two.

Upscale Italian Deep flavor dishes. Veal recommend Get all the veggie items. Green is good

Went for dinner. A great bar with great service. The staff was all very nice. Started with the calamari appetizer which was very different than normal calamari. The waiter explained to us it was different so pay attention to what they tell you. I didn't care for it. They have lots of meat dishes with others really enjoyed. As a vegetarian I got the spaghetti. It was good. But pricey for spaghetti I have nut allergies so didn't have desserts but other that did really liked them This is also a more expensive place So for me I would rate this place average but would add that without my food restrictions I suspect I would rate higher.

IMHO best restaurant in CLE. The vibe, the food, the friendly service just tops everything. Took out-of-town family to Johnny's last week. I'm so happy we did! We have been there before and loved it and thought it would the perfect Cleveland dining experience for our guests. We were not disappointed. We were there on a Thursday night. Had reservation and seated immediately. Place was active but not overly crowded or uncomfortable. Physical place has a cool 'old-school' vibe to it. Food was all perfect, service was fantastic and Bo recommended a really great bottle of wine that did not break the bank. Johnny's is the best!!!

Food was absolutely horrible. Tomato sauce was flavorless, and every other dish we tried went downhill from there. The decor & finishes are very dated, & dark. Stairs down to bathroom are very s t e e p, and ought to be a violation.

Went to Johnny's for a dinner date. The bartender and other staff were so friendly, that we decided to sit at the bar. (Laurie and Nate) I have been here before and it never disappoints. My date had not been here before and has been talking about his dinner since then! We ordered a filet with mushrooms and the short ribs. Both dishes were were the perfect dinner size and cooked to perfection. I Highly recommend this place!!!!!

We for my boyfriends birthday! Always a great meal! They forgot on the reservation it was his bday, but I had an ice cream cake at home! Waitress was great!

cozy nyc vibe in cle with the best characters around consistently. we love the energy, the bar, the people, and most definitely the food! jose holding the door for you just adds that much more kindness to the whole vibe. stella at the bar is what's up. and the food! mark, the chef, knows what's up! we are regulars and i am vegetarian, so i just have throw together a vegetarian pasta dish and he knocks it out of the park every single time. the chefs are so much a part of the personality of johnnys. we were honored to meet chef matthew, who helped create our amazing dish tuesday evening. beau and willy are the cornerstone of that place. you gotta go there

We e been to Johnnys downtown years ago but had not been to the original. It was awesome! Service was great; the food was incredible. One of the best meals we've had in Cleveland.

Wife and I stopped in here a few years ago, after going to St Rocco's carnival. Just wanted to check the place out (had heard good things about it) and get a couple beers. OMG. We were treated so rudely. Not openly rude, but the people we interacted with made us feel so unwelcome. There were people in there having dinner, so it wasn't closing time. First and only time I've ever gone into a restaurant and been made to feel like they didn't want my business. I've never gone back and never will. (Besides, $29 for a plate of spaghetti is ridiculous, even if the service is spectacular)

Had dinner at Johnny's on Fulton last week. Very,, very disappointed-not the Johnny's it used to be. Food was just ok, server was annoying. My wife had what they called lamb chops-definitely not rib. Lamb was flatted and breaded to the point that it didn't even taste like lamb. Will not go back

Ordered apps, salads, main courses, and desserts. Only the desserts were remarkable, which were all cakes that they brought in rather than prepared in house. Four people, $400 including tip. Seems like this place is iconic from an era prior to the current food scene existing in Cleveland. I can think of many places the meal would have been much better for 1/2 the price.

Charming, classic delicious Italian. Wish we loved closer to this gem. We were traveling so had our 9 year old. We would go as a couple next time.

Ok. Saturday August 10. Bar stools ripped. Ok. Get sat at the bar area table by the window. Sit down on the chair and it fking splinters. Not a leg off. Whole chair in many pieces. I am not over 200 pounds. I am on the floor. Unbelievable. The manager tried to be helpful. The owner was outside. Didn't do anything. Never going again. Maybe get new chairs after the fire. Not the first time it's happened.

Beautifully decorated and elegant for Christmas nothing tacky. The servers made wonderful suggestions and the food was perfectly portioned.

Came here after a funeral for my best friend - it was his favorite spot. Top notch spot with an excellent menu, great food and top notch service. Good time old school feel.

Wow wow wow that is all I can say about this place and the food I ate. We came here to celebrate a special event and they made us feel special for sure! We got some apps to split and I had to get the veal chop! While the boys for the steak special which was WAY bigger than their stomachs. Thank goodness for to go boxes lol. Our waitress was super friendly and knowledgeable to point us in the right direction.

Tiny place, good service, GREAT food Two of us had steaks one had the shrimp pasta We also shared the mozzarella app and warm spinach salads. While the pace was very drawn out, we didn't mind. We each got a dessert too. Can't go wrong with any of them!

This restaurant is definitely a hidden gem in Cleveland. The patio was a great place to sit down in the summer night and the food was all excellent. The long bone veal chop was fabulous and definitely will fill you up.

This place is a classic! The waiter and all staff were amazing!!! Good food good folks! If you are a veal fan in any way shape or form it's a must here! May this Cleveland pillar live on forever!!!

johnny's has been our favorite special spot for any occasion whether it's a nite out or an anniversary. just happened to be the first date place for my wife and myself 27 years ago! keep up the good work bo!

Recently a friend and I traveled to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for the Asian Lantern Festival and decided to explore the zoo in the afternoon before the festival began. We didn't realize we'd have to leave and then coome back for the festival, but we resolved to find a good place to have dinner. It wasn't easy to find a place, but when I saw Johnny's, I recalled the high praise a former supervisor of mine had for it and suggested we stop. It doesn't look like much from the outside but inside, it's a warm, inviting place with excellent food and great service. Yes, it's pricier than some other places, but the quality makes it worth it. A Cleveland classic!

Johnny's Bar on Fulton, while not a very big place, is charming. Unfortunately the gorgeous patio (read: garden) was full, so we sat indoors in a slightly cramped dining room. But that only added to the atmosphere. There was valet, but also parking on the side street not too far of a walk away. The server was friendly and attentive. I asked the server her preference between the on-menu walleye and the halibut special of the evening. The server recommended the halibut and I was not disappointed. The entree came with a house salad which was simple and small, but a good starter. The halibut was a good portion size. It came with rice and thin stalked asparagus. It was a flavorful and light option for dinner. I definitely want to come back and try a true Italian dish...or maybe a steak - I saw one going out and it looked delicious!

Went twice for dinner while in town for business. Great food. Get off your ass and go there! You want cheap go to McDonalds.

Absolutely the best! A little tricky when it comes to parking sometimes, but nonetheless, the best food, wonderful ambience... Johnny's bar is outstanding among Cleveland restaurants. The service is superb. Perhaps not the largest, perhaps not the most elegant, but truly the best!

Another great evening at Johnny's. Beau, Bobby ,Kelly and the staff takes great care of u. Peppers are our favorite as an appetizer with great dinner specials . Johnny's is our favorite restaurant in Cleveland .

My husband and I had dinner here last night and enjoyed our meal and the ambiance of the patio. The owner was very friendly and walked us to our table and checked in after our meal. Our waiter was kind and attentive and paced everything so we never felt rushed. The menu prices seem a little too high to me but both my husband's and my meal were cooked perfectly. I tried to order the mussels but unfortunately the mussels were a bad batch or something and I was asked to reorder. That was disappointing, but the salmon I got instead was good. The patio is adorable and if you're going to go, go on a nice night and sit outside.

I had a co worker bring me back a chicken arugula salad yesterday. It was absolutely the worst, repeat the worst salad I have ever had in my life. This is the second time I have had a bad experience with Johnny's. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. THE BAR ISNT TGAT GREAT EITHER. GO TO BRUNOS OR DONS. JOHNNYS SUCKS!!!!!

Great food, atmosphere and service. Class act all the way. I'd recommend this place anytime.

This place is awesome. Don't expect polished but expect great food. This place set the standard for excellence in Cleveland is serving it still everyday. Get the Filet au poivre and you won't be disappointed unless you're a vegetarian and then get anybof the pastas and you'll be glad you did. BEWARE: Johnny's downtown is not as good... different chefs with slightly different recipes!! Cheers to this team for keeping an institution rocking!

They get by on their name and past success. Service is excellent and friendly. The food is sub-par. Noodles overcooked, and the rest is institutional food

This is a must stop in Cleveland if you love Italian food. It is family operated business that has been around for many years. Food is authentic and and delicious. Our lunch both chicken dishes had layers of flavors, we also ordered the stuffed sautéed calamari as an appetizer, all outstanding. They serve lunch & dinner and have an outdoor patio. Looking forward to our next visit. Highly Recommended!

Since it's been a while, actually pre covid, an update to my 2017 review. The owner Bo was out of town this visit, he normally is there making you feel at home and paying attention to detail. His staff did a wonderful job with him away, there were some slight issues with service at the bar not really Bobby's fault, but everything was so great it was forgivable. The veal special was outstanding, and my wife really enjoyed the grouper entree. The place is iconic glad it survived the covid mess, a pleasure to return.

Johnny's is a neighborhood landmark that unlike many businesses in Greater Cleveland, has withstood generations of urban decay and continued to thrive! This is a quinessential 'old neighborhood' restaurant, a classy joint to say the least, a place where the interior decor is set in the 1970s... and it's marvelous! The food is definitely top notch, Northern Italian, cusine that focuses on classical dishes and time honored favorites, such as the Egg Parpardelle Pasta, or the Long Bone Veal Chop! Sure, the menu prices aren't going to accommodate those on a limited budget, but the quality and flavor that goes into the food here makes it all worth the experience - even if it's only once - it will be a memorable one!

What can I say, this place never disappoints my expectations, just a perfect spot with great service. I enjoyed the bone in ribeye special and it was prepared perfectly and was a big hit! I plan to return monthly and sample other dishes they offer.

Our good friends treated us to dinner at Johnny's, and we had a wonderful evening. It is definitely an old school kind of place, but I mean this as a complement. The old bar is well worn, but they make a good drink, and the garden area out back is beautiful and romantic--perfect for a nice summer evening. I dressed up and wore a coat to dinner, and many did as well, but I was surprised to see several under dressed people being seated. Sigh.. The snobby, über-trendy, gotta always have something new crowd won't like the menu, but there is something to be said about preparing high quality traditional dishes. Yes, I had the pounded veal chop, and yes, it was everything it should be! The stuffed calamari appetizer was delicious--I never had it prepared this way before. My wife had the seafood pasta, and the seafood was fresh, but best of all, the pasta tasted like homemade. Ok, so the prices are high--this is definitely a special occasion place--but the quality and quantity is there to justify it, as is the service. I can see why this place has survived all these years, while the trendy places are in one day and out the next.

Now look--this is the most special restaurant in Cleveland. The portions were huge and absolutely delicious. This is hands down the best restaurant in my opinion. I have been eating here for 33 years and it is always special.

We visited Johnny's on Saturday Oct. 19,2019. The food was wonderful however they do have a corkage policy to bring your own wine. We knew that going in as we placed a call to the restaurant. Our friend brought a Magnum of Caymus which is 1 large bottle of wine. We were told 35.00 per bottle. The waiter only opened one bottle of wine. They charged us 70.00 because a magnum of wine constitutes 2 bottles of wine. I was very disappointed in this procedure. Why weren't we told this when the waiter opened the bottle? Very poor business decision on their part. My husband paid the bill but I won't we won't be going back to the restaurant. Not a good way to conduct business!!!

We came in unassuming but heard the food was really good. To say the least it was fantastic, one if the best meal I've experienced along with a super server. Long bone veal chop was SUPER! Husband has Italian seafood feast and saint leave a drop....app was stuffed hot peppers, perfectly roasted. Two glasses of wine, cappuccino and a warm B&B to top it all off! LOVED IT AND RECOMMEND TOO EVERYONE- Don't be discouraged by the neighborhood, it's all good!!!

Food was delicious and very fresh, as were cocktails. Service was a little slow but perfectly fine for a leisurely evening out!

Johnny's continues to impress us. We were there last night 3/23/19. My brother Bill S. and his wife and me Linda W. celebrated my husband's birthday. We often celebrate our birthdays at Johnny's. Our dinners of filet of Beef au Poivre, veal with pappardelle pasta, and linguine with clam sauce and scampi, were perfect as were the banana stuffed peppers, wine and cocktails, and excellent service. We plan to be back again next month to celebrate our son's birthday. We will be back again and again. This place has good food and nice people!

Amazing food every time I eat here. Great menu, lots of choices. Pasta and meat dishes are very good. They always have a nice selection of specials. Salads are included with the meals... not a la carte. Love the small feel dining room with white linen table clothes, but the patio is also very nice on the warmer months. Very attentive staff. Parking available on the street in the neighborhood or valet.

Great place. The atmosphere is fantastic. The food was great. I had a veal dish that was perfectly prepared. The price is very fair when you consider that you get a nice size salad with your dinner, as well as a vegetable and starch. Love the bar too!

Johnnies is one of the best dining experiences in Cleveland. Excellent stacks and seafood. It is always a pleasure to walk thru the door and be greeted the old fashioned way. I love their seafood fettuccini. The management and staff are always there to meet your needs and make your evening or lunch wonderful! They give that little extra that most places forget Highly recommend for special occasions or dinner for two!

Food was delicious and ambiance was great. Tables a little tight in the back dining room but our server, Kelly, and the experience at Johnny's extraordinary!! She was prompt, funny, friendly, just great. I had salmon and husband had steak and both were delicious. Stuffed banana peppers did an app which was a perfect amount of spicy and savory. We will be back!!

Valet parking is a huge thing around there and free is a bonus! Upon entry, there should be someone in the entrance to great you! If this is a "high end" dining place that would be one thing to seek out! Seated early, another perk! Greeted by our server immediately! 5 stars! I feel that upon saying the specials, include the pricing! The price for THREE stuffed calamari is WAY elaborate! The bread was amazing! Dinner salad, amazing! Entree, Linguini with clams and scallopini was 3 out of 5 stars! Very dry! Waiter knew something was off because I hardly touched it! To go box, no thanks! If you pay that amount of money it should not be bland with a ton of oil! Shrimp was good and huge! Far too many clams! The filet was to die for that my partner ordered! The tab, to the extreme! And I have been here several times past! Maybe it was an off evening?!

This will always be my favorite in CLE. Authentic Italian bar and grill. Be a man: A stiff manhattan, followed by stuffed pepper app, Beef au poivre never fails. Clams linguine for your date wins. Creme brûlée or pistachio ice cream for dessert. Yes!