Poppy Restaurant: Cleveland Restaurant Guide

“Poppy – A Perfect Patio & Culinary Experience in Larchmere We were on the hunt for a beautiful patio on a perfect Cleveland day, and the internet led us right to Poppy in the Larchmere District. After seeing the gorgeous photos and reading some glowing reviews, we knew we had to try it—especially knowing it comes from one of the creative minds behind the award-winning Salt. We arrived right as they opened, which gave us the perfect calm moment to take in the setting and enjoy every bite. We started with Shawnda’s Biscuits and honey lavender butter—rich, and just the right touch of sweet. Alongside that, we ordered the woodfired fresh focaccia with burrata, sunflower seeds, saba, and the most perfectly ripe strawberries. It was as gorgeous as it was delicious. For mains, we chose the shrimp and jalapeño-infused grits with a tomato-herb oil—comforting with just the right amount of kick—and the Cobia, served over esquites (a Mexican street corn-style base) with chili oil. It usually looks prettier, but I had the cilantro salad put on the side. And then came the banana cake—which deserves a review of its own. Massive, rich, and meant to be shared (though no judgment if you don’t). It came with brown sugar caramel cream, almond butter caramel, and a banana almond crunch that took it over the top. Truly decadent. Don’t skip it. Andrew, our server was attentive and gave just the right amount of advice. A+ service. Sadly, I was too captivated by the food to snap a picture of the gorgeous patio, but trust me—it’s the kind of space that makes you want to sit and linger. The atmosphere is relaxed yet elevated, ideal for a celebration dinner, a date night, or just a really special evening with friends. Also worth noting: their signature cocktails are spot-on, though I can’t remember exactly what was in my wife’s… I just know it disappeared quickly and happily. Poppy is a must-visit. The creativity, the flavors, and the setting all come together for an unforgettable dining experience.”

“Wow! What a treat to discover a truly unique restaurant nestled within a beautiful 100+ year old Cleveland home. From the moment my friends and I arrived, we knew we were in for a special experience. We started our evening at the outdoor bar, where the bartender graciously took the time to explain and recommend various gin selections when I inquired. His knowledge and helpfulness set a welcoming tone for the evening. Before being seated, I took a stroll through the outdoor garden, and it was simply amazing. The variety of plants, from strawberries to even a lemon tree and stunning tall purple allium, truly impressed me. The menu was small, which I actually appreciated as it made deciding much easier for someone as indecisive as me! For an appetizer, we shared the biscuits with lavender honey butter, which were absolutely delicious. For our main courses, I opted for the Poppy burger, my husband enjoyed the fire-roasted zucchini, and our friends raved about the cobia (fish). Every dish was beautifully presented and bursting with incredible flavors. To cap off the meal, we indulged in several dessert options, with the strawberry pretzel salad being the undeniable highlight - a must-try! While the entree sizes were a bit smaller than I'd hoped and drink prices were a tad higher than what I'm used to, these minor points certainly weren't deal-breakers. The overall experience was fantastic. The true highlight of the evening, however, was when Jessica, the owner, stopped by our table to chat. She was an absolute delight, and her warmth made the evening even more memorable. We will definitely be back to this Cleveland gem!”

“Just went here last night with a girlfriend from out of town. When I tell you, we had the absolute BEST time. Quinton (sorry if that's misspelled!) was our server and he was so kind, attentive and personable. We started with the biscuits (get the order of 5, you'll thank me later) and mussels. Both were DIVINE. Fluffy biscuits and the mussels were in a fatty, flavorful broth. I had the shrimp and grits and my friend had the burger. Both were insanely good. For dessert, we got the key lime pie napoleon and the banana cake. I would do unforgivable things for that cake. (Lmao) It was so soft and fluffy, had the perfect amount of salt and was so balanced. We also had the pleasure of meeting Kelly who was running food and she suggested the pretzel salad for dessert so that'll be next time! Don't think, just book your reservation.”