Rowley Inn — Restaurant in Cleveland

A++++ Atmosohere!! Step into The Rowley Inn and it feels like you’ve stumbled into your favorite neighborhood bar mixed with a cozy gastropub—minus any pretense. With roots back to 1906, it’s got old‑school charm without feeling stuffy or dated .

From the moment you walk in, the bartenders greet you like an old friend, even at 7 AM (yes, they don’t judge early birds!) . Speaking of early, their breakfast game is legendary—hangover cures like the Shrimp & Grits or Pierogi Omelet are served up all day, and Reddit users are obsessed:

“The menu is big, inventive, and customizable. Never a long wait for a spot. The fries… Dipped in flour for an extra crisp? I don’t know….but I love it.”  

“Pierogi Omelet…a pierogi shell stuffed with scrambled eggs, kielbasa, cheddar cheese…delicious and hearty breakfast. Goes great with a beer or Bloody Mary!” 

Hungry later? The menu is packed with inventive comfort dishes & Cleveland twists: pierogi poutine, Loco Moski (pierogis topped with burger patty, fried onions, eggs, gravy), Polish-ish Boy sandwich… plus vegan and vegetarian options that vegan visitors rave about .

The vibe is welcoming and warm—tight quarters, a twitch of cough from the jukebox, TVs showing the game, friendly chatter—all cozy mayhem in the best way . Yelp users sum it up neatly:

“LOVE this place. The portions are huge and the food is simply amazing. Highly recommend if hung over…” 

It’s cheerful, nostalgic, and genuinely Cleveland—perfect for early morning breakfasts, laid‑back lunches, or casual evening pints. And with its prime location just across from “A Christmas Story” house, it’s a must-stop when strolling through Tremont .

The Verdict: Fun, no-fuss atmosphere + hearty, creative comfort food = locally loved, crowd-pleasing goodness. Whether you’re in for brunch, a buzzing bar night, or mid-afternoon grub, The Rowley Inn hits all the right notes. Drink at 7 AM? Absolutely. Eat pierogi for breakfast? You just might...

The Rowley Inn is a restaurant with an active bar. We called ahead and asked for a table for seven. They said it would be ready in 15 minutes. We arrived 15 minutes later, and the table was ready. The restaurant was full. Ours was the only empty table.

Because the place was full, it took a while before we were served. However, all the employees were friendly and helpful. We had fried pickles as an appetizer. They were delicious. For our meals, we had a variety of dishes. We all enjoyed our dishes.

I had Cleveland's best grilled cheese sandwich. It was very good, but not the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had. That one had port wine cheddar. The sandwich came with fries. They were excellent. Not quite as good as the fries from Thrasher's in Ocean City, MD or Rehoboth, DE but very good. The fries at Rowley's are just as good as the fries from the Urban Kitchen, and for the same reason. The fries are coated with a thin layer of flour before they're deep fried.

There's no parking lot, but there's free street parking. The inn is not very wheelchair accessible. There are two high steps between the sidewalk and the entry.

As a little perk, the Rowley Inn is located across the street from the house where some of the scenes from the movie,"A Christmas Story" was filmed. The famous lamp in the shape of a woman's leg is still in the front window. It's not wearing its stocking.

I recommend the Rowley...

My husband and I have been so enthused about coming here after watching it on DDD. The first time we drove 3 hours on a Monday, it was closed. Today we tried again, also a Monday,  about 2pm. We were excited they were open. The manager seated us at a very small table. I asked her if we could have the larger table next to it because I'm claustrophobic in small places but we were also planning on ordering a lot of food. She said, "No, those tables are reserved for parties of 3 or more." The restaurant was virtually empty and a larger party never came in. That table remained open as did every table in the front of the restaurant. She wanted to save a table for a customer that may or may not come in later but I'm here now with money to spend and being treated very poorly. In addition to her unwillingness to accommodate her customers' request, she was also very rude and unfriendly. I wanted to get up and walk out but considering we drove 3 hours I did not. My husband got the burger. He liked it. I got the stuffed pablano pepper. It was luke warm after a very long wait to prepare it but otherwise tastey. But I think I would try something different if we ever return. My biggest complaint is please accommodate your customers' requests when possible. Especially on a Monday after the lunch rush and before dinner. I mean every...