Cleveland Restaurant Week Kicks Off

This year's Cleveland Restaurant Week marks the 18th event of its kind, a tradition organized by Cleveland Independents. The group, which advocates for locally owned restaurants, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026. At its peak, Cleveland Independents had 95 members before the COVID-19 pandemic, and it currently has around 60 members. The promotion comes at a challenging time for Northeast Ohio's independent restaurants, which are contending with rising food and labor costs, as well as shifts in dining habits. In 2024, the Cleveland area saw the closure of more than 30 restaurants, and several more, including the iconic Melt Bar and Grilled, shut their doors in 2025. Laurie Torres, the president of Cleveland Independents and owner of Mallorca in downtown Cleveland, has been a vocal supporter of the local dining scene. She has highlighted the importance of supporting independent establishments to maintain the city's unique culinary identity. Torres, a recipient of the Ohio Restaurant Association's 2021 Rising Star Award, also serves on the association's Board of Trustees. The launch of Restaurant Week coincides with a forecast of wintry weather. A storm system is expected to bring a mix of light snow and freezing rain to the Ohio Valley on Monday, March 2nd, and Tuesday, March 3rd, which could create hazardous travel conditions. Despite the economic headwinds and challenging weather, there is optimism within the local restaurant industry. The number of new restaurant openings in Northeast Ohio has remained on par with closures, indicating a resilient and evolving food scene. Several new establishments are anticipated to open in 2026.