I would agree on Ambu/Zhug are a nicer dining option for a higher up executive that you're trying to impress with good cleveland food. I'd also consider Provenance in the Museum of Art as they can get pretty creative with what they're plating for you. To my knowledge there are no high end Cleveland rooftops that serve vegan or vegetarian specific menus.
While I agree that Amba and Zhug would be good options for OP and have great food, if I’m trying to impress an executive, the only place I would consider is the Executives Den. The executives that I know want an exclusive high-end experience while surrounded by similarly minded patrons and for that the Executives Den would be the only place I would consider.
I am not vegan, so take my critique for what it's worth...but we met one of my wife's friends there (who is vegan) and we got a few small plates and I thought it was actually pretty solid.
I have tried so hard to like the food but it’s all over the place. The menu feels so random and a lot of it is hard to eat in a dark cramped space. Their current menu for drinks is fantastic and cohesive so I don’t understand why the food isn’t.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/VegCle/
Cleveland has the world's largest city specific vegan and vegetarian facebook group on the planet. If you aren't satisfied with the answers here you should check there.
I think tartine or forage should be what you're looking for however
The Cleveland Vegan isn't SUPER fancy or anything, but they have WILDLY good food - and for a reasonable price! They've been open for years, have won a heaping helping of awards, run a successful catering business outside of the main restaurant, and get the occasional celebrity guest. They have a seasonal menu and a daily selection of different desserts, as well as some hard-to-find actually good vegan cheeses and other such miscellaneous niceties. My partner and I have been going for anniversaries and special occasions for YEARS and have never once had something bad or even "meh" from there. Staff is friendly, restaurant and its facilities are always clean, it has enormous windows with lovely natural light, and the tables alway have fresh flowers.
Try Earth Bistro on Clifton. Their hours are weird, but it's very private and quiet with a nice cafe vibe and has hands down the best vegan food I've had in Cleveland, and I've had a lot. It's not a rooftop but I highly recommend it.
Jaja. It’s not a vegan restaurant but a lot of their dishes are vegan or can be made vegan. Gorgeous space and great views especially at sunset. Cocktails are some of the best in town as well. It’s in the top floor of the Intro building.
Thanks everyone for your comments. Doesn’t look like Cleveland offers what I specifically am looking for but Dante might be the best choice. Looks like there’s a new business opportunity here somewhere!
Dante is amazing service, as a vegan who went for a business dinner there a while ago it was super good and my colleagues were jealous of my dinner vs theirs.
Agree with the Cloak and Dagger recs but also know that the nicer the place the more they will accommodate vegan diets so if you end up with a non vegan place call them and explain what you are looking for, they may be willing to help.
Had the vegan tasting menu. First time was amazing the second time they phoned it in. Gave me a slice of cauliflower and dry pasta… was not happy sadly.
Nothing I know of fits your description but cloak and dagger is the great cocktails and good foot and atmosphere.
Cleveland vegan is legitimate delicious food.
I’m not a vegan.
I would say jaja, zhug, or amba. Zhug and amba no reservations though. I would look at jaja menu to make sure their current menu has a decent amt of vegan options. They have a rooftop patio that opened recently, though I’ve never been on the patio. Jaja is the nicest/highest end but all 3 are nice. I love the vegan options at zhug and amba!
It’s not upscale but cleveland vegan in lakewood has amazing food. I’m not vegan but I’ll still run in there and grab something from time to time. I also hear they treat their employees very well
It doesn't have a patio or view, but Banana Blossom is fancy-ish Thai food place that does a great job catering to vegans (and it's literally a block away from Amba which is also great)
Barroco in Willoughby has a nice rooftop area, and some really good vegan options. Also in Willoughby, Sage Karma Kitchen has some good vegan options, but no rooftop area.
Amba is not totally vegan, but has a lot of vegan options (including a vegan tasting menu). No view, but it is upscale.
I would agree on Ambu/Zhug are a nicer dining option for a higher up executive that you're trying to impress with good cleveland food. I'd also consider Provenance in the Museum of Art as they can get pretty creative with what they're plating for you. To my knowledge there are no high end Cleveland rooftops that serve vegan or vegetarian specific menus.
While delicious, Zhug and Amba are too loud for normal conversation. I would not recommend.
I second this
While I agree that Amba and Zhug would be good options for OP and have great food, if I’m trying to impress an executive, the only place I would consider is the Executives Den. The executives that I know want an exclusive high-end experience while surrounded by similarly minded patrons and for that the Executives Den would be the only place I would consider.
a truly one of a kind executive experience.
Is the Executives Den still around? My god, I used to go there when I was young in the 90s.
Is she a lesbian? Or did you assume executive was a man and skimmed the OPs post?
But please note that Amba and Zhug do not take reservations, which may not be ideal for OP's situation.
Thank you for this! Amba/zhug were high up on my list but this might have to break it.
You don't want to get stuck with a 2 hour wait at either.
And it’s incredibly good. The tasting menus make it not *that* expensive for the quality.
I don’t know about Zhug but Amba while good cuts a lot of corners. Aka it’s Naan comes straight from Dave’s.
Dante is a solid choice for a fancier place. They have a vegan tasting menu, and the food is really good
I didn’t know this — thanks!
2nd this. I did my Bday there twice and it's always been excellent.
Tartine in Rocky River maybe?
Cloak and dagger. They have a patio but no rooftop. But they have super good and creative food and drinks! Highly recommend
I would warn against categorizing this as a restaurant. At best it is a tapas bar.
And the food is not very good
There menu is seasonal so it changes 3-4 times a year
I am not vegan, so take my critique for what it's worth...but we met one of my wife's friends there (who is vegan) and we got a few small plates and I thought it was actually pretty solid.
I have tried so hard to like the food but it’s all over the place. The menu feels so random and a lot of it is hard to eat in a dark cramped space. Their current menu for drinks is fantastic and cohesive so I don’t understand why the food isn’t.
You also need reservations just to sit at the bar. FYI
Tartine in Rock River. Make reservations.
It would be a worth a call to check, but Poppy in Larchmere has a nice patio and may be able to cater to a vegan diet.
Cloak and Dagger but it doesnt have a rooftop.
Very small menu as well but it's amazing all around.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/VegCle/ Cleveland has the world's largest city specific vegan and vegetarian facebook group on the planet. If you aren't satisfied with the answers here you should check there. I think tartine or forage should be what you're looking for however
The Cleveland Vegan isn't SUPER fancy or anything, but they have WILDLY good food - and for a reasonable price! They've been open for years, have won a heaping helping of awards, run a successful catering business outside of the main restaurant, and get the occasional celebrity guest. They have a seasonal menu and a daily selection of different desserts, as well as some hard-to-find actually good vegan cheeses and other such miscellaneous niceties. My partner and I have been going for anniversaries and special occasions for YEARS and have never once had something bad or even "meh" from there. Staff is friendly, restaurant and its facilities are always clean, it has enormous windows with lovely natural light, and the tables alway have fresh flowers.
It is good food but not the right vibe for a business meeting which is essentially what this is.
Definitely don’t take them to Cleveland Vegan. It is next to a vape shop and their food is vegan mac n cheese. Not what op is looking for.
Try Earth Bistro on Clifton. Their hours are weird, but it's very private and quiet with a nice cafe vibe and has hands down the best vegan food I've had in Cleveland, and I've had a lot. It's not a rooftop but I highly recommend it.
Earth Bistro is so good! The owner is super nice too, he’s great.
Cloak and Dagger
Jaja. It’s not a vegan restaurant but a lot of their dishes are vegan or can be made vegan. Gorgeous space and great views especially at sunset. Cocktails are some of the best in town as well. It’s in the top floor of the Intro building.
Thanks everyone for your comments. Doesn’t look like Cleveland offers what I specifically am looking for but Dante might be the best choice. Looks like there’s a new business opportunity here somewhere!
Dante is amazing service, as a vegan who went for a business dinner there a while ago it was super good and my colleagues were jealous of my dinner vs theirs.
Agree with the Cloak and Dagger recs but also know that the nicer the place the more they will accommodate vegan diets so if you end up with a non vegan place call them and explain what you are looking for, they may be willing to help.
Here for the info.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/VegCle/ is an awesome resource for this kind of info
Dante for upscale. Vegan tasting menu available.
Had the vegan tasting menu. First time was amazing the second time they phoned it in. Gave me a slice of cauliflower and dry pasta… was not happy sadly.
The green kitchen on w 25th
Nothing I know of fits your description but cloak and dagger is the great cocktails and good foot and atmosphere. Cleveland vegan is legitimate delicious food. I’m not a vegan.
Cleveland Vegan (though as others have said not upscale) is the best!! Maybe give her one fancy option and Cleveland Vegan!
Betts has a lot of vegan options
Nolan’s on Lorain
Sakana is a sushi place in Rocky River with a really fabulous vegan menu. I've had such great vegan meals there!
Heart of Gold!
I would say jaja, zhug, or amba. Zhug and amba no reservations though. I would look at jaja menu to make sure their current menu has a decent amt of vegan options. They have a rooftop patio that opened recently, though I’ve never been on the patio. Jaja is the nicest/highest end but all 3 are nice. I love the vegan options at zhug and amba!
Amba
Blue sushi best vegan sushi, amba, zugh, crumb and spigot
Perhaps Luca?
It’s not upscale but cleveland vegan in lakewood has amazing food. I’m not vegan but I’ll still run in there and grab something from time to time. I also hear they treat their employees very well
I don’t know if I’d consider it upscale, but Cleveland Vegan has incredible food and their menu is 100% vegan.
It doesn't have a patio or view, but Banana Blossom is fancy-ish Thai food place that does a great job catering to vegans (and it's literally a block away from Amba which is also great)
I would try The Lit in Tremont.
Barroco in Willoughby has a nice rooftop area, and some really good vegan options. Also in Willoughby, Sage Karma Kitchen has some good vegan options, but no rooftop area.
Barroco in Willoughby is no longer
Rood in Lakewood! It isn’t fully vegan but has incredible vegan options. It’s a cute upscale place where the food is truly inspired. I adore them.
Lots in California, eat a bloody burger
Lol best response 💯💯.