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    Banter

    3.7 (100 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Banter Photos

    BANTER ATMOSPHERE

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    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Banter

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    Polish Boy

    I went to Van Aken to meet with some friends. There was a sign sign saying their Polish Boy was voted America's best. I love Polish Boys and decided to buy one. I dont know who voted this the best Polish Boy but they are so, so wrong. The sausage was small and overcooked. It was hard and dry not juicy like they are supposed to be. Then the bun was toasted. Who toasts of Polish Boy bun? It also lacked the enough BBQ sauce and the coleslaw was not creamy and it had 5 fries on it. I went back amd asked for a little more sauce amd they wanted to charge me 50 cents. My friend bought one to and hers was the same and she didnt like it either. I would never recommend this place to anyone who wants a true Cleveland Polish boy.

    Chicken shawarma sandwich and fries
    Stephanie S.

    I usually love Banter. They have a variety of delicious poutine options. I especially like the duck poutine. Today I wanted to try something different so I got a chicken shawarma sandwich and fries. The sandwich was made with a chicken thigh that was pretty juicy and the sauce on the sandwich was good. I will say the bread to chicken ratio was off. The bus was fresh and soft, but it was a lot, especially compared to the amount of chicken. There also wasn't enough of the sauce or overall flavor in the sandwich. It was fine, but not great. Fries were great of course. This isn't a huge knock to Banter, next time, I'll just stick to the poutine.

    Seasonal cocktails
    Olga N.

    Banter is celebrating 10 year anniversary this weekend! I don't know why I waited 10 years to try Banter, but better late than never. I saw their weekend special on IG - Baba Yaga poutine. I had to try borscht gravy since I'm Russian and love to see borscht interpretations. AMBIANCE: Banter used to have a restaurant in Gordon Square, which unfortunately closed in February 2025. Their stand at the Van Aken Hall is still operational and going strong. The hall is aesthetically pleasing, spacious, and has plenty of seating. You can grab your order at Banter then sit on a comfy couch, bar stool, table of booth. The space well suits solo guests, families, friends, and even people "working from home." FOOD/DRINKS: Banter is well known for bottles, sausage, and poutine. Bottles are organized on the shelves and in the fridges. You can sip at the Market Hall, walk around (it's DORA area), or take a bottle to go. Bottles include wine, beer, cider, THC drinks, and N/A drinks. Check if you need a special DORA cup. It's like a little market where you can pick up drinks then bring them to the counter to cash out. As far as the food menu, sausages range from CLE's classic Polish Boy, corn dogs, chili cheese dogs, and more. Poutines have so many options from veggie to meaty. Poutine is Canadian fries and savory toppings by the way. There are also starters and sliders on the menu. The best part about eating at the hall is that you can build your own plate and try a few stands. I was very surprised to have a taste for poutine. I once had it in Montreal at some highly recommended fast food eatery, and didn't like it at all. I was blown away by poutine at Banter, loved it! So we (CLE) do it better than the poutine home country! I ordered Baba Yaga poutine (aka Vladimir Poutine). It is one of the archived poutines only available for the weekend and usually reappearing once a year. There were two size options. I selected the largest -$15 (half order is $10). I HAD TO experience borscht gravy. I'm a huge borscht critic given my cultural origin, and this one receives my approval. Fries were pleasantly crispy. The gravy felt like eating a spoon full of beets from real borscht. There was just a bit of braised lamb but it was really tasty. My favorite part was the orange zest. I would never think to combine it with borscht but it added such a delicious zest. In short, Baba Yaga poutine includes braised lamb, cheese curds, Borscht gravy, orange zest, and a dash of greens atop crispy fries. I'd love if this dish would include dill to make it more culturally appropriate but that's just speaking from a place of loving dill. I also noticed that mulled wine was available on the menu! I love to experience mulled wines everywhere in winter, so I had to have it. To go cup was $10. It was perfectly spiced, not too many cloves or any other spices. It was such a heartwarming drink on a frigid day. They also sell it by bottle so you can heat it up on your own. I LOVED this mulled wine! It made me feel so warm and cozy. SERVICE: I had exceptionally great service at Banter, can't say the same about other stands where service is very average. Here I was able to ask questions about the menu, mulled wine, and just cordially chat with the checkout employee. She was incredibly friendly and warm. Really great service. My order was ready lighting fast within minutes. Mulled wine was immediately handed to me and poutine just took a few minutes. I didn't even have time to shop, which is a huge plus! PARKING: Free parking is available on surface lots, street parking, and parking garage. Basically if you want a casual comfort meal, check out Banter. Their menu is much more extensive than other stands, service is great, and orders are quick. I was pleasantly surprised. I look forward to checking out other poutines. I can't wait what other specials they'll dream up. I'm also coming back for mulled wine very soon!!! Mulled wine is perfect for enjoying at the Market Hall or wandering the Van Aken shops. It's a perfect winter indulgence.

    Kiersten C.

    Featured on Food Network & the Travel Channel! Banter serves incredible poutine, house made sausage sandwiches, and sliders! Located in the Van Aken District Market Hall! Cowboy Burger on a Challah bun with coffee-braised pork, house-made BBQ sauce, & onion ring Chicken Shawarma Poutine with garlic aioli, pickled shallot & cilantro

    Chicken paprikas poutine half bowl.
    Mike M.

    I went for the Chicken paprikas poutine half order. For $9 you get plenty of food. Service very friendly and she explained her opinion on the different poutine bowl varieties. Fries were crispy, poutine slightly melted and the meat and flavor were spot on. I would come back here again. The food-hall atmosphere was great and there was music and gathering outside in the courtyard.

    Lindsay M.

    We have been to the Van Aken market several times that we have visited Cleveland, and Banter always delivers. We were trying several things for lunch, so we tried the daily special...pulled pork mac n cheese poutine!!! It was wonderful. The fries with the little bit of mac n cheese and sauce was a wonderful and cravable taste. The efficiency of how to order and pick up your food was great.

    Chicken bacon ranch poutine
    Meg H.

    First: the poutine was very tasty and satisfying. It was a cold day, and the order of the chicken bacon ranch poutine hit the spot. Well cooked fries, gravy, cheese curds, and flavorful chicken made it a good dish. I also ordered a salad, which was pretty good but nothing too exciting; my companion ordered the sliders, which were less impressive. My order took a little while to come out, but the person who rang us up was friendly (and also obliging: I asked for a cup of ice to go with my canned Coke, for instance, and she got it for me ). I would definitely go back for the poutine, as there was great variety on the menu, but I'm not sure I would order the other options.

    Tara C.

    It's burger week in Cleveland OH and Banter Burger at Aken District is where it's at! The service was excellent and extremely helpful. The burger is soooo good and the atmosphere is great! Make sure you stop by!

    Vegan Forrest city poutine
    Evan G.

    A great option to have in the van aken food hall. The poutine is really good and the portions were bigger than expected. They have a different varieties of brats, hot dogs, and poutines with also some vegan/vegetarian options. I got the veggie corn dog (wasn't vegan because of the batter) and the vegan Forrest city poutine.

    Chicken Paprikash Poutine, Pierogi and Buffalo Chicken Sliders, and Queso Corndog!
    Gregory F.

    Man, if I didn't have arteries, I'd eat this every day for the rest of my life. So so so good - and super generous portions for the poutine especially. The sheer variety of poutine flavors they offer is massively impressive - I didn't even realize you could get as creative as they do with their selections. The pierogi slider was truly a hidden gem of a menu item, as the crunchiness of the shell offered a nice contrast with the softness of the bread. I used to make rice sandwiches back when I was young and this really brought me back. Reasonable prices too - which makes this my most beloved place in Van Aken District by far. My partner tried her first ever corndog as well - isn't that CRAZY - and loved it. Now I'm afraid she will have high expectations for corn dogs for the rest of her life. Baseball games, beware.

    Brussel sprouts
    Valerie G.

    Located in the Market Hall at Van Aken, Banter is one of the many food spots. I was surprised to see how many places were closed at 730 on a Friday night, but Banter was one that was open! Appreciated that they had vegan/vegetarian options on their menu and had many unique twists on traditional dishes. I got the Brussels and 1/2 size of Chicken Paprikash poutine. Let me start by saying I was shocked at how large the portion sizes were. A good amount of food for a good price. Both dishes were both great - Brussels were cooked to perfection and the poutine had good flavor and wasn't all just piled on top, but mixed throughout. I will definitely visit Banter again!

    Banter poutine
    Saphace A.

    Portions are enormous here! Definitely shareable. I got the half order of the Banter poutine and a polish boy. It was pretty difficult to finish. The bread seems to be made fresh in-house. But I only ate part of the bread in my polish boy since it was a lot. There was a bit too much black pepper on it and I didn't need as many toppings as they had piled on. The poutine was good for leftovers the next day! And the fries weren't greasy at all! My friend got the Brussels sprouts and tried the chicken Philly. She enjoyed it! Again, too much bread. But the Brussels sprouts were fantastic! For the price, it's not bad considering how large the portions are. You do get a pager to let you know when your food is ready, so we walked around a bit while waiting. Regardless, we didn't wait long for our food. Great spot to eat!

    Baba Yaga Poutine Bowl (light on gravy, large)
    Mallory S.

    Just as good as I remember, but even more so since I could finally enjoy the yummy fries! I haven't had Banter since 2021 and was keto at the time so I only ate the meat while my friend had the fries. Van Aken is INCREDIBLY expensive and Banter is no exception but the large Baba Yaga (light on gravy) poutine bowl has lamb, an expensive-ish meat, so I do think I got my $15 worth. The continually raising prices is the only downside. After some debate, I made my order and it was ready within 10 minutes, nice and fresh. The large was a perfect-sized dinner although I definitely could have eaten more. The lamb was tender, the fries were thick, and the citrus zest really stood out! The purple color of the gravy made the bowl incredibly photogenic as well. It remained busy as I finished up eating and walked around. It appears to be one of the more popular stalls in Van Aken and I can totally see why! Yummy yummy!

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    Very unprofessional. Doesn't uphold to company standards. I went head and did not like how they handled a food situation.

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    This was a fantastic place to stop and eat. Everything from food to service was fabulous.

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    Lox, Stock, and Brisket

    Lox, Stock, and Brisket

    4.4(251 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Tried the brisket sandwich at Lox Stock at van Aken. Flavor-wise, it was very good -- the brisket,…read morecheese, and pickle combo worked nicely and tasted great. That said, I was disappointed by the size. For $20, I expected a thick, hearty sandwich, but this felt pretty skimpy for the price. Ordering was also a bit frustrating -- I had to repeat myself three times, and the employee taking my order had AirPods in. When your job involves communicating with customers, that really shouldn't be allowed by management. Good flavors, but between the small portion and the ordering experience, it's only 3 stars for me.

    I was exploring restaurants in the area and came across Lox, Stock, and Brisket in the lively…read moreVanAken Market Hall -- and I'm so glad I did. I saw some menu items that sounded light and refreshing (like the lox with cucumbers) and figured it was worth a try. As I followed my GPS and other people walking in, I had no idea what to expect -- but the moment I stepped inside, I was blown away. The space is filled with beautifully curated shops and venues all under one roof, and the energy was vibrant, electric, and welcoming. People of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures were there -- it truly felt like a community gathering spot that instantly felt like home. I placed my order, grabbed the lox and a Coca‑Cola, and found a free table amidst so many people enjoying themselves. The community feel was unmistakable -- people chatting, laughing, and soaking up the atmosphere. The food was wonderful, the service was fantastic, and overall the experience was unforgettable. If you're looking for a place that's more than just a meal -- one with real heart, vibe, and community spirit -- this is it

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    Lox, Stock, and Brisket
    Lox, Stock, and Brisket
    Lox, Stock, and Brisket

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    Van Aken District

    Van Aken District

    4.7(49 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    The Van Aken District was such a nice find while I was casually driving around. I checked out this…read morefood court recently and was really impressed with everything it had to offer. There are tons of food options including pizza, pasta, poutine, sandwiches, salads, and a huge variety of desserts. It's definitely one of those places where everyone can find something they like which makes it great for groups. I decided to try the chicken shawarma poutine, and even though it sounded a little different at first, it ended up being absolutely delicious. The fries were crispy, the chicken was flavorful, and the toppings all came together perfectly. I noticed a lot of other unique dishes at different stalls too which makes me want to go back and try more. The prices were very reasonable as well especially for the quality and portion sizes. What really stood out, though, was the atmosphere. There was live music playing, which gave the whole place such a lively and fun vibe. You can even order a beer and just walk around or head outside to enjoy it in the fresh air. Between the food variety, affordable prices, and the relaxed but energetic setting, I think this spot is perfect for a casual meal or even a night out with friends. I'll definitely be going back!

    Shops, restaurants, cafes, desserts, indoor and outdoor seating, an area for kids-Van Aken is…read moresmall, but has it all. Enjoyed a good meal while sitting outside just taking in the sights and sounds. The weather was perfect so it made for a great visit.

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    Van Aken District
    Van Aken District - Polish boy

    Polish boy

    Van Aken District

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    Luna Bakery Cafe - Irish soda bread

    Luna Bakery Cafe

    4.2(481 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    I've come here several times by myself and with friends to know that this is a solid choice for…read morebrunch, baked goods, and/or lattes. Favorites include their savory baked goods and cookies When it comes to lattes, so far I've liked their cinnamon brown sugar, and seasonal matchas (the coconut matcha a couple months back was good). It's good as dine-in (plenty of seating inside and outside, though still quite full on the weekends) and as take-out. Plenty of free parking available in a lot. Staff are friendly. Also last month I tried their restaurant week special (includes latte, panini, and choice of cookie or macaron). Ended up choosing the brown sugar latte (opted for oat milk), corned beef panini and gingerbread molasses cookie. All were good, the favorite and definitely would get again would be the latte. Also if you use the too good to go app, I love their bags (such a good variety with amazing value) which sell out in minutes. Definitely in my list of regular places to stop by.

    It's been a while since I've been back but this place hasn't changed one bit. Got the seasonal…read moresnowbelt mocha and the maple pecan sticky bun. The sticky bun is just as good as I remembered it to be. It's a huge serving tbh with a solid coating of frosting. Would highly recommend. The space itself is a little loud and chaotic but there is a ton of natural lighting, making it a perfect place to be on a nice day.

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    Luna Bakery Cafe - Sugar cookies

    Sugar cookies

    Luna Bakery Cafe - Apple Danish

    Apple Danish

    Luna Bakery Cafe - (GF) French Macaron

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    (GF) French Macaron

    Coyoacan Taqueria & Brew - Ah, heavenly birria tacos!

    Coyoacan Taqueria & Brew

    4.6(13 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    We had to have our taco fix, and we love takeout from Coyoacán Taqueria in Shaker Square (Dec…read more2025). We pulled into the alley behind the restaurant, and went in for some favorites. I always get their birria tacos, savory tender meat in grilled corn double-layer-tortillas, juicy, with seared cheese and tangy cilantro, additional consommé on the side for dipping and pouring. It's salty and richly-seasoned, a three handfuls of messy deliciousness for $14! If you want to congratulate me, it's the first time i didnt spill the sauce on myself :-). Pro-tip: Lean forward over your plate, and shield yourself with lots of napkins! And wear a complicated brown pattern. We got pairs of $4.24 gently-spiced flavorful pork spit-roasted pastor tacos, and roasted beef asada, and chipotle chinga chicken, all smothered in shredded cheese and lettuce and veggies. They gave us sides of red and green salsas to splash around. We got tasty tender black beans and orange Méxican rice, and lovely bright semi-sweet semi-spicy fresh guacamole and plenty of thin crispy fresh-made chips. You can order pre-planned tacos or have them built-to-order. The menu has luscious-looking $4.50 tamals, $11 bowls burritos and quesadillas, $12 salads including one with cactus, $7 kids' meals, $5 and $5.50 Méxican and domestic beers, $10 margaritas, and a selection of $2 - $4 Méxican and domestic soft drinks and coffee. The staff is friendly and efficient at Rey's family-run legacy Coyoacán restaurant, named after a historic village and modern borough in México City, "the land of coyotes", humanity's "elder brother". The food tastes fresh and made-with-care. It's a good location just a two-minute walk from a Rapid Blue-Line and Green-Line station. And if you prefer, you can dine-in in their brightly decorated storefront. Oh! Don't forget $3.75-taco Tuesday!

    The food was awesome and the service was A+…read more I thought it was really cool how there was a quicker option inside, but also (soon to open) a sit down, full service, Luchita's restaurant that shows real promise. I was able to try all of the aqua frescas, hibiscus was my favorite of the three options. The guacamole was so creamy and fresh, I couldn't get enough of it! I tasted the cactus salad and was pleasantly surprised, the flavor of the cacti was refreshing as well as the homemade dressing. I'm looking forward to eating at Luchita's when they open in the next couple weeks.

    Photos
    Coyoacan Taqueria & Brew - One of the many beautiful pieces of artwork

    One of the many beautiful pieces of artwork

    Coyoacan Taqueria & Brew - Méxican rice and creamy fresh quac!

    Méxican rice and creamy fresh quac!

    Coyoacan Taqueria & Brew - Easy to order menu

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    Easy to order menu

    La Pecora Pizzabar

    La Pecora Pizzabar

    4.5(22 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    Driving by I wasn't sure if they were open despite the Open sign. Just a little unassuming…read more But once inside it was quite inviting. Same hostess serves La Pecora and Barroco, so that was a bit awkward til we figured it out. And they do take reservations. Ok, now with the business out of the way... My mom and I thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. Server was super pleasant. Varied drink menu of all types, including NA offerings. We were delighted surprised by the complimentary bread service. Burrata salad could serve 4 as an appetizer. And our pizza was absolutely delicious. The pear was sliced so thinly that it was a nice balance to the pistachio rather than being overly sweet. We'll be back!

    So to start the restaurant is within a restaurant the host was so wonderfully pleasant. When you…read moreenter you are met with a beautiful whimsical ambiance, you walk through beautiful drapes and are seated with options of low or high top tables. I choose the upper 2 seater on the highest floor! Amazing view.. I didn't feel like I was in Cleveland. The server Zay was exceptional. The atmosphere was very very welcoming. Now when it comes to the food!!! Omg I got the Margherita pizza and a side of meatballs for an app... AMAZING. The ingredients are so fresh I couldn't get over it. I was so satisfied but not weighed down like you usually would with ordinary pizza. If you appreciate authentic recipes and undeniably delicious food.. THATS FRESH .. I just had to reiterate. This is definitely a hidden gem of Cleveland must try!

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    La Pecora Pizzabar
    La Pecora Pizzabar - Meatballs

    Meatballs

    La Pecora Pizzabar - Burrata salad

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    Burrata salad

    Banter - poutineries - Updated May 2026

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