Do you like seafood? If the answer is yes, you need to try this place out! The menu options for Don's are amazing and none of it disappointed us. We got the seafood sampler for an appetizer and the scallops and the salmon for dinner. The seafood was really very good, as was the service. I tend to have a tough time deciding on dinner and will ask my server for their opinion and our waitress had great thoughts and tips to help me decide. (I went with the scallops and they were just as flaky and buttery as she promised.) The service continued to be good throughout the entire meal, impeccable really, and the food continued to pack on flavor after flavor of deliciousness. If you could pick up Don's lighthouse and place it in a newer, hipper location or restaurant, I would promise I'll be back. But right now, it's really just the food and service that are worth returning for, and I agree with other reviewers that have said you can spend just as much on similarly good food, but with better ambiance. Don's needs a facelift, the decor updated. You're sure to get really great food here, but you may find yourself feeling a bit like your parents before you leave... read more

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This is a very cool, underrated spot in Cleveland. Great place for a date. Everything I had was delicious. I recommend the crab cake appetizer. read more

One of the best happy hours around! The bar area is charming in its decor. Servers are very friendly and helpful. It is an older crowd but make no mistake, on the night we were there, it was a lively crowd which made it fun. The happy hour drink menu is great - a lot of options including $5 martini's. The happy hour food menu is not to be missed! It has everything from shrimp cocktail to crab cakes (small, but very good!) to artichoke dip. If you order food at all, they give you a bread basket. If you leave hungry, it's your own fault! All in all, a great place to hang out during happy hour. read more

This is such a great date spot. It's intimate, cozy, fine dining. The food is wonderful. I have had the salmon, lobster, lobster bisque, steak Oscar, tilapia... Never been disappointed. Nicely decorated at Xmas too! read more

Best wedge salad!!! Non-salty French Onion Soup!!! Great Cocktsils!!! Lobster Mac & Cheese was phenomenal!!! The bathrooms need updating. That's my only complaint. read more

I have been to this place several times and will return. I ordered a filet & shrimp and the shrimp was a little over cooked. The atmosphere is kinda dim but nice. Had a dark chocolate mousse for dessert which was delicious. Overall, everything was pretty good. read more

Perfect service. Excellent food. What more could you ask for? This old favorite never fails to meet or exceed my expectations.

Lobster special was very good at $15. . Bread is out if this world. Ate in bar. Good atmosphere. Going back next month.

Great dinner and wonderful ambience. Pricey though, so bring your card.

Enjoyed a fabulous Sunday dinner with my family, a party of 7. Our waitstaff was attentive and friendly, and really made sure we were enjoying our food and their service. The food was delicious and I would recommend this place for a good time. read more

We were very disappointed with our recent visit. We've been here countless times and have always enjoyed. Hadn't been in about a year and were disappointed with food and service. The bread was stale and the mashed potatoes were dry. The server was pompous and condescending. We tipped him accordingly. Hope things aren't going down hill here read more

Don's Lighthouse has a great atmosphere first of all... Me and my date had to sit at the bar because of lack of the reservation which I didn't think was necessary because it was 2 o'clock in the afternoon. But none the less even though we sit at the bar I would give her waitress 4 out of 5 stars. I ordered surf and turf which was in my opinion very good. The only problem I had with I was the vegetables that came with the surf and turf we're not cooked that well. All in all my experience at the lighthouse was definitely 4 to 4 and a half star experience. I would definitely go back. read more

Another recommendation from a Cleveland friend and we enjoyed it very much.Good food and very good value.

My guy had his company Christmas dinner and the steak was cooked well-done perfect no pink. The lobster was delicious as well as the bread. The Servers are stuffy and kind of rude if you go on Wed. for steak special. My guy and I used to go here on Wed. for $12.95 Steak dinner special 1/month but the steak chef was inconsistent and our steaks were not cooked to our preferences. read more

I absolutely love this place, especially for Happy Hour! The service is always great, prices are good and the ambiance is very low key. Parking is never an issue and the food is delish!! I come here at least once a week. read more

Don's Lighthouse - Crab cakes - Seafood Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I always have the best experience at Dons! We sit in the bar and Terry is the best server!! We bring our little girls and the happy hour is the best!! read more

Don's Lighthouse is really good. The food has also been consistently very good and I highly recommend the Portuguese seafood stew on a cold night. It's amazing and my favorite dish there during a cold winter night! Just a suggestion for your booth seating in the bar area - crank up that heat a little bit more because I was forced to wear my jacket during dinner because it was too cold. My last visit we were seated in the bar area and the waiter was exceptionally slow but only at my table. He didn't provide us the specials until prodded, he took orders and gave bread to the other tables before us even though they were seated after us, they served our appetizer before bringing us the wine, and he just kept forgetting to bring stuff. The meal was very good that night but I don't know what was going on with our waiter. read more

I have read some of these reviews. Personally, I think The Lighthouse and staff are wonderful. Can't enough good things. Food, atmosphere, staff. I will be a forever customer. You guys rock! Don't listen to these other folks. read more

Gross! Happy hour mussels did not taste good at all. I think there was something wrong with them. Staff was also very rude. Pier W happy is so much better and their mussels taste great! read more

My husband surprised me with a nice Sweetest Dinner. We had never heard of this place before and had a great night!!! The food was wonderful, the atmosphere was fun and the service was very friendly!!! I was also impressed to see gluten free options on the menu. The lobster bisque and chowders were the best we had found in Cleveland!! Definitely five it 5 stars!!!! read more

Very polite not pushy staff,we loved the breathtking lake views, the food I could've done without! As the sun went down it became so dark you could barely see your food now if you are anything like me you want to be certain everything on your plate is the correct color and not moving!:-) Overall I would've been just fine with the soft music,wine,and beautiful sights read more

The hamburger was all right as well as the fries. However, the Halibut was a stupendous piece of oversalted and HEAVY garlic seasoning which ruined this rather nice looking fish. Having cooked it several times at home, all that is required is butter and lemon juice. One time I made a reduced lemon juice with capers - - - which was to much for a good piece of Halibut. What was the cook thinking? Also, the Rissoto w/ cheese was highly overcooked - - - it was better to sell it as wallpaper paste. Seriously? Very disappointing and, realizing this was the second time of such disappointment, there will not be a third. Very sad, the server was very good and the setting most pleasant. Ambiance does not make a good restaurant. SOLUTION: Fix it. read more

Just got in from my maiden voyage to Don's Lighthouse.... Walked in at 8:30 p.m. to the sounds of Chicago, don't know what song or record but had to be one of their hits, from the 70's. The only thing more empty than the song was the restaurant. Never afraid to state the obvious, I ask "How does this place stay in business?" Sea-faring obviously isn't in season so I give them the benefit of the doubt. We are seated in the ubiquitous hunter green table trimmed with the equally offensive wainscot effect; the same type of combination that is responsible for doing in countless other eateries throughout the midwest. Service is speedy and efficient. Beer is quick to follow and cold and the salad is seasonably fresh with ample fruit strewn about. Two for two. Shortly after the $5 burger arrives with more than a handful of fries. Perfect. I've easily paid double before but that argument isn't even worth having. The burger was a top five entry. The fries were also delicious. The Monday night special did not disappoint...still, I'm left wondering how such a massive place has managed to stay afloat?? Does the city of Cleveland support these guys financially as some type of a historic landmark or grant? You could fit the graduating class of Strongsville High inside the place yet there is only me and my guest and maybe three other tables requiring service; one of which hosted a guy talking about politics... "This country is five years in the hole but I'm confident Obama is the guy to get us out." I decline to announce his term is only four years. I guess from the looks of the decor the management at Don's Lighthouse is equally as bad at judging time. I digress. Overall though I am equally impressed by the service and common sense to try to bring people in to sample different items at "the nice price" much the same as by the unintentional nice job of making the place hipster-unfriendly. The place is simply too huge though and they could really trim down or maybe offer a tour or make some extra dough and turn the place into a haunted lighthouse around Halloween. Dunno. Place would be smart to at least get creative; sell some sampling of micros, (selection consisted of Labatt, Bud and Great Lakes Dortmunder) and possibly update the tired (but clean) decor. Property has to be through the roof. From one to ten: Service: 9 Atmosphere: 3 Alcohol selection: 5 Price: 6.5 Food: 9 Amentities: 9 (on site free parking access to the highway) Overall: 7.5 read more

To those who enjoy an elegant meal with all the atmosphere and service, THIS IS THE PLACE!! The food is to die for - I had one of the finest salmon dinners I have EVER had. My daughter and her husband had steak dinners. The steak could have been cut with a paper fork and the fish was out of this world. From coffees and teas to the dessert menu, the same high quality was true. Although we did not have any, the wine list was very good. My daughter's husband is blind, and the waitress was most descrete in assisting him as that no one but we knew what was going on. For example, She would whisper to him that she was placing his coffee at 1pm and the dessert is at center. and so forth, you get the picture! She made a good dining experience a great one and one to be remembered. If you are in Cleveland, you must stop and enjoy the experience!! Their website is: www.donslighthouse.com. read more

Stopped in for happy hour. The food was great, and the place itself is cozy and classic. But the service was the worst we've had. The first bartender was nice enough, but was very inattentive and told us at one point she had mentally checked out bc her shift was almost over. The other bartender stood in the corner talking to the hostess most of the time, and when she did do a round of the bar she never once asked if we needed anything. Then she would return to the hostess and talk again. We had intended to stay for a couple hours but ended up getting the check after one drink bc we couldn't wrangle up a second. read more

Went tonight for dinner with three friends. The weather was horrendous and when I entered the restaurant, I said to the manager "This had best be a good meal." I was delighted with my meal as were my friends with their meals. Fantastic experience! read more

We just love Don's, especially for lunch. It's almost impossible to list the many reasons why, but I will give it a shot. Should we start with the friendly welcome? Valet parking if you need/want it? The management is extremely observant and professional. The bar is one of the best in Cleveland. (TV is not too loud and music is under control) For one thing, it's right at the end of the Shoreway, and there is free parking, which makes it an ideal spot for downtown workers. If you live in Lakewood, Don's is 5-10 minutes from your house. But these are not the real stars. The staff is exceptionally professional. They anticipate your every whim. You can tell when you walk in that they are like a family, and they open their arms to you and treat you the same way....or better! But what about the food? It is consistently good. The emphasis is on seafood, and there is always a creative special in that arena. One thing I love about Don's is that they don't use the same veg and starch for each plate. The dishes are creative and unusual without being "way out" for the average person. Their salads are always fresh, as are the dressings that they use. Don's is always changing the menu to keep people interested and coming back to see what's new. In the summer of 2007, our favorite was the "Summer Crab Salad" (sadly, off the menu now). Beautiful whole Bibb lettuce leaves, fresh, sparkling hunks of lump crabmeat, homegrown-tasting cherry tomatoes and a creamy lemon-chive dressing. It was the perfect storm. The soups are consistently delightful, from split pea to leek and potato to chicken gumbo to tomato basil. There is something different and homemade every single day. They don't make a huge vat of soup and keep it in the walk-in for a month. It's FRESH, and it shows. That's so important, and that is what Don's does. They do it so well it seems like falling off a log, but it is not easy to do. read more

I've been here several times and each time it keeps getting better. Ordered the seafood pasta, it was great, ordered the duck, it was great, ordered the steak and lobster, it was the best steak I've ever eaten. The martinis are pretty excellent also. This is by far one of my favorite restaurants in Cleveland. read more

I went here for Tuesday happy hour. Happy hour lobster tail is $8 off on Tuesdays which is $19, NOT $15. That's why we went but whatever. It's small but good and comes with mashed pots and green beans. It's still worth the price. Martinis are $5 on the HH menu list. $4.38 for stuffed mushrooms and there are only 4 of them, and mussels are also $5 for a bowl. Pretty good deal. Food tastes good and service is great! I'll be back again to try some other options. read more

The food was really good, but the service was TERRIBLE. Our waiter was very rude, bailed on us when a larger party came in and never apologized for keeping us waiting. When I asked for some boxes to take the rest of our food home, he never came back. We then had to flag down another waiter to ask if we could see our waiter. When he finally came over, all he said was that he was with the bigger party and never apologized to us for keeping us waiting. I told him that we had been sitting here waiting for my check and boxes, all all he did was roll his eyes and said nothing. From that point on, he was very curt and still never apologized for keeping us waiting. And where the heck was the manager???? He or she was no where to be found. In a fancy place like this, I would expect the manager to come around and assure that everything was to our liking. I get better service at Longhorn Steakhouse, and for a lot less money. Needless to say, I won't be visiting Don's any time soon. read more

I am a foodie. I do not write a ton of reviews, but this is Don's, and for some reason I feel I have to write this. My last visit to Don's was maybe 10 or so years ago. Back then, Don's had a bit of a corner on the upscale surf and turf and high caliber food on the west side (it was them or Pier W). If you wanted to impress a date, or celebrate something in style, Don's was a no-brainer. With the explosion of the food industry and new, quality, passionate restaurants popping up like weeds over the last 10 years, there is more competition, and it looks very much like Don's is falling behind. The ambiance is a little dark, oaky, and dated. The main dining area has the Dining Menu, the Lounge supports both the Dining Menu and the Lounge Menu/Specials. The lounge is very much a LOUNGE. I felt like I should have had on an 1970s/80s suit, shirt wide open, and sideburns that say, "Look at me, I have sideburns." But in the lounge it was $15 Lobster night. So the lounge it is. I asked what beers they had on tap, and they have three. GLBC Dort is the only one even remotely drinkable, but I am a brewer and beer snob, so water it was. My first morsel coming back to Don's was the Calamari. I am a calamari junkie, I will eat that all day long when done properly. Unfortunately, this was possibly the worst I've had all year, possibly all time. Breading was inept and flavorless, the calamari itself was way too rough and rubbery, indicating it's been frozen. It may be a pre-prepared, pre-breaded appetizer, which I hope is the case because it was simply dreadful. Sauce served with was far too sweet. I get the Yin/Yang of salty and sweet, this tremendously misses the mark. Next up were crabcakes. I saw something about "best lump crabcakes" in a review online prior to going. There wasn't a whole lot of lump going on, the "filler" in them was too present and prevalent. Very uninspired, average at best, also hoping these are from a box. I wouldn't say "terrible", but definitely nothing I would EVER order again. My dish was the strip steak. The steak itself was cooked properly, quality a few steps above Outback, but a few steps below a real steakhouse. Flavors were solid, not overseasoned, not oversalted. Until you get to the Oscar, which is their crab w/ hollandaise sauce. Avoid this entirely, the hollandaise was the saltiest thing I've ever eaten. And I once ate a huge bowl of salt. Maybe it was the batch, but it was terrible. Thankfully it was served on the side and didn't ruin the steak. Other sides were asparagus (did not eat) and whipped potatoes, which were solidly 'okay'. Next up was the Lobster. And boy do I love lobster. And boy did Don's knock this out of the park. Served with clarified butter, it was moist, flaky (in the way a lobster can be), tender, ridiculously easy to cut. I have only had one better than this in the last 20 years of my lobstering. It was cooked to perfection. So major, major, MAJOR kudos to Don's on this, and the chef/cook who prepared it. Spot on. Unfortunately, Don's seems to be stuck in the 80s/90s, and hasn't kept up with the food revolution. Honestly, it reminded me of a restaurant you would see on Kitchen Nightmares with the servers attire, the loungey lounge, just the "vibe" from the place was really off. Lackluster. If you told me that they were financially struggling, and that the owners were "burnt out" and on autopilot, and didn't care anymore (as per every episode of Kitchen Nightmares) I'd buy that in a second. Having a tap list of three beers is an indicator to me that something isn't right. I can go to my beverage store and pick from 12 different quality, craft beers on tap to take home with me. Melt has a good 40 beers on tap, and Deagan's down the street has one of the most elusive and brilliant rotating beers on tap in Ohio (and that includes WoB). Miller lite does not cut it in this day and age, and is a sign to me that a restaurant is a bit out of touch. Regardless, they definitely have some food problems they need to solve. I do wish them the best of luck, they have a really cool location, gorgeous building, longevity, and potential out the wazoo. Some invigoration is in order, don't know where it's needed there, but get back to leading the pack before you're left behind. read more

Was surprised to hear snarky toned comment from person at reservation desk regarding the fact that we should have made a reservation for 7 instead of just coming in. Come on, Sunday evening? There was plenty of room. Did NOT appreciate the comment. Our out-of-town visitor also commented on the attitude. Meal was just ok. read more

I read the reviews and picked this for my birthday....a standby for good food in Cleveland is right! Our party of six is hard to please...rarely is everyone happy with a choice (we go out for six birthday a year...in laws and us). Start with the bad...the cocktails took a little too long..the calamari was obviously frozen outta the box and not great..we ate it but not great and the Thai chilli sauce is good but not homemade..our waiter..a bearded Bruce Willis (moonlighting Bruce Willis age). Had excellent recommendations with scallops in a fantastic risotto...walleye was good with a strong pretzel mustard flavor..crab legs cooked perfect...nothing left of the cedarlank salmon..two lobster tales at the table mine was perfect the other was a bit under (said it was a bit slimy). Two of us got the prefix $33 meal which is a salad or app, meal and dessert...excellenT value ...atmosphere was a bit odd with crappy old speakers playing 80s music and grandpas galore at the bar...one had his grand kids that was inappropriate for my tastes...hey it's the west side....definitely go back and everyone was pleased... read more

Everything here was excellent. I got the lobster and steak, and my girlfriend got the special that night which was swordfish. Everything was done perfectly to order and served promptly. Our server was top notch (she even ran out to the car when we forgot our leftovers). read more

i come here roughly every 6 weeks or so...sometimes for the surf n turf special and other times just to go, as i live in the area. i enjoy the wine, the soup du jour & typical dishes like salmon & cod. the two recurring issues i have w this place are: 1) the greeter/manager can be rude and somewhat condescending. you're the first person people see when they come in. your attitude sets the tone for the rest of the dining experience. 2) most times ill order an entree w steak. recently, every single steak i order medium or medium well comes out very chewy and almost gummy. i understand that places cook steaks differently. however to get the same kind of steak each time out is pretty concerning and it makes me wonder if the cooks back there can cook steak to the level the fish comes out...no complaints w the seafood on that end. read more

It must have been off tonight. Server was inattentive. Had to ask for appetizers. Food is OK, nothing to write home about. For the money they charge, we could have done better. We haven't been there in years and was invited to go there. We won't be returning for years. read more

Service: 2 stars Food: 4 stars My wife and I had wanted to go to Don's for several years, and finally went the other night. It is considered a Cleveland classic for good reasons: iconic building, lakeside location, interesting menu, nice wine list. After an inordinately long wait for our glasses of wine to be delivered (more on the service later); I ordered the Portuguese seafood stew and the bistro salad, and my wife had the rainbow trout and the iceberg wedge. We also "shared" a bowl of the French onion soup (wife had mostly the broth, I had mostly the fantastic cheese on top). The soup and salads were great, as was the bread served at the table. The stew was definitely 5-star, with a broth that was so savory, we were fighting over "dipping rights" by the time there were only a few drops left. The trout itself was very good. The dish is normally served with horseradish creamed spinach. My wife, being neither a fan of horseradish nor creamed anything, asked for Brussels sprouts instead. This is where the service started to tank (again, after the long wait for the vino, so it had really already started). The trout was served on a bed of the creamed spinach, the flavors of which infused the whole dish. This was not a good outcome for someone who likes neither horseradish nor cream. My wife reminded the server that she had asked for Brussels sprouts instead. When the sprouts arrived, they were lukewarm and largely unseasoned. There was also a service snafu with the bread. As I mentioned above, it was great--the problem was getting enough of it. The first additional serving arrived without incident, albeit only half the amount of the first batch. When we powered through that, two subsequent requests for more went unheeded. When the server was reminded of that, she became defensive. An apology would have gone farther than defensiveness. Will we be back? Definitely. Will we make sure we don't have the same server next time? Absolutely! read more

Great happy hour. Great menu. Great fine dining experience. A better value & service than near buy "Pier" . A true cleveland staple.

Don't get the Salmon. Overpriced. I was charged over $90 for a piece of fish the size of my pinky! SAD!

For the first time, I visited Don's last night in hopes of picking up some takeout. I have heard good things about Don's and decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, after waiting for 15 minutes for service after being given a menu at a deserted bar, I decided to take my business elsewhere. No matter how good the food may be, it does not make up for poor service. read more