As a Van Aken District neighbor, navigating the wide range of interesting eateries is a lot of fun. Last night, Northstar Cafe was our choice. Northstar comes highly recommended by a catering friend as a reliable, go-to place. We arrived and were second in line to order. I'm not wild about their queue up-order/pay-take a pager approach but last night was effortless. We sat on the little patio fronting Warrensville Center Road and enjoyed the hustle bustle of a busy Friday night. We had ordered the thai burrito with chicken and a cola. We self served our drinks and when the food was served we were extremely excited. The presentation was lovely and the portion was generous, including the baked chips. After the first bite, we were hooked. Delicious. Tasty (including the side of peanut sauce). With delightful textures. The chicken was perfectly cooked. We could only eat half and took the rest home. Looking forward to a reprise. Live music was starting soon but we headed over to the VAD plaza for their weekend offering. Verdict? A great eat-in experience we will soon repeat. read more

Casual service meets fantastic food in an environment perfect for families & groups of friends. Each time I visit Northstar Cafe I love it more (and wish more deeply it would expand to a Westside location). For brunch, my go to is the biscuits and gravy. The gravy has a good heat to it and the biscuits are flaky and buttery. For lunch, the buddha bowl and chicken & avocado sandwich are both elevated classics. My husband raves about the fish sandwich - and the salad that comes as a side is anything but simple. When you enter, you'll order with the cashier and then find a seat with your number. Typical counter service - but what makes Northstar special is that the interior feels more like fine dining and the food is much much better than your standard fare. Worth a trip for its own merits, the fact that it's located in a nice shopping area is also a draw, especially for a weekend when you want to have a leisurely stroll. read more

I forget to take pictures everytime I come. The ricotta pancakes with sausage is my to go. Everything is delicious, I have had biscuits and gravy , the potatoes are seasoned perfectly, everything is very fresh and high quality. The juices are amazing. read more

North Star is so good! The star of the show is the cheeseburger. It's so consistent with the taste and flavors. Service is nice it's self seating so you can literally sit anywhere you like. They had nice jazz music playing it was really nice. read more

Northstar Cafe - Cheeseburger with fries - New American Near Me - Shaker Heights, Ohio

Super healthy, super quality, good food. You will leave feeling like you did yourself a favor by having tasty food but at the same time food that is good for your body. Lots of indoor eating and an outdoor space that makes it really nice to enjoy the sun. The bakery items are also amazing. read more

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Very chic looking place with open kitchen, pretty lamps and wooden accent wall. We were here for weekend brunch and this place was lovely with friendly staff, great food and beautiful vibe. You enter and order at the counter and then get a table. We were not planning on desserts but while ordering our food, they got fresh cookies and we had to order two. It was definitely the best decision of the day. Portions are good here and dishes are well prepared with perfect combination of textures and tastes. I especially loved the sweet potato hash. Frittata was good too. We also had hot chocolate and hot apple cider... Perfect for the cold January morning. Overall we liked this place and highly recommend it. read more

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I was shocked by the quality of food at this corner brunch spot. Northstar Cafe is part of the Van Aken District, serving up delicious breakfast bites to the Shaker Heights community. I visited with my cousin and her husband to kick-start the morning, and left with my jaw on the floor. I ordered a honey iced latte and the breakfast burrito. Love that this burrito was served crunch wrap style. Inside this crispy tortilla was eggs, thick slices of avocado, and sweet potato hash-browns. The green verde salsa was also the perfect addition. I will be dreaming of this meal for months. Guess I have multiple reasons to return to Ohio! read more

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My sister, Mom & I came for dinner this weekend and it was fanatic! My first time & boy did I struggle with the ordering process. Next time I'll review the menu off to the side prior to getting to the register. This is an order then sit type spot, with servers floating table to table throughout. Everyone was very helpful & proactive! All the servers were attentive and had superb manners. I chose the Thai wrap with chicken & the other ladies each got the tofu bowl. We each loved our choices!! My wrap was so fresh & the peanut dressing was perfect!!! The ladies said the tofu was fresh and not too firm. The veggies throughout all our entrees were so fresh! We also found out that on your first visit, you get a FREE cookie! I didn't get a pic of it bc we gobbled it right up. I chose the peanut butter one. It had fresh peanuts in a sugary topping atop the cookie. Wow. It was Phenomenal! Can't wait to come back! read more

Northstar Cafe - Thai Burrito - New American Near Me - Shaker Heights, Ohio

On Sundays we Brunch!!! Stopped in for brunch at Northstar Cafe and had a lovely meal. We ordered several menu items that were gradually delivered to our table. I enjoyed a smoothie bowl, a single cloud pancake, a side of sausage and orange juice. My husband enjoyed the sausage and gravy, a side of potatoes, a side of sausage and coffee. Our food arrived hot and the many servers were very attentive. The ambiance was calm and dimly lit which was perfect as the sun was shining throughout the restaurant. Overall we really enjoyed our meal. We've dined at Northstar before and we're aeagerly looking forward to returning. read more

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A good go to spot for me always enjoy. Love the biscuits n gravy, the side of potato's. Nice brunch and lunch. Do be very busy and crowded but it be worth it. Ambiance is cool. read more

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Hubby calls this place "upscale Panera with booze." Food was tasty and plentiful (I had to take home half of my Thai Burrito). You could definitely go on a date here. The service was good, BUT you walk in and put your order in first, then find a table (this took me by surprise and I had to pick something in a hurry). read more

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We were here for brunch a while back, this time we went for dinner and it was below average. Flavors were okay, this is limited service, quick-service type of place. Won't be back unfortunately read more

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I've heard so many great reviews about the brunch, so I'll definitely have to come back and try it. This time, I came for dinner and ordered the fish sandwich with a simple salad, which turned out to be a really good choice. Since it's a cafe style spot, you order at the counter and then choose your own seating. The atmosphere inside is really nice and welcoming. read more

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We really enjoyed our Saturday brunch at Northstar Cafe. We inquired if the smoothies were made fresh or if they were just processed juices, but they were in fact made-to-order from fresh fruit. The hubs and I each got a shooting star smoothie (carrot, lemon, ginger, and orange) and the kiddo got a strawberry smoothie (banana, strawberries, and orange). Fantastic smoothies! For our meals we got the everyday egg sandwich, the deluxe egg sandwich, and the classic cheeseburger. Everything was delicious and fresh. I recommend Northstar Cafe 110% read more

We had a good experience at Northstar Café overall. The food was fresh, well-prepared, and made with quality ingredients--you can tell care goes into what they serve. They pride themselves on farm to table organic ingredients. Everything we ordered tasted good and was satisfying. The service was very good--friendly, attentive, and welcoming, which definitely added to the experience. One thing to note is the ordering setup. You order up front rather than at the table, which felt a bit rushed and didn't leave much time to fully review the menu. Combined with a dinner menu that's fairly limited--mostly salads and burgers--it may not appeal to those looking for a more traditional sit-down dining experience or a wider variety of options. While the food is solid, nothing stood out as especially unique. That said, it's a cozy spot with reliable food, good service, and a nice atmosphere, especially for a casual meal or brunch. read more

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. Love the healthy food and ambience. When you could order food directly from the staff this place seemed to buzz more. I like to bring people out to restaurants and games. But I feel like you're in a board game and need to go back to start if you need to put an order in for more. Can't order with the staff? What? And they have great staff. You got to go back to a teenager who puts it into a computer for you. I guess a good way to enforce portion control. Not a good way to encourage customers to order more. I would bring groups here if the ordering did not feel like a chore. Outside that. Good food and nice people. If just coming for a short bite to eat. read more

Trout is no longer on the menu...boo hiss... The grilled baramundi fillet is still on but I would never order it again. It is so unappealing visually and they left the dark skin that is under the actual skin. So gross. When I serve salmon or any fish, I remove that yucky part. Oh well for $20, I guess you get what you get. The immature bartender who asked how my food was laughed when I told her about how disgusted I was...seriously??? What the heck is funny? The drinks are unusually measured... oddest thing i have ever seen because they are $12 a drink... just make the dang drink. Why is this place going down??? I used to love it... meh... read more

Northstar Cafe - The overpriced grilled fish... $2 for a slice of cheese??? Man... - New American Near Me - Shaker Heights, Ohio

I visited North Star Cafe on September 8th for breakfast/brunch. We ordered the Shooting Star smoothie, the Green smoothie, a chicken and avocado sandwich, and the Fiore pizza. Everything was such great quality, but the smoothies and the pizza were definite highlights. There were a couple of bees inside and I definitely overreacted while eating. Water is self service fyi. read more

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Love Northstar. The food is great and fresh. I love their salads and burgers. They have a creative brunch menu and I love their salads iced mint coffee, but it is a little sweet. You order at the cashier, then take a number and choose a booth or table. There's also a great bar and sometimes live mellow music. Fun for a casual date night or girls lunch or dinner. Van Aken is just wonderful. We come here often. read more

New to Shaker Heights area so we decided to do a cocktail tour today to see the local area. I have to say we are disappointed with almost everything here. We heard that this was a go to spot for craft cocktails. Unfortunately, everything was very mediocre. You can tell everything use was store bought and the servers did not want to be there. We will more than likely not be returning. read more

This never disappoints great taste, great customer service. Oh and the drinks are good too! read more

Northstar Cafe - Classic cheeseburger - New American Near Me - Shaker Heights, Ohio

It was a very busy Saturday afternoon and the place was crowded, but food came out in a timely manner. I had the ricotta pancakes and they were delicious! Others at my table had the Northstar Burger and they loved it. You order and pay before you find a table. The servers bring you your food. Everyone that I dealt with was very pleasant, even getting a takeout box. Light and airy atmosphere made a comfortable environment. read more

Northstar Cafe - Behind the scenes - New American Near Me - Shaker Heights, Ohio

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Went st lunch and had the Buddha bowl with chicken. Lots of veggies and very good flavor. It was delicious. My cousin had the chili. He loved it and said it was a small bowl for the price. You order at the counter and food is delivered to you. Service was good, efficient and friendly. The surroundings were pleasant and comfortable. Wish we'd gotten there in time for breakfast (which ended at 11). Some of those plates looked fabulous. We talked with other customers about what they were eating. And they loved their food. They sounded like regulars. Next time I'm back in Cleveland I'll go back earlier in the day. read more

Great place to eat! Food was really good quality and ambiance was nice. Interesting set up ordering at the front desk-

OMG - Cleveland has polish here - as in super cool wanna hang out bc of the Ambiance. This is EXACTLY what CLE food culture has ALWAYS been missing - and Thank GOD Columbus is nearby; close enuf to get here thanks to the folks at Northstar!!! PS - sitting down for a beer and to check out the menu - I'm handed an amuse bouche - pimento cheese - ROCKS! read more

Nice atmosphere. Bar attender was knowledgeable and patient! Burger was around $20 it was good. They don't accept cash but they made an exception. They also are the sister restaurant to brassica. I would def recommend.. read more

The food is consistently outstanding. Service is always efficient. An outstanding casual restaurant for dining in or takeout.

My friend and I went for brunch there First of all, no cash is accepted and they ask for a tip before you have any service at all. I know some establishments do that, but it is a turn off for me We arrived at 11:05 and were told that their breakfast service was only until 11. I know that there are rules, but you can accommodate for five minutes if you want to keep customers happy.People were still being served breakfast but we were five minutes late and they would not make an exception. Our food came out cold. (egg sandwiches) and we sent it back It eventually came out warmer The coffee had been sitting since breakfast and was very bitter. I don't believe that I would be inclined to go back there. For the amount of money charged, I want to feel like the service and the food are worth it. read more

Excellent food, grilled fish sandwich one of the best ever, not a huge portion. Loved the pizza. Very Good margaurita. Excellent vibe, casual. read more

Excellent food. Had the buddha bowl and chopped salad. They did a great job of using wood to cut down on the noise. We were ok with ordering food when you enter and getting our own drinks - decor is a traditional restaurant. I only wish they had a full juice bar. read more

We came in for dinner with friends to celebrate a birthday! I ordered the chopped salad without blue cheese crumbles. This salad consists of applewood smoked turkey, bacon, avocado, Point Reyes blue cheese, almonds, croutons, and apples with café vinaigrette. I loved this salad! It was amazing. So flavorful, and I loved the crunch. I also shared the dip duo with a friend, which is guacamole and pimento cheese dip. Both of the dips were amazing, but they came with way too few chips to eat our dips with. Overall, I would come back here again in the future! read more

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I had the everyday egg sandwich and it was incredible! We also shared a chocolate chip cookie- to die for! My friend had the Sunrise Burrito and it was huge!! Adorable place inside with a cute juice bar. We got lucky and got there before the line was out the door. I would definitely go back!! read more

Walk in. Study the menu. Place your order with the cashier. Grab a drink from the soda machine. Have a seat. And relax while your food is prepared and brought to your table. Northstar Cafe has created an upscale version of the quick-serve restaurant concept. They reduce their labor expense while not compromising on service or quality. The tracking device they give you when you place your order allows them to efficiently find your table when your food is ready. I enjoyed a hearty and tasty bowl of chili with chicken and black beans. It was accompanied by tortilla chips, which provided a nice crunch. My husband had a cheeseburger and fries. Was it the best burger ever? No, but it was still a high quality and decently sized burger. Our friends each had the rainbow trout, which was tender and flavorful. It came with a nicely portioned Caesar salad. The crispy capers on the trout were a surprising treat. They also ordered a side of fries, which took a while to arrive and were a bit disappointing as the fries were not particularly flavorful. They did come with a good aioli dipping sauce though. Overall, the Northstar Cafe offers a nice dining experience and a broad range of items on its menu. It's worth a repeat visit. read more

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This café has such great ambience!. Order and pay at the counter, select your table and wait for your food to arrive. I took my dad there this past Saturday and there was a live jazz trio. The food was delicious and music was great- not too loud for an 80 year old!. The service was super chill and if you needed anything, just go up to the counter and order. I've only been here twice and both times I ordered the fish sandwich because I'm a creature of habit and when I find something, I love, I tend to stick with it. I'm gluten intolerant and the gf bun that comes with this probably one of the best I've had- I can't say that it tastes like real bread, LOL, but it's close. I also can't speak how the bun survives the next day because I always eat the whole thing. The toppings are incredibly fresh and beautifully prepared. Definitely recommend, FYI- Saturday/ Sunday mornings and afternoons can be a bust due to high volume and lots of families. read more

Went out to the Shaker NorthStar last night to get together with longtime friends. The ambiance was splendid--nice live jazz . The cocktails were killer and the food. Spectacular--you cannot go wrong with the Van Aken salad. I be loved the Vegetarian Enchiladas. The highlight was the service--Alexis the manager-went out of her way to make it a night that we will remember for a long time-she's the best! read more

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GET EVERYTHING! Food was so good. We had the burger, chili, pancakes, fish sandwich, sweet potato hash, the orange spritz. And OMG it was all exceptionally good. I can't wait to return. read more

Northstar Cafe - New American Near Me - Shaker Heights, Ohio

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The quick ordering an upfront payment makes it easy to sit down and just relax . Food comes out relatively fast and is reasonable for the price and quality. Their breakfast is my favorite early in the morning when the restaurant is nice and quiet.. I would say their coffee with mint is my favorite drink of choice . This last time I went I got the ricotta banana pancakes in the squash hash with turkey. read more

Slightly expensive but the fish sandwich with the salad are the only things I get there every single time. Never fails! The fish sandwich is amazing! read more

Fantastic barramundi! Huge steak like piece of juicy fish with excellent seasoning and big side of kale salad. Order up front then you sit and they bring the food to you. Strawberry basil mojito was tasty too. read more

We've been here several times for breakfast- and always highly satisfied. Super freindly staff, big portions and carefully prepared, thoughtful dishes. Plus love that they offer freshly pressed juices. Outstanding every time. Light and airy atmosphere. Then I learned they are open for dinner! In the evening the vibe is totally different- but equally welcoming. We ate dinner at the bar while enjoing some subtle live music, cozy lighting and a top notch bartender. Dinner was delicous and again, large portions. A++!! read more