Highlights
- Great coffee
oChef » Emily’s – Cleveland
Emily's - Cleveland
Photo from Emily’s
Emily's at a glance
Cleveland Downtown Cleveland
- ☕ Café
$
Price per Person $1–$10
mentioned by 19 of the guests
#11 out of 62 places to eat in Cleveland
#1 Café out of 7 in Cleveland
Excellent
8.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
157
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great food
- Kind staff
- Fair prices
Frequently criticized
- Ordering issues
- Dish variations
- Waiting time
The café, Emily’s, welcomes you to the heart of Downtown Cleveland. If you’re searching for a cozy spot to unwind, you’ve found it.
This charming Cleveland cafe is renowned for its great coffee, making it a perfect destination to kickstart your day or enjoy a relaxing afternoon. You can grab a quick bite or explore the delicious vegetarian options available.
It’s a casual and quiet retreat, ideal for a peaceful moment in the bustling city.
Overview: Introducting Emily's
Emily’s offers a genuinely warm experience, often highlighted by the presence of Chris and Emily themselves, who are noted for being very kind and approachable. Many guests appreciate the friendly people and the overall positive atmosphere, especially under the new owners.
While the culinary offerings generally receive high praise, particularly breakfast items, some minor inconsistencies have been noted. There are also a few comments regarding the ordering process, suggesting it could be smoother for some patrons.
Excellent
8.3
out of 10
157
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
20
negative
2
neutral
135
positive
Emily’s achieves a strong overall score of 8.3, reflecting a good customer satisfaction rate of 86%. This positive sentiment is clearly supported by 135 positive remarks compared to just 20 negative ones, drawn from a total of 157 customer observations.
The Food (8.5) stands out as a primary strength, frequently earning high praise for its quality and variety. Service (8) also performs well, often attributed to the attentive and personable staff.
The Ambience (7.9) contributes positively to the dining experience, while Value (7.3) is generally considered fair, though some specific pricing points have drawn minor comments.
What people like
- Excellent food quality
- Friendly, genuine service
- Good value for money
What people don't like
- Online ordering quirks
- Specific dish inconsistencies
- Unconventional order flow
With a solid recommendation score of 8.4, Emily’s is certainly worth considering for a meal. If you appreciate well-prepared dishes and a welcoming, personal touch from the staff, you’ll likely find much to enjoy here.
However, be prepared for potential minor quirks in the ordering process or occasional variations in specific menu items. For a casual and generally satisfying dining experience where genuine hospitality shines, Emily’s delivers a commendable offering.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Emily's
Food (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 8.5 and a good customer satisfaction of 88.8%, its clear diners are loving whats on their plates. Out of 107 comments, a whopping 95 praise the offerings, highlighting the homemade items, fresh ingredients, and delicious and great food that keep people coming back.
However, not every dish hits the mark for everyone. A smaller number of 11 comments pointed out some specific issues, particularly with the Hot Honey Flatbread and its sauce, along with minor concerns about presentation and portions. These seem to be isolated incidents rather than widespread problems.
Food
107
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
11
negative
1
neutral
95
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Homemade items
- Fresh ingredients
- Delicious food
What people don't like
- Hot Honey Flatbread
- Sauce quality
- Presentation concerns
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this hometown establishment was awesome. The food is amazing, and they have a very large menu. The owner and his daughter clearly take pride in what they do.
- biscuitsThe biscuits are amazing!
- coffeeEven the coffee is better than the local so-called "coffee shops"
- breakfast sandwichesActually, I’ve never been impressed by breakfast sandwiches until this one.
- homemade English muffinsThey also offer daily specials that I'm eager to try. I was told their homemade English muffins are delicious, so I took a couple home. I highly recommend this place!
- saladEverything is fantastic here, from soup to salad to sandwich
- English muffinI stopped by last week for the first time and got a sausage, egg and cheese croissant and it was phenomenal. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, I got the same thing on an English muffin today, and I kid you not, that was the best English muffin I’ve ever had in my life. Chris and Emily are more than kind and very easy to talk to.
- English muffinsAnd the English muffins.
- Roast Beef SubI had the Roast Beef Sub. It was delicious.
- baconbreakfast sandwich with bacon (nice & crispy!)
Frequently criticized
- Hot Honey Flatbreadnothing about it tasted "hot honey."
- flatbreadthe flatbead was a little too thick
- hot honeyIt was also very saucy, with a sauce that wasn't to my liking. I didn't really taste the hot honey or any of the umami flavors I'd expect from a hot honey "pizza" or flatbread. I was anticipating a slightly sweeter sauce with the spiciness of pepperoni drizzled with honey, but that was not delivered.
- menuno menu describing what they are
- portionsif there were larger portions
- presentationPresentation leaves a little to be desired
- red onionsThe red onions should also NOT be optional and at an extra cost.
- sandwichdoesn’t come with anything else but the sandwich
- sauceThe sauce was kind of bitter
- saucyIt was also very saucy... with a not so good sauce.
If youre looking for a place that prides itself on fresh, homemade, and delicious food, youre likely in for a treat. While a specific flatbread might not be everyones favorite, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youll find plenty to love here.
Service (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
The service here truly shines, earning a good score of 8 and a fantastic 80% customer satisfaction! With 20 positive opinions out of 25 total, guests consistently praise the staff and friendly people, especially owners Emily & her dad Chris, for their personalization and genuine kindness. Its clear they love making everyone feel welcome.
However, there are a few areas for improvement, noted in 5 negative opinions. Some guests experienced issues with online ordering, including hoops to jump through and a lack of recourse. There were also mentions of waiting time and wrong item issues, alongside a slightly awkward order flow' at the register.
Service
25
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
5
negative
0
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, kind staff
- Engaged, caring owners
- Personalized service
What people don't like
- Online ordering issues
- Potential wait times
- Awkward order flow
Often praised
- EmilyEmily herself was at the register today; very very nice lady
- ownersThe owners are really genuine
- serviceI will definitely be back many times. Thank you Chris and Emily for such great service and great food.
- staffThe staff is so friendly
- Chris and EmilyChris and Emily are more than kind and very easy to talk to
- catering servicesthey offer catering services!
- everyone thereEveryone there was so kind!
- friendly peopleFriendly people and great breakfast
- new ownersIt was my first time here since the new owners took over, and my experience was fantastic! I ordered the pulled pork mac and cheese bowl, and it was absolutely to die for.
- online orderingnew online ordering is great
Frequently criticized
- online orderinghoops to jump through for online ordering
- order flowyou order at the register in the corner, which isn’t the natural flow
- recoursesubsequent recourse when there are issues with such.
- waiting timewaited about 25 minutes
- wrong itemmade the wrong item for me entirely
Overall, you can expect genuinely friendly and personalized service, especially from the owners. While there might be occasional hiccups with online ordering or wait times, the positive interactions largely outweigh these minor issues. It's definitely worth a visit for a warm and welcoming experience.
Ambience (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
The ambience here truly shines, earning a good score of 7.9 and delighting a fantastic 84.6% of customers. Out of 13 comments, 11 were positive, with many praising the environment and atmosphere as a great lunch break spot. Guests especially appreciate the small business and family-owned feel, finding the place clean, comfortable, and perfect for a quick bite.
However, its not entirely without its quirks. Only one comment mentioned a weird vibe regarding the atmosphere, noting that the bones of the old ABP are still there. This suggests a minor point of contention for some, but its clearly an outlier among the feedback.
Ambience
13
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy environment
- Family-owned charm
- Great for lunch
What people don't like
- Weird vibe
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- cold fall dayPerfect for a cold fall day.
- environmentLove the environment
- family businessNice to see a true small family business
- family owned spotreally a great family owned spot
- family-owned startupNot too shabby for a new family-owned startup.
- lunch break spotGreat lunch break spot!
- new businessA very solid new business!!
- placethe place was clean annd comfortable
- quick bitesit for a quick bite
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereit’s a weird vibe because the bones of the old ABP are still there
If youre looking for a cozy, family-friendly spot with a good vibe for a quick meal or a relaxed break, this place is definitely worth checking out. While one person found the atmosphere a bit weird, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youll likely enjoy the comfortable and welcoming setting.
Value (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
When it comes to value, customers are generally quite happy, with a solid 75% customer satisfaction and a 7.3 score indicating good performance. Many rave about the extremely reasonable prices and value for money, often noting the good price for the portion size. Based on 9 positive remarks out of 12 total, it seems you get a lot for your buck here.
However, its not entirely without its quirks. A few of the 3 negative comments point out concerns like a chicken surcharge and some feeling that prices' are no longer as reasonable as they once were. While generally positive, these minor points suggest there might be some inconsistencies to consider.
Value
12
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Extremely reasonable prices
- Great value for money
- Good price, large portions
What people don't like
- Chicken surcharge noted
- Prices less reasonable
Often praised
- priceGood price for the portion size too.
- pricesvery reasonable prices
- cutthroat pricesexcellent iced coffee at cutthroat prices
- prices are extremely reasonableThey serve excellent food, making it a perfect cafe for takeout or a quick bite. The prices are extremely reasonable, offering a light lunch/breakfast that keeps you full all day. Ordering is seamless, especially with their new online ordering system, which is great for quick pickups.
- reasonable pricefor a very reasonable price
- valueFantastic value for $6.50
- value for moneyGreat value for great food!
Frequently criticized
- pricesno longer appears that the prices are reasonable
- chicken surchargeput off by the $1 surcharge for any item that includes chicken
If youre looking for a place that generally offers great bang for your buck, this spot is a solid choice. Just be aware of potential surcharges, as a few recent comments suggest prices might be creeping up slightly, but its still largely seen as good value.
How are the prices at Emily's?
Expect to pay about $10 per person, based on 19 reviews. That places it in the $1–$10 category. For a Cafe, it’s fair – not the cheapest, but reasonable for quick bites.
Looking at what people actually spent, most diners kept it in the $1–$10 range, with a good number also spending a bit more in the $11–$20 bracket. So, while the average is low, there’s a nice mix of budget-friendly and slightly more substantial options.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 19 most recent reviews.
Heres how this Cafes value for money stacks up against similar spots in Cleveland.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Cafe in Cleveland. It offers good value for those looking for a quick, affordable bite.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Emily's
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious and Affordable Chicken Pesto Sandwich
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I had the delicious chicken pesto sandwich, which was served on toasty bread that was incredibly fresh. The sandwich was generously filled with chicken and toppings, offering great value for the reasonable price.
The food quality was excellent, earning a 5/5 rating, and the price per person was between $10–20. While the atmosphere was rated a 3, the outstanding food and value made it a memorable meal.
- chicken pesto sandwich10
- toasty bread9
- chicken and toppings10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Great Lunch Break Spot!
My experience at this restaurant was AMAZING! I was impressed by the high quality ingredients and the house-made coffee. The price was good for the portions, and I particularly enjoyed the shroomlicious flatbread and a great caramel cold brew.
It's a great lunch break spot!
- ingredients10
- coffee9
- price8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
New Owners, Delicious Pulled Pork Mac!
It was my first time here since the new owners took over, and my experience was fantastic! I ordered the pulled pork mac and cheese bowl, and it was absolutely to die for. Oh my goodness, it was packed with flavor and was the perfect meal for a cold fall day.
This is definitely going to be a new favorite spot for me! 🥰🥰
- pulled pork mac and cheese bowl10
- new owners9
- cold fall day8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Greek Wrap and Pumpkin Pie Latte
My experience at the restaurant was very positive. I would highly recommend their greek wrap! It was fresh, healthy and delicious.
I've also always got their pumpkin pie latte as well.
- greek wrap10
- pumpkin pie latte8
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
8
Friendly Service, Great Breakfast
My experience at this restaurant was positive, with friendly people and a great breakfast. While they seem to be a family business still figuring out the ambiance after taking over a chain location, it's definitely worth giving them a shot. I highly recommend trying the english muffin breakfast sandwich!
- friendly people9
- great breakfast9
- ambiance6
What Emily's offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking garage
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What parking options are available when you visit Emily's?
When you plan your visit to Emily’s in Downtown Cleveland, you’ll find convenient parking solutions. You can utilize the paid parking garage nearby or opt for paid street parking. This makes it easy for you to stop by for your coffee or a meal.
Can you enjoy a meal with your family at Emily's, and what's the atmosphere like?
Absolutely! Emily’s is good for kids, making it a family-friendly spot for breakfast, lunch, or dessert. The atmosphere is casual and quiet, providing a relaxed setting for you to dine in. You can also choose takeout or delivery for your convenience.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Emily's?
Emily’s maintains a good overall score of 8.3, with customer satisfaction at 86%. The Food (8.5) and Service (8) are particularly well-regarded, followed by Ambience (7.9) and Value (7.3).
What do customers appreciate most about Emily's?
Many customers praise the friendly staff, especially Chris and Emily, and the quality of the food, including items like breakfast sandwiches and homemade English muffins. The reasonable prices are also frequently mentioned.
Are there any common issues reported by customers at Emily's?
Some customers have noted challenges with online ordering, an unconventional order flow, and occasional waiting times. There have also been a few comments about specific food items not meeting expectations or presentation.