Guides
This season, shuck your way through Greater Cleveland's unique and extensive trail of specialty clambakes.
Editor's note: This guide includes upcoming clambakes that still have availability; events that have already taken place or are sold out are not included.
Why we love it: On Oct. 24, Alley Cat Oyster Bar takes its annual clambake to the patio for an afternoon of waterfront dining, live music and drink specials. Doors open at 2 p.m., with a buffet starting at 3 p.m. featuring chowder, salad, chicken, clams, cheddar biscuits, corn, sweet potato, dessert and more ($65 per person). Try this: Can’t get enough clams? Additional servings will be available for purchase throughout the day. 1056 Old River Road, Cleveland, 216-574-9999,
Why we love it: Every Friday through Oct. 30, Blue Canyon Kitchen and Tavern is serving up a hearty fall dinner featuring a dozen clams alongside New England clam chowder, blackened chicken breast, smoked tomato-corn spoon bread and roasted red-skinned potatoes ($48). Try this: Still have room after dinner? Indulge in the chocolate mousse bombe ($13), featuring rich chocolate sponge cake topped with chocolate ganache and berry coulis. 8960 Wilcox Drive, Twinsburg, 330-486-2583
Why we love it: Each Sunday in October from 1 to 8 p.m., Brennan’s welcomes diners to its charming suburban venue, built in 1865, for its annual clambake and a generous spread of seafood favorites. Try this: The clambake ($43.24) comes with a bowl of New England clam chowder, a dozen clams, half of an herb-roasted chicken, sweet potato, corn and bread and butter. Extra clams are also available by the dozen ($21.24). 102 River St., Grand River, 440-354-9785,
Why we love it: Support a family-owned and operated brewery for their fifth annual clam bake on Oct. 3. Bummin’ Beaver has two available time slots at 4 and 5:30 p.m. to get their delicious standard bake. Try this: The standard bake ($52) includes a dozen middleneck clams with butter and broth, grilled chicken, New England clam chowder, sweet corn, a sweet or baked potato, coleslaw, a roll with butter and a lemon tart with a graham cracker crust. 11610 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls, 440-543-9900,
Why we love it: On Oct. 16, CLE Urban Winery will offer dinner and a show for its fourth annual clambake. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by a jam with Synergy from 7 to 9 p.m. Try this: The clambake dinner ($45) includes a dozen Rhode Island Narragansett Bay little neck clams, clam broth, half a chicken and baked sweet potatoes and corn on the cob. Also enjoy sides of coleslaw and rolls and butter. 2180 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-417-8313,
Why we love it: When a fall weekend feels a little too cozy to leave the house, bring the clambake home with a to-go feast from Euclid Fish Co., a cornerstone of Cleveland’s clambake tradition for decades. Try this: Chef Comella’s Original Cleveland Clambake ($24.95) covers all the classics: a dozen clams, a half chicken, sweet potato, sweet corn, coleslaw, rolls and butter. Cook it like the pros with a rentable burner and steamer, available per order with instructions. 7839 Enterprise Dr., Mentor, 440-951-6448,
Why we love it: Available Tuesday through Saturday now through Oct. 30 while supplies last, this $48 clambake pairs a dozen steamed Rhode Island middleneck clams with award-winning New England clam chowder, herb-roasted half chicken, fresh Ohio sweet corn and more. Reservations are required. Try this: Baked Brie ($14). Candied pecans and an apple-peach compote add a sweet, seasonal touch to warm, melty brie served with crackers.811 West Liberty St., Medina, 330-725-0220,
Why we love it: Fill your Friday plans with fish, as this favored wine country estate hosts clambakes on Oct. 9 and 16 at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Try this: Choose between an 8-ounce New York strip steak, chicken or double clam meals ($49.95-$56.95). All come with a dozen clams, baby potatoes, corn on the cob, clam chowder, coleslaw and rolls with garlic butter. 7840 Doty Road, Madison, 440-466-3485,
Why we love it: The winery's Hungry Hiker food trailer delivers a fresh lineup of a dozen clams, clam chowder, sweet potato, corn on the cob, chicken and broth ($45). Show up hungry and taste it for yourself on Oct. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. Try this: To complement your meal, add your choice of wine, beer, or hard cider for an additional cost. 5228 State St. NE, Canton, 330-754-9643,
Why we love it: Head to The Galley for a lakefront clambake, available Oct. 2-17. Reservations are encouraged, though walk-ins can be accommodated based on space and supplies. Dig into fresh steamed clams, red skin potatoes, kielbasa, clam chowder and more. ($42). Try This: Opt for The Galley’s Sunset on the Patio ($10), a tropical cocktail that blends coconut with fresh fruit flavors. 5555 N. Marginal Cleveland, 216-716-6028,
Courtesy Rustic Grille
Why we love it: This annual fall clambake on Oct. 8-9, from 5 p.m. to close, features a menu of seasonal favorites including clam chowder, middle neck clams, braised potatoes, maple Brussels sprout slaw, and a choice of chicken, steak, or twin lobster tails. Dinner prices range from $49 to $78, with options to add lobster tails or extra clams. Reservations and pre-orders are required by Friday, Oct. 2. Try this: The smoked bayou sausage ($6) is a new menu item and can be added to any clambake dinner. One Club Drive, Highland Heights, 440-461-4653,
Why we love it: Celebrate the height of clambake season on Oct. 10 with an evening of live music, drink specials and, of course, plenty of seafood. At the center of the festivities is a clambake ($69-$76) catered by Cleveland’s own Normandy Catering. Try this: If you’re hungry for more, you can always request another dozen clams ($16). 17711 Ravenna Road, Chagrin Falls, 216-246-7644,
Courtesy Salty Mary's
Why we love it: Continuing now through the end of October, Salty Mary’s Oyster Bar and Tavern has you covered every Friday and Saturday for a laid-back clambake ($46.50). Unwind with a classic spread of a dozen clams, corn, chicken, clam chowder and red skin potatoes. Try this: Traditional clams not cutting it for you? The fried clam strips ($16.50) served with cajun remoulade might be just what you need. 25600 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, 440-298-2121,
Why we love it: Stancato’s invites you to shell-ebrate with clambakes available for dine-in or carry out every Friday and Saturday in October. The hefty meal includes New England clam chowder, linguine pasta in a white clam sauce, marinated chicken breast, corn on the cob and more ($49.99). Try this: Get out to the beloved Parma eatery to load up on protein and add a pound of mussels with Naples marinara or garlic butter ($13.99). 7380 State Road, Parma, 440-886-6242,
Why we love it: Now through the end of November, guests can enjoy their feast on the picturesque Grand River waterfront. At Pickle Bills, clams come with a choice of four different fish and meat offerings. Each clam bake comes with a dozen middle neck clams, clam chowder, corn, sweet potato, melon, Bill's famous fried dough and house-famous honey butter. ($35.99-$64.99). Try this: You you can't go wrong with the deep fried pickles ($12.99) for an appetizer, or sip on the new Don’s Dill pickle margarita ($10). 101 River St., Grand River, 440-352-6343,
Why we love it: Winking Lizard wastes no time kicking off clambake season. Starting in September, locations roll out their seafood-filled menus and keep them coming each weekend through Oct. 25. With competitive prices and a familiar atmosphere across 14 Greater Cleveland locations, you won’t have to go far for a notable clambake experience. Try this: See for yourself why guests favor the lobster tail clambake ($40), with two 4.5-ounce lobster tails, soup, a dozen clams, garlic bread, corn on the cob and your choice of potato. Various locations (Downtown Cleveland is the only non-participating location),