Welcome to the Linden Tavern

The Eglinski family brings over 60 years of experience to the tavern, restaurant and food industry. We boast a menu of unequaled quality and variety that reflects the multi-national heritage of our family. The Linden takes it's place in the great American tradition of the friendly neighborhood tavern.

Our reviews ~

Read a great article about Linden Tavern from September, on cleveland.com >>

"In a region boasting scores of neighborhood taverns, the Linden stands out as one of the best for its comfy decor, friendly service, and large assortment of well-prepared eats. For this, thank the Eglinski family, the tavern's operators since 1989. For a real taste of Cleveland's heritage, don't miss the fresh Lake Erie perch and pierogi dinner, washed down with a locally brewed Dortmunder Gold."
~ clevescene.com

"Best Taste of the Town: Recent studies show that native Clevelanders are composed of approximately 25 percent fresh Lake Erie perch, 25 percent potato-cheddar pierogi, and 50 percent beer. Have you been hitting your quota lately? If not, head to the Linden Tavern, a snug little eatery in Rocky River, where owners Herb, Julie, and Kevin Eglinski cook up the most mouthwatering tavern fare in town. Take the full Cleveland route: golden filets of freshly battered perch, a pair of plump pierogi, and a frosty mug of Great Lakes' Dortmunder Gold. There's no better way to claim your status as a true Clevelander."
~ clevescene.com

"A great little neighborhood tavern in Rocky River.  For such a small place they really have a wonderful menu, and you can tell that the family that owns the establishment really cares about the product that they put out.

The thing I love the most about this place is that staff.  Everyone there is so accommodating, and always make sure that your needs are met. While this is a tavern I have always gone here for the food, and not necessarily to sling back a few cocktails after work.  Though sometimes the two go hand in hand.

If you're a first time visitor I would suggest you order the spaghetti.  I know what you're thinking, but it is by far one of their most popular dishes, and is just as good as you can get from any of CLE's "authentic" Italian eateries.  If you're looking to feed your inner dinosaur then you can't go wrong with the open face NY strip steak sandwich.   It's the little neighborhood taverns like this that were built for the dwindling blue collar workers that once occupied the Westside communities.   There's a real sense of nostalgia to the place that is hard to imitate, and can only be achieved by actually having experienced many many years of getting it right."
~ Dan S., Westlake, 3/19/2011

"Back at the turn of the century emigrants flocked to Cleveland to work in the factories of the industrial revolution. They formed enclaves through the area and built their churches that still anchor many of the neighborhoods today. Shortly after the churches came the neighborhood bars, social clubs and taverns. Back in those days Friday's were still meatless and these neighborhood pubs served up an inexpensive seafood caught fresh in good old Lake Erie. The Lake Erie yellow tail perch was abundant and right outside Cleveland's front door. The Friday church or pub fish fry became a Friday night family ritual for many. It is good to see that in Cleveland this tradition lives on in places like the Linden Tavern.

The Tavern itself is pretty small. I didn't see the whole tavern as there was a back area and getting back there would have been silly when we were seated in the front. It is a very narrow tavern. I am talking double wide at best. The bar takes up half the joint, and the place is full of regulars that probably have been coming sine 1989. Our server Joe was really attentive but food service was a bit slow only due to the fact it was completely packed. We started with a couple glasses of Riesling, a nice fruity one that you know was probably a $12 bottle, none the less it went well with the brie appetizer. The brie came covered in a berry preserve, had a fair amount of sliced almonds and some grapes on the side. The bread served with it was a little on the dry side and more like a sliced crouton. I would have much preferred a nice fresh sliced baguette but hey it's a mom and pop tavern.

The perch dinner was very good. It had that gamey Lake Erie flavor to it. It was moist, lightly breaded, and fried golden brown. The dinner came with about 6 pieces of perch served on a pile of fries, a side of coleslaw and a roll. Like I said the perch was fabulous. The fries were like McDonald's which isn't a bad thing but seriously how hard is it to buy some regular spuds throw them in the old fashioned cutter and toss them in the deep fryer. So while the fish was great, the combo fell a little short from the perfect fish fry I am searching for. So, the white whale gets away yet again, but just barely. I would definitely go back here again to try the rest of the menu especially on one of those surf and turf Saturdays."
~ Jason B., Westlake, 1/31/2011

"This restaurant has some great weekend specials. I usually go on Friday nights, and am always tempted by their prime rib and/or lobster specials on Saturday nights. While it is not brightly lit, it seems clean and the service is very friendly. After I took friends three or four times, the waitress seemed to know me and what I was going to drink and to order. I appreciate being made to feel at home by waitstaff, and so did my friends. I have enjoyed the home-made soups, the fried and broiled fish, and the comfortable atmosphere. It can get crowded, so I usually go pretty early. The food is excellent and the prices are moderate and inexpensive. A very friendly place. I'm going back tonight."
~ Michael Vincent, Cleveland, 2/5/10

"Linden Tavern has the best food for the money of any place we've ever eaten. It is non-smoking now so business has exploded. I love the Amish roast beef and my wife loves the spaghetti. I had the prime rib last week and it was super, too. We are going to go back Weds."
~ John D.

"Great Food & Prices. Friendly staff."
~ Joe, North Olmsted, 10/6/2009

"I keep going back for their excellent Lake Erie perch dinners and friendly atmosphere."
~ Anonymous, 2/26/09

"GREAT BURGERS"
~ KCLINE, 9/24/2008

"It's the feeling you'd like to have any place you go -- maybe everybody *doesn't* "know your name" -- but it feels that good. Been there after softball, after volleyball, just for a beer, Friday for fish, or any day for just a great meal. Go. You'll love it."
~ Peter, Rocky River, 9/1/08

"It might be a bar but it sure isn't bar food. What a selection to choose from too.""
~ Julie, 10/1/2007

"From perogies to scampi, always good.""
~ Bob, 9/28/2007