Cleveland Heights - Coventry
Coventry is one of the most eclectic shopping and dining areas in Cleveland Heights. Known for its whimsical and psychedelic past, Coventry remains one of the go-to spots for east siders to hang out.
The small strip of Coventry Road between Mayfield Road and Euclid Heights Boulevard encompasses a wide variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Some are institutions, beloved for generations, while others pop up with the latest trends.
My FF and French fries at tommy’s.
I have many memories of my own from my high school days that happened on Coventry. From seeing local bands play at The Grog Shop, to making my own stir-fry buffet at BD’s Mongolian Grill. My mom instead used to frequent Record Revolution. An alumna from my high school opened Mac’s Backs - Books on Coventry, a lovely new and secondhand bookstore with a connecting door through to tommy’s, one of those Cleveland institutions I was telling you about. Their menu isn’t entirely plant-based but has plenty of offerings for everyone including hummus and falafel, as well as toasted cheese sandwiches (my go-to is an FF: toasted cheese with mushrooms & veggies). I always want to have a go at one of their milkshakes too, - but don’t say I didn’t warn you! There’s more than enough to split one with a friend.
I already mentioned some of the shops. I so miss the incense and eclectic finds at the now-closed City Buddha. There is still Passport to Peru, and many new places that I will have to stop in the next time I’m in town. That goes for resturants as well. There’s a branch of Dave’s Cosmic Subs, as well as Grum’s Sub Shop for sandwich lovers, and plenty of Asian restaurants, including Japanese at Pacific East and Thai at High Thai’d. I saw a few other new places but didn’t have a chance to try them yet!
A historic building with the Coventry name in the old Cleveland style
In this way, Coventry is constantly changing, reinventing itself. There is always somewhere new to try. But every place that comes to Coventry comes there for a reason as well. Coventry is known for being open-minded and accepting, welcoming to all, as long as you are open-minded as well.
N.B. The cover photo was taken in the Coventry Road parking garage.
