Where Tea Lab's Carlos E. Ramos Drinks, Dines and Finds Inspiration Around Cleveland: Word of Mouth

The Tea Lab owner reflects on the places that shape his palate and fuel his creativity.

by Christina Rufo | Feb. 4, 2026 | 5:00 AM

Courtesy Carlos E. Ramos

Before he owned The Tea Lab, Ramos was the guy happily sipping on the other side of the counter. His love for great drinks runs deep, inspired by his Puerto Rican grandfather, who farmed his own coffee. When the opportunity to buy the shop arose in 2016, the lifelong Clevelander jumped in. Today, his favorite part of the job is connecting with customers and creating a place where everyone can feel welcome.

Courtesy Issho Ni Ramen and Sushi

Inspiring Eats: I love cooking, but sushi is one thing I don’t make for myself, although I’m brave enough to eat the raw fish. The team at Issho Ni Ramen & Sushi in Willoughby does really nice sushi at an affordable price, and I also like making the drive to Shuhei out in Beachwood for both dine-in and takeout.

Courtesy Propaganda Coffee

Coffee Cravings: I think there’s a fallacy that you can only drink coffee or tea. One of my current favorites is Propaganda Coffee in Lakewood. The Riverside drink is such a nice weekend treat. I feel like I haven’t started my weekend until I get one. It has brown sugar, vanilla and a double shot of espresso. I like to get it with almond milk.

Photographed by Maya Holtzman

Lakewood Living: The area has so many good, little places. If I want to go somewhere fancy, Rood on Madison Avenue has an upscale quality of food. I always get the adventurous dish anytime I go out to eat. I’m not someone who has pedestrian taste, so I like to see what people are coming up with. Also, Gingham Market does great to-go food with a different menu every day, and LBM is always doing creative things with its cocktails.

Recent Delights: Tay Do is this little Vietnamese restaurant in a strip mall out in Parma. The cabbage salad is so special. The owner shaves the cabbage so thin, and the sweet and spicy vinaigrette they use is just delicious. That’s something I could eat all day.

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Christina Rufo

Christina is a passionate reporter on Cleveland's culture and dining scene, compiling Cleveland Magazine's monthly dining guide. A graduate of West Virginia University's journalism school and the New York University Publishing Institute, her work celebrates the people, plates and parties that make Northeast Ohio shine.