Fidelity Hotel Chef Daniel Young Shares His Favorite Cleveland Restaurants

Chef Daniel Young’s culinary career took him to some of the country’s most respected kitchens before bringing him back home in 2025. The Kirtland native got his start washing dishes at Old Town Tavern, where he found a passion for culinary arts. He later worked at Flour, several Michael Symon restaurants and Denver’s Halcyon hotel before returning to Cleveland to lead the culinary program at Fidelity Hotel.  

Downtown Destination: Il Rione in Detroit-Shoreway is my pick for pizza and salad; the Margherita pizza and arugula salad will change your life. I think Fat Cats in Tremont is the most consistent casual restaurant around and has been for a really long time. There are so many great spots for Asian food in Cleveland, but a standout for me is definitely Szechuan Gourmet. The eggplant with black bean sauce might be my single favorite dish in the area; it’s wild. They take baby Japanese eggplants and roast them until they’re incredibly soft, then coat them in a rich black bean miso sauce. It’s completely vegan and absolutely amazing.

Morning Eats: Big Al’s Diner on Larchmere is a classic diner breakfast. It’s perfectly executed, great every time. I like two eggs, wheat toast and crispy potatoes, keeping it simple. I honestly think a cardamom bomb from Rising Star Coffee Roasters tastes like home to me. It’s one of my favorite coffee drinks in the world.

Shoutouts: Stevenson’s Bar and Grill in Euclid has the best burger in the city. A Big Guy is a must-try. I recently went to La Plaza Supermarket in Lakewood and had the al pastor tacos, and they were amazing, as always.

West Side Wonders: One of my favorite spots is Frank’s Bratwurst at the West Side Market. A brat on a hard roll with sauerkraut and stadium mustard is a time-honored Cleveland tradition for me. And I love Larder in Ohio City. The pastrami sandwich is hands down the best in the city. For dessert, my favorite is the banana bread split from Mason’s Creamery. It has everything you could ever want.

For more updates about Cleveland, sign up for our Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox six times a week.

Cleveland Magazine is also available in print, featuring immersive stories, helpful guides and beautiful photography and design.