Cleveland’s restaurant scene has quietly become one of the best in the country, and our talented and creative local chefs are the driving force behind all of it. When they’re not selecting the freshest seasonal ingredients, planning their next game-changing menu or firing up another service, here’s where some of the most recognizable culinary names in The Land go for a great meal.
For some Middle Eastern flair, head to Zhug in Cleveland Heights. Doug Katz’s cozy, dinner-only concept came up as a top pick in conversations with Michael Symon (Mabel's BBQ), Karen Small (Juneberry Table) and Vinnie Cimino (Cordelia). “I love the shareable format,” Cimino, who was a finalist this year for the James Beard Award, Best Chef: Great Lakes category, says. “Communal is our favorite way to eat. Always awesome service. Octopus and hummus are not to be missed.”
When we asked Doug Katz (Amba) for his own recommendations, Cent’s Pizza + Goods was one of his go-tos. “If I’m going out, I want to have a good time,” he says. “And Cent’s is a super fun experience.” While he loves their pizzas, the salads are a bright spot, like their Deep House salad with endive, frisée, cilantro, dill, coriander and aleppo dressed in red wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Katz also highlighted the wonder bread, particularly with the addition of chili crisp and stracciatella cheese — one of Vinnie Cimino’s choices as well.
Another casual joint around town is Cajun Joe’s. “The fried chicken is amazing!” Brandon Chrostowski (EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, Bakery, Butcher Shop and EDWINS Too) says. This East Cleveland restaurant has served up wings, seafood and other Cajun and Creole favorites for over two decades. “I love the work they’re doing,” Chrostowski says.
You can try any restaurant in AsiaTown and be content, but pho is the way to go for Rowan Murray (RED The Steakhouse) and Nar Pradhan (Himalayan Restaurant). “You can never go wrong with meal ten!” says Murray. That’s their noodle soup with beef shank, which you can dress with all of the best pho toppings, such as bean sprouts and jalapeños.
Take a trip to Moreland Hills for some of the best homemade pasta you’ll ever have. Loretta Paganini, who runs Loretta Paganini School of Cooking, points out that their pizza is amazing as well. At Flour, Chef Paul Minnillo and Chef Matt Mytro whip up magic — a fan-favorite restaurant that’s also in Michael Symon’s top picks. They sell their Flour Pasta Co. dry and fresh pastas in local grocery stores, so you can recreate their dishes at home.
“Dave [Kocab] is a super talented chef, and I’m excited to see what he does with Patron Saint as time goes on,” Karen Small says. Doug Katz agrees. The vibe of Patron Saint is casual and kicked back, which makes it an easy place to have coffee and stay for a while, whether you’re getting some work done or talking with friends over lunch.
Doug Katz also recommends Small’s restaurant Juneberry Table. Small — a semifinalist for the James Beard Award, Best Chef: Great Lakes category in 2018 — opened this cozy, breakfast-heavy spot in 2022. As for Katz, he always gets the salad, which comes with glazed bacon, blueberries, goat cheese and a jammy egg. “I really love that place,” he says.
If you’re craving more brunch options, Rowan Murray will tell you to head to Cordelia for the B.E.C., a bologna, egg and cheddar sandwich. “They make the bread in-house, and it’s so damn delicious,” Murray raves. “It’s a special place that represents Cleveland and the Midwest so well, like getting a modern dinner at Grandma’s.”
“Jeremy [Umansky] and Allie [La Valle] are the best and embody everything beautiful about Cleveland,” says Vinnie Cimino. He goes on to talk about their fresh and interesting menu that truly celebrates the Hingetown community. Loretta Paganini appreciates the from-scratch Jewish traditional options as well. Locals are always complimenting the pastrami in particular, but with a menu that changes daily, you’ll just have to pop in and find your next favorite dish.
If you’re hanging out around Gordon Square Arts District for the day, Good Company is close by in Battery Park. Cory Kobrinski (Astoria Cafe & Market) gushes about Good Company. It’s his go-to lunch hang, particularly for wings and smash burgers. “I’m a sucker for smash burgers,” he says. “When they came out with their style, they blew my mind.”
Chef Rocco Whalen's upscale New American-Asian fusion menu has attracted the likes of Michael Symon to the new Downtown location after their Tremont spot closed last year. The two-story restaurant offers private dining options in addition to its main dining room. Sit at the Chef’s Table for an intimate, interactive experience with a custom tasting menu. Or head to the rooftop patio for stunning views of Cleveland.
Small plates-driven Poppy in Larchmere is Chef Jill Vedaa and Jessica Parkinson’s second restaurant (salt+ in Lakewood being the first). “I know when I go there, it’s clean food,” Doug Katz says. He cites the freshness and food style that Vedaa is known for as top reasons to go. If you’re not up for sharing, Poppy does have plenty of entree options highlighting lesser-used proteins such as monkfish, venison and lamb.
Ultimately, there’s no bad choice in the bunch. “Cleveland is becoming a culinary destination,” Cory Kobrinski says. “The talent that’s popped up, especially over the last six to eight years, is quite impressive.” And these places are just the beginning. For the full list of recommendations, click here.