Established in the late 19th century, Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood—one of five major Italian settlements in the city—still retains its cultural charm. Located just east of downtown and a few minutes from vibrant arts and cultural must-sees like the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland’s Little Italy draws with its walkability, eclectic art galleries and boutiques, and, of course, award-winning Italian cuisine. Here are a few of the top restaurants in Cleveland’s Little Italy.
Located on Mayfield Road, Maxi’s Bistro serves up all of the Italian standards you’d expect and adds some edgier options. Start with a fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil salad or burrata. Or, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, opt for sautéed frog legs or escargot, which comes drenched in a garlic, parsley butter with portabella mushrooms. Leave some room, though, the portions here are generous.
Choose from a number of pastas, including a pappardelle Bolognese or classic cavatelli with meatballs. Seafood fans have lots of options, including shrimp, mussels, clams or lobster over noodles tossed with marinara or stuffed inside hearty ravioli. Pizzas don’t disappoint, Maxi’s pie comes topped with tomato-basil sauce, fresh mozzarella, kalamata olives and more basil. The carciofi pie is another standout, with a butter, garlic and herb sauce topped with roasted peppers, artichoke hearts, fried garlic and a shredded-cheese blend.
Entrées include chicken cacciatore, veal saltimbocca and veal scallopini piccata. Outside of the Italian go-tos, other indulgences include an 18-ounce bone-in ribeye served with sautéed portabella mushrooms and onions, and a side of roasted potatoes.
For a casual meal out, head over to Mama Santa’s. This low-key restaurant keeps things simple with its red-and-white checked tablecloths and no-frills service. The food is what keeps people coming back for decades.
Interesting offerings, like zucchini sticks and anchovy filets, blend with classics like garlic toast and minestrone soup on the appetizer menu. Staple meatball or breaded fish sandwiches are a win for lunch or share a bottle of Chianti while you indulge in meat-stuffed cannelloni or spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. Not in the mood for a red sauce? Mama Santa’s also offers pesto, mushroom, alfredo and white clam sauces, among others. Closed Sundays.
For a special occasion, Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar serves elevated Italian fare in a charming carriage house. Start with a charcuterie plate or terrina di melanzane–layered eggplant terrine with aged provolone and a tomato ragu. Minestrone soup, caprese salad or Ligurian-style calamari are all great ways to kick off the meal.
Handmade pasta options range from standard to inventive and decadent. Gnocchi served with hazelnut pesto and fresh parmigiano-reggiano is a solid choice. For something rich, the braised-beef ravioli comes with smoked prosciutto, wild mushrooms and a porcini reduction.
Slow-roasted veal shank, filet mignon and pan-seared halibut offer other options for those not in the mood for noodles. Just be sure you save room for dessert; Michelangelo’s makes gelato in house daily. Dinner only; closed Sundays and Mondays.
Looking for classic Italian with a side of rich history? Look no further than Guarino’s. In 1898, the restaurant’s namesake, Vincenzo Guarino, moved to Cleveland from Sicily and landed in Little Italy. With the money saved from working as a road worker, he purchased a building and from there, he and his wife served food and drinks to family and friends. Inside, expect Victorian-era flair; outside on the secluded patio, summer beds grow fresh basil.
Today, Guarino’s packs in diners who come for the house specialties—ravioli in a house marinara, manicotti, lasagna and more—and the pizzas. Pies here range from choose-your-topping to Santino style, with pepperoni and banana peppers. For something truly Sicilian, opt for the braciole—rolled flat steak with prosciutto, egg, cheese, fresh parsley and garlic with a side of pasta marinara. Closed Mondays.
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