13 of the Best Italian Restaurants in Cleveland
Cleveland has a thriving foodie culture, resulting in many highly-rated restaurants across all sorts of different cuisines. With its large Italian-American population and its very own Little Italy, it should be no surprise that Italian food has been a staple of Cleveland’s culinary scene for a long time. Many local Italian restaurants and eateries have been family-owned and operated for generations. Recipes have been passed down and evolved from one generation to the next. As a result, you can find authentic and delicious Italian food that has been carefully crafted using time-honored methods throughout the city. Use our list below to find the best Italian restaurants in Cleveland.
Bruno’s Ristorante & Catering
2644 W 41st Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 961-7087
Bruno’s Ristorante & Catering prides itself on its tradition and heritage. Chef Bruno doesn’t just want you to have a dining experience; he wants you to have an authentic Italian culinary experience. From the pasta to the sauces and everything in between, Bruno’s makes each dish fresh for you, and you can tell. The pasta is homemade, and the sauces truly transport right into the Italian countryside. The homemade lasagna has been voted best in the area by Cleveland diners. Bruno’s doesn’t have a lot of tables, and as such, you’ll want to make a reservation before going. When you try the food for the first time, it will make sense as to why.
Osteria Italian
1801 East 9th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, 44114
(216) 685-9490
Featuring a sophisticated and intimate atmosphere, Osteria is a posh Italian restaurant that serves a blend of modern and refined traditional Italian cuisine. The Ravioli con Ricotta is phenomenal, and the Ossobuco Alla Fiorentina is one of their best-known entrees. Osteria also has an impressive Captain’s List of fine wines and top-shelf spirits that will elevate an already impressive experience to a new level. Parking can be a bit of a pain, given the restaurant’s location, so plan ahead. Osteria is only a 10-minute walk from Playhouse Square, which makes it a perfect place to go before your trip to the theatre.
Mia Bella Restaurant
12200 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 795-2355
One of the many family-owned and operated Italian restaurants in the city, Mia Bella was named after the owner’s firstborn child. This place may not have the largest menu, but that’s because everything on it is made to the highest standard. The Shrimp Saganaki is a great appetizer to get things going, and the Mia Bella pasta is one the most recommended pasta entrees by regulars. Mia Bella also offers an impressive wine selection with many bottles from a variety of countries all around the world. So if you want pizza, pasta, or even a steak, Mia Bella has it all. Just make sure to book your reservation in advance!
Michaelangelo’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
2198 Murray Hill Road, Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 721-0300
With award-winning Executive Chef Michael Annadono at the helm, Michaelangelo’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar delivers a fine dining experience in a cozy atmosphere that has won the praise of numerous critics and local publications in Cleveland. All the ingredients are sourced fresh and organic. The pasta is handmade in the traditional Italian way. We highly recommend the Lobster Ravioli and Veal Stuffed Tortellini. Michelangelo’s also features an impressive wine selection which ensures that no matter what you order, you’ll have the perfect glass to accompany it.
Luca Italian Cuisine
2100 Superior Viaduct, Cleveland, Ohio, 44113
(216) 862-2762
Luca Italian Cusine isn’t just one of the best Italian restaurants in Cleveland. It’s one of the best restaurants in the city, period. Luca has won numerous awards, including Best Italian. As soon as you enter the door, you begin to realize why. This is fine Italian dining at its best. Everything is made with only the finest and freshest ingredients. With a focus on the classic recipes and traditions of Northern Italy, dishes such as the Pappardelle Alla Bolognese are absolutely mouthwatering. Luca also has an in-house sommelier who can help you find the perfect glass for whatever the meal or occasion is. Add in a stunning view of the Cleveland skyline, and Luca Italian Cuisine is a must-try.
Valerio’s
12405 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106
(216) 421-8049
Valerio’s has been a staple of Cleveland’s Little Italy for over 26 years. Chef and owner Valerio Iorio was born and raised in southern Italy before mastering his craft in a Florentine culinary school. After immigrating to the United States from Florence, he opened Valerio’s in 1996. Using his mastery of Italian techniques and flavors, he has crafted simple yet genuine traditional Italian dishes from all over Italy that are to die for. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but to give you a starting point, we recommend the Penne Alla Bolognese and Gnocchi Alla Gorgonzola.
Etna Ristorante
11919 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 791-7670
Chef Peppe Pilumeli brings the flavor and culinary culture of Sicily to the table at Etna Ristorante. Etna’s specialty is seafood. With daily specials featuring fresh-caught ingredients, you’ll easily be able to satisfy whatever dining desires you may have. With that being said, we definitely recommend trying something with a seafood element to it, like the Risotto Mare Nostrum. In the traditional Italian way, you will also find a wonderfully curated wine list that will only add to your dining experience. Etna is another one of Cleveland’s cozy culinary hotspots, so be mindful of making a reservation ahead of time.
Il Venetian
100 St. Clair NE, Cleveland, OH 44114
216-241-4800
Il Venetian is your classic modern Italian fine-dining restaurant. Every dish features fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The pasta is made by hand every single day. Whether you’re looking for a classic Italian dish, fresh seafood, or an incredible steak, Il Venetian has you covered. They also have an extensive wine selection that features over 200 different bottles. With an elegant interior design featuring art, chandeliers, and sculptures from all over Italy, Il Venetian not only delivers the perfect food for the occasion but also the perfect vibe.
Stino Da Napoli
19070 Old Detroit Road, Rocky River, OH 44116
(440) 331-3944
Another one of Cleveland’s decades-old Italian cuisine cornerstones is Stino Da Napoli, or as it’s more commonly known, Stino’s. Now just like every other restaurant we’ve talked about so far, Stino’s has incredible traditionally made Italian food. What makes Stino’s different is its sauce. So much so that after carefully crafting and refining it over the years, Stino’s sells five different homemade, classic Italian sauces that can be purchased and enjoyed at home with the same quality and taste you get in the restaurant. Every single sauce is non-GMO verified and is free from any harmful allergens, and is gluten-free as well. But tasting is believing, so we recommend trying any of the pasta dishes on the menu, such as the Penne All’Arrabbiata. Stino’s has been serving classic Neopolitan food to Cleveland for over 30 years, and with flavors like this, it’s easy to see why.
Trattoria Roman Garden
12207 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 421-2700
Located in the heart of Little Italy, Trattoria Roman Garden is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has been serving stellar Italian food since 1984. Consistently rated as one of the top three Italian Restaurants in Cleveland, Trattoria proves that you don’t have to be fine dining and fancy to serve great food. What it really comes down to is great ingredients, great flavor, and people who love serving others. You get all of that at Trattoria. The Eggplant Parmigiano and Cheese Tortellini are simple yet exceptional. If you have a craving for pizza, they have several options, each filling. Trattoria is everything that you want from Italian food and will have you coming back for more.
Johnny’s Bar on Fulton
3164 Fulton Road, Cleveland, OH 44109
(216) 281-0055
Johnny’s Bar on Fulton is an institution of the Cleveland food scene. It was originally opened as Louise’s Garden in the 1920s before becoming Johnny’s in 1952. Since then, it has become a Cleveland landmark for locals and visitors alike. With cuisine inspired by the rich food culture of Northern Italy and an outdoor patio akin to the classic restaurants of New York, Johnny’s provides a dining experience that is hard to match. House specialties include Veal Stuffed Banana Peppers, Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass Puttanesca, and Long Bone Veal Chops. With an award-winning wine list that features some of Tuscany and Piedmont’s best, Johnny’s Bar on Fulton is a must-dine.
Aldo’s Restaurant
8459 Memphis Avenue, Brooklyn, OH 44095
(216) 749-7060
Aldo’s was founded with a single goal: “bring out complexity within simplicity.” Opened over 30 years ago by the late Aldo Zappa, this intimate spot has achieved its goal. Consistently voted as a top restaurant in Cleveland, the flavors and dishes trace their roots back to Aldo’s native Roccaraso as well as traditional Southern Italian cuisine. The menu features many classic dishes such as Veal Piccata, Eggplant Parmigiana, and Mussel Mariana. However, each is made with Aldo’s goal in mind, and all of them achieve it. The dishes may be simple, but the flavors are complex and satiating.
Angelo’s Nido Italia Restaurant
12020 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, OH 44106
Upscale meets old-school at Angelo’s Nido Italia Restaurant in Little Italy. The menu has everything from pasta to calzones, subs, traditional Italian entrees, and more. You get your choice of soup or salad with every order of pasta. Although they may be simple, the Jumbo Meat Ravioli and the Fettuccine Alfredo are popular items. The meatball sub is an excellent choice if you’re in a hurry. The cannoli is as good as it gets for an after-dinner sweet. Warm, welcoming, and flavorful, Angelo’s is one of those places that truly has something for everyone.
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink, check out our Cleveland page!
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