Cleveland's dining scene wouldn't be complete without a bevy of Italian hot spots. From Antica Italian Kitchen and Bar to Zappitelli's and everything in between, we give our favorites. By Allison Jack
Antica Italian Kitchen & Bar
Why we love it: From the team beyond longtime restaurant Heck’s, this newer modern Italian go-to delivers inventive takes on timeless recipes. With an upscale modern ambiance, including an extra large bar that opens into the patio for al fresco dining, you’ll take your pick from antipasti, pizza, pastas, seafood or hearty Italian specialties. Try this: Instagrammers and foodies love the one-of-a-kind giant chicken parmesan pizza ($36) made with house dough, San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and parmesan, topped with a fresh arugula salad. 35568 Detroit Road, Avon, 440-517-0096, anticacleveland.com
Bucci’s Italian Restaurant
Why we love it: Family-size platters of traditional Italian dishes at this long-running basic strip plaza eatery keep those in the know coming back through the door of the low-key spot with casual booths, exposed bricks and low-key vibes. Try this: The veal parmesan ($27) comes on a giant platter showcasing the massive crispy veal cutlet, doused in house-made tomato sauce and smothered in melted provolone cheese dripping to the edge of the plate.19373 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River, 440-331-5157, buccispizzarestaurant.business.site
Etna Ristorante & Wine Bar
Why we love it: On a corner lot inside what appears to be an old home in Little Italy, guests are welcomed into a quaint space that has evolved into a refined dining hot spot with unique vintage objects and art on display as part of the charm. Drink at the wooden bar with Tiffany-style lamps hanging above. Try this: Sicilian-born chef and owner Peppe Pilumeli knows his way around Italian specialties like the shrimp scampi ($22) showcasing large juicy shrimp surrounded by penne pasta, sauteed with olive oil garlic, cremini mushrooms, tomato sauce and a touch of cream.11919 Mayfield Road, 216-791-7670, etnalittleitaly.com
Il Venetian
Why we love it: Gorgeous marble floors, Murano glass chandeliers, ceiling-to-floor drapes and an overall dramatic luxe decor brings Downtown Cleveland to this restaurant. Come for the house-made bread, pastas, dessert, fresh seafood, steak and other Italian dishes. Try this: The Veal Agnolotti ($28), a family recipe from executive chef Alberto Leandri, known as “The Venetian,” is made with house-made pasta stuffed with parmesan cheese and braised veal, in a simple Sicilian pistachio sauce made with chicken stock, butter and pistachios, with 16-month-aged parmesan on top.100 St. Clair NE, Cleveland, 216-241-4800, ilvenetian.com
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Angelo’s Nido ItaliaRestaurant
Why we love it: This Little Italy homestyle staple features outdoor seating, live music and a cozy up-lit stone-
embellished bar. It serves up authentic Italian dishes — and if you’re lucky, Angelo himself may greet you at the door. The white tableclothed spot also whips up calzones, sandwiches and desserts, and has robust catering options. Try this: Go all out with the decadent sauteed large jumbo shrimp with tomatoes, garlic and olive oil (or basil and cream sauce), tossed with linguine, served with a salad. 12020 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, 216-421-0221, nidoitalia.com
Bar Italia
Why we love it: Modeled after New York bistros, Bar Italia is a vibe, bringing house-made sauces and harder to find fresh pastas varieties to the table. Enjoy the minimalistic classy ambiance featuring large Italian art and mirror pieces and a center bar fixture at this trendy spot with a seasonally open front. Try this: The homemade Bolognese is the star menu item “due to its use of fresh ingredients, the unique choice of low acid New Jersey tomatoes, its rich and hearty flavor” and its role as the foundation of the restaurant’s concept, says director of operations Tim Davin. Try it in Chef Andy’s Bucatini Bolognese ($17), a classic fresh bucatini with house-made special meat sauce. 15625 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-303-9699, baritalia.com
Bruno’s Ristorante & Catering
Why we love it: Bruno’s is the kind of place your grandparents would have gone for a charming Italian date night. Hidden in plain sight in Ohio City, you’ll find a wooden bar, gold fixtures and a simple no frills dining room, owned by a former head chef for the Browns, Bruno DiSiena, who took the team leaving as a chance to open a restaurant using his mother’s Old World recipes in 1996. Try this: Longtime customers come for the hefty portion of homemade lasagna ($23), a fixture of multiple best lasagna lists in Cleveland, crafted with layers of thick house-made noodles, seasoned ricotta, grated Romano, ground beef and balanced marinara spilling all the way to the edge of the plate, covered with melted provolone. You’ll also find calzones, paninis, pizza and family-style house specialties.2644 W. 41st St., Cleveland, 216-961-7087, brunosristorante.net
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Fratello’s ItalianRestaurant
Why we love it: Avon Lakers rave about this old school, traditional Italian restaurant. Despite the relatively small size of the dining room and bar area, this unpretentious white tablecloth mainstay is always packed, bringing seafood specialties and other Italian dishes curated by the chef’s familiar interpretations of different regional cuisines. Try this: The Chicken Fratello ($23), with sauteed chicken breasts covered in Fratello’s lemon butter sauce and fresh marsala mushrooms.32085 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake, 440-933-3380, fratellos.net
Lago East Bank
Why we love it: “Unlike a lot of other Italian restaurants in the city, the vibe and energy at Lago can be very different based on the time of day that you come to join us and the day of the week you come to join us,” says chief operating officer Alex Di Iorio. “It’s a beautifully decorated restaurant, with rich dark woods, leather,” and low lighting that spotlights the food on each table for an intimate experience at this family-run restaurant with Sicilian roots in the Flats. Try this: Chef Fabio Salerno is famous for his meatballs, Di Iorio says. The Salerno family meatballs ($18) are a flavorful union of beef, pork and veal, marinara, parmesan and basil. 1091 W 10th. Street, Cleveland, 216-862-8065, lagoeastbank.com
Luca Italian Cuisine
Why we love it: Featuring one of the most awe-inspiring views of the city, perched overlooking the Cuyahoga River, Luca features swanky decor and art, inventive takes on upscale Northern Italian cuisine and a vast wine list, making it a popular date night choice. Try this: The vitello tortellini ($32), showcasing fresh veal-stuffed tortellini in a cream sauce mixed with prosciutto and peas, resembling a kind of high-end comfort food.2100 Superior Viaduct, Cleveland, 216-862-2761, lucacleveland.com
Luca West Italian Cuisine
Why we love it: Enter the bright, romantic dining room, channeling country Tuscany with rustic elements like exposed ceiling beams and a distinctive statue collection. In the summer, dine in the grand statue-filled courtyard featuring an outdoor bar and with sizable menu of upscale Italian dishes spanning fish, meats, pasta and a 200-bottle wine list. Try this: The fresh branzino ($43), fileted tableside, served with brown butter citrus sauce at Luca Italian Cuisine’s sister restaurant. 24600 Detroit Road, Westlake, 216-201-9600, LucaWest.com
Molto Bene
Why we love it: “One of the first things you notice is that it’s inside a house,” says manager Kevin Patino, son of the owners. With an intimate space for a few dozen inside, this cute Italian restaurant offers fresh modern mains and fun co*cktails in a modern bright simple space. The team makes its own gelato, displayed in the traditional case for your pick of flavors, crafted with the same recipe they formerly sold under their original award-winning GelatoStar brand. Try this: Patino’s favorite sachetti panna e prosciutto ($25) stars four-cheese purse pasta topped with alfredo style creamy pink sauce and prosciutto. “It’s everything that you really like: creamy pasta, and good texture with the crispy prosciutto,” Patino says.18401 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-273-7333, eatmoltobene.com
Mama Catena Vino e’ Cucina
Why we love it: The Catena family set out with a goal to celebrate life when it opened its eatery in 1989 with basic modern Italian food and a wine-centric menu. Stop by for Old-World Italian favorites in a warmly lit trattoria with showstopping calzones, pizza, focaccia stuffed sandwiches, seafood and other dishes made with pasta cooked to a perfect al dente. Try this: Start off and order bruschetta ($15) for the table made with fresh chopped tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil and grated pecorino, sitting atop signature house-prepared bread. 711 Babbitt Road, Euclid, 216-261-1168, mamacatenas.com
Mario Fazio’s Restaurant & Catering
Why we love it: Enter the dining area, which features an eclectic mix of decor, including a beautiful tile seaside mural scene and black and white checkered floors, of this gem focused on bringing family-style Italian dishes and thin crust pizza to customers for almost 50 years. Try this: Start out with a comforting warm bowl of house-made Italian wedding soup ($10), crafted in large pots of chicken stock each morning, with celery, carrots, onions and parsley root, starring shredded chicken, mini beef meatballs and pastina noodles. 34400 Chardon Road, Willoughby Hills, 440-585-3883, mariofazios.com
Maxi’s Bistro
Why we love it: Look for the vibrant neon sign on the window and step inside the friendly atmosphere of Maxi’s for an extensive Italian American menu and co*cktails in walkable Little Italy. Stop by the lively back patio during summers. Try this: There’s a pizza in Little Italy that’s so good it’s named after it. Share a Little Italy Pizza ($20), basic but full of flavor, with fresh tomato basil sauce, parmesan cheese, black pepper and hot crushed red pepper, at this charming European-style bistro. 12113 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, 216-421-1500, maxisbistro.com
M Italian
Why we love it: In the upscale downtown of small shops walking distance from the iconic waterfall, Chagrin Falls is also the epicenter of charming small eateries like M Italian, featuring rustic chic details like exposed wooden beams and crystal chandeliers. An open kitchen coupled with a warm, spacious dining area makes for the
perfect urban Italian farmhouse setting to enjoy wood-fired pizzas, salads, pasta
(including gluten free and zucchini noodle options) and other land and seafare. Where else can you get a homemade limoncello drop ($8) for happy hour? Try this: The savory beef carpaccio ($14) with arugula, caper berries, shallots and lemon aioli is a favorite starter for regulars. 22 W. Orange St., Chagrin Falls, 440-247-747 mitalian.com
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Mia Bella Restaurant
Why we love it: This joint doesn’t sport any major frills — the quality and taste of the top-notch recipes are the star of the show at this corner restaurant in Little Italy. Enjoy Italian fare and Mediterranean dishes alongside a curated wine list in a quaint muraled setting. Chef and owner Gerti Memeti grew up on the shores of the Adriatic Sea in Albania and trained in Italy. Pro tip: Grab a reservation in advance during festivals and summertime. Try this: The award-winning spicy cheese tortellini ($22.95) is all it’s cracked up to be and more. The rich blush tomato cream sauce is the perfect contrast to the green peas, prosciutto and fresh herbs in the cheesy dish. 12200 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, 216-795-2355, mblittleitaly.com
Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
Why we love it: On the outskirts of Little Italy, discover this cozy treasure inside a brick carriage house offering 2023 James Beard Award-semifinalist chef Michael Annandono’s upscale Piedmontese cuisine. If you’re lucky, grab a spot by the fireplace and order your favorite glass from the wine racks. Try this: The piled-high ossobuco con risotto e spinaci fritti ($54) spotlights slow roasted veal shank in a natural veal reduction, nestled lovingly into a parmesan risotto and frizzled spinach.2198 Murray Hill Road, Cleveland, 216-721-0300, mangelos.com
Corleone’s Ristorante & Bar
Why we love it: This unassuming locale is a must for fresh pasta, veal, chicken, steaks and chops, and of course, wine (enjoy happy hour in the lounge area or at the traditional wooden bar). Owner Pete Bosinger opened it as a small Italian American cafe specializing in pizza in 1995 that has slowly transitioned toward fine dining through the years. Try this: The seafood selection shines at this one. Try the Calabrese ($39) crab meat stuffed scampi with artichokes, grape tomatoes and spinach, tossed in spicy fresh pappardelle with olive oil and garlic. 5669 Broadview Road, Parma, 216-741-0220, corleonescleveland.com
Osteria Italian
Why we love it: When you walk through, “it has a Mad Men feel to the bar.” An open kitchen “brings back the nostalgic feeling” of hearing the familiar sounds of the pots and pans and pounding of the meat in the kitchen from family cooking, at this sophisticated intimate restaurant with a nod to the 1950s in the heart of downtown, says restaurateur Raquel Eatmon. Try this: Order the orecchiette pasta ($32) in the tomato basil cream sauce, with bold Italian sausage, Eatmon suggests. “You can smell it before you bite it,” she says. 1801 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, 216-685-9490 osteriacle.com
The Palazzo Ristorante
Why we love it: Chef Rafael Zaloshnja brings the culinary skills he acquired in Verona, Italy, to the Cleveland culinary scene, continuing his grandmother’s legacy of home-cooked Italian dishes. Dine in one of the traditional upscale dining areas, with a simple wooden bar and wine racks on display, or the charming black wrought iron enclosed patio. Try this: There’s more to Italian food than pizza and pasta. Indulge in the carne (meat) to the fullest extent. Enjoy the gambo di agnello ($38), slow braised lamb shank, served with tagliatelle pasta.10031 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-417-7005, palazzocleveland.com
Pepper’s Italian Restaurant
Why we love it: If you’re in the mood for Italian cuisine you don’t have to dress up for, step into the remodeled Lakewood staple offering grandma-style Italian favorites including traditional pizza and pasta. You’ll find basic booths with Italian murals, open windows to Detroit Road and a seasonal outdoor dining area. Try this: Pepper’s rendition of an “alfredo meets chicken parmesan” dish stands out. The Chicken Romano ($22) features flash-fried breaded chicken covered with a generous helping of alfredo, melted mozzarella and provolone, served with pasta covered in the same creamy concoction.21470 Lakeside Ave., 216-417-8588, peppersitalian.com
Stino Da Napoli
Why we love it: Tucked away in an unassuming strip in the Old River Shopping Area, you’ll uncover a small eatery that started out with owner and chef Agostino Iacullo’s immigration to America in 1979 with a sum of $300 and a dream to open a restaurant serving the Cleveland community. This longtime favorite is known for its savory rich house-made sauces, sold at local stores. Come for modern decor and traditional dishes inspired by Napoli, made the old-fashioned way. Try this: For a delicate specialty, try the gnocchi alla Napoletana ($22), handmade potato dumplings baked with a light tomato sauce, mozzarella, ricotta and parmigiano cheeses.19070 Old Detroit Road, Rocky River, 440-331-3944, stinodanapoli.com
Valerio’s Ristorante
Why we love it: Born in Southern Italy, Florence-trained chef and owner Valerio Iorio brought his culinary expertise to Cleveland when he immigrated from Florence in 1995 with his wife, Stella, before opening Valerio’s in Little Italy a year later. He credits quality ingredients that bring out the natural flavor, along with high-quality olive oil used in his classic dishes. “I always go out and look for the best product, the freshest and most authentic one,” he says. The cozy spot sports a welcoming wooden bar, rows of wine displayed on the rack and a friendly "Mona Lisa" on the wall, in addition to a banquet hall, all a short walk from nearby Severance Hall. Try this: Valerio himself says one of the best dishes is the sausage orecchiette ($19.95). The pasta is sauteed in its own tomato cream sauce, starring the restaurant’s proprietary blend of mild Italian sausage made by the same provider for 28 years and counting.12405 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, 216-421-8049, valeriosristorante.com
Zappitelli’s
Why we love it: Whipping up Old World Italian cuisine showcasing all the flavors of Italy through original family recipes for 36 years and counting. The good old-fashioned, colorful mom-and-pop shop prepares traditional dishes, including homemade pizza, pasta and specialty dishes made with the fan-favorite house sauce. Try this: Scratch-made potato gnocchi ($18.50) is a must. 9570 Mentor Ave., Mentor, 440-352-1185, zappitellismentor.com
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