25 of the Best Italian Restaurants in Cleveland

Bucci’s Italian Restaurant

19373 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River, 440-331-5157
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.

Antica Italian Kitchen & Bar

35568 Detroit Road, Avon, 440-517-0096
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. A note for east siders: And it'll soon open a new outpost in Beachwood.
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.

Etna

11919 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland

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.

Il Venetian

100 St. Clair Ave. NE., Cleveland
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.

Angelo’s Nido Italia

12020 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland

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.

Bar Italia

15625 Detroit Ave., Lakewoo

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.

Bruno’s Ristorante & Catering

2644 W. 41st St., Cleveland, 216-961-7087 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.

Fratello’s

32085 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake

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.

Lago East Bank

1091 W 10th. Street, Cleveland, 216-862-8065
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.

Luca

2100 Superior Viaduct., Cleveland

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.