Best Italian Restaurants in Downtown Cleveland / Playhouse Square

$$$$ (55)$$$$ (33)$$$$ (10)

18 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Luca Italian Cuisine Cleveland restaurant

1. Luca Italian Cuisine Cleveland

4.7

Exceptional(3056)

$$$$

• Italian • The Flats

Booked 53 times today

Luca serves award-winning modern Italian food in a great city, with a great wine list and romantic European atmosphere. Located overlooking the Cuyahoga River, Luca Italian Cuisine has one of the most spectacular views of Cleveland.

2. Lago East Bank

4.7

Exceptional(1126)

$$$$

• Italian • The Flats

Booked 34 times today

The regional and contemporary menu at Lago is a culmination of northern Piedmontese dishes to Sicilian seafood dishes inspired by 30 years of Italian cooking and upbringing. The beverage options at Lago are equally as much thought out in standard and craft as the food menu. Lago offers a unique predominantly Italian wine lists where every bottle can also be ordered by the glass, and half bottle. An all European draft beer selection, well thought out craft bottled beer, Italian inspired handcrafted cocktail & martini list sets Lago apart from all the rest! Lago’s philosophy is simple… The freshest ingredients, made from scratch menu items, using simple recipes to bring authentic Italian favors to the table. All inside a warm and inviting atmosphere where good food and good friends coexist in blissful harmony.

3. DANTE

4.7

Exceptional(2979)

$$$$

• Italian • Tremont

Booked 18 times today

Enjoy Michelin-starred chef Dante Boccuzzi"s signature restaurant DANTE. Located in a historic bank building in Tremont, DANTE restaurant has become one of Cleveland's premier dining spots. The decor features designs and works of art from local artists. Guests may choose from an a la Carte Menu or a Chef's Tasting Menu. Experience the excitement of dining in the kitchen as Chef Dante prepares and serves you a multiple course tasting menu.

4. Il Venetian

4.8

Exceptional(480)

$$$$

• Italian • Downtown Cleveland

Booked 9 times today

Venetian Born Chef Alberto Leandri prepares flavors from home for Clevelanders at this upscale, modern Italian restaurant. The menu will feature handmade pastas, fresh fish and seafood, fine meats, and artisan pastries and gelato.

5. Johnny's Downtown

4.4

Awesome(517)

$$$$

• Italian • Cleveland West

Booked 8 times today

Johnny’s Downtown, opened in 1993, is similar to the original Johnny’s Bar on Fulton Road, featuring pasta, veal and fish. The setting, a refurbished 1860’s Warehouse District building, formerly a general store, is the drinking and dining spot of locals and business people alike. Joseph Fall, the executive chef, oversees the food operations and is responsible for our crafting our signature dishes and creating daily specials. There are several wines by the glass to choose from and the wine list has nabbed an Award of Excellence from the Wine Spectator. There is piano music in the bar featuring Mike Petrone Monday-Friday, and Cliff Habian on Saturday evenings.

6. Literary Tavern

4.8

Exceptional(192)

$$$$

• Italian • Tremont

Booked 11 times today

Come visit our newly updated location at 1031 Literary Road, in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. With a brand new kitchen, we are serving entrees, appetizers and sandwiches 6 days a week. We are open for lunch Monday through Friday and Happy Hour is from 3 - 6 pm.A favorite of area locals for many years, we are located in one of the oldest buildings in Tremont. We have worked hard to preserve the character of the historic location and offer an intimate atmosphere, inventive cocktails and a variety of wine and beers, chef made entrees and appetizers.

A photo of La Dolce Vita - Cleveland restaurant

7. La Dolce Vita - Cleveland

4.7

Exceptional(1354)

$$$$

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 45 times today

Welcome to La Dolce Vita Bistro - “The Sweet Life,” a restaurant and bistro created to recapture the bell-époque charm of “The Italian Drug,” opened here by Dr. Anthony Caruso in 1914. In the tradition of the great European bistros, La Dolce Vita is devoted to providing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for everything from eight course dinners to coffee and Calvino. We strive to prepare the perfect meal, or the perfect cappuccino, and let you enjoy it at your leisure. Our pasta is cooked fresh to order, our sauces and dressing are painstakingly prepared using only the finest ingredients: extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, the freshest vegetables, imported whole tomatoes, fresh basil and Italian parsley... and your table is reserved for the evening.

8. The Palazzo

4.7

Exceptional(425)

$$$$

• Italian • Cleveland West

Booked 5 times today

At age the of 20, Chef Rafael moved with his wife to Cleveland, Ohio. His goal was to continue his Italian culinary skills which he acquired in the region of Verona, Italy.Chef Rafael was introduced to the restaurant industry at a very young age. His grandmother was very well known for her home-cooked dishes. She loved having her grandson with her as she cooked meals as soon as he was able to walk. He was six years old when he first learned how to make homemade pasta and, by age 14, he was ready to embark on his own culinary journey. His first stop was Verona, Italy,which was the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The romantic and rich architectural heritage of Verona was matched by the great culinary venues of that city and Chef Rafael's experience and skills grew exponentially. Three years later, Chef Rafael traveled to Belgium and France where he then experienced cooking French cuisine as well.

9. Johnny's Bar

4.8

Exceptional(720)

$$$$

• Italian • Cleveland West

Booked 3 times today

The original Johnny's serving fine Northern Italian Cusine. Opening in the 1920’s as Louise’s Garden, a restaurant that would flourish into the most reputable dining establishment in Cleveland. Renamed Johnny’s Bar in 1952, this neighborhood eatery located on Fulton Road serves authentic Italian food in an inviting atmosphere with private dining and patio dining available weather permitting.

A photo of Valerio's Ristorante restaurant

10. Valerio's Ristorante

4.9

Exceptional(719)

$$$$

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 6 times today

Delicious Italian cuisine, prepared fresh daily. Outstanding service and food, all at a reasonable price. Come and see what everyone is talking about!

Best Italian Restaurants in Downtown Cleveland / Playhouse Square

Price

18 restaurants available nearby

1. Luca Italian Cuisine Cleveland

2. Lago East Bank

3. DANTE

4. Il Venetian

5. Johnny's Downtown

6. Literary Tavern

7. La Dolce Vita - Cleveland

8. The Palazzo

9. Johnny's Bar

10. Valerio's Ristorante

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