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La Dolce Vita - Cleveland, Cleveland, OH

La Dolce Vita - Cleveland

4.6
4.6
1442 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
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.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 24 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (216) 721-8155
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Terry Tarantino
  • Private party contact
    Jamaa Ajabli: (216) 721-8155
  • Neighborhood
    Little Italy
  • Parking details
    Valet parking available on Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Street Parking also available.
  • Public transit
    RTA bus stop in front of restaurant.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,442 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

1,442 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Cleveland

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall1food1service1ambience3
    I can’t say how good the food was because we were there for an hour and a half and didn’t get our food. We had to leave for a concert and took the food to go . I paid the full price since I didn’t want the server to have to pay for it . It ruined the evening . I will never go back again. What a disappointment. Restaurant was not really apologetic even though everyone else was served. Took over 50 Minutes to get a simple appetizer .

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  2. JenniferS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Enjoyed our birthday celebration here. Everything was great!

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  3. MelisaM

    Cincinnati

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best restaurant in Little Italy! Samantha from Buffalo NY was awesome server! Love this place. Our food was AMAZING!!

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  4. IanF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service and food were beyond compare! The owner and host, Terry, is fantastic!

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  5. AcadiaP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great as always!

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  6. Cyrus

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Highly recommend this Little Italy gem. Service is warm, attentive and the food is always delicious. The chef is known to stroll through the dining room on occasion and share an unexpected treat with customers, adding to the restaurant's already inviting ambience!

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  7. JaneF

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a gem! I had the braised short ribs and it was the best meal I’ve had in some time plus the service was impecable. Definitely a place to check out.

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  8. Michael

    Cleveland

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We asked for a table in the shade outside. Hostesses were very accommodating at getting us one, even though I made a request on the reservation and we had to wait a few minutes. Ava, our server, was very attentive and polite. We ordered our favorite appetizers, the eggplant parmesan and the molto meatballs, with a bottle of Malbec. We always have good food and a fun time here.

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our experience at La Dolce Vita was absolutely phenomenal. From the overall ambience, to the owner generously serving a scoop of pasta (at no charge) to each customer, to excellent and responsive service, La Dolce Vita is a 10/10! The restaurant itself had that warm family feel, where many individuals and families clearly have come around long enough to get to know the owner and staff. The food really hit it out of the park and the portions will last us another meal or two!

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  10. LaurenT

    Cleveland

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing experience and great food!!! They went above and beyond to make my grandmas 93rd birthday special. Thank you!!

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  11. StevenG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My family and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at La Dolce Vita......great food, generous hospitality and a unique atmosphere. Simply one of the best restaurants that Cleveland's Little Italy has to offer.

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  12. ELizN

    Cleveland

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was a truly beautiful night eating a wonderful delicious six course dinner. The music and singers were outstanding. The service was perfect. Everyone at our table had a wonderful time. This was the best night out of the summer.

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  13. Skippy

    Cleveland

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    The food was good. The service was great. The Valet parking was confusing.

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  14. OpenTable Diner

    Naples

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    We had a reservation they seated us 20 mins late then we waitef 15 for a waiter to come to the table then we waited 15 mins after we ordered drinks and we finally walked out and went to another restaurant

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  15. RobertandJean

    Cleveland

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent meals as is always the case. We had angel hair with meatballs and chicken marsala. Delicious!!!

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  16. McNear

    Cleveland

    8 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    Food was great as always. The staff was terrific, but getting food out of the kitchen was slow. A busy Sunday night.

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Waited over 90 mins for food. Bar and food service was terrible. No tables had food. Staff drinking. Will not go back

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience2
    Seated late and directly under speakers playing disruptively loud opera music. Didn’t receive our entrees for almost two hours.

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience3
    I appreciated that they didn’t mind us showing up with one less than the reservation. They seated us early and were very understanding when we asked to change tables because the initial area was too loud They were very accommodating And the food was good

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  20. CindyJ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, great food, I would highly recommend this place.

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  21. KimW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a great experience! Food was fresh and lots of flavor!

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  22. AmyD

    Cleveland

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We loved 🥰 and appreciated meeting Terry the owner! Food fantastic, service (Samantha) great! They also spoiled our Max who turned 17 / a great celebration 🎉

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  23. Katherined

    Cleveland

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall2food4service1ambience4
    We waited 2 hours for our dinner. The food was excellent but the service was not great.

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  24. ZackN

    Cleveland

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall1food2service2ambience1
    Busy nights set up this place to fail and I wouldn’t recommend booking Friday / Saturday evening meals. I’d book a reservation at other smaller restaurants during this time instead. We had a 7 pm 5 people reservation for Friday, and didn’t get seated until 7:45 unless we wanted the table directly next to the host stand. We were seated, and then immediately ordered food / drinks. Food didn’t arrive until 9:00 pm with appetizers coming out along with main courses and half the dishes cold. Our server was very apologetic and gave us a free dessert which was appreciated and he informed us that the kitchen only has about 8 people and when full, there’s 100+ tables inside and outside. We could imagine the delay and also hear his frustration. We’ve ate here during the week and have had a great time when it’s slower.

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  25. PamelaK

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I love this restaurant! It’s one of my favorites in Cleveland. Everything on the menu is great! Ambiance and staff are fabulous. I can’t say enough good things about it.

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  26. Taprooter

    Houston

    28 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    The owner is very sociable and makes all feel at home.

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  27. mary

    Cleveland

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    this is our third time going to La Dolce Vitae in 6 months and the food is always excellent

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  28. MikeRo

    Louisville

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Natalie (our server) was fantastic! She was attentive, offered valuable suggestions (such as “you may want to consider sharing a salad because they are large”), and did it all with a smile! She made the evening so much better with her smile and helpfulness.

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  29. RozB

    Philadelphia

    51 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    51 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Just a fabulous experience from start to finish our waiter was fantastic. I asked him to do me a favor  with food portion size and he gladly accommodated me. The tomato salad is to die, for you must absolutely get it.  And the pasta de Pepe is a must try also.

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  30. LaLa

    Naples

    38 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience2
    The food is always good, but the turnover following an Opera afternoon at the restaurant that ended at 4.30pm seemed too tight for the team to handle to be adequately prepared for the next group of customers. By the time we arrived for 5.15pm reservations, many tables still had not been cleared, and the bathrooms were downright filthy. Our waiter did his best, but we waited a long time for our bottle of wine to arrive, and the requested bread we wanted to enjoy with our appetizers did not turn up until our main courses were served, forcing us to leave behind some wonderful juices begging to be sopped up. I doubt they control it directly, but it is worth noting that the $15 valet charge (excluding tip) is by far the priciest I've seen anywhere in Cleveland, especially when you are a dining customer. Overall, we enjoyed our meal, but it was not the experience I had wanted to show my guests from London for reasons noted.

    1 person found this helpful

  31. DavidT

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    I attended the live Opera performance with lunch service (vegetarian option). The performance was outside on the patio. Extra tables were in place beyond the gated patio. Every table was full. This was a 5-6 coarse lunch served during the lunch. The food was excellent and arrived to the table at a good temperature. The performance started after a coarse was delivered to minimize activity during the performance. The timing of food delivered to the table and the performance was perfect. The vegetarian option main coarse took longer than expected but did not disappoint once it arrived. It was a flavored rice with a variety of large fresh vegetables. Beyond the perfect lunch was a spectacular live opera performance. The 3 singers offered 3 tones which added nice character to each song. An intro to each song set the stage to understand what would be happening on stage in a opera theatre.

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  32. DavidB1992

    Columbus

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Attended the Sunday opera and prefixe price meal. The opera singers were great. Food was very good. Service was great. Sat outside in the heat and was a bit uncomfortable. Not sure what the restaurant would’ve done if it had rain, as the inside seating was mostly occupied.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I love this restaurant. Always a very friendly atmosphere.

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  34. DeirdreS

    Cleveland

    28 reviews

    4.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    The food was excellent. Service was extremely slow. We sat for almost 25 minutes with no server. When we finally asked about a server, there seemed to be confusion about which server was assigned to our table. Overall dinner took 2.5 hours. Also, it was extremely warm in the restaurant. It appeared as though there was no a/c. Probably a place to go in cooler weather. Overall, we would go again just based on the food.

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  35. DominiqueR

    Columbus

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    They were able to accommodate our party of 9 so wonderfully! The patio was lovely and our food was amazing- definitely recommend!

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  36. MicheleL

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience1
    I ordered Cacio e Pepe - it was excellent my husband ordered di mere seafood dish- his pasta was not el dente but still a good dish. The staff was friendly and attentive. The interior was not Tuscan, it was very bland and dark inside. The lighting was non existent and the masks and a large art print on the giant walls just did not seem to work. Next time we will sit outside :)

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  37. KarinC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was fantastic. The staff was curious and attentive. We got right in without a wait and were able to sit and enjoy the outside . We can't wait to go back!

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  38. DebbieN

    Cleveland

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 31, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Opera singers were terrific All was good with the exception of NO valet parking - took forever to find a spot

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  39. JustaRegularGuy

    Cleveland

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on July 31, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    We attended our 6th "Opera Night". It was our first time experiencing it outside. Either way the opera is highly enjoyable. The 7 course meal is very good with a little of everything.

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  40. JasonH

    Cleveland

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on July 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food, which was excellent, is only part of the experience. From the surprise pasta sampling mid meal, to the free fruit at the end of the meal, the staff goes out of their way to make you feel like you’re at home.

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FAQs

La Dolce Vita - Cleveland is rated 4.6 stars by 1442 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 24 times today
Google Map for La Dolce Vita - Cleveland

12112 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Little Italy
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Valet parking available on Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Street Parking also available.
  • Public transit
    RTA bus stop in front of restaurant.
  • Executive chef
    Terry Tarantino
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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