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La Dolce Vita - Cleveland

4.6
4.6
1103 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
Top Tags:

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
May 2022
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7:00 PM
Booked 16 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Italian, Mediterranean

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–8:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (216) 721-8155

  • Website

    http://www.ladolcevitacle.com/

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Terry Tarantino

  • Private party facilities

    Family parties have with up to 100 people capacity offering Chef's Sampler at $36/person or Chef's Feast at $50/person dining.

  • Private party contact

    Jamaa Ajabli: (216) 721-8155

  • Location

    12112 Mayfield Rd Cleveland, OH 44106

  • 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

Featured in

Popular dishes

Menu

Starters

  • Molto Meatballs$14.00

    Veal blended with angus beef, pecorino and eggs, topped with fresh ricotta

    • Hungarian Hots$14.00

      Banana peppers stuffed with Italian pork sausage, risotto and pecorino

      • The Eggplant Parm$12.00

        An original family recipe, topped with ricotta

        • Unfried Calamari$15.00

          Wild caught, sautéed with zucchini in a tomato white wine broth and served with toasted pita

          • Sweet Life Trio$18.00

            Sample our house favorites: one meatball, one Hungarian hot and eggplant parm

            Salads

            • Leafy Greens$8.00

              Mixed greens, shaved carrots & sheep's milk feta

              • Vine Ripe Caprese$12.00

                Local tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, kalamata olives & basil oil

                • Terry T's Tomato Salad$14.00

                  House favorite with local tomatoes, shaved carrots, sliced red onion and sheep's feta in basil oil

                  • The Roman Chariot$14.00

                    Imported italian artichoke, arugula, olives and seasonal cheese

                    Soups

                    • Wedding Soup di Avellino$6.00

                      chicken broth, meatballs, escarole and egg drop

                      • Tuscan Lentil Soup$6.00

                        Carrots, seasonal vegetables and brown lentils

                        Flatbreads

                        • Greco$9.00

                          Fresh spinach, artichokes, sheeps milk feta and mozzarella

                          • Venizia$10.00

                            Fresh spinach, chicken sausage, roasted red peppers and fontina

                            • Quatro Formaggi$10.00

                              Spinach or tomato (choose one) tomato sauce, sheeps milk feta, fontinella, parmesan and mozzarella

                              • Americana$10.00

                                Tomato sauce, pepperoni, mushroom and mozzarella

                                • Mediterraneo$11.00

                                  Tomato sauce, eggplant, zucchini, roasted red peppers and mozzarella

                                  Pasta

                                  Sauces: House marinara, pesto, abruzze, fellini (gorgonzola cream). Add Ons: Gluten free pasta $2, chicken $8, shrimp $12

                                  • Marinara$15.00

                                    Premium, hand-crusted plum tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil

                                    • Abruzze$18.00

                                      Grounded veal blended with angus beef in a Southern Italian soffritto with hand-crusted plum tomatoes

                                      • Pesto Omar$17.00

                                        Basil, parmesan, garlic and cream...an errorless dish

                                        • Fettuccine Fellini$17.00

                                          Gorgonzola & tomato cream sauce, director's cut fresh pasta

                                          • Cacio e Pepe$16.00

                                            Bowtie pasta tossed with pecorino romano cheese and fresh-cracked black pepper

                                            • Rasta Pasta$16.00

                                              Pasta with a medley of fresh, seasonal vegetables. Yes, all vegan!

                                              • Seafood di Mare$30.00

                                                Calamari, shrimp and mussels (when available) sautéed in a fresh basil and garlic tomato sauce served over fresh linguini

                                                • Gnocci Dolce Vita$18.00

                                                  Potato gnocci, choice of sauce

                                                  • Ravioli di Summer$18.00

                                                    Four-cheese filling, choice of sauce

                                                    Entrees

                                                    • Chicken Parmesan$22.00

                                                      Lightly breaded and oven-baked, topped with fresh mozzarella and served with marinara pasta

                                                      • Chicken Marsala$23.00

                                                        Chicken breast, portabella mushrooms sautéed in marsala wine, served over risotto

                                                        • Butternut Squash Risotto

                                                          Roasted butternut squash and zucchini

                                                          • Mushroom$28.00
                                                          • Chicken$28.00
                                                          • Shrimp$30.00

                                                        • Fish of the Day

                                                          Served with risotto

                                                          • MP

                                                        Last updated: February 2, 2022

                                                        What 1,103 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
                                                        • 4.7Food
                                                        • 4.7Service
                                                        • 4.5Ambience
                                                        • 4.5Value

                                                        Noise • Moderate

                                                        Loved For

                                                        • Cleveland / Akron / Canton

                                                          Neighborhood Gem

                                                        • Cleveland

                                                          Healthy

                                                        • Cleveland

                                                          Neighborhood Gem

                                                        • Cleveland

                                                          Italian

                                                        Sort by

                                                        Filters

                                                        1. BC

                                                          BetzC

                                                          Chicago

                                                          8 reviews

                                                          5.0

                                                          8 reviews

                                                          Dined today

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          Graduation from college dinner with roommates families! Best server. Owner was incredible. Loved our square table. Night was perfect

                                                        2. GO

                                                          GORDONC

                                                          Seattle

                                                          95 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          5.0

                                                          95 reviews

                                                          Dined today

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience4

                                                          The flatbreads and chicken marsala were perfect. Service was great. Good wine and beer selection

                                                        3. H

                                                          Hooman

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined 1 day ago

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          The best Italian food in Cleveland Also The staff is very friendly and responsive and the owner treats you as a family member (true Italian style hospitality)

                                                        4. OT

                                                          OpenTable Diner

                                                          New York Area

                                                          11 reviews

                                                          4.0

                                                          11 reviews

                                                          Dined 6 days ago

                                                          overall4food5service4ambience4

                                                          Food was excellent for all 4 meals we ordered. Unfortunately they were short staffed and we waited 1 hour to eat. I don’t think this is the norm and I would go back for their very delicious food. Our waiter and the manager were gracious and apologetic.

                                                        5. OT

                                                          OpenTable Diner

                                                          Los Angeles

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined 6 days ago

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          Delicious food! Our server Sammy was excellent. Highly recommended!

                                                        6. CL

                                                          CLEDiner

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          95 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          5.0

                                                          95 reviews

                                                          Dined 7 days ago

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience4

                                                          Great dining experience outside on patio with friends. The service was attentive and friendly. The food choices of our group were all met with positive comments. We had a very relaxing and enjoyable time the entire evening.

                                                        7. A

                                                          Alyss

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          3.0

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          Dined 7 days ago

                                                          overall3food3service3ambience4

                                                          It was a busy night due to local graduations. The service was okay. The food was mediocre. I thought my cacio e pepe was going to be more creamy, but the sauce was soupy and average. It was nice that they gave us a complimentary fruit dessert .

                                                        8. PB

                                                          PeterB

                                                          Detroit

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined 7 days ago

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          Always great never the food and service are always so friendly. Never disappoints.

                                                        9. NS

                                                          NanSeas

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          5.0

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          Dined on May 13, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          Food was excellent prices were very reasonable. Highly recommend

                                                        10. TC

                                                          TonyC

                                                          New York Area

                                                          3 reviews

                                                          5.0

                                                          3 reviews

                                                          Dined on May 8, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          Great food, great service. Visiting from NY, would go back again

                                                        11. E

                                                          Eric

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on May 8, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience4

                                                          Great service and excellent, if relatively expensive food. Still, the food is worth the cost given the quality and flavor

                                                        12. OT

                                                          OpenTable Diner

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on May 8, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          This is an awesome old world Italian dining experience. Love the food and service and atmosphere! Awesome Mother’s Day lunch with family. Love this for special and everyday dining if you want to be treated special and enjoy a fabulous meal. Lovely patio as well

                                                        13. OT

                                                          OpenTable Diner

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          3.0

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          Dined on May 7, 2022

                                                          overall3food3service5ambience1

                                                          We got sat on a folding table stuck in the corner. Despite having a reservation. The food and service were good.

                                                        14. G

                                                          Graceland59

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          5 reviews

                                                          5.0

                                                          5 reviews

                                                          Dined on May 3, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          Absolutely wonderful! Our server was so helpful - knew the menu well and recommended entrees that were absolutely delicious! Will come here again.

                                                        15. MS

                                                          MaximS

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on May 1, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          Celebrate my birthday here! Nice place ! Authentic atmosphere

                                                        16. MI

                                                          MITIMAN

                                                          Naples

                                                          76 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          5.0

                                                          76 reviews

                                                          Dined on April 30, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience4

                                                          We've dined here many times over the past several years and each time has been a delight. Food is authentic, delicious, and served in generous quantities. All our dishes, including scallops, veal, and beef were fresh and perfectly prepared. Service was great, as usual. You won't go wrong dining at La Dolce Vita. Trust us!

                                                        17. G

                                                          Gator

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on April 30, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience4

                                                          There were 5 in our party. The tables were a little too close for our comfort, but the food and service more than made up for it. Our waitress was very attentive. She was unflappable even when having to tell us that they didn't have the ability to take credit cards that night. She gave us three options. We will definitely return.

                                                        18. OT

                                                          OpenTable Diner

                                                          Atlanta

                                                          14 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          5.0

                                                          14 reviews

                                                          Dined on April 30, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          I took my international friend to dinner who as visiting from Germany

                                                        19. NL

                                                          NatalieL

                                                          San Francisco

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on April 29, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          Excellent place with great white wine selection - I mean their Chardonnay was stellar. Recommend their eggplant park, seafood linguini dish and honestly can’t go wrong with anything else on the menu! Owner is super friendly and attentive!

                                                        20. B

                                                          Bella

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          20 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          5.0

                                                          20 reviews

                                                          Dined on April 28, 2022

                                                          overall5food4service4ambience4

                                                          We love La Dolce Vita; been going there well over 20 years! Thank goodness it has survived the madness! So grateful to be able to go and enjoy and delicious meal with wonderful friends.

                                                        21. RH

                                                          RebeccaH

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          1 review

                                                          3.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on April 24, 2022

                                                          overall3food4service2ambience3

                                                          La Dolce Vita is always a fun place for a meal. Service was very slow for our dinner yesterday. Our server seemed overwhelmed, forgot drinks and forgot we were celebrating a Birthday.

                                                        22. OT

                                                          OpenTable Diner

                                                          Chicago

                                                          7 reviews

                                                          5.0

                                                          7 reviews

                                                          Dined on April 24, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          We were at the Cleveland Clinic for a conference and discovered Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood was nearby. La Dolce Vita was phenomenal! Our server, Laura, was friendly, helpful and attentive. The owner came to our table twice to offer samples of signature pasta dishes which were all delicious. Our meals were the best Italian dishes I think we’ve ever had! Beats Chicago’s Little Italy hands down. Will definitely return next time we’re in Cleveland!

                                                        23. V

                                                          Visitor

                                                          Pittsburgh

                                                          16 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          4.0

                                                          16 reviews

                                                          Dined on April 22, 2022

                                                          overall4food5service4ambience3

                                                          food was excellent, service was too.....would defiantly go there again!!!

                                                        24. OT

                                                          OpenTable Diner

                                                          Pittsburgh

                                                          5 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          5.0

                                                          5 reviews

                                                          Dined on April 21, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          Great food and excellent service. Cozy and relaxed vibe

                                                        25. A

                                                          Alex

                                                          New Mexico

                                                          93 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          3.0

                                                          93 reviews

                                                          Dined on April 19, 2022

                                                          overall3food4service4ambience2

                                                          Old school cooking and very casual

                                                        26. LD

                                                          LisaD

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on April 17, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience4

                                                          We went for Easter dinner. Everything was fresh and service was impeccable.

                                                        27. OT

                                                          OpenTable Diner

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on April 17, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          Great service and food. Matt was very accommodating to my Mother, who suffers from Dementia.

                                                        28. OT

                                                          OpenTable Diner

                                                          New York Area

                                                          8 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          4.0

                                                          8 reviews

                                                          Dined on April 6, 2022

                                                          overall4food5service5ambience2

                                                          The service was excellent. Great wine list. We loved our appetizers of meatballs, hot peppers and cheese and olive plate. The bread is fantastic. Main entrees were good. Seafood dinner and Gorgonzola fettuccini both were good. My first time there. The rest of my dinner party had been before and loved it.

                                                        29. OT

                                                          OpenTable Diner

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on April 2, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          Great people

                                                        30. S

                                                          Susan

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          3 reviews

                                                          5.0

                                                          3 reviews

                                                          Dined on April 1, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          We have been dining at La Dolce Vita for many years now and have never been disappointed. The food and the service are great! More comfortable chairs would be fantastic!

                                                        31. M

                                                          Mary

                                                          1 review

                                                          4.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on March 31, 2022

                                                          overall4food5service5ambience4

                                                          Very nice place. The food was excellent and the service was great.

                                                        32. OT

                                                          OpenTable Diner

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on March 26, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          The food was amazing! This is our 2nd time going for a friends birthday and they provided free dessert for the birthday girl. Service was great and the food is delivered fast and fresh.

                                                        33. E

                                                          Elza

                                                          Pittsburgh

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          3.0

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          Dined on March 24, 2022

                                                          overall3food3service3ambience2

                                                          My family and I enjoyed the food. The service was rushed. We received our main entree before we finished our soup. The restroom could use a cleaning. Too many house plants which make the restaurant look unsanitary. I would not return unless they make changes to the ambience. Elza

                                                        34. T

                                                          Tuco

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          79 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          4.0

                                                          79 reviews

                                                          Dined on March 22, 2022

                                                          overall4food4service4ambience4

                                                          Our food was very good, in particular the mushroom risotto, although the short rib with it was a little too fatty. Matt did a good job as our server. The wine list is too pricey, however.

                                                        35. KW

                                                          KateW

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on March 20, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          The food is always good. The service was great. We went before the dinner rush.

                                                        36. RT

                                                          RayT

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on March 19, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          The restaurant did not have a record of my reservation through Open Table. However, they were able to accommodate us with no delay. The only thing that could be better is chair comfort. There are a variety of chairs and some of them are less comfortable than others. This won't keep me from going back as the service and the food are outstanding!

                                                        37. K

                                                          Kris

                                                          Pittsburgh

                                                          19 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          5.0

                                                          19 reviews

                                                          Dined on March 19, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          A MUST visit in Little Italy. The place has so much charm! The food is outstanding and the service is great. Terry, the owner, will treat you like family. We loved his bites of pasta he passed around the table like it was Grandma's house!

                                                        38. A

                                                          Anonymous

                                                          1 review

                                                          2.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on March 17, 2022

                                                          overall2food3service3ambience3

                                                          The food was a little pricey and there was a hair in my husband's veal parmesan. The server took it off the bill, but we felt like we could get similar food at other less expensive restaurants in Little Italy

                                                        39. TE

                                                          ToniE

                                                          Cleveland

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          5.0

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          Dined on March 17, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          I been to La Dolce Vita many times and I have never been disappointed! The food is always fantastic! Highly recommend!

                                                        40. K

                                                          Kimba12

                                                          Houston

                                                          10 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          5.0

                                                          10 reviews

                                                          Dined on March 13, 2022

                                                          overall5food5service5ambience5

                                                          The staff was extremely friendly and the food came out fresh and piping hot.

                                                        FAQs

                                                        La Dolce Vita - Cleveland is rated 4.6 stars by 1103 OpenTable diners.

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

                                                        Make a reservation

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                                                        7:00 PM
                                                        Booked 16 times today
                                                        Google Map for La Dolce Vita - Cleveland

                                                        12112 Mayfield Rd Cleveland, OH 44106

                                                        Additional information

                                                        • Neighborhood

                                                          Little Italy

                                                        • Hours of operation

                                                          Lunch Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 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

                                                        • Website

                                                          http://www.ladolcevitacle.com/

                                                        • Phone number

                                                          (216) 721-8155

                                                        • Private party facilities

                                                          Family parties have with up to 100 people capacity offering Chef's Sampler at $36/person or Chef's Feast at $50/person dining.

                                                        • Private party contact

                                                          Jamaa Ajabli: (216) 721-8155

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