50 Best Italian Restaurants near University Heights

“One of the better Pizza places in Cleveland. Great parking with Handicap access. They also have Fish selections for lent. I am definitely going back for anyone pie soon!Vegetarian options: There were vegetarian selections. Especially with the pizzas.Parking: Lots of parking in the back, and wheelchair win the front.Kid-friendliness: I saw several families with children. I didn’tPay attention as to a child’s selection on the menu, but what kid doesn’t love pizza?Wheelchair accessibility: Wheel chair access available.“

“Look, I'd give this place 5 stars but I dont like to overhype a spot. I will say this though: Geraci's has been in University Heights since 1956, and it's no question why. Geraci's offers a full menu of Italian based cuisine but for me, it's largely about the pizza. The occasional eggplant parm add-on, or the frequent house salad are ordered, but the pizza is our go-to. Personally, we go for the deluxe, and the Red Sicilian (no cheese except grated Romano). On the red, its a perfect bread and red sauce bite. On the deluxe, all veggies are fresh (particularly the mushrooms, uncanned), and the meats are unique. Nowhere in Cleveland have I tasted a sausage like on a Geraci's pizza. I have wondered if it is made in house, but note it does have fennel seed (which I love, and almost require) and is crumbled finely. The pepperoni is likewise unique. I have no idea where they source it, but it is nicely spicey, and hand-sliced. It's a hallmark thing for a Geraci's pie. Hand-sliced, slightly irregular pieces of pepperoni, which at times feel like "the steak of Italian charcuterie" (my own words). Bottom line: try a pepperoni and/or a pie of your choice, pair it with an Italian red wine like a Montepulciano or a glass-bottle Coke, and go from there.“

“Absolutely loved Easter dinner. The atmosphere was delightful, the service impeccable, and the food was simply divine. From the beautifully decorated tables to the mouthwatering array of dishes, every detail was perfect. Can’t wait to go back.“

“I'm running out of wonderful things to say about Valerio's. It is our favorite Italian restaurant for good reason...the food is delicious, the staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient (especially Salvatore), and the service is excellent. It's the kind of place where you feel as if you are family!“

“I was traveling through the area and am very fortunate to have found this jewel! The atmosphere was welcoming and the food was absolutely fantastic!! I started with fried pickles, which were crunchy and simply delightful. Our entrees were incredible. It was obvious that the food was prepared fresh from high quality ingredients, and I want to come back again and again!!!!!“

“Our leadership team went here for happy hour, and it was wonderful. The variety of appetizers worked for all of us. Unique specialty drinks are available but didnt appeal to the 4 of us. We were there for 3 hours and never felt rushed. Will definitely be back!Parking: Directly behind the building.“

“Visited La Dolce Vita with and on the recommendation of a friend from Cleveland area. Wonderful place! Far from looking run-down the somewhat worn appearance works well, evoking an old-world warm and welcoming location. Stamped tin ceiling panels. The food was excellent, well presented, with generous portions and delivered by a very attentive wait staff. There were no long waits between ordering and the appearance of the plates at our table. The owner even stopped by afterwards, making the rounds, asking if everything was satisfactory. If you're in Cleveland for any reason please stop by La Dolce Vita! You will love it!“

“A hidden gem! I have lived in the area for about 6 years and have just now sat down for a meal at Mama Catena Vino é Cucina! What a shame that is because this family owned restaurant is absolutely amazing in every way. The interior is very nice and cozy. The staff are very accommodating and pleasant, providing you with a great experience from beginning to end! We got lucky and came in on a Thursday where they host a man who plays an accordion. I truthfully felt like I was in Italy! This restaurant is definitely a go-to! Could not recommend enough if you want a nice Italian dinner! Go support the locals!“

“This is a gem of a restaurant on Murray Hill. Barely 10 tables inside, you need to make a reservation if you want one of them. We decided to go same-day but were fortunate to book 2 seats at the bar. Two of us split an app, pasta, and main, which was enough food to feel full but not stuffed. Prices were reasonable and portions were moderate. The gnocchi was savory and the grilled fish was tasty. We split a reasonable priced bottle of white wine. The place was bustling on a Saturday night without being overwhelmingly loud. We'll be back!“

“Had a party of 12 and they were able to serve us reasonably quickly. We had the calamari which was pretty good and crispy. I had the bolognese which was okay tasted a bit bland compared to the other dishes. The chicken Marsala was also okay, the sauce tasted a bit too sweet instead of having a more savory flavor. The gnocchi with shrimp was probably the best dish as well as the mussels, clams, and lobster ravioli. Eggplant Parmesan also looked great and was well liked by the crowd. Overall the whole group enjoyed the food and had a fantastic time at the restaurant. Also the parking is free and is “valet” but we ended up parking the car ourselves, finding parking in the little Italy is impossible so this made life easy.“

“Beautiful Italian Market with tons of delectable authentic Italian foods. A deli, bakery, grocery store, and a pleasant eating area all in one place. The canoli are just like the ones I had as a child. We discovered Alesci's and will definitely be going back.“

“Went there for my daughter's birthday. Enjoyed a great evening. Her food came out a bit late and though we were enjoying our time, they went out of their way to make it better - they bought a round of drinks, took her dinner off the tab and gave her a "Borgata" snow cap. In addition they had the whole place sing "Happy Birthday". Couldn't have had a better time or a better group of people running the place. Can't wait to go back.“

“We've wanted to try this place for years, but live on the East side, so haven't made it here until now. It did not disappoint! Our waitress was amazing and we loved that she was honest w her feedback about the menu. I started w the Delmonico salad and it was the best combo of dressing and Parmesan cheese that was sprinkled in. I ordered the 8 oz filet with black and blue cheese topping. She was upfront that it could be salty, and it def was but that's how I like it. Husband ordered the Delmonico ribeye with extra onions and he said it melted in his mouth. We can't wait to make it out that way to go again!“

“The food was phenomenal. Get the sautéed calamari appetizer. There is SO much calamari for such a great price. Our server Yassine was amazing as well. Super friendly and knowledgeable about everything. Will come again if we have the chance!“

“One of the best kept secrets on Chagrin Boulevard and a short distance from the busy area where all the restaurants are located. The place is nicely laid out and decorated, with a bar, two dining rooms, a fireplace, and big tables that can accommodate large parties with ease. Plenty of choices on the menu, all Italian (obviously), with excellent service and relatively high prices.Vegetarian options: Veggie Pizza, Salads, and Pasta Dishes with No Meat.Parking: Big parking lot by the building where the restaurant is located.“

“What a fabulous dinner! From start to finish, everything was incredible. The food was so rich and flavorful. Our server was a delight. The only things that weren't great were the people dining next to us who were a little obnoxious and their cellphones kept dinging. I could also do with the light levels being dimmed a little. But seriously, the food was top notch. Next time I go back I'll sit in the moody bar area. The prices are reasonable and I left with boxes of leftovers for the next day. As far as Little Italy goes, this just jumped to the top of the list.“

“When my husband passed away. Me and my kids were looking for a place after the funeral service. The funeral home recommended Vittorios. We made plans with them picked a menu. It was excellent! The food was excellent! The service was excellent! The amisphere was so comfortable. The food taste like the way my grandmother used to make. The staff made everyone feel comfortable and were very attentive to everyone's needs. Thank you Vittorios! May God bless you!“

“Visited here twice the week of 25 March 2024. Maxi's was fantastic; hence the second visit only three days apart. The first trip, I had the Linguine & Meatballs and family had pizza. The sauce is just to my liking - on the sweet side with a bit of kick. The second trip, we had Chicken Parmesan, Penne and meatballs, and Bolognese w/Pappardelle. Bruschetta for appetizer and cannoli's, peach sorbet, and Limoncello creme for dessert. Absolutely fantastic for out non-gourmet, simple taste buds. Pick the patio seating if given the option - was the only option for our second trip (highly suggest reservations); I was hesitant because it was 40 degrees and windy outside, but the patio is enclosed with heaters and was great. We will definitely make this our regular Italian joint on our visits!!“

“In my opinion, the best sandwich in Ohio. The hot stuffed banana pepper sub is out of this world - freshly baked bread, homemade sausage and sauce with melted cheese. All prepared and baked in the pizza oven to order. The chicken salad and pizzas are also stunning. We drive almost an hour round trip to get their food and every mile is well worth it.“

“Exceptional dining experience in Gates Mills. Chef Richie’s rack of lamb and my husband’s pork chop were delicious. They accommodated my wheat allergy with care. Ample gluten free options on the menu. The potato skin appetizer was delightful, and the dessert special was decadently divine. From the warm reservation call with the owner to Claudia’s impeccable service, this restaurant stands out as one of the best in Cleveland and beyond. Can’t wait to return!“

“Old school This is a great old-school Italian restaurant reminds me of my days in Hoboken. We were coming here when we had an office downtown. It was always great. Est. 1999. It's cash only. The old ways. Today I had the lasagna. It was great meat sauce nice portion. I think it was 14 bucks really really good. The salad that comes with and the house dressing as good as it gets. I think it has walnuts on it with cheese and olives. The free bread and dipping oil is also great. You can park right there in the lot on 185 Great Italian place thanks Scotty. 5 stars not a lot like this one around.“

“Italian food at its best! Long surviving family owned restaurant with generous portions of tasty well prepared offerings. Any chicken dish is superb…piccata, Marsala, parmigiana, genovese…ummm. Outstanding thin crusted gluten free pizza made spectacular with mozzarella cheese (mushroom & sausage added). Incredible steak salad. Wonderful Merlot house wine. Tasty bread rolls. Fabulous Italian wedding soup. Wonderful servers and staff. And earn reward points to apply to a future meal. And the take-out Family Packs are a fantastic price with an abundance of food. We love this place, truly love it!“

“I was at a weekend gettogether and got to eat food that was catered from Mario Fazio's. It was amazing! The lemon chicken, chicken parm, pizza, broccoli parm?, were soooooo good! like, soooo good! Their bread was good too. I hate it when I keep eating only because my mouth tells me too, but that is what happened here. It was soooooo good!“

“I will preface I came here bc I heard they have the best tiramisu in little Italy...and I totally agree! We got seated at the bar bc we didn't have a reservation. The ambience was beautiful (darker in the front, but a beautiful more lit, more open space in the back which I'm not sure is only for events or for regular dining). The tiramisu was WONDERFUL and actually represented tiramisu, I didn't think it needed the chocolate syrup and the fruits just added freshness; overall I loved the taste and we devoured it in a few quick bites, really having to stop ourselves from getting another. They recently increased the price of their dessert menu so it's $12 instead of $10- the rest of their menu was surprisingly affordable. We are definitely coming back for a date night :)“

“We love the friendly atmosphere of Pranzo. We highly recommend this restaurant it brings Italy to Willoughby with excellent wine selections to pair with your meal. If you are visiting Willoughby it's a must visit for a great Italian meal ?“

“This pizza was great if you love thin crispy crust fresh toppings in excess you're going to love this placeVegetarian options: Pizza pasta salads sandwichesParking: Large lot in front of the door gatedWheelchair accessibility: Door and seating“

“Mamma Santa’s was fine, but I’m not entirely sure why it’s considered a local institution compared to other spots in Little Italy. The food on the whole was good, especially the flavorful red sauce (though I wish it had less salt and more fresh basil), perfectly al dente spaghetti, and pungent marinaded olives. I would have been willing to overlook the (unusual) choice of unbreaded eggplant parmesan if the eggplant had been thoroughly cooked. The manicotti would have benefitted from a creamier ricotta filling, and the meatballs from more herbs and seasonings, but both were still above average. About all that can be said for the salad, however, was that it was green.All of the staff were friendly and helpful, which partially, but not completely, made up for the fact that the dining space had all the charm of your grandparents’ unfinished basement.“

“What an awesome little hide away! Family treated us to this place while we were in town and it didn’t disappoint. The whole experience is why you go to places like this. From the servers to the food to the preparation presentation just awesome! I had the halibut and woah. A wonderful blend of flavors. Mixed with their wedding soup(which was a first) and I thought it was delicious! Followed by the banana foster…you HAVE to get the banana foster. We will definitely make this a place to visit when we are in town. Thank you for the experience!“

“The best pizza in this area!! We tried many pizzas in different restaurants but my boyfriend and I agreed that Abo's pizza was the best. Their crust/dough was so good and had an excellent flavor. It was relatively thin but could hold the toppings. We had one of their specialty pizzas, Mediterranean, together with a Caesar salad. Large pizza was more than enough to share for two people. Service was good, prices were reasonable but we thought $10 for a piece of cheese cake was a bit steep. Anyways, we will go back there for sure.Update:We went back & ordered Calamari, Margarita Pizza (BEST) , Linguine with Calamari, & Gnocchi. Ordering a bottle of wine for three of us worked perfectly ?“

“We tried this place on a recommendation from a friend. We ordered two pizzas and one of their daily specials, linguine with lobster. I also tried their clam chowder, which was very good, and that's saying something coming from someone who originally came from New England. All three were excellent. We will definitely be working through their menu over the next year.“

“Maybe I am biased because I have been getting pizza here since a child ..... But I have lived in several states. And I can promise you there is no pizza that even comes close to what you will find here at Romito's Pizza West in Independence ...Unfortunately, this applies to every other Romitos pizza that you will find that is not Romitos Pizza West in Independence ...So please don't be fooled by the name on the sign because in this case it's all about the location ...It's all about the people ...It's all about the hometown atmosphere ...It's all about exceptional service ...Of course it's all about the food!“

“This parlor, was a nice little spot being in a very accessible area yet not in the thick of it. Food and everything was great and service was dope but being a pizza snob and being well versed in what quality ones pizza would fall under, I honestly had just one comment and/or complaint. With the quality bracket that your pie fell in, in my opinion based on my past experiences, unfortunately ya'll need to chop that price down. Knowing that the price is the absolute last thing your gonna wanna touch or adjust without facts, figures from more than just little ol me. Just saying, yall would have locked me in as a weekly regular for sure, gotta have my pizza why not from you. Well, your way too expensive so I didn't come back ever“

“The food here is amazing. A large variety of Italian American food including pizza, salads, and soups. It's a very cramped space so you are sitting close to others and the walkways are tight and the noise from the kitchen rails though the place. Despite any downfalls, it's worth it for the food, except for the Calamari was over cooked.“

“Flour has become a go-to place for us. It has a diverse menu that caters to many tastes. We like sitting at tables, but if they are really busy and we go without reservations, the bar is comfortable and the cocktails are good.They give service with a smile. Their regular menu is good and their specials are great also. Last time there I had some awesome Lasagna. The portion size allowed me to have it for lunch the next day. The sauce and pasta were a great match. The Caesar salad was enough for two and the bread with olive oil and spices kept us busy while waiting for our entrees. The lava cake finished the meal just right.Flour is vibrant and a good place to celebrate.Tables not to close together, and walkways wide enough if to get around easily. If you like valet service they have it. During warmer months they have outside seating.We think if you go once, you will go back. We have many time.“

“This was my first time dining here per my parent's recommendation. Overall, it was a good experience. The house Italian on the side salad was delicious! The oil for the bread had some kick but was very good and flavorful. I ordered the chicken parm (not featured in a photo) and thought it was quite tasty. I really liked the sauce which had a nice sweetness to it. Unfortunately, they were busy and possibly understaffed as it took about 15 minutes before we were asked to place a food order. The atmosphere is cute overall but a bit too plain. I was here on a Wednesday night where they run a generous special on their chicken parm.“

“Delicious authentic Italian food….wonderful, warm ambience. All the staff we encountered were so kind and helpful. Shannon and Anna gave the best service ever!! It is apparent everyone there works together as a team and it shows to the customer …made dining experience a great one!! No worries!! Entire restaurant an absolute “gem” of a place. Go and treat yourself! Someone highly recommended it to us and we’re glad we went. Loved the Lasagne and Caesar salad. So many desserts to choose from…Can't wait to return again. Mangia!…,Enjoy!“

“I have ordered from this place three times and the food has always been good, hot, freah. The Calzone was flavorful despite me getting it plain. The crust was prefect. I ordered the wedding soup and it was wonderful. I get the loaves of bread and they are fresh, fluffy and great. I don't know what other people order but what I have gotten has been a great meal. This in only a handful of places that serves the Sicilian white pizza they way relatives made it or the Sicilian with the red sauce. Usually places top it with Mozarella and Provolone and it is not the way it was made old school.“

“We showed up yesterday late morning with 14 hockey players and their families - they were incredibly fast with both taking our orders and bringing the food out. The food was amazing and the service was excellent!! We already know where we are going next time we are in the area!“

“My girlfriend and I decided to come here on a quaint Sunday night. It was early Spring but the weather seemed to have broke for the day. Fortunately the staff had opened the patio and were able to enjoy a quality, comfortable, meal outside of which was a very beautiful courtyard. I decided to have my go to, which is chicken parmigiana and pasta, the pasta sauce was wonderful and slim cut of chicken was nearly flawless. Perfectly breaded and prepared. My girlfriend decided to have the lasagna which was also a masterpiece with plenty of extra sauce for those who enjoy a quality recipe. We look forward to returning sometime soon.“

“Stopped in last night for dinner . Service was just as amazing as the food. Great vibe in the place ! The food tasted very fresh . Josh stopped by to check on us and make sure everything was perfect. He was great! Great experience all around. Definitely be back !“

“Great restaurant family owned and great atmosphere and service. Great place to spend your lunch time.Parking: Great wheelchair accessible and close to restaurant.Kid-friendliness: Great kids food on menu.Wheelchair accessibility: Handicap accessible and great parking“

“I highly recommend this restaurant! I have enjoyed every meal I’ve had there and consistently receive excellent service.It’s a great Italian choice for Sunday sauce. They have the best Lenten Fish Fry around. Clam bakes in the fall are delicious with generous portions. And holiday events like the Mother’s Day brunch are always fun ways to celebrate. Alfredo’s is a delicious, enjoyable choice for any occasion.Dietary restrictions: Gluten free pasta is available“

“their food is delicious.... I'll get on a Kick and I'll start eating it everyday for weeks and then I won't eat for a while then I'll start eating is again...ECT ECT ....Wheelchair accessibility: they have is it wider so handicap ppl can get in the restaurant too...“

“I've driven past Vero probably 20+ times, but never set foot inside the establishment due to the intimidating lines I would always see forming outside. It's been on my try list for the longest time since it's the favorite restaurant of some of my friend in Cleveland. In my last trip to the city, I finally decided to brave the line to try to get a seat. We were quoted a 40 minute wait time a bit before 6, but we were in luck as a table cleared up within 5 minutes. Margherita ($24) - The crust (or rather the cornicione) is seriously amazing. It has a bit of a char, is bubbly with a very nice rise, superb bouncy chew, and yet also a tenderness that collapses when you take a bite. There are blackened spots on the cornicione, but there is no bitterness. It's sprinkled with sea salt, giving an extra salty bite in some areas - be a bit careful, some of the salt is in larger crystals and if bitten the wrong way, they can hurt your teeth. The inner crust area soaks up the tomato sauce and becomes floppy, but is delicious. The tomato sauce is very fresh, acidic, and sweet. There's fresh basil to give an herbal note and the mozzarella adds a great dairy milkiness. The toppings are perfectly proportioned and each ingredient is fresh and high quality, allowing the pure flavors really shine and stand out. If you don't like eating crust, you should probably avoid eating at Vero - it will save you both time and money. I only mention this because we saw another party throwing out the cornicione. (5/5) Sausage and Rapini ($26) - Again, a fantastic crust. The sausage is a bit spicy but adds much needed meaty flavors. The rapini adds some bitterness and sweetness and is cooked perfectly. There's a good amount of cheese as well. Since there isn't really any sauce here, we drizzled some olive oil on top to add moisture. (5/5) The pizzas are not cut for you, instead they provide a pair of pizza shears so you can cut the pizza to your liking. You can get pepper flakes, oil, or hot honey brought over to add to the pizza. We went with the oil. The olive oil is quite fresh and has a bit of a peppery kick as well as vegetal notes. They also serve a spicier olive oil that tastes kind of like hot buffalo sauce. One thing that could be improved is the oil dispenser bottle. The design they have allows a lot of drippage along the outer sides, which makes pools of olive oil on the table. Also it seems that the waiters will sometimes forget to offer condiments - the patrons at the table next to us asked if they could borrow our bottles as they were not given the option. We went to Citizen Pie the next day to do a comparison. Vero has by far the best cornicione and the toppings and construction are better. The taste of the Vero pizza is fresh and pure, while the taste of Citizen Pie is much more muddled in comparison. That's not to say that Citizen Pie is bad. In fact, it's pretty good. Vero is just better in most aspects. The pizzas at Vero are absolutely delicious, but it's not all roses here. According to reviews the restaurant was renovated and expanded over the last couple of months. I was researching menus and comparisons between Vero and other Neapolitan pizza shops around Cleveland and it seems like the prices at Vero immediately before the renovation were already on the higher end ($20 for margherita vs $13-$18 at other places). They rose 20% immediately after the renovation ($24), making them cost way more than the competition. The pizzas take forever to come out. I feel like Vero expanded the dining room but didn't increase throughput. There are two people in the back prepping the pizzas while only one person (I assume the owner) operates the oven. Our pizza took over 45 minutes to arrive and this wasn't a fluke; The patrons at the table beside ours complained loudly as they had finished their appetizers and wine and were still without pizza almost half an hour afterwards. The restaurant also has some odd music choices. They play really loud, booming music - I found it hard to hear“

“Amazing food. Old school vibes. Entered through the back. Fresh good bread and tomato’s!It’s a 5 star but giving a 4 only cause it’s cash only and had to walk to get cash at the gas station couple blocks away. Tell me before I order or a sign is all that’s needed. I would put a 4.5 on here if possible. The place just needs to allow customers to use more payment methods than just cash , it’s 2023 , no one carries cash like they did even like 5 years ago.“

“First time having Zeppe's. The staff was very welcoming and friendly. We had the Origional Clevelander and a white pizza with banana peppers. Both pizzas were hot, fresh and tasty. The kids enjoyed the cinnamon twists and Zepperoni rolls. We will definatly be back!“

“Delicious spot in Downtown Willoughby! You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. Their bread is so soft and delicious we always finish it within minutes of sitting down. Tonight we ordered my favorite appetizer the Fried Ravioli which is always a hit. My husband had the Italian Sausage Sub for his entree which came with crispy fries. I ordered the Spaghetti Geraci Sauce which came with a house salad. The house Italian dressing is great but you must try the creamy Italian dressing! The pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauce was amazing as usual! Come check this place out!!!“

“From the department of "things you wouldn't necessarily expect" comes this restaurant tucked into a corner of One Bratenahl Place, a prestigious condo building in a prestigious part of Cleveland and a favorite place for some of the monied crowd to downsize and retire. The Bistro doesn't look fancy, but it delivers on an interesting and varied menu (from pizzas to osso bucco), nightly specials, an interesting selection of wines...and most of all, fabulous service. We've only ever dined on the less casual bar side, where the team have taken time to know us, and where the traffic of regulars makes for a fun environment to go with the surprisingly good food.“

“Wednesday night and we went to M Italian as we always do when we visit Chragrin Falls. But it wasn’t a particularly busy night due to storms in the area. Every other occasion we’ve been there, it’s quite busy. And for good reason. The food is excellent. We had the salmon and chicken Marsala dinners tonight, with house salads. All the food was excellent. And the service was great. We had Geraldine (Tina). She was professional, courteous, showed genuine care that we were taken care of, let us know about wine being 1/2 off on Wednesday. And then since it was later and most patrons had left she had some time to talk with us before we left. She is so pleasent, very welcoming, and made our entire evening extra special. All in all, this was a wonderful evening at M Italian! Even the valet service was great. .“

“Bar Italia continues to be a family favorite. My wife and I love to eat at the bar when it’s the two of us. And our adult kids enjoy coming with us always. The food is tremendous and we love many things on the menu. The wine selection is also very good.“