Little Italy

There's something very European about Little Italy. The architecture of the older buidings, the smells wafting from the restaurants and bakeries, the sounds of Frank Sinatra ringing through the air are all reminiscent of days when Italian Immigrants first came to Cleveland. Today, old mingles with new as condominiums are constructed, art galleries emerge and college students become part of the residential mix.

Neighborhood Gem

With 21 Italian Restaurants in this district, Guarino's takes the bragging rights as the first Italian restaurant to open in the City of Cleveland. By the 1940's and 50's, though, others quickly followed.

Today, college students and locals fill the seats of Mama Santa's to dine on reasonably priced, traditional pasta and pizzas. The sound of Opera resonates from the bistro-style La Dolce Vita, while Baricelli Inn, Gusto, Michaelangelo's and others bring what Raymnd Kristosik, Executive Director of the Little Italy Redevelopment Corp., refers to as "a gourmet twist to Italian."

Whether it's a sandwich, desert at Presti's or Corbo's bakeries or Italian cuisine with a French flair at Maxi's, Little Italy truly offers a culinary experience for every taste at every price.

In the Community
Local Resident

"We committed to raising our three children in the Little Italy Neighborhood because a childhood dilled with walking to school, neighbors you know by name, businesses that watch out for all and church bells that call you to pray make for a priceless childhood."
-Diane and John Boylan