18 Cool Things To Do In Cleveland’s Little Italy

Cleveland's Little Italy is rich in culture, cuisine, and good times. There are so many great things to do in Cleveland's Little Italy, and this neighborhood crawl is the best way to see its top attractions. Grab a group of your friends, take a selfie (be sure to follow Only In Cleveland on Instagram, where you can tag us in your pics), and start planning your trek throughout this absolute gem of a neighborhood.

To paint some color around this vibrant Cleveland neighborhood, Little Italy is the region surrounding Mayfield Road. Like many districts, this area once supported immigrants with similar backgrounds. It attracted Italians, primarily from the Abruzzi region, in large numbers. As these Clevelanders of yesteryear settled in, they established businesses, restaurants, and a culture that endures to this day.

The Best Things To Do In Little Italy

When it comes to the best things to do in Cleveland's Little Italy, you will find that there are many, many exciting attractions in this charming neighborhood. Prepare to embark on a sightseeing journey, because this district in Cleveland will keep you busy as a bee!

1. Dine at the oldest restaurant in Cleveland

• Address: +12162313100 | Video Tour
• Website: https://guarinoscleveland.com/
• What To Do: Soak up the vibe of Little Italy at Guarino’s, the oldest restaurant in Cleveland.

Guarino’s is an incredible dining destination in Cleveland, and it’s one of the city’s most coveted spots. Its roots date back to 1898, when Vincenzo Guarino settled in what we now know as Little Italy. Since circa 1918, Guarino’s restaurant has served delicious authentic Italian cuisine to the neighborhood. Over the years, it has had a reputation as a speakeasy during Prohibition, a gangster hideout in the ensuing years (and one which Frank Sinatra himself was said to enjoy), and a casual lounge.

Today, that history lives on in a restaurant that’s still serving the same delicious and authentic Italian dishes. Relax in the garden patio and enjoy Victorian decor selected by Sam Guarino in the 1950s and 1960s, respectively. Try old-school Italian favorites like lasagna, ravioli, and parmigiana with rich wines and delicious sides. Finish your meal with tiramisu, cannoli, spumoni, and espresso drinks that’ll wake you right up.

Guarino’s is open Tuesday through Sunday, opening its doors at noon and closing just after dinner. It’s open late on Fridays and Saturdays, closing its doors at 10 p.m. to allow you plenty of time to enjoy your meal and the surrounding vibes.

5 Minutes Away: Celebrate Cleveland’s musical roots with a visit to Severance Hall, where the Cleveland Orchestra puts on an incredible show.

2. Admire the beauty of Holy Rosary Church

• Address: 12021 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106 | Video Tour
• Website: https://holy-rosary.org/
• What To Do: Check out incredible architecture and prepare for the Feast of the Assumption.

In Cleveland, churches hide some of the oldest and most striking architecture in the area. When it comes to Little Italy, Holy Rosary Church is the one to check out. It’s the central focus of the annual

Feast of the Assumption celebration, which takes place around the middle of August each year. This massive Catholic festival is now observed by Clevelanders of all religious and ethnic backgrounds, as it’s one heck of a party! Parades, music, street food, and more come together on the streets of Little Italy for a weekend-long celebration. Locals flock to the neighborhood in huge numbers, and it’s an event you truly won’t want to miss.

If you’re interested in attending mass, you can find the schedule on their website. If not, you can still admire the Baroque-style church right from the street. It was completed around 1910, and it was the city’s first-ever Italian parish. You’ll love admiring the copper and stone details on its magnificent facade, as well as arched windows and one stunning domed cupola that towers over the street. The brick-lined church is truly a fixture of the community, and it’s one locals proudly cherish.

5 Minutes Away: Admire the gentle trickles and heavenly song of flowing waters at Dugway Brook Falls in Forest Hill Park.

3. Find hidden wonders at Murray Hill Market

• Address: 2072 Murray Hill Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106 | Video Tour
• Website: https://murrayhillmarket.net/
• What To Do: Embrace tradition at an old-school grocery with deliciously fresh foods.

In Cleveland, markets truly brought the early residents together. Instead of being seen as rival businesses and products to consume, they were perceived as community assets and shared spaces. Communities truly grew around early markets, as the stores were a part of the neighborhood; families took turns shopping and everyone knew everyone. Murray Hill Market may not have this legacy, per se, but it’s built on it.

The market revitalizes the atmosphere of Little Italy, hearkening back to the days of yore when neighborhood grocers dominated the neighborhood. It’s a small-town grocery store to the core, sharing fresh and local ingredients and beverages alongside made-from-scratch sandwiches, soups, and entrees. Locally-sourced products are their specialty, so you’ll find goodies from all around Greater Cleveland in their modest storefront. Their deli-style menu also ensures you’ll stay well-fed during your visit.

Murray Hill Market is open daily, operating from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day except Sunday, when it operates from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Swing by and look around… you’ll find everything you need in one place!

10 Minutes Away: Observe more old-school Cleveland traditions at Cleveland Cultural Gardens off of MLK Jr. Drive.

Top Things to Do at Night in Little Italy

Little Italy is a fairly sleepy little neighborhood of Cleveland, and many of its stores and restaurants close fairly early. However, these spots provide an ideal place to grab a late-night dinner, or lounge into the young hours of the coming day.

4. Enjoy a sweet treat at La Dolce Vita

• Address: 12112 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106 | Video Tour
• Website: https://www.ladolcevitacle.com/
• What To Do: Sit near the street and soak up the vibe of Little Italy over dinner.

When it comes to delicious places to eat in Little Italy, La Dolce Vita is always a hit. This cool hot spot in Cleveland is deliciously vintage. Tucked away at the corner of Mayfield and Murray Hill in a space that once housed a turn-of-the-century drugstore, La Dolce Vita feels like a traditional neighborhood eatery. With wide windows, a playful streetside patio, and bright plant-filled surroundings, this eatery feels like a home away from home. Plus, it’s been around since 1989, so locals have really grown to love it.

The owner of La Dolce Vita studied horticulture in school, which is evident both in the greenery-filled restaurant and in the produce-rich dishes on their menu. The whole concept is inspired by the atmosphere of Tuscany, and its flavors come alive in dishes like meatballs, eggplant parmesan, flatbreads, and pasta.

The restaurant opens at 3 or 4 p.m. depending on which day you visit, and it closes at 9 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and at 10 p.m. each Friday and Saturday. It’s a great place to grab food after the dinner rush, and its patio offers a fantastic spot to watch the sunset from Little Italy.

5 Minutes Away: Explore more urban greenery at the Cleveland Botanical Garden and around Wade Lagoon.

5. Dig into a delicious meal at Michaelangelo’s

• Address: 2198 Murray Hill Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106 | Video Tour
• Website: https://www.mangelos.com/
• What To Do: Cozy up at the wine bar in the early stretches of Little Italy’s night.

Ready to experience one of the best wine bars in Little Italy? You’ll find it at Michaelangelo's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar! For nearly two decades, this community staple has entertained diners with its carriage-house-turned-restaurant and selection of appetizing Piedmontese dishes. This Northwestern Italian food is true to tradition, with the region perhaps most well-known for its mouthwatering truffles.

At Michaelangelo’s, the food is similar to your favorite Italian dishes… but it comes with a bit of European flair, invoking flavors reminiscent of regions in France and Austria. From delicious meats to minestrone and mozzarella-coated cavatapi, their menu is diverse and unique. Pair any dish with wine and dessert for an experience you won’t soon forget!

Michelangelo’s is known for its warm and welcoming fireplace, and it opens at 5 p.m. each Tuesday through Saturday, closing at 9 p.m. on weekdays and at 10 p.m. each Friday and Saturday. Swing by and dig in, whether at dinner rush hour or later in the evening. You’re in for a treat!

10 Minutes Away: Enjoy more wine and vibes at CLE Urban Winery over in Cleveland Heights.

6. Cozy up at Little Italy’s Lounge Leo

• Address: 12407 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106 |

• Address: 2151 Murray Hill Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106 |

• Address: 12207 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106 |

• Address: 11919 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106 |

• Address: 12020 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106 |

• Address: 12414 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106 |

• Address: 2026 Murray Hill Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106 |

• Address: 2161 Murray Hill Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106 |