I love Maxis. The restaurant has a great vibe with checkerboard tiles, and it's kind of dim inside. You'll definitely want a reservation here -- it fills up and I've been turned away a couple of times. My favorite dish is the penne with spicy vodka sauce and shrimp, I think its called alla Flavia, but don't quote me on that. It's a mildly spicy creamy tomato sauce and shrimp. I also love the chicken Alfredo with grilled chicken and broccoli. The sauce is creamy without being too rich. And finally the calamari pasta was delicious. Tomato sauce and grilled squid? Yum. read more

The food was amazing. Freshest calamari. So tender and flavorful. The service was fabulous. So friendly and helpful.

Exorbitant prices still sadly but had to try it again. Delicious pear elderflower cocktail in good volume. Calamari was unbreaded in a tomato sauce with lots of garlic and that was tasty. Free bread was super hard but this is what I've come to expect at the Italian spots haha. The chicken Alfredo had a flavorful sauce and noodles and the chicken had a nice char from the grill but the chicken was pretty darn dry! Overall not worth the price but not bad in any way outright. $19 for calamari is crazy talk. read more

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our first time at Maxi's was a spectacular success! We were created so warmly by OWEN, who gave us his food recommendations, especially the calamari. OWEN's lovely spirit was replicated in our wonderful waitress Melanie, who explained how kind the entire staff was. It was very evident in their food. Every bite delicious! From the hot fresh bread with Parmesan pepper laced olive oil to the spectacular calamari. best I've ever had!! Would highly recommend the lobster ravioli. We were too full for dessert, but will be back to enjoy their beautiful outdoor patio. read more

Drove through Little Italy for lunch and found this super cute restaurant! We dined on buratta, spaghetti and meatballs, and my spinach ravioli weee the star of the show! I love the old building and the staff were very helpful and friendly. I would go again. The birthday dessert was a welcomed bonus! Holy moly! I want another bite of it all! read more

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My absolute favorite spot in little Italy! The food is incredible with great staff and service. Wait until you see the beautiful back patio! read more

Maxi's - Spinach Ravioli - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Food was 10/10. Service was amazing and good. The place was a nice quaint space. . Went here with no-workers and we were throughly impressed with the restaurant. I tried the pepperoni pizza and it was amazing. For the table, we ordered the fried mozzarella balls prosciutto and calamari all were good. The calamari for me could have been fried just a tad bit more but overall, it was good. The fresh bread and oil was good. The lemonade was a little watery for my liking. I did not get a chance to try the dessert as I was so full, but I definitely will recommend this restaurant to anybody.. read more

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We started with the tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil salad--it was super refreshing and paired perfectly with the fresh bread and oil. For the main course, we split a pizza with mushrooms and half pepperoni. The mushrooms were sautéed and full of flavor, and the pizza had a great balance of sauce, cheese, and crust. I love Little Italy, and Maxis definitely fits the vibe--delicious food, chill atmosphere. Perfect for a night out with friends or a first date. Bonus: there's an adorable cocktail bar connected called the Black Cherry Room. Such a fun spot! read more

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We had a delightful evening in the back room which was super cute. Our server Owen was very friendly and helpful. Spinach ravioli was excellent , mozzarella appetizer and mussels didn't disappoint. The veal came out burned on the sides and bottom which disappointed us that the kitchen would serve it like that but mostly excellent! read more

Love it here! Such a great spot for lunch or dinner if you're looking for real, authentic Italian. The sauce is sooooo delish and the portions are big. The Alex pizza was fabulous - peppers were spicy and sausage was plentiful. Lots of leftovers since we both got a salad to start and filled up on the delicious fresh out of the oven bread! We always sit at the bar when we come in and the bartenders are so friendly and welcoming. Can't wait to come back for the patio in the summer. read more

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We really enjoyed the food and service and the bread was amazing. I highly recommend the side of escarole-it is outstanding. At our table of four we had Penne flavia, lobster ravioli, cavatelli, and spinach ravioli. We all loved all of it. Had a bottle of the Barrera too. The part I was a little less enthused about is the seating in the patio. For as long as its been around, it still feels a little patched together a sort if a second thought. We were pretty crammed in there. Would definitely go again. MAKE RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE Very tough to get a table. read more

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Great food and great ambiance. Loved the meals and drinks and great service. Would recommend.

Definitely a cute little spot in the heart of little Italy. We were offered to either sit inside or on the heated patio and opted for the latter. Glad we did because it was much more spacious. Service was very fast. Complimentary bread was nothing to write home about although I like a great olive oil dip to go along with it. The veal was cooked well, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with plenty of flavor. Don't let the garlic deceive you because it was delicious. The side penne was undercooked unfortunately. The pizza was simple but well cooked and the sauce spoke for itself. $80 for two entrees and two drinks was a little steep but I know you are paying for the area. Overall a great experience! read more

Maxi's - Maxis pizza - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Just wanted something light after a meeting at Prestis Bakery. Perfect. Waiter was attentive but not over bearing. Again perfect! Sat outside on a perfect evening in Cleveland Ohio. read more

Maxi's - Mussels in garlic and wine with a glass of Montipulciano Italian wine. - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Good Pizza, good Calamari, good Bruschetta and good wine Excellent service and ambiance My son and daughter in law took me after a visiting Cleveland Musuem of Art Saturday for father's day. Al 4 of us had good food and leftovers read more

Really cool Italian restaurant with great food. We visited for lunch in Little Italy. The menu is the same for lunch and dinner, so expect the same price during the day. The portions are definitely shareable! We ordered the escargot with portobello mushrooms to start. Very good. Complimentary bread and olive oil with red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese came out. The bread looked soft, but was not a fluffy bread. It was very good just looks are deceiving. We shared a salad of tomatoes, mozzarella, and balsamic drizzle! Very good!! Then we went on to the Penne Pasta Alla Flavia with shrimp with 2 added meatballs. It was very good!! We asked for no red pepper flakes but it still had a little bite to it that was very good. The meatballs were added for $4 but small. We were stuffed and very pleased with our dinner for lunch. The place must be a popular bar during the day as I heard them shake a few martinis around 1 pm. We enjoyed the Christmas music in the background to set the holiday tone and setting. read more

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I've dined at Maxi's three times in the last few years and have been able to sit in the same spot each time - the window seat which is the best seat in the house. People watching on the street is very entertaining. We started off with the stuffed pepper App and it was good. The marinara sauce is fabulous. The dinner bread was underwhelming. The server was very polite and attentive. My wife and I ordered the Lobster Ravioli and Veal Saltimbocca. These were great choices and very filling. Wow the Veal was good. This may have just topped my favorite Veal Saltimbocca at another restaurant. This is a huge meal so come hungry. read more

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They put garlic on almost everything, and enough to kill a vampire. 5 stars. PS: The cool back patio feels like a nice Italian secret garden. read more

A small group of 5 went for an evening to connect and catch up. First of all, the food was average at best which is now why I know how you can get in on a Saturday night. Secondly, once we received our bills, not only were we charged a mandatory 20% which is generally reserved for parties of six or more, they charged us to split the bill. Each party paid a split charge for the "privilege" of separate checks! The managers only argument was "everyone else is doing it!". We spent over $400 there and were nickeled and dimed! Never again! read more

Excellent lunch. Met business colleagues, who came from Columbus. Shared calamari, very good. I had the lobster ravioli, excellent. Waiter was attentive but not overbearing. Recommend. read more

Accommodated us on an early Saturday night. Sat at the bar. Bartender was nice and attentive. Ordered the fried mozzarella appetizer. It came in a dish with sauce. The mozzarella were so good and the sauce was amazing. I could drink that sauce. So much depth of flavor. Best ever. They do bring our crusty bread with oil. That's always good. Ordered the Maxi pizza and the bolognese. Pizza is big. 2-3 people could eat it. About 8 slices. Sauce is good. Could have used a bit more of the mozzarella and the olives. But it was good. Honestly I thought the crust would be thinner. It's not too thick but I was expecting thin. NY style. This is not that. The bolognese was meaty and delicious. No cheese though. They never gave us cheese or offered to shred some. Thought that was strange. It was good. Just no extra parmesan. All in all really good experience. I would go back and try something else. Good night out. This is a definite date night place. Prices aren't really cheap eats category. read more

Maxi's - Maxi pizza and Bolognese. - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Great spot in Little Italy! We stopped by on a weekday and were seated pretty quickly! We tried the Quattro formaggio and the Margarita pizza. Both were delicious and pretty filling! The service was a bit slow and the server basically never came by after we got our pizzas. Not a big deal for us but something to keep in mind. Overall this was a solid experience and I would gladly come back. read more

Maxi's - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Good good! Great Italian! Would absolutely recommend and return. Wish I had tried here sooner!

So much great food in Little Italy. We've eaten at all the restaurants numerous times. Maxi's doesn't disappoint. The staff is so friendly and efficient. The bread is unique, as is the oil dip. Yum. Tonight we had salads, veal piccata, and veal marsala with Pinot noir. We both gave our meals 10/10. What a wonderful dining experience. read more

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As a Cleveland girl with a love of Italian, I have to be honest that I've oddly never been impressed with visits to Little Italy BUT my father in law was excited to visit so I made a resi at Maxi's based on reviews and articles. First thoughts are that the neighborhood really needs to revise the parking situation. While I understand the quaintness of the neighborhood, my FIL is handicapped and there is no parking in walking distance under his disability circumstance other than $15 Valet. Honestly I despise blowing money on parking and would always rather walk but when traveling with someone disabled that's not an option. I think it's awful when someone handicapped has to pay for parking because they are simply incapable of walking a standard ambled bodies' distance. But I digress. We were treated with a smile and enthusiastic hostess and the welcoming vibe continued throughout our experience. It's your typical Little Italy shop; quaint, cozy and eclectic from the inside to the expansive back patio which we adored. The food left a bit to be desired. Once seated I decided to try the Lemon Drop Martini which they said was finished with soda which I mistakenly assumed meant soda water but it clearly was Sprite which turned the usually bright, fresh cocktail to a syrupy disappointment. We started with the calamari which was a bit rubbery albeit flavorful. The prosciutto platter was a delight although nothing I couldn't simply pick up at Trader Joe's. My Sicilian FIL order one of his favorites, Penne Pasta Alla Flavia but felt it was bland and unsurprising. I ordered the bolognese which was quite wonderful. Simple, fresh and pleasant. My husband was excited to try the Clams Pasta which is his favorite but he was quite disappointed. He said that the flavor was lacking and it tasted like straight white wine that never cooked off with no other hints of seasoning or garlic. My MIL went for Veal Marsala which was quite nice and traditional. Overall it's fine and certainly we'll above your chain Italian spots but if you have any discernible taste in traditional Italian or Italian American fare I would skip this spot. read more

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Great experience. Besides messing up our reservation and sitting us inside instead of our the patio. Food was phenomenal. Caprisi salad and stuffed banana pepper appetizers were the perfect start. Top it off with a lobster fettucinne entree and you leave one happy man. 9.3 /10 read more

Rude Manager & staff. Too bad because food was good. They even have a cozy speakeasy. But they need to adopt a customer friendly attitude. read more

First visit to Maxi's and it is a wonderful place. The decor is classic little Italy. Our server was fantastic. The food was so fresh, bread service was fresh from the oven and the oil and parmigiana dipping was great. Apps included Bruschetta Classico , fried mozzarella was my favorite. Lunch Chicken Parmesan has a great flavor and the sauce makes my mouth water. Highly recommend Maxi's read more

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One of my new favorite restaurants! My fiancé and I went with another couple for dinner and I took my family back 2 days later....that tells you just how amazing it had to be. The calamari was HANDS DOWN the best I have ever had. It was meaty and lightly breaded in a delicious sauce. The pasta's are fresh and each sauce is perfected. The servers are extremely sweet and friendly and do everything they can to accommodate requests. As for the patio, a true Italian summer feel. It is beautifully decorated with flowers and covered so the sun isn't in your face. 10/10 I couldn't recommend more! read more

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My feelings are mixed in this review. On the one hand, they had the best-sauteed calamari I've had in a long time, but on the other hand, they burned the garlic in the sauteed escarole, and the greens were old and tough, and they tasted horrible. In addition, the giant asparagus on my plate was either barely cooked or incredibly soft, and it was cold. My Penne Pasta was good enough, but from the menu description to the dish in front of me, the chef took liberties. There were hardly any spices. Quite bland. No red pepper. Very little sauce. The lobster ravioli was bland. However, the restaurant was clean, and the staff was pleasant. So, all in all, I would go back to their Calamari and bar. read more

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Wait is to long for terrible service and have asked for different things wanted is crazy part

Another wonderful meal at Maxis. Fresh homemade rolls, Little Neck Claims in white wine and fresh garlic, fresh mozzarella and tomato salad followed by the best Bolognese in town. The wine list is great too! read more

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Accommodated a larger group with no reservations delivered on service and food quality. Nice patio and plenty of seating for use to move around. Nice experience for a last minute ambiance experience. read more

The food was pretty good and quick. However, service was lacking. No waiter for at least 10 minutes after being seated. Waiter was inattentive just chatting with people before asking if we need a drink. Then another 10 minutes to get drinks!!! It wasn't like they were getting slammed. At end of dinner, plates had all been cleared for at least another 10 minutes or so before waiter came over to ask if we wanted dessert or coffee. This place was recommended by a friend. Not sure I would do the same. read more

Maxi's is currently are favorite restaurant in Little Italy for the colder months. I say this because it doesn't have a back patio, and the ambiance is best outside if it's warm enough! Maxi's receives five stars from me because of speedy and kind service, free *fresh* bread with seasoned oil as an appetizer (we all love a free dish), and an ample menu to choose from. The atmosphere is more relaxed and a bit less loud than Mia Bella or Trattoria and there's sometimes a pianist playing chill tunes downstairs, which is a lovely addition. When it comes to a cozy, casual date in cold weather, Maxi's is the place to go! read more

Maxi's - Mussels Pasta, Spinach Ravioli - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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I've gone to Maxi's a few times a few months ago for outdoor seating. Recently, I dropped by again for just take-out, since cases are spiking right now. Since it was raining and cold, there was no outdoor seating, but it was absolutely packed for indoor dining, which made me uncomfortable, even though I just walked in to grab my take-out. They did have plexiglass dividers between each table but everyone was still sitting very close together in a confined space, with no social distancing. It was also immensely stuffy inside, due to the heater running and the amount of people inside. Anyways, I got the meatball pizza with white sauce, and I always add fried garlic ($19). There are 8 slices. It's pretty good, and definitely better if you reheat it in the oven at home. Previously, I've tried their sangrias, which are delicious. Keep supporting local businesses safely, if you're able! read more

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we had an absolutely lovely lunch outside while caring for my father at University Hospital. Our service was attentive and kind and our food was delicious with prices totally reasonable. we shared the prosciutto platter enjoyed Sauvignon Blanc wine and a few cocktails. For entrées we enjoyed the muscles the clams and the Barada salad with grilled chicken. The grilled chicken was simple grilled and delicious. It was not dry which is my pet peeve when it comes to grilled chicken! I look forward to returning to this lovely local restaurant. read more

Maxi's - Burrata salad with the addition of grilled chicken. Absolute perfection. Nothing like an Ohio beef steak tomato! - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Food was horrible, service was okay and the restaurant had flies everywhere. Which makes me think a food code is being broken. The ambiance was okay... it's a cute bar just that the flys are a turn off and makes the environment seem dirty. I am a foodie and got the margarita pizza. When I got my pizza I was surprised that it was just all cheese with gigantic thick slices of tomato and no basil. This was by far the worst Italian restaurant I have been to. I do not feel it deserves more than 1 star. This establishment needs lots of work. read more

Parents weekend at CWRU end I thought this place would be quite a bit busier. We had a reservation which helped. Packed in pretty tight and service was a bit slow, but we weren't in much of a rush. Started with calamari (excellent) and escargot (different presentation, not in the shell, but tasty). Wine selection is solid. Main courses were: spaghetti and meatballs, bolognese with fat noddles (can't spell the name), shrimp with pasta and a meatball pizza. Spaghetti and meatballs was fine, sauce a bit sweet and meatballs were underwhelming. Bolognese was solid, great flavor and prepared well. Shrimp with pasta was good. Pizza was heavily covered in cheese, almost too much. The sauce was pedestrian at best, probably should have doused my piece with pepper flakes. read more

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we had a great time at Maxis! It had a very classic feel. The wait staff was very attentive and the food and drinks came out fast! I personally loved their Arugula salad with the balsamic vinaigrette and their Vodka Pasta with shrimp! We will definitely be back read more

Maxi's - Gina 's Pizza - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio