Went for lunch. They start you out with bread out of the oven and olive oil with a heap of parm. Really lovely. Hubs started with a dozen clams, which were excellent, and got the frog legs appetizer. They were tender but needed something--lemon, more garlic. Something. A little bland. Friend and I had the tomato basil and mozzarella salad. The tomato is in chunks and the mozzarella are little balls. It was good but not what I expected. I got the fungi pizza and it was very good. Friend got lobster ravioli. I had probably the worst glass of savignon blanc of my life so I won't do that again. Not as good as other places in LI, but not bad. Cute place inside. Full at lunch on a Monday--one of the few places open Mondays. read more

Best Italian food in Cleveland ! Always the best service and quality of food. We ordered delivery during COVID and it was just as good as when we dine in. Highly recommend!!!! We always order the clams, cavatelli with meatballs, margarita pizza and spinach ravioli read more

Maxi's - Best Italian food in Cleveland! - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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I used to love Maxi's when I lived in Cleveland. I was never disappointed in the food or the service. I have to say that our experience here yesterday was not as positive as my past ones. Although it was a beautiful day and we were able to secure a great little table out front, the rest of our experience was underwhelming. I will say that our wine, and apps (mussels and bruschetta rustica) were great, everything else, not so much, and especially for the cost. Our server even took my order and ran away without taking my husbands - very odd. We had to flag him down to get the rest of the order placed. The margherita pizza was not as appetizing as I would have hoped for somewhere in Little Italy. The ravioli that my husband ordered also was comprised of just 4 little pieces. Not exactly filing. I remember being able to rave about this place before. Not anymore. Will I be back to hope for a better experience? Probably. I am hoping that this was just a less favorable one time experience only. read more

Maxi's - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I was craving Italian and an inviting atmosphere so I decided on Maxi's because I wanted to try somewhere I hadn't been in Little Italy. The place is pretty small and a bit more casual than most in that area but still very cute and clean inside. Parking around there is a cluster but they have valet for $7 which isn't bad. We got seated right up front with a window seat which I loved too. Let's get to the good stuff. The food was just what I needed and so good. We decided to split a salad, Darcy's pizza, and Cavatelli w meatballs. Everything was delicious and loved the butter garlic sauce on the pizza combined with the spicy banana peppers. Portions are large so that's why we split everything. Our waitress was nice and attentive as well. Pricing isn't cheap but not too expensive especially for the portions you receive. If I wasn't a west sider I would frequent more often but will be back and recommend. read more

Maxi's - Cavatelli & meatballs - half a portion! - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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The food was good. The waiter seems upset that we were there but overall it was ok. I wouldn't mind visiting another one of the many restaurants around it instead though. read more

The best calamari and pear Martini! The bread was delicious with olive oil, hot pepper and cheese for dipping. Great service! Consistently great food! read more

On a weeknight, you don't have to worry about paying for street parking, which is a plus. I actually parked on the street right in front of the restaurant, since the valet parking signs were only valid for Friday through Sunday. I must not have been violating any parking signs since the police parked across the street didn't ticket or tow! =) I started with the mixed mesclun ($7), since pasta entrees do not come with a salad, and there is no side salad portion. This is big enough for two people. I thought some of the greens were a wilted and old but I was hungry. I did like how the salad was a bit salted. Personally, I don't salt salad, but it was a nicely added flavor since these greens can be slightly bitter. For an entree, I ordered the calamari pasta ($18). It's my mistake for not realizing the pasta contained escarole instead of just calamari and marinara sauce. I personally am not a fan of escarole since it has a bitter taste, but I ate as much as possible. I picked out the greens, and the pasta tasted great. The calamari was hands down, probably one of the best cooked calamari I've had since going to Greece. It was lightly breaded (not too much, not too little), and it was the perfect texture. Calamari can easily be rubbery, but this was the melt-in-your-mouth kind. I would've given three stars for the food and ease of parking, but my stomach became upset as SOON as I returned to my hotel and the condition was on and off the rest of the night. I very rarely get stomach upsets (given how much I travel), but I did this time. So, two stars (meh, I've experienced better) it is! read more

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I was in town with some family and we popped into this little joint on a low key Tuesday afternoon. Almost everything we had was amazing! Appetizer: mozzarella and tomato basil - how can you go wrong? it was great! The 4 of us split all of our entrees so we could all samp! Dish One: Spinach Ravioli (3 came to a dish)-- it was decent! Dish Two: Italian sausage and peppers-- soo good but you better be ready for some spice! When we walked in that is all we smelled in the restaurant so we definitely wanted to order the sausageeeee! it was very flavorful! Dish Three: The Flavella (sp?) was excellent according to the rest of the table - I did not try it. Dish Four: Pepperoni Pizza - it was mediocre. I was expecting more to be honest so I would not recommend. Overall, great little joint! I would return ! read more

My housemate, his brother, and I were in the mood for some pizza and we stopped by Maxi's because of their solid reviews. We ordered the Funghi pizza and pepperoni pizza to share and boy were they delicious! The first was light, not really greasy, and very well seasoned. The latter was well seasoned as well and all you want in a pepperoni pizza! We'll definitely have to come back to try the pasta and their dishes! Defiantly check it out! Btw. The sangria (white wine) was quite delicious! Not too sweet and full of flavors! read more

Maxi's - The Funghi and pepperoni! - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Just a perfectly lovely lunch...service was warm and friendly, the food fresh and done to perfection, and the atmosphere hit just the right note. Can't wait to go back for dinner! read more

Although I initially intended to try Mia Bella, I am extremely happy that we were instead able to eat outdoors at Maxi's! The ambiance and energy of the cozy neighborhood is so nice to find in any city. But more importantly the service and good was EXCELLENTE! I could not get enough of the roasted garlic that adorned the crispy, succulent frog legs. The pizza and pasta was amazing. Next time I am in Ohio I will be back! Gratzi!!! read more

Maxi's - Frog legs! Covered in slices of roasted garlic and herbs, omg it was so perfect. Hot, fresh, crispy, flavourful and good value! - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Food: the food was great! Dishes picked were Shrimp pasta and Linguini with meatballs. I was expecting the shrimp pasta sauce to be creamier but I did not ask and when it came it was watery. Also, they do not remove the shell on the shrimp tail. Still not sure why places leave those things on when you're putting the shrimp in pasta. Now I have to reach into my pasta and grab the shrimp out with my fingers and eat it to make sure I get every last little yummy bit. The portions were the perfect size and we both left nice and full. Wine: Underwood pino noir. This is a great red wine that is easy to drink. Very tasty. Service: refilled our water glasses promptly. Checked in every now and then to make sure we were doing okay. Or waiter made wine recommendations and tried to save us money with a bottle. We only each wanted one glass so we paid the slight extra for wine by the glass. Decor: We sat on the patio which is full of plastic chairs and tables. They also have a small bar out there, some nice flowers, and umbrellas to keep us pale folk from burning. The interior is nicely decorated with some cool paintings/prints. I'd like to come relax here at the bar and have some pizza and beer with friends some day. They also had some music playing that made me feel like we were in the motion picture Gatsby. read more

Maxi's - Shrimp Pasta - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Wow! The calamari is out of this world!! All the food was amazing and the staff was so friendly. We will be back

In typical Little Italy style, this place is perfect for dates and pizza and pasta. It's dark and quiet, but could spice up the romance with some candles on the tables. With many Italians working there, it gives it more of an authentic feel and their menu stays true to form. Really great pizza! Friendly staff too! I got the fresh mozzarella - Delicious! I'd highly recommend. read more

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

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Love this little slice of heaven in little Italy. The food is absolutely delicious! Great service and small intimate atmosphere. Enjoy a wonderful evening with authentic Italian cuisine! read more

Best calamari ever! Seriously. Best ever. I tried this joint in Cleveland's Little Italy and can't wait to travel back to the area to have that calamari. See you in early February. read more

We came in when it was nearly empty and our food came super fast. Everything was delicious. Portions were normal sized, no leftovers to take home. Often times at Italian restaurants the portions are enormous so the cost evens out. This wasn't that kind of place. For instance I ordered shrimp and pasta for $18 and received about two cups of pasta, a lot of artichoke hearts and 4 shrimp. Thats right, 4. I also ordered a hot cider which was delicious. read more

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Just stopped in for an appetizer to kill time. Ordered the Bruscetta Rustica. We always get it. You could put that roasted red pepper coulis on an old boot & it would taste awesome! read more

We've tried most of the restaurants in Little Italy and today we decided to try this one. I started with the red sangria which was very good but had no fruit in it. Warm, crusty bread and olive oil with red pepper flakes came next. The calamari and fried mozzarella were excellent! The margarita pizza was big enough for 2-3 people. My husband loved the penne alla flavio. I had the clams pasta which included a dozen little neck clams on a bed of linguine with a white wine garlic sauce. It was light but could have used a bit more flavor. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and we'll be back! read more

Best of Little Italy... can't go wrong on the menu but stuffed peppers and fried cheese on apps and cavatelli with meatballs are my favs

We had a graduation party for 35 people on Maxi's back patio this weekend and everything was perfect. Fatian, the manager, was great to work with and gave excellent suggestions on menu selections for a family style meal. The food was absolutely delicious- salad, pizza, calamari, cavatelli and chicken piccata. Our server, Morgan, was so polite and attentive and could not have done a better job taking care of our large group. read more

Nice place to stop by to have some drinks. The service was a bit slow and the menus were all dusty. The sangria and the bruschetta were good tho. And prices are affordable read more

Maxi's - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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We've always loved the food,and still do. Last evening we wanted to eat outside, the young waitress told us there were no tables available, and when we mentioned that there were empty tables in front and re-inquired as to sitting there she rudely said "didn't you hear me?". When we tried to work it out, she abruptly turned around and walked away. We frequently go out, often to Little Italy, and don't ever remember being spoken to in this fashion. Obviously management tolerates this, though of course I can't say for sure. read more

My husband and I ordered the pepperoni pizza for lunch. We both said it's the best pizza we've ever had. Super friendly and quick service. Delicious. If we're ever back in the area, we'll definitely come back! read more

My first and only visit has left me completely unimpressed. Had Cavatelli and meatballs for lunch. For $12 I got served two tiny meatballs barely the size of a half dollar. Cavatellis were cooked just right, but the sauce reminded me of Chef Boyardee Spaghetti-O's and with very little body. There are much better restaurants around Little Italy that deliver better flavor and value. read more

Visiting Little Italy for the first time and looking for some excellent and authentic Italian pizza, I was a little disappointed with Maxi's. The restaurant is small and cozy, with nice music and atmosphere. Our waiter was friendly. For the price we paid, the pizza was just average in my opinion. The dough lacked in quality, and tasted like it had a bit too much sugar added. The ingredients were just okay, nothing that great. I may return, try something else, like pasta, and update my review. read more

Maxi's - Perfect size for 2 people! - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

This was our first time in Little Italy. Our hotel was 1/4 mile away so it wasn't a long walk. After searching menus and reviews on Yelp we settled on Maxi's. We received a nice greeting at the door and were taken to the back patio. Their neighbor two doors down were blasting 80's pop and kinda ruined the atmosphere. The starter was fried mozzarella. It looked odd but tasted great. I ordered spinach ravioli and it was amazing. Husband got pasta Alfredo with chicken. It was also awesome. We were both very happy and very full for our walk back to our hotel. We saw pizza being served at another table and it looked amazing. read more

Sign says open. Site says till 11. Very rude told they were closed with 30 minutes before advertised closing time. Seven people turned away. Poor business model. Good luck with the attitude small time Players read more

Absolutely delicious food!! A bit pricey, but given that we've not eaten in a restaurant in two years, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, it was well worth the price! The service was excellent and the food, authentic Italian cuisine. The pasta was fresh, wine was delightful and we had no room for dessert! We will be back, the pizza looked amazing!!! read more

Absolutely worst possible experience. We booked the Maxi's Banquet room for our wedding rehearsal dinner. Excited to show off Little Italy to our wedding guests, we chose Maxi's because they offered us private banquet room for our group of 25 out of town guests. We worked with the restaurant manager, Fatian, 8 months in advance to book the space and select a customized menu well in advance. When we arrived, the hostess told us the room was not ready- they had booked another rehearsal dinner in the banquet room just before ours. They said the other group was "wrapping up" and asked us to wait a few minutes. So, there we were....25 of us, all dressed up for a rehearsal dinner, standing on the curb of Maxi's in Little Italy crowded around the little hostess stand. After 20 minutes of waiting, we were anxious. After 30 minutes, we were frustrated. After 50 minutes of waiting for a banquet room we booked well in advance, and when the restaurant manager finally came to even acknowledge us, he asked us to "wait just a little longer". He was completely clueless. Fed up and frustrated, not just because we were already waiting nearly an hour, but also because the other party wasn't even done with their dinner yet. Clearly, we weren't getting into the banquet room any time soon and yet Fatian kept asking us to "just wait". Luckily, we were able to take our 25 guests across the street to Gusto! Ristorante Italian where they took us in, sat us, and make a delicious meal in no time. The Accordian even played for us to provide upbeat entertainment. Huge thank you to Gusto for saving the day, and a huge disappointment in Maxi's and their incredibly slow and completely not concerned staff. read more

Stopped by this cute little place on a Sunday and was seated immediately. I love how this place is family oriented and everyone knew everyone. Ambience: Small, but adorable little place. Luckily it wasn't crowded when we went in. Service: There was one server running the place and he did a great job. Didn't bother us too much and was there to refill drinks and ask if everything was okay. Food: I ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken. It was the the best I've ever had. The chicken was grilled to perfection and the sauce was creamy. My boyfriend had the 12 oz. strip steak and he said it was very good! I definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a cute date night. The food is authentic and delicious! Plus the area is fun to walk around. read more

After hearing rave review about this place, I decided to give it a shot for lunch. Ordered the calamari upon recommendation. It was OK, very flavorful, but very acidic. Ordered the Carbonara. Real disappointment. Straight up bland heavy cream, watery, bland, not authentic whatsoever. I dont understand why restaurants can't make it with eggs.. I ordered something else.. but it was forgettable. The crowd seemed to be composed of well-dressed regulars, many of whom sat at the bar. Idk.. I thought this was a very mediocre restaurant in terms of food. But at least the waitress was friendly and decor had its sweet european bistro vibe to it. I may return if I get bored of the surrounding restaurants, but that may take some time Food: B- Atmosphere: B Service: B read more

My family has lived in Little Italy for almost 100 years so I havent had much of a chance to eat in any of the local restaurants. But now that my Grandma, Great Aunt and Uncle have passed away, I can now try them out. Maxi's is my favorite, although Il Baccio is close. Gilbert has some great dishes on the menu. When we were there, we had Pizza and sat at the bar, it was a nice but slightly crowded atmosphere. While waiting for our pizza, we could see them preparing the other dishes and they would tell us what each one was...Goat Cheese Ravioli...awww, yeah! Here's a tip: come early so you dont feel so crowded. The neighborhood fills up fast on a warm summer night! If you are a CWRU student, I believe they offer you a discount on your meal. read more

I took my mom out to lunch on a bright Saturday and walked around Little Italy. This place seemed about good as any so we decided to give it a try. The lunch menu was reasonably priced. I think the pasta was around $10. She had the italian sausage and farfalle pasta. I had the meatballs. Both were good. My mom does not so much enjoy spicy foods and the sauce of her dish had a slight kick to it. I enjoyed both dishes. We opted to split the tomato, basil and mozzerella salad. It was the perfect amount to split and serve as an appetizer. The server was a really nice guy. He seemed genuine and not full of it. Not apathetic and not overbearing. It was a nice place to go for lunch. Hopefully I will one day return. En'shallah. read more

We chose Maxi's for lunch because none of the other places on the street looked open. My husband and I both thought the food was much better than expected. He loved the olive oil and parmesan combo they brought with the bread, as well as his penne alla flavia. I had the calamari pasta, and thought the light tomato sauce was absolutely perfect. It also had a ton of calamari, way more than necessary. I don't know if they have additional dining space beyond the main bar area that you see when you walk in. It's quite small, and probably not a good choice for large or even mid-sized groups. read more

I thought this place had great service, tasty pizza, and a wonderful patio out back for eating and drinking with friends. I thought the pizza crust was fantastic, and really enjoyed the "Gina's Pizza' with prosciutto and fresh tomato. Price is slightly on the high side, but it is a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. If there weren't so many places to try I would come back much sooner, yet still imagine I will be back in the not so distant future. read more

Maxi's knows how to do happy hour! And for once, I'm not talking about the drinks/drink specials that are featured, I'm talking about the food/food deals! Maxi's food is spot on any time of the day, but during happy hour, it's not only delicious, but it's perfectly priced! You certainly can't go wrong with some skillfully sautéed and sauced calamari (best in town) and an artichoke pizza with an ice cold Stella. Seriously. Fabulous. And when you're saving dollars, it's even better! (Happy hour alleviates my previous price complaint.) Refer to my previous review for the calamari. Now, the pizza. This pizza was exactly what I expected and wanted! Soft, warm crust. Cheesy, artichokey. Great! Definitely recommended. Also, it reheats well! There can be some seating hiccups, especially if you come on a Wednesday (I think?) night and want to sit at the bar for the happy hour deals. We staked out some seats for quite awhile just for some calamari and a beer, but it was totally worth it. I'm not sure if it really depends on the night you come here, or if it's just a random crowd, but it can get hairy in this tiny joint if you don't plan ahead. Sometimes the service can be iffy, but that's with any place. You just have to snag a bartender when you need one and make sure you place your order quick! read more

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

Not a lot to say about this experience.. the food was ok. I honestly felt it was something I could make myself at home. The bar is set high for Italian food in this area so I was a little disappointed. The farfalle Pasta was good but not outstanding. The stuffed pepper appetizer was good, it was spicy but it should be! Way overpriced though, $12 for one pepper cut in half. I would go back but it wouldn't be my first choice. read more

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Although I had a lovely dinner at Maxi's, I don't think that the cost was justified. The $16 shrimp pasta with tomatoes, artichokes, capers and a white wine sauce was good, however there were only 4 medium-sized shrimp and the pasta wasn't fresh...I'm not sure what about that meal deserves a $16 price tag. Our waiter, who seemed overwhelmed by the full patio, forgot to bring us bread, which was a bit frustrating as we watched every other table around us receive a really good looking bread basket (when we finally requested some, it proved to be crusty and perfect). I appreciated the heavy handed wine pours, however I likely wouldn't return due to the food prices (come on, $15 calamari?). read more

Went here with my BFF & husband while my son had surgery at Cleveland Clinic. They live there so it was their suggestion. Had spaghetti & meatballs. Can't say it was awesome, just good. Overall, no complaints. Located in Little Italy, which had more Italian restaurants I would have tried. But our time was limited. Nice waitstaff. read more

Maxi's - Hot in Cleveland, not literally, it went from 75 to in the 30's over night. - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio