Osteria Italian

Absolutely Amazing! We had the fillet and veal tortellini. It was so delicious!!!! Topped it off with the chef made tiramisu. The staff is so friendly and the atmosphere is lovely. Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A Hidden Gem in the Crown of Downtown Dining

Don’t let its tucked-away side street location fool you—this place is a true standout. Dark, tastefully appointed, and quietly atmospheric, it evokes the charm of Italian restaurants in New York’s Little Italy circa the 1960s.

The food is terrific—especially the seafood risotto, which is a must-try. TJ crafts imaginative cocktails and even visits your table to help you choose the perfect one. Demetrius, our server, couldn’t have been more friendly, efficient, and accommodating. The entire staff seems genuinely happy to be there, which adds to the welcoming vibe.

Outstanding food paired with top-notch, personalized service earns this place a solid A+.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Seafood Risotto, Gnocchi, Banana Tiramisu

We were in town for a business trip and were fortunate to have a local recommend this spot. Cool vibe, great food, excellent service. It was definitely a standout Cleveland experience!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A wonderful experience with staff and food!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Can’t wait to go back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Angelina was fantastic. Mixing fantastic dirty martinis and sharing vast knowledge of the menu to help me along. The carpaccio was light and flavorfull. The tortellini: rich and balanced perfectly. Excellent. Highly recommend.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The scallop appetizer is the most magnificent thing I’ve tasted in a long, long time (and I say that as a very picky seattle-based seafood lover). The drinks prepared TJ and Ang were fantastic and creative. My friend had a perfectly prepared rack of lamb and I loved the seafood risotto, with beautifully prepared scallops, prawns, and lobster - it is so easy to overcook any seafood, but these were absolute perfection. And we had the pleasure of sitting at the bar with the owners, a delightful and welcoming couple (as were the team members serving our drinks and meals). I don’t know when I’ll be back in Cleveland, but this will be my number one priority stop!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The best espresso martini I have ever had, made by Ang. And the scallops were fantastic and so was the rack of lamb.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My husband and I were in town for business show/convention. We decided we wanted italian and picked Osteria. The food was top notch, as well as the service. Great appetizer list and specials. The prices aren't inexpensive but very much worth it for a fine dining experience. Our bartender was super friendly and made some awesome cocktails. I'm not sure if his name was JT or TJ. Very knowledgeable on his Liquors and wines. We even got to visit a bit with the owner. All was a great dining experience!! We would definitely go back!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Our dinner at Osteria was nothing short of extraordinary, with the bar experience being the true standout of the evening. From the moment we settled into our seats at the bar, we knew we were in for something special.

TJ deserves particular recognition – his attention to detail and genuine care for our experience elevated the entire meal. Each cocktail was expertly crafted, perfectly balanced, and presented with the kind of finesse you'd expect from a world-class establishment. His knowledge of both classic and innovative drinks was impressive, and he took the time to understand our preferences, making thoughtful recommendations that paired beautifully with our meal. His espresso martini was to die for!

The culinary execution was equally impressive. The chef's talent shines through in every dish – from the impeccable seasoning and technique to the creative presentations that honor Italian tradition while adding contemporary flair. Each course demonstrated a mastery of flavors and textures that only comes from years of dedicated craftsmanship. Every course was just as phenomenal as the last.

Sitting at the bar allowed us to witness the seamless coordination between the bartender and kitchen, creating an intimate dining experience that felt both sophisticated and welcoming. The attention to service throughout the evening was remarkable – we felt genuinely cared for rather than simply served.

This is the kind of restaurant that reminds you why dining out can be such a special experience. The combination of exceptional drinks, outstanding food, and attentive service creates something truly memorable. We'll definitely be returning and recommending this gem to anyone looking for an elevated Italian dining experience. The hospitality is so appreciated!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We went to Osteria last minute on a Sunday night and were promptly seated. Everyone loved what they ordered and the shared appetizers were also great. I had to step away from the table before our meals were served and our waitress was kind enough to hold my plate back in the kitchen to keep it nice and warm until I returned. Great experience can’t wait to go back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A hidden Cleveland Gem, right out in the open. Across from the “National City Bank” building (now PNC).

Hand-crafted / delicious cocktails made by TJ, our waiter Demetrius was the perfect host: knowledgeable, kind, attentive!

The food was EXCELLENT!! Try the blackened Salmon with seasoned white-skin potatoes! Outrageously good!!

FIVE STARS!!

Erhardt Bell

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Went here for our anniversary and had a great experience. Went early on a Saturday and the restaurant was very quiet. It slowly picked up as the night went on. Parking was super convenient. Service was fantastic. Everything we ordered food wise was top notch. Would definitely go back

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

My fiance and I went to dinner here at osteria for our anniversary. Once we were seated we were asked if we'd like water. We ordered one sparkling and one tap. Both with lemon and mint. We got the sparkling water immediately, then the lemon 5 minutes later, the mint was 10 minutes later (we think because there was none in the restaurant), and our tap water 15 minutes later. Our server seemed to be young and inexperienced. The bread and butter was delicious and plentiful. After that we ordered the calamari which was a smart choice. It came out fast and was satisfying. Could have been slightly less cooked. The entrees we ordered were the seafood risotto, which was unfortunately al' dente. But the flavor of the dish and the cook on the seafood were great. Maybe not worth the price though. The bolognese was papardelle pasta with a chunky tomato sauce. The pasta was overcooked, and there wasn't enough meat, depth, or flavor and body to this dish. Wouldn't order again. The Raquel is a drink i would also consider skipping. It's very cheap ginger tonic water with citrus, for the price of an expensive appetizer. Overall I think this restaurant tried, but we were hoping for something more exciting to go with the ambiance of downtown Cleveland.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

Food and service were great. I had the Salmon and it was one of the best I’ve ever had.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5