15 Best Italian Restaurants In Ohio You Must Visit In 2026
Ohio does not always get the credit it deserves when it comes to serious Italian cooking, but I promise you that is about to change.
Across the state, from bustling Columbus to historic Cincinnati and Cleveland’s famous Little Italy, talented chefs are rolling fresh pasta, slow simmering rich sauces, and building wood fired pizzas that rival anything I have tasted on the coasts.
I have spent years tracking down the spots where locals line up on weeknights, where families celebrate milestones, and where a simple plate of spaghetti somehow becomes the highlight of my entire month.
These fifteen restaurants represent the very best Italian dining Ohio has to offer in 2026, and I cannot wait to share them with you.
1. Martini Modern Italian – Columbus
Martini Modern Italian in downtown Columbus is where I go when I want pasta to feel genuinely celebratory.
You will find it at 445 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, right in the Short North and close to the convention center.
I remember sliding into one of the big booths and realizing the room buzzed with people actually dressed up for dinner.
The menu leans into modern plates built on Italian flavors, so I can order rich house-made pasta one night and perfectly seared seafood the next.
Servers move with the kind of confidence that tells me they know the menu front to back.
When I want a night that feels polished without getting stiff, this is the Columbus address I recommend first.
2. Z Cucina di Spirito – Columbus
Z Cucina di Spirito is the spot where I once sat at the bar, ordered on a whim, and ended up planning a return visit before the check arrived.
The Grandview location sits at 1368 Grandview Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212, tucked into a former post office that now feels warm and stylish instead of bureaucratic.
The kitchen mixes traditional Italian cooking with broader Mediterranean flavors, so plates land on the table colorful and carefully arranged.
I still think about a slow-braised meat dish I tried here that practically fell apart while I talked too much about it.
Service always feels unhurried but attentive, which lets me stretch out a meal into a full evening.
If someone asks me where to find thoughtful Italian cooking in Columbus that still feels relaxed, I point them straight to this address.
3. Marcella’s Short North – Columbus
Marcella’s Short North is where I go when I want energy with my pasta and do not mind a little happy chaos.
It sits at 615 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, right in the heart of the Short North Arts District, where people stroll past all evening.
The room is loud in a good way, with open kitchen clatter, shared plates passing by, and servers weaving through like they are in on the fun.
I like to start with something small, then realize I have accidentally ordered enough for two and do not regret it at all.
The menu covers pizzas, pastas, and snacks that travel well across the table when everyone wants a bite of everything.
On nights when Columbus feels busy and I want to be right in the middle of it, Marcella’s is where I book a table.
4. Giuseppe’s Ritrovo – Bexley
Giuseppe’s Ritrovo in Bexley is the sort of place where I watched a Tuesday night turn into a small neighborhood reunion.
You will find it at 2268 E Main St, Bexley, OH 43209, just east of downtown Columbus in a compact, walkable stretch of Main Street.
Inside, it feels like a seasoned neighborhood dining room, with regulars greeting staff by name and servers remembering favorite orders.
The kitchen sticks to Italian comfort food, so I lean into classics like baked pastas, tender veal dishes, and crisp salads piled higher than I expect.
I once lingered over dessert here while the staff quietly reset the room around us, never rushing the last table.
Whenever I want Italian that feels personal rather than flashy, this Bexley institution earns the drive.
5. Sotto – Cincinnati
Sotto is the Cincinnati restaurant where I first realized a basement dining room could feel cozy instead of hidden.
The entrance sits at 118 E 6th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, and a set of stairs leads you down into a warm, brick-lined space.
I remember sitting at a small table and watching handmade pasta being carried through the room faster than I could read the menu.
The dishes lean rustic and rich, with simple combinations cooked carefully rather than overloaded.
Staff talk about the food with the kind of pride that makes it easy to trust their suggestions.
On nights when I want Cincinnati to feel just a bit cinematic, I book Sotto and let the glow of the open kitchen do the rest.
6. Pepp & Dolores – Cincinnati
Pepp & Dolores in Over the Rhine gives me instant family dinner feelings, even when I eat there alone.
You will find it at 1501 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, among a busy stretch of historic buildings and storefronts that stay lively well into the evening.
The menu leans heavy on house-made pasta, and I still remember twirling a forkful that refused to let go.
Servers pace the meal so plates keep arriving just as conversation settles into a new groove.
Decor nods to old family photos and classic Italian American touches without feeling stuck in the past.
When someone tells me they want a Cincinnati dinner that feels festive and carb-centered, this is the spot I recommend first.
7. Mamma DiSalvo’s Italian Ristorante – Kettering
Mamma DiSalvo’s in Kettering is where I go when I crave red sauce that tastes like it has been simmering all afternoon.
The restaurant sits at 1375 E Stroop Rd, Kettering, OH 45429, in a modest building that hides how many people manage to squeeze inside on weekend nights.
Family recipes anchor the menu, and it shows in dishes like lasagna, stuffed shells, and chicken smothered in tomato and cheese.
I once watched three generations at the table next to me argue cheerfully over who ordered the best plate.
Servers move quickly but somehow still find time to check whether you saved room for dessert.
Whenever I want Ohio Italian that feels wonderfully old school and firmly family run, this is the place I picture.
8. Mancy’s Italian Grill – Toledo
Mancy’s Italian Grill in Toledo is the sort of room where I immediately notice the glow from the open kitchen.
You will find it at 5453 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43623, in West Toledo, sharing the Mancy family name that locals already know well.
The menu reads like a tour of Italian American favorites, from wood-fired pizzas to hearty steaks and seafood with plenty of garlic.
I remember watching a sizzling plate go past and silently wishing it were headed to my table instead.
The dining room feels upscale enough for a special night, but I have seen plenty of families treating it as their reliable go-to spot.
If Toledo is on my route and I want generous portions in a polished setting, this Monroe Street address jumps to mind quickly.
9. Vaccaro’s Trattoria – Akron / Fairlawn
Vaccaro’s Trattoria is where I once turned a quick weeknight dinner into a full evening without noticing the time.
The restaurant sits at 1000 Ghent Rd, Akron, OH 44333, near Fairlawn, in a low-key building that belies the cooking happening inside.
The kitchen balances classic Italian comfort dishes with more creative specials, so I can keep returning without repeating too much.
I still remember a plate of tender pasta paired with sauce that tasted carefully layered rather than rushed.
Staff greet regulars by name, but newcomers get the same easy warmth, which makes settling in very simple.
For anyone exploring the Akron area in 2026 who wants a refined but relaxed Italian dinner, Vaccaro’s is a smart stop.
10. Casa La Luna – Cleveland
Casa La Luna in Cleveland is the restaurant where I caught myself staring out the windows almost as much as at my plate.
You will find it at 2100 Superior Viaduct, Cleveland, OH 44113, perched above the Cuyahoga River with skyline views that feel made for long dinners.
The space mixes brick walls, large windows, and soft lighting, creating a setting that flatters both the food and your camera.
Plates lean modern and polished, with careful attention to presentation backed up by real flavor.
I remember thinking that even the bread service felt considered instead of perfunctory.
When I want an Italian dinner in Cleveland that feels special without being stiff, Casa La Luna is the address I suggest.
11. Luca West – Westlake
Luca West in Westlake is the suburban restaurant that made me feel as if I had accidentally booked a downtown evening.
It sits at 24600 Detroit Road, Westlake, OH 44145, just off Clague Road, drawing diners from across the west side.
The dining room leans elegant and Tuscan-inspired, with crisp linens and a calm atmosphere that lets conversations stretch.
The kitchen focuses on high-end Italian dishes, so I gravitate toward seafood, risotto, and pastas that arrive perfectly cooked.
Service feels polished without being cold, which makes asking for recommendations very comfortable.
If I am staying anywhere near Cleveland’s west side and want a refined Italian dinner, Luca West becomes a priority reservation.
12. Etna – Cleveland (Little Italy)
Etna in Cleveland’s Little Italy is the dining room where I once lost track of time between courses and conversation.
You will find it at 11919 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106, right in the heart of the neighborhood’s main strip.
The restaurant is known for contemporary Italian dishes with a Southern Italian influence, plus daily seafood specials that regulars follow closely.
Inside, the space feels intimate and warmly lit, which suits long meals and shared plates.
I still think about a seafood pasta I had here that managed to taste rich and bright at the same time.
For a classic Little Italy evening that still feels current, Etna remains high on my Cleveland list.
13. Luigi’s Restaurant – Akron
Luigi’s in Akron is the Italian spot where I realized a simple salad can suddenly become the star of the table.
The restaurant sits at 105 N Main St, Akron, OH 44308, close to downtown and marked by a steady line of loyal regulars.
Known as an Akron tradition since the late 1940s, Luigi’s serves hearty pizzas, baked pastas, and those famously cheesy salads.
I once watched a server set down a pie so loaded with toppings that the table went quiet for a moment.
The place keeps a no-reservations, cash-only policy, which somehow adds to the charm rather than feeling inconvenient.
If I am anywhere near downtown Akron and hungry after dark, Luigi’s quickly becomes the plan.
14. Cassese’s MVR – Youngstown
Cassese’s MVR in Youngstown is the Italian restaurant where I ended dinner by wandering over to watch a bocce game.
You will find it at 410 N Walnut St, Youngstown, OH 44505, near Youngstown State University and easy to reach from downtown.
The place has been a local tradition since the late 1920s, and the menu reflects that history with hearty pastas, pizzas, and sandwiches.
I remember a plate of penne that arrived steaming hot while a nearby table debated sports over meatballs.
Outdoor courts and a relaxed layout make it feel more like a community hangout than a formal restaurant.
For a Youngstown Italian stop that delivers both personality and plenty of carbs, MVR stays on my radar.
15. Mariola Italian – Wooster
Mariola Italian in Wooster is the restaurant where I realized small cities can host surprisingly stylish Italian rooms.
It sits at 365 E Liberty St, Suite 100, Wooster, OH 44691, in the Liberty Beall neighborhood just east of the central square.
Part of the Mike Mariola Restaurants group, this spot focuses on American Italian comfort with house-made sauces, hearty pastas, and plenty of pizza.
I remember sliding into a booth and catching the aroma of tomato sauce before I even opened the menu.
The space feels modern and bright, which pairs nicely with the relaxed, family-friendly service style.
If your 2026 travels pull you through central Ohio, this Wooster address makes a very satisfying detour for a bowl of pasta.