Little Italy, Cleveland Table for Two: Notes from Mia Bella, Mount Granita & Presti's Bakery
Little Italy, Cleveland — Dispatch No. 7
On a tree-lined stretch of Mayfield Road, where string lights dangle like punctuation over sidewalk conversations, Mia Bella anchors the rhythm of an early evening. This is no ordinary Italian restaurant. It’s the kind of place where sauces are simmered with conviction, service is unhurried but attentive, and the menu carries the weight of family tradition with a modern lift.
Inside, the room glows with amber warmth, its intimacy matched only by the generosity of the kitchen. House-made pastas arrive blanketed in velvety sauces — the lobster ravioli is a quiet triumph, while the osso buco offers the kind of depth that invites a second glass of Barbera. Outside, terrace tables face the slow pulse of the neighborhood, ideal for people-watching or simply lingering between courses.
Just up the slope, Mount Granita offers a cooler kind of reverence. A petite, perfectly pitched kiosk with retro charm, it serves granita the old-school Sicilian way: coarsely textured, deeply flavored, and refreshingly austere. The lemon is sharp and sunlit; the espresso version is bold, bittersweet, and ideal after dinner at Mia Bella. Locals queue patiently — it’s a small wait that adds to the ceremony.
And for those who know to begin their day in Little Italy, Presti's Bakery is non-negotiable. This Cleveland institution has been serving espresso, sfogliatelle, and cannoli since before the neighborhood found its Instagram fame. Inside, the counters gleam with glass trays of biscotti, butter cookies, and ricotta pies. There’s no pretense here—just perfect pastry and warm welcomes. A cappuccino and a cherry turnover at a window seat sets the tone for the day.
Together, Mia Bella, Mount Granita, and Presti's speak to the dual spirit of Cleveland’s Little Italy — rich and refined, yet grounded in the essentials: good food, strong coffee, and time well spent.
Contact & Visit
Mia Bella Restaurant
12200 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106
@mia_bella_italian
miabellacleveland.com
Mount Granita
12021 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106
@mountgranita
facebook.com/mountgranita
Presti’s Bakery
12101 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106
@prestisbakery
prestisbakery.com
Curated by Hideaway Traveler
For refined journeys, slow food, and boutique stays:
@hideawaytraveler
hideawaytraveler.com
Leonel@hideawaytraveler.com