Maxi’s Bistro

Stopped for an early dinner after a hard day. Street parking in Little Italy is very confusing for out-of-towners, so be prepared. We lucked into a spot and were the first customers at opening. Maxi's has a true Euro-bistro vibe. Warm decor, simple menu, great wine/drink selection. Ardi was our server, and he was GREAT. Friendly, helpful, and immediately available. We selected lobster ravioli with Alfredo and boloneses with paparadella. Bread and oil appeared with our drinks and the entrees shortly after. Both were excellent. Top marks. Flavorful, fresh, a myriad of flavors. Our wine selection "39" was wonderful. While the entrees were more than enough, the temptation of home made cannot with espresso couldn't be denied. Maxi's was absolutely great, and our server added to the experience. I can see us traveling to Cleveland just to come back.

10/10 recommend! Homemade bread & oil with Parmesan and pepper flakes- amazing! Frog legs - large portions and perfectly paired with squeezed lemon Fried mozzarella- sauce is absolute bliss point of salt/sweet/tang ratio. Chicken fettuccine Alfredo- smooth and creamy sauce, not overly salted, and hints of nutmeg Linguine and meatballs- smaller portion, but perfect amount if ordered with appetizer. Meatballs are divine. This is our second visit and Maxi’s has exceeded our (already high) expectations!! P.s we love to be able to eat first class food while dressed casually :)

I experienced one of my favorite dining experiences all summer at Maxi’s. Friendly bar, superb selections of wine and cocktails and coffees. I had the Bolognese Pappardelle , and it compared to food I ate in Italy. Doesn’t look like a lot from the street, but the bar and gorgeous outside patio in the back is worth the visit.

Sat on the outside patio and our server was very friendly. The meatballs and pasta are incredible. Mozzarella sticks also very good, but definitely must get the meatballs and pasta. The espresso martinis are decent, as well!

Food is absolutely amazing, plates as well as the sauces used were prepared the right way, fresh, and warm.. service was great and on point. Drink and wine list was even and clean with nice variety. Environment was easy going and comfortable, casual dress code and in the heart of little Italy. Will definitely be there again to try other options on menu.

First timer here, the food I'd amazing! Service was slow, considering we were the only ones in the restaurant. Drinks were just okay. Rum & coke was not great and the white sangria was terrible. Food was amazing! I had the cavetteli and meatballs, it was so good. She had the spinach ravioli with meatballs, and it was so good. Appetizers were good. We ordered the bruschetta rustica, but they gave us the wrong one. The breaded mozzarella was very good. They served fresh bread, which was hot out of the oven with olive oil to dip in. Although, if you plan to eat a big meal, skip the bread. The food is worth it. All things considered, it was a great place to eat.

Huge slice of past and present awaits you. Family aspects evident in the staffing. FRESH foods, great presentation, and ample seating (inside, front patio, back patio). Main and back bar areas. Enjoyed hearing their voice intonation and native language. Their Calamari is light and refreshing - not overdone. Spinach arugula salad exceptionally fresh. Fourth or fifth visit from out of town. Should try another establishment, yet Maxi's NEVER disappoints. Calamari unique in taste. Salmon pizza tonight. Capers and salmon do not overwhelm the uniquely light crust. Ummmmm. Nice wine pour, too. Tried the Sljivovica plum liquore (Crotian) instead of Sambuca. Thank you, Maxi's, for your dedication to food, ambience, and life.

We always have to go to Maxi’s when we got to Little Italy. Today was even more special. We got to meet Christine who was our bartender and Terek who also works there. They were amazing and gave us the best customer service ever! And Terek is from our hometown of Canton and we had several people in common. We love to meet new people and enjoy great food! We got to check off both of these things from our to-do list! We enjoyed the cauliflower with jalapeño sauce, the delicious calamari and some amazing pizza! And the tiramisu dessert was awesome (thank you Christine)! We can’t wait until our next visit to Maxi’s! A must when in Little Italy!😊🍷❤️

This is a great little Italian restaurant in Little Italy. I was shocked at the quality of the food that came out of this small restaurant. The Veal Scaloppini Marsala was fantastic. The muscles were awesome and we had a great bottle of wine. Our waiter had a great personality and we can’t wait to go back. We sat out in the small patio, really just the sidewalk, and took in the atmosphere.

Food was delicious!! Highly recommend the calamari. Great selection of authentic Italian dishes.

Charming place with great food and great service. The pasta was the best I’ve had in years….. very good. The vodka sauce was so packed with flavor.

We ate on the patio and it was perfect. The drinks, appetizer, and main dishes were delicious. The service was great. We will go back again.

Took my mother in law for lunch today. It was absolutely phenomenal. Service was top notch. Food was beyond delicious. It’s an absolute must visit destination.

Food is delicious, pizzas are huge and enough for three people so the value is good. One of the best pizzas I've had too. Pictures are spinach ravioli, and the Alex pizza (stuffed hot peppers and sausage)

A stellar, Italian restaurant with a sizable menu and premium portions of food. The atmosphere was perfect for date night or a family gathering. I recommend Maxi's for your next outing.

Friendly server, a solid wine collection, and the frog legs and pizza (with prosciutto) were delicious. We sat outside, but it was quite noisy with construction next door, so I'd recommend sitting inside.

Morgan took great care of our group. They knew some good bits on wine that would fit our meal choices. The patio is lovely with a roof and fans. Such a classic family spot for years, happy to share with friends. We couldn’t help but go big for six choices on the dessert platter.

Lil Italy in Cleveland. Very good Italian food. The service was excellent 👌. We went with friends. Had a great time.

Loved our server, we felt welcome there with our young baby. Good wine list with a broad price range. Calamari was 11/10!

Stopped in on a whim and ordered the spaghetti and meatballs 10/10. The sauce and bread were really good, everything tasted amazing.

Delicious food! Had a margarita pizza and bolognese pasta. Owen was a wonderful server. Love the vibe.

We seriously can’t say enough good things about this place. It’s hands-down our favorite Italian restaurant — the kind of spot that feels like home the second you walk in. The staff is always so welcoming and kind, and you can tell they really care about their guests. The food? Absolutely amazing. Every dish feels like it’s made with so much love. The pasta is fresh, the sauces are packed with flavor, and everything just tastes like real, honest Italian cooking. You can tell they put their heart into every plate. We’ve celebrated special occasions here, but it’s also the place we come to just because we’re craving something comforting and delicious. Every time we leave, we’re already talking about what we’re going to order next time. If you’re looking for a place that’s cozy, genuine, and unforgettable, this is it. We’re so lucky to have found it — it’s truly something special.

I'm new to the city and have only been to Little Italy once. Everywhere else was closed so I decided to give Maxi's a shot, and I'm very glad that I did. The people in the restraunt were super nice and welcoming, and the food was great. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very cozy and laid back, even when they were 10 minutes from closing. I will definitely be coming back as soon as I can.

Last night, my wife and I had a phenomenal experience at Maxi’s! The service was outstanding from start to finish. We were seated on the front patio along the sidewalk, which was perfect for us, though the restaurant also has a stunning back patio filled with flowers and equipped with air conditioning. The host who seated us was incredibly kind and attentive. He greeted us warmly, brought us water, later brought bread, and each time had a smile on his face and something pleasant to say. Our server, Kareem, was fantastic—friendly, attentive, and genuinely kind. He made sure my wife’s allergies were taken seriously and checked in on us just the right amount, making the evening feel relaxed and welcoming. The food matched the service in excellence. We started with the calamari—perfectly cooked and flavorful. My wife ordered the Clams Pasta in Tomato Basil sauce, which she loved, and I had the Chicken Picatta, which was every bit as delicious as I’d hoped. We had a wonderful experience and will absolutely be returning. Highly recommend!

While in town for our son’s wedding shower, our gracious hosts posed a deceptively simple question: What kind of food do you like? As any true food lover knows, that’s a loaded inquiry. We offered up “Italian” as a favorite, and without hesitation, they ushered us to the heart of the city’s Little Italy district—an enclave so charming I couldn’t help but wonder why Minnesota doesn’t boast a neighborhood like this of its own. Our destination: Maxi’s, a beloved local institution known for its generous menu and warm, familial energy. Thanks to a bit of insider magic—our host Don’s nephew secured us a prime table—we were seated in the rear terrace. Despite the midday heat (a sweltering 85 degrees), the patio was astonishingly comfortable thanks to their discreet but effective air conditioning system. It was a thoughtful detail that set the tone for the rest of the experience. The menu at Maxi’s is sprawling but curated with care—classic Italian comfort dishes alongside a few modern interpretations. Service was attentive without being intrusive, striking that delicate balance between hospitality and ease. In short, Maxi’s delivered everything one hopes for in a neighborhood Italian spot: flavorful food, genuine warmth, and an atmosphere that makes you want to linger just a little longer. We’ll gladly return—next time with more room in our schedule, and perhaps our appetites too.

We went to this restaurant for an early dinner with some friends. I would give this place a five star review, but they had NOTHING for kids/toddlers. No high chairs, no kids menu, no plastic/ smaller cups for kids to use. Since we were there with our 2 year old (and our friends had a 1-1/2 year old) this was very inconvenient. However, the food was amazing, our server was so kind and was so understanding of our kids & did his best with what the restaurant had for our kids.

Food was just ok in my opinion. Also, this place is very small so where we sat we were wedged between two tables. Our chairs were about an inch away from touching the chairs at the table beside us. Our server was kind and attentive even though they were busy.

Maxi's Bistro in Little Italy, Cleveland, is a true gastronomical haven for Italian cuisine aficionados. Every dish seems to carry the soul and richness of traditional Italian cooking, served with a flair that only Maxi's can offer. Starting with the appetizers, the Calamari at Maxi's is a showstopper. Expertly fried to a crispy golden hue, it's neither rubbery nor oily. Each bite reveals tender squid encased in a crunchy shell, served with a side of zesty marinara sauce that adds a delightful tang to the dish. The Bruschetta Classico is an experience to savor. It showcases perfectly toasted bread, robust with the flavors of garlic, which is then topped with a refreshing mix of tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. It's a harmony of textures and flavors that sets the tone for the culinary journey ahead. The star of the show, however, is the Lobster Ravioli. It's a plate of tender pasta pillows filled with a rich lobster mixture, bathed in a creamy and subtly seasoned sauce. Every bite of this dish is a celebration of flavor, with the seafood's inherent sweetness perfectly complemented by the savory richness of the sauce. No meal at Maxi's is complete without their desserts. The Cannoli and Tiramisu are the epitome of classic Italian sweets. The Cannoli is impeccably crispy with a slightly sweet, creamy ricotta filling, while the Tiramisu is a symphony of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone, and a dusting of cocoa that leaves you craving for more. What makes the dessert experience even more enjoyable is their fantastic Cappuccino. With its smooth texture, rich flavor, and the perfect ratio of espresso to milk, it pairs wonderfully with the desserts, enhancing their sweetness and providing a well-rounded end to your meal. However, the parking situation at Maxi's leaves something to be desired. Parking, especially during dinner hours, can be difficult to find and costly, adding a layer of stress to an otherwise enjoyable culinary experience. Maxi's Bistro is nestled in a bustling part of Little Italy, and while this lends a vibrant atmosphere, it does make parking a challenge. In conclusion, Maxi's Bistro is an Italian cuisine gem, delivering on flavor, authenticity, and some of the best Cappuccino in town. However, the parking scenario can dampen the overall dining experience. Even with the parking troubles, the quality of the food and drinks makes Maxi's a worthy spot for an Italian culinary adventure.

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.

The food was pretty good & reasonably priced. We especially loved the atmosphere! If you have objections to eating at the bar, be sure to make reservations. It’s a small/quaint place so it fills up quickly!

Stopped by for lunch and had a terrific pizza with my Peroni. Friendly quick service. Now we want to go back for dinner.....did return for a full meal; unfortunately had to send my mussels back because they tasted oddly bitter (only time in my life I've sent back mussels) but my family had two servings of clams linguini that they rated delicious.

Friendly, quaint Italian restaurant in little Italy. They have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating with kind and knowledgeable staff. The food was good, and the portion sizes are large. Not the best Italian I’ve ever had but definitely worth checking out.

We went there for a late lunch and unfortunately, pizza was not available at all. So we ordered Bruschetta, Lobster Ravioli, and Clam pasta. Clam pasta looked good but almost tasteless: just a lot of raw garlic in a big bowl and small amount of pasta. Service was minimal, so probably we will not go back there again.

Had lunch there yesterday. I hate to say it but the experience was ‘meh.’ And $105 for one app, a salad and two entrees with no alcohol seems pretty pricey for the product that was delivered. Food was pretty bland for both of us. Rolls that were brought out were frozen in the middle and then took longer than they should have to be re-served. Bruschetta tasted only like raw red onion. Meatballs could have been plopped out of a frozen bag from GFS. Really disappointed as I would just hope for better from one of the city’s premier food neighborhoods. Also when we walked in there was a slight waft of sewage odor which wasn’t the best way to start the meal …. Unlikely to return - ever

I ordered one of their specialty pizzas (their Gina's Pizza) online and upon getting home and opening the box, was immensely disappointed. There was barely any prosciutto on it, and frankly I am unsure if it was even prosciutto or just sliced up deli meat. Additionally, there were huge chunks of tomato that slide off every time I tried to take a bite. The distribution of the toppings was just disappointing, I am not a fan of having to rearrange my own pizza toppings to get some on every slice. The best thing I can say about it is that the food was prepared quickly and the person who gave me my order was pleasant. Overall, definitely not a $24 pizza for what you get.

I went there alone for lunch today. I saw they have lobster ravioli from reviews. I was excited to try their lobster ravioli. First, i waited about 10mins at the door to be seated. It was after 1pm and was not that busy. But i understood since it seemed like there's only one server. Then i ordered the ravioli and got welcome bread. It was hot and tasted pretty good but once it cooled down, it was not soft enough to enjoy. Then i got my $24 lobster ravioli. I liked the noodle it self but the inside stuff of the pasta and the sauce was very disappointing. I honestly could not taste the lobster and the sauce was nothing special but blend. It looks pretty but that might be it. I don't know about other dishes but i do not recommend the lobster ravioli.

The food is a joke, right? How does this place have 4.5 stars when they are serving up bar food and calling it Italian cuisine at Italian cuisine prices? They think flavor is just a bunch of garlic. Nothing is seasoned. I had huge chunks of raw tomato on my pizza- w zero flavor. It is low effort food. Pretty sure the oil dip they give you isn’t olive oil. The color is toooo clear , looks like canola. The bruschetta was underwhelming too. It’s just bar food for drunk people. Don’t go if you want good food.

Booked outdoor patio on the assumption it would be quiet. Instead it was easily the loudest part of the restaurant. Our waiter used his best inside whisper to tell us they ran out of pizza at 7:40 pm on a friday. Took two more tries to get that information out of him, and he started looking at us like we were stupid. The food we did end up getting was expensive for the portion size. (6 ravioli for $25. 5 bruschetta for $15) The wine I had wasn't very good, they ran out of table bread, and it took forever to get a glass of water. Will not go back.

I didn’t like the Alex pizza at all. The pasta dish my partner had was just okay, but he did enjoy it. The fries were overpriced at $10, especially considering they were frozen and not freshly made.

I cannot add any stars as we were never served. The hostess was rude and lacked customer service. We go every year to this restaurant on Columbus day. I asked my nephew to reserve a table for four when it should have been five. we went in and they seated us at a table of four and I did not realize I goofed so my wife took a chair from an empty table. I asked the hostess if that was ok. He said know because he needed 4 at that table. I asked can you accommodate us somewhere. He said no. I said to him maybe we should as to not create confusion. I expected him to say no give me a few to figure it out. Instead he said yes that would be fine if you left. So we left and I can say we will never go there again. Not welcoming or inviting. Maxi, Maybe you need to work harder at customer service traing before you loose your reputation.