Opened in the early 1900s by Italian immigrant Vincenzo Guarino, what started out as a tavern slowly evolved into a restaurant. It was Vincenzo’s son Sam who had the garden out back built for formal dining, and the patio even has a trumpet vine that was planted by Vincenzo still standing today. While you’ll enjoy the Victorian-style decor inside this establishment in Little Italy, this place is also well-known as having one of the best patios in Cleveland!

**Why we love it: For more than 30 years, this upscale restaurant has made a name for itself as a top Italian fine dining spot. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Cuyahoga River and the patio has matching views. Try this: The simple greens salad ($8) with English cucumber, carrot and balsamic, coupled with grilled salmon ($18), makes for a perfect lunch al fresco.

12309 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106216-231-3100 Visit Website. After spending your afternoon at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, the best place to visit and enjoy old-school Italian cuisine in a vintage setting is Guarino’s Restaurant, one of the city’s oldest eateries. Their patio is a great place to unwind on the sunniest days.

When it’s time to get that old-school Italian food fix and you’re going out to Little Italy, you’d be remiss to not consider the Guarino’s back patio. It feels like your grandparents’ backyard, but packed in with a lot more tables. The place has been running for more than 100 years, they must know what they’re doing.

Guarino’s might be a little more well known since it's the oldest restaurant in Cleveland, but I’m pretty sure that since I had no idea how awesome their patio is, most people within my network don’t know either. It’s basically an Italian garden with string lights, greenery everywhere, and live music.

Guarino’s 12309 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Established in 1918, Guarino’s in Little Italy is Cleveland’s oldest restaurants and is still a family operation. The old world decor tends toward Victoriana and the kitchen’s pasta, veal and seafood dishes are all Italian. Photo via Guarino’s/Facebook

Cleveland’s oldest restaurant is Guarino’s, located in Little Italy; you can feel the history coming from every part of the building. While the years have passed, the menu hasn’t changed too much. Everything is house-made and as authentic as when the doors first opened in 1918.

In Cleveland’s Little Italy you’ll find the historic Guarino’s, which first opened in 1898. Vincenzo Guarino came from Sicily and purchased the tavern, including an apartment upstairs. After getting married, his wife began serving meals to patrons.

Have lunch at one of the local favorites like Mama Santa's for Sicilian pizza, Mia Bella for upscale Mediterranean, or Guarino's for Italian home cookin'. Don't forget to leave room for dessert from Presti's Bakery or (...and?) Corbo's Bakery.

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (331 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 12309 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106-1927- Read more on Tripadvisor

Lasagna – Broken meatballs, ricotta, mozzarella, Sunday Premier from Stancato’s Italian Restaurant located at 7380 State Rd, Parma - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

Get a taste of “Little Italy” that will take you back to Cleveland’s roots with Guarino’s. They even feature a gluten-free menu!