In search of a new favorite Italian spot?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Italian eateries around Cleveland, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to venture when cravings strike.
1. Crust
Topping the list is Crust. Located at 2258 Professor Ave. in Tremont, the Italian spot, which offers pizza and more, is the highest rated inexpensive Italian restaurant in Cleveland, boasting 4.5 stars out of 186 reviews on Yelp.
"Our dough is hand-tossed from scratch, not pulled out of a box or put into a machine. We slow rise our dough and bake your pizza at 550 degrees to lock in the natural aroma and flavor," Crust says on its website.
Build your own pie or choose a specialty pizza like the roasted eggplant, Spanish chorizo or lemon rosemary chicken. Other menu items include hand-rolled pasta, subs, salads and sides like the fried pepperoni mozzarella bites and the burrata antipasto. Crust is available for catering and has a second location in Midtown.
2. Coffee Coffee Coffee
Next up is Old Brooklyn's Coffee Coffee Coffee, situated at 4193 Pearl Road. With five stars out of 19 reviews on Yelp, the coffee shop that offers Italian and American caffeinated drinks has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a cappuccino, latte or espresso.
Stop in for some air next time you get a flat. This unique coffee shop is also a bicycle repair shop serving up bagels, toast and more while customers get new chainrings installed or a brake adjustment.
3. Vincenza's Pizza & Pasta
Vincenza's Pizza & Pasta, located at 603 Prospect Ave E., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the budget-friendly Italian eatery, which offers pizza and salads, four stars out of 88 reviews.
Situated in the Colonial Marketplace, this joint offers freshly made thin and stuffed crusts, deep dish and sheet pizzas along with other menu options like housemade pasta dishes and more than a dozen different sandwiches. The pizza is also available by the slice.
4. Athens Pizzeria
Athens Pizzeria in Kamm's Corners is another much-loved, cheap go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 32 Yelp reviews. Head over to 4341 Rocky River Dr. to see for yourself.
With another location on Denison Avenue, the establishment serves up wings, sandwiches and salads, along with customizable pies offering topping options like pineapple, ham, bacon, pepperoni, black olives, mushrooms and sausage. Or opt for a specialty pie like the Athenian, which starts with a garlic butter sauce that's then topped with gyro meat, onions, tomatoes, provolone cheese and served with tzatziki sauce.
5. Valentino's Pizza
Over in the University District, check out Valentino's Pizza, which has earned four stars out of 78 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the Italian spot, which features an outdoor patio, by heading over to 2197 Murray Hill Road.
Try one of the pizzas charred in a stone-oven hearth, or opt for a salad and Italian fare like rigatoni, eggplant Parmesan and stuffed shells.
Yelper Ivy C. noted, "Valentino's Pizza surprised me. Simple, tasty, handmade and customized authentic Italian pizza. This is what I am looking for. Even when you reheat it — it still tastes good."
