It is rare to find a place that feels like it belongs to a different era without being a museum. Most "historic" spots feel dusty. Or worse, they feel like a corporate chain wearing a vintage costume. Washington Place Bistro & Inn isn't like that. Tucked into a corner of Cleveland’s Little Italy, specifically at the intersection of Mayfield and Cornell Roads, it’s a massive 19th-century brownstone that manages to be both imposing and incredibly cozy. Honestly, if you aren't looking for it, you might just walk right past the brick facade and the ivy, thinking it’s just another high-end residence.
That would be a mistake.
For years, this spot has been the anchor for people who want the Little Italy experience without the "red sauce" fatigue. Don't get me wrong; I love a massive plate of veal parm as much as the next person. But sometimes you want something a bit more refined. You want a place where the floorboards creak in a comforting way and the lighting makes everyone look like they’re in a noir film. This is that place.
The Reality of Staying at Washington Place Bistro & Inn
Let’s talk about the "Inn" part first, because people usually focus on the food and forget you can actually sleep here. There are only seven rooms. Seven. That is basically nothing in the world of modern hospitality where hotels have hundreds of identical boxes. Because the building is historic, every room is shaped a little differently. You’ve got the high ceilings, the original woodwork, and windows that actually let you hear the neighborhood wake up.
Staying here feels less like a hotel and more like you have a very wealthy, very tasteful aunt who let you crash in her guest suite.
One thing you’ll notice immediately is the lack of "hotel smell." You know the one—that weird mix of industrial carpet cleaner and stale air. Here, it usually smells like whatever the chef is reducing in the kitchen downstairs. Maybe garlic. Maybe red wine. It’s intoxicating. However, it’s worth noting that because it’s an old building, accessibility can be a bit of a hurdle. If you have mobility issues, the stairs are something to consider before booking. It’s a trade-off for the charm.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Menu
People hear "Little Italy" and they automatically expect a twenty-page menu of pasta. Washington Place Bistro & Inn intentionally breaks that mold. The culinary direction here has always leaned more toward "American Bistro with an Italian accent" rather than a straight-up trattoria.
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You’ll find things like pan-seared scallops or a really high-quality steak, often paired with seasonal vegetables that actually taste like they came out of the ground recently. The menu changes. That’s the key. They don’t just keep the same six items for a decade because they’re "classics." They iterate.
Wait, I have to mention the patio.
If you are in Cleveland during the three months of the year when the weather is actually nice, the patio at Washington Place is arguably the best seat in the city. It’s shielded from the main drag of Mayfield, so you don't get the constant roar of traffic, but you still feel the energy of the neighborhood. It’s tucked away. It’s private. It’s the kind of place where lunch accidentally turns into a three-hour affair involving two bottles of Vermentino.
The Bar Scene and the "Local" Factor
If you want to know if a place is actually good, look at the bar at 5:30 PM on a Tuesday. If it’s empty, or filled only with tourists looking at maps, run. At Washington Place, the bar is usually occupied by people who live three streets over. Case Western Reserve University faculty, doctors from University Hospitals, and the artists who still haunt the lofts in Little Italy congregate here.
The cocktail program isn't trying too hard. You won't find drinks with "essence of forest floor" or liquid nitrogen. You’ll find a perfectly balanced Manhattan. You’ll find a wine list that is focused rather than exhausting.
Why Location is Everything for This Spot
You have to understand the geography of Little Italy to appreciate why this specific corner matters. The neighborhood is a valley. At the bottom, you have the train tracks and the rush of University Circle. At the top, you have the quiet, leafy streets leading toward Cleveland Heights. Washington Place sits right at the transition.
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You are steps away from:
- The Holy Rosary Church (the heart of the Feast of the Assumption).
- Presti’s Bakery (where you will inevitably go for a cannoli afterward).
- The Tony Brush Park.
- Dozens of art galleries.
But because the Bistro is slightly removed from the busiest cluster of restaurants near Murray Hill Road, it escapes the frantic "tourist trap" vibe. It feels like a sanctuary.
Acknowledging the Competition
It would be dishonest to say Washington Place is the only game in town. You have heavy hitters like Guarino’s or Mia Bella right down the street. Those places are great for what they are. Guarino’s has that incredible back garden and a history that stretches back to 1918. Mia Bella does a more modern, bustling Mediterranean thing.
But Washington Place wins on atmosphere and versatility. You can go there for a formal anniversary dinner, or you can sit at the bar in jeans and eat a burger. It doesn’t demand a specific "version" of you.
The Practical Logistics (What You Need to Know)
Parking in Little Italy is, quite frankly, a nightmare. It is a neighborhood designed for horses and pedestrians, not SUVs. Washington Place does offer some solutions, but honestly? Just use the valet if it's available or be prepared to walk a few blocks. Don't fight the neighborhood; just accept that you're going to have to hunt for a spot if you arrive at peak dinner time.
Also, reservations are not optional. Since the dining room isn't cavernous, it fills up fast, especially on weekends when there’s a show at Severance Hall or an event at the Cleveland Museum of Art nearby.
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- Check the seasonal menu online before you go.
- If you're staying at the Inn, ask for a room facing away from the street if you're a light sleeper.
- Try the mussels. Seriously.
- Don't skip the bread service.
The Evolution of the Space
The building itself has lived many lives. It wasn't always a bistro. Like much of the neighborhood, it has transitioned from a family home to a boarding house to a commercial space. This layering of history is palpable. When you look at the moldings or the way the staircase curves, you're seeing craftsmanship that literally doesn't exist in modern construction.
The current iteration of Washington Place has survived several economic shifts and a global pandemic that gutted the restaurant industry. The reason it’s still here? Consistency. In a world where restaurants open and close within eighteen months, there is something deeply respectable about a place that just keeps doing the work, day after day, for years.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to Cleveland or just a night out in the city, here is how to maximize the Washington Place experience. Start by spending your afternoon at the Cleveland Museum of Art—it’s free and world-class. From there, it’s a five-minute drive or a fifteen-minute walk up the hill into Little Italy.
Check in to your room at the Inn around 4:00 PM. Take a second to breathe. The rooms are intentionally low-tech; they encourage you to actually unplug. Head downstairs for a drink at the bar before the dinner rush hits at 7:00 PM. Talk to the bartender. They usually know exactly what's going on in the neighborhood that night.
After dinner, don't just go back to your room. Walk the neighborhood. Little Italy at night is completely different than it is during the day. The crowds thin out, the lights of the galleries glow, and you can hear the trains passing in the distance. It’s one of the few places in the Midwest that feels genuinely European in its scale and walkability.
When you wake up the next morning, grab a coffee and sit on the porch. Watch the neighborhood come to life. You’ll see the delivery trucks bringing flour to the bakeries and the residents walking their dogs. It’s a slow, rhythmic way to experience a city that is often overlooked. Washington Place Bistro & Inn isn't just a business; it’s a gateway into a very specific, very beautiful way of living in Cleveland.
For those looking to book, checking their official website for direct rates is always better than using third-party travel sites. You often get better flexibility with the small staff there if you book direct. Whether you’re there for the braised short ribs or a night in a room with a clawfoot tub, just remember to take it slow. This place wasn't built for rushing.