It was 1918…

… when a young Vincenzo Guarino opened a speakeasy at 12309 Mayfield Road, in Cleveland, Ohio. Opened legally as a “tavern and pool room” that had a primary purpose of “serving food,” Guarino’s in fact served alcohol in coffee mugs to keep from being seen on the street through the large glass windows. Within a few years, hanging beads adorned the bar from floor to ceiling to allow patrons to more openly consume alcohol while dining on the original Guarino family recipies- several of which are still served today.

The Cleveland culinary scene has vastly expanded over the past decade, and we’re ever proud of our city’s growth and diversity of dining options. As Cleveland’s Oldest Restaurant, we are so blessed that you have patronized us over our first century, and we look forward to welcoming you back on your next trip to Little Italy.