Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Tampa / Central Florida West

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in Tampa / Central Florida West? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

La Dolce Vita Authentic Italian Cuisine

4.9

4.9 (348)

$31 to $50

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

We welcome our guests to an authentic Italian restaurant: here we offer traditional cuisine, with a modern take on northern and southern Italian recipes. Mauro, the chef, and his wife Tina, have an huge amount of experience behind them.

Mauro is from Naples, Tina was born in a little sicilian town near by Enna.
He began to learn everything about the southern cuisine by his experience in Naples since he was a child, from “Polipetti alla Luciana” to “Paccheri ai frutti di mare”. Furthermore he moved in Milan and he had the chance to learn the northern cuisine, from “Risotto ai funghi porcini” to “Polenta grigliata”, one of his favourite specialties!
From an ancient sicilian tradition, Tina learnt everything about the desserts by her grandmother and her mother, from “Millefoglie” to “Cannoli cake”.

We hope you enjoyed reading about us. but it would be great if you would have the chance to taste our fantastic dishes! It will be an amazing experience with no

Top review

Margaret

Dined 3 days ago

As always, La Dolce Vita serves fresh, authentic and delicious Italian food. From the moment you walk through the door until the time you leave you will not be disappointed. Tina‘s limoncello is the best we have ever had.

Quality Foods Market

5.0

5 (239)

$50 and over

Italian

Tampa

About the restaurant

Quality Foods Market offers a unique culinary experience, featuring authentic Italian cuisine, in a relaxed, elevated casual, and intimate atmosphere. Enjoy a seasonally changing, from scratch menu, featuring both classic and modern pastas; hand cut steaks from USDA Certified Premium Hereford Heritage 1881 Beef; New Zealand Lamb Chops; USDA Certified Prime Veal; and the freshest seafood available, flown in from around the world throughout the week. In addition, Quality Foods Market offers a curated wine list with selections from all over the world, and an unrivaled craft and imported beer selection. Executive Chef Christopher Houp takes the time to interact with each and every guest throughout the dining experience, taking the Chef's Table concept to a whole new level. Tables are limited, with just 16 seats inside, and an additional 16 seats for al fresco dining. Our guests are treated to a true Italian dining experience, as we allow a minimum of three hours between reservations.

Top review

Domenic

Dined 4 days ago

There's great food and service, and then there's exceptional food and service. Quality Foods Market consistently delivers exceptional food and service. My wife found out about this hidden gem earlier in the year, and it is now our staple restaurant for special occasions and date nights. We love to hear Chef Chris tell us stories about Italy and Italian food culture. It's a meal and an education and both are the best.

Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (289)

$30 and under

Italian

Brooksville

About the restaurant

Papa Joe was raised on the mountainside of Palermo, Italy. As a child, Joe and his mother would walk their tiny town daily, collecting ingredients from the local farms for the family's supper table. He learned from Mommy a passion for hard work an a love for great food. Joe's other love Momma Donna, grew up in South Florida. She appreciates the value of locally grown produce and fresh ingredients. Together, Joe and Donna have developed an amazing menu where Italian heirloom meets southern hospitality. We count it a Blessing to have you as a guest at the restaurant supper table or outside on the beautiful covered Al Fresco Papa's Patio.

Top review

Sandra

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Food was excellent and served hot. However it’s always cold in there.

Bruschetta Fine Italian Cuisine

4.9

4.9 (41)

$31 to $50

Italian

Gulf Gate Estates

About the restaurant

At Bruschetta Fine Italian Cuisine , our history is rooted in family and tradition. Our recipes have been passed down for generations, and we take great pride in using authentic ingredients and techniques to create the flavors of Italy. From our humble beginnings in a small kitchen in Rome to our bustling restaurant today, we've always stayed true to our roots.

Top review

Susan

Dined 3 days ago

Lovely little gem of a restaurant in Gulf Gate. Loved the complimentary bruschetta and limoncello. The spinach and ricotta ravioli was delicious

Caffe Paradiso - Tampa

4.9

4.9 (1135)

$30 and under

Italian

Tampa

About the restaurant

Caffé Paradiso voted best Italian resturant in Tampa is known for it's great home made regional dishes excellent service and reasonably priced wine list, also preparing special dishes at your request.

Top review

Wayne

Dined 2 days ago

For consistently great food and great service at reasonable prices, you just can't beat Caffe Paradiso.

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Isola Bella Italian Eatery

4.9

4.9 (1197)

$31 to $50

Italian

Anna Maria Island

About the restaurant

ISOLA BELLA -Fresh Pasta, Homemade Sauces, Daily Entree Specials, Extensive Dessert List!

Top review

Maureen

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Always a fun evening. Food was wonderful and the wine recommendations were great.

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La Violetta Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1034)

$30 and under

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Intimate and designed to provide a rustic Italian experience. Buonissimo!

Top review

BrittanyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Such a great spot. The staff are always so accommodating with our daughter and the food is always incredibly delicious. One of our favorite places for dinner.

Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano

4.8

4.8 (3527)

$31 to $50

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

With its modern but classic Italian cuisine and emphasis on artisanal and contemporary Northern Italian style, Mediterraneo is often credited with being the first restaurant to bring authentic contemporary Italian cuisine to Sarasota when it first opened in 1996. Still under the same ownership, Mediterraneo has consistently been rated one of the top restaurants in Zagat. The restaurant has received numerous accolades including the acclaimed Insegna Del Ristorante Italiano awarded by The Minister of Agriculture & Commerce in Rome. With its highest honor, inducting the restaurant into its Accademia Italiana della Cucina "Fine Dining Hall of Fame." Mediterraneo has been rated as Best of the Best in Sarasota Magazine since the first year of opening.

So whether you're celebrating a special occasion or grabbing a quick bite to eat, at Mediterraneo you are always assured the best quality food accompanied by excellent service. All of it thoroughly Italian.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great service and food. Very attentive server. Very accommodating for larger groups as well.

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Popular dish

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Experience

NYE À la carte Dinner Menu

Pietro's Italian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (642)

$31 to $50

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Italian Restaurant& wine bar in Sarasota. Where you are a stranger only once.
His philosophy served him well with his previous Sarasota businesses. Café Gabbiano located on Siesta Key was originated by the Migliaccio family in 2003 where is four sons grew in and out of the restaurant business.
A second venture in downtown Sarasota was opened and designed by Pietro in 2012 named Casantica, a small old house converted to a quaint homey restaurant. Both restaurants are now under new ownership.
Now, this small intimate place is where I can have fun serving and meeting new friends. Benvenuti.

Top review

AnnVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Outstanding service and food Our favorite restaurant in all of Sarasota

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Popular dish

Lasagna Marinara

Cafe Amici

4.8

4.8 (982)

$31 to $50

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Cafe Amici is a traditional Italian cuisine in Sarasota Fl, since 1996 we offer extensive menu you will enjoy dish from Puglia, Veneto, Tuscany and the Mediterranean shores. There is an eight seat bar with 20 wines by the glass, 300 bottle of wines from all over the world, wine vintage from 1964 thru 2022.

Top review

JamieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Lovely restaurant ! Small intimate, accommodating. Great food and service.

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