Best Italian Restaurants in University of South Florida

15 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Quality Foods Market restaurant

1. Quality Foods Market

5.0

Exceptional(226)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 5 times today

Quality Foods Market in Lutz, Tampa, offers a truly authentic Italian dining experience that transports you straight to Italy with every bite. Praised for its meticulous attention to detail and authenticity, the restaurant features a seasonal menu that showcases the finest ingredients. Guests rave about the "exceptional food, wine, and overall experience," highlighting dishes like the "best bolognese pasta ever" and a tiramisu that completes a perfect Italian meal. The intimate setting, complemented by Chef Chris's personal engagement with guests, ensures a memorable dining journey. As one enthusiast puts it, dining here is like "being in Italy for a few hours." With glowing testimonials and a chef who "personally visits your table," Quality Foods Market stands out as a pinnacle of Italian cuisine in Tampa.

A photo of La Casa Della Pasta restaurant

2. La Casa Della Pasta

4.6

Exceptional(365)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 12 times today

We bought La Casa della Pasta in 2017 and moved from our home in the Langhe in Piedmont, located in the northwest of Italy to the sunshine state. We have always been passionate about food and wine and would like to share the authentic Italian cuisine we know and love with you! While our time at La Casa della Pasta is just beginning, we have spent many years in the restaurant industry and are eager to share our delicious food with you! We hope to see you soon, Mara and Franco.

3. Sacred Pepper

4.8

Exceptional(6794)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 77 times today

Sacred Pepper in North Tampa is a celebration of Mediterranean cuisine with an American twist, revered for its dedication to quality and authenticity. Candy DeBartolo's vision of creating a "sacred" dining experience where "everything that happens around the table is considered sacred" has materialized beautifully through locally sourced ingredients and made-from-scratch pastas and sauces. Reviewers consistently praise the restaurant’s offerings, highlighting dishes like the "Shrimp Fradiavlo with linguine" which features house-made pasta in a "very nice chunky marinara sauce." With glowing remarks on the harmonious blend of flavors and impeccable service, Sacred Pepper is a gem in Tampa's dining scene, providing an "excellent selection" and a vibrant atmosphere that makes every visit memorable. As one diner puts it, the experience is "FANTASTIC all around," making it a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Mediterranean delights.

4. Timpano Hyde Park

4.5

Awesome(3507)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 84 times today

Timpano Hyde Park, nestled in the historic Hyde Park of Tampa, is celebrated for its outstanding Steakhouse cuisine. Renowned for its "neighborhood gem" status, Timpano offers steaks that are "cooked to specifications," ensuring each dish is a masterpiece of flavors. The restaurant's atmosphere, described as having "rustic elegance," complements the high-quality dining experience, making every visit memorable. Diners consistently praise the "wonderful service" and the "well seasoned" seafood, showcasing Timpano's commitment to excellence across its menu. Whether it's the praised "Parm to table pesto" or the exquisitely prepared steaks, Timpano Hyde Park stands out as a must-visit for steak lovers in Tampa.

A photo of Casa Santo Stefano restaurant

5. Casa Santo Stefano

4.7

Exceptional(3574)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Ybor City

Booked 71 times today

Benvenuti! Casa Santo Stefano is a Sicilian restaurant from the Gonzmart family, owners of the 1905 Family Of Restaurants. The lunch and dinner menus feature maccheroni (pasta), steaks, seafood, scacciata, salads, soups, desserts and hundreds of Sicilian wines. Curbside takeout is available by calling the main phone number. The rooftop Santo's Drinkeria also is open. Housed in a beautifully re-imagined former 1925 Ybor City macaroni factory, the restaurant is a look back to Sunday suppers, simpler times and shared stories.Dress code: Casa Santo Stefano often is visited for celebrations and special occasion meals, so it is common for our guests to sport formal wear in the dining room. We welcome everyone, but politely ask that men wear sleeves at Casa Santo Stefano.

6. BellaBrava Tampa

4.7

Exceptional(509)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 57 times today

BellaBrava New World Trattoria was born in 2005 in Downtown Saint Petersburg. Over the years since, BellaBrava has been voted Best Restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Best Italian, and is a perennial Guest favorite on Beach Drive.Now open in Midtown Tampa, BellaBrava Tampa brings the same menu and outstanding service we are proud of to Tampa. Enjoy great Italian wines and cocktails, New World Trattoria cuisine, and consistently excellent service.In the heart of Midtown Tampa, we’re the perfect spot for a great lunch while shopping, or an intimate dinner with friends and family.

7. Cena

4.2

Awesome(1485)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 1 time today

Cena is a modern, fresh and simple Italian food served in a contemporary and stylish setting. Located in the Grand Central building at the heart of the vibrant Channel District of Tampa, Florida – Cena is dining from the roots – great ingredients, traditional dishes, and attentive service. Join us.Cena – “dinner” or “supper” in Italian.

8. Ash

new

4.4

Awesome(16)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 24 times today

Ash is a modern Italian-inspired restaurant located in the Water Street District of Tampa, FL. Its menu is constantly evolving, and its beverage program is eclectic. Ash is a perfect place for diners who want to be delighted by new flavors and expect attention to service.We are open every evening for dinner (5 pm-11 pm).Ash is a cashless restaurant. All major credit cards will be accepted as payment. We thank you for your support and patronage!

9. Malio's Prime

4.8

Exceptional(2446)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 32 times today

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Tampa, Malio's Prime is a treasure trove of authentic Italian cuisine, renowned for its impeccable standards and culinary excellence. Celebrated for its "always excellent" food and "top notch" service, this family-owned gem offers a dining experience that never disappoints. Guests rave about the "delicious" steak and lobster, while the pasta dishes are equally praised, such as the "excellent Pasta de Mare" enjoyed by a satisfied diner. The ambiance is described as "moody" yet "classy," perfect for any occasion, from romantic dinners to celebratory gatherings. Malio's Prime consistently delivers an exceptional Italian feast, making every meal memorable with their "spectacular" service and "phenomenal" meals, as diners eagerly share in glowing reviews.

A photo of Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria - Tampa restaurant

10. Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria - Tampa

4.8

Exceptional(1149)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 32 times today

At Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria in Tampa, the spirit of Italy thrives in every dish. Since 2009, Bavaro's has been a beacon of authentic Italian cuisine, proudly the first in Florida to offer traditional Neapolitan pizza. Patrons rave about the "incredible wood-fired pizza" and the "meatballs...like none other," crafted from century-old Neapolitan recipes and baked in hand-crafted, wood-fired ovens. The ingredients, sourced directly from Italy, ensure each dish bursts with authenticity. Reviewers consistently celebrate the "excellent service" and "authentic" experience, emphasizing that Bavaro's delivers a slice of Italy right in the heart of Tampa. Whether it's your first visit or you're a long-time fan, Bavaro's promises a delightful Italian culinary journey that's not to be missed.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

G
Gevrey
Charlotte •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
I can’t believe we’ve lived in Tampa and haven’t been to timpano until last night. What a great restaurant! Food was great, service was great, atmosphere was great and everything is at a price point that won’t kill your wallet.
More info
Timpano Hyde ParkPrice: Expensive• Italian• Tampa
•
4.5
H
Honeyvip
Tampa / Central Florida West •74 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The most perfect visit in a long time. Great Mediterranean goat cheese. Perfect Old Fashioned (ask them how they are made) perfect salad, perfect meatballs and swordfish. Damn. Perfect birthday choice. Couldn’t have been better.
More info
Sacred PepperPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Tampa
•
4.8
M
Mikevip
New York City •40 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
it was our best dinner reservation of our trip to Tampa! raised in an Italian home you get to know food, Donatello's was special! I tried everything linguine and white clam sauce stuffed tortellini veal Sorrentino and the shrimp scampi. don't forget the fried calamari and the mussels in the white sauce you will dunk a full basket of bread, Now go manga!!! Mike
More info
DonatelloPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Tampa
•
4.8
J
Julian
Tampa / Central Florida West •61 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
I always go for the specials. Great Piemontese dishes. A wonderful addition to Tampa dining.
More info
La Casa Della PastaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Tampa
•
4.6
C
Catevip
Tampa / Central Florida West •13 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
We look forward to our Friday nights with Chris Chef. Love that dinner is not rushed, we enjoy new wines we would not have otherwise discovered, and eat tasty meals made from scratch. The baby artichoke appetizer is one of our favorites, along with the fresh salads and ragu bolognese. Quality Foods is our go-to at least twice a month. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out.
More info
Quality Foods MarketPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Tampa
•
5

Best Italian Restaurants in University of South Florida

Price

Regions

Areas

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating options

Award-winning

Accessibility

15 restaurants available nearby

1. Quality Foods Market

2. La Casa Della Pasta

3. Sacred Pepper

4. Timpano Hyde Park

5. Casa Santo Stefano

6. BellaBrava Tampa

7. Cena

8. Ash

9. Malio's Prime

10. Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria - Tampa

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable