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(227)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Tampa

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 7 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(6799)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 57 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(3511)

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(3578)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Ybor City

Booked 51 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(513)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 24 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

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

4.5

Awesome(18)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 18 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

4.7

Exceptional(2449)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 19 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(1152)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Tampa

Booked 14 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

T
Tara
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
great time, excellent service! thanks! 50 required characters is TOO LONG!
More info
BellaBrava TampaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Tampa
•
4.7
S
Sarah
Tampa / Central Florida West •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We had the best experience the service was exceptional. The food was all perfect , the pasta cooked table side was amazing the appetizers octopus and lobster arachini so the best I ever had . What a great gourmet experience. Definitely will be back highly recommend this restaurant. So authentic.
More info
Timpano Hyde ParkPrice: Expensive• Italian• Tampa
•
4.5
C
Cathy
Tampa / Central Florida West •14 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Always excellent food and service by Stephanie. Chris always introduces us to a great wine to pair with our dinner and his food is outstanding.
More info
Quality Foods MarketPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Tampa
•
5
K
Kenvip
Tampa / Central Florida West •23 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
For tonight's dinner I started with the Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower (fresh-fried cauliflower bites topped with Sriracha aioli and served with cool-herbed ranch dressing, house-made pickled cucumbers) and it was fantastic. For my dinner I had the Pan Seared Grouper Picatta with capers, lemon butter, warm house-made orzo pasta, grilled asparagus and it was delicious/flavorful and one of my favorites. My regular server "Adam" was exceptional, as always, and he is consistently friendly, attentive, patient, accommodating, efficient, and he has made so many wonderful recommendations to me that have all awakened my taste buds. Sacred Pepper is an excellent choice for the ambiance, awesome wine/drink selections, amazing and delicious food selections, soothing after dinner drinks, and mouthwatering desserts. And the service staff are all so friendly and welcoming. it's a "WIN" for me every single time I eat there!
More info
Sacred PepperPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Tampa
•
4.8
J
Julian
Tampa / Central Florida West •61 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 16, 2024
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

Explore OpenTable

University of South Florida

Italian

Best Italian Restaurants in University of South Florida

Price

Regions

Neighborhoods

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