Serving house-made sauces, the freshest pastas, and Italian specialties in a bar-centric, white tablecloth Italian Bistro inspired by your favorite NYC Italian restaurants. Our combination of old favorites and new flavors await your next visit. We look forward to sharing our love and passion for Italian food with you.
The menu pays homage to the essence of the great Italian-American restaurants in New York City. Where delicious, exceptionally well-prepared food is served in settings that are simultaneously elegant, comfortable and unpretentious. Familiar dishes like Classic Chicken Parmesan, Bucatini Bolognese, and Spicy Vodka Rigatoni are elevated to a new level.
Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
4.6Food
4.6Service
4.5Ambience
4.4Value
Noise • Moderate
Loved For
Sarasota / Bradenton
Most Booked
Review summary
AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bar Italia in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, offers a "big city vibe" with fantastic food and "exceptional service." Patrons rave about the "amazing atmosphere," reasonable pricing, and standout dishes like the salmon and pistachio olive oil cake. While the noise level can be high, the lively ambiance adds to the charm.
476 Reviews
J
James
VIP
Chicago
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 4
Really great food!Fabulous service.We will be back often!
Is this helpful?
B
Barbara
VIP
Tampa
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Amanda our server was very nice! super friendly, plus she checked on us throughout our meal - excellent service! love this place! our entree's were perfectly delicious. It was a cold late morning lunch so we both ordered your herbal tea and it was AMAZINGLY GOOD! perfect for a chilly day as a warm drink option! Always a fabulous experience at this Bar Italia! Thank YOU! we will be back!
Is this helpful?
MM
MarkM
VIP
Jacksonville
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
We do not like the noise level of the main dining room. We checked in 30minutes before our reservation to ask for a table in the room nearest University. These two rooms are very quiet and make this dining experience top notch.
Unfortunately the hostess tried to seat us in the main dining room after waiting 30 minutes in bar. I told her we wanted the side dining room and she said rudely it wasn't available.
The manager saw this interchange and immediately moved us to one of the open tables. Well done! Thank you.
Service and food was excellent as usual.
We eat at this restaurant at least twice per month. Love it!
Is this helpful?
W
William
VIP
Tampa
23 reviews
5.0
23 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 3
Food is great drinks are too expensive service is excellent. It is a beautiful restaurant and like all restaurants they charge too much.
Is this helpful?
L
Lori
VIP
Tampa
53 reviews
5.0
53 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
We decided to have an early dinner and went there at 4pm. Our server was attentive. We ordered the seasonal sausage bread for an appetizer and it was delicious. I had the zoodles with mushroom Bolognese sauce. My husband had the homemade lasagna. The food was very tasty. We had a very pleasant experience.
Is this helpful?
B
Bob
Tampa
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
Overall 3
Food 3
Service 2
Ambience 1
Very, very noisy. Slow service, uninspired meal, overpriced. Best to avoid, as there are many other options in area.
Is this helpful?
PT
PaulT
VIP
New York City
38 reviews
4.0
38 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
Overall 4
Food 4
Service 4
Ambience 4
First time and we expect to be back. Excellent specials and menu choices; solid service and not rushed even though the restaurant was busy and tables were at a premium. Vibe in quite trendy and chic.
Is this helpful?
D
Doug
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Second time we’ve eaten here, food and service is outstanding. Only negative is noise level, very hard to carry on a conversation or to hear our server. Will definitely return.
Is this helpful?
V
Vickie
VIP
Tampa
45 reviews
4.0
45 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
Overall 4
Food 4
Service 3
Ambience 5
Frist time here, Decor is very nice & outdoor patio looks beautiful once it warms up. Sat at table in lounge area to take advantage of happy hour.
Comfy seating.
Nice HH drink selection & cocktails were very tasty (old world italia and the lemoncello margarita). HH zuchini fries & stuffed peppers yummp (peppers are hungarian).
For dinner had the short rib pasta which was excellent and hubby had the halibut risotto which was good.
Service was pretty good, a little slow but accurate and friendly.
Will go back.
Is this helpful?
A
Ann
VIP
Greater Boston
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Love this restaurant. Service is outstanding, and food never disappoints.
Is this helpful?
FAQs
Bar Italia Lakewood Ranch, Florida is rated 4.6 stars by 476 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.