Review Caffe Paradiso - Tampa

EXCEPTIONAL!!!! All around outstanding in every way possible. No wonder this place was voted the best Italian Cuisine in Tampa! I would say, “The BEST Italian Cuisine.” …… of anywhere! Upon entering, we could smell the fresh basil from the sidewalk! We ordered the Calamari Fritti for an appetizer. It was the most tender, best tasting Calamari I’ve had yet. For the main course I had the lump crab meat with pasta and they do NOT skimp on the crab meat!!! It was so tender and moist, so fresh and deliciously sweet. The marinara is PERFECT and you can tell it’s made with fresh tomatoes and basil. It was heaven in my mouth. My boyfriend got the Rosemary Chicken with vegetable medley. The Rosemary is fresh and fragrant and the veggies are FRESH, NOT frozen and steamed!!!! Next, we indulged in the limoncello cake for dessert. Also heaven in my mouth. Perfectly soaked, perfectly balanced and perfectly creamy. After that, we had an espresso and an espresso martini! The espresso was VERY dark and strong, just what is needed after a heavy meal. The espresso Martini was slightly bitter and slightly sweet. Perfection in everything. I don’t think words can express the experience that the food gave me. This place is SUPER affordable for the quality of food! The waiter was outstanding and attentive. He even scraped off the crumbs on our table. Your water is always topped off, and never a dirty dish left on the table! I LOVE how the managers (notice how it’s plural) are always walking around interacting with the guests and helping with the tables. You can tell the employees work as a team here. We will be back with ALL of our family!!!

It always looks busy and lively when I walk by, so I tried it for the first time tonight. It didn’t disappoint. I sat at the bar and immediately people seated next to me engaged in pleasant convo. The male servers were smartly dressed in white shirts and narrow black ties, and were a cut above most places nearby in their professionalism. I ordered a club soda and pasta primavera. It hit the spot and was exactly the comfort food/healthy veggie meal I craved. $40 including 20% tip and tax seems high for a bowl of meatless pasta. I understand the $3.50 charge for a club soda but most places will serve this at no charge in lieu of tap water.

Such a fun, lively restaurant with the most delicious Italian dishes in Tampa!! We love the presence of the owner Paolo and his kind, welcoming heart to everyone! They offer incredible wine options and the dishes always come out to perfection (even when we request something not on menu). They are always happy to accommodate and provide such a fun, friendly and positive evening!

Food was pretty good . Busy family style restaurant , the patrons seemed like regulars and knew ea other. Reminded me of a place I used to go back in queens. No one else in my party particularly liked their meals. I thought grouper special was good. It was a busy Friday night and they probably could have used some help for the wait staff . I would try it again on a quieter night to give it a fair chance.

We ordered three apps, the grouper & lobster special, and desserts. I can highly recommend salmone affumicato and the portobello Al balsamico. We found the lemonchello cake to be the best in Tampa Bay compared to equivalent Italian restaurants ($$). The atmosphere was good. It was fun meeting the manager/owner. The waitstaff kept the water glass full. My family struggled to communicate with all the voices in the room when the restaurant was at 100% capacity; however, it helped to sit near the wall. Loved the taste of the food and quality of food. 100% will return. Reservations are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Enjoy!

Paulo did a great renovation and the bar are is perfect for a great night. Owner always on site

Fabulous dinner to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Wine, great appetizers, amazing dinners and scrumptious desserts.

Great Italian food. Just a little tight seating. But I will definitely be back.

We were greeted and welcomed by such friendly people. We had Christmas Eve Eve dinner here last night and loved everything about the experience. We walked right in and they were able to seat us without a reservation at a high top. It’s such a cozy place so every place you have the same comfortable experience. We have a 6 year old so they made him noodles just the way he liked it and we squeezed in a game of match while waiting. One of the owners came over and cheered my son on. Just a quality place, where you will go to over and over because it’s what you expect every time. Food is delicious and the drinks were just right. When we left I told the owner Thank you for accommodating us on such a busy night. He said, “you are welcome anytime”. Thank you and Merry Christmas. - Lamis Family.

Have never had a bad meal here. Wonderful little gem that consistently serves great food. The menu is available online. Usually, it fills up pretty quickly. But there is a bar to grab a drink. Also have specials regularly.

Lovely little Italian restaurant in South Tampa...we'll definitely be coming back again. With reservations for 5, we were seated immediately and service was very nice. Water poured and bread served as we sat down. The wine was lovely (Sangiovese) and the food was fabulous...not a bite left behind. The ladies within our group all enjoyed the special of angel-hair pasta with lobster & crab with garlic & olive oil, and the gentlemen either lasagna or baked snapper with black olives & vegetables (if I recall correctly...mine was the lasagna and it was excellent). We all shared dessert of tiramisu and lemon cello cake...delicioso!

Had an incredible meal and 1st time experience here. Went there for my birthday. Elaine at the bar made sure I had a memorable time with my friend, Tombow! The best lobster ravioli I have ever had. The sea bass was equally delicious....and gotta admit .....I heard their birthday celebrations throughout the night with equal enthusiasm. Kudos to all for a great night out. Great staff and owner. We will be back!🍷❤

This place is kind of a hidden gem. Excellent food, service, atmosphere was expecting of this type of restaurant. Sat at the bar, ate dinner and had a few drinks. Nice selection at the bar. Even two types of Knob Creek. Bartender Eileen was great, even though she was very busy. Had to try the tiramisu, also great. Would definitely come here again.

Hands down the best lasagna I’ve ever had! Food is amazing!

Celebrated my birthday last night with a large group of family and friends and the service and the food was spectacular! Amazing ambiance! From when I called to make our reservation to when we were walking out the door, we were greeted and taken care of like family! Everyone in our group agreed that the food was delicious and the drinks were amazing as well! Will definitely be coming back and will highly recommend Caffé Paradiso to others!

Wow as soon as I walked in I had good feeling about this place,first all the Staff welcome you with a big smile our server was amazing he made us some testy cocktails and it was delicious, we order for Strat soup that turn out amazing Decision the taste was like back home and I felt my mom made me this soup , the eggplants was good and everything was fresh for y dish I order the Bronzino fish and my husband order the filet minion both really good I really enjoyed my meal and my husband said the stake was made as he requested, for dessert we order the Moose cake wowww amazing and not Heavy I will definitely return here and I will definitely recommend this place to all of my friends and family I give this place 10/10

Awsome restaraunt. I.highly reccomend. See Palo he is great!!

A hit for a little neighborhood joint. Would have preferred the drink menu to have been a big larger and a recommendation. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my penne putanesca and would have it again any day. Husband enjoyed his clam linguini. Osso buco was a hit at the table as well. We were pleased and would return in a heartbeat. I'd like to try their dessert as well.

I will never eat here again. This is the second time returning for dinner. The first the food was not worth the price. This second visit, we had a large party however is it was a Monday night AND one of the guests in our party knew the owners. We were a half hour in and no service, no one asked for our drinks orders or anything. Hour in, still haven't ordered, we were all in one room and they missed a table completely until someone mentioned it to the owner. 2 hours in after finally placing orders, still no apps. Our reservation was for 630 and i left immediately after eating at 930. Oh and once again - the food was underwhelming - still not worth what they charge.

What a fantastic birthday place and dinner we had there, if you have not gone to this place you should. BEST ITALIAN restaurant I have gone to in a very long time, and our server/bartender AMAZING Hugo. Thank you Hugo for making my 50th birthday so very special

Amazing food and an even more amazing staff who take care of me and my friends/family each time we come in. Love it!

Exceptional! The best Alfredo Ravioli I’ve ever had!

Best Italian food ever and you can't get any better service anywhere!! Thanks Antonio . Hugo I missed u

Food was good will return but service extremely Lacking - inhospitable- no attention given - food delivered on time but all felt rushed Perhaps because they were very busy.

Food is always great and the staff is friendly and very attentive.

Classic South Tampa treasure... never disappoints.

I have been coming here for over 20 yrs. It is the best Italian food in Tampa!

Love this place for dinner. Great food, service and atmosphere.

Yummoooo. Great anniversary dinner! The food, the wine, the desert!

Despite a couple of hiccups with slow service, the food is as usual outstanding. You can't find better Italian food in Tampa. Everything was delicious! Owner is a great guy too. Need to remember to come more often.

If I'm not eating at one of our Columbia Restaurant Group restaurants, you'll usually find me here.

First time here. Long time Tampa natives recommended. It was terrific. Good food, authentic, great service. I'll be back!

The food and service is perfect!! The owner and staff could not be more charming.

Loved the food, wine and service. The staff is awesome and thanks again for finding my license or I would still be there!!