Casa Dora Italian Cusine & Pizzeria

Great family atmosphere. Amazing authentic cuisine.. Absolutely loved the crab cakes. Food Absolutely Amazing. Great service feels like I'm home. Deserts to die for.. 5 course for 2 with a glass of wine. Shanel loves Jacksonville and so should You!

A really lovely place! Sam is such a sweet man, and the food is worth the visit.

This was the most enjoyable meal-no, culinary experiece- I've had in ages, maybe ever. Food is fresh & authentic and Freddie is an absolute gem. Whatever he says is the special, just get it, you wont be disappointed. The tiramasu is decadent. Can't wait to show off Casa Dora next time someone asks "what's good around here?"

I am writing this review on behalf of my cousin, who recently dined at this Italian restaurant while on a business trip. He was horrified to discover roaches in his pasta, and I was in disbelief when he shared the pictures with me. As someone who is terrified of roaches, I can’t imagine how disturbing it must have been for him to find them in his meal—especially after he had nearly finished it! What’s even more shocking is that I found out this restaurant has a nearly four-star rating, despite a similar incident being reported four years ago. It’s clear that this establishment has a serious roach infestation problem. I feel so bad for my cousin and anyone else who might unknowingly dine here. I had to leave this review to warn others. No one should have to experience something like this, and I would be furious if it happened to me. Please be cautious when considering this restaurant. I will attach the photos.

I had the loveliest experience here with my brother after catching a show at the Florida Theatre! The staff was extremely nice and helped us make food choices. The atmosphere was very authentic and "mom and pop" which I loved. Other than the service, the food was the absolute best part of our visit :) We had the chicken florentine, meatballs, and meat pie! They were all delicious and homemade— I'll definitely be back with friends.

Quiet restaurant located conveniently downtown. Fresh blocked mozzarella sticks hands down the best I've ever had. Decided to try their Mediterranean Chicken...mind blown. New favorite Italian location.

Add this place to your *must visit* restaurant list!! We were welcomed so warmly upon entering- you go to a counter where the food is displayed. The chef(I think also the owner) took time to describe every option in detail *and with pride*. It is all fresh made in house- no frozen stuff. You go sit down and they deliver food to the table after it's cooked/warmed. I had spinach Lasagna 10/10🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The walls are covered with autographs and pictures of visitors whom I think were mostly performers at the Florida Theatre next door coming over after their show. Super charming throughout. The girl at the front/also our waitress was very excited to tell us she made three different cheesecakes and all were gone except one slice. It was brownie cheesecake and she wanted us to have it. No charge. She was not around when we left and I didn't get to tell her it was FANTASTIC! Make sure you ask if she has any when you visit! I eat late so I was not expecting it to be busy but there was only one family there when we arrived. I hope this review results in them having a line out the door!

I got a slice of cheese, a slice of pepperoni and the Italian antipasto salad. The pizza was DELICIOUS! It was a New York slice but it was thin and the sauce was soooo flavorful. The crust was small and soft, not a crunchy pizza but excellent. The lettuce in the salad was crunchy and fresh. The salami in salad tasted old and there was another meat in there that tasted like beef jerky. The older man who checked me out was very kind.

Can't really rate it, as my daughter and I wanted to come for lunch, which the website said they were open. The open sign was on and hours listed indicated they were. As we were figuring out which door to go in, someone locked the door and turned sign off. This was 2 hours before website and hours on door they closed. After seeing the reviews, was really looking forward to trying; staff thought otherwise.

What a wonderful discovery! I went here two nights in a row--the first night for takeout on way to my hotel, and the second night with about 15 folks I encouraged from my conference! The first night there was just one person sitting down for dinner and I could order from the whole menu. The second night (a Wednesday) the restaurant was pretty busy even before we got there--all filed in line to choose from a little bit limited, partially pre-prepped selection. Not a complaint at all, delicious pizza, pasta, lasagna, and my fave shrimp piccata all ready to go. A couple of good wines to get by the glass. Host and staff couldn't have been nicer. We asked for and received a great selection of desserts to share. Super great service, we all felt glad to be there and all agreed the prices were super reasonable. I'd definitely go back the next time I'm in downtown Jacksonville!

Pros: The food came out hot and was absolutely delicious. You have to go through a line to get food then you sit down and the staff brings it to you. There are plenty of places to sit, the location is good, and the staff were super friendly. If you want authentic Italian food, this is the place to go. Overall score: A+

Authentic Italian food! I had shrimp diablo. So so good! Hubby had chicken florentine! Love it! So nice!! Love all the famous people pics all over the walls! Signatures and all!! One complaint: it really hot in there in the summer.

Nothing like I thought it was going to be. The food was hot, fresh and delicious! I believe it was the owner that sat me and took my order and I went with his suggestions. Some of the best Italian I've had eating out! I was so full after the calamari and chicken Marsala but he talked me into limoncello cake!

I ordered take out from Casa Dora and it was amazing! The man who helped me at the bar was so friendly and welcoming. The home made Alfredo sauce was thick creamy and delicious. I couldn't even wait to take a picture before I took a bite of their awesome garlic bread. I don't visit Jacksonville much but I'll be sure to come back here next time I'm in town!

Scared I would get food poisoning. I also did not want to pay 13$ for a piece of lasagna that was heated in a microwave after sitting out room temp probably since lunch. Grabbed a menu and the guy said no menus only serving what was in this makeshift buffet line that is open and no coverings for the food. I walked out fast.

Came for a casual weekday dinner, was not expecting date night portions and flavor. Had the grouper piccata on veggies (I'm gluten-free); the sauce, the portion, just wow. Everything was wonderfully prepared; the grouper was offered as a special and I'm usually wary of grouper because it is so easy to turn it into fishy rubber, but went all out and it was absolutely worth it. Peeps at my table had the tortellini Alfredo, reported to be delicious, and the Mediterranean chicken, which I tried and was also amazing. It all looked too good and forgot to take pictures, but will next time because there will FOR SURE be a next time.

The food excellent The service excellent The atmosphere sublime I love this restaurant Authentic Italian food

The food was fresh, flavorful and the service was quick and accurate. We stopped in prior to see Chris Botti for a pre-show dinner so the meals were predetermined and a quick grab and sit down style. The owner was very accommodating and willing to mix it up when asked if the entree desired wasn't in the lineup. We enjoyed our meals and then headed straight the Florida theater. Highly recommend, especially if you're heading to a show!

Meeeh.. food was alright. Pasta was a little too sour and the fried zucchini in the combo basket was bland. Giving some stars for the mozzarella sticks, they were actually good. Service pretty bad. Waited for like 30 minutes to order anything after water (they also charge for water cups). Just in general waited a long time for service. Wouldn't really recommend..

I scanned a lot of the other reviews, both good and not-so-good, and I pretty much agree. Hasn't been long enough to see what the credit card is charged with - one worrying complaint, but we had a great overall time. It's quirky, old-school, a true hole-in-the-wall, and unexpected. I doubt there are many more places like this left in McAmerica. For that alone, it's worth a visit. The chef and house staff were all friendly and attentive. Food was tasty, and yes, salty, but not enough to keep us from cleaning our plates. Prices weren't posted so we really weren't sure what the bill would be. BUT, after having trouble finding a dinner spot downtown that wasn't understaffed or completely busting at the seams, we were grateful to find this spot at all. There were plenty of locals dining, but not packed and not too busy to provide attentive staff. Very kind to our kid. Give it a try. And say yes to the cheesecake!

Great little place, popped in as I was picking up tickets at Florida Theatre. Chicken par was tasty and owner was very friendly and helpful.

We were greeted immediately, seated as soon as available, and the ambiance was completely charming. Three for three! Our pepperoni pizza was fresh and outstanding. Recommend highly.

The most authentic Italian place around! The atmosphere, food, and staff were amazing! I couldn't recommend this place enough. A hole in the wall for sure!

We called ahead to see if we needed a reservation and they told us to come on by. Upon arriving, we thought it was going to be your basic Italian food. WOW! We were pleasantly surprised. Fantastic service. Homemade food that was to die for. I wanted to clean my plate but I had to leave room for dessert. I chose the peanut butter chocolate cheesecake that she had just made. yummy. We will definitely be back.

Was staying in the area for a conference and found this place on Yelp. Came in with some colleagues and the food was absolutely exceptional. Freddy, whom I believe is the owner, greeted us as we came in and we really enjoyed his kind of "old school" nature. You can tell he takes great pride in the authenticity of his food, staying true to his Sicilian roots (he shared that with us). We ordered a number of pasta dishes, I had shrimp and grouper in a piccata sauce over angel hair pasta, it was OUTSTANDING!! My colleagues also loved their food, which included mussels that I tried and were so delicious I contemplated ordering some for myself. And the desserts OMG!!!! All homemade and you could absolutely tell. The limoncello cake was so moist and the cream so delicious. Also really enjoyed trying the tiramisu, and I am not a fan of tiramisu, as well as the cannolis. Ambiance isn't anything fancy, it's very traditional Italian restaurant in a downtown area, but the quality of the food more than makes up for it. I HIGHLY recommend this place, planning to go back before I leave Jacksonville.

When you crave an authentic Italian dining experience, look no further than this hidden gem in Downtown Jacksonville! The moment we walked in, we were embraced by the warm and inviting atmosphere, and the service was top-notch. The food? Absolutely divine! Each dish was crafted with love and care, and it showed. Kudos to Freddie, Sam, and Angie for creating a little piece of Sicily in Jacksonville for 31 years and making us feel right at home last night for our 9 year Anniversary dinner Our new La mia famiglia and favorite Italiano Ristorante in Jacksonville. By the way for all the people that say service was slow, eating at a quality Italian restaurant is not fast, it's an experience. Figure on a two to three hour feast! Don't rush, take time and enjoy!

Great food and the owners were right there with answers for all questions. Friendliest staff we found so far in jacksonville.

We ordered calamari, mussels and the chicken parm lasagna combo. The calamari was okay, good breading and almost over-cooked but still edible. The mussels were overcooked but the sauce was greatness. We only got seven of the twelve mussels on the menu listed - which really sucked. The chicken parm and lasagna tasted like salt and vinaigrette and that was it. I really couldn't stand my food, my partner thought it was decent. I'll never go back. Making these dishes at home would have been so much better.

This is a funny place - delicious food, friendly staff, very casual cafeteria style dining. I was staying at the Hyatt for a conference and there are very few dining options in the area. After making a few calls and getting denied for my party of 10, my new friend at Casa Dora was happy to hold a table for us. We were a little surprised by the cafeteria style line that we went through to get our food, and surprised by the microwave used to warm it, but actually it was all really delicious! We had a few dietary restrictions in our group and they were happy to prepare whatever we needed. Very accommodating and we ended up having a great time in this very casual grab a meal kind of place.

Loved the spinach pizza and hot spinach with feta. Great taste! Very authentic Italian restaurant!

Went to dinner with a group from a conference as they selected this place... What a downtown JAX gem! I got there late but was told when most of the group arrived the chef came out and talked about the menu and the fresh new desserts that were made that day. Everything looked great and I considered a slice of pizza, but the description of the Tortellini with bacon sold me. This 'bacon' was so thick it could have been mistaken for pork loin! It was perfect, authentic Italian in a small unassuming place. Don't pass up this one as you'll be sad if you do. 5-star food in a place many will pass over.

So this wasn't the place I would would've originally went to for spaghetti, but I didn't want to drive to the Southside. I parked in the lot across the street because there's never street parking here. I ordered Im advance online through Yelp. You get a large portion of the pasta and two helpings of garlic bread. The first night I ate it, it upset my stomach. Could've been nerves, or the fact I generally eat meatballs, or pork. Not sure what they were,not good to look at. There was not enough sauce to mix but, I added my own butter. Was filling for two days , lost freshness by the third but still edible. Next time I should her the lemon chicken pasta or chicken parm.

The food was delicious! Service was excellent, well worth the wait for authentic food! We had pepperoni and cheese pizzas, broccoli and lasagna.

Freddy and his food are THE BEST!! He always has a good selection of yummy, affordable wines. We come here whenever we are in town. On the same block as The Florida Theatre and a couple blocks from the Hyatt.

The food was outstanding and the owners were outgoing and made us feel welcome. I was only in Jacksonville one night for work, but if I ever return this is the first place I would visit!

This place has character, that's for sure. On one hand it feels like a 90s style cafeteria restaurant - it's been so long since I've been in one that I was a little disoriented - I just stood staring at the options behind the counter. No prices were apparent but on my way out I saw they did have menus available to see them. Staff/owner were extremely personable and very kind to my son. Chicken Parm, baked spaghetti with large meatballs, pepperoni pizza and cheesecake were all delicious. Food arrived quickly - just point to what you want and they put it in the oven to warm it up!

If I lived in Jacksonville, I would eat here multiple times every week. If you haven't had dinner here, you've missed an essential cultural experience. Freddie and Sam are running a gem of a neighborhood Italian restaurant. It's like a time capsule/love letter to Italian cuisine. The food, the service, the wine... it's all on point. Get the special (whatever it is tonight). Get the cheesecake. Trust me, it's amazing.

Again, this place is Awesome. Freddie the owner is So sweet and kind and makes you feel at home. And the food, is freaking Amazing. We got the meat Lasagna and the Chicken Tortellini Pasta plus cheesy garlic bread. All made fresh and Hot! Sooooooo goood! Huge portions. No room for dessert this time, but the cheesecake and cannelloni are always Delicious. LOVE this place.

The food and service was absolutely amazing. Angie took very good care of us. The owner was very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed and checked on us periodically. I will definitely be back there the next time I am in town.. I highly recommend it. It is definitely not a fancy place, but the food was authentic Italian and absolutely amazing. Portions were huge, no skimping there.

This visit landed somewhere between 3 and 4 stars- but I decided to round up because the food was amazing! Apparently short staffed- there was no table wait service. Instead it was cafeteria line style and the menu was not being used- only what the had on the line was what was available. They did have plenty of options- just not the complete menu. I went outside of my comfort zone and ordered spinach lasagna. I need to explain that I never have ordered lasagna anywhere because I make an amazing lasagna and never have thought about ordering it out. It was delicious- perfect sauce, great sauce to noodle to cheese ratio. I was extremely happy with my food. John was a little more flustered with the lack of table service and really had to think for a minute about what he wanted- he stayed safe and ordered the chicken parm. His too was delicious- he even did an eye roll of happiness over the garlic bread. Reason for the undecided rating- it was chaos. The owner (I believe) was discombobulated- he was bouncing between the counter of to-go orders, the kitchen, the line where the food was displayed and getting food out on trays to the counter. Lacking a good flow- everyone waited longer than necessary. We weren't in a hurry- so I didn't fuss. The food delivered an eating with family taste- good home cooking. The chaos at the front felt like I was visiting an uncle trying too hard to please everyone. When we checked out the man apologized about everything, but I would give this place another shot in a heartbeat. But make sure I was in no rush- this establishment is the type you sit, feast and drink wine, wine and more wine. Stay a while and enjoy.

Small and quaint Cafe with authentic Italian food. The owner personally comes to your table and greets you. I think the food was good, not great. Sauce seemed to be watered down and not creamy. I first order one of the recommended house favorites and was told he was out of shrimp!! He then directed me to a Chicken Florentine that had a great taste, but sauce was watered down. As far as price, I was shocked. Chicken Florentine and 2 glasses of wine, with tip, $54. The wine was not that great and the pour was not the much either. I would go back, but I would look closer at menu and wine prices before I order.

Heard this place was a hidden gem from all the reformed and had to see for myself! IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Hole-in-the wall homemade Italian/Silician family owned 28-year-old restaurant with the friendliest staff. Like, you are greeted immediately when you come in! We got the chicken florentine, slide of pep pizza, and a Caesar salad and all three of these were amazing. Best Caesar salad dressing of my life, hands down! Creamy and authentic pasta and pizza. Sam and Freddy are so humble and generous - both from Sicily. Will definitely be coming back!

We stopped in here for the first time tonight. We were in the mood for pizza so ordered a half plain half sausage pie. While we were waiting, we met a nice couple who happen to be Jacksonville Icemen fans (Go Icemen!). The staff was very attentive and friendly, and we enjoyed talking with the chef. Our pizza was yummy and surprisingly light, and the entrees that the other people had looked delicious and convinced us that we need to go back again soon. I was talked into the cheesecake even though I don't usually eat it. I have never had such a creamy cheesecake in my life! (Sorry I took the picture after digging in because it was irresistible).

Atmosphere - causal. The restaurant is relatively small. It does not look like much from the outside. Inside, the restaurant feels more like a pizzeria than an Italian restaurant. Upon entering, we were greeted warmly and made to feel very welcome. The restaurant has a similar feel as the many trattorias that we have enjoyed in Rome and Tuscany. Service - excellent. Treated us like a long time friend. He was always there when we needed something, yet he was not intrusive. Food - very good. I had my heart set on ordering a veal entree, but I was disappointed to learn that the restaurant was out of veal. Typically, this would sour my my dining experience. However, I decided to order chicken parmigiana and I was very happy with my choice. The portion was huge, the chicken very tender and the sauce flavorful. The pour on a glass of wine is generous as well. Value - very good. The prices are reasonable. The atmosphere nice. The food and service was very good. There are very few restaurants in the business district and this restaurant is a must do.

Went in with a few friends and was pleasantly surprised with this place. It has the look and feel of your typical NJ/NY pizza place, but they serve good quality Italian dishes at a relatively affordable price. Coming from Jersey I'm a bit biased on good traditional homemade Italian food, but for the casual foodie who enjoys a good meal, this place is excellent. It's family friendly, quick and they have a wide variety of Italian dishes and daily specials. I went with the chicken parmigiana that came with angel hair pasta. While the pasta sauce wasn't as flavorful as I would have liked, it was still a superb dish. The heap of spaghetti was great and the chicken was tender and as expected for a good parmigiana dish. The garlic bread and Peroni beer was also good. Highly recommend if you're in the area and want good Italian.

Flew from Nashville to Jacksonville to see a show at The Florida Theatre, and when it was time for supper, finding something open proved to be a challenge. Casa Dora is just down the street from the theatre, and I had walked past it earlier in the day. So it was a logical choice for supper. The inside is quaint and warm though a bit crowded. I had an assortment of dishes to choose from, and I selected the Chicken Alfredo which was stuffed with cream. To say this dish was incredibly tasty is an understatement! It isn't often I get authentic Italian cuisine, but this is the real deal! The owner keeps things moving and lively, and the regulars coming through the line were speaking very highly of the food and service as I watched and listened while enjoying my meal. Highly recommend a visit if you are in the area!

Super friendly service, and very helpful! Tortellini marinara was delicious, food was fresh & warm! I was greeted immediately and offered help with the menu since I was having trouble deciding (: I asked for it to go & had a delicious meal with a view nearby. They offered to refill my drink again before leaving & packaged it to stay warm to go!

I am a huge Italian food fan, and when we discovered they were tearing down the Riverwalk area, which was our intent for dinner, we found this gem. The interior is fairly small, and there isn't much ambience, but the staff and the food make it what it is. The menu is fairly large and diverse and they also have specials. I started out with a glass of Chianti, which was a good pour for the price. I wanted something simple and chose the cheese tortellini with marinara sauce. They give you very yummy, warm garlic bread, which I loved. My plate of tortellini was huge and I planned on leftovers for lunch, but I ate about 80% because I couldn't stop eating it. We even asked for a second garlic bread order it was so good. Lucky for us the Riverfront wasn't open or we wouldn't have found this place.

My friend and I were walking around downtown and we were looking for something local for lunch. We spotted Casa Dora and I love Italian food so we gave it a try. It is very small but that's not always a bad thing. We were told to go to the counter to hear what was available for lunch that day. It all looked so good and smelled wonderful. My friend chose the spinach lasagna and spaghetti and meat balls. I chose the baked ziti and cheese pizza. We both loved all that we ate. The garlic bread was also very good. I liked that it wasn't super thick like most garlic bread. If your lucky Freddie will tell you some jokes and he won't even charge you for them. :)

Friendly service. Great lunch specials. Chicken tortellini primavera was to die for, very delicate and delicious. Authentic mom & pop restaurant.

Amazing, the food was sooo goooodd and the staff was super friendly and treated us like royalty. My favorite was the cheesecake, holy moly, best I've ever had

The real deal in downtown Jacksonville. Went to see a concert wanted a taste of Italian pasta and pizza before. Excellent service, food, and the warmest welcome from the owner Freddie. Great Choice!

Do not judge this place by it's decor or lack thereof. Go in. See Freddie and order. The food is great. The wine choice sucks if you are a wine snob. If you want basic red table wine, then your good!! The veal Marsala, the Lasagna and chicken picante were fabulous.

Until tonight my all time favorite Italian restaurant was LaScalla in Chicago Well I've discovered another that's equal in every aspect, Casa Dora.

Excellent Italian Restaurant! I'm "Back In JAX." On Music and Business Scene here now. Gotta Go! Jonny Weiss

The cheesecake....it's amazing. Enough said. Oh...the pizza is very good too. Kind of a Ny style crust I would say. Haven't had much else. Working next door at the Florida theatre and hit casa Dora often for lunch. Daily very often. But the cheesecake. Omg. Especially if he has any of that berry mixture to drizzle on top. One day I'm gonna order a second one to go and stuff it down the front of my pants and just walk around the rest of the day that way. Its that good.

Pleasantly surprised by this old school Italian restaurant. I'm from Jersey and it reminded me of being back home. The chicken & shrimp cabonara was excellent. Freddy the waiter service was friendly and an excellent host.