Esposito's Italian Restaurant And Bar

We tried Esposito for the first time and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. We ordered the Rigatoni alla Vodka and the Gorgonzola Veal, and both dishes were absolutely delicious. Percy’s recommendations were spot on… you can tell he really knows the menu and wants you to enjoy the best of the best. The garlic knots and house salad were also amazing… fresh, flavorful, and the perfect start to the meal. The whole atmosphere at Esposito feels cozy and welcoming, like sitting down for a homemade dinner made straight from the heart. Everyone we interacted with was so kind and friendly. For dessert, Percy recommended the Pistachio Cake, and let me tell you… this is a MUST. It was to die for, rich, creamy, and the perfect sweet ending. We will definitely be coming back to Esposito. If you’re looking for delicious food, warm service, and a place that feels like home, this is it!

I've only been here once but we had a wonderful experience. I can't say enough about the service we received from Percy. He was exceptional! I was undecided on what to order and he walked me through all my options. I was very pleased with my garlic pasta and Francese chicken thanks to him! The front house manager and owner stopped by out table to check on us. Very kind and pleasant people. The garlic bread is fantastic so make sure you eat plenty of it! A nice restaurant and we hope to return soon!

Michael was a great server tonight , I’m glad we came for my birthday. The speed of food was perfect and Not rushed , we appreciate that. Our dining experience was much better tonight than our last time . We recommend Esposito’s 👍🏼 😋 Chris was the manager on duty tonight and he came around to all the tables to check on service & food .

I cannot say enough good things about our dinner. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was the laid back family Italian restaurant that you search forever for. The workers were wonderful from the bar to the table there was always hospitality. The food was mouth watering good. Not a single dish from our table of 9 had a complaint.

Great service and good food. I enjoyed the family-style salad that we shared before having our entrees. I also really liked the artichoke hearts and the spaghetti aglio e olio.

Owner operated and awarded as “Best of Tampa”. We sat at the bar. The bread service was super. The octopus dish was fantastic. More stew like with a tomato broth, wish there were more beans. The oil and garlic pasta was also delicious and the Nigeoni hit the spot too. We were surprised to receive a salad with our entree, a nice touch. The scallops and mousse were delicious as well.

This is my new favorite place. My husband took me and my kids here last night for my birthday. We share the same last name as resturant, part of the reason we went. The food is the best Italian I actually have ever had! Will be going back for sure. We had great service and top quality cuisine.

My experience at Esposito’s Italian Restaurant was deeply disappointing and fell far short of expectations for a fine dining establishment. The veal chop, while flavorful, was not prepared as described on the menu, which was misleading. The grouper and shrimp Francese was an even greater letdown. The dish was significantly undercooked and had an overpowering fishy odor, unlike any grouper I’ve ever tasted. When we raised our concerns with the manager and showed him the dish, he dismissed our feedback without addressing the issue, which was frustrating and unprofessional. At these price points, diners expect exceptional food, impeccable service, and a memorable experience. Unfortunately, Esposito’s failed to deliver on all fronts. Based on this visit, we will not be returning.

This is my third time eating at this Italian restaurant. The food does not disappoint. My wife and I shared a veal plate with spaghetti. Delicious. Their sauce is home made, and all the ingredients very fresh. They have a complimentary salad to start your meal that is excellent. This place hits a home run always!

Fabulous Find. Tucked away in a plaza next to Chucky Cheese it a fine Italian Restaurant. Family business with a tremendous dedication to traditional old world Italian food. The preparation is meticulous and the flavor is perfect. Service is welcoming, making you feel you are what they are here for. Whether you are looking for a quiet dinner with someone special or bringing a bunch of special someone's, this is the place to go.

This restaurant is so quaint. The staff is so friendly. Each manager made sure to introduce themselves to us with a smile on their face I got the eggplant appetizer as my main and a Cesar salad. Both flavored wonderfully and were very filling. I didn't even need a main dish but I'll make sure to try more upon my return. I got a delicious Riesling. The environment is very mom and pop reminiscent so it feels very comfortable and welcoming. I'll definitely be back. My only criticism is there aren't many gluten free options for those of us who can't have pasta (I know I know; it's an Italian restaurant). But I was here for a birthday dinner and wanted to be more included.

Typically Italian dishes with large portions. Weve sampled most of their appetizers and quite a few main entrees. The food quality is fair but nothing above and beyond. The atmosphere has a fun vibe and creates a nice Italian food environment Servers and hosts were super friendly, a good choice if you are in the mood for some Italian if you are in the carrollwood neighborhood.

Delicious Italian food, great service! I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. I got the short rib lasagna and my dad got the normal lasagna. Both were huge portions at least 2 meals and delicious. The meals all come with salad and garlic bread which was also awesome and delicious. Our service was friendly and fast. Highly recommend !

One of Neighborhood best restaurants. Their food is excellent, staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Their prices are reasonable

Delicious, thoughtfully prepared food served promptly--especially the Grouper Puttanesca which was tender, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The ambiance is polished yet comfortable, perfect for a relaxed upscale meal or date night. Service truly stands out; our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and quick to find answers when needed. We'll definitely be back.

I've gone here many times for either large parties (ie. Birthdays) or small family dinners and the food is always great. The salad and garlic knots are so good. We have never had an issue with service but don't go on their busiest days. I'd recommend this place for good Italian in the burbs.

Food was tasty. Server I had this time was polite and helpful. I did enjoy my meal and quality of service. Can't go wrong with delicious Italian food

Wonderful Italian restaurant, greeted promptly, had to wait a few minutes to be seated but drinks were easy to acquire. The place was bustling and aromas were so pleasant. Glenn and others were our staff and were just awesome taking care of us and assuring all was well. The chicken Rollatinni was outstanding as were the other meals. Food came out quickly and Glen, our waiter was on top of the whole meal without being intrusive. Very nice evening and well worth it. We have been a number of times and it is consistently awesome.

For a Monday night, this place was absolutely packed... very popular. It's a nice atmosphere and even though it is crowded, we easily had a conversation within our booth. We had the best server, followed by great food. The garlic roles, the salad totally delicious and each of us really enjoyed our entrees and the good wine selections available. So much so, we are revisiting it tonight!

We moved south from Pennsylvania 20+ years ago where we were surrounded by mom & pop restaurants, and Esposito's was not only the best Italian food I've had in 23 years, but possibly the best overall! I was looking for somewhere special for my birthday dinner so we drove up there from Apollo Beach area and it was worth the drive. Garlic rolls and salad come with your meal, both excellent. I had chicken francese with spaghetti and my husband had veal Gorgonzola with gnocchi. Dessert was lemonchello cake and cannoli. All perfectly prepared. I can't wait to try the seafood next time.

Amazing food & service! Love the atmosphere as well. The salad is served family style & is a delight of different flavors, the dressing was extremely good. The garlic rolls were freshly made & delicious! Entrées we enjoyed were the house rigatoni, veal Parmesan, and the gnocchi. All the various sauces were wonderful & the portions were generous. On a side note they don't take reservations for parties under 6 so be prepared to wait a while to be seated.

Food was unfortunately subpar at best. Server was nice but they were slammed on a Friday night so as much as he wants to help, we wait quite awhile for everything.

Very good food and a fun atmosphere Love the family style salad and the food is always the right portion size Definitely recommend Just wish they would engage their bar offerings

worst service over ever experienced. which was shocking because the food was horrible so you'd think they'd be a tad nicer. all in all wasn't the best, nice people around but very mid experience for the price.

Our first time here, we were able to sit at dinner time without a reservation. Our server was a bit bland at first, but I think he opened up by the end. There is a large seating area in the dining room, and a pretty long bar also. We started out with a couple appetizers, the calamari, which was a huge portion. And muscles in red sauce. These had me so impressed, I came back days later for another portion. They serve you warm rolls and a salad when you order a meal. This was a nice touch. I ordered the chicken marsala, and my husband ordered the veal Parmesan. Both were a very nice portion, enough to share between two people. Parking can get a bit crowded at dinner time, but there is a large lot in the plaza. Located off of Dale Mabry it's easy to get in and out of.

I've dined in Vegas, little Italy -both San Fran and NYC. This is a wonderful comparative! The food is great! The dessert is magic, imported from Italy. The ambiance perfect, from the music to the decor. The buzz of a full restaurant. The owner greeted us from the hostess stand and walks the floor to make sure you are enjoying your experience. I would dine here again 100 times! Highly recommend! The only thing I could add, gluten free options including pasta would be great! ;))

Being from PA, normally strip malls dont house the *best* restaurants. But boy is that not the case here in Fl. This italian place was very clean, all the workers went out of their way to say hello and help us, and the food was toooooo good. We started with the arancini balls, which contain beef, but were tasty with calamari that was tasty but a titch too greasy for my liking. But the main entrees are where its at. My shrimp scampi was decked in garlic, just like the rolls, and just how I like if. The family style salad is also a cute touch. My friend knew how to order best though, her italian wedding cake cocktail and gnocchi bolognese had to be the best 2 things on the menu.

We have been to Esposito's many, many times! The food is always delicious and enjoyable. I would describe it as authentic New York style Italian food. When we arrived on this Monday evening it was pretty empty. We were seated and in 10 minutes the place was packed! They had a happy hour when we arrived and we each ordered the Aperol Spritz. When it arrived I didn't care for it. For some reason it tasted off to me. When the server returned he asked about our drinks and I told him I wasn't crazy about it and it tasted different! He offered to exchange it and I declined. I hate to send things back! Two minutes later the very sweet bartender appears at our table. He explained to us that they offer two kinds of Aperol Spritz and the server should have explained that. What we really wanted he said was the traditional version!! He scooped up our drinks and returned with two new delicious drinks that were exactly what we were looking for! He was extremely sweet and we really appreciated that! When our server returned we ordered Eggplant Rollatini for our appetizer and for dinner we both ordered the Veal Saltimbocca which is always delicious and is served with a side of pasta. Esposito's gives you delicious garlic rolls and a very nice salad to share included with dinner. We shared a cannoli after dinner for my husband's continued birthday celebrations! We both enjoyed our meal and will continue to go to Esposito's in the future.

The BEST Italian food in Tampa! Great atmosphere! Loved the Frank Sinatra music playing. Brittany was our server and she was so attentive and friendly. Can't say enough about the food! The Fiocchi was one of the best dishes I have had. So fresh, homemade pasta, very light but very filling. Really nice portions. The gnocchi melted in your mouth! The garlic rolls were excellent! The only the thing I wasn't crazy about was the Fuggetaboutit pie. Pass on that

We were absolutely blown away by the friendly and attentive service, the Amazing food, huge portions and a manager who checked in on us and even gave us some cannolis as a welcome gift. This establishment has Real Italian Culture and Values, which is hard to find in Tampa!!

Has your bread service ever been swimming in garlic butter? Interested in having enough leftovers from one dish to feed two people again? Yet to experience both large portions and great quality food at the same time? This spot delivers Italian food to feed your soul. You'll leave warm and full and happy. It's a family-owned restaurant that gives a bit of an "nice" vibe, as if you were craving Carrabbas but wanted to take your family somewhere a little nicer when they came to town. Everything is executed well and made with love. Even the family-style salad served with each meal. Our table enjoyed the bruschetta-style caponata siciliano and the fried artichoke hearts with the pesto sauce that made you want to lick the ramekin clean. The saltimbocca was surprisingly generous with the veal and was a rare low-carb option at an Italian spot.

Esposito's is a cozy hug with marinara! It's the kind of neighborhood spot where the owner actually works the room with real check-ins and authenticity.

Don't judge a restaurant by the location they are in. That's my TIP for today. I've passed this strip mall many times and other than checking out 4Rivers when they first opened I've never given the other occupants nary a glance. My daughter recommended it and I decided to give it a try. We went on a Tuesday and luckily we were seated immediately without a reservation. I know it was because we got there early because around 7 the place was getting crowded and by the time we left folks were waiting outside. Drinks: perfectly made. we had patron margarita and on the second order they rimmed with salt vs sugar. immediately fixed. Waitstaff: perfect. we had Percy and even though he's been there only abt 9 mths (i asked) he was knowledgeable on the history and what made the restaurant popular. He was attentive and super nice with the utmost professionalism. Food: nice portions. the salad is included in your order and it was a pleasant departure from the normal standard salad. Dessert. i ordered tiramisu and i'm a snob about this dessert. Everywhere i travel globally if its on the menu I order. the portion was tiny and it was the only item that didn't impress. actually a letdown.

Went for Mother's Day to treat my wife. Upon arriving the ambiance was delightful. When her plate arrived this is what she got. A plate with a handful of gnocchi and two kid size chicken breasts for $30 covered in cheese sauce. No way! We're not going back. At Olive garden the food is more presentable and appealing.

Wow! Had a GREAT anniversary dinner! The restaurant is clean & modern with a traditional sound track. Think Sinatra. Service was impeccable. The gnocchi bolognese was perfection. Meaty, rich sauce with fluffy, delicious gnocchi. The cheese appetizer was unique and ooey gooey goodness. The chicken parm was good. Can't wait to try more dishes. Even the cannoli was top notch. Oh! And the salad was truly special. We will be back!!!

We really enjoyed the food. It was all very well prepared. The portions were large. The service was very good. The big downfall is the noise level. It is exceptionally loud. It made it difficult to have a conversation.

Loving this place!!! Greg J was the best ever! Helped us to choose. Fettuccine Carbonara for me and braicole for hubby. I lovely old fashioned Italian restaurant. Very fun, family oriented.

Shame of me for not knowing about Espositos! This is the most authentic Italian restaurant I've been to. Everything was perfect and reasonably priced. Located in Carrollwood right next to Chuck E. Cheese , parking can get crowded quickly but it's a quick the around time. The restaurant only takes reservation for 6 or more which is understandable otherwise there would be no tables available for walk ins. I was meeting a friend early Saturday and there was no wait. Once seated , service was insanely good . My friend was 45 mins late and I was ready for the server to kick me out as lines were forming at the door and food had not been ordered. He patiently brought me a drink and let me 'save' the table lol Garlic knots and salad are complimentary . Came out fresh and soft all throughout . I usually don't ask for seconds but they are that addicting. I ordered the Penne a la vodka with chicken 5/5 and my friend had the chicken Marsala 5/5 one of the best one I've had. Both cooked to perfection but the secret was in the sauce. Portion size was huge and shareable. For dessert we had the tiramisu 5/5 absolutely amazing and melts in your mouth. Excited to come back with the kids to try out more items but now reading the other reviews I'm not 100% certain they are kid friendly? I certainly hope so.

Always an excellent experience. Tonight was a little rough only because we were in the back room with 2 large table of 25 each. We had to move further away so we could talk. And the server had no issue with that. Delicious pasta and salad! Those garlic rolls. Wow! 5 star rolls.

The take out we ordered was packed with care and pick up was fast and efficient. I was impressed nothing was missing from our order as sometimes happens with other places. Grandmas Sunday feast was epic! Hubby loves the Lasagna! Just like grandma makes!

The food is authentic. Red sauce is delicious. Friendly service and beautiful atmosphere makes you feel like you're in Italy.

A wonderful experience start to finish. Short wait for very nice table in the back. Our waiter Jorge was amazing, attentive, helpful and friendly. The lasagna was spectacular, preceded by a delicious salad We finished the meal with a tiramisu, so tasty. We will be back soon.

The best penne vodka I have had in the Tampa area so far. I was getting so stressed about not being able to find a good little spot for penne vodka but Esposito's has relieved me of the stress. I have gone 3 times since I have found this place. It is pure Bronx Italian food! The service was amazing as well. Gives a real Italian ambiance feeling!!

Enjoyed a fantastic dinner with family at Esposito's Italian. The restaurant has a real New York feel to it, the service is fantastic, and the food was over the top. Our waiter, Percy, was exceptional. Hope to be back soon.

Amazing, authentic, and one of Tampas best. East coast family making Florida better with their personal touch to great recipes.

Delicious food, generous portions, friendly and attentive staff, and nice ambiance. Can't wait to go back!

A hidden gem when it comes to authentic Italian cuisine in Tampa! Everything we ordered was delicious!

We have been loyal customers at Espositos for years for the amazing food, but tonight we had the an even better experience at the bar with Fernando. He went above and beyond to provide the best service and made us feel so welcome. 10/10 experience!

*Warning to POC and people with Service Animal* Can't really call it a visit I made it two steps inside the restaurant , what a disgrace of a restaurant owner ,our party of 6 people were denied entry into the restaurant for having a service dog in our party. Myself and 2 others from out party of 6 made it 2 steps into the front door of restaurant where, who I now know is the owner came into my face and my personal space asking for papers , "where's your papers and I want the dogs papers " for the a seizure alert dog in our party! mind you the dog was under 11lbs and was sitting inbetween my legs waiting in a seated position with my back to the glass front door while another larger party was checking in ahead of us with the host , which by the way what the owner did is illegal and Against ADA laws! So I added screenshots from ADA website so maybe the owner can read and educate himself on the laws he likes to break , I told him the service dog is for a disability and he's a seizure alert dog for a military veteran, Then when I stood my ground and told him what he was doing was against ADA law and he told us in much more colorful words that we could leave! when I asked for his Name and the business card for the company he told me no and this is when I found out thinking he was just a manager then found out he's was the OWNER!! cursing at me and telling me to get out in much more colorful words! After calling me a lunatic, and a nut job and other words I can't bear repeat out of respect for readers,Then after we went outside to inform the rest of our party what happened , he tried to back track following us out the restaurant trying to talk to Older Male who was my father ,which unbeknownst to the owner ,it was his service dog the owner just refused us entry to his restaurant and I was holding the dog so he could use the restroom prior to us sitting down for dinner and the after I informed the owner that we would possibly be persusing a discrimination lawsuit and then trying to talk to other members of the party's and not me who he cursed and embarrassed , and disrespected! And when no one would listen to the owner nonsense he called us all lunatics and said if we didn't leave this property he would call the police , which we were standing in shared parking lot of a strip mall getting a 93 year old family member back into the vehicle to take our business somewhere else! I can't tell you about the food because I will never step back into this restaurant and I would encourage any military active or retired to refrain from patronizing this restaurant after the disrespect and discrimination that occurred to myself and my father! Ambiance is hostile, discriminatory ,disrespectful and down right disgusting! To co sign that all the bad reviews on yelp were confirmed in less than 15 minute interaction with the owner Paulie Espositos.

My second review of Esposito's because, well, it's just the best! We started off with the eggplant rolitini which was "the tits" as described by my friend. Also calamari with an orange dipping sauce that I could have bathed in it was so good. The crab risotto has sooooo much flavor it was hard to stop eating because I have no self control. Scallop sambuca and branzino were enjoyed by my dining partners as well. Such a fun atmosphere and great service!

My son took me out because he wanted to try this place. He'd moved to the area a few months ago. O-M-G!!! I usually stick to basics - spaghetti & meatballs, raviolis, lasagna - but we both decided to try something different. So glad we did. Food was delicious, but after the appetizer, shared salad & garlic rolls, could only finish about a third of my Bucatini Amatriciano. Lots of food, our server, Joe, was the best, of course. Friendly staff, Manager came by. Yes, we took food home, but also got dessert to go. Hope to visit again when I'm in the area (hint to son & daughter-in-law. ) Can highly recommend (I know that's a surprise, right?) Thank you, Joe for all your helpful suggestion & information. My mouth is still saying "more, more" while my stomach is saying "don't you dare!"

First time here... and really enjoyed it. Service is top notch, great people, very helpful and friendly. Nicely laid out, and plenty of seating. We had a party of nine, and they took care of us quickly and competently. Food was good, I had the Shrimp and Grouper Franchese, and it was a nice portion. The sauce was very mild, not very tangy, but tasty. Grouper was perfect and wonderful... and the shrimp, well... I could have eaten those all night! Pasta (spaghetti) was perfect also, although I would have preferred Angel Hair (just a personal preference) The house salad that was brought to the table was very good, just iceberg with a wonderful Italian dressing, some diced tomato, some diced beets, and some garbanzo beans. Wine was excellent, a single glass of Malbec... very nice. Dessert was ok. I asked our waitperson which he preferred, the Lemoncello cake or the Chocolate cake, and he suggested the Fuhgetaboutit Pie... so went with that. Basically a chocolate mousse with heavy peanut butter overtones in an oreo crust. Heavy, and a large portion. I will probably stick to one of the cakes next time. I had a wonderful espresso with my dessert... it was really good! No shots of the main course, I got distracted... but I did get dessert.

We had the pleasure of dining at Esposito. I have to say coming from New York one of the best experiences we had. From the moment we walked in the service was impeccable. The staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu, making us feel welcomed and well cared for throughout the evening. The owner also came over to give us a little history of the restaurant. The food? Absolutely outstanding. Every dish we ordered was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The ingredients were fresh, the portions generous, and the attention to detail in both preparation and plating was evident. Whether you're a fan of bold flavors or more classic comfort dishes, there's something on the menu that will impress you. Special shoutout to the Chilean Sea Bass with Shrimp and Risotto - it was a standout and worth coming back for on its own. Overall, Esposito delivers not just a meal, but an experience. With its combination of exceptional food and top-notch service, it's a place I'll definitely be returning to and recommending to family & friends.

The atmosphere here is amazing and the food was delicious. Our waiter Angela was very kind and her cappuccino was perfect!

Great hidden gem in carrollwood! The food is amazing and fresh the service is exceptional and the drinks are delicious The manager stopped by our table and when we said it was our first time, sent us delicious cannoli for dessert!! Get there early it gets busy but the service is fast and friendly The mussels are a must try and any of the pasta is can't miss!!

*Review Updated* My earlier review has easily been validated. See manager's passive aggressive, and insecurity shine in the comment below.

Found this place in my search for Italian food and excited because it's so close to home! Wait time when we arrived around 8 was 35 minutes which wasn't bad. We sat outside on the bench they have available and waited. Called in at exactly 35 minutes. Immediately greeted by our server who was so attentive and friendly the entire night! We ordered the fried mozzarella as the appetizer along with the peasant soup. The mozzarella was lightly fried and what I loved was you got more cheese than breading! This was definitely delicious! I wish there was more than 2 on the plate! The peasant soup was just wow! So worth it and a must try. Perfectly salted and kept me going back for more. Dinner was the chicken parm which WOWZA the chicken was melt in your mouth tender and the sauce was delicious! It comes with a side of spaghetti. The rigatoni with sausage and peppers was delicious. The sauce was light and you get the flavor of that sausage! Rigatoni a la vodka was delicious also! The portions are huge so be prepared to take some home!! Meals are served with a house salad and garlic knots. The salad has chickpeas, tomatoes, beets and lettuce with their house made Italian dressing. Absolutely fresh tasting and so good. I love the bets on the salad. And don't even get me stared on how good the garlic knots are! They have bar, booth and table seating. All indoors. It's dark so we did have a bit of trouble seeing the menu. And the atmosphere is loud. Overall great experience and this is now on my list as one of my top fav Italian restaurants!! Although I think I probably gained 7 lbs just in 1 visit. lol. But it's DANG GOOD!!