Gusto Cucina Italiana

Our first time, highly recommended by a friend. I called to make a reservation the lady was pleasant on the phone. The place is a very deceiving from the outside and small in the inside, very quiet but busy. The owner greeted us and had us wait until our table was clean. Our server was very nice and knowledgeable about the wine list and menu. The owner did come by and introduce herself and made sure everything was good. All the items we ordered were on point and fresh. We will be back for more. Enjoy the pictures.

1st time customer, recommended by friends. Excellent service, great food selection. We went early because we heard it fills up fast. Small cozy atmosphere. Delicious food. Good portion sizes. I had the special Grouper & Shrimp Francese. It was amazing! Fresh, bright, lite and satisfying!(see photo below!) I’ll definitely be back!

A hidden gem. If you blink your eyes, you're going to miss it! But if you find, it will be a most pleasant experience! Greeted by owner Raquels son Issac. Welcoming and funny. Server Melanie was excellent! Food was spot on and cooked too perfection. [Ref: I am an Italian Chef/ Restaurant Consultant]. We had the Mozz Fritta first. Then we all had a seafood/pasta dish. Not one piece of seafood was overcooked! Excellent job in kitchen, that is open and you can see them cook. The kitchen was spotless and well organized. Impressed. The owner came and spoke with the table. A beautiful and pleasant owner. Ended meal with Cappuccino and Creme Brulee. The one who doesn't like creme rules ate it all! Good job! My only reservation I have leaving this review is that it will make them super popular (deservedly so) and it will be hard to get a table when we go out! Thank you Raquel and Isaac along with their outstanding staff for making our first dining experience there so fantastical! Can't wait to go back and start eating my way through the menu! Keep up the great work Gusto!!! Chicago Tommy.

Great meal for New Year's Eve with a party of 6. Reservation was at 7:30, restaurant called at about 6:45 to let us know they were running about 10 minutes late. Great customer service!!! They only serve wine and beer for alcoholic beverages. The menu was one page, but offered a good selection of made to order dishes. The food was delicious. The atmosphere was wonderful...the pictures on the wall and music made me think I was in the movie,"The Godfather".

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ As soon as we walked in, we were made to feel incredibly welcome. It truly felt like stepping into Italy. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the food was absolutely amazing, and the service was on point from start to finish. You would never expect such an authentic, top-tier experience from the outside, but it completely exceeded our expectations. We will definitely be back!

Would not recommend cheap rushed food we got the calamari tasted Frozen not fresh. Then the pasta that was severed was angel hair pasta instead of linguine. More sauce does not mean better food. it was just a mushy mess. Our worst meals in Florida.

Our favorite Italian restaurant. We go there for special occasions and when we want to have a beautiful and delicious meal. It’s small yet cozy, elegant and rich with flavor. Pictured is the linguini pescatore, soooo good.

It you’re looking for straightforward, high quality Italian, this is it! We’ve eaten here 7-8x and after ordering more than half of the menu items we can trust we’re always going to get a good meal. The chicken parm is on point when so many others can’t get this Italian staple right! The calamari is always fresh and light. The owner Raquel is incredibly friendly as is every server that’s helped us. We are so grateful for this local gem! Make a reservation for 4+, it’s cozy.

Our first time, highly recommended by a friend. I called to make a reservation the lady was pleasant on the phone. The place is a very deceiving from the outside and small in the inside, very quiet but busy. The owner greeted us and had us wait until our table was clean. Our server was very nice and knowledgeable about the wine list and menu. The owner did come by and introduce herself and made sure everything was good. All the items we ordered were on point and fresh. We will be back for more. Enjoy the pictures.

Another great evening at Gusto. A very warm greeting and welcome back by the owner as we were seated. Tip for the day, coming into the season, be there before 5:00 to line up for a table, or don't go until 6:30 for the next wave seating. The place is small and fills up fast. Tonight we had the grouper and shrimp francaise over angel hair pasta. Outstanding dish. Service was very attentive, as always. New menus, same good food. This is a regular stop for us. Food is always on point!

Note to self: 1) Ask that red wine to be served cellar temperature; otherwise the bottle is icy cold 2) Order salad with dressing on the side Now back to our regularly-scheduled program: I go to excellent Italian restaurants in NYC and Philadelphia. Nobody is more surprised than I, that one of my favorite restaurants is in an unlikely location: a nondescript strip mall in Cape Coral, FL. My husband and I have our go-to dishes. He's a fan of veal Michelangelo. You will be too, if you like shrimp, jumbo lump crab and chopped clams in a creamy tomato sauce. I generally tell our server, "the more mushrooms the better" when placing my order. The chef accommodates, creating my idea of a perfect chicken marsala. Gusto's starters are great. If we feel decadent, we order fried calamari -- beautifully prepared -- to top our salads. Arancini is also delish. And it goes without saying that they've got anchovies for their Caesar salads. (So many restaurants don't!) Gusto's chef/owner plied his craft in Michigan having opened several award-winning restaurants. Raquel, the chef's wife, oversees the dining room, making sure her guests are happy and well-tended to. Great food, great service, fair prices -- a winning combination.

Our friends introduced us to Gusto. The restaurant is small so reservations are definitely needed. The waiter asked if we wanted red or white wine. This isn't a place for Oenophiles. The menu is limited, but the food portions are good. I ordered the eggplant parmesan and it was fine. My wife ordered their version of Cioppino and found it too spicy. All in all, we had a good time, but doubt we will be returning.

We were able to get a much desired reservation for the two of us on Valentine's evening. Our very experienced waitress remembered us and was most attentive. We started with very crisp tasty salads and enjoyed our chicken shrimp La Rosa and veal Michelangelo. The bread was soft and so fresh. AND my beautiful red rose capped off our meal just the way my husband desired. I got to enjoy 1/2 my meal again the next day, reliving each tasty memory. Thank you Gusto! We will return. In fact, we usually take guests there, esp if cannoli cake will be served.

Food is authentic. Sauce is perfection. Owners are committed to beautiful flavors and delivering amazing Italian food in Cape! Local favorite.

Absolutely fantastic! I had the fettuccini Alfredo and it was the best I have ever had! Don't hesitate to go!

The food is amazing!!! Always fresh, authentic and good portions. Lines can be long, but they ensure you are accommodated with friendly and reliable service and to be honest, the food is worth the wait. We haven't had a bad meal or experience. Great ambiance for dinner for two or family setting. You can't go wrong!

A wonderful place for dinner. Food and service was excellent. Not too many tables so plan ahead

Excellent food do not get distracted by the location. We almost left when we pulled up as this place is in a dingy little strip mall Excellent meals big portions and great prices. Only wine served no bar is only negative thing about the place. I had the pork Milanese and the tortellini. Both were exceptional Cesar salad was probably only thing I would not order again.

Lovely! Convivial ambiance inside the restaurant. Fantastic restaurateur Raquel who welcomes guests thoughtfully. The staff is efficient and friendly. The food: traditional Italian menu with limited options because it is truly homemade & high quality cuisine. It is insanely delicious. The quality is amazing. The taste is exceptional. Traditional Italian fare, seafood, pasta, veal, chicken, & eggplant options. Side salads with entrees featuring homemade balsamic dressing. Which tastes phenomenal and along with the bread and butter is a perfect way to start the meal. The appetizer list is great and there is always one or two great specials on offer. The entree portions are plenty for one person and could easily be shared if you want to work your way through all of the dining courses. We didn't save room for dessert but will report on another visit. Takeout seems to be very popular. The entire experience is top notch. Run don't walk to have a date night or family dinner at Gusto.

I read all the reviews and waited out of season to try this place. First off, the owner, she is incredibly social and welcoming. She took the time to greet us and while we waited for our seats, she asked about us and shared her history. The space is small and it's easy to miss, there are not a lot of tables but enough, it's also warm and dark, very sultry in there. I would say that it's family friendly but I can see smaller kids thinking it's stuffy. The food was amazing! Everything that you read on these reviews came to life on the plate. The pasta was delish, the mussels were so savory and flavorful, the drinks were cold and refilled often. We found our Italian spot in Cape, so sad to think that during season this place will be hard to get into but so happy that it's getting the recognition it deserves.

We were in town for a baseball tournament and called to get a reservation for 9 people. We were told they'd do their best to sit us together, but we may need to be separated. No biggie, the kids would probably prefer that. Our 9 turned into 14 and I called back we were told they'd do their best, but we may need to be seated at different times, again no biggie. Raquel called me not long before our reservation to let us know we could be seated together. When we showed up, we were seated quickly, but unfortunately our 14 became 16. The other mom and I decided we'd wait it out for another table and all the guys could sit together. It didn't take long to get us a table right by our group. The service was exceptional, everything came out fast and just as it was ordered. Drinks were never empty and the table stayed clean. The food was fresh and phenomenal. Not a single complaint from any one of our 16, in fact everyone agreed it was one of the best meals and dining experiences we've ever had. Raquel and her team really went above and beyond and they managed to seat, serve, and satisfy a party of 16 in just over an hour. If we find ourselves back in the area, we'll definitely return.

The best Italian food in this area! So good, I went twice in one week for their fresh pasta. Check it out!

We had an amazing dinner out at this quant locally owned restaurant. The chicken was absolutely fabulous! Tender juicy, and packed with flavor!

I can't believe it took me this long to review this restaurant. We have been going for about 3 years now and every single time the food, service , and overall setting has been enjoyable. You really feel like family when dining in. Very small setting so please be patient as the wait is worth it.

The best traditional Italian restaurant in Cape Coral. Everything on the menu is delicious! My favorate was the pan fried salmon with artichokes and sun dried tomatoes with a heavenly sauce, until they took it off the menu. Even though it wasn't on the menu, they usually had it on hand, if you know to request it. My husband said they had the best eggplant parm. Really, there wasn't anything on the menu that wasn't excellent.

Vince is a very accomplished chef and his wife a Great hostess. I have eaten at many Italian restaurants around the world and this one deserves five stars. My wife and I, along with many friends have eaten there several times I noticed that one or two customers have complained about the small size of the restaurant My suggestion is if you find the restaurant too small, find a bigger and better restaurant (good luck with that in Cape Coral). We have never received poor service at this restaurant. It is our favorite Italian restaurant in the area.

Excellent service from our waiter, Mark. Scrumptious food from the kitchen. Raquel does an amazing job. Always look forward to a visit to Gustos.

Okay I am hesitant to do this , because everyone will know how fabulous this place is. I mean it's in a strip mall, totally unassuming and the food the service is beyond your expectations. Melanie our server could be the best at her craft . The owner apparently co owns a a delicatessen and patisserie across from University Grill in Ft Myers. That means the mozzarella is homemade, the desserts as well . The bread fresh from the oven , the salads beyond crisp. The sauces are homemade. I mean this place could have the best Italian in the city and I do not exaggerate. The complimentary bread is made from scratch and you would so pay for a loaf. The owner Raquel is caring and kind and made sure our dining experience was perfect. You will not get close to this place in season so go now and see why people line up when it opens. Yes, it's that good....

Mom found this one. I think I've taught her how to Yelp properly and so she searched for pasta and we're here for dinner before I head back up north this weekend. We had a short wait as this is a popular restaurant and it doesn't have much room inside. We were seated and our drink orders taken. About fifteen minutes later, dinner arrived. I had the veal piccata and mom had a chicken dish. Hers with potatoes and mine with broccoli. The piccata was delicious - lots of garlic, capers and lemons with the thick sliced veal that was cooked perfectly. I had a glass of the house white wine with it that helped too. Service was good especially considering that it was so very busy this evening. I don't know if they do reservations or what but you will want to call ahead, especially if it's Southwest Florida tourist season. [Review 16800 overall - 1524 in Florida - 313 of 2022.]

We've been going to Gusto since they opened. The food is and has been Great. It's a small place and very busy (always) so if you have 4 or more people make a reservation. It's always good.

Fantastic and fresh Italian food. The desserts are made from scratch and a must have even if you're too full, get the! The service was excellent too. We will definitely be back!

The food was EXCEPTIONAL! Always is! Anyone who would rate this establishment as anything BUT 5 STAR doesn't know what "Exceptional " means. The staff is wonderful and the atmosphere is refreshing and relaxing. Here's to another excellent dinning experience at GUSTO!

Amazing food. My favorite restaurant in Cape Coral. Will be back. Friendly staff and overall great vibe in the restaurant.

Great food, you have to come and try this place if you are in town or just looking for some amazing Italian. Place gets super busy and open from 5 only so plan accordingly. Been in twice , group of 3 and nothing but great things to say from everyone.

This place is awesome. The food was amazing and everything was freshly made. The staff and owner were all very friendly. I highly recommend to everyone. Salute'

Went there this evening with our friends. We go out once a week and I was looking for someplace new. Been in CC for almost 22 years and never knew this place was here. (they opened in 2015) The atmosphere is great, quiet for a restaurant, light background music which is perfect for a restaurant. Raquel is very welcoming and social. Our waiter (did not get his name) was great. Very attentive, never let our glasses get empty and frequently on us . Small staff as it is a small place but they all seem happy. The food was outstanding, we will definitely be back.

I love this incredibly restaurant!! I have dined several times , and its always an exceptional experience. The food is truly outstanding--authentic, flavorful, and beautifully presented. What makes the experience even more memorable is the owner's hospitality. she personally greets you and ensured that every detail of your meal is perfect. The passion and pride she has for her restaurant is evident and adds a warm, personal touch to the entire evening. If you're looking for a place that offers both incredible Italian food and a welcoming atmosphere, Gusto should be at the top of your list. Highly recommended!

This restaurant and experience was nothing short of amazing. The calamari was light, crispy and seasoned to perfection: thinly sliced eggplant lightly fried with an amazing sauce; what really made this experience notable was the host, the owner, she took the time out to greet her customers ensure the meal was on point and was just a delight to chat with. I was lucky to find this place on yelp as i was just visiting the naples area. But if i make it back through i will be sure to visit! This place is a gem

We like to take out: Linguine with white clam sauce and Eggplant Parmesan once a month. Always good.

The food at Gusto's was fabulous! I had the chicken Marsala and my husband had Veal Michelangelo! Our waiter was professional and very attentive! I highly recommend this restaurant! Kuddos!!

This was the first time at Gusto and the food was fantastic. You will have to wait so expect that but the food as hot and delicious. This is real Italian food.

This is my first time here. I was blown away. We started with muscles. The muscles were fresh and the sauce fantastic. I had shrimp scampi for dinner, once again great. My wife raved about the Veal Michaelangelo. We did not have room for desert. The people, the atmosphere, and the food all great. Highly recommend.

We went here last Sat night, it was so very good. You will have to wait awhile to be seated if you go during a Judy evening, which we did. But others had talked about how good the food was, so we e waited. We ordered the special spa to ER for that evening it was a flat bread pizza, with goat cheese, caramelized onions, prosciutto and drizzled with balsamic. For our mains we ordered the pork chop Milanese, the Veal Picata and for dessert we had the crème brûlée. Everything was fantastic. Our waitress was great, drinks were flowing the whole evening. It was a very nice night, the food was incredible.

This is absolutely hands down the BEST Italian restaurant in all of Cape Coral. The Veal is cooked to perfection every time. The chicken parm is to die for. The pork Milanese, the best I have ever had in the world. Wonderful wine selection, from low brow to high end. But most importantly the owners put so much love into everything they do. World class food and service. Thanks so much Raquel and Vincent!!!

Always order food from here it's never a disappointment ones day I'm going to have to go in and sit down and get the full experience.

Everything was excellent Service food Just wish it was a larger restaurant it fills up quick and it's small but it's so worth going even if you have to wait or get there early

Excellent meals and good service! Appetizers we had fried mozzarella and crostini, both awesome! Mozzarella was so fresh. Caesar salad and house salad were both great, delicious house dressing with a nice amount of Italian cheese. The guys had chicken parm,and eggplant parm, which were both good with nice sized portions. Girls opted for seafood. Linguine vongole in white sauce was tasty and portion was huge. Shrimp Scampi was probably the best I ever tasted. Perfect amount of garlic and lemon butter. I was shocked at the amount of large shrimp, I almost licked the plate clean. The bread served with dinner wasn't the best I've had, but everything else was amazing!

OK when i walked into this restaurant, i started crying, The Aroma brought me right back home to my Momma's kitchen! The Food is Fabulous!!! Authentic Italian!!! Amazing!!!

Every meal I've had exceeds my expectations. The service is absolutely wonderful, everyone is so pleasant and courteous.

The food was delicious and mouth watering. The dishes are well crafted, made to order and completely customizable. The staff is friendly and welcoming. The space is small and intimate, great for a couples night out.

amazing food, amazing service, amazing atmosphere. if in the cape coral area you should definitely eat at gustos it will not disappoint.

The food and service were excellent. I had the grouper special. The fish was tender and the sauce for the pasta was savory and delicious. The amount of food was beyond what we could eat at one seating. So we bought home the leftovers and enjoyed it tonight. The canoli cake was unusual and sumptuous. What is also worth mentioning are the huge black and white European photos on the walls. Some of them are movie related. Each display are strange combinations of various scenes intermingled together. At first glance they seem like unified works and then you realize how disjointed they are. Fun,

Really loved Gustos. Menu was simple and I say that as a total compliment. Food is really done very well. Can't recommend enough. Unassuming place that is a real treat. Service very good as well.

Amazing food and service!! Can't wait to go back! Everything was fresh and owner was on top of everything! Little gem!

If you appreciate great authentic Italian food you need to stop at Gusto! The food is outstanding. We started with the fried mozzarella followed by chicken parm and pappardelle. Everything was excellent. Wine list features all Italian favorites. Highly recommend and worth the wait for a table. The restaurant only has a handful of tables.

Gustos is the best Italian restaurant in Southwest Florida. The food has great portions, made fresh, and always delicious. The service is always exceptional and the owners are amazing people. The restaurant is a smaller size, but is cozy and has a great ambiance to it.

All I can say is WOW! Everything is incredible at Gusto's and might be taking first place for my favorite restaurant in Cape Coral! Our server, Melanie, was fabulous and so knowledgeable! They were out of pork so I got the veal Milanese and it was incredible! We also filled up on the AMAZING calamari so we had tons of leftovers! I definitely recommend this place for dinner