Piccola Italia Bistro

OK. This is not some jovial character with exaggerated gestures, a loud voice and a flamboyant personality. But the food. He's in no hurry, your in his world and he'll get to you in his own good time. But the food. No colorful decor, classic italian songs, or clean white linen cloth on a table. But the food!! Just wait till you try the food. A tiny spot called Piccola Italia on MLK, about 1 mile east of the Bucs facility. 5 simple wooden tables with red plastic chairs and black cloth napkins. What sounds like an old transistor radio with a tinny sound plays unrecognizable italian music that may very well be some golden oldies from the motherland. This is a one man show, where the broodish chef is also your order taker, server and cashier. In a hurry? Go somewhere else. Want amazing food? Your in the right place. In anticipation of a great meal. My instinct. I brought with me a bottle of Chianti Classico that laid in my cellar fridge for over 15 years, 2007 vintage. You see, he does not sell wine, you can bring your own if you want some. A simple menu lists your choice of 10 different pastas for $20. You can add a protein such as sausage, meatball, chicken or shrimp for $5. I knew what I wanted right away. I got the Carbonara with Parmasean Sauce and added Italian Sausage as a protein. That would tell me all I needed to know. Sublime. I allowed myself to be transported back to a different time and place. Music from the Villa kitchen permeated the air as I ate outside under large expansive trees in an Italian countryside vineyard with a gentle afternoon breeze. Yeah, I have one heck of an imagination. The chefs food is simple, fresh, unassuming and embracing. I relished every bite and it's pairing with the amazing wine I brought. Back to reality where I chose the Tiramusu for dessert and Cannoli's for the wife who was babysitting. For you food lovers, here is a spot that rewards patience and great expectations. Parking is on site and limited. Dinner reservations a must. Ask about the specials. He gives pasta cooking classes with dinner at the end. I cannot wait to go back, I already know what I want to try next. I am picking the next bottle of wine as we speak. COME GET YA SOME!!

Amazing food thank you so much. It is hard to come across a good place these days. Tasted really authentic and made with fresh ingredients from scratch.

Probably the best experience I’ve had in Tampa. You can tell there is care and love put into all of the dishes, and you can tell everything is handmade with quality ingredients. Whenever people complain about pricing it’s comical considering chains like Cheesecake charge MORE for fast food. Can’t wait to come back. Thank you for a memorable birthday.

Amazing food. And yes I ordered 4 desserts cause I couldn't choose and yes it was worth it!. I can't wait to visit again meet time I'm in the Tampa area. The fact I can bring my own Wine is a good idea!

It was the best lunch I have ever had. You should call ahead to make a reservation before you come because they have limited seating, but it's totally worth it.

MAKE A RESERVATION! This is the most authentic Italian restaurant I've been to outside of Italy, Chef William is a genius

Hands down, this is the best restaurant in Tampa. The gentleman that runs the show here is truly an artist. Of the five times I've eaten here, I can honestly say each one was one of the best versions of whatever I had ordered. The carbonara from the regular menu is exquisite. More often than not, I would choose one of his daily specials. From what I can gather, it's whatever he felt like making that day. I, for one, will eat here at every opportunity I get!

super tiny place that requires a reservation, and it's a BYOB drinks, but man oh man was it good. there is the basic menu but they have a wide variety of specials and appetizers and desserts. we had fried polenta in some kind of tomato-based sauce, which was delicious. then we had the cheese tortellini dish and a rack of lamb with gnocchi - both so good. definitely worth calling and making a reservation today!

I had one bite and I was like, "okay yeah this might be my new favorite Italian restaurant." First off, I agree with a lot of other people saying you need a reservation because I thought even though I tried going at a random time (4:00 on a Friday), all the tables were reserved. We got lucky and they made a bit of space for us, but next time I know I'll only be making reservations for here. I got the pesto pasta with chicken, and my partner got the venison pasta that was one of the specials that day. We both immediately thought it was some of the best pasta we've ever had! I especially loved the smoked salmon and chicken, both were so, so flavorful. For dessert we got the tiramisu and cannoli, the cannoli filling was perfect and just really hit the spot for me. Service was super friendly, and all the food came out shockingly fast. Overall, I already love this place and will definitely be back soon!

The best restaurant I've ever had in my life. Small and intimate location. Must call and get a reservation well ahead of time! You bring your own wine, which we loved being able to do! The owner made an announcement to the whole room and read off all the specials. After our first course (crab cakes) we were already planning our next reservation. Everything we had was absolutely delicious and I'm so ready to go back!

Say it with me: phe nom inal . This is my family's must go to Italian restaurant in the Tampa Bay Area, but be warned - you absolutely need a reservation. It's always packed and there's always people being turned away due to it being full! It is BYOW (bring your own wine), so come prepared if you're looking to enjoy a glass of vino with your pasta. Highly highly recommend

Every dish is perfect! One man show. No place like it. I recommend the owner write the specials down and print it out to give to people at the table so we can see all them!

This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Tampa! I've gone here countless times (in restaurant and takeout) and it's amazing and so flavorful every time. It's small but romantic and a true Italian experience. It's BYOW so don't forget to stop to grab some wine on the way there in you want any.

My pasta dish was just like I was in Rome. The food came out piping hot. Very authentic. The cannoli was outstanding with a hard shell. Will be back. BYOB

This place is serving up authentic Italian cuisine at a very fair price. It's not a fancy or big place, but the food is incredibly delicious. The drinks- it's BYOB! Yes, you can bring your own alcohol and there is no corking fee. The restaurant does not have a liquor license. The food- the menu consists of traditional pasta dishes, but there are always specials, too. I went with a party of 5 and every person loved their meal. The food is homemade, authentic, and truly delicious. The dessert- all desserts are homemade so I tried to tiramisu, which was one of the best I've had in my life. Trust me, this Italian girl has tried a lotttt of tiramisu. Overall, the food was amazing and priced great. The only negative thing I have to say is the temperate. I was hot because they had a swamp cooler, not normal AC. I want to return for the pasta making class.

An Italian dream. This little hidden gem is absolutely delicious. The owner and his mother are the main chefs and waiters. This has to be the most amazing and authentic Italian food I've ever ever had in the US. I love the intimacy of having such a small location. Definitely have to make reservations in advance because he only takes about a certain amount, but you can get food to go which we have done and it's still amazing. You must visit this place! My Italian husband even says this reminds of his family back in Italy.

First time at this place, and it was a weird experience. He seemed intoxicated but I was trying to be open minded... I was too open minded and got swindled I ordered the 14.95 bolognese with $3.95 meatballs, which I could see the pricing for on the menu. Then asked for the special which was Gnocci and veal (no pricing to see). He charged me about $69 (lol) dollars for the Gnocci and veal alone. My total was $88 for both meals. Everything was already boxed up and wrapped up, so I assumed these were massive portions, but when I got home and looked I was blown away. I feel like I got completely ripped off, jerked (not in a good way), and worked in the worst way possible. The pictures aren't doing the portion sizes justice, these were tiny, definitely not worth $88

Wonderful food and such a special experience. The owner takes your order than cooks your food. How he does it, is amazing. It's BYOB so bring you wine and enjoy!

Piccola is the greatest when it comes to Tampa Italian dining. The owner is also the chef, the server, and the prep so it's a one-man show which is always a green flag for me in todays day where owners have no heart in the product that gets made. The food is not only extremely delicious but the prices are very cheap. Pasta will be generously portioned, served fresh and steaming hot, and only runs $15 a plate. Don't let the online menu fool you, there are daily specials for starters and entrees and there's a wide selection for vegetarian/pescatarian usually. Honestly, I just moved back from Chicago where Italian dining reigns supreme and had been a little bummed about the scene. Lots of Italian in this city is okay but you pay a lot for food that just feels ordinary. So it was very refreshing for me to find this place that had somehow flown under my radar for years. A couple things I'll note, non are negative but you just should be aware to maximize your experience: -there's 4-5 tables, so a reservation should be made over the phone. They don't take them online. -be ready to hear the specials bc they're given verbally and it's usually a pretty big list. -the owner running the show is very, very Italian. Which means he will always be honest and straightforward but to me this is part of the charm. -it's byob, but this is a plus for me since I don't have to buy an $80 wine that runs $15 at total wine.

Hidden Gem! Secret Hole in the Wall! Call this one man operation what you want but be assured that William does a creative and fresh Italian kitchen in the couple of hundred square feet he has to work with. Ambiance - Seriously? Came here on a quiet Sunday afternoon and were one of two groups in the restaurant. Maybe the 6 wood table and 20 or so red plastic chairs add to the old world charm, but lower your expectations and enjoy the Italian photos and view of the kitchen. It does have the look and feel of a small Italian bistro. Just imagine a view of the Mediterranean in place of the busy MLK outside. Pro Tip1 - Make reservations as space is limited. Service - William does almost all of it himself, from cooking, to serving, to answering the phone. He often has one helper (a relative?) but is essentially a one man operation. That being said, service is efficient, the food comes out quickly, and water carafes are plentiful. Food - That's what you're here for and you won't be disappointed. William has 10 pastas (all $14.95) a few appetizers, and no salads on the menu. The one salad available is Caprese, and it's good. His specials can number from 3 to 10 depending on the day and take good mental notes as he will rattle them off quickly. They all sound incredible, and it's tough to choose. Pro Tip2 - Make sure you ask the price of the specials as they can be 2X to 3X the price of the 10 regular pastas. Braised Short Ribs on Pappardelle (special $39.95)- An incredible boneless short rib that is fork tender over pappardelle smothered in a red bolognese-like sauce. This is definitely a hearty plate that "meat-lovers" will relish. Perfectly al dente pasta in a rich hearty sauce. Be prepared to share or take some home. Anglio E Olio - Spaghetti pasta with scallions, sesame seeds and red peppers. More delicious than I expected with quite a pop from the peppers. I couldn't stop eating this ... Cannoli - Comes in pairs but we were able to order one for half the price. Crunchy exterior and creamy cheesy interior. There were chocolate sprinkles and I would have preferred shaved chocolate or even chips. The sprinkling of powdered sugar was done evenly and not just dumped on, which I appreciated. Pro Tip3 - Bring cash to avoid the credit card fee... The newest addition to my "Favorite Hole in the Wall" restaurants list and worth a trip to Tampa just for the food.

We went for a friends birthday, so we had the place to ourselves. The owner was very attentive and cooked everything himself....he had only one other person to help serve. He had a nice menu and also offered many specials. All the food, from appetizers to dessert, was delicious and plentiful and veryvauthentic. I would highly recommend it!

Very cute, unassuming little shop! I loved the ambiance but definitely make sure you make a reservation. Perfect amount of food options. Pasta was filling and fair price. Not a lot of parking but also not a huge place, so again, just make sure to make reservations!

Incredible dining experience! I felt like I was transported to a cozy bistro in Italy for the evening. The staff went above and beyond - they even chilled our wine in the freezer for us so it was ready when we were. We will be back!

Small intimate environment. Food excellent and very welcoming owners. I suggest calling ahead of time as reservations recommended. BYOB alcohol not available.

Amazing food! We had the arincini to start and was cooked perfectly, I had the daily special of lamb on the saffron risotto. I think this is the best risotto I've ever had. My boyfriend has the ravioli which he also said was great. Only downside is the parking lot and that we weren't aware this was bring your own beverage. Now that we know it will be better but fantastic authentic food.

They have fantastic nightly specials Fresh pasta and seafood. Awesome food and very attentive staff.

Super tiny place, call to make a reservation! Everyone's food was so tasty. Really authentic. Bring your own wine!

Absolutely adore this place. I literally just went here after a long day of work and I'm not so fun doctors appointment. I left the doctors nearby and was starving and saw them nearby and figured I have to try it. Hands down all around the best experience, I could've asked for. A lot of their tables are reserved for the evening and I was by myself, but they took off one of the reserved signs and let me sit and eat. The service was wonderful. The ambience is cute. I feel like the photos do not do the place justice. It is much more quaint and unique then the vibes the photos show. It was extremely reasonably priced and was a very good portion. I let my husband know and he actually asked me to get him in order to go before I left. I will 1000% be back!!!!

This is a cute, tiny restaurant in West Tampa where you can get authentic Italian pasta dishes. You do need to plan ahead and make reservations, as they have very limited capacity, and they fill up even on weeknights. I was able to get a last minute reservation, but it was for 5 o'clock. I was warned that the table was reserved at 7, so we needed to be done with our meal by then. That was fine with me as I have two young kids who can't tolerate a long meal anyway. However, while the owner stated that he didn't want to rush me, he certainly made me feel rushed. I got to the restaurant first, but I was late because of traffic and road construction. The owner was even more upset by my late arrival, and he really only began to warm up to me after I ordered for my whole family in advance so he knew he could control the timing and get us out before 7PM. They do not serve wine, but if you bring your own bottle, they have corkscrews and basic wine glasses (no decanter). We started with a caprese salad. It was not the standard caprese salad but had a generous amount of arugula. The mozzarella was really good and creamy. For our mains, my husband had the lobster ravioli in vodka sauce (a weekly special). He thought the sauce was a little salty but he also said the ravioli was tasty with very mild lobster. My kids shared fettucine bolognese with meatballs. I had the spaghetti puttanesca with sausage. It was very tasty. Serving sizes were huge, and we ended up bringing home a lot of leftovers. We ended up finishing up so early that the owner said we had time for dessert. We were too full. Maybe another time.

DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER!!!! May not look like much, but this place is a hidden gem!! Always delicious, authentic and fresh Italian food, not a chain- the owner does the cooking, and he's actually Italian! HOUSE MADE PASTAS!!!! They also have pasta making classes! Pro tip: do NOT decide to order something off the menu-- wait for the owner to come to your table to tell you the specials-- and they change EVERY DAY!!!! Tiramisu Limoncello cake Puttanesca (if you like it) Caprese salad Fresh Coffee Everything is delicious- you literally can't make a bad decision here. I think you can also bring your own wine.

Awesome hole in the wall authentic Italian spot in Tampa! The place is small so make sure you have a reservation, and always ask to hear the specials before you decide. We started with the caprese which was really good on their toast. I then had a short rib pasta for my meal but also tried some of the lasagna and the beef bolognese. I absolutely loved the short rib, pasta, and the sauce on my dish, and also enjoyed the other plates that I tried. I would definitely come back when I'm in the Tampa area!

The food here is absolutely incredible! I was cooking scallops at home and called to see if the owner could prepare a risotto to pair with them. Not only was he happy to accommodate, but he also asked for my preferences and customized it perfectly. The risotto turned out amazing and complemented our scallops beautifully. We also ordered a dish with an avocado crème sauce, which was just as impressive--rich, flavorful, and expertly balanced. If you love authentic Italian cuisine, this place is a must-try. 10/10 recommend!

This place will take you back to villages in Italy! Serving delicious dishes using fresh ingredients. My favorite is the homemade pesto. I returned from Sicily and been longing for good Italian, have to go there soon!

Was excited to try this Italian restaurant for the first time since I saw good reviews on TikTok. I arrived with my partner and we didn't know it would be so small since this was our first time visiting. We walked in with our wine bottle about 40 minutes before closing. One of the waitresses just gave us a head shake when we walked in - we had to assume that meant they were no longer seating people. We did not realize it closed at 8pm on a Saturday and it's understandable that they would not be seating anyone else at that time but we would have appreciated an actual acknowledgment for first time visitors. We will not be returning.

So glad we found this little (picolla) spot! Ordered the pescatore special. I'll definitely be back again and again and again....

We had a lunch there and the food we order were all so good. It has lots of flavors and taste so fantastic. Excellent quality of pasta. It looks simple dish but the taste was beyond great. The menu was great with nice selection of pasta. The Puttanesca and Clams over linguine with shrimp were so good. They have balanced flavor as well. Nice salad with fresh ingredients. The Burreta was so good. The place was casually good with nice atmosphere. The setting was great.

What a special find. Mother & Son bringing all the LOVE with excellent Italian food to Tampa. Very small & cozy just like what you would find on the side streets of Italy. Make sure to BYOB if you would like wine with your meal.

Still one of the best Pasta experiences I.n Tampa. The Amatriciana pasta with side of meatballs is my choice always. My wife loves the pesto. The bolognese is also Delicious. And of course always save space for the Limoncello cake or cannolis.

First visit. Took my wife and four teenagers for lunch. All six of us have a new favorite restaurant for pasta. We all ordered something different and no one was disappointed. 6 stars. We will be going back.

So, writing this review after Marcos and I visited FOUR times in 10 days. It. Was. Delicious. It's a one man show providing the whole experience and he knocks it out of the park. We've tried the carbonara, the bolognese and the amatriciana dishes so far as well as his tres leches. We're planning on ordering a lasagna, and looking forward to trying some of his daily specials soon too. Both eat in and take out: same amount of love poured into each dish.

The food here is so amazing and feels like home. It is small and quaint, but doesn't lack flavour and experience. The staff is wonderful. It is great for a date night or even an evening with friends I have not had anything of the menu that wasn't spectacular.

Amazing family-owned Italian restaurant in a small, intimate space churning out stellar dishes. They have a standard menu with some classic Italian favorites but the real gem here is their nightly specials which are always phenomenal. Plan in advance to dine here as they sell out every night.

Absolutely amazing, truly authentic Italian food. I couldn't stop eating. I'm originally from NYC didn't think I'd find good Italian food down here but was proven wrong today.

This is 4.5 stars because the chef's specials change weekly and prepared while you can watch from one of the six tables. This is also a BYOB The place is tiny so make a reservation. It's is only the chef i and a helper running the show. Don't bother looking at the one page menu. The chef will come out at rattle off about 10 specials which all sound amazing. I had lasagna and my husband had ravioli with vodka sauce. Both were delicious, portions are large, a make great left overs. From the outside not much to see it is in a tiny strip of store front property. There is a store next door which I am still trying to figure out what exactly it is. Will definitely be back for date night. I would not recommend bringing children since it is a small place.

Piccola has done it again. We ordered takeout this time around to have a lovely meal in the middle of our tax day. Their special was short rib pappardelle (we got 2 of these) and I tried their regular-menu primavera pasta, but added sausage. Total including credit card fee was about $101. But WOW! Flavors were even deeper and more delicious than our first visit! Short rib was incredibly seasoned, the meat sauce was so bold -- no other Italian restaurant in Tampa Bay can touch it!! The primavera pasta was just as interesting and delicious, with sooo many toppings and an avocado cream sauce that was unique. Takeout serving sizes: HUUUGEEEE! I still have about 3 servings left of my primavera pasta for the work week ahead (heck yessss). Best Italian restaurant in miles. GO!

A side from being in Italy, this place has had the most authentic Italian food we've found. Excellent!

Authentic, great food. Eat one of the specials, not off the menu (although I'm sure that's great too)

Hidden gem alert! Attempted to dine at Piccola Italia Bistro but unfortunately they weren't taking any walk in. That didn't stop us from trying some delicious Italian pasta. The gentlemen that greeted us recommended that for future we call ahead to make a reservation. Very small location with a few tables. The food was made to order and you can taste the fresh ingredients on every bite. The cannolis were delicious. Highly recommend! I'll be back soon!

Good place in Sarasota. I got the too good to go. They gave a good amount of food. I also bought the Parmesan cheese. Service was great.

What a beautiful and authentic Italian meal. I can tell the chef is probably the owner and the moment we heard his Italian accent we knew it was going to be amazing... (As if the yelp reviews weren't an indicator enough!) Make sure you hear the specials before you decide on a menu item, because the specials were all incredible sounding. We started with a smoked trout salad with arugula, beets, fennel and radicchio. It was so lightly dressed and delicious. The roasted beets were perfect and the smoked trout was delicious. I got the pesto linguine with shrimp added. The sauce is incredibly creamy and the pasta and shrimp were perfectly cooked. My partner had the short rib from the features menu which was incredibly tender. What a beautiful, but tiny restaurant. We were very lucky to walk in at 5pm and even though all tables were reserved we were able to sneak in a quick meal before the reservations started, and he didn't rush us at all. From service to atmosphere to food and execution, across the board what an incredible experience. We got a cannoli to go, but also heard tiramisu, profiteroles, tres leches and some kind of limoncello cake that also sounded incredible. Go go go, make sure you make a reservation in advance. You will not be disappointed!

This is a quaint and charming small Italian restaurant serving food with heart! Chef William is certainly personable and his care shows through his food. His love for Italian cuisine shines brightly with each dish freshly made! I ended up getting the Bolognese and it was hearty with plenty of pasta, ground beef, and sausage accented with fresh basil in a tomato sauce. A rich and savory dish that will make you feel all warm and cozy inside. The interior can be a bit crowded so I recommend coming for and early dinner or later lunch to be any crowds. You can also order out too! The parking lot can be a little precarious when crowded so be careful so you're not playing bumper cars!

This is a "ONE MAN SHOW" that is truly a hidden putzi gem among the locals! I'm hesitant to post this review because I want to keep it local!!! The most authentic and made to order Italian deliciousness you will find in Tampa! The menu changes daily and the owner will provide your choices personally - then retreat to the kitchen area where you can see him "making magic!" Reservations are a MUST - if you want to enjoy a nice wine with dinner you need to bring it with you - no cork fees!!! Mangia - Tutto bene - Bon appetit!

Great food. Scratch kitchen. Small place so reservation are necessary. 18 person capacity. BYOB. Reserve the entire place & have your own party, we did.

This dining experience knocked my socks off.. We had dinner reservations which is a must to dine here. The chef had so many dinner options not on the menu and everything sounded amazing. It really feels as though your sitting at your best friends house and they're an amazing cook. We sat here for about 3 hours laughing, enjoying our wine and sampling as much as we could between 6 people. I'd gotta say this lasagna was one of the best I've had and I love that you can buy trays of it with a 24 hour notice. The service is just ok which is nothing wine and good company can't fix. The owner also offers a pasta making class. Which one day.. I'll hopefully get to do.

The food is absolutely amazing. We just spent 2 weeks in Italy and this is as good as anything we ate there! It should be since the chef is from Abruzzo. There were 5 daily specials ranging from lasagne to osso buco to duck. Just has many appetizer specials. We had the stuffed artichokes and eggplant parm for appetizers. Made an eggplant lover out of me! Our dinners were two orders of lasagne, one veal dish and one osso buco. Everything was delicious! You couldn't get any better at a five star Michelin restaurant! The tiramisu was absolutely melt in your mouth! The place is very small and nondescript but nothing short of incredibly delicious! We left very happy with To Go boxes. Very generous portions. Our first time, we loved it.! We'll definitely be back! Thank you Chef!

I love finding these little gems. Piccola is the definition of a one-man show. Small tiny storefront converted into a small dining area and kitchen. William is your Chef, every night. He does have a helper bring out the food and his wife is often present to help out back, but that's it. He comes out and gives you the specials and takes your order. Then walks 10 feet into his Kitchen and cooks out in the open. The place is small and the decor is very basic, The food is not. Everything here is well paired and the products he uses are the best he can source. The stuffed Mushroom app and the burrata salad were perfect. I ordered the calms over pasta special. Great portion and very simply seasoned with calms very tender and pasta cooked perfectly. Deserts here are awesome. Tiramusi was the best I've ever had out. When you pull up, dont be swayed by the small storefront and the cheap table and chairs. This place packs it where it counts, in it's food.

This is the best Italian restaurant in Tampa. I'm hesitant to even say that because the seating is limited inside (maybe 4 tables), but maybe more customers mean expansion? Who knows, what I do know is the food here is amazing. If you're a fan of Italian food this is the spot. There's really not much else to say about it. Everything on the menu is perfection. The service is great even though there's only maybe 3 people working when I've been in there. Food always comes out quick (though that may have something to do with my table being the only one in there every time I've gone). Anyway, it's the best. There you have it.