We went on a Friday night and the ambiance was romantic and service was very attentive. We were given complimentary bread which was hard and subpar. I ordered the Capelli D'angelo Al Granchio ($32.95) which was Angel hair pasta sauteed with lump crab, olive oil and garlic. It had a generous amount of crab meat, which was good, but the flavor profile was lackluster. My boyfriend got the Pappardelle Short Rib Special ($35? Cant remember the exact price) which I thought had better flavor but the meat didn't melt in your mouth like I thought it would. Overall, I thought the food was good just nothing to run home about. I would give the food a 3.5/5 and the service a 5/5. The dishes were expensive so I had higher expectations - If the prices were more reasonable for what I received, I would probably give it 4 stars.
FabulousFoodie
Always a fabulous experience! Nick, our server, was very attentive and professional as are all the servers at Caffe Paradiso. We had two of the specials which were a grouper piccata with lump lobster meat and a squid ink pasta with seafood. Both were delicious. At the end of our meal, the owner even stopped by to check on us and ask about our experience. Five stars!!
Kristina L.
Food and service great everytime. Very accommodating, love new bar renovations and great wine list!!! A Tampa staple.
AlfredandSandy Astl
Appetizers were good but the gorgonzola on the portobella mushrooms was too stingy. The caesar salad had too much core and not enough romaine and did not have enough dressing. Entrees were also good but the plates were cold, clam linguine did not have enough salt, and there really wasn't that much veal on the special plate for $38. Desserts were really good, especially the lemonciello and chocolate mousse cakes, but the flan needed a little bit of vanilla. The dining area was way too noisy for regular conversations. Overall it was a good experience with some minor issues.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Lemonchello and Dessert That Is Very Similar to Flan, Calamari Fritti, Vitello Saltimbocca, Veal Special
worththetrip
Always a wonderful meal! They added a lobster tail to the crab linguine which we always get with pink sauce and it is a yummy addition to the generous amount of crab. Others enjoyed the snapper, fresh and light, the grouper so much it could not be finished.
doug glenn
Caffe Paradiso is an outstanding and truly authentic Italian restaurant in Tampa! The food was delicious and expertly prepared...the veal picatta was perfect. The festive ambiance reminded me of favorite restaurants and cafes in Rome or on Mulberry Street in NYC. And the service was world class, attentive friendly and helpful. Please save room for the crazy-good tiramisu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari Fritti, Veal Special
JoyceB
We love this place. Such a great neighborhood place. The owners/managers/servers are always so friendly and welcoming. We always feel so welcomed. And the food is always amazing. Love the veal dishes. And they are always very accommodating.
Ryan Hunziker
We had reservations for Saturday at 7:30p (Saturday after Valentine's Day). We arrived about 10 minutes late but we were still seated very quickly. It was very busy/lively both at the bar and in the dining area which we enjoyed. We ordered Calamari Fritta as appetizer. As entrees, we ordered the Farfalle Alla Salsiccia and Veal Parmigiana (not on the menu but they made it!). The appetizer was very good but the entrees were excellent. The waiting staff was excellent (prompt with order, quick to refill waters, quick to clear table as needed). Overall, it was a great evening and dining experience. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dee P.
Went for a family birthday dinner. The server had 0 personality and was average at best. I ordered lobster ravioli and my husband had spaghetti with white clam sauce. No appetizers, salads or desserts and our bill was over $80.00 with tip. My dinner was ok and my husband's clam sauce was bland. The only good thing about the dinner was being with my family. Super overpriced for average food.
Caffé Paradiso is a charming, intimate neighborhood dining spot where everyone is welcoming. The family run business values their customers and treats them well and the staff is like family because they have all worked together so long! I highly recommend it! Lisa Dudney
MCBC
We and our friends had the best Valentine's dinner there. A beautiful and tasteful 4 course meal that was outstanding. We had multiple choices for appetizers and dinners. Chef was amazing on each course.
James Ramos
Dear Paolo,I just wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible dinner at Café Paradiso. Celebrating my mom's 85th birthday with you was truly special. Your restaurant has always been more than just a place to eat; it’s where memories are made and cherished.With 27 of us gathered, including my mom, brothers, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, your impeccable hospitality and the sumptuous food made the evening unforgettable. It's always an honor to dine at your restaurant. The warmth and genuine love you extend to our family make every visit feel like coming home.Thank you for being a part of our family's story and for making occasions like these extraordinary. We are immensely grateful for your friendship and the wonderful atmosphere you create at Café Paradiso.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
destinations2travel
Great food excellent service one of Tampa's best places to eat. The popularity of this restaurant has increased the noise level so at times during the peak hours it will be noisy. After about 8PM the noise level goes down. Every time I visit Tampa, I go here for dinner at least once.
John Torres
One of my favorite restaurants! Everyone should try itParking: Love this place
I had a delicious seafood salad.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went on a Friday night and the ambiance was romantic and service was very attentive. We were given complimentary bread which was hard and subpar. I ordered the Capelli D'angelo Al Granchio ($32.95) which was Angel hair pasta sauteed with lump crab, olive oil and garlic. It had a generous amount of crab meat, which was good, but the flavor profile was lackluster. My boyfriend got the Pappardelle Short Rib Special ($35? Cant remember the exact price) which I thought had better flavor but the meat didn't melt in your mouth like I thought it would. Overall, I thought the food was good just nothing to run home about. I would give the food a 3.5/5 and the service a 5/5. The dishes were expensive so I had higher expectations - If the prices were more reasonable for what I received, I would probably give it 4 stars.
Always a fabulous experience! Nick, our server, was very attentive and professional as are all the servers at Caffe Paradiso. We had two of the specials which were a grouper piccata with lump lobster meat and a squid ink pasta with seafood. Both were delicious. At the end of our meal, the owner even stopped by to check on us and ask about our experience. Five stars!!
Food and service great everytime. Very accommodating, love new bar renovations and great wine list!!! A Tampa staple.
Appetizers were good but the gorgonzola on the portobella mushrooms was too stingy. The caesar salad had too much core and not enough romaine and did not have enough dressing. Entrees were also good but the plates were cold, clam linguine did not have enough salt, and there really wasn't that much veal on the special plate for $38. Desserts were really good, especially the lemonciello and chocolate mousse cakes, but the flan needed a little bit of vanilla. The dining area was way too noisy for regular conversations. Overall it was a good experience with some minor issues.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Lemonchello and Dessert That Is Very Similar to Flan, Calamari Fritti, Vitello Saltimbocca, Veal Special
Always a wonderful meal! They added a lobster tail to the crab linguine which we always get with pink sauce and it is a yummy addition to the generous amount of crab. Others enjoyed the snapper, fresh and light, the grouper so much it could not be finished.
Caffe Paradiso is an outstanding and truly authentic Italian restaurant in Tampa! The food was delicious and expertly prepared...the veal picatta was perfect. The festive ambiance reminded me of favorite restaurants and cafes in Rome or on Mulberry Street in NYC. And the service was world class, attentive friendly and helpful. Please save room for the crazy-good tiramisu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari Fritti, Veal Special
We love this place. Such a great neighborhood place. The owners/managers/servers are always so friendly and welcoming. We always feel so welcomed. And the food is always amazing. Love the veal dishes. And they are always very accommodating.
We had reservations for Saturday at 7:30p (Saturday after Valentine's Day). We arrived about 10 minutes late but we were still seated very quickly. It was very busy/lively both at the bar and in the dining area which we enjoyed. We ordered Calamari Fritta as appetizer. As entrees, we ordered the Farfalle Alla Salsiccia and Veal Parmigiana (not on the menu but they made it!). The appetizer was very good but the entrees were excellent. The waiting staff was excellent (prompt with order, quick to refill waters, quick to clear table as needed). Overall, it was a great evening and dining experience. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went for a family birthday dinner. The server had 0 personality and was average at best. I ordered lobster ravioli and my husband had spaghetti with white clam sauce. No appetizers, salads or desserts and our bill was over $80.00 with tip. My dinner was ok and my husband's clam sauce was bland. The only good thing about the dinner was being with my family. Super overpriced for average food.
Restaurantji Recommends
Caffé Paradiso is a charming, intimate neighborhood dining spot where everyone is welcoming. The family run business values their customers and treats them well and the staff is like family because they have all worked together so long! I highly recommend it! Lisa Dudney
We and our friends had the best Valentine's dinner there. A beautiful and tasteful 4 course meal that was outstanding. We had multiple choices for appetizers and dinners. Chef was amazing on each course.
Dear Paolo,I just wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible dinner at Café Paradiso. Celebrating my mom's 85th birthday with you was truly special. Your restaurant has always been more than just a place to eat; it’s where memories are made and cherished.With 27 of us gathered, including my mom, brothers, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, your impeccable hospitality and the sumptuous food made the evening unforgettable. It's always an honor to dine at your restaurant. The warmth and genuine love you extend to our family make every visit feel like coming home.Thank you for being a part of our family's story and for making occasions like these extraordinary. We are immensely grateful for your friendship and the wonderful atmosphere you create at Café Paradiso.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food excellent service one of Tampa's best places to eat. The popularity of this restaurant has increased the noise level so at times during the peak hours it will be noisy. After about 8PM the noise level goes down. Every time I visit Tampa, I go here for dinner at least once.
One of my favorite restaurants! Everyone should try itParking: Love this place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lasagne