Everything about this place is consistently average to below average. Some people go for consistency because there's people here. I guess they're ok with over cooked lasagna, completely "white" Caesar salad, terrible bread and weird tasting Coca Cola. read more

A really amazing little slice of Italy tucked away on Main Street. We had never been before, and had a fantastic time. The staff were very attentive and friendly, and felt very authentic. The food was even better. I had the ravioli with mushrooms and my boyfriend got fettuccine with veal, and both were to die for. It was just a warm and welcoming little place with a lot of flavor. The pasta was all handmade as well. Had a great time, can't wait to go again. read more

Nice atmosphere, but the food was lacking in flavor, but portion size was appropriate for the price. Not great for large parties unless you be VERY clear about who's on who's check. read more

Being generous with the 3 stars, would really rate it at a 2.5. We had a large party and the wait staff was nice, but it took way too long to get bread served at our table. The place was small but there weren't many patrons there so I didn't feel crowded. The food was mixed. I had the penne pasta with mushrooms and a pink sauce which was good, however I also had the veal scaloppini and it was below average in taste and size. Very dissapointing. read more

I had the most terrible customer service experience tonight. I am an avid yelp-er and so this review is my way of somehow sharing my frustration/disappointment/anger with the horrible way my family and I left this restaurant. I feel powerless to make this situation right, so this review will have to be my platform. I scoured Living Social/Groupon for a deal for a nice restaurant to celebrate my Dad's 89th birthday. I saw Cafe Amici and the reviews were solid, so I bought a deal for fri-sat night. My Father's birthday happened to fall on a thurs but bc the fri-sat deal was a few dollars more expensive than the mon-thurs deal, I was hoping the restaurant would accept it. So I called and left a message to make a reservation a week or so in advance and mentioned the living social deal and asked if it would be okay to use the fri/sat deal on a thurs. (On their vmail they said they don't return calls for reservations, so I knew I would have to follow up). I then called last week during their business hours to speak with a human to modify the reservation time and once again mentioned using the fri/sat deal for a thurs night and the woman on the phone said it shouldn't be an issue. So today, my Dad's bday and day of our reservation, I called once again to let them know we'd be running a bit late and ONCE AGAIN verified that it would be ok to use the fri/sat deal and was ONCE AGAIN confirmed that it would be ok. Maria, with whom I'd spoken on the phone, greeted us and seated us and confirmed aloud as we were settling in that I would be using a living social deal. After we ate and drank a bottle of wine and made merry, Maria brought us out a tiramisu w/ a candle (that I assumed was a nice and complimentary gesture for my Father's bday) as we didn't order dessert and made it clear we were too full for it. And then the manager came over and gave my Dad a bottle of prosecco for his bday. We were all so surprised and delighted with what I THOUGHT were generous and thoughtful gestures. Then Maria nonchalantly dropped the bomb that she was wrong and they wouldn't accept the living social coupon as she dropped the SKY-HIGH check on our table. I was literally shocked and speechless as it was a deal equal to $60! I finally found the words and said that it wasn't fair that she just tell me this now when she had approved the use of it twice today alone! And then she said "well I would think that comp-ing you a tiramisu and bottle of prosecco would make you feel a little better..." (I can't remember her EXACT words but this was the gist) AS IF WE ASKED FOR THE TIRAMISU OR WINE! I asked her to ask the manager and she said she did and that he wouldn't approve it and that she even called his brother, the owner, at home and that he wouldn't approve it either. It truly was the most disappointing way to have my Father's birthday end. And like an IDIOT I STILL tipped her 20% bc I've waited tables and didn't want to stiff her bc she served us well (up until the end). Both the manager and the owner could have easily fixed the situation if they wanted to, but instead, abruptly pulled the rug out from under us and actually made us feel badly and as if we were in the wrong and were ungrateful for their "free" tiramisu/bottle of wine, that we NEVER ORDERED, that they could have kept for all it mattered to me. The only reason my family and I chose this restaurant is BECAUSE of the living social deal that they refused to let us use. I could not be more disappointed and will certainly share my dissatisfaction with everyone and anyone, whenever given the opportunity. Shame on you, Cafe Amici, truly. Badly done. read more

Busy Fri nite, but, accommodated a table of two - in a cozy back table. Service great, and since we're there for the food experience - it delivered. I think def warrants 4 plus...... read more

Cafe Amici Downtown - Italian Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Another Italian restaurant on Main that doesn't accept Discover card. What's up with that? They might tell you before you get your $100 bill. Good carpaccio and branzini fish. Small portion of veal but good flavor. read more

We were looking for a nice Italian meal and we got an amazing Italian meal with fresh made Mozarella, pasta, gnocchi, sauces and dessert. The ambiance was warm and friendly. The entire staff, plus owners were interested in our dining experience. Maria was knowledgeable, professional yet friendly and open and she made us not only feel welcome, but also gave us a reason to return! Save room for dessert! read more

This was my second visit to Cafe Amici the first being Christmas Eve. While that was very nice it was a holiday and we had a large party so I was anxious for another trip. I love the quiet intimate atmosphere. I have only lived in Sarasota for a year and while there are many restaurants, I have yet to find one that feels right. We had made a last minute reservation on Saturday and were able to get a nice quiet table. Our server was Jason and we were very pleased. He was very funny and really made the experience fun with his self deprecating humor. He introduced himself as "the worst waiter in Sarasota" and we were immediately engaged with his wit. My husband and I are easy going and like that repartee. The food was great, the ambience and service were great. We had a good evening and will definitely return. read more

Great place. The service was excellent. I would definitely recommend it. The chocolate lava cake is to die for. It is soft, moist and it is not too heavy. read more

Very nice calimari appetizer. Main dish, linguini with seafood, a bit bland, small, and pricey. Bread not quite warm. In brief, a place that seems unexcited about itself and its customers. read more

This place was surprisingly delicious. I had never heard of it before, and thought I knew all of the great Italian restaurants in town already since I'm Italian myself, but this place was delicious. Also good bang for your buck, but I used a groupon so my view is a little skewed. One trick though. When they tell you the specials, they don't tell you the price. I made the mistake of getting the most delicious sounding special, and ended up getting a $30 dish. My own fault really, but still. Just ask for prices when they tell you about the specials. read more

We walked in here on a whim last night and boy am I glad we did!! The food was amazing as well as the bartender! We had several different entrees which everyone enjoyed. I had an arugula and parm salad which was amazing. The owner was very friendly and even let us try some of there home made basil limoncello. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for an authentic Italian meal! read more

The owner is marvelous - he sent over lemon cello for our girls night out/trip to Sarasota. It was a birthday celebration and he made my night with a gift upon leaving. Our dinners were very good. read more

During COVID everyone is going the extra mile to keep customers happy and safe, Cafe Amici is no exception. Last night my family and I enjoyed exquisite food, in a fun dining environment. Amici is always on our itinerary when visiting Sarasota. The young man waiting on our table was a charmer from the onset. He made sure that we were comfortable and happy as we awaited our order and even brought his comedic side when faced with a little delay. Ale, thank you. His beautiful mother sat us near the window which kept us entertained while we waited. Our meal was worth the minutes we waited, (salmon and artichoke for me, pollo Milanese with arugula for my husband) and was topped off with a Malbec. This family restaurant has stood the test of time and continues to rein among the best selections in Sarasota. I am never disappointed and I recommend this 'jewel' to everyone I know who might be visiting the area. Thank you for a lovely evening Achille and family. Now everyone, Vieni mangia!! read more

Great restaurant, my wife and I shared several dishes starting with the kale salad and then had a pasta with seafood which we split both of these were excellent We both had veal palm dinners which was tender and excellent read more

Food was excellent! Service is good and they are happy to have you there. My wife's new favorite restaurant. 4 in our party and everything was delicious! read more

The food is pretty good, and the manager seemed friendly, but I had the misfortune of having the same passive aggressive, bitter, grumpy waiter ... twice! How does that happen? I won't use his name, but he's tall, thin and attractive ... until he opens is mouth. This past week, I sat down and said in a very cheerful manner "Hi, how are you?" Grumpy's reply - "Busy, do want to order anything?". Then it all came back to me. I had Grumps as a server last spring when I was here! In short, both times I was with my mom and her two friends. They're seniors, they have a lot of questions and a few dietary restrictions. Are they slightly high-maintenance ... probably, but here's the thing - THEY'RE CUSTOMERS, AND GRUMPY CHOSE TO BE A SERVER IN FLORIDA! This is what I don't get, Grumps clearly was annoyed with the ladies at every turn no matter what they said or requested, both times. And even my cheerful greeting irritated him! Life is all about choices, if serving seniors at an "early bird" shift in a state full of seniors is that agonizing to you, you've probably made the wrong choice. read more

Had the Octopus Salad for lunch with my dogs outside on the street :) Unbelievably great. My favorite place to eat downtown- still.

Wonderful atmosphere, great food, excellent service! We visit every time we are in Florida! Cafe Amici is a true hidden treasure.

My husband and I were enjoying a Sunday out in Sarasota and came across Cafe Amici. Excited by the host's friendly approach and detailed entree descriptions we decided to dine there for dinner. Extra charges for gluten free pasta, an unusually high priced special, gettiing rotini after ordering linguini...... The waitress felt bad after the owner refused to remove the $5 upcharge for the gluten free pasta and tried to give us the money out of her own pocket after we paid the bill. (No where on the menu did it state there would be an upcharge) We would not accept her offer, tipped her 20% but we were very disappointed with the whole experience. I would say "Buyer beware" read more

We try to dine here when we visit Sarasota. It is a comfortable cafe with an old-style Italian spirit. The food is created on the premises (pasta, mozzarella, sausage, etc.) and is consistently good. read more

EXCELLENT!! Great service, Great food, great people. Did not know the owner until first time I went in there!! Made me feel like I was at home!! If you ever have a chance to go downtown, GO HERE!! read more

Cafe Amici Downtown - Italian Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Ate there three nights in a row while in Sarasota over the New Years holiday. Every night the food was fantastic. I had the Gnocchi with Italian sausage the first night, the Scaloppina Di Vitello Amici the second night, and Salmon & Artichoke the third night and all the dishes were fantastic. A little pricey for my budget but the food was out of this world. Our waiter, Juan, was also top notch. Our food came quick and he even gave us complementary bruschetta before dinner and Limoncello after dinner. read more

A friend recommended this to us and we went there for dinner and had veal osso bucco which was unbelievable- so tender and juicy and a very generous portion too! We also heard later that their grilled ( not fried) calamari is fantastic- we will definitely try that next time read more

Excellent Family Owned Restaurant to dine, share a cocktail, or enjoy a romantic or casual evening with friends and family. Excellent wine pairing with their tasty specialty dishes. Friendly, welcoming, and one of our favourites! read more

Best italian in Sarasota. Go all out, you can't go wrong. Lived in Sarasota for about 5 years, shopped around quite a bit, easily the best ambience / best wine list for the price. Has intimate lighting as well as nice street seats on a summer evening. Major plus is location from St. Armand's, beaches, movie houses, and downtown nightlife + daytime shopping. DON'T MISS IT. read more

There are pros and cons to this place. Pros are its in a great location right downtown and the inside is very authentic with the bottles of wine placed around the restaurant and you have that cosy kind of feel to it. The service is good and the wine selection is vast. Cons are the food isn't what I would pay for. I have been a few times and everything I've ordered I haven't enjoyed. It is a nice quiet intimate place but the food isn't anything special. Its worth going in. Maybe what I ordered wasn't a good choice. But would I go back again, no probably not. read more

Why we will no longer eat at Café Amici. Having not gotten a confirmation call for that evening's reservation, I called them 3 times. Got a recording: "We are open for lunch and dinner." The 4th call got a pleasantly voiced man who could not find our reservation. Fortunately I remembered the name "Annie" the name of the woman I had spoken to. "Ah yes, here it is. I couldn't read the handwriting." We were here for my companion's 81st birthday. The 1-week truffle festival offering sounded perfect. When we came in, the silent, unsmiling manager pointed to our table. We had to ask for the special truffle menu. They couldn't make my cucumber martini (ran out of cucumbers???) They also ran out of the wine we ordered. Brought a substitute instead. My partner asked for a Chivas Regal in a glass, no ice. Unfortunately this time saying "straight up" meant a slushy in a cocktail glass. He complained. The manager said "no substitutes." The food was all right. The desert very good. And the grappa, fine! A good final ending anyway. read more

Wow - not in a good way is the only way to describe our dining experience at Amici. We were expecting to find fabulous Italian cuisine based upon the reviews only to find, at best, Olive Garden production food. This combined with perhaps the worst service that we have experienced may explain why they only turn their tables one time per evening. Would recommend Olive Garden over Amici any day of the week. read more

Meh...Average food - small portions - bad service = 2 stars. There are far better places in Sarasota for the money.

We ate there last night,New Years Eve, so we'll limit comments to that special night. It's listed on Yelp with $$ which I take as moderately priced; on NYE it certainly wasn't. There iwas a very limited menu (no vegetarian options) with entrees priced between $24 and $39. Ok, its NYE, my bad for not checking. The service was terrible and the food merely average. It took forever to even get bread on the table. We rarely saw our waitress. Trying to talk to the owner was like getting an audience with the Pope! We were told it was a special menu for NYE without substitutions because of the number of meals they were serving. After finally ordering, it took over 45 minutes to get our food. Whatt's the point of a limited menu if it takes that long? Several dishes were tepid; how hard is it to get food out of the kitchen to the table while still hot? The meals did not come out together and they were pedestrian at best. In fact one meal never came out at all. When our waitress admitted her mistake in not placing the order for the missing dish (kudos to her for honesty) we said to forget about bringing it. Less then 30 seconds later the owner shows up at the table with the missing meal. Really? Talk about padding the bill; I might have been born at night but not last night. As I said it was NYE and things are different. But this place did nothing to warrant a return trip. The best part of the restaurant were the attentive bus boys. There are plenty of other good restaurants in downtown Sarasota that appreciate the business. read more

We went here last night. having been in Sarasota for 5 years, don't know how this one slipped by us. Outstanding, authentic Italian. Burrata and cappicola was great, and I had a stuffed Bracciole which is almost impossible to find out here. My wife had spaghetti carbonara - excellent. There were so many good entrees on the menu I did not know what to get. Excellent selection of wine as well. Will return for sure!! read more

Generally good food but service was lacking. Too many other good options downtown so doubt I'd be back.

What a great find!!!!! Awsome food , service and selection of wines.. A must do if you are in the area. Warm and friendly , felt like we were back in Italy.. read more

Horrible horrible service. We booked on open table to Valentine's Day for 8pm. We arrived around 7:45 and was told to come back at 8pm. So we did, waited to be seated, the manager (owner? ) seemed irritated not only in how we booked but that we were even there. We were finally seated and he came over and practically assumed we wouldn't want any wine, he went to take the menu but my husband was reading it so we asked for a moment and try a specific one. We never had a waiter/waitress the entire time. I finally pulled the same guy back over and asked him if he even wanted us there. (My husband and I are 27/30, look younger and prob look like we are cheap, and that's how he made me feel he interpreted us). He asked me why I would ask him that, so I explained our experience thus far. He told us we didn't need a waiter/waitress and asked if we could just order. *other tables seated after us had bread, some appetizers. ..it had been 25 minutes by now. My husband and I left. We were stopped by another gentleman who we had joked with when we first came to the table who seemed apologetic and insisted we stay- but the manager (owner? ) didn't want him to worry about us, and even said "adios" to us. We recently moved our boat here and are checking out places to make our "regular" stops on the weekend...we will go elsewhere, to much competition out there! Saved $$$ and had an amazing experience at another restaurant down the road! read more

Had dinner there last night. Was out in front on sidewalk looking at menu when waitress came out and convinced us we should try it out. My wife wanted chicken parmesan which was not on the menu, but the chef made it especially for her! Food was excellent as was the service (waitress, Maria). Would definitely go back. There is no reason that I didn't give it 5 stars, but nothing is perfect! read more

if you dont like this place you have no concept of traditional italian cooking. this cooking is authentic, from the osso bocco to the great papardelle pasta sauces. greatest pulpo i ever had since enjoying it in naples italy several years ago. try the whole branzino cooked in olive oil and lemon - wonderful. ps enjoy a drink at the bar and munch on those wonderful tarelle read more

Really enjoyed our experience at Cafe Amici. Food and service were exemplary. Andre is a skilled server.

Food was OK, nothing special. Service was pleasant, but we had to wait to get a table even though we had a reservation and tables were vacant. Portions were small, especially for the price charged. Went there because we had a $10 off coupon, but probably will not go back. There are better Italian restaurants in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. read more