We've been there a few times. The last time we went, we did the chefs table for 7 people. I understand the owner has a "schtick," but he made a particularly violent comment to the 70-something-year-old mother of our friend. Violent to the point that all 3 male guest at the table (including her grandson) started to get up. We all looked at her and she seemed ok, so we sat down. Then, as we were leaving, he made a sexual comment to another of our female friends. It's funny till it's not. He has no boundaries. Plenty of other good places to eat. He's not as special as he thinks he is. read more

Great food and service. The ambiance could be better as there was not much of an atmosphere,

Great tapas and atmosphere. I would come here for a happy hour before dinner out somewhere else.

Hands down, one of my new favorite places. Cafe Barbosso drew me in when I saw their delicious looking photos posted on Facebook. I knew immediately I had to bookmark it and try it out. The cafe offers a family menu and the prices can't be beat! You get a full pizza, large family salad, 2 entrees that are generously portioned, and complimentary bread. The meal for 4 takes my husband and me days to finish! It's not even the price that wins me over (sure it's a major selling point) but I'm a flavor snob. The food is delicious everyone I go! I'm a Chicago style pizza type gal, but their simple NY style pizza has just the right amount of cheese and surprisingly a robust sauce to cut through. The chicken parm is tender enough to cut with the fork and the pasta is loaded with extra sauce. The salad comes with a tasty green dressing. Not sure what it is, but I used the extra to dip my crust. Don't judge. Speaking of, the complimentary bread is perfectly crusty. Enough of the food and on to service. While my experience is limited due to covid, it's been pleasant. The first time I went the owner greeted my husband and I with an elbow bump. We told him it was our first time and he threw in a very satisfying almond dessert. (I'm a chocolate gal so never would have ordered it but OMG! Phenomenal!) Anyway, the food came out of time and brought to the door for us. The whole experience was enjoyable. I'll recommend to anyone looking for a full flavored dinner experience! read more

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The food was oustanding. The stuffed mushrooms were delicious! I am always picky about how eggplant parmigiana is prepared and I rarely find one that meets my expectations. The eggplant at Cafe Barbosso over-delivered! It was prepared perfectly! We will definitely be back! read more

How do you make a reservation if.no one picks up the phone? I've been calling for 45 minutes.

Delicious food - fabulous waitstaff Owner so accommodating to food allergies nice pour on drinks Can't wait to go back read more

Food is delicious. We only used takeout, but every time I stopped by this place, it was packed. They also have live music outside on some days. We tried pastas, pizza, and a few other dishes from the menu, and everything tasted really good. This was the first place where I ordered garlic breadsticks, and they used actual chopped garlic, not the garlic powder. I even had to ask them to go easy on the garlic, lol. No wonder they are always full. read more

Amazing Italian restaurant!! Their sauce(gravy) is plate licking good! Wonderful owner with an attention to detail! People complain of the noise, but that's the sound you hear when people are having fun!! read more

Yelp reviewers you have let us down! After reading all the reviews, not that impressed. Lack of flavor was the main take away. Portion control not an issue, lack of seasoning in the cheese raviolis. The breading for the veal parm overtook the veal dish completely which tasted like bread. Also not seasoned thatNot much to say other than there are so many other choices for Italian. Ps.with costs these days the amount of olive oil they gave us was insane for the amount of bread. The amount of bread we got was fine for the record. We will not be back with so many choices. read more

I went to Cafe Barbosso last night for the first time and fortunately chose to sit outside. While the food was ok, when our waiter brought the check at the end of the meal, he informed us that it was his first day back, and then told us that he had had Covid, actually for the second time. I of course asked if he was vaccinated and he replied, no, I know that I should be. He was not wearing a mask, nor was any one else in the restaurant, whether an employee or a guest. We all found this very troubling with the current state of Covid in Florida! It also states on the listing that masks are worn. It would be wise to remove this false information. read more

A very unbelievable experience here tonight. Trying to order a drink at the bar and the egotistical owner was so rude. My friend and I wanted to slap him. Seriosly embarrassing in front of the whole restaurant, telling us to get out of the way and then complaining to his chef's table guests that we were breaking his balls. Truly an arrogant a**hole. read more

I will ALWAYS LOVE this place!! Typically I don't like going out for Italian because I dislike onions (and by dislike I actually hate them and gag if I eat them) this place made red meat sauce special for me so I could enjoy something as simple as spaghetti and meatballs! I'll never forget this nor stop praising them for that accommodation! The atmosphere is interesting with art on every wall and live artists painting as you eat! The chicken piccata (hubby's favorite) was every tasty and I also enjoy the chicken masala as well. Gotta try pizza soon, looks like I found a reason to go back! read more

Food was ok Priced okay. Mixes drinks a tad high. Owner rudely yelled at us so we will not be back. Was not necessary as we had just walked in. Should have left at that moment. Our mistake. read more

We had a delicious Italian pasta dinner at Cafe Barbosso. Our waiter, Patrick was awesome as well as the delicious pasta dishes we received! Great Friday night dinner. We will be back! read more

Awesome food; service; wine it is also neat to see artist paint in the dining room or listen to music on the patio when they have a band. Great place good time guaranteed read more

I recommend for the food and atmosphere, not so much for service. Maybe our server was having a bad day, but he took our order and never came back until he brought the check. No drink refills, no offering of parma cheese, no extra bread... nothing. But on the bright side, the food was delicious. Seriously, the Sunday sauce is amazing. read more

Very happening restaurant with some of the best Italian I have had outside of Italy. Great service and Chef Joe cares about all of the guests and takes great care to make it a great experience. I can't wait to return. read more

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Great food. Awesome cocktails. Excellent service. Cool vibe. Artists painting live in the dining room and art is for sale too!

Had a long day of driving and needed an early dinner before heading back to the east coast of FL. Though the restaurant was empty when we arrived at 5pm we arrived without reservations - we eventually were seated on the outdoor screened in patio. I had a salad and my mom and I both had spaghetti and meatballs. It was delicious and filling. We also ordered the breadsticks, which were a bridge too far for us, especially with the cheese topping the waitress suggested. The house bread and oil would have been just enough. read more

Cafe Barbosso - Spaghetti and meatballs - Italian Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

We are locals and have heard amazing things about this restaurant. They are always busy, and it's very confusing to get a reservation, but we finally did after several attempts to dine there. I am a classically trained Italian chef, so I absolutely love digging into a new Italian spot, plus it's my birthday. My reservation was for 630pm.. they called and asked us to delay until 700pm.... We get there a few minutes beforehand and there isn't a table for us, we are told. Within 15 minutes, they set 3 other tables, and the only person trying to help us a server named Dani. She was the brightspot and the epitome of guest service. I give her 5 stars. The manager didn't even want to speak to me, and when she finally did, she wanted to give me excuses instead of a solution. Thank you, Cafe Barbosa, for a great dinner and exciting birthday. Its not everyday you get treated as if you don't even exist when standing in front of someone. read more

I really enjoyed dining here. Our waitress was top notch and we tipped her accordingly. We were a table of ten. It was nice to see they did not automatically add the tip which as I said we took care of. The drinks were excellent and the food delicious. I really enjoyed the calamari and eggplant! The decor and vibe were really nice! I will be back read more

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Everything about this place is fantastic. I ate, then I ate more. It was delicious There is nothing more to say read more

Wait was short. Service excellent. Great food and good music !! Will definitely come back. All 4 of us very happy with our meals

Hubby and I were first timers at Cafe Barbosso this evening; it was recommended by a local at the beach. We looked online and decided to call to ask if a reservation was necessary. The young lady who answered said it was recommended. When my husband asked whether it was dressy or casual attire she said it was, "in between" because they sometimes have live music. We decided on business casual and rolled our eyes when we walked into a noisy restaurant filled with patrons dressed casually. We were seated immediately and Dani, our server, came by to let us know she'd be with us in a few minutes. Unfortunately, that was the best customer service she provided during our meal. We were provided bread plates, but were never offered bread. As we exited the restaurant, we noticed bread baskets & dipping oil on other tables. My husband asked a gentleman at one of those tables if he'd ordered it and was told that it was complimentary with meals. As for our meals, we each ordered a side house salad. My husband ordered veal parmigiana and I had chicken parmigiana. Both came with a side of penne. We agreed that all of it was just "okay." Not terrible, but not great. We had to ask Dani for drink refills, salt & pepper, and cheese for our pasta. The crummy service and mediocre food did not justify the $80 bill. This restaurant is a bit overpriced. Skip it and try someplace else. read more

Cafe Barbosso - Chicken parmesan & penne - Italian Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Wish I took a Pic but I was to hungry. Rigatoni/ Excellent,,,Eggplant Parm/ Excellent! Service/ Excellent. I'll be back very soon!

Fabulous Food with an Attitude To say Cafe Barbosso is just another Italian restaurant with good food, is like saying the Louvre is just another museum with good art. Like the Louvre, Barbosso showcases works of art on its walls, but its one-o--a-kind masterpieces can be found on the menu. Barbosso has good food, to be sure, but it offers so much more than a culinary experience. It offers a unique, sensory experience...with an attitude. As you walk in the door, the atmosphere illuminates all of your senses. The place is humming. Visually, the walls are adorned with eclectic, colorful works of art. You also see works of art in progress, as local artists busy themselves with their canvases. Masterpieces in the works. The aroma of garlic and spices permeate your nostrils. The big band that greeted you outside is muffled by cheerful conversation and laughter from the patrons inside. Tables full of multigenerational folks, eating family style, like in the old country. Barbosso is a collision of good food, art, and music. It has a vibe all its own, which heightens all of your senses. The place has an energy that is impossible to manufacture. Its sassy attitude is authentic and playful. Your first hint of this attitude is on the shirts worn by the staff. They read: "Eat your pasta, mind your business, and pay your bill." Yep, this ain't Olive Garden. You don't just see the place, or smell the place, or taste the place. You feel it. Barbosso is an immersive dining experience. You can't help but feel happy while you are there, and immensely satisfied when you leave. What makes the place work so well is the staff. They are everywhere. The service is personal and engaging, without being annoying. From the greeters, to the wait staff, the bartenders, cooks and table setters, they are efficient and chatty, with sly smiles and amusing stories. Characters one and all. Some of the staff have been there since the place opened in 2016. The staff are an obvious extension of their exuberant boss, Chef Joe. To know Joe's story, you just need to read the menu. It's a great read while you enjoy your first cocktail. The crown jewel of Cafe Barbosso is the Chef's Table, available on Wed, Thur, Fri, and Sat. An eight course meal fit for Kings and Queens. Chef Joe is clearly in his element as he meticulously dishes up each plate. No one dares touch their plate until everyone has been served and the master has introduced the dish. After all at the table have their course in front of them, Joe bellows out, "LET ME TELL YOU WHAT YOU ARE EATING!" He snaps off his latex serving gloves and shoots them across the room like rubber bands. This is where the attitude is personified... in its creator. Every dish has a story. Every ingredient, like the 40-year old balsamic, sourced from a prized domain known only to a privileged few. Joe says proudly, "The vegetables, basil, and micro greens come from a local organic farm, where we also get our marijuana." You can tell he is only half joking. He probably doesn't get all of his vegetables there. Joe explains the origins of the recipe of each dish. Many of the recipes are from a combination of the family restaurant he worked at as a child in Italy, and the authentic Italian restaurants he and every wise guy in NYC frequented in Brooklyn. When serving the dessert (by far the best Strawberry Short Cake I ever tasted), he bellows, "HOLLY SHIT PEOPLE! What is this?! How I wish I was you so I could make love to me!" The Chef's Table is indeed a treat. 6:30 pm promptly. Limited seating. Reservations required. Book early. I doubt there are seats to be had when the snowbirds return. But worry not, if you can't get a seat at the Chef's Table, there are plenty of family-style tables and tables for two inside and outside on the patio. The patio is a particularly nice spot for enjoying the big band playing classics on the lawn outside. In fact, people come from all over Sarasota to tail gate the band and set up their lawn chairs on the sidewalks and grass outside of the cafe. No need to have reservations. No need to even be eating there. At Cafe Barbosso, it's all about family and community. Here's a secret tip. Pick a table just on the other side of the Chef's Table. If there are any left overs after each course is served to those at the table, Joe is known to surreptitiously serve the leftovers to people sitting at the tables surrounding the Chef's Table. No charge. Those diners lucky enough to be sitting on the periphery and get a taste, gasp like they just won the lottery. So come with your appetite, and with a good attitude. If you're feeling down or pissy, don't come. They won't be having any of that. Just be prepared to bring home leftovers and need a full day to recover. read more

just here as we speak came to see the band. I went to the bar to get a beer the " so known chef" bitching move move and pushed me and he was serious everybody was shocked some said hes an a***and he is the chef...worse manners ever read more

Cafe Barbosso - Italian Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

I've had a few meals as take-out from here. I've sat inside once years ago, but nothing memorable about that (and that's probably not a bad thing) First off, let me say their pizza is really good. I'm from the NYC metro area, so I know good pizza. This will hold up against any Rays Original in the LES. I've also had a few of their family meals which are reasonably priced - chicken piccata and chicken park are my go-to meals and never fail me. read more

wonderful food and great staff. Love the mussels and pasta carbonara. Great place for happy hour!

Joe D and staff delivered again across the board. From amazing apps... well timed mains.... And makes you leaving to can't wait to come back!!! Amazing read more

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We've been to Cafe Barbosso several times since it opened on Clark years ago. I've never had tie pizza, but can't remember an entree I didn't enjoy. I had the wild mushroom risotto a few days ago and cleaned my plate. A highlight of the experience is the live art. You can watch the painters fill the canvas while enjoying your cocktail or dessert. The paintings go on the wall, or home with you if you're inspired to buy one. The service has never been top notch in my view. Last visit was horrendously slow - we didn't have drinks until we had been seated for 30 minutes, and it didn't get much better from there. I can't really blame the server - he just had too much to cover. read more

We were at Cafe BarBosso for the chef's table. What an unbelievable experience. The food, company, and conversations with the Chef was fantastic! Way to much food and drink in the 8 course meal. read more

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Great concept, good food, good service and a lovely ambience. We bought a piece of art from one of their artists for our family room. Great place for a fun date, special occasion or just a "Go To" restaurant. read more

We something special awaited this evening at Cafe Barbosso. Joe DiMaggio Jr., the chef and owner has designed and runs a wonderful Italian restaurant in the heart of Sarasota, FL. DiMaggio, an artist was inspired while in Florence, Italy having a late dinner all the while watching as an local artist painted. Richard was our waiter and made our evening. Chef Joe DiMaggio Jr. between preparing and serving an 8 course meal to a group of 16 guests stopped by to introduce himself, chat and thank us for joining him. Later he delivered the Tomahawk bone from the steak he had just prepared. So many excellent dishes from appetizers, salads to pasta and entrees. Highly recommend. We lucked out with our timing for a table for 6 so it was a short wait until we were seated. So happy with everything we booked the Chef's table for next month. Buon appetito! read more

I love eating here for lots of reasons but my main reason is the Almond Tiramisu. It's heavenly! My favorite server is Reg! He is very attentive and professional and has a way of just making people feel happy while they're there. Thanks Reg for making our visit extra special! read more

What a strange spot. I had read reviews in the past but avoided due to so many negative reviews. Found myself in the strip mall today and hungry. Walked in and there were 6 staff members at the door. I counted 20 front of house staff standing around during my time there. Massively overstaffed. The reason I say it's strange is they had twice as much staff as needed but none of them actually did anything. When I had been ignored for ten minutes and asked I was told well each person has their role and they are only bussers. Lack of training and poor attitudes. Tons of bussers wandering around slowly doing nothing. They weren't helping the servers at all, just standing around. Who on earth is doing the scheduling here ? I sat and sat and when I finally asked was told that the bartender has the whole bar section. So there are 20 team members and nobody will help her? They were doing nothing. The staff members I asked for help just said it was the bars section. Any time institution with a basic understanding of guest service, any team member offers help, takes an order, and helps. This was not the case here. I just got an appetizer since it was so slow. 10 minutes to be greeted with a drink, 30 minutes to get an appetizer (yes I time it on my timer). I don't understand why they are so overstaffed when the staff is so underpowered to help anyone. Massive lack of training. And rude. Appetizer was octopus. Potatoes were cold and inedible. read more

Firstly, there was about a 15 minute wait which was fine. Two boothes open and available but obviously short on help so we even overlooked that. Ordered a Margherita.... horrendous...sent it back and they brought another "house special"...it was worse! Tasted like dishwater. Waited and waited for bread. Waitress said it was forthcoming. My wife had to get up and remind her to which she was informed they had "run out of bread!!" How the hell does an Italian restaurant RUN OUT OF BREAD?? By this time, I was ill !! We actually sat there 45 minutes until I was fuming. I knew I was past enjoying my dinner so we got up and left!! Never again at that place. read more

Awesome food Nice people the owner is very sweet and kind good-natured person love that it's clean in there I love the pictures that are in there I give it a five star read more

I've been going to this art-centric restaurant for several years and LOVE the energy, the delicious menu selection that always pleases the senses with ample portion sizes! The owner is always a wonderful host and staff are passionate about guests. So many lovely things to say on a short post! Highly recommend this Sarasota Gem! read more