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    Esposito’s Italian

    4.1 (525 reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Wine Bars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Esposito’s Italian Photos

    Business Info

    ESPOSITO’S ITALIAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Esposito’s Italian

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    Egg Plant Parm
    Dave M.

    It's hard to believe this was our first visit to Esposito's Italian Restaurant. My wife and I consider ourselves foodies, and when it comes to Italian cuisine, we have high standards. My wife is first-generation Italian and travels to Italy weekly as a language speaker with Delta Airlines, and I've been fortunate enough to tag along on occasion. Together, we've experienced some truly outstanding Italian food. We arrived at 6:00 p.m. and were warmly greeted by one of the owners. Our server, Chris, was attentive, professional, and personable throughout the evening, despite the restaurant being quite busy. From the moment we sat down until the end of our meal, everything was flawlessly executed. The timing of the appetizers, salads, and entrées was perfect. Thank you Chris. We started with bread from heaven. I mean heaven. Then we tried the artichoke hearts and a dish of mussels in white wine. Both were absolutely outstanding. Next came the salads. Three house salads were served family-style on a large platter, while I opted for the Caesar salad. Both were fresh, delicious, and generously portioned. For our entrées, we enjoyed the Eggplant Parmesan, Veal Piccata, and Rigatoni with Sausage and Peppers. Every dish was exceptional. The eggplant was among the best I've had, the veal piccata was perfectly prepared, and the rigatoni was packed with flavor. By the end of the meal, we were completely stuffed and couldn't even consider ordering dessert. However, since it was our first visit, Chris surprised us with four mini cannoli's to sample one of their most popular desserts. They were the perfect ending to a fantastic meal. This restaurant has earned several return visits from us. Our experience showed us that Esposito's is a true Carrollwood gem--a well-run restaurant with excellent food, outstanding service, and owners who clearly know what they're doing. Highly recommended.

    Chopped veal special
    Mark V.

    We had a great night at Esposito's with our group. The staff greeted us warmly, and the portions were massive -- definitely a good value for what you get. I ordered the night's special, a chopped veal and spaghetti dish, and it was honestly pretty amazing. Everything was flavorful, and we ended up taking plenty home. The bread and cannolis were standouts, and the atmosphere made it easy to relax and enjoy the evening. Really good food and a great overall experience.

    Menu
    Leah M.

    This was a great Italian meal! The service was fast and friendly and the portions were huge. I've always heard how great Esposito was and I am glad I made it!! We loved our meals and that the salad was family style. It made me feel like I was at my grams on a Sunday afternoon. The music was a bit loud but other than that I loved the place.

    The special lasagna with oxtail
    Jean D.

    We went here on a Friday night We had to wait. I guess 40 minutes. Once seated, our server was very attentive. We never asked for water or anything. He was always right there. We ordered the eggplant rolatini to start. We had their special lasagna. I had their pocket pasta with pears, which is my absolute favorite. My mom had chicken Parm. Everything was delicious.

    Butternut Squash Ravioli
    Monica C.

    We were here tonight for a Mother's Day dinner and the place was HOPPING. We had eggplant rollatini, garlic rolls, family style salad and a whole spread of entrees. I ordered the butternut squash ravioli in a truffle cream sauce and it was to die for. Like lick your plate good! We've been many times before and Espoito's hits every time. The menu is large and there's something for everyone. They even had NA beer (Stella) which is a huge win for me.

    Meatballs
    Ellie Beth T.

    First time there. Amazing food, amazing service. Wish it was close, I'd def go back! I got the shrimp scampi, but there's another meal I wish I would've gotten after I tried my friends. I don't remember what it was called, but it had pears in it. Next time!

    Veal Saltimbocca
    James C.

    For years, Esposito's has been our go-to Italian restaurant in Tampa for life's meaningful milestones. Whether we were ringing in the New Year or celebrating a birthday, the restaurant consistently delivers an ambiance that is the definition of "classy." It's the kind of place that feels intentional and sophisticated, yet welcoming enough that we've even found ourselves dropping by the bar just for a quick drink and a few appetizers. Over the years, we've even had the pleasure of chatting with the owner, Paul Varsalona, whose graciousness and passion for hospitality clearly set the tone for the entire establishment. After a bit of a hiatus, we returned this past Valentine's Day to see if the atmosphere was still there--and Esposito's did not disappoint. We began the evening with cocktails and a duo of appetizers: the ever-delicious eggplant rollatini and the crab-stuffed mushrooms. Both were executed to perfection. Of course, no visit is complete without their signature garlic rolls. Arriving at the table hot, brushed with olive oil, and perfectly seasoned, they are the ultimate precursor to a great meal. Even the salad course was presented and arranged beautifully, with the beets, garbanzo beans, and tomatoes tasting exceptionally fresh and crisp. For the main course, we opted for the Neapolitan-style Beef Braciole and the Veal Saltimbocca. Both dishes were phenomenal, showcasing deep, savory flavors. We capped off the night by sharing a rum cake imported directly from Milan--a dessert so light and flavorful that our only regret was not ordering a few extra slices to take home. The service topped off the night - we didn't feel rushed, and the courses were well paced. Our server, John, was excellent, and the floor manager, Chris, made us feel like VIPs by checking in after every course. Leaving the restaurant and being able to give our regards to Paul and his mother was the perfect end to our perfect evening. It's clear that at Esposito's, excellence is still a family tradition.

    Peanut butter pie
    Amber H.

    Wooowwwww I loved Espositos. Me & my sister got a table with 10ish min waiting on a Friday around 7. Our waiter Greg was amazing! We took all his recommendations lol. I ordered the barbera red and it was delicious. You get garlic bread and salad with entree! We shared the fiocchi and seafood lasagna. Both were delicious but the fiocchi I'm still thinking about a day later. they wrote it as the perfect bite and IT IS! Sweet and salty and savory all in one pasta bite. Mmmm! We finished with a peanut butter pie. Very good but doesn't need the banana chips on top, I'd rather have more whip cream! Can't wait to come back and try more things off the menu!

    Eggplant
    Nikita H.

    This restaurant is so quaint. The staff is so friendly. Each manager made sure to introduce themselves to us with a smile on their face I got the eggplant appetizer as my main and a Cesar salad. Both flavored wonderfully and were very filling. I didn't even need a main dish but I'll make sure to try more upon my return. I got a delicious Riesling. The environment is very mom and pop reminiscent so it feels very comfortable and welcoming. I'll definitely be back. My only criticism is there aren't many gluten free options for those of us who can't have pasta (I know I know; it's an Italian restaurant). But I was here for a birthday dinner and wanted to be more included.

    Gnocchi
    John S.

    Food was excellent! Service was good. Very nice ambiance. Can't believe I'd never been here before- hidden gem! Try the artichoke appetizer! Gnocchi is a show-stopper!

    Marsala
    Jim S.

    Fabulous Find. Tucked away in a plaza next to Chucky Cheese it a fine Italian Restaurant. Family business with a tremendous dedication to traditional old world Italian food. The preparation is meticulous and the flavor is perfect. Service is welcoming, making you feel you are what they are here for. Whether you are looking for a quiet dinner with someone special or bringing a bunch of special someone's, this is the place to go.

    The Famous Fiocchi with sliced sausage.
    Nikki A.

    We have been lucky enough to grab a table every time we come here. I do wish they would have a reservation system. The venue is cute and cozy. It is very similar to when it used to be Carmel Kitchen, but with more Italy photos and decor! The food here is so very good. That Famous Fiocchi is one of the best dishes out there. (4 cheese and pear stuffed pasta purses tossed in a Moscato cream sauce topped with fried prosciutto, asparagus, and a balsamic reduction.) We always make sure someone in our party orders this, it is special. The table salad and bread are both tasty, better than most other Italian restaurants that seem to mail this course in. The service is a bit off here. I was brought a dish I did not order. There were apologies all around and my order was rushed through. No big deal, my husband and I share all of the food anyway. After that...we ended up being charged for the mistake dish. A little annoying to have to wave folks down and try to rectify the bill after we paid before we noticed. After two (pretty significant?!) mistakes, most places would comp part of the meal or offer a little bite of dessert. I am truly hoping that the issues get worked out because the food is phenomenal.

    Eggplant parm
    Kameron C.

    Typically Italian dishes with large portions. Weve sampled most of their appetizers and quite a few main entrees. The food quality is fair but nothing above and beyond. The atmosphere has a fun vibe and creates a nice Italian food environment Servers and hosts were super friendly, a good choice if you are in the mood for some Italian if you are in the carrollwood neighborhood.

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    The service is great, the servers are very attentive. My favorite dish is the gnocchi bolognese and the salad is also delicious!

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    Page 1 of 14

    Esposito’s Italian Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Esposito’s Italian

    When is happy hour?

    They don't have a happy hour. Sacred Pepper just a short bit up the road is way better and they have Ladies night on Thursdays and other great specials on Sundays and Mondays. Way better food and atmosphere.

    Do they have a corkage fee?

    Yes $25 per bottle.

    Do they do pasta in a cheese wheel?

    They do not

    What is the wait time for Thursday @ 5pm for 2 people?

    Call them and see if you can make a reservation. 5pm should not be busy but you never know.

    Since they don't take reservations for parties under 6, what is the wait like on a Friday night?

    It depends on the time. For prime time dining (7-9) expect a 45 minute to 75 wait on a Friday night. May sound long but well worth the wait. Also i remember waiting that long for Outback in the day and there is no comparison.

    Do they have gluten free pasta?

    No, they don't.

    Is it a dressy place or more casual?

    Every time I've been to Esposito's, I've noticed everyone dressed more on the casual side

    Is Esposito's worldwide?

    No it is not

    Is it packed at 100% capacity or is there a chance to go and eat 10 feet away from other people right now?

    When we were in there last week, there were still social distancing.

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    Migak Wine Bistro

    Migak Wine Bistro

    4.8
    (10 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    After seeing so many posts about Megak Wine Bistro, I was really excited to check it out…read more Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype--especially when it came to the food. A friend and I ordered the Japanese curry and short ribs, and both were disappointing. The portions were surprisingly small, and the curry tasted like a generic TV dinner that had just been warmed up. For the price, I expected much better. We actually ended up going next door to GrillSmith afterward because we were still hungry, which says a lot. That said, the wine selection was excellent, and the staff was very knowledgeable. If you're just looking for a great place to enjoy wine, this might be worth a visit. But if you're hoping for a full dining experience, I'd say skip the food and go elsewhere.

    Tampa's First Korean Wine Bistro…read more When you visit Seoul, you will find many new trending Korean wine bars. I'm excited to be the first to tell you that you can now have that sweet Seoul experience here in Tampa‼ Perfect date night spot 미각 Migak, means "taste" and I was thoroughly shook when I tried the food and wine pairings at this cozy space off of Dale Mabry. The food here is so delicious, just like my time spent in Korea. Innovative dishes like Truffle Jajangttoek, my favorite so far. Korean owned and operated, the owners also own a few of these amazing food pairing wine bars in Korea, and the chef has also lived and culinary trained in France. They have their hand on the pulse of what is popular in Korea as well as the US. We are so lucky to have this establishment! You won't find anywhere else like this in Tampa Bay. I'm definitely coming back for dessert and to try more! The Migak sommelier is here to help you choose wines that will pair perfectly with the plates that you order. Check the menu online to see that the prices are shockingly low for the quality of food provided. If you are like me and don't drink really, then you can just visit to eat their delicious food. I loved EVERY dish I tried so far. 1 트러플 짜장 떡볶이 Truffle Jajangttoekbokki paired with Red - Rich truffle flavor paired with umami black bean sauce in this popular Korean fusion rice cake dish. Paired with Malbec. 2 골수 Bone Marrow - Not many places serve this dish in Tampa! The exquisite fatty flavors are emphasized by the fresh herbs used. A must-try. 3 Chicken Skewers - The plump, glossy bites of heaven are dark meat, fatty, glazed and tender. The tangy and slightly spicy sauce matches well with the fatty meat. Paired with Reisling. 4 명태전 Pollack Joen - Fried egg washed fritters, served with a side salad. A very popular dish in Korea. Sometimes whole restaurants just serve various joen as their main menu. Paired with Gruner. 5 불구기 쌈 Bulgogi Ssam - Premade lettuce wraps with just the perfect amount of toppings and sauces, as the chef intended. Paired with white burgundy. 6 카레 Korean Curry - Some say it tastes similar to the popular Japanese curry, but this curry is definitely in it's own category of yummy. As the only Asian food specialist that has written about specifically Korean cuisine and visted Korea multiple times, can speak, read, and write in Hangul --- Migak is my favorite Korean restaurant in Tampa Bay hands down. Keep them open. Protect them at all costs.

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    LA Galbi
    LA Galbi
    Bulgogi ssam (lettuce wrap)
    Bulgogi ssam (lettuce wrap)
    Bone Marrow

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    Bone Marrow
    La Vid Fine Wines & Vinoteca

    La Vid Fine Wines & Vinoteca

    4.4
    (16 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Loved our evening at La Vid Fine Wines! Beautiful, bright and elegant space with just enough darker…read morecolors and touches to make it a perfect date night or group wine tasting spot. We stopped in on a Thursday evening without a reservation and were very pleased to find seating available at the bar. Victor, the owner, took care of our party himself. He's got a wealth of knowledge about the wines and products he stocks, so do not hesitate to ask him for a recommendation. Also, definitely DO ask him to serve up some of La Vid's house snacks, like their house Manchego cheese -- absolutely delicious! And then, of course, there's the wine and sundries selection. Some of the items we ended up buying: Lial Tempranillo from Ribera de Duero; canned polpo gallego (Galician style octopus); Fermin brand 100% Iberico de bellota (acorn-fed) lomo (pork loin), jamon (ham), salchicion (salame-style pork sausage), and dry cured chorizo sausage, along with a jar of the house Manchego I mentioned earlier. As you can imagine, it was not an inexpensive visit, but it was definitely an enjoyable one. We don't get out to Carrollwood very often at all, but La Vid Fine Wines may just change that.

    We came in this spot looking for a good glass wine, but were met with a really arrogant &…read moreunfriendly bartender/server. He was confrontational & unpleasant. Made the entire experience so awkward & uncomfortable with a matter of fact knowing it all attitude. The wine was great & as a Spaniard I loved the selections, it was nostalgic of our visit to the Spanish vineyards. Unfortunately the vibe & hostility from the bartender that night completely turned us off. I don't think we will be visiting this establishment again.

    Photos
    Tampa's premier vermouth specialists.
    Tampa's premier vermouth specialists.
    We serve quality Spanish & Portuguese food products. All food stuffs have a PDO from the EU.
    We serve quality Spanish & Portuguese food products. All food stuffs have a PDO from the EU.
    Wonderful and complete selection of Iberian Wines.

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    Wonderful and complete selection of Iberian Wines.
    Cepas Wine and Tapas Bar

    Cepas Wine and Tapas Bar

    4.1
    (125 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Cepas has great happy hour and a cool sultry romantic atmosphere. The service is quick and…read moreresponsive and always on top of my water which is great since I can't drink right now I appreciated our server not having an issue with me opting out of drinks despite being at a wine bar. The tapas are thoughtfully curated with Mediterranean and Spanish vibes. The tuna salad was unique. Reminded me of a potato salad my mom used to make with peas in it. The short rib empanadas were crispy on the outside and meaty inside.

    Will I say Spanish food is my go to cuisine? No, but Cepas always keeps it fresh with rotating…read moreplates and something new I have never tried before. I always look forward to trying a couple new tapas on the happy hour menu along with a couple drinks for the wife and I. Worthy of 4 stars Service is typically very accommodating and helpful. However the last time me and my family went there was a bit of a letdown. First of all it was 8 of us so they sat us at the first table when you walk in on the right. Things were going well, however after the first 10-15 minutes we realized everyone was freezing! There was a vent pushing air non stop on us and it was not enjoyable. Towards the end we had to actively leave to go outside to warm up. You may ask, did you inquire with the team to assist to see about turning the air down? We sure did, the host working that day (May 2nd evening time) said there is nothing we can do, we can't move you now that you've sat down and that they typically tell people to bring a jacket if they plan on sitting them there. Well great! Problem solved, we appreciate absolutely no heads up and now we are not enjoying our time. There was also an event going on the patio, to which they had all left and lingering outside/parking lot area, we inquired again with the host to see if we could go on the patio for the remainder of our drinks. She also said no, as there was still some time left on that parties reservation (even though no one was there). All in all, horrible host, and I won't be back with a large family after spending $400+ with the potential risk of sitting and freezing our a$$ off. However will continue to support local business with my wife and I.

    Photos
    Bar del restaurante
    Bar del restaurante
    Paella Marina
    Paella Marina
    Sangria, so good!

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    Sangria, so good!
    Louie's Wine Bar

    Louie's Wine Bar

    4.7
    (18 reviews)
    4.1 mi

    This is a very nice wine bar with a ton of options. The owners are friendly and helpful and can…read moremake suggestions based on what you like. They serve you quickly and you never have to wait to order more. Although this is a very enjoyable wine bar, it is a little too upscale & pricey for the area. There are no flights, specials, or happy hours, so I don't go nearly as often as I'd like. I really wish they had some kind of specials so I could enjoy it more often. It seems like a place that would be in south tampa or downtown, but being in Lutz it would be nice if was more affordable for locals. It also lacks the fun and charisma that used to be there under the previous owners. Tastings, classes, events like trivia night, or weekly specials would really make this bar feel more lively & welcoming.

    Wine, snacks, apps, friendly people. What's not to love?…read more Louie's Wine Bar is a sweet little stop on Van Dyke Road, in the same plaza as Nabruzzi Trattoria. The restaurant can get crazy busy, so parking can be wonky, but thankfully, there is a back parking lot and a back entrance to Louie's Wine bar. In huge latters above the back door it says WINE BAR. You can't miss it. In fact, I think I prefer to park out back, because the spots in the front lot are so tight. Anyway, come on in, sit at the bar, or in a comfy chair or at a high top, nobody minds. Coralee, Robert or Lee will greet you warmly, and get you a glass of water while you peruse the extensive wine menu. They offer a huge variety of whites, rose's , bubbles and red wines by the glass, by the bottle and some even by the half bottle. Pick your poison. If you are having trouble deciding, they will pour you a taste to compare to help you make your best decision. They also have a small but thorough food selection. Flatbreads, boards and snacks to satisfy your hunger no matter the level. I find this Wine bar a lovely addition to the neighborhood, a great place to unwind and hang out with old friends and make some new ones as well.

    Photos
    It is $10 bottle night. Getting rid of old stock.
    It is $10 bottle night. Getting rid of old stock.
    Louie's Wine Bar
    Louie's Wine Bar

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    Piccolo Buco by Cooper's Hawk

    Piccolo Buco by Cooper's Hawk

    3.7
    (159 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Perfect place to eat authentic Italy food. Amazing restaurant , A place to enjoy with the family--a…read morerestaurant where it is a pleasure to pay for the exquisite dishes.

    An Italian spin on Cooper's Hawk? Yes, please!…read more The moment the sign went up on this building during construction, I eagerly anticipated this place because I knew it was owned by Cooper's Hawk. We're wine club members, and always enjoy our meals at their location near International Plaza, so the idea of having a Piccolo Buco opening up closer to us in Carrollwood was quite exciting! Let's start at the beginning. My husband and I were fortunate enough to visit Piccolo Buco for their soft opening preview event before they opened to the public, so we were able to try some of their items at no charge. We were limited to ordering from specific menus so their kitchen could get used to making a variety of dishes. Unfortunately for us, our menus were pretty much limited to pizza, pizza, and more pizza. Don't get me wrong, the pizzas were tasty... but since we could each order an appetizer and an entree, and the pizzas were in both of those sections, we didn't actually have a ton of choice. But you can't really complain about free food, so we had a lot of leftovers. During that meal, we had the yellow tomato bisque, the classic margherita pizza (with red tomato sauce), the charred pepperoni pizza (with red tomato sauce), and spicy pepperoni (with yellow tomato sauce). It was a little comical to see three pizzas on our table for two. And while these may LOOK like personal pizzas, don't let that fool you... these are filling. The pizzas were tasty, though I will say the yellow tomato sauce is a bit bland for a pizza. I'd recommend sticking to the red sauce, personally. However, the yellow tomato bisque was fantastic! A bit after they opened to the public, I returned on my own for lunch one day, and got to try their meatball sandwich, which comes with your choice of side (I chose the Caesar salad). FYI, their sandwiches are a lunch-only item, so they're only served until 3:30 pm. Both the sandwich and salad were pretty good, though I'd probably try the chicken parm sandwich next time. Most recently, my husband and I came here for a midday lunch, and split a lunch-only salad (I wish I could remember the name, but it had mixed greens, a vinaigrette dressing, croutons, shaved cheese, kalamata olives, red onion, mozzarella, and a pesto drizzle). This salad was phenomenal! We couldn't stop raving about it... that is, of course, until our entree arrived: the truffle fondue cappellacci. You guys, this honestly might be the best pasta I've ever eaten. My mouth is watering just remembering this dish. It's a cheese-stuffed pasta with black truffle brown butter, aged balsamic, toasted pistachios, and a light honey drizzle. We practically licked the plate clean. How much did we like that pasta? Enough to come back for dinner the very next day and order it again. This time, we split the cappellacci and the braised short ribs. Now, my go-to dish at Cooper's Hawk is the short rib, so I was interested to compare them. I think the flavoring of the Piccolo Buco version is better; however, I didn't love the polenta it's served with, whereas it comes with mashed potatoes at Cooper's Hawk. That being said, Piccolo Buco's salmon is served with roasted Yukon gold potatoes, so I might ask if I could swap the sides on my next visit. For dessert, we've tried both the chocolate hazelnut cake (I'm a sucker for anything Nutella-adjacent) and the crostada (this is always on the dessert menu, but the fruit it's served with is seasonal... as I write this, it's peach and blueberry, but when I visited, it was brown butter apple and chestnut). Both of these desserts are quite good, but the crostada is easily the better of the two. I'm hoping I can try the peach and blueberry version, because that sounds lovely! Oh, and just as Cooper's Hawk has their barrel reserve wine, Piccolo Buco has their Buca Riserva, a Super Tuscan-style blend. It's delicious, and you can always ask for a sample of any of their wines before you commit.

    Photos
    Dining Area
    Dining Area
    Chicken parm
    Chicken parm
    Calamari

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    Calamari

    Esposito’s Italian - italian - Updated August 2026

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