Epic Italian, and great all around. These guys know exactly how to do Italian. If you're trying for a Bolognese or a chicken Parma this is your spot. Probably one of the best local joints in Tallahassee. read more

This is a great local Italian restaurant of ours. The staff is always pleasant, the service is quick (even on busy night) and the prices are very reasonable. The food is always hot, delicious, and filling. Their "secret bread" served with a side of garlic butter is their signature favorite. On Thursdays it's German night of which they have (4) additional German entrees (in addition to their normal menu items). I had the schnitzel and it was very delicious. When you arrive after 6:00 you will have to wait as the night progresses. A lot of locals love this place too. Since they moved to the Thomasville Rd location it feels more open and comfortable inside but parking can still be challenging. Overall if you like Italian you'll be very satisfied. read more

Riccardos - Fettuccini Alfredo with grilled chicken strips (after I had a few bites) - Italian Near Me - Tallahasse, Florida

I honestly don't understand how anyone has had a bad experience at Ricardo's!! THIS PLACE IS PHENOMINAL! I've been living in Tallahassee for almost 10 years now and my wife and i frequent this place. She usually gets the veal parmesan and she has NEVER been dissapointed. I use to get stuffed shells on the regular with that amazing magic bread but I recently discovered how amazing their Pizza is so now I absolutely have to get a pie when i come in. Great atmosphere, good service, they have local beers on tap and don't forget to try a canolie even if you take it to go. Thanks Ricardos for being by far the best Italian restaurant in town. read more

Every time I've ate here I've gone away happy. The one time there was a mistake, I spoke to the staff (in person like a grown up opposed to clicking away on my phone like a little rat) and they made it right promptly. The food is delicious and the service is spot on. Oh, and the beer selection is jam up!! read more

Great service but not great food. The bread is way too heavy for Italian. It's more like a scone. The salad is basically lettuce and baked spaghetti should never be made with penne pasta. I was really looking forward to pasta but this place came up very short of the mark read more

Very good service. Nice ambiance. Food is great. My new favorite place to go to. Lunch specials are great price for what you get. I had the lasagna and it was so tasty. read more

First, the good-- I enjoyed the atmosphere and our server was friendly. The prices are great and the portion sizes were generous. The not so good--so the food was nothing special. It definitely wasn't bad, it just seemed like boxed pasta mixed with store bought sauce/pesto. Not bad pasta or sauce, just didn't taste homemade. Their secret bread was fine, but nothing I would go out of my way for. Would I go back? Unfortunately not unless I had a friend that wanted to. read more

Not what I expected. A cheat meal needs to Good not passable. A water of money for us. We do better at home.

Great service and amazing food! Worth the wait if there is one. Add this one to your list when you visit Tally.

This place is great! Food is great. Good portion size. Staff is warm and welcoming. Love this place!!

My extended family was in town and wanted Italian after the FSU football game. Riccardos was the first place we called who thought they could accommodate nine people, and the whole experience was lovely. Our server, Taylor, was wonderful and on top of everything. Everything I had was delicious -- we started with the antipasto salad and I had the stuffed shells. Everyone was happy with their meal. I would definitely return! read more

Addendum: 2015 notes cut/pasted at the bottom. I FOUND THEM!!! For many years, the draw to Riccardo's was consistently good baked dishes, broadly popular bread and nicely presented southern Italian classics. The pizza also draws 'em in. Uncannily, there's often a full house in the traditionally slow weekdays - so anticipate a worthwhile wait on a Thursday (German night), Friday or Saturday dinner. Familiar servers from the original location continue the grind at the new digs (formerly Anthony's and most recently the short-lived Curry Pot). My great friend Paul B. came last night and so copycat me followed suit with a seven-top this evening. Everyone happy with their plates. I went off-script and asked for a white clam pie (always chasing after the world's best pizza - always forgetting that it's truly only available at Pepe's on Wooster, in New Haven CT. Nonetheless, this white clam pie didn't disappoint. Of course they weren't shucked to order - but the kitchen triumphantly created an impromptu order because of some petulant patron (me) that just HAD to have something different. (Note to owner: the white clam pizza is the stuff of legend. Someone in town needs to perfect it. Why not you!?!) In any case - I like the lighting hardware although we felt seated under those interrogation lamps seen in 1950s Red Scare film reels. Not sure how to remedy that. Also - we were seated at the immediate right table and had a good view of the room and the service area. Our wall was adorned with a good number of personalized frames but it looks like the westerly wall could benefit from a few things to break up that starkly white wall. A word about German night. In Tallahassee, it's as close as you'll get to a german restaurant. In my previous review (yet to be found but I'll dig around for it) i mention that the owner told me the story about it being an homage to the original (German) owner. I think it's OK. I suspect enthusiasts are vets who'd been stationed in Germany back in the day - but I also suspect they aren't being transported back to their favorite gasthauses with the three options offered. Unfortunately, I don't think TLH can support a standalone Deutsche Hofbräuhaus replete with the volks-fare so here we are. Riccardo's has throngs of enthusiasts who will keep it bustling. Trash-talking Riccardo's isn't taken lightly around these parts. Don't come for the innovative "Grande Cucina" of Italy, but do come for American-Italian comfort food that no one else in TLH does better. _________________________________________________________________ 2015 notes: Bottom Line: Riccardo's combines atmosphere, strong personality, and thoughtfully prepared fare to make it a must-go destination in TLH. Bringing this up to five stars in class, given it's tenacity and staying power on the TLH circuit. Riccardo's brings to bear most of the Italian-American classics we've come to expect, along with a few pleasant surprises along the way (e.g., the Secret Bread, etc.). When you walk in to Riccardo's, you understand there is a process about you, and you sense that the house staff/servers are all synchronized to the same metronome. There is a culture in the air - the "Riccardo Way" as it may be. Procedural interests: There is zero waiting room as you walk in. You are immediately in the dining area. Pay special notice to what is likely the least popular table in the joint (the two-top directly to the right as you enter). As such, you are guided to the waiting area which (judging from the outdoor signage) is in "Riccardo's Too" space. Here, you're seated at a banquette at the far wall until your table is ready. Riccardo's is very popular with the cognoscenti, so you may be here a while. Relax, where else are you going to go? For me, a distinguishing characteristic of a more mindful Italian restaurant is in the al dente pasta. I've never once had over boiled pasta at Riccardo's. This is something I can depend on. Personal favorites include: "Riccardo's Caprese Salad" (not particularly unique to Riccardo's, other than it's plated/presented consistently well!) The Baked Penne Florentine with Italian sausage. Florentine anything generally interests me. It's good here. Linguine with Red Clams. Of particular interest to me are Thursday nights when the two dishes risk being sold out if you don't arrive early enough. I learned that "Riccardo" was the original owner of the restaurant, which started off as a German resttaurant. Apparently, that venture didn't work out, but the current family bought it and retained two of the dishes on Thursday nights as a nod to Riccardo himself. Lived in Germany? - Well then, get your fix on Wiener Schnitzel or Pork & Sauerkraut. (Sure, it would be nice to see Jaeger Schnitzel, Sauerbraten, even Currywurst! - but what are your German-fare options in TLH?) If you're If you're unfamiliar with Riccardo's, consider familiarizing yourself! read more

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Eggplant Parmesan wasn't very good, not enough marinara. I've tried to Luke it twice, but nope.

I can't complain about this place. The bread and butter, just may be the best part. I had the cheese tortellini. I got it baked with extra cheese on top and it was super cheesy and yummy. Also, enough for leftovers after bread and apps. The prices felt like a good deal too. Be prepared to wait on the weekends and be creative with a parking spot. This will be my go-to place next time i want Italian. read more

Riccardos - Just yum - Italian Near Me - Tallahasse, Florida

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It's been a long time since we've been to Riccardo's, but for no particular reason. Loved it before when at the old location, and have been reminded that we still love it. One tidbit that got us excited was that on Thursday nights they also have a German menu. Can't wait to give it it try. This trip we both had the meat calzones, and they didn't disappoint. First they were huge, second they were amazing with very fresh ingredients and the marinara sauce was excellent. We won't be waiting so long for the next visit. read more

Sigh. I think Yelp hyped things up too much for me and I left a bit disappointed. Came in tonight and had a caprese salad with lasagna. The salad was fine but nothing wild - a basic lettuce, tomato, and mozzarella salad with some type of balsamic dressing. Flavor was pretty bland. The bread and butter was amazing as promised. The lasagna was a bit dry and also just... unexciting. I'm still giving 4 stars because it was good, just not spectacular. Service was super disappointing - I think because I ate alone the serve figured I wasn't worth the investment to check up on. Atmosphere was a bit odd with paper napkins and plates. Would maybe go back but wouldn't make a special trip. read more

Riccardos - Caprese salad - Italian Near Me - Tallahasse, Florida

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The bread is awesome. Pizza's are amazing. Parking can be a hindrance so arrive early.

Favorite Italian restaurant in Tally. The food is consistently delicious and reasonably priced. Highly recommend the sangria & baked spaghetti read more

The rosemary bread and garlic butter are life, they are a religion. This may seem dramatic and over the top, but I kid you not. You need to try it. It's amazing. I also like their baked tortellini. I'd recommend any pasta that offers a baked version, get that. It simply means you'll get some delicious cheese broiled on top, and who doesn't love that? The kids menu is also okay on options, but certainly could use a little more. Their to go orders can take some time, but they're great about accuracy of orders! read more

Such a cute date night spot. I took my boyfriend here last night because the prices are great for what you get! We got a really great bottle of wine, salads, appetizer and two entrees for less than $60. I love their chicken parm and always get the pasta with Alfredo sauce instead of marinara to add a different flavor. While their food isn't "out of this world" delicious, it is awesome for what you pay for. The bread they give you with entrees is THE BEST! I would definitely give this place a try if you're looking to a cool little Italian spot one night. read more

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Well, I haven't been to Riccardos in years and at the recommendation of a friend, we met there for lunch. I ordered a meatball sandwich as I remembered how great it was at the previous location 10 years ago. But, chefs change, management changes. The sandwich had their great bread but too much of it and the meatballs were small, not much tomato sauce, not much cheese. It was not appetizing. Basically I decided to just open up the sandwich and eat the meatballs with a fork. My friend ordered something with chicken and spaghetti noodles. The chicken could not be cut with a fork, he said it was tough. Not HIS usual experience. Every restaurant has a bad day, it depends on the cooks, management and waiters. We did have a great waiter, one that acted like he was invested in the operation. I will visit again and hope I experience a positive visit. read more

I had the urge to eat Italian while visiting Tallahassee. My husband picked Riccardo's based on the reviews of this 'secret bread' and reasonable prices. The dining room was half full when we got there. We were seated promptly and a very pleasant and efficient waiter got our drinks and took our order. I had the chicken parmigiana and my husband had spaghetti with meatballs and sausage. My chicken was just a flat-pounded frozen breaded breast that was heated up, had cheese melted on it, and served with a handful of spaghetti. Nothing to write home about. My husband said his meal was OK. His only complaint was that there wasn't enough sauce on his pasta. Luckily he had ordered a side of meatballs that came in a dish of sauce so crisis averted. My husband liked the bread and the garlic butter. I thought it was rather course and "healthy tasting". I would have preferred a good Italian bread and butter. I think the main problem with this Italian restaurant was the sauce. Being part Italian, we have eaten a lot of sauce. The sauce here was blah with a slight bitter aftertaste, like a thinned out tomato paste. Improve your sauce, improve your pasta. By the time we left, the dining room was full of patrons and lots of lively chatter. We will not be back, but I gather plenty of other people will be! read more

Picked up 3 specialty pizzas and 2 salads for a work lunch meeting today. Everyone raved around about the food. Phone ordering was easy and pick up was quicck amd efficient isn't - in-and-out in minutes! Thanks for making me look great Riccardo's!!! read more

I felt for some good ole ravioli and boy did this place not disappoint! The food was amazing, the price was great and the service was awesome! I got the garlic bread, bruschetta, ravioli and a cannoli! I was happy with EVERYTHING! I think the staff also did an amazing job social distancing guest and all staff members had on mask. I would highly recommend this hidden gem! read more

" AN ITALIAN FOOD HOME RUN ! " Further to our first experience at Riccardo's one month ago we posted a review where we ranted and raved about the great culinary experience we were so gratefully provided by John and his staff . Two weeks later, we made it point to join the Thursday evening crowd to savor the German dishes that John's wife, Alicea (of German decent) includes in the menu. We both had the wiener schnitzel and found it to be full of flavor with the meat, purple cabbage and potatoes cooked to perfection. This past Saturday, we returned for the ultimate test " PIZZA ". We're extremely picky about pizza crust, sauce and mostly the amount of cheese used on a regular pizza. Since our arrival in Tally 4 years ago, we've found ourselves asking for triple cheese on most pizzas we ordered. NOT THE CASE AT RICCARDO'S ! Nick our waiter served us what we consider the perfect balance of dough, sauce, veggies and meats. I had to speak with John and shared our total satisfaction of his pies. Try Riccardo's once and you'll never go elsewhere ! read more

Riccardos - Riccardo's...........simply fantastic Christy H and Jess R - Italian Near Me - Tallahasse, Florida

It's easier to park and get a table now that the restaurant moved, but their eggplant parmesan Florentine was better before they moved. In the old restaurant you got a small casserole dish filled with eggplant, ricotta, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. At the new place, the service was great and the beer and wine list is really, really good. But I miss the old eggplant parmesan Florentine. Still a great place for dinner. read more

I felt compelled to write a review because I must say that this was one of the worst meals I have had in a long time. We began the experience with a 30 minute wait and thus were expecting a nice classic Italian cuisine experience. The first disappointment occurred when we tasted one of the wines. The bottle was obviously sour and should not have been served but if that was the only grievance then we could have looked past this issue. But then the meals came.... The Eggplant Florentine was a disaster (see picture). The eggplant was as tough as leather and the breading was a soggy mess. The whole meal tasted as though it had been previously frozen and microwaved to order. My friend ordered the chicken parm and it was apparent that this frozen microwaved theme was not an isolated incident. Honestly I cannot fathom how this restaurant has good reviews. We were all very disappointed with our meals and have named this a 'one and done'. I would recommend going to Bella Bella if you want consistently good Italian cooking but at least spare yourself the money and stomachache by microwaving a Marie Callendar's frozen chicken parm meal rather then coming here. read more

Riccardos - Disaster on a plate - Italian Near Me - Tallahasse, Florida

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Riccardo's is one of my comfort foods. Don't go here if you are looking for fancy or authentic Italian food. DO come here if you want delicious, homey, Italian-American staples at great prices, just like grandma used to make. I had a hard time deciding between 4 and 5 stars because not everything at Riccardo's deserves 5 stars. However, the things that are 5 stars are good enough that I went with the overall 5 star review. Riccardo's has the best spaghetti and meatballs I have ever eaten, anywhere. I have been to NYC and Italy, and the Riccardo's version is my favorite. The meatballs have a great depth of flavor, are always moist, never undercooked or dried out, and have a soft texture that feels pleasant to the mouth. The 'spaghetti' is actually more of a capellini/angel hair vareity, which I prefer to a thicker spaghetti. It's always cooked perfectly, slightly more than al dente, but never mushy. The 'gravy' (tomato sauce) is out of this world perfect. A uniform texture that is neither too thick or thin, it sticks to the pasta well and compliments the meatballs for a dish greater than the sum of its parts. The other standout item at Riccardo's is their homemade bread. They give you a big fluffy hunk with a nice herb mixture baked in, a crispy crust that isn't too thick and chewy, and some garlic butter to top it off. Dip a hunk in your red sauce! I find the cannoli to be pretty good as well. Some places have cannoli filling with an odd after taste and mouth feel, I suspect from funky stabilizer/preservative ingredients that shouldn't be in a cannoli. Not at Riccardo's - their cannoli has a perfect, ricotta forward and not-too-sweet filling. The only food at Riccardo's that could use improvement is their salad. The side salad is somewhat sad, with iceberg lettuce, and too much cheese. The dressing is lackluster and the oil to vinegar ratio is off, with too much oil. Service is hurried, but friendly and never rude. Riccardo's is always busy. They moved locations a few months ago and while they seem to have more seating, the parking situation remains difficult. The place is too busy for the parking lot to support it, so plan to arrive early if you want to get a parking spot at peak dining times! read more

The food is always wonderful and the owner is very sweet, remembers your name, bits about your family...Staff is prompt and courteous. Great pizza for take out, with a great price. Love German night too! No where else in town like it. read more

This place is incredible! Came here on a Thursday, which happened to be German night. I may have to come here every Thursday from now on, because the schnitzel was that good! Also ordered the cheesy garlic bread as an appetizer, and it's true what they say, their bread is THAT good! read more

My friend and I came to Riccardo's around 6:45 on a Saturday night, without a reservation. We were greeted and told we had a 20-30 minute wait, so we put our names on the list. We walked down to the Bar @ Betton for a drink while we waited, and we were texted pretty quickly (15 minutes) that out table was ready. Awesome. The ambiance is casual, lots of tables and chairs pretty close together. More of a family place than an intimate meal place. We had great service. We both ordered pasta dishes--the meat lasagna and the Baked penne with italian sausage. Both dishes came with their bread, which was the real stand out of the meal. The bread is amazing! The pasta was good, but not the best Italian I have had. Anyhow, I will definitely be back. Prices are reasonable as well! read more

Really amazing bread and bruschetta, chicken parm and pizzas are so great! Amazing find! read more

Riccardos - Italian Near Me - Tallahasse, Florida

Great food, bread was bussin respectfully. Our waitress Kate was awesome she was always on top of things. She also had some great food recommendations. Definitely coming back soon. read more

Riccardo's is a good dinner spot. The bread you get with every entree is huge and delicious. I got the cannoli for dessert and was not disappointed. The owner is also friendly and greeted us when we came in. Definitely recommend. read more

Riccardos - Manicotti, bruchetta (half order) and pizza! - Italian Near Me - Tallahasse, Florida

I have been going to Riccardo's for 20 years and will continue for another 20 years . Best Italian food I have ever ate . 55 years old and a navy vet who traveled the world, Riccardo's is world class read more

I got a to-go order. The two green salads were very good with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, etc. And house dressing. The secret bread was a disappointment. It was square, only partially risen, and lacked crunch and was a bit under baked. The chicken Parmesan was strange. It appeared that's they were using small frozen pre breaded chicken circles. The spaghetti side was made of thin spaghetti which did not absorb the sauce. The two stars are for the salads. The owners should redo their bread, serve hot regular spaghetti, and use fresh chicken in their chicken parmigiana and I would become a regular. read more

Very basic but amazing service. Dishes were small and ok, the special bread and butter is amazing and very good Pizza... Stick with the Pizza here. I will say the chef was very accommodating and made some changes but if I could suggest, pound out your chicken cutlets and serve a little more of the side with it. it would look better on a plate. if you decide to eat here I highly suggest you ask gor Randy... she seemed to be the hardest and most caring person in the place. read more

Hubby and I went here for date night on a Friday...atmosphere was modern and uncluttered, service was quick and efficient, and the food was a delight!! Love, love, love the special bread they bring to your table, it is warm and yummy and compliments any appetizer or entree you order. We got the Veal Parmigiana accompanied by spaghetti with marinara....it was pounded nice and thin, perfectly seasoned, and not overwhelmed by cheese and tomato sauce...you can still taste the veal. Which is how veal SHOULD be handled!!! We thoroughly enjoyed it and will be back!!! read more

Riccardo's has excellent food EXCEPT the garden salad is a disappointment in that it costs $3.50 and is a bit of lettuce with 2 cherry tomatoes, 2 cucumber slices, and a couple of rings of onion. I really think they could do better for that price. The secret bread which is served with a tasty herb butter is great. My spaghetti and meatballs was very good. The wait staff is attentive and pleasant. Parking is a problem and you need to arrive early to secure a decent parking space. read more

First time to the new location and the quality of the food hasn't changed, still great. The taste of locally prepared food is a welcome change from Italian chains. Will continue to came to Riccardo's as this is awesome. Parking can be a challenge but worth the hassle. read more