It's unfortunate because the food was REALLY good but the service was NOT. We made a last minute decision to go out to eat and weren't really dressed up. We got there and it took a bit of time to even have a server greet us (after being sat by a different server). He took our order and our food took FOREVER. I completely expect a little wait due to the disclosure on the front of the menu that food is made fresh but this was ridiculous. We ordered an appetizer, that we never got. They were not even packed when we got there but the other tables who came after us all got their food. Since it took so long and our young son was out of patience, so my husband took him outside. I asked for boxes and a check (we weren't even half way through our food). The server brought me both but just dropped the boxes off. I LITERALLY just watched them pack up the other tables food for them. I am NOT one to claim this but it was VERY obvious that because the other tables were dressed up a bit more (and older) the server was WAY more attentive. So, as I packed our food on my teeny table by myself , as the server walked off. It's really unfortunate this was my first experience here and the service was just SO bad but the food was good...smh. I probably will not be back. read more

The food is delicious. Portions are large. Price is reasonable and they use real tablecloths. However COVID rules are not being observed. While taking out dinner I pointed out to the waitress that she was not wearing a mask. No gloves either. I also noticed that two of the tables were not separated when they could. Her excuse was that her chef/boss said she did not have to wear a mask and that she tested negative last week. He told me that is was just "government telling us what to do". He agreed that there is no smoking in the restaurant. He agreed he wears a seat belt. No masks in the kitchen either. read more

The food was good. The service was good pretty casual ambience. I definitely be returning took my daughter and her friend and we overall had a really good time. read more

This place was terrible nothing was it appeared on the photos. I got an Cuban burger it was pink (raw) never cooked

My seafood pasta dinner was absolutely horrible, and to top it off when I asked if they had calamari for a appetizer they told me it would cost me $30 and would charge me $10 for them to uncork my wine bottle. I will never step foot in this place again. read more

Good food. Fast seating and great service. We took our mother n law, and she enjoyed it also.

The food was WONDERFUL! The portions are rather large. But my family ate it the next day and it was JUST as good as yesterday. Which worked out wonderful i was being lazy on a Saturday afternoon so this was a delight to eat again! It's BYOB but that's okay! My boyfriend and I were in shock because we got SO much food and it was soooo delicious and it only cost about $70 the kids were FREE. the service took a bit but there were two tables that were 10 or more And only 1 server so he actually did an amazing job! I tipped over 30%. Well done cafe Italia we will be back with more people! read more

Holy cow, where to start? The dust gathered on the ceiling and light fixtures, the holes in the ceiling tiles, the dead fly on the table next to us, the dirt and crumbs on the side of the chairs, the filthy floor, all of the wait staff sitting in the dining room on their phones? Or start with the waiter who couldn't be bothered to get up when we walked in and just said sit wherever, or the bruschetta billed on the menu as having fresh herbs that came out with unripe tomatoes and a spoonful of garlic, however when I asked for some fresh basil I was told there was none. Or the chicken I ordered for my meal that came out with cold unmelted cheese on it. I sent it back and they made a whole new one that tasted like the cheapest Marsala wine which clearly wasn't cooked off, with rigatoni in vodka sauce on the side that mixed in with the Marsala so you couldn't tell one from the other. Guess what was also supposed to be on my meal.... fresh basil! Guess what wasn't on my meal...: fresh basil!!! The one star is only because the fettuccine alfredo was palatable. Palatable-not great. There is a reason a restaurant in Riverview is empty at 6 on a Friday night. Do yourself a favor and just go to East Coast. read more

Ricky & Mela - Filthy chairs - Italian Near Me - Riverview, Florida

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I N C R E D I B L E - I don't know how to say how great it is! My husband told me Caffe Italia is owned by the same man who owned the Laughing Cat in Ybor City years ago. They even will make "old menu items" at request. My husband used to love eating the "Crazy Chicken" so that is what he had last night. I had Chicken Yolanda!!!! O.M.G!!! So glad we drove from Sarasota to Apollo Beach! DEFINITELY worth it. It's a small little place in a strip mall. PHENOMENAL! Oh YES I did notice the dust and the place does need sprucing up, however when the food is THIS GOOD, I obviously overlooked all of this!!!!! I swear it sounds crazy, but I've never had better Italian food in my life. It would give 10 stars just like it is! read more

Ricky & Mela - Italian Near Me - Riverview, Florida

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The food was in big portions and delicious. The service was good, and they took care of us. The ambiance could be worked on since it is a mom and pop shop. read more

Excellent food with great service. Bring your own wine and glasses. No corkage fee. Quite small so go early if possible.

Went with my family to celebrate my sons birthday. Awesome good & service. The Chef came out and introduced himself.

We ate at the Cafe Italia Last night. The food was excellent as always as the service was as well. We took our own beverages and glasses. read more

The food was amazing. Honestly the best Italian food I've had. Appreciate this hidden gem.

Excellent food everything is prepared to order so don't expect fast service. Food is outstanding

I normally rate this as an excellent restaurant but not following our latest visit. The food was great as was the service. The challenge was our table placement which was squeezed between two large groups. We could barely get into our chairs without crawling over those who were already seated. We had reservations for specific time and we were there on time. Just not as enjoyable as in the past. read more

Doesn't look like much when you first walk inside, almost sterile walls and basic tables and chairs, definitely could use a designers touch. HOWEVER, once we got our food, I completely felt like I was eating in Vicenza or somewhere out there in Italy. The taste of my chicken was so flavorful that I will definitely be coming back. Now, we got here around 5pm on a Saturday and sat right away, but if you get after 6, I recommend you make reservations because it got full fast. We closed our meal with a tiramisu desert which was delicious! read more

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Never even had the opportunity to try this place but I was so taken aback by what just happened, had to share. Just tried to order for pickup and this is what I got.... Real life conversation: Employee: "Cafe Italia" Me: "I'd like to place a to go order" Employee:"Ok. Can I have a name?" Me: "Michael will be picking up..." I proceeded to ask about food options, but won't bore you with that... just will get to the good part. Continued conversation... *arguing in background coming from another employee* Me: "How big is the Caesar?" Employee: "The Caesar salad will feed 2 of..... (turns to someone on his end) *name* I'm trying to take their to go order right now!!!!" Me: Employee: "Just so you know, we only have one cook here now so your orders going to be a while.... like 45 minutes at least." Me: "Um. Bye (Felicia)" It's important in the world of social media to NOT make the customer feel like they are putting the business out by calling during business hours.... nothing about that made sense at all. Sure you opened at 3pm and I called at 3:30, but don't make me feel like an idiot. Business 101. You failed. Never going here... your food probably tastes like your customer service skills. read more

Fantastic dinner! Went with the family to celebrate my mom being in town and we were so glad we did. Everyone's meals were piping hot and delicious! To start, the bread was fresh from the oven and was perfectly cooked. We each picked a different meal so we could try a few different things. The hubs and I both asked to swap our pasta for gnocchi (sweet potato for him and regular for me). We loved it. My meal had mussels, scallops and shrimp - there must have been a dozen mussels in it. I've attached a picture. My son got fettuccini with shrimp and it was also filled with seafood. The service was friendly and prompt. We were able to bring our own wine and glasses to enjoy with our meal. There's no cork fee if you bring your own glass! We will be back! read more

Ricky & Mela - Italian Near Me - Riverview, Florida

The food is outstanding!!!! It's byob but don't really care about that. We order take out frequently because if I stayed there and ate it, you'd have to roll me out! The food is amazing! read more

So if you like italian you "have to try" this place. Forget the fancy decorations, the welcoming of an attractive hostess. This resturant focuses on what's most important, the food! As soon as I walked in with my family on a Thursday night, the one waiter they greeted us and sat us. The tables slowly filled as we sat eating fresh baked bread and wine that we brought because this after all byob place. The menu does state that there is a wait for the food, so having fresh baked bread, a glass of wine and good company make it feel like no time at all. There isn't music blaring, probably because the cooks are working. You can pretty much stand up any where in the restaurant and see back into the kitchen, it's a small place. I ordered the Chicken Yolanda with Fettuccine Alfredo. It all made to order and it all good. If you love mushrooms, tender chicken breaded and fried with Italian sausage in the middle, you can be sure that you'll remember this meal. It seems pricy when just look at the menu and all it has to offer, but be prepared, you're going to receive plenty food. I was able to eat that dinner that night and also lunch the next day, so it's like a 2 for 1! Get reservations if you go on a weekend, because I'm not the only one who knows how great this place is! read more

Ricky & Mela - Italian Near Me - Riverview, Florida

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Food is amazing Service was great Bathrooms not so much enough food for leftovers easily BYOB is great read more

Awesome food with flavor. Great atmosphere and selection . The service was great. A little something for everyone's pallet

Excellent Italian food! Get a reservation - it's a small place. Try the chicken with mushrooms. Mmm.

4 stars for the food!! I was soooooooooo excited when I learned the former chef and owner of The Laughing Cat moved to my hood and opened up this tiny cafe. We so need more restaurants like these in Riverview. Don't expect any ambience here. It's cramped and plain but don't worry, you'll be too focused on the plate of food in front of you for it to matter. Portions are generous, ingredients are fresh, sauces are delicious and the flavors are spot on. Our bread (so addictively crusty on the outside and tender on the inside) was served with butter but if you are an olive oil dipper kinda person just ask and the server will whip up a delicious concoction for you. For our starter we enjoyed the Mozzarella Caprese. It was fresh and wonderful. Hubs chose the Pollo Scarpariello. Along with chucks of tender chicken sautéed with sausage and mushrooms bathed in a white wine sauce this dish also included roasted veg, and a side of pasta with a very balanced tomato sauce. I inhaled my Farfalle Frutti De Mare...well a third of it anyway (the rest was breakfast and lunch the next day) perfectly cooked bow tie pasta mixed with muscles, plump shrimp and sweet scallops all in a beautiful cream tomato sauce. Unfortunately, we were too full for dessert but did enjoy a lovely cappuccino. They don't have a liquor license so bring your own bottle of wine and glasses....If you don't bring glasses/cups there is a $10.00 corking fee. MANGIA!! read more

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If you think any other Italian restaurant is the best around, FaGitAboutIt! Caffe Italia is the real deal, y'all. We went today for the first time on the recommendation of a friend, and am now forever indebted to her. It's a small, unassuming restaurant in a strip mall - nothing fancy, but oh so authentically delicious. The Italian owner/chef prepares several special appetizers and entrees each day in addition to the regular menu items. We shared (from the regular menu) the Mozzarella Caprese, Cozze Posillipo (mussels) and Calamari (one of tonight's specials) between two couples. For entrees, hubby got the Pork Chop special. It was stuffed prosciutto and cheese and finished in a Marsala wine and mushroom sauce. I got the fish special - Mahi-Mahi prepared in a lemon, white wine and capers sauce, and topped with shrimp. Both came with a side of mixed vegetables and fresh-made pasta. Our friends got the seafood ravioli and lasagna. For dessert, we shared a cannoli and a chocolate mousse. I am not exaggerating when I say, the servings were huge and EVERYTHING was delicious! As a heads up - they do not sell any alcoholic beverages but you can BYOB - and don't forget your glass(s). They will wave the $10 corking fee if you provide your own glasses. Reservations are encouraged! Bon Appétit, y'all! read more

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Our party of four had some very delicious Italian food. Caffe Italia boasts of all fresh made to order dishes. We started our dinners with Caesar salad it was obviously made authentically in very very good. I had the ravioli Napolitano which was excellent! (See the picture) Another dish at our table was a seafood ravioli with shrimp scallops and crabmeat- that was to die for! Meals are served with fresh baked bread that you can't not eat all of it. This is a little no-frills café that is reservation only but it's well worth the planning and effort. read more

Food was very good and server was polite, but we were very surprised to see no one working there wearing a mask or gloves. Also, a man and woman from the kitchen came into the dining area and held a very, very loud conversation which was quite distracting to our dining experience with friends. May return again after pandemic, but not before. read more

Unfortunately this place was a miss. We had high hopes but were sadly disappointed and were extremely underwhelmed. The waiter was kind but since he was the only staff member serving, it was no surprise that our appetizer never made it to our table. The food looked great but had absolutely zero seasoning. The meat was cooked perfectly but had no flavor. The portions were huge, which would have been a plus has the food been good. If the owners focused more on the quality of the food rather than quantity, I feel like it could be exceptional. This was a one and done for me. read more

Family style bring your own vino romantic and family style known for their Pollo Parmigiana Breaded chicken breast sautéed and topped with homemade marinara sauce, c Fettuccini Alfredo Add chicken shrimp my old Skool fav LasagnaFreshly made pasta layered with meat sauce, bé chamel and cheese, Cozy authentic dining area.make sure you call for reservations especially for holidays..bon appetite read more

Small place, big value and the food is incredible. They have an escargot and shrimp stew that is out of this world and worth the ride there. It can be a little pricey, but everything is made to order so it's all fresh. read more

Everything was delicious !!! Again i must say the serving portions are huge !! pleasantly surprised by this little restaurant-they put all their focus on the food. Don't be fooled by the appearance -trust me . read more

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This place is awful. We went there in the middle of the week about 5:00. The place was empty so we ask for a table for 2. The "waiter" or whatever he was (could have been the busboy from the mess on his shirt) told us that we could be seated but would have to leave soon as all of the tables were reserved for regulars. FFS Either we get a table or not. I hope your "regulars" spend and tip well because we do and we won't be going back. read more

Save your money the worst food and service ever. Unfriendly staff management was beyond rude did not greit did not greet customers. Place was filthy prices were over the top Beverages were served in Is diarrfoam cups. I would never go back to this so called Italian family owned restaurant. It's cost for only 2 meals without salad or drink was $46 plus tip outrageousIt's cost for only 2 meals without salad or drink was $46 plus tip outrageous read more

This is the best Italian food hands down and I love it because it's right around the corner. This is the place to go for anniversaries birthdays or just a date night. read more

This place was terrible. You can always tell whether a place will be good based on how clean their bathrooms are. The women's restroom looked like it hadn't been cleaned in months. Totally disgusting. First we were told that they couldn't split the lasagna we ordered into two separate plates. We said fine, but then they proceeded to tell us they have to charge us a "splitting" fee of $8 even though they couldn't put it on two different plates. Really???? We walked out. Poor, poor customer service. Save your money and drive a block to Panera instead where they know how to treat their patrons. read more

Ambiance ? Place is very dirty , look around. The windows, the bathroom. Food doesn't taste home made . One dish was ok but out of six it was a no go back . Prices are higher then posted and they require an 18 percent tip . Service was slow as well . Small place with just a couple of tables . read more

Great hidden gem near Apollo Beach. Sauce is delicious and the Italian girl in me had to clean the plate with my bread. Eggplant rollitini was fantastic and my papardelle tasted like something my Nana would have made. They don't serve any alcohol but will let you bring your own bottle of wine . Enjoy!! read more

Ricky & Mela - Papardelle Romano - wide pasta, eggplant, shrimp and onions with sauce - Italian Near Me - Riverview, Florida

There were four of us that ate dinner here, all ordering different entrees, and everything was AMAZING! The food came out steamy hot. I had the chicken dish that had a work that started with a "G". I meant to get a to go menu and left without it. I also cannot find the name of it online. But, it was chicken that was stuffed with mozzarella and prosciutto topped with a white sauce. It was AMAZING! My husband had the lasagna, and our friends had the pork chop, side of veggies, pasta in vodka sauce, and shrimp fettuccine Alfredo. Not one thing was just decent. Everything was PERFECT! And Chris, our server, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the restaurant and menu. Bring your own wine or beer and enjoy an amazing authentic Italian meal! read more

Ricky & Mela - Italian Near Me - Riverview, Florida

I can't say enough about this place! Bruschetta , tortellini and tiramisu are to die for! Huge portions fresh and so yummy! Service is excellent!! Restaurant is small and quaint making a nice romantic meal!! Take out is just as good!!!!! read more