My brother in law wak kind enough to treat us to dinner here. It is a little off the beaten path and was surprisingly small. It had maybe 20 tables if that. The decor was minimal but nice. I ordered the Penne Vernazza which had scallops, shrimp, crab, lobster and muscles in a vodka cream sauce. It was over the top delicious. You must make reservations if you want to get a table as their hours are 5pm -9pm nightly. read more

Scarpa's Italian - Penne Vernazza - Italian Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

Food and ambiance here are usually very good. Before I write the rest of this bear in mind I am a big city person so I have a slightly different view in regards to reservations. I arrived for my reservation and was told that I would have to wait between 30-45 minutes because people were staying longer and they'd taken a few walk ins. One if you know you have multiple reservations don't take walk ins... there were a few parties behind me with the same issue. Two there is no where covered to wait for a table (inside is too small; outside has 0 protection from the elements). You have one of the nicest restaurants in Lakeland; however there is no excuse for treating customers this way. I have been here several times and my close friends in Lakeland have been coming for years. Do better. read more

Small restaurant that sits maybe 75 all in the space of about a good-sized living room so it's real tight. My seat got kicked a few times by people walking by. Food is pretty good though. The bread came out very warm. read more

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Scarpa's may be small, but boy is it mighty! One of Lakeland's best restaurants for many years, hands down. If you are at all a fan of Italian food, you have to come here. Since it is a small restaurant, you usually want to get a reservation ahead of time because it fills up quick. But it makes for a more intimate dining experience that's really enjoyable. Dress a little nicer and expect the prices to be a little higher- but it's really quality food so it doesn't feel as bad to pay more. Everything I have tried here in multiple visits has been outstanding. I am especially a fan of their creme brûlée dessert, they have other options too but I can't turn that down. You'll want to also listen closely to the specials they have, they change every so often and are always delicious and unique appetizers & entrees. Seriously, love this place. It's fantastic for special occasions or just an extra delicious dinner here and there. Couldn't recommend more. read more

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Good food, server very polite, know her menu well. Offer specials, check back constantly,

Had dinner here recently and the food was amazing, everything is made from scratch with great, fresh ingredients. I made a reservation last minute the night before and accidentally we were double booked. The restaurant called and explained, very apologetic and offered us a later seating. I didn't mind and they took exceptional care of us once we arrived. Mistakes happen and they went above and beyond in my opinion. Our waiter was the best, each recommendation was spot on and hit the spot. The restaurant is cozy and intimate and makes for the perfect date spot. Come check them out the food is amazing, the staff is exceptional and you will really love this place. read more

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The atmosphere was amazing and mellow. Perfect for a date night. The food was amazing and the waitress was very kind and humorous. Definitely recommend. read more

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Just wow! Have not dined at Scarpa's for a while and we recently went there with another couple. It was just absolutely fantastic. We dine out a far bit and can not recommend this venue higher given our recent night out. Great service by an engaging and attentive server. Orders were taken systemically with time for us to chat with our friends. Courses were served at a nice pace. Every single appetizer and main meal were absolutely fantastic. Very nice presentation along with amazing flavor and just perfectly prepared. Just cannot say enough nice things about our visit!! Remember to make a reservation!! read more

Amazing food: real authentic Italian food! This is a hidden gem. Upscale also has bottled wines you can see in a room. I don't drink wine but seen alot of people ordering it. Made reservations for Mother's Day and every one that worked there was so nice and even if they wasn't your waiter or waitress and I had a question about the lamb not my waitress was so nice. The outside didn't look nice cause it's in a little place but inside so romantic and beautiful, ty for my wonderful experience will come back again. read more

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The food was amazing !!! The ambience was nice and the service was fantastic!! This was our first time there and we have already told so many people how wonderful it is !!! It was so pleasant for a change to not feel like you were being rushed out so more people could come in, which is how most places treat you now. So many choices and very accommodating for food allergies! read more

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A very good evening at Scarpa's for my friends birthday. Although it's small, it's very welcoming and the staff are friendly and superb! The food-- AMAZING! It's a perfect portion and the price is not bad at all. Definitely try the wine! We enjoyed it very much! read more

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Such an intimate cute place for fantastic Italian food! It is definitely upscale with their atmosphere and food/wine choices. Our server was incredibly friendly and helpful. The food was spectacular! I would highly recommend stopping in if you have the opportunity. Make a reservation though because it is a small place. read more

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This place is wonderful, I want to travel to Lakeland just to go back! The whole experience and every piece of food was wonderful. The restaurant is small and in a tiny shopping center. When you go inside it is decorated like a classic Italian restaurant. Very classy and upscale but not too much decor. It's the food that blew us away. We started with a few appetizers. The calamari was different from any I've seen with them being thicker pieces but they were delicious. The next dish were the peppers and sausage. They were full of flavor. For my main meal I had the chicken Marsala and that was amazing. I don't normally order that but I'm so happy I did. The chicken was flavorful and tender, it was the perfect dish. The service was very good, this place was so amazing that my coworkers went back the next day. I highly recommend and I will go back again when I'm in Lakeland! read more

Scarpa's Italian - Wine and bread oil - Italian Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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Oh this was a hidden gem. Unassuming strip mall but do step inside! The ambiance is spot on the food is the best Italian since I left NYC. read more

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GREAT Authentic Italian food! Terrific atmosphere. Joy was a fantastic server! Growing up in an Italian family I'm pretty sure I'm a good judge! We will be back! read more

Scarpa's Italian - Desserts - Italian Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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If you are looking for authentic well done Italian cuisine then this is your place! The menu is compact with some staples and a few daily specials, all done to tantalizing perfection. Seating is limited and the atmosphere cozy, so definitely recommend reservations. Our waiter was well versed in the menu and the specials of the day, providing an overall stellar dining experience. read more

Everything about my dining experience was 5 star. My server Skylar was exceptionally attentive every step of my meal. We had the calamari appetizer which is reason enough to visit. I've never had it their way. It is long thick strips (think mozzarella sticks) seasoned to perfection. Main course was chicken Marsala and Penne and Sausage. There was such a melding of flavors in my mouth we just smiled. Will definitely be back again and again to this hidden gem. Ambience, environment, and service also 5 star. read more

Scarpa's is a long standing, quality restaurant featuring general Italian fare. I wish Yelp allowed half stars as I would give this 4.5. The one thing I like about it is, they actually have a good Italian wine selection to go with their Italian cuisine. Great, knowledgeable service. Good pacing of the meal. Great calamari appetizer, one of the finest creme brulees I've had. We each had veal preperations, both of which were average. One issue is the noise level, they put a lot of tables in a small room. read more

Cody...thank you. Your service was on point. We are so grateful for a wonderful dinner with professional courtesy, and personal kindness. As for Nancy, the kindness and extended courtesy shown after my vehicle was hit in the parking lot, I am so thankful for your support. Thank you Scarpa's staff for showing up, and going the extra mile. read more

Walked in on a Friday at 5pm when it just opened. I was surprised when encouraged to make reservations. When we walked in the place was pretty empty but by the time we ate it was filled. From the outside this place looks like it doesn't have much to offer. Don't judge the restaurant by its cover huh? This cozy place has a small wine cellar, they make their own pasta and ingredients tasted fresh. Will definitely return. read more

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This place will always always hold a special piece of my heart. This is where my husband took me on our first date. He was a chef here at the time and he had the most amazing things to say about the owners. it was the best job he's ever had that it was the one job that he looked forward to going to every single day with a smile on his face. The start of the date was walking in the restaurant and seeing the romantic candlelit tables the dimly lit but beautiful dining area filled with happy customers enjoying their meals. We were set at a table and the server at the time had everything down to a perfect timing. It's like she knew when to approach the table and went to leave you alone. Our drinks were never empty and they check in often, but not too often if you know what I mean. The food is to die for, taste execution everything the seafood was cooked perfection the pasta was impeccable. This is the perfect restaurant to go for any reason. It will be a happy memory forever. read more

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Amazing food & service. Can't wait to go back. Be sure to make a reservation. Great steak and shrimp appetizer.

Did not care for this restaurant at all. Over rated and the service was not the best. Prices did not match the food quality. Only thing that was good was the appetizer and wine. read more

The food here was excellent and a great value. The service was very good and it was an enjoyable family birthday dinner celebration.

My husband and i went to scarpas one day and were turned away because we didnt have a reservation and they were already full. I thought they must be really good if they are by reservation only. 6 months later i finally said lets order scarpas for pick up. Tonight was the night. I paid 182.00 for 6 meals. I must say im confused about all of the positive reviews and wonder about them because the food was definitely not upscale in taste. The spaghetti had so little sauce on it that it was extremely dry and it tasted like it had nothing but a jar of marinara on it. The Alfredo had good flavor but was so friggin salty that we could'nt eat it. The lasagna with sausage was ok. The shrimp alfredo same just too much salt. I waited all those months thinking about this place because i love authentic italian food but this really was'nt it. read more

Dined 6pm Friday, 10/20/2023. There's plenty of parking, a bit quieter tonight but busy. We had the special baked Brie w/ blackberry compote. It's a nice taste with the fruit. I like the regular Brie appetizer better. We also had burrata caprese, the heirloom tomatoes & balsamic reduction make an outstanding combination. I had a veal chop w/ puttanesca sauce, duchess potatoes & roasted asparagus. The chop was tender, perfectly cooked. The puttanesca sauce works really well here. Sides were nice. Service is always superb here, as good or better than any place in Lakeland. Pace of service is relaxed and appropriate for enjoying a night out. Ambience is nice, gray walls, white trim, dark wood., Some may think it's a bit tight between the tables. There's room for a walker or wheelchair. Lights are low, oil candles on each table. read more

Scarpa's Italian - Me, on my birthday, in Scarpa's front dining room - Italian Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

This place is kind of expensive but it's also extremely good, My waitress Nancy was spot on. Every single item food item we were served was outstanding. I had the Tuscan chicken it's to die for....my dinner partner had the veal cannelloni it also was very good. This place has a very romantic atmosphere, a very cozy place. read more

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This is a very small place in an inconspicuous strip. Very good food, service and ambiance. Make a reservation, they don't have a lot of room. read more

The food was excellent if you like Italian food and very impressed with the service they gave us! Nice upscale restaurant in Lakeland florida! read more

Tremendous service. Anything one orders here will be a treat. Pastas are always perfectly prepared and al dente. Wine list is improving. Probably the best Italian restaurant in Lakeland. read more

This place was so good I want to keep it a secret as they do not advertise. It is word of mouth only. As we were told about by some friends I can say this is some of the best Italian food I have eaten without being in Italy. The waiter was very attentive to all of our requests and made us feel like family. The place is small and quaint and great for a romantic dinner with your better half. read more

The food,service and ambiance is amazing. I'm definitely coming back the pasta was amazing and I totally recommend the fettuccini Alfredo and chicken parmesan. The Caesar salad and bread were also delicious! read more

Delicious food. Great atmosphere! Not too fancy but handmade and delicious. Lots of wines to enjoy too read more

Scarpa's Italian - Italian Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

This is a 5 star restaurant very elegant, food is always on point! You can't go wrong when coming here, I've never had a bad meal. That truly say's so much coming from me, I'm very picky lol I want to thank Scarpa's for always making me happy!! read more

We discovered Scarpa's through our friends who live in Lakeland. We met there for a birthday dinner. The place is very quaint and unassuming, but the food was high quality and delicious. We started with the calamari and bruschetta. Although, I didn't try the bruschetta my wife said it was good. The calamari was excellent - tender and of the large variety. I ordered the Black Grouper with the lemon sauce. It was flakey and cooked just right. I got a double order of the vegetables since I wanted to go light on the gluten, but everyone else got a spagatini casserole with their meals (which was quite a hit). My wife, and our friends ordered dessert. Although it took a bit longer than we would have liked, the cannoli was very fresh and tasty. The wine selection was diverse. We found a very nice Shiraz. The atmosphere was perfect for conversation (not too loud). A simple decor and very comfortable. We would definitely come back. A very enjoyable evening. read more

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First time dinning here. Me and wife really enjoyed the experience. Amazing food and even better service! Will be returning. Well worth the drive to eat here. Ravioli was melt in your mouth and the flan was creamy and delicious! read more

Food was good and the place is very cozy and close quarters. They do not have a full bar but have wine and beer.

Wow, this is a must stop restaurant in lakeland for anyone in the area. Our server, Sam/Samantha was patient and helpful throughout the entire evening with our large party of eleven. I could go on and on about how easy she made everything on us. She separated the itemized receipt for each individual person based on their food and drinks in order or seat number. Since the restaurant doesn't do separate checks, this was an extremely considerate measure making it much easier on us. The ambiance was calming, relaxing, and had a real renaissance feel to it with the classy open wine closet view in the front of the restaurant. The food was bursting with flavor. I think it would be a sin to go to a classy italian restaurant like Scarpa's and not order the house made (in-house) pasta. I got the fettucine alfredo which met the mark with a soothing creamy sauce, contrasted with a crispy proscuitto de parma. Several other people at the table ordered the seafood fettucine, the lasagna among other items. Everything looked fantastic. The extensive wine menu was stocked full of great options. I got the house pinot noir for $8.50 a glass. Not a bad deal. If we had room for dessert I definitely would have tried it because they looked decadent. This is not a restaurant to rush into for a meal. The servers take their time. The food isn't rushed onto the table and down your throat. I love when a restaurant can make you feel like you have the whole night to enjoy a meal. If you're looking for something like that this place is the spot for you to try. read more

Got to visit this place last night and I have to say it was superb. Being a native Jersey girl, I can say I am very seasoned in Italian cuisine, with that being said the food here is as authentic as it can get. We had a very traditional dish, chicken parmagiane and the grouper scampi, both to DIE FOR! We also had the baked Brie as an appetizer *chefs kiss* and the crème brûlée for dessert was amongst the best I've ever had. Our server "bearded Cody" was excellent. He was knowledgeable, personable and made great recommendations. The restaurant was everything you could hope for on a romantic date, it felt intimate, with ambient lighting, there was candle light at the tables, and the walls were decorated but not too busy. Also the music selection was phenomenal. I noticed what appeared to be the manager helping to clear tables, you love to see it, when leadership steps in and helps. The entire vibe of the place feels like it's been carefully cultivated with all of the choices they've made. Will definitely be visiting this place again in the very near future. read more

To be honest, if we had to give Scarpa's Italian a maximum number of stars, we'd give it 100. This was our first, but sure to not be our last dining experience at Scarpa's. And I was skeptical as we live in Tampa, where we have a lot of great Italian dining options. Is it really worth the drive. YES, YES, YES and then some. You arrive at an old small strip plaza, which is nothing to ooh and ahh over. But there are people waiting outside and everyone appeared to have a reservation. We too had a reservation, but it took about 20 minutes to be seated and I'd honestly wait longer for the dining experience we had. The restaurant inside is intimate and attractive with white table clothes, a real candle, etc. We were greeted by our Server (Joy and she really is a Joy - Pun Intended), who took our drink order and promised to be right back with hot bread, which was accompanied by a very well seasoned olive oil and I asked for butter. The bread was piping hot, soft and chewy. We decided to start off the evening with the Black PEI Muscles in a Creamy White Wine Garlic Sauce. The muscles were cooked perfectly, but that sauce, OMG, that sauce is simply amazing. Trust me, if you order the muscles, you'll need more bread as sopping up the sauce with the bread could be a meal all by itself. I almost asked for a spoon to finish off the sauce as a soup. It's that good. For entrees, my partner ordered the Pasta Primavera, with perfectly cooked vegetables, and the pasta a tube type (ALL of their pastas are made in-house), which was perfectly al dente blended in extra virgin olive oil, shallots and capers and was sublime. My entre was the Seafood Fettuccini, which is a medley of crab, shrimp, scallop and lobster, with perfectly cooked pasta. I asked for the Diablo sauce (a more spicy sauce than a standard Marinara). But you can also order this dish in Alfredo or Olive Oil with Garlic sauces. The Diablo sauce is very spicy, which I like. If you don't like very spicy sauces, order one of the other optional sauces, but the dish was simply fantastic as well. For dessert, none are listed on the menu, but they have some traditional options, such as tiramisu, cannoli, and a cake, but their specialty house dessert is the one we tried. I don't recall all the ingredients, but it was covered in raspberries, over a layer of mascarpone over a crust of walnuts and other goodies, which I can only say was delightful. We also enjoyed a Cappuccino to top it all off. If I haven't made it clear, Scarpa's Italian is beyond special and worth driving to from anywhere in the Tampa, area. It may have been our first time to dine there, but I can assure you it won't be our last. No it won't. read more

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