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An array of classic Italian pastas, pizzas, & desserts in an easygoing, family-friendly setting.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 10277 Big Bend Rd, Riverview, FL 33578
Phone: (813) 374-9917
Website: http://www.caffeitaliapizza.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: shift4payments.com
Order: Order online
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Reviews
Mary Minier
New place/owners but not new enough to not review. For an “authentic” Italian restaurant it lacks any kind of ambience. Once we ordered Mela provided the table with crusty bread, oil and california blend cooked veggies. Maybe the veggies are an Italian thing. We ordered 4 Rice Arancinis @ $9.95 each. They were good, but not that good and the accompanying tomato sauce was very bland. My Chicken Scaloppina was good and came with a small side salad. The Chicken Parm lacked flavor and didn’t come with any pasta – extra$. Meatballs were good, but once again the tomato sauce was bland. The Sausage and Broccoli Ravioli was good, but again no side. And did I mention the packets of parmesan cheese? Not fresh. Are we still in Covid?
… moreRuth Fletcher
Wow!! New owners and the space has been refreshed!
Absolutely incredible dining experience! From the moment you walk in, you can tell this place takes pride in authentic Italian cuisine. The homemade pasta is next-level — perfectly cooked, rich, and full of flavor in every bite. You can truly taste the difference when pasta is made fresh.
The bruschetta is a must-try — fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced with just the right crunch. And the lasagna? Hands down one of the best I’ve ever had. Layers of perfectly seasoned meat, creamy ricotta, and robust sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering all day.
If you’re looking for real, authentic Italian food made with care and quality ingredients, this is the place. I’ll absolutely be back!
… moreAbsolutely incredible dining experience! From the moment you walk in, you can tell this place takes pride in authentic Italian cuisine. The homemade pasta is next-level — perfectly cooked, rich, and full of flavor in every bite. You can truly taste the difference when pasta is made fresh.
The bruschetta is a must-try — fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced with just the right crunch. And the lasagna? Hands down one of the best I’ve ever had. Layers of perfectly seasoned meat, creamy ricotta, and robust sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering all day.
If you’re looking for real, authentic Italian food made with care and quality ingredients, this is the place. I’ll absolutely be back!
Jamison S
Ordered mussels as an appetizer which were excellent. One of us got chicken parm which was very good and a spaghetti carbonara which was ok. The cannoli isn’t pictured because we at it too fast and it was the best!
… moreLightning Therapy, LLC
We recently visited the newly reopened Café Italia in the Riverview community, now owned and operated by Ricky and Mela, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience. While the original Café Italia under Franco was always a favorite, this new chapter feels fresh and just as welcoming. The space is clean, bright, and inviting, setting the perfect atmosphere for a cozy meal.
Mela served us during our visit, and she could not have been sweeter. Her warmth and hospitality made us feel right at home. Ricky, originally from Turin, and Mela, from Naples, bring true Italian authenticity to their menu, and it shows in the flavor and quality of the food. We enjoyed a gluten-free Margherita pizza and the chicken scallopini with white wine sauce, both of which were absolutely delicious.
At the moment, they do not have their wine license finalized, though wine is listed on the menu. We were able to bring our own bottle with no corkage fee, which was a thoughtful touch. In the future, BYOB will have a $20 fee, which still makes for a great option. I also appreciated that they offer a gluten-sensitive menu, making it an easy choice for anyone with dietary needs.
One note for returning guests: if you are expecting the old Café Italia’s larger American-style portions, you may be disappointed. The new Café Italia serves true European portion sizes, which are more appropriate for dietary and nutritional needs. If you arrive hungry, plan to order a meal per person. This wasn’t an issue for my husband and me, but it’s good to know in advance.
Overall, the new Café Italia is a delightful addition back into the Riverview community, and we are excited to return. Ricky and Mela are doing a fantastic job, and this is a place worth supporting!
… moreMela served us during our visit, and she could not have been sweeter. Her warmth and hospitality made us feel right at home. Ricky, originally from Turin, and Mela, from Naples, bring true Italian authenticity to their menu, and it shows in the flavor and quality of the food. We enjoyed a gluten-free Margherita pizza and the chicken scallopini with white wine sauce, both of which were absolutely delicious.
At the moment, they do not have their wine license finalized, though wine is listed on the menu. We were able to bring our own bottle with no corkage fee, which was a thoughtful touch. In the future, BYOB will have a $20 fee, which still makes for a great option. I also appreciated that they offer a gluten-sensitive menu, making it an easy choice for anyone with dietary needs.
One note for returning guests: if you are expecting the old Café Italia’s larger American-style portions, you may be disappointed. The new Café Italia serves true European portion sizes, which are more appropriate for dietary and nutritional needs. If you arrive hungry, plan to order a meal per person. This wasn’t an issue for my husband and me, but it’s good to know in advance.
Overall, the new Café Italia is a delightful addition back into the Riverview community, and we are excited to return. Ricky and Mela are doing a fantastic job, and this is a place worth supporting!
Philip Anthony
Went to Melas tonight for the 1st time. Ordered the Bolognese to go. Excellent food! Dinner came with bread on the side. I believe it’s home made pasta or it’s a higher end import. People are very friendly and new to our Country coming here from Italy.
I’d recommend this place if you like Italian food. I’ll be back again to try something else!
Thank you
… moreI’d recommend this place if you like Italian food. I’ll be back again to try something else!
Thank you
Martha Beahn
This is a brand new restaurant .They took over the spot from other Cafe Italia . The owners are right from Italy it was a soft opening Very basic nothing fancy which I love anyways No Alcohol yet BYOB Grand Opening is in Late August early September.the food was delicious.The flavors were amazing. It was very different Not Italian American! Fresh sauce simmered for hours The flavor just WOW ! fresh veggies, limited menu . So worth trying just for the taste ! Chicken Parm not smothered in cheese , Chicken in wine sauce , antipasto. Yummy
… moreMaria Vallejo
I’m so impressed with the New Caffè Italia! From the moment you walk in, you can feel the warm Italian atmosphere. What makes it truly special is that so many of the ingredients are imported directly from Italy !!! You can taste the authenticity in every bite. The flavors are rich, fresh, and exactly what you’d expect from a true Italian café.
Whether it’s the coffee, pastries, or savory dishes, everything feels like a little trip to Italy without leaving town. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates genuine Italian cuisine and quality!
Thank you Ricky and Mela for the amazing experience we had yesterday! We truly appreciate you both and pray for many blessings!
… moreWhether it’s the coffee, pastries, or savory dishes, everything feels like a little trip to Italy without leaving town. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates genuine Italian cuisine and quality!
Thank you Ricky and Mela for the amazing experience we had yesterday! We truly appreciate you both and pray for many blessings!
Lindsey Mulrooney
Went here last weekend, and the food was absolutely delicious. The lasagna, sausage and mushroom special, and gelato were stand outs, though every dish was amazing. One owner was our server and the other was the chef. Both were very friendly and made time to chat with us later in the evening. We were tempted to go back the very next day just for more lasagna and gelato! Lovely people, polite service, and truly incredible food. It’s worth noting this seems to be a new restaurant, not the re-opening of the previous establishment in the spot, and the portions are smaller than most chain Italian restaurants. It’s a newer, small business with good food and good people – I really hope to see it succeed!
… moreMike H
Talk about disappointing!
I loved the old Caffe Italia, the food was incredible and the portions were massive. I was excited to see what they were going to do after the renovation. I just recently had the chance to eat at the new place; it was a huge let down.
They revamped the entire menu from the old place, save a few staple items for an Italian restaurant (fettuccini alfredo, lasagna, etc), and removed all of the great items from their menu. I quietly wept because I knew right then they went with style over substance.
I had the lasagna, which was a generous portion, but nothing to write home about. My wife had the chicken parmesan, and was surprised to find out the pasta and tomato sauce is an upcharge. Again, the appearance of upscale, without the product to support. We finished our meals and decided without the items that set them apart, it’s Olive Garden with a higher price tag.
Bottom Line: New Caffe Italia is a pale comparison to the original. The food lacks any real discriminators from other restaurants, charges a premium for things that are normally included in a meal, and removed almost all of the great items from the old menu.
… moreI loved the old Caffe Italia, the food was incredible and the portions were massive. I was excited to see what they were going to do after the renovation. I just recently had the chance to eat at the new place; it was a huge let down.
They revamped the entire menu from the old place, save a few staple items for an Italian restaurant (fettuccini alfredo, lasagna, etc), and removed all of the great items from their menu. I quietly wept because I knew right then they went with style over substance.
I had the lasagna, which was a generous portion, but nothing to write home about. My wife had the chicken parmesan, and was surprised to find out the pasta and tomato sauce is an upcharge. Again, the appearance of upscale, without the product to support. We finished our meals and decided without the items that set them apart, it’s Olive Garden with a higher price tag.
Bottom Line: New Caffe Italia is a pale comparison to the original. The food lacks any real discriminators from other restaurants, charges a premium for things that are normally included in a meal, and removed almost all of the great items from the old menu.
Ashly Feliciano
I made a 7:00 PM Valentine’s Day reservation two days in advance for four people and arrived on time with my husband and two small children. The restaurant was extremely hot and overcrowded, and after checking in we were left standing at the entrance for several minutes with no clear communication about our table.
While we were waiting, a table was cleared right next to us, but it was given to a group who appeared to be friends of the owner who had just walked in. At that point we chose to leave and were immediately seated and welcomed at the restaurant next door.
Reservations should be honored, especially on a busy holiday. Unfortunately, this experience ensured we won’t be returning or recommending this place.
… moreWhile we were waiting, a table was cleared right next to us, but it was given to a group who appeared to be friends of the owner who had just walked in. At that point we chose to leave and were immediately seated and welcomed at the restaurant next door.
Reservations should be honored, especially on a busy holiday. Unfortunately, this experience ensured we won’t be returning or recommending this place.