Rocco’s Italian Kitchen is the premier Italian restaurant in Bradenton, bringing the bold, comforting flavors of the Northeast US coast to Florida. Conveniently serving South Bradenton, Bayshore Gardens, and Sarasota, we specialize in family-friendly Italian cuisine in Bradenton that feels like home. Unlike standard chains, we pride ourselves on Northeast-style comfort—meaning massive portions of Chicken Parmigiana, savory Shrimp Scampi, and bubbling, scratch-made Lasagna. Pair your meal with a drink from our full bar or let us host your next celebration. Book your table today or order online to taste the difference!
Tee O
We had an overall positive experience eating at Rocco’s. We previously enjoyed the food and experience when they were at their old location near downtown Bradenton. Rocco’s is nearly the same at this location, with new ownership, I believe. With that said, the general menu, prices and portion sizes all remain the same. First, the good: The general atmosphere/experience was excellent, as we were greeted as soon as we walked in. The service was great throughout the meal too, although it did seem our waitress was new. The owner, Cathy, also visited several times to ensure we were having an enjoyable meal. Additionally, the portion size of the family-style pasta was just as large and generous as we remembered. We ordered a gluten-free pasta à la vodka with chicken. It was delicious and of course, we had plenty of leftovers. The house salad that comes with the pasta was excellent. There was also live music, and that was a nice touch and added bonus to our dinner experience. Finally, they also have daily happy hours and specials. Now, the bad: our waitress wasn’t familiar enough to answer a lot of our questions, especially as it pertained to gluten-free options. Again, we believe she was new. However, we ordered the larger family style pasta and chicken, and ended up receiving a smaller portion. Cathy was quick to address this but of note though, the additional portion of GF pasta that we received was much different than the first batch. We questioned them about it, but they said it was just a different batch/brand this time. This seemed odd, as we would have expected that all of their GF pastas should be consistent each time. We also ordered a GF Hawaiian pizza, and while the toppings were generous, the size of the gluten-free pizzas was not accurate with what our waitress said. What came out was much smaller in size. The pizza was also overcooked and burnt on the bottom, making it difficult to eat. Overall, we were still content with our dinner, since the staff were so friendly and did the best they could. We will certainly look to be back to try this place again, and hopefully the kinks will all be worked out next time!
… morechristie “Christie” latone
This one took us by surprise! Googled Italian when we finally agreed to what we both wanted… so I’ve seen this place open up by my UPS where I do all my Amazon returns. The outside is very deceiving. You walk in and it is such a big beautiful restaurant! And the food, it were blown away. From the bread, to the meal, we were very happy with our experience. It was delicious and such a great experience. Our host Maddie was an exceptional server and made our experience that much more lovely. Will definitely be back again.
The Italain Eggrolls were so good!!
… moreKim Taqtaq
I ordered the chicken Milanese and it was disappointing. It was supposed to come with arugula but I got a bowl of iceberg instead. The chicken was dry, overcooked, and arrived cold. I had to add my own dressing just to make it taste like anything.
For the price this should be much better. I grew up around real Italian restaurants so I know what this dish should look and taste like. We also live right around the corner which makes this even more frustrating. Delivery was fast but the food did not match the menu or the cost. I will probably give it one more try but I am not expecting much.
… moreKeith Wishon
Can I give 100 stars? This is an amazing Italian restaurant, the atmosphere is second to none. Kathy is a gracious lady. Chris took care of me at the bar, excellent bartender. First class service, excellent food, very warm & friendly. The waitress’s are really beautiful as well. Excellent choice Kathy! I highly recommend Rocco’s. They are apart of the Skymile Dining program.
… moreChaleeta Mullins
We stopped in for dinner, was not impressed with the exterior but we were intrigued. The interior was lovely and our waitress was amazing! The food was above abd beyond our expectations!! The chef deserves a kiss!! Bravo!! Highly recommend!!!
… morePatty Lesch
Happy Valentine’s Day! Was there for lunch. They had live music which was lovely ❤️
Their pizza is delicious and the waitress was wonderful. Will definitely be back!
… moreMindy McElfresh
We have been going to Rocco’s Bradenton location from their opening until now (12/5/2025). We have sampled many items off of their menu and have not been disappointed. The food is always delicious and the servings are very generous. The staff and owner of this restaurant are outstanding. They make you feel welcome from the moment you enter their establishment until the time you leave. Cathy the owner is very warm and welcoming and this extends to all of her staff as well. Everyone goes out of their way to make sure your dining experience is first class so that you will want to go back again and again. We enjoy stopping in for drinks and appetizers and on those nights when you don’t want to cook or want to meet friends and family out this is a great place for dinner. Very relaxing and friendly place to go. We need to support our Bradenton small businesses so give Rocco’s Italian Kitchen your support you won’t be disappointed.
… moreA Parisey
A Taste of Italy in Bradenton – Perfect Night at Rocco’s Italian Kitchen
We discovered this gem last night and so glad that we did! we had a wonderful dinner and pleasantly surprised to enjoy a jazzy violin player adding to the ambiance.
From the moment we walked into Rocco’s Italian Kitchen, we were transported straight to the heart of Italy. The ambiance is warm, charming, and authentically Italian – rustic brick accents, soft lighting, and a romantic, cozy vibe that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.
We came with a large party of 18, which can often be a logistical nightmare at most restaurants, but the team at Rocco’s handled it flawlessly. From the warm greeting at the door to the seamless coordination of our orders, the service was impeccable. Every server was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the food and wine they were serving. Water glasses were never empty, plates were cleared promptly, and every request (and there were many!) was met with a smile.
To start, we enjoyed an amazing selection of appetizers – the calamari was crispy and tender, the bruschetta was piled high with fresh tomatoes and basil, and the italian eggrolls were packed with flavor. It was the perfect way to awaken the palate.
We had many pasta dishes, all wonderful. The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the tomahawk steak. Cooked to perfection – a beautiful crust on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. It was served with a rich garlic butter that elevated every bite. The steak was large enough to share and became the talk of the table. Everyone who had a bite was blown away.
We also indulged in a bottle of Amarone, a bold and elegant red wine that paired beautifully with the steak and many of the pasta dishes on the table. The wine list is well-curated, and the staff made excellent recommendations to complement our meal.
Desserts were just as impressive – from creamy tiramisu to rich cannoli, each bite was indulgent and satisfying. No detail was overlooked.
It’s not easy to find a restaurant that can perfectly blend authentic Italian cuisine, top-tier service, and a welcoming ambiance for a large group, but Rocco’s absolutely nailed it. Whether you’re on a romantic date or celebrating with a big group, this place is a must-visit in Bradenton. We will absolutely be back.
There is a small humidor there also to enjoy cigars after dinner outside on the patio. Bravo to Rocco’s and Cathy, great for the area and worth the trip.
Grazie, Rocco’s, for an unforgettable evening!
… moreChris Lawson
Absolutely disappointed will never eat there again not about the food, but we ordered online. Whoever delivered was definitely representing Rocco’s ordered salad with grilled chicken. Only got the grilled chicken because I guess that meal was off the menu they charged us. The same amount did not tell us when we tried to call the restaurant. They told us it wasn’t them when we called back again asked to speak to the manager. We were told they were busy. They will give us a call back. Spent 50 minutes on the phone with different people trying to get a resolution and it never happened Spreading the word that this is not a place to order online and actually because Rocco‘s refused to do good by their customers, I will not order from them again
… moreMichele Wemett
We had the pleasure of dining at Rocco’s Italian Kitchen on 3/14/25. For dinner we had the Meatball Bowl and the Fried Calamari. MORE PLEASE !! Absolutely delicious. Zack was our server and he was pleasant, friendly, professional and respectful. He was the very best server. Thank you.
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