Dolce Italia
6551 Gateway Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34231
Dolce Italia Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Sarasota for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
6551 Gateway Ave
Sarasota, FL, 34231 - Phone (941) 921-7007
- Website https://www.dolceitaliarestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
fp c.
After a long day of sightseeing, I went to Yelp to find someplace interesting to get drinks and dinner. First two places: one had no drinks, one was too smokey. We saw the sign for Dolce Italia and I grimaced, saying I don't like Italian restaurant food. but we kept seeing people walking in, & it was getting late. A smaller place, we got the last table about 8:30 (reservations are suggested). The owners were assisted by a visiting relative - I worried service might be slow. NOT. I would say that the service was much better than most of the larger restaurants we go for. This is possible because of the reasonably sized menu and wine list, and a few specials that will be offered if the owners find something of quality available, such as swordfish or clams. We started with eggplant parmigiana. If you want fried, salty stuff, do not come here. This was the lightest, freshest eggplant and tomato I've ever had. I had the 'special' linguini with clams. or was it clams with linguini? A generous portion of both. While I struggled toward the end, I was not letting anything go to waste. My partner thoroughly enjoyed his fettucine. Everything was fresh and light. Even the chianti was perfect. And the price was very reasonable. My price range includes wine. As things wound down with a beautifully presented cappucino, we spoke to people at other tables who seem to come all the time. A pair of ladies had come in for their favorite dessert, a cake that Tiziana (the owner/cook) does not make every day. They started sharing a piece, and then asked for a second. They were saying how wonderful it was and we should get some but I was saying I was too full. Imagine our surprise when the owners came out and gave us a piece, saying we really must try it. Incredible! We and the ladies closed the restaurant, sitting and chatting with the owners. As has been said, this is simple, real, Italian food. The couple is from Ischia, an island near Naples. If you are familiar with Southern Italy, you know what you are coming for. It is like being invited into their home.
(5)Ken T.
Dolce Italia is an absolutely fabulous Italian restaurant. I went here with my parents while vacationing in Sarasota, and we were pleasantly surprised. The restaurant is situated on a strip mall and at first glance it can seem less-than-impressive. The atmosphere is casual, the owners courteous, and the food is incredible. My father and I both had penne alla bolognese. My mother had a seafood linguine special. One of my greatest pet peeves is overcooked pasta, and everyone's pasta at the table was al dente -- perfect. The sauces were also delicious. I don't have any complaints whatsoever about this place and, if you are ever in the area, I highly recommend that you come give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
(5)J F.
Excellent little joint. The owners are extremely nice and the food is like grandma's cooking. Generous portions. Great flavor. Awesome service. Home-made bread & pasta. Solid meal. Eat your peas!
(5)nick s.
This is legitimate homemade pasta/ Italian food. To start we had the pizza appetizer. I know that pizza is all about the quality dough and this was some of the best I've ever had. for main course we had tremme dolce italia.. This was my favorite. We also had the gnocci and it was awesome as well. 5 stars for this place simply because of ridiculous quality.
(5)Douglas W.
I loved this place. The food was good, simple Italian food. The bolognese (actually just regular meat sauce), manicotti, meatballs, and chicken picatta with a side of penne marinara were all good simple fare. Nothing was weighed down with a lot excessive seasoning with herbs or overly strong flavors. Not too much garlic like a lot of Italian-American restaurants, which makes sense since they told us they only left Italy four years ago. The only workers the night we went were the couple who owned the place and a friend, and that was for the kitchen AND the dining room! The service was really a stand out. They added a personal touch, without being overbearing or phony. The prices were also very reasonable. Overall good food with lovely service and not a tourist trap which was refreshing.
(4)Amanda J.
Dolce Italia is a gem of a restaurant! Small, casual and quaint, with a big heart. The owners, Tiziana and Pippo, made us feel like we were family. The food was spectacular - truly spectacular. Maybe the best meal we've ever had. I encourage you to make reservations - you don't want to miss this place! The night started out as a pleasant surprise with a table and warm welcome right at closing time. We started with a delicious Antipasto and wine recommended to us by the owners - a red from Southern Italy, close to their home in Ischia. With encouragement from Pippo, we selected our entrees from the Specials board. I had an amazing pasta dish with mushrooms and sausage, topped with cheese. My boyfriend had linguine with an array of seafood, including clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp and grouper. The food was cooked to perfection and packed with flavor. We were too full for desert, but 'worked off' some of our meal through good conversation with Tiziana and Pippo, and a sip of a liquor called Rucolino. Luckily we are locals so we will have the privilege of visiting again and again - which we will surely do. Thank you Tiziana and Pippo!
(5)Melinda M.
Amazing!! On a rainy Monday night we took a chance on a new (to us) restaurant. After two days of Tropical Storm Debby this was a welcome and pleasant surprise for our Texas friends!! Staff was engaging and the flavors unsurpassed!! Thank you!! So glad to have found this gem. We will be back!!
(5)Patrick G.
Finally a great italian restaurant in Sarasota. This is the real deal. As close to the italian experience as you will get. The food is authentic and the atmosphere reminds me of the types of places we dined on our recent visit to Italy. I found the sauce to be extraordinary and the pasta was done perfectly. I cannot wait to visit Sarasota again soon and you can be assured that I will visit Dolce Italia more than once on my next trip.
(5)Paul S.
Outstanding and as authentic as a trattoria in Naples. The owners are warm and hospitable. The sauces never saw New Jersey. This is ral Italin food. Bellisimo.
(5)Vanessa K.
This place is an annual stop on our vacation. And its not that heavy American Italian that seems to permeate everywhere. It was quite light and delicious. It's a true mom and pop, and they put lots of love and care into every dish. They recently relocated and the new place looks amazing, like it was plucked up from the old world. And the even bothered to hang acoustical tile to help keep the noise levels in check. If you're looking for a special place to have a romantic meal, this is it.
(5)Cor-and-Steve C.
These may have been the best Italian meals we have ever had, but don't tell our grandmothers. The restaurant is charming--and the service and attention were top-notch. The chef came out to meet us, and we enjoyed hearing about her father's artwork prominently centered in the restaurant. We had the carbonara and the chicken bianco. The chicken was so tender and tasty, and the pasta carbonara (which we ordered with the house special homemade noodles) was so fresh and delicious. The staff gladly accommodated my food allergies, and I could tell the meals were prepared fresh for us. A++++ The lovely people at Dolce Italia are worth a visit. Call for reservations.
(5)Jake W.
They're working an old school, homemade Italian schtick that doesn't hold up at all if you've ever had a home-cooked Italian meal from someone that knows about cooking. First off, bread and olive oil. The bread was obviously from a nearby store. Not one of the many good ethnic bakeries within walking distance of this restaurant either, and for that matter the bread wasn't as good as the bread from the Publix 100 feet away. It was thin, flavorless, and dry, uniform slices from a mixed wheat loaf that likely has a dozen unpronounceable ingredients. The bread made me wary of the oil, I tried it anyway and couldn't any olive scent or flavor. I ordered one of several daily specials, pappardelle with wild boar. I ordered this before the bread came, had I seen what they would do with the bread I would've known not to order something that I actually cared about. The pappardelle was overcooked, oily, see-through in places. The tomato sauce didn't stand up at all, it was watery, bland, nearly clear. Everything on the table had to be used in order to rescue this meal, I grabbed the salt, pepper, cheese, red pepper flakes, even the vinegar, and after a few minutes I had a sauce that I could make do with. It cost $27. The waiter blathered on about the specials for a full ten minutes, reciting exactly what was on the board in front of us like a bad teacher that reads from a Powerpoint presentation and calls that a lecture. He ended every item by telling is that it was "a nice portion". I can't forget the sound of him mumbling "a nice portion" over and over - it was so grating. The entire waitstaff comes out and stands near your table, smiling awkwardly in silence, every time a table is seated. Also, as another reviewer pointed out, they don't carry most of the appetizers you would expect when eating Italian: calamari, bruschetta, and the like. Go to Solorzano's just down the street, it's a different galaxy in terms of quality.
(1)Dale C.
This was such a fabulous surprise while vacationing with my two best girlfriends in siesta key. We decided to go off island for an authentic italian dinner. Well we found it. This was such a great find for us. Being that both friends are full italian from Boston, they were more than impressed. Staff was great, food was awesome will go back every time I vacation here!!
(5)Alex N.
Definitely a hidden gem. Small room but big forward flavor. Went for my birthday with my wife, extremely nice staff. The food, fantastic, we were not too hungry after a day in the sun, split a Burrata, freshest one I've ever had and them a pasta speech, Tremne pasta, fresh homemade pasta in a light but robust sauce, great ricotta Cheesecake and molten chocolate cake, double espresso with a shot of zambuca. We'll be back.
(5)Buda D.
We had Caesar salad which was awesome and flavorful. The specialty entrees I think differs each night. But everything was great from this small boutique restaurant. I would definitely recommend checking this place out.
(5)Angela R.
Love this place! Fabulous food in an intimate setting. The spaghetti carbonara was fabulous as was the veal pizzaiola. The staff was very friendly. It was an all around great dining experience and we can't wait to go back!
(5)leslie o.
Hands down the best Italian I have found in the area. Small and intimate setting. The service is outstanding and the Owner adds a personal touch at each table. Husband and wife combo that wins every time. I've been three times and it has been exceptional each time - made fresh. Steaming hot. Flavorful. We started with an appetizer special of sautéed eggplant and shared two entrees which included linguine in clam sauce and lamb shank risotto. Delicious They have a small but thoughtful wine list that covers all the great Italians. I'll keep coming back.
(5)Kathy B.
Best Italian food on Siesta Key! Authentic Italian, owners are from Italy. Great customer service. Will be back next time we are here!!
(5)Shannon M.
This place was fantastic! We got in purely by chance. Reservations are needed. I called and they (lucky for us) had a reservation cancel. We were there and seated in 15 minutes. We saw several unfortunate people turned away until later or another night so don't underestimate this place. It is a small place with about 9-12 tables. The service is phenomenal and the food is even better. We had Trenne dolce (tonights special) and chicken picatta. Both were amazing. Topped off with Gelato Nutella and Limoncello cake for desserts. OMG! Roll me out to the car! We are here on vacation but will recommend this place to anyone who visits the area and we will return on our next trip!
(5)Michelle G.
It was delicious. If you are in the area definitely give it a try. All fresh home made pasta. Great service and even better prices. Enough food to have leftovers tomorrow. Forgot to take pics.
(5)Tim W.
Best Italian Restaurant in Sarasota! Service was 5 stars, Food was 5 stars If you are looking for good authentic Italian food, try this restaurant. I ordered a Caesar Salad, the Trenne Dolce Italia, and the Tiramisu. The Trenne special was so good that my wife kept sneaking bites off my plate. My wife ordered one of the specials, can't remember the name, but I returned the favor. She also ordered the chocolate cake with ice cream. It was amazing! The owner/chef came out to make sure everything was excellent and we had a nice chat. I will be back in the next two months and I will probably order the exact same thing.
(5)Moira L.
My son goes to school in Sarasota so we are regular visitors to the area. For the past 2 years I've found the general quality of restaurants to be lackluster. Thanks to reviews online, we dined at Dolce Italia last night and my opinion of Sarasota dining has done a 180! What can I say? Tucked away just off Tamiami in a small strip mall, you wouldn't stop here unless you were looking for it. Thankfully we were AND we had reservations. 20 tables or so and the place was packed but out table for 3 was waiting for us when we arrived at 7:30. The owner personally explained the specials and the service was top notch. The food is made with th freshest ingredients and you feel like you've been transported to someone's home in Italy. The care taken in th food preparation is evident. We had the antipasto platter, seafood linguine and their signature pasta dish, and I tried them all. Throughout our meal we watched the owner greet his guests with hugs. Everyone was treated like family. This place is a real gem. Its on our must return to list for all future visits to Sarasota!!
(5)Rachel H.
Food made from scratch and live by Tiziana and excellent customer service by her husband, Filippo. Beautiful hospitality and delicious food! Skip the Italian food chains in the area and come eat at the real deal. So hard to find genuine, regional Italian food like they are making here. Our party had the eggplant and ricotta appetizer, the bakes green mussels, the porcini mushroom ravioli and the red snapper special. All was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. Homemade pistachio gelato and a light and exquisite limoncello cake rounded out the evening. The service was excellent. Matthew did a wonderful job with a fairly busy evening. We will definitely return on our next trip and also recommend to all.
(4)Patrick H.
Wonderful restaurant with and Amazing Staff!!! Try the linguine Seafood, best in town!
(5)Kay S.
Cute place with great service. Had the pasta linguine special and it was wonderful. I was shocked by the price, but after I tasted it, I was happy. The dish was fantastic. Had a salad, with unripe/ almost white tomatoes, but great dressing. I'll be back.
(4)Kristy G.
This is the best Italian food in Sarasota! The staff is great at what they do and very personable. Patrick is the best server I have ever had! I will for sure be asking for him next time I go there. Definitely worth going and checking it out. Make sure you make a reservation though!
(5)Jorge M.
Fantastic and ohhhhhh so fresh. Home style cooking from a Napolitano born chef. The sauce is the key. Fresh, chunky and homemade. The pasta was done right. The red snapperalla livornese was cooked with much love and affection. I Highly recommend it. Will back on our next trip. It was worth the wait. Bongiorno!
(4)Mas K.
"Your usual Mom & Pop Italian - NOT!" Want the best Italian food in Sarasota? A small restaurant run by husband & wife, Philippo & Tiziana is your ticket! Having moved to new quarters this fall, the only change has been the brighter and warmer space .... the excellent food, the friendly & quick service remain unchanged. Having experienced Dolce Italia last winter for the first time and subsequently going there many times, it was our first restaurant stop when we arrived for this winter's sojourn to Sarasota. We will be there lots this winter to enjoy Tiziana's exquisite cuisine and Philippo's warm and engaging personality. You can't go wrong - I guarantee it!
(5)Julie K.
Wonderful, quaint little authentic Italian restaurant. The risotto with clams and scallops was great. The chef/owner (Italian) came out several times to check on us and chat. The majority of the customers were Italian, which tells you the food is authentic. The desserts looked delicious and they had a great selection. They will be moving to a new location, so find them and give them a try. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Florida Girl At Last 1.
We went to Dolce Italia after reading all the great reviews. We've had some of the best Italian food in the world (Italy and New York) and we were very disappointed with the quality of food here. The restaurant is very loud. Our waiter was pleasant, but, we won't be back. Sarasota has too many other wonderful restaurants.
(2)Beth S.
Tiziana and Pippo have a new web site ( dolceitaliarestaurant.com ) and new location ( 6551 Gateway Ave ). Just one block away from the old store-front. Same great food; same gracious hospitality. Brighter decor. A few more tables (all full). Call for reservations or you are out of luck!
(5)R S.
They had 10 tables open in their dining room 5 tables seated and they turned us away staying you need a reservation. Highly unlikely it was 7pm on a Wednesday.
(1)Stephanie S.
This restaurant is hands down my favorite in Sarasota. My parents go here almost once a week as does my other family members who live down here - yes it's that good. Located in a little strip plaza it's a tiny little place with about 8ish tables. Make a reservation because it can get crowded on the weekends. It has a homey feel inside and is casual. The best part of this place (besides the food) are the people who work here. The owners are an absolutely lovely couple from Italy and she does the cooking. They are so friendly and always talk to the customers and since we are regulars they always come over and chat which I love. They are the nicest people. The server who is always working is a young guy who is hilarious and fun. It's such a friendly place to dine at and totally not pretentious like some places can be. You really feel at home. Now to the food! There are several specials every night and I have to say I always get a special, although the menu items look good too! They have several pasta items and all the pastas are from scratch hand made, no box junk here! My mother swears by the pasta special with the seafood and I always get the triangle noodle special with the buffalo mozzarella, mushrooms and tomatoes with a touch of cream. It's honestly the best pasta dish I've ever had! Other dining companions have gotten risotto, eggplant dishes etc and everything has been outstanding! There are also several appetizers and outstanding desserts and they also have beer and wine but no liquor. Prices are totally fair for the quality of the food, and are around $20 a plate. Ample portions as well. If you are looking for an outstanding Italian restaurant in Sarasota, look no further.
(5)Adam A.
Would be four star but my caesar was uninspired and far too mild for my taste. Red snapper with black olives, tomatoes and incredible red sauce, large filet perfectly prepared. My wife had the zucchini parm appetizer as her entree, smoked mozzarella, red sauce. Loved it. Home run. Out the door including tip with two glasses of Pino, two salads and two entrees for $100. We will be back. Charming warm great service and family run. What else could you ask in a small neighborhood Italian restaurant?
(3)Mark D.
This is an utterly amazing gem in the horse if Sarasota restaurants. The food is homemade, recipes authentic, food is hot and delicious and FIlipo and his wife are consummate hosts and owners. You are missing the boat if you don't come here.
(5)Joseph R.
We discovered this place over 1 year ago on Tripadvisor and it is our absolute favorite Italian restaurant!!! We live an hour and a half away from it and we even drove again to eat there. It has recently moved to a new location but my guess is that its the same Mom and Pop restaurant as it was before. The food is incredible and the chef even comes to your table to nake sure everything is to your liking. I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant!!!
(5)Karina L.
Definitely worth all 5 stars. This is a cute and cozy restaurant that has great ambience and makes you feel like you're in Italy...although I admit I have never been to Italy. It would probably be advisable to make a reservation since they usually have a few reservations and few tables. We didn't make one and didn't have to wait but we got the last table on a Thursday night. The service is very friendly. Several waiters stopped by to talk to us as we were new there and many of their guests are regulars. Food was excellent and authentic! I got the linguini with clams for 17.99 and my hubby got their homemade pasta that's 3 sided with fresh buffalo mozzarella and mushrooms for 20.99 which was also amazing but it is heavy. I would definitely visit again!
(5)Joseph P.
After reading all these great reviews, I'm wondering if I found the correct restaurant. When we arrived the waitstaff seemed confused that we were there for dinner. The owner scowled at us when he asked if we had reservations. Yes, we did, in fact. Their expression was "Reservations? What's a reservation? And dinner? You mean you want to eat dinner here? Ooh... um... sure we can give that a try." And although the place was nearly empty, they crammed us into the corner next to a couple at a small table. What the place is lacking for in ambiance, which is severe, they make up with ineptness. They repeatedly asked if we were waiting for another couple. Seriously - reservations for four, two empty seats at our table, and four employees asked if we were waiting for other people. Thorough. The ambiance is not hard to explain: imagine an old hospital cafeteria with garage-sale prints of Italy taped to the walls, dingy curtains, and worn carpet. This "fine" Italian restaurant is in a strip mall, next to a tattoo parlor and a twenty-five minute drive from downtown Sarasota. The menus are handmade, old, and littered with typos. The waiter was blunt, not welcoming, but did recommend a good wine. The choice of appetizers was stunning: no bruschetta? No caprese salad? No calamari? Ok, bring on the main course.... My date had chicken Marsala, which I sampled and agreed that it was bland. I had a pasta special that was cheese, pasta tubes, and tiny amount of Italian sausage. It was lukewarm, covered in way too much cheese, and really tasted like a microwave dinner. It wasn't awful, but there was nothing special about the dish and it's $24 price tag. I can't speak for our friends at dinner - they had chicken piccata and chicken Marsala. At the end of the meal the waiter asked if we'd like coffee or dessert. Two of us wanted coffee - American. He immediately told us it'd be awhile for the coffee as he'd have to make it. Okay, fresh coffee is good, but the sales pitch for us to leave was too much. I guess in a place this tiny they have to turn the tables over quickly to pay rent... though in this run-down strip mall I have to wonder how much rent could possibly be. The bottle of wine was $45 and the total bill for dinner was about $125, not including a tip. So overall, I highly recommend you look elsewhere for an Italian dinner. One of my local Sarasota favorites is Cafe Amici downtown on Main Street. I also enjoy Divino's at the east end of Main Street.
(2)Rachel M.
This place is PHENOMINAL! This really sweet Italian woman, who owns the place with her husband, cooks all of the food. I even think the bread is freshly baked. That is why it is such a small restaurant. It is spotless, and a really comfortable atmosphere. This is the best Italian food I've had since I lived in Italy years ago. Seriously, I am going to tell everyone I know to eat here. They are moving to a new location in October. I will give the new address when I find the card the owner gave me. Please do yourself a favor and eat here. This is what Italian food is supposed to taste like! :)
(5)Becky R.
Loved this tiny Italian place! I had the special (their specialty although I don't recall the name it had triangular shaped, penne-like pasta) and my partner had the chicken Marsala. I LOVED my pasta dish and the chicken Marsala was given rave reviews. Definitely would go back although be warned it only has a small seating area.
(5)Charlize R.
If I could give this restaurant 10 STARS I would! If you're looking for an "American" version of Italian food (ie. loaded with garlic) you're barking up the wrong tree. This is AUTHENTIC Italian food. Make reservations or you could be waiting a long time to get in. The restaurant is small. Our waiter was great and suggested that we select one of the specials for the night. Wonderful, delicious, beyond compare. One of the owner's came out and chatted with us. She was a delight as well. Treat yourself and visit Dolce Italia.
(5)Gloria B.
What an amazing little gem! Please note they are experiencing phone issues by you can make a reservation by calling 941-921-7000. We just had a fantastic romantic dinner highlighted by outstanding service! The husband and wife owners are so warm and welcoming you feel part of the family! We highly recommend the trenne dolce Italia that literally melts in your mouth! The seafood pasta was overflowing with seafood including mussels, clams, calamari and grouper- a taste of the sea! Truly 5 stars!!!
(5)Ann R.
Really outstanding authentic southern Italian cuisine. Everything made fresh, pasta that melts in your mouth and a sauce that should be bottled. Owners Tiziana, the chef , and Phillipo come out to greet customers and talk about the specials. They have your basic Italian pasta dishes like spaghetti and meatballs and lasagne in the $15-$20 range but every day they offer several specials ranging from $20-$27. Our bill with a glass of wine each was $90. Not inexpensive but well worth the price. Service was excellent. We had an eggplant with fresh mozzarella and sauce that was delicious as a starter . For the main courses we had a slow cooked pork sauce over a thick noodle and fresh tagliatelle with a langoustine, cherry tomatoes and zucchini with a light wine sauce. At first glance we thought we couldn't finish the large portion, but we couldn't stop till we were finished. It's a small place but will be moving around the corner next month. Not fancy but homey and warm made even more so by the lovely owners .
(5)Miri H.
Ok, so I'm partial to small, chef-owner establishments. You know, the kind of place where most patrons are regulars, where the menu is small but solid and the specials boards is ever changing. Where you personally meet the chef who prepared your food (with great talent and a lot of passion). And where by the end of your first visit, you feel like a family friend (and yes, you get a hug when you leave). Dolce Italia is such a place, and BOY OH BOY did we LOVE it! Chef Tiziana's food was top notch (we ordered pastas off the specials board) and the Tiramisu is to die for! Service by her husband Filippo was exceptional and highly entertaining to boot! One of our favorites spots in Sarasota for sure and we look forward to many return visits!
(5)Casey B.
I have been using yelp to find restaurants for a while now, but it took tonight's dinner at Dolce to inspire me to finally write a review. It was an amazing dining experience. As the other reviews have said it's a small mom and pop place. Pop greeted and sat us. Mom explained the specials and cooked us dinner. Great atmosphere. If I lived in Sarasota I would bring every date I had to this place. The food was superb. We both had specials and left stuffed. It's easy to tell just about everything possible is made in house and the homemade pasta is the best I've had. There is just something about eating at a place where the people working there consider it home and this is certainly the case at Dolce. It's real homemade Italian, what more do I need to say?
(5)Tami M.
This was the best tasting Italian food I believe I have ever had. The service was over the top good and the staff is friendly. The owners introduce themselves and the menu. Their heavy Italian accents add to the whole experience in a most positive way. We had a zucchini appetizer(the name escapes me) but it was delicious!! Our entrees were heavenly and the tiramisu ... Light and full of flavor!! We were vacationing in siesta key and will definitely eat here again next year.
(5)Steve G.
You know a restaurant is doing things right when you call them for reservations on a Monday night and they don't have a table available at the time you want. This is even more evident when you stop in for dinner and they actually ARE that busy. Three waiters, a chef and more waiting on just 8 tables. The dishes are all great, large servings, tasty fresh bread, sauces full of flavor. An after-dinner visit from the chef was very nice, too. I echo the sentiments of my fell Yelpers -- RECOMMENDED!
(4)Pete A.
My Italian grandmother cooked for us into her 90s, and Dolce Italia gives her a run for her money. They served some of the best authentic Italian cuisine I've ever had. Chef Tiziana and her family could not have been been more gracious. Appetizers entrees and deserts all equally fresh and fantastic. Be sure to visit Dolce Italia!
(5)Elyse E.
Not only my favorite restaurant in Sarasota but my favorite Italian I've had outside of Italy. So incredibly authentic.
(5)Vivie M.
What a totally wonderful evening at Dolce! Great food, to say the least! Hot, fresh, HOME MADE with TLC! This is a gem in a strip mall. Gulf Gate has a great variety of ethnic restaurants, and this is the BEST of the Italians, for sure! BEST Limoncello cake I have ever tasted, and the Tiremisu was light as a feather....a feat! Very much looking forward to returning there....Ciao'!
(5)Annie C.
Very good, and authentic! The staff was pleasant- dry sense of humor from our waiter. Great wine suggestion. Atmosphere was quaint and small. A recommendation for the restaurant would be to add a vegetarian option (or two!) also to add more vegetables / salad options. Overall, try it out- for an Italian restaurant very well done.
(5)Ellen H.
What a great hidden gem in Sarasota! We were looking for good places to grab dinner while on vacation and Dolce Italia had great reviews. It's as advertised -- a small, home-y, authentic Italian cubbyhole with great service and generous plates. The waiter, the owner, and his wife were all very polite and knowledgeable with wine pairings and recommendations. I asked for a pink sauce (alfredo + red sauce), but it was a no go. Not a problem, as I'm pretty sure pink sauce is an American thing, and not an authentic Italian dish. Instead I was recommended the meat sauce, which was good (a little acidic, but good). The prices were great, the plates were huge, and the service was above par. I would recommend it for a date!
(4)AnnMarie S.
Excellent, authentic Italian food. Portions were a good size and delivered to the table hot. Service was wonderful and attentive and the ambiance is warm and inviting. Owners on premises and they come by the table to make sure everything is ok. Off the main road, so happy we gave them a try!!! Will definitely be back!
(5)Joyce C.
Quick update, the restaurant has moved to a new location. The new space is lovely with a few more tables and new wait staff that couldn't be better. The food is as wonderful as ever, again I had the pasta with seafood, and at my request no shellfish. Absolutely delicious made medium spicey. We had 4 great meals and finished with pistachio gelato and tiramisu that were shared. GREAT......
(5)Ron M.
Seriously one of the best Italian restaurants I've ever been to, including in Italy. The salads were good and served with pour-your-own oil and vinegar, Italian style. The pastas ... Wow. Home made, prepared well, perfect al dente-ness. So seriously good. The veal Gorgonzola with polenta was great too, but the pastas were the stand-outs. They have a good menu and a large list of specials. Desserts: the limoncello cake was awesome. My wife said she'd get married again just to have the cake. Still not clear she'd marry me ... but I digress a bit. We also had some vanilla gelato with Nutella that was fun! The staff was delightful, including the waiters and the husband-wife owners who came out to say 'hi.' If there's one criticism, it's that the location in a small shopping center next to the tattoo parlor is odd. But once you're inside, that hardly matters. And they are planning to move to another location, so that may be solved. Serious yum! We'll definitely be back on future visits to Sarasota.
(5)Stephanie O.
Best meal ever! Our server (Palma) was most gracious and accommodating. We took our two kids and they loved it also. If you want authentic, homemade Italian food, then this is the place for you!! Go with an open mind, the specials are amazing!
(5)Jim B.
My wife and I were having our 31st anniversary so with the help of Yelp, we found Dolce Italia. After we were seated we were greeted by a very loud server (the owner we found out) stating he would be the one giving us lousy service. We all chuckled as he said it but he lived up to his claim. He seldom checked on us and most of the time we had to call him over. They did have a bus boy that was very entertaining because it must have been his first night and he had never worked in a restaurant before. He had no clue what to do and the owner kept raising his voice to him to tell him what to do. Now I have a great sense of humor but service is service and that is what I expect in a fine restaurant as this. Now for the food. It was outstanding. For an appetizer we wanted to have a simple Caprese salad. Normally I expect in a good Italian restaurant a real reduced balsamic vinegar drizzled over my tomato, mozzarella and basil. After it arrive to our table there was no balsamic and we were handed a bottle to shake on it ourselves. My wife and I unfortunately wanted the same special of Renne Dolce Italia so we didn't get to sample other tasty treats. This was very very good and I would get it again with just a thinner noodle next time. At the end of our meal I would expect an offering of coffee and desert but he never offered. We had plenty of left overs for lunch the next day at least.
(3)Anjana T.
Trenne dolce Italia - special homemade triangular penne length pasta with tomato sauce cream and mushroom. It was the best vegetarian pasta I have ever eaten. My husband had spinach ricotta cheese ravioli with tomato sauce which was also pretty delicious. I liked mine better. This place looks like its family run. Small and cosy restaurant in a street of tiny strip mall. Make reservations in advance. Must place to eat if you like Italian. Worth the price.it is definitely a $$$ place. My plate was $20 . we would come back for sure!
(5)Leonard B.
If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would! Being an Italian from Chicago I've had my fair share of excellent Italian meals. And this one ranks right up there with the best. Small storefront restaurant run by an Italian family who are clearly passionate about what they do. By the time you leave you feel like one of the family. Warm bread and spinach salad to start. You do your own salad dressing on the table... Remember it's about 3 parts oil and one vinegar. Chicken cacciatore w pasta- melt in your mouth and flavorful chicken and fresh pasta cooked perfectly Lasagna- decadent and multi-dimensional, the bolgonese in the dish was delish. Not greasy at all which some lasagna can be. The triangle pasta- like other reviewers we thought this dish was unique and bursting with flavor, including the fresh mushrooms. The icing on the cake(haha) was the homemade tiramisu which blew us all away. Reservations are a must as there are only 8 tables and therefore only one to two seatings a night. They are moving soon to a slightly larger space which I'm sure will be equally as full!
(5)Otto A.
As mentioned in prior reviews: staff is welcoming; bread basket is poor, bland bread with pre packed butter...boost first impressions: serve better bread and some good olive oil! Asked for red win by the glass and waiter made nice suggestion and serving size was great. The pasta is self was great, both our entrees were smothered in sauces and cheese, way to much. Servers quickly asked if I wanted it prepared again, I just tipped the plate and filled the bread plate with the cheese.....yuk.
(3)Tracey J.
Truly a 5 star restaurant, both in food and service. The chef's offerings are outstanding.
(5)Thomas T.
The only bad thing about this restaurant is that I have to return to Sarasota to eat there. Food was fantastic. Cozy spot with very welcoming staff. A must when in town!
(4)Aaron S.
This place is good -- two issues: 1- Expectations were very high given the glowing prior reviews...and it didn't quite live up to them. The pasta is good, but I've certainly had better. The table bread is objectively poor. 2- It's not super cheap given the homestyle food (mostly pasta and sauce) The owners and waitstaff are very nice, and it's a pleasant ambiance
(4)Lisa B.
My hubby and I recently ate at Dolce Italia for our 32nd wedding anniversary. My hubby spent a lot of time searching for a great place to eat while we were vacationing on Florida's West Coast. The food and service were both fabulous! Well worth the search time. The owners work there and are very hands-on...very attentive to their dining guests. They helped to make our dinner celebration extra special and the food tastes truly authentic...delightful! Hope to return as soon as possible. Don't let the location and appearance of the building fool you...the food is too tasty to miss!
(5)Cheri D.
My favorite restaurant in Sarasota. The food is authentic and delicious. The Italian couple who owns this restaurant is very warm and will make you feel special from the moment you walk through the door. You will leave wanting more!
(5)Athan D.
We had a chance to visit this restaurant on a recent trip to Sarasota/Siesta Key. We actually searched on Yelp and found this charming place. We were not disappointed. On the negative side, Dolce is not a well-oiled machine. It was difficult to reach them for a reservation - I probably dialed 20 times before someone actually picked up the phone. Plus, the atmosphere needs some freshening and updating. Also, while our waiter was fine, he had a booming voice that was distracting. He announced himself and the specials to every table in this small space, so by the third or fourth time, I was a bit tired of hearing his spiel. But let's get to the important thing - the food. My daughter and wife ordered one of the the specials, tagliatelle with a beef bolognese that both loved. I tried it and agreed. My son ordered his favorite - chicken piccata - that was also delicious. I ordered another of the specials, linguine with seafood. I am pretty fussy...but this was the best plate of linguine I have ever sampled. Why? The seafood, consisting of chunks of fresh grouper, shrimp, clams and mussels, was incredibly tasty and PERFECTLY cooked and succulent. The best I've ever had in this dish. So when I actually made it down to the pasta, I was looking for a letdown. But no. The pasta was perfect as well, with a delicate, mildly spicy tomato sauce. Despite $25 for my dish, and about $22 for the tagliatelle- which are not hole-in-specials, we were all very happy. My wife and kids followed up their meals with a couple of desserts - a lemon tart thingy and some tiramisu. They enjoyed the dolce so much, they considered ordering seconds. The only negative on the food was the antipasto plate I ordered for an app. The salami and cheese were fine. Not much variety, but tasty. But why did they decide on black olives out of a can and roasted red peppers out of a jar?? At about $16 for this plate, I expected more. I could easily have done better. Try this place for beautifully prepared food. The chef, a very nice Italian lady, came to visit up as we were dining. She's delightful knows what she's doing in the kitchen!
(5)Niana R.
Yes, this place IS as good as everyone else on here says. Call ahead. Beg them to give you a table and thank them profusely for making you the best Italian food you can get outside of Italy.
(5)Debbie N.
Dolce Italia.....AMAZING food, service, ambience. This restaurant has only 8 tables and that adds to the warm and welcoming ambience. We felt like we were in Italy, in a small Mom and Pop restaurant. Specials are on the board...I ordered a special with homemade pasta..don't recall the name of the dish but they were gigantic rigatoni stuffed with ricotta, spinach in a pink sauce. OMG is all I can say. HUGE portion...and I've never tasted better! Dessert - even tho we were stuffed, we ordered the Tiramisu. Never had better, even in Italy. It literally melted in your mouth.
(5)Leslie B.
Excellent food! Husband and wife were very nice and the service was great! Highly recommend this place if you want great authentic Italian!!!
(5)Shay H.
My husband and I stopped here for dinner on a Friday night. The place is very small with only 8 tables. Upon arrival all of the tables were full and we were told it would be a 5-10 minute wait. The staff was extremely apologetic that we would have to wait, which was no trouble at all. They immediately cleaned off a table and sat us down, then we were greeted by the women who is the owner and chef. She described the specials to us, then her husband came to take our order. All of the specials include home made pasta, a rare find at a restaurant. I can't remember the names of what was ordered, but the combination of fresh pasta, fresh tomatoes, fresh cheese, fresh herbs, and properly prepared eggplant was delicious! My husband's dish involved some kind of ricotta stuffed pasta, which was good but not quite as good as mine. I think when talking about a meal prepared from all fresh ingredients it would be better to go a little bit more simple to really enjoy the flavors. Overall, the food was good and the service was excellent! You can tell the owners truly take pride in delivering fresh, authentic Italian fare to each of their patrons.
(4)Victoria C.
If you like or love Italian THIS IS THE PLACE! It's authentic, fresh, and flavorful. I ordered the Renne Dolce Italia. It's homemade triangle noodles in a fresh tomato cream sauce with mushrooms. Everyone's food was excellent but mine was their favorite. The waiters made good wine recommendations and were awesome. The owners were super friendly and interactive. The husband owner was our waiter and was super funny and friendly, his wife was the chef and was also out taking orders and visiting. Our food came out in ten? MAYBE 15 minutes. I'd recommend making a reservation we came in without one on a Tuesday night at 7 and it was full but we only had to wait a couple minutes to be seated. It's a small and cute little place located next to a tattoo place but warm and relaxing. The owner mentioned they were planning on moving in a year or so another street over. Anyway the owner and his wife are from Ischia, Italy. All the pastas are home made. Order one of their specials, those are the best. For dessert we ordered tiramisu and a cappuccino...... Sooooo good. So three meals, a $50 bottle of wine, a salad, dessert, and cappuccino came to a total of $149. Not too bad for the awesome...... Everything. We are totally going back.
(5)Mary S.
This is such a small, off the beaten path restaurant...what a wonderful experience. When you walk in, they make you feel like you are family. The service is very friendly and quick, but by no means do you feel rushed! The food was top notch....I have been to Italy and this is genuine Italian food! You don't want to miss this place when your in town!
(5)Chris R.
This is a great Italian restaurant. Owned by a husband and wife from Italy. Need a reservation. The food is authentic and absolutely delicious.
(5)Theresa P.
Amazing food and delicious desserts!
(5)TJ C.
We were at the Kane's furniture store and did a quick Yelp search. This restaurant came up so we gave it a try. What a find! From the friendly staff, hot bread, unique offerings and limoncello dessert. Highly recommend! Make a reservation!!
(5)Fred S.
We had waited 45 minutes at Carrabas, and were told it would be another 45, so we decided to look elsewhere for Italian. Boy are we glad we did. Dolce Italia is an undiscovered gem in a sea of mediocrity. Being from New York, I know good Italian, and this is the best I've had since I arrived in Florida 17 years ago. The food is fresh, light and not over seasoned as is the custom of most restaurants. I started with the antipasto...best I've had in years. I then had the lasagna, although not the best I've had, it still ranked high. My wife had the chicken piccata, ...best I've ever had ( yes we share). We decided to try desert. My cannoli was too sweet for my taste, but my wife's tiramisu was amazing. What else could we ask for...why cappuccino of course. Though it took 12 minutes to arrive it was well worth the wait. The best I've had in years! ( I know...starting to sound like a broken record). If you have read my reviews, you know I am not one to write effusively about restaurants, but this one is well worth the praise!
(5)Robert D.
Appetizers were very bland, no flavor at all. Main course just as bland would not recommend at all, the bread comes from the bread museum. Not impressed. ...
(1)Val F.
As many of the reviews stated, this is a true find in a plethora of Italian restaurants. We both had a different house specialty of homemade pastas. Mine was in a light red cream sauce with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh mushrooms. Both properly cooked al dente. I took home some leftovers. Also took the cannoli home so I could enjoy it late. Loved it also. Owners are charming and passionate about their food and their customers . They kept apologizing for the wait - all of five minutes on a Saturday night and we had no reservations! Dolce Italia is a small restaurant so it isn't the place for intimate conversation. You go for great Italian food with staff who genuinely care for their customers. We WILL return.
(5)Shannon D.
Outstanding food and excellent service. The chef personally reviews the menu with each party, and the wait staff is attentive and engaging. Every meal we've had at Dolce has been outstanding.
(5)Doug W.
For once the Yelpers were right. This place is great! Don't let the facade and the strip mall location turn you away, the inside is lovely and the food is really great. I had spaghetti with meatballs and the meatballs were fantastic. Having been to Italy just months ago, I can tell you the food was very comparable. If you're in Sarasota, don't pass this place up.
(5)Kelly C.
Great little hole in the wall place. Fresh, authentic "grandma style" cooking. Nothing fancy, but really good. My wife had the gnocchi and I had the pasta with mushrooms and pink sauce, both simple but amazing. The tiramisu was great - espresso based. The one knock was the bread basket and olive oil- I thought both could have more flavor- a bit bland IMO But overall great place - limited menu but done well our pasta was $13 and $19 respectively, $8 for the tiramisu - totally worth it and well be back!!
(5)Pete B.
Don't ever go without a reservation. I called at 5 PM and got their answering machine. I left my name and number for a 6:30 reservation. No one called back. When we arrived, we were told there was no reservation and I was told that nothing was on the machine. The manager (perhaps owner) was unapologetic. We ended up driving and finding Cafe Amalfi. We were very glad we did!
(1)Mike P.
Our party had the seafood linguini, anti pasta salad, veal, and a couple salads. The service was good and the staff was very nice. The food was fine. The sauce was very good...the seafood and veal was over cooked. The salad was fresh but nothing remarkable...the meats on the anti pasta plate were sub par. Menu small...I may be somewhat biased living in Boston with good Italian in the North End.
(3)Mark M.
It just doesn't get any better! The owner comes out and tells us of the specials. She's 5 years in the US from Italy. Seriously some of the best Italian I've ever had! I had the seafood linguini and gnocchi....which was amazing!! Very small, call for reservations. In a crummy strip mall, but once you step inside, you will enjoy!!!
(5)Alan Y.
This New Yorker knows Italian food, and this is real Italian. The specials are always great...mommas in the kitchen, and knows her stuff. Always fresh, always excellent. My favorite Italian in Sarasota.
(5)Alan P.
Authentic, fresh and well prepared dinner. Lamb chops were perfectly medium rare, fish and chips were crisp and delicious. Service by Louise was excellent. Live music made the evening complete. Beer list was limited, but adequate.
(4)Robert T.
Delicious dinner- gnocchi alla sorentino and pappardelle with lamb ragu. This is a must when visiting Siesta Key. We will definitely return on our next trip.
(5)