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    Forchetta Italian Eatery

    4.7 (135 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM

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    FORCHETTA ITALIAN EATERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Forchetta Italian Eatery

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    Gnocchi sorrentina
    Cynthia F.

    Everything excellent, again. Bruschetta is SO good; had to order it again. Red snapper entree was perfect. Sauce tasted like it included lemon juice. Loved the green beans, baby carrots and (broccolini?) served with the snapper. Added their delicious roast potato side. Lemon sorbetto is a wonderful dessert. Unique presentation. More than enough for two of us to share. Husband enjoyed the artichoke hearts app and the gnocchi Sorrentina. Can't wait to return and try other dishes.

    Chicken piccata with Caesar salad
    Elizabeth F.

    The vibes in this place are perfect for a little date night. White table cloths, candlelight's, glasses of wine, and the nicest staff around town. The most important part was the food, which was absolutely amazing! I found the best Italian restaurant and cannot wait to eat here again. They start you off with bread and oil, then appetizer (I chose a Caesar salad), then of course the main course (chicken piccata) and finally finish with dessert (tiramisu) Absolutely a 10/10 experience

    Tony C.

    There's a reason this place earned the 2025 Readers' Choice award for Best Italian Restaurant. From the moment you enter, Eros Ramazzotti's music fills the air as you're warmly greeted with an enthusiastic "Buonasera!" Despite arriving without a reservation, we were accommodated with genuine enthusiasm and appreciation--a welcoming touch that set the tone for the entire evening. Located at the end of a small strip shopping center, this isn't one of those flashy St. Pete or South Tampa establishments where people go to see and be seen. This place is the real deal. The open kitchen allows you to hear the staff conversing in Italian and Spanish, creating an authentic atmosphere that immediately transports you. Emanuela, the owner, takes evident pride in her wine selection. Following her recommendation, we ordered a Super Tuscan that was wonderfully rich and robust. While reviewing the menu, I was particularly impressed to see amatriciana listed as a pasta option--a dish you rarely, if ever, encounter in the United States. Though I wasn't in the mood for pasta that evening, seeing it on the menu immediately elevated the restaurant's credibility. We began with bruschetta and a classic Caesar salad--both straightforward preparations. For our mains, my wife ordered the penne alla vodka while I chose the chicken piccata. I'm typically not a fan of vodka sauce, but their interpretation was exceptional--so good that I kept stealing bites from my wife's plate. My chicken piccata came with fresh vegetables, perfectly portioned and juicy chicken, and a white wine-lemon sauce that burst with flavor. Phenomenal! We concluded with tiramisu and espresso--a perfect ending to a perfect meal. This is, without question, Tampa Bay's best-kept secret for Italian cuisine. And we should know--both my wife and son are Italian citizens. I suspect the ability to walk in without a reservation won't last long once word gets out. .

    Cathy G.

    First timer here. Small yet high-end the atmosphere. Staff were very accommodating. Very pleasant. Food-wise, very good in our taste. Everything went well :). I highly recommend this place. Will come back again. Like the wine too :). This restaurant is easy to find. And they are pretty busy too.

    Lasagna sweet, savory and cheesy
    Yvonne M.

    Our favorite Italian restaurant for delicious authentic food. We split a large Caesar salad, Gnocchi Quattro Formaggi and Spaghetti Bolognese among three adults. Plenty of food. The servers are always friendly and informative. Outdoor seating is available and smaller intimate rooms inside. Emanuela & Marcello make a perfect team -- she's engaging and charming making you feel like family and he runs an amazing team in the kitchen. Buon appetito!

    Carbonara
    Dodge C.

    I had a wonderful birthday meal here! Food was incredible and hospitality was unmatched. Thank you, Forchetta!

    pannitiane PINOT NOIR 2024

    This is exactly the kind of place my wife and I look for -- authentic food and, just as important, authentic people. We had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Emmanuela, and Chef Marcelo, and they are wonderful individuals who clearly put their hearts and souls into this restaurant. The Risotto alla Pescatora was pure bliss. My wife ordered the gnocchi (not gluten-free) and said it was the best she's ever had. The wine list was fantastic, and the service matched it perfectly. We were lucky enough to sit in a spot where we could see the kitchen, and it was impressive to watch how hard everyone was working -- including Emmanuela, who was greeting patrons one moment and pulling fresh bread from the oven the next. It made us appreciate the experience and enjoy our meal together even more. We finished the evening with some homemade limoncello, which sent us off feeling full in more ways than just our stomachs -- our souls too. Well done, Team Forchetta.

    Caprese
    Kevin K.

    First time here. Food was excellent. Service was lightning fast. Place was nice as well. No complaints. We'll return soon!

    Quattro formaggi pizza

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    1 month ago

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    30 days ago

    Food was very authentic and delicious. Fettuccine with mushroom sauce was amazing. Very friendly atmosphere and very clean.

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    Photo of Emanuela C.

    Emanuela C.

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    3 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    6 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

    Helpful 2
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    21 days ago

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    Emanuela C.

    Helpful 1
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    4 days ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    5 days ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    7 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    8 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    Photo of Joe Z.
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    19 days ago

    True, authentic Roman cuisine. Great value for fabulous flavor and very attentive servers.

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    Photo of Emanuela C.

    Emanuela C.

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    9 days ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    7 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    9 days ago

    Great place and amazing food!!!! Some of the best Italian around!!! The owners are so nice and you will not be disappointed!!!

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    4 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    8 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    4 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    18 days ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    3 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    2 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    11 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    5 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    21 days ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    3 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    4 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    3 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    2 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    4 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    11 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Great little gem of a restaurant. The food is fabulous. Service excellent. Highly recommend.

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    Emanuela C.

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    4 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    7 months ago

    Best crispy crust pizza, wonderful service and I wish I saved room for dessert. We shall be back!

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    Emanuela C.

    Grazie Faye we appreciate your wonderful review! See you soon!!

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    2 months ago

    Food was amazing! Definitely recommend and we will be going back! Great place, service and excellent food!

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    Emanuela C.

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    1 year ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    2 years ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    8 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    5 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    4 months ago

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    Emanuela C.

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    9 months ago

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Forchetta Italian Eatery

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    Oda e Miqve

    4.9
    (45 reviews)
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    Fantastic! It felt as if I had a friend who owned a restaurant, and we'd come for a visit. They…read morecould not have been more welcoming! This place is the real deal. More than half the patrons and all the staff were Albanians. The restaurant itself was lovely, modern European. Our server was Albanian, but born and raised in Italy. The food was wonderful. It was clearly lovingly made in house and fresh and delicious. This place is worth a trip AND the calories.

    We arrived at 5:30. There were just a few tables of diners eating or waiting to be served. We…read moreordered about 6:30 and the food was delicious and servings more than adequate. The ambiance was nicer than expected from previous reviews in the Times and Belleaire Bee. My branzino was perfectly cooked & delicious. My dining partners enjoyed the lamb shank and seafood pasta dish. The stuffed pasta pillows was a delicious appetizer. The squid appetizer was not so appealing. The issues that would preclude our return until resolved are related to lack of service. With a nearly full restaurant, just the owner and his wife took orders and served food. Refills on water had to be requested repeatedly. As more patrons arrived, it was evident that they waited longer than is acceptable to have orders taken & food served. With another server or two, this restaurant will be a genuine neighborhood gem for locals. Prices are reasonable and the food perfectly prepared and delicious.

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    Fresca Italian Kitchen

    Fresca Italian Kitchen

    4.5
    (54 reviews)
    8.2 mi

    This was hands down the best chicken parm I've had in the area (and that's saying something because…read moremy friend's homemade is hard to beat). It was our first time here and they were absolutely slammed... for good reason. The food was fresh, hot, and packed with flavor. The sauce tasted homemade, the chicken was perfectly breaded and tender, and the portion size was generous. The garlic knots were incredible -- soft, buttery, and full of garlic. I didn't even get a picture because we dug in immediately. That should tell you everything. Even with how busy they were, the service was still great. Michelle was kind, attentive, and handled the rush with such a positive attitude. It's in a prime location near the hotels and right off 19, so I can see why they stay busy. Taking over the old Green Market spot was a smart move. The atmosphere felt welcoming and clean. 10/10 recommend. My husband and I will absolutely be back. If you're craving real-deal Italian comfort food, this is your spot.

    So far so good! I just found out about this place so I gave it a try. So far, I only had the…read moreItaliano sandwich. It was very good but I was a little disappointed that it didn't come on an Italian sub bread, as pictured in the online menu. I'll have to ask if that is an available option next time. The owners are from Naples and the quality from what I saw was way higher than I expected for a restaurant situated right next to a hotel, but it is definitely worth giving it a try. I can't wait to try some of the entrees, the calzone, pizza and Stromboli. I will definitely be back! Quick update. I just called them and unfortunately, their sandwiches are only available on foccacia bread.....no Italian sub bread.

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    Fresca Italian Kitchen
    Lasagna
    Lasagna
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    Stefano's

    Stefano's

    4.2
    (161 reviews)
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    Second time dining at Stefano's and it was a pleasant experience. We were sat upon arrival inside…read morewhich was nice. Our server, Alyssa, was very friendly and helpful our entire visit. All food was brought out efficiently and was excellent in presentation and flavor!! Definitely recommend!!!

    Outstanding Italian food at this locally owned spot in Seminole…read more It's a storefront shop at the corner of a strip mall. Don't let the nondescript exterior food you. Inside is an eclectically decorated Parisian bistro. There are about a dozen tables in an L-shaped room, plus a few outside on the patio. Service is excellent. Our server was friendly, knowledgable and charming. Our orders were all correct and service was quick - about 15 minutes from order to main course. Began with burrata. A baseball-sized ball of fresh, creamy cheese is served with bruschetta and slices of crisped bread. The cheese is luxurious, and the bruschetta sweet and tangy. A great start. I tried spaghetti aglio & olio with shrimp. Perfectly cooked (al dente) spaghetti is tossed in sauteed garlic and olive oil. I added shrimp; 5 large shrimp, sauteed in garlic and olive oil. Shrimp were perfect - nice crunch to each bite, not mushy or rubbery. Extra points for being tails-off. This is one of my favorites, and it's done right here. I sampled fiocchi de catheren; something I'd never had before. Fiocchetti are purses of pasta - similar to gnocchi except more delicate and less dense. In this prep the fiocchetti are stuffed with ricotta cheese and pears, with a very light cream sauce. The sweet pear almost make it seem like dessert! This is an excellent dish that I'm totally ordering myself next time. Also tried a bite of chicken gorgonzola. Perfectly prepared penne is tossed with sauteed veggies and slices of chicken breast, then topped with gorgonzola cheese sauce. It's alfredo-like, but a little sharper. An excellent combination. To me, this one of those hidden treasures - a place that's been there for years and we've driving past it many times but never stopped. No longer! This one gets added to the rotation. RECOMMENDED!

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    Beautiful decor
    Beautiful decor
    Fresh bread with dipping oil
    Fresh bread with dipping oil
    Decor and seating

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    Decor and seating

    Forchetta Italian Eatery - italian - Updated July 2026

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