This was, without question, the best dining experience I've ever had. We had a 9:00 PM reservation for my brother's fiancée's birthday. When we arrived, we were told there would be a short wait because a few tables had paid but hadn't left yet. About 15 minutes passed, but every staff member was incredibly kind throughout the process. They even came outside and brought us complimentary champagne to apologize, which immediately set the tone for the night. We hadn't even sat down yet, and they had already made us feel valued. From the moment we walked inside, the atmosphere was incredible. The energy, the ambiance, and the service exceeded every expectation I had for my first Michelin restaurant experience. Our server, Elijah, was exceptional. He was knowledgeable, intentional, and genuinely passionate about creating a great experience. Sophie also gave fantastic wine recommendations that paired perfectly with our entrées. The mozzarella cart is an absolute must. There is no reason to visit Rocca and skip it. While it was being prepared, we had the opportunity to talk with Mason about life, goals, and dreams, and it felt like talking with an old friend. Later, after mentioning how much we loved the music, Kingston came over, found out we were in town for the J. Cole concert, and played J. Cole throughout the rest of the evening. It was such a thoughtful, personal touch that made the night even more memorable. To top it off, the restaurant brought us additional complimentary bites as another apology for the initial wait, even though we already felt they had gone above and beyond. The food was phenomenal. Every dish was authentic, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. Two people in our group have spent significant time in Italy, and both said it was the best Italian food they've had anywhere in America. We finished the evening with espresso, stayed until closing, and never once felt rushed. In fact, we were told they would happily stay all night if we wanted to keep enjoying ourselves. Thank you to Elijah, Sophie, Mason, Kingston, and everyone at Rocca for creating such an unforgettable evening. If I'm ever within two hours of Tampa again, I'll be coming back. God bless you all. read more

Do yourself a favor, if you like cheese, start with the mozzarella cart! It is the freshest mozzarella I've ever had, made table side. Not usually a fan of tomatoes but this caprese was fantastic. Agnolotti was delicious, a little spice from the sausage but well balanced with the sauce. Sphaghetti al limone was my favorite bite of the whole meal. Generous portions of crab meat with a buttery, tart kick of lemon sauce was incredible. Service was excellent as expected from a place with this reputation and pricing. Our server was very attentive and made appropriate recommendations throughout. Ambiance was dark and intimate. An upscale atmosphere without being overly stuffy. A must try for a nicer night out, we went for our anniversary dinner and had a wonderful experience. Would definitely come back here again! read more

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First time was amazing . The service was excellent . You have to start out with the Mozzarella Cart. Freshly made at table side. The Bluefin Tuna Crudo was so fresh you couldn't tell it was fish. Excellent blend of flavors. Agnolotti pasta was a Fav. It is spicy but delicious. Fettuccine Tartufo with black truffle butter was excellent. We all agreed all the dishes were perfectly done and would order again . read more

Mozzarella Cart Watch: It's taken a few years, but it's up to almost $50! Honestly not a bad increase given the general inflation environment over the past few years. (though still comically high) Rocca continues to be solid, if not spectacular. Two things I think hold it back; first, value. The prices feel too high relative to the portion/tastiness. A great comparison restaurant to Rocca would be Rezdora in Manhattan. I would put Rezdora a few rungs above Rocca in quality/flavor (it's one of the top 100 restaurants in NYC per the NY Times and has a Michelin star, very different than landing one in Tampa) yet the prices at Rocca are effectively the same (each have a traditional ragu at $28). You also don't have to look as far as Manhattan. Just across the bay is Elliott Aster who I think delivers more delicious food, in heartier portions, at a better price point. Given Rocca is perpetually fully-booked, Tampa is obviously okay with their prices, so I suppose 'don't hate the player' (you can't begrudge anyone from charging what they can in this restaurant environment), but for me the value isn't there. Second - I think the inside could use some work. Looking at Eliott Aster, Predalina, or Ponte you can see an example of more elevated interior design. I think Rocca comes off more kitschy than 'homey'. read more

This place was such a treat. I went here for my anniversary with my boyfriend and I was delighted by the food and treatment. The menus were personalized which was a cute addition. We started with the appetizer of sliced wagyu on a bed of olives which was fantastic. For dinner we had stuffed pasta with salami and wagyu filet. It was increíble. I would definitely come back here to try the table side mozzarella. The staff was very nice and incredibly knowledgeable about everything that had to do with the restaurant. A wonderful experience. You will feel very taken care of here. read more

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Absolutely worth all the hype! Amazing service, attention to detail is on point. The mozzarella cart is truly a must try along with the bread. It's our second time here, even better than the first time and didn't think that was possible! We visit every time we're in town. 10/10 no notes read more

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I have to say up front I'm a little more critical of places depending on their price point and Rocca is definitely on the higher end of the spectrum. The ambiance is very nice, upscale but not fine dining. The fresh mozzarella tableside is 100% worth it. Those tomatoes had so much flavor and while the mozzerella itself was pretty standard the experience was great and the aged balsamic on top was so good I could drink it. The ragu was very tasty and traditional. The steak seen in the pictures was a special, the steak was a ny strip and while very well cooked I feel like it lacked a bit in flavor. The capellacci was good and had a very deep lobster flavor to it. The drinks were phenomenal as well. The reason for 4 stars is mainly because of the service. I think we had a very knowledgeable server she was able to answer all the questions we had about the food, but it felt like we were waiting for a very long time before taking our drink order and our food order. Most of us had already finished our drink for at least 10 or 15 minutes before she came back around to take our food order. We saw her very intermittently, she didn't stop at the table often enough to check in on us and it took a very long time to get the check. read more

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Service was great and the ambiance is cozy but the food was just ok. I wasn't impressed and couldn't remember anything that stood out to make me want to go back. read more

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This is highly rated for a reason. Everything from the minute you walk in to the time you leave is a great experience! The menu features a diverse options of Italian dishes. So if you love that this is the place for you. If you order the bread just know it's very filling and the butter that comes with it is a nice touch. The bluefin tuna was also good. I wasn't in the mood for seafood tonight but the flavor combinations were good. The AGNOLOTTI was my favorite and highly recommended! The CAPPELLACCI ALL'ARAGOSTA was also really delicious and flavorful so you can't go wrong with those two pasta dishes. They do have a separate dessert menu though. Just a heads up though it's like you're getting an authentic Italian dinner experience so don't expect to get in and out fast. read more

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We recently came to Rocca for our anniversary dinner. Here is what I thought. Atmosphere: Rocca is located right next to Armature Works in Tampa, Florida. The inside space is simply decorated. I didn't notice any outdoor seating. The decorations are kept simple as the food does the talking! It was very cold inside the restaurant, almost uncomfortably cold. I highly recommend bringing a sweater. I had to put my napkin on to keep my arms warm and the table next to me asked the server to turn the temperature up. Bathrooms: I used their unisex bathroom. It sounds like they also have a mens and a women's bathroom too. The bathroom was nice and clean! Service: Our server Daniel was AMAZING! He was so kind, knowledgable, and passionate about his job. He was so warm and inviting. He gave us an excellent tour of the menu and was very knowledgeable about every single dish. Everyone we encountered was so friendly and professional. I have to give 4 stars for service because one of our bread knives was dirty and it took almost 30 minutes to get the drinks we ordered. As a Michelin star restaurant, you expect perfection. Food: We really loved all the dishes we ordered. I can definitely say that Rocca has very good / top notch food for Tampa. For our starters we ordered the 'Shrimp Fritti' and 'Broccolini'. The shrimp was very good, it was light and packed with lots of flavor. My favorite dish of the entire night was the broccolini. The dish was beautifully presented and had so many different flavors that melded together. It was so good. Highly recommend. We also ordered their bread which was so good, I loved the whipped butter that came with it. For entrees, we tried their 'Cappellacci all' Arrogosta' which I enjoyed. The pasta was a beautiful pink color and delicious. My husband tried their 'Tortello all' Uovo' which he enjoyed. I preferred his pasta dish to mine. The lobster pasta was a little on the sweet side for me but still delicious. For dessert, we tried their 'Burnt Cheesecake' and their 'Riso Al Latte' dessert. The burnt cheesecake was delicious, I would've been fine with the cheesecake alone. I didn't really get the plantains that came with it. The strawberry dessert was my favorite dessert. It was salty and sweet and had the perfect notes of basil mixed in. It definitely made us even more cold and itching to get out of the restaurant. We also received a lemon curd zeppole which was delicious and a caccio e Pepe chocolate with a blackberry candy at the end. Both were good. For drinks, I had the 'Watermelon Spritz' it was more on the savory side but good. I didn't like the thyme piece that keep hitting me in the face. My husband got their 'Lime In The Coconut' mocktail which he enjoyed. Overall, we really enjoyed our dinner here and would love to come back. We didn't try their meat dishes because they Iook like they are big enough to share with a party of 4! Also, bring a sweater if you're sensitive to cold spaces! read more

Rocca - Outside - Italian Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Absolutely one of our fav places. This was only our second time to visit Rocca but it for sure won't be our last. As with our first visit (my first review is somewhere below), everything was phenomenal. We chose a few different items this time to share and were again impressed with each. We love that you order your entire meal at once and the staff perfectly courses out the meal for you. Last night, we had the waygu carpaccio, the tableside mozzarella, cappallacci al'aragosta (lobster pasta), pesce alla ligure (branzino), and the bistecca (waygu beef strip). The carpaccio was absolutely fantastic. The mushroom "relish" under the beef was the star accompaniment with its salty goodness. The tableside mozzarella was unique and probably the best cheese I've ever had. It is made fresh tableside and then plated as a nice caprese salad with yummy, locally grown tomatoes, flaky sea salt, basil, Spanish olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar. Simply incredible. The lobster pasta was inventive and tasty. This was coursed out between the mozzarella and our main dishes and was the perfect way for each of us to try it. The waygu beef strip was cooked to perfection (med rare), sliced and plated with some crispy beef fat bits (hubby loved!), a chimichurri sauce and roasted garlic. The steak was absolutely delicious and the chimichurri sauce was a nice addition. The branzino was the highlight of the dinner again. Presentation of the entire fish with the crispy potatoes, olives, and chef-served sauce is simply incredible. The fish with the sauce is such a wonderful, flavorful combination that I believe it is the best fish I've ever had. For dessert we ordered the apple tart and pistachio gelato. Both were wonderful but the pistachio gelato was phenomenal. The lemon zest on top, the honey drizzle and the added crunch of the pistachio pieces sprinkled overtop made for an absolute perfect bite everything. Everything we have tried here has been stellar and it isn't difficult to understand why they are Michelin rated. Ambiance, service, food quality and portions are all expertly executed. Rocca is now in our regular rotation and we already cannot wait to go back! read more

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Everything a ln adventure in dining should be. Excellent food presentation and taste. Service was exceptional and on point. Atmosphere makes you feel special the moment you walk through the door! read more

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I will start off positive and pleasant for a few as the Host and Hostess are very pleasant and accommodating which sets the initial tone going in. The restaurant itself is nicely laid out with a nice bar and large walk in wine room. As we only saw the main dining area that's where my description stops. Ok, we always get that "server" for our meals. He was inattentive and had no personality at all. I watched the other tables and the servers interacting with the guests and checking on them frequently, our guy not so much. He did spend more time at his other tables and even though they were seated after us, seemed to be handled and served before us. Next the place had many managers milling about as I counted 5 or 6 constantly moving about the Resteraunt. Not one ever made an attempt to stop by our table during our service. I find that a huge negative for a Michelin Star designated restaurant. One note the table next to us of six sat down and for some reason the managers flocked onto that table all smiles and giggles so I'm guessing that was some VIP worthy of their attention. Let's talk food and drink now the bar menu selection is good and priced in par with other restaurants but it did have some high end offerings available. Menu is good not large but some good offerings. Bread service was good at $8.00 for 2 pieces of sourdough and two focaccia. The mozzarella cart was most likely the best part of the service. The server was engaging and it's interesting to watch the process (which we do at home and are familiar with it). The Tagliolini with Ragu was good the Angnolotti fair. We expected a better experience and left somewhat disappointed by the visit. On the bill there is a charge listed as a facility fee. Not quite sure what that is but it was 2% of the bill so why argue over it. read more

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Rocca was an absolute standout and the perfect spot for a special dinner with friends visiting from Chicago. From the moment we walked in, the moody atmosphere and low lighting set the tone for an intimate, elevated dining experience. We started with the broccolini and the bluefin tuna crudo, and both were incredible. The crudo was pristine and beautifully balanced, and the broccolini had so much depth of flavor for what might otherwise seem like a simple dish. For our mains, we ordered the Tagliolini al Ragu, Cappellacci all'Aragosta, and Spaghetti al Limone, and every single one was exceptional. The ragu was rich and comforting, the lobster cappellacci felt indulgent and perfectly executed, and the spaghetti al limone was bright and fresh in the best way. Each dish felt thoughtful and refined. Throughout the meal, the little touches made it even more special. We were given small samples of their aged Parmesan to try, warm bread that was perfect for soaking up every last bit of sauce from our pasta dishes, and a lovely white chocolate square at the end of the meal with a surprising but delicious kick of pepper. It was the perfect ending to a perfect meal. We also enjoyed several wines from their extensive menu, which offers fantastic variety. Our server was impeccable, informative, attentive without hovering, and incredibly helpful with recommendations that truly enhanced our evening. Rocca delivers on food, ambiance, and service. A flawless experience from start to finish and we will absolutely be back. read more

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Decided to try another Michelin star rated restaurant and have to rate it against other Michelin star restaurants so will be more picky. First of all if you expect a romantic evening, this is not the place. It looks beautiful but is INSANELY LOUD. Sitting at a small table in the back we had a hard time hearing each other. Can't imagine what it would be like at a bigger table. Service was excellent, as expected. We started with the beef carpaccio which looked really bland but it wasn't. All of the capers and other blends were actually underneath it and it was amazing. We had to ask for shaved parmesan because surprisingly enough it didn't have any so a bit of a miss there. I had the AGNOLOTTI salame calabrese ricotta filling, cherry tomato, garlic breadcrumbs which was very good though a bit too spicy for my taste but the contrast of the crunchy breadcrumbs with the pasta was really good. She had SPAGHETTI al LIMONE blue crab, zucchini, and lemon. That was unbelievably good. Pasta cooked perfectly al dente and lemon was strong enough to be refreshing. We then decided to have the frozen cheesecake with meringue and honestly that was disappointing. Lacked flavors and also had a cookie that was very hard and took away from the taste. Everything together was just too busy with not enough flavor for the cheesecake. Overall, it was priced very well and not obnoxiously expensive like most Michelin star restaurants which means we will definitely be back. They even gave us a little card congratulating us on our anniversary and gave us a small celebration discount which was very nice and surprising. They obviously care about their customers. So 1 star lost for the desert, lack of cheese on carpaccio, bread, and being so loud but if this wasn't a Michelin star restaurant, it would be a 5 star! read more

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My friend and I had a quick dinner at Rocca prior to a candlenight performance. The restaurant was accommodating in finding us seating without a reservation. We immediately noticed how every table was enjoying their evening and some of the dishes we hope to try during our next visit. Even though we sat at the bar, the service was stellar. We shared the Bistecca, Akaushi Wagyu Beef Strip, Salsa Verde Insalata. It was incredible! We've concluded that our quick dinner was not sufficient, and we have to return for the full experience. I highly recommend! read more

Rocca - Bistecca, Akushi Wagyu Beef Strip, Salsa Verde Insalata - Italian Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Everything from hostess to server was spot on, great vibe but not stuffy. Server's knowledge of the menu was outstanding and Food was out of this world amazing! Bread service w lemon butter , Ragu w/ house made pasta incredible. We had several pasta dishes all excellent , but do not pass on the table side mozzarella , not sure how simple ingredients can turn into culinary magic, but here it is! AMAZING... and the asparagus appetizer was something I would not have ordered , and so glad we did. Not your Grandmas limp asparagus, crisp,flavorful with so much happening , flavor bomb . We ate there last week and it's all I'm thinking about, it's one of those dishes. We were stuffed but had to try the burnt cheesecake .. another dish you will dream about , light like custard with cheese cake flavor and burnt top.. so good! Can't wait to return . read more

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Clearly a cut above normal restaurants. The food was clearly Italian, but in a way that was unique, innovative but most important of all, delicious. The presentation of my broccolini appetizer was colorful and made want to dig in, which is good because I discovered even more underneath. The shrimp fritti was equally good and almost filling enough to be a light meal. The beef ragu had a deep and complex beef flavor, the spaghetti was full of crab, no punches pulled here. If I have one complaint, it's that the portions are larger than expected and just an appetizer and pasta filled us up! We wisely didn't order more, but could not have eaten it if we did. Service was over the top. One of the checks I use for the thoughtfulness of the service is whether or not the restaurant can provide a black napkin which will not leave white lint on dark trousers. Our waitress notice how we were dressed when we were escorted in and was bringing them to us on the first visit. We could barely take a drink of water before it was being refilled again. If you have not been, go I cannot impress on you how great the restaurant is. Save up and go, you won't regret it. read more

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I was in Tampa and saw good reviews for Rocca so I decided to come for dinner. The restaurant is nice on the inside. They were busy, I definitely recommend making a reservation. Luckily it was just me and I was able to sit at the bar. They start off with a complimentary piece of cheese. I decided to start with the Wagyu Steak Carpaccio. This was the best carpaccio I've ever had! I ordered the Martini del Santo to drink, it was nice but definitely strong. Lastly I got the Agnolotti pasta. This was so good! It's a bit spicy and the breadcrumbs on top give great texture. I wish I had room for dessert! This was a great dining experience and the food was amazing. I would love to come back here and try their other menu items. If you're in Tampa, you should make it a point to come here. read more

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I went to Rocca last minute with some friends. I wasn't eating, just enjoying the wine, but I got to taste test everything they had and let me tell you, my mouth is watering. Everything was perfection. The restaurant was dim and moody in the evening. Our server was great, attentive, and professional. We ordered two bottles of white wine, both very good and delicious, and the servers kept our glasses topped off. We also ordered the bread, which I usually don't have high hopes for, and it was surprisingly very good. Even more surprising was the salad, I usually never order salads, but this one was incredible. Obviously, we got the fresh mozzarella cart, which is a must. It is just as good as it looks and entertaining table-side. We also tried two different pastas. The truffle pasta was on the expensive side, but if you love truffle, it was amazing. I can't wait to go back and try everything else! read more

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Still one of the best places to eat in Tampa. My reviews are mainly for future me. I originally paid for two hours of parking on the street because the restaurant hours showed closing at 9:15 pm. Our reservations were at 8 pm. We ended up there until past 10 pm so I had to extend my parking. Definitely plan for this dinner to be at least two hours. Parking on the street pay per plate was $2.50 per hour so not bad. Since it was a Wednesday there was quite a bit of parking. We requested in our reservation the burnt cheesecake so they saved us a slice. Otherwise they sell out. If you like not super sweet dessert, this is for you. One of my friends who likes things really sweet wasn't the biggest fan so it's completely dependent on how sweet you like dessert. We got the mozzarella cart. This is why parties of four is perfect, because this appetizer is a good size for parties of four. It's the best thing here and I stand by recommending to always get it. We also got the bread. I'm not a huge bread person because it makes me sluggish. The focaccia is delicious and the butter amazing, but it's still not worth it to me. But if you like bread this is a good appetizer for you. For my main I got the linguine with blue crab because of my past review. Surprisingly I didn't love it this time. I felt like it tasted too much of lemon. I'll try something different next time. I got the ricotta e melon drink and it's still a favorite of mine. It's so unique with sweet cheese foam and cantaloupe. Because it's so special to Rocca I'll keep getting it. Overall I loved my meal here. Service is always fantastic and the atmosphere is upscale without feeling pretentious. I think it's worth the cost and I'll definitely be back. read more

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I visited Rocca for a holiday party in December with a group of 9. We made our reservation about 6 weeks in advance. Service, venue, food did not disappoint this crowd. We ordered everything to share for the table. We did not get the mozzarella tableside, but I have had that in the past and I would highly recommend.. Everything and I mean everything was phenomenal. Rocca is attainable, a value and excellent as a Michelin star restaurant. I have been to many Michelin star restaurants and I think this one offers the most bang for your buck. You don't leave disappointed. I will certainly return to Rocca. read more

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we ordered the mozzarella cart for the first time. We needed to see the hype! It was honestly so good. The mozzarella was nice and warm and the texture with the flaky sea salt. It was everything I needed in a cheese. The first few times I've ever come to Roca it's been about quantity of plates, but I think I've really narrowed it down to what I love. The little gem salad, and the pasta al limone, are just perfect and so consistent. Another first this time was the bistec which once again would recommend. It was cooked perfectly seasoned well. our waiter was wonderful. Great personality! read more

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What a great dining experience at Rooca. A true 5 star experience in all areas. Service is impeccable as we lost count of how many team members were part of our dining experience! This was our first visit so we decided to try the table side mozzarella. It was fantastic watching the team. Member craft the mozzarella from scratch and then create a beautiful plate for us. We also had the Wagyu Carpaccio which was excellent. I love carpaccio, but was concerned about the mushroom relish it would serve with, but it turned out to be a highlight of the dish. For main courses, I enjoy Ragu and my wife had the quadretti pasta, which was an interesting take on a ravioli. A large square with many pockets of beet, pesto and goat cheese served with a light sauce with peas and guanciale! We ordered a bottle of wine from various expensive Italian selection. Have a product successfully we chose to stick with a bottle from that region and that Sommelier was very happy to come over and tell us about the wine winery. Wine service and selection is definitely a highlight for the restaurant. For dessert, we had a cheesecake that was spectacular, serve served with a burnt top and perfectly caramelized plantains! Kudos to our server Sarah for guiding us through the Menu! read more

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I would rate this Michelin star restaurant a 3/5 at best. I will say the service was amazing, very attentive. We ordered the bread appetizer and that was incredible. The focaccia bread was super soft and airy and the sourdough was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the lemon butter that came with it was quite a different flavor but very yummy! We also got the mozzarella cart, the experience was cool since it is table side but I wish that the waiter offering that service talked a bit more and explained the process. I am disappointed in the fact that the tomatoes were so small. The ratio to the mozzarella was not enough, especially if you're paying $49 for it. The rohan duck had burnt skin and no flavor. The sauce was good and that made up for the lack of flavor. The fettuccine noodle texture was like rubber and it was cold. If you're wanting to get that at the price of $69, yes, $69 because of the truffle, I would definitely opt for something different. ESPECIALLY, since it is a pasta that doesn't include protein. But you have to like truffle because it is a distinct taste. The ragu was okay, if I'm being honest I've had better made at home. I liked the thickness of the noodles but unfortunately they were hard, as well. Which was a turn off. They definitely needed to be cooked a little bit longer. It lacked flavor and it probably needed more seasoning. The presentation was okay. If you see in the back room with the plants above you, there are roach traps. Which is great for prevention, but they definitely should have hidden it better. I know we live in Florida and deal with bugs plus they were real plants which is nice but I looked up and was kind of grossed out lol. It was my husband's birthday and they brought out a one scoop of honey ice cream with graham crackers and sprinkles. That was decent. For a Michelin star restaurant, I expected better. Especially at the price point everything is at. read more

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Elevated Italian vibes with tableside mozzarella and a strong pasta focus sounded like the perfect night, and the cocktails really were great. The only downside was the atmosphere. It's loud like a sports bar and they had football playing on the TVs, which threw off the fine dining energy a bit. The rigatoni didn't blow me away, but the agnolotti was fantastic. I wish I was able to try the duck, unfortunately they ran out (must call in ahead to reserve). However, the bistecca (NY strip) surprised me. It came with string beans and cauliflower purée, and the veggies were honestly some of the best I've ever had. The real winner of the night was the chocolate custard. One of my top ten desserts. It tasted like a Ferrero Rocher with the perfect mix of crunch and thick mousse. Recs: agnolotti, chocolate custard read more

Rocca - Agnolotti - Italian Near Me - Tampa, Florida

The food was delicious. Our server Jeffery was awesome!!! We had 9pm reservations, didn't feel rushed. hope to return soon. read more

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After three visits (yes, three--I really tried, third times the charm), I'm still baffled how Rocca wears a Michelin star. The experience lands somewhere between aggressively average and impressively unmemorable. The food? Fine, in the most literal sense of the word. Nothing offensive, nothing inspiring--just... there. The much-hyped mozzarella cart is more performance art than pleasure, with an Automaton-like presenter who might've been auditioning for "most disinterested staffer in Tampa Bay." The result was good, but not 49.00 good. I will say there was a woman who presented four chunks of Parmesan and smiled. The space itself has moments--pockets of nice design in certain places in the restaurant --but overall it's hard to feel transported when you're staring out at a grass-and-sand parking lot that services Armature Works on both sides of the building with windows. What really gets me, though, is the pretension. Rocca behaves like it's operating in culinary heaven, when in reality, it's serving up middle-of-the-road dishes wrapped in a Michelin-branded illusion. I personally cannot justify ever returning. I am happy to pay for good food, service, experience and not balk at a hefty price tag. Unfortunately, Rocca will not be a place I will return to or recommend. read more

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Rocca is one of five Michelin-starred restaurants in the Tampa Bay area, and it was worth every dollar I spent. We made reservations three weeks before because the restaurant is very popular and in high demand. Upon checking in, we were seated almost immediately in a private corner of the back room, which our party loved. The service was impeccable. We were provided with new plates and silverware for every course we ordered. The staff worked flawlessly and in harmony, and they cleared the table after each round, preparing us for what was to come. At one point, when the girls went to the bathroom and our food arrived, the servers waited to serve the dishes until everyone was back at the table. The food is next level and what I would compare NYC and Vegas meals to. The pasta is fresh, and the sauce is creamy and light. Everything I had truly englighted my taste buds with fireworks of flavor. Make sure to get the mozzarella cart as its hand made right in front of you! This place is worth every dollar! I cannot wait to return and experience the fantastic atmosphere at Rocca again. read more

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Everything about our dinner was AMAZING. I felt like my tastebuds were constantly just shocked by all the good flavors it was my birthday dinner and our waiter (forgot his name) took really good care of us!! I'd 100% would recommend this spot to everyone. Also, got the Salumi (not pictured because we ate it before I remembered to take a photo) and the melons were the star of the show personally! If I could, I would just eat that everyday, all day. read more

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We visited Rocca on a Friday night. It was super busy, but we had a reservation so we were seated promptly. The restaurant had nice decor inside, but the music was kind of off. It was very much clubbing music which didn't really match the vibe. The service at this place was off the charts good. Everyone there seemed committed to us having a good experience. We started with their bread service, the tableside mozzarella, and the beef carpaccio. The bread was free good, but the butter stole the show. It was just incredible. The tableside mozzarella was an awesome show, and it was really good, but I don't know that it felt worth the money. The gentleman preparing it was really cool though and he answered all our questions and talked us through what he was doing. The beef carpaccio was a bit of a let down. The marinated mushrooms kind of dominated the flavor profile, and it was texturally very one note. It's the only thing we got that I genuinely wouldn't recommend. For mains, we both had a really hard time deciding because there was so much food that looked fantastic. I got the egg yolk ravioli. It was absolutely perfect in every way. I would definitely order this again if I were a regular, but since I live in Orlando, I'd have to try something new if I went again. My companion got the octopus arrabiata which was so damn good too. It was perfectly seasoned and the octopus was tender. But really the most impressive thing here is the pasta. The pasta is incredible. It's so tender and cooked to perfection and it's amazing. They make it from scratch in their kitchen. We ended up skipping dessert, but I'd love to try it another time. I'd absolutely go back to this place. It genuinely does live up to the hype. The one things that made me dock a star were the price on the mozzarella and the carpaccio. read more

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Amazing experience. Great customer service. I still think about the signature dish with duck. Pasta had great crunchiness and flavor read more

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We had dinner here on a Friday night and it was the best date night. We made reservations well in advance, we were seated right when we arrived. It's dimly lit and intimate inside the restaurant. Our server was at our table within minutes of us sitting down and took our drink order and brought us water. He gave us a little highlight tour of the menu, we decided to start with the bread and the mozzarella cart. If there's anything I recommend experiencing at Rocca - it's the mozzarella cart. Watching them process the cheese curds into the mozzarella is just so cool and it's something you don't get tableside at just any restaurant. My husband ordered the Tagliolini al ragu and I ordered the tortello all' uovo - both are a 10/10, so mouth watering. For dessert we ordered the cheesecake with plantains for dessert - even if you're not the biggest fan of cheesecake, I recommend trying this. It's so light and fluffy, yet still so creamy and rich. And the plantains on the side that are drizzled in a syrup with sugar pair so perfectly with the cheesecake. Can't wait to visit again for another date night! read more

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Excellent service we were seated at a hightop by the bar. To start chef's complimentary Amuse brioche: Parmigiana cheese. We loved it. Drinks: I ordered the ricotta lemon vodka drink. It was my absolute favorite would definitely get it again. I also ordered a red wine for dinner. For an appetizer we shared the Pâté. It was served with a moscato jelly, pickled onions, and caper berries. It was enough for 2 people to share. 10/10 For an entrees, I ordered the Agnolotti - a spicy stuffed pasta dish with salami ricotta filling. Lots of olive oil. If u don't like spice be careful with this one. It definitely has a kick. 9/10 Torello al uovo - mushroom ricotta stuffed ravioli with an egg yolk. 10/10 this was excellent great flavors. And to finish complimentary palate cleanser - white chocolate bites. Yum! We loved the ambiance and all the hanging plants throughout the restaurant. read more

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We went to Rocca last night and there were some great things and some things that were honestly not good at all. Let's start with the good. All of the appetizers were amazing. We got the carpaccio, the fried shrimp (which was one of the best shrimp dishes I've ever had), the foie gras pâté, which was perfect, and the tuna crudo, which was probably one of the best dishes I've had in a long time. The bread service was also amazing. The whipped lemon butter was phenomenal. Service was impeccable, truly top-notch, 10/10. Unfortunately, both pastas frankly sucked, and they were the most expensive ones on the menu. I got the truffle pasta and we also ordered the lobster pasta with saffron. The pasta on the lobster dish was undercooked and the sauce just didn't feel balanced/there was something missing flavor-wise. The truffle dish was also very disappointing. I'm not sure if the truffles were off or what, but they just didn't taste great. I've had truffles before and this wasn't it. On top of that, the pasta had an overly aggressive amount of butter. To end on a positive note, both desserts were phenomenal. We had the pistachio ice cream and the chocolate tart, and both were excellent. Honestly, if it weren't for the pasta, the place would have been a 10/10. It's just disappointing because this is a Michelin-star restaurant that's supposed to shine with pasta, but unfortunately we both agreed the pasta simply wasn't good. That said, I would probably go back for the appetizers and maybe try the duck dish. read more

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Tonight was our second time visiting Rocca. Both times everything was phenomenal. Our waiter Daniel was outstanding and very friendly. I started with the Prestige cocktail which was very good. We had the bread and mozzarella cart for starters. We tried multiple pasta dishes and everything was delicious. The Agnolotti was by far the best of the bunch. Next visit we may just order several plates of that. The steak was cooked perfectly and melted in your mouth. Our waiter suggested the chocolate custard and strawberry Riso Al Latte for dessert and both were incredible. Last visit we thought the desserts were Roccas weak point but these tonight made up for it. 10/10 experience. My only complaint is that it got very loud as the night went on and the table next To us was very close and as the night went on they got louder and louder. read more

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This place serves delicious food and has great service! We ordered the duck, Caprese salad, truffle pasta, spaghetti ala limon. They were all delicious but my favorite was definitely the spaghetti. read more

Rocca - Caprese Salad - Italian Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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ROCCA!! I had to roll my Rs and use my Italian accent for Siri to know where to take me LOL. We booked this Michelin Star restaurant out about a month ago for a party of 4. First sat and noticed the environment and ambiance was quite casual. Light and airy, kind of cheap looking chair. It didn't strike me as a fancy place at all. We sat with a great view of the wine cellar. Overall the food was delicious don't get me wrong, but the pastas I feel like I could have also gotten at a nice Italian place. The crab and ragu pastas were delicious. We also did the waygu beef strip (Bistecca). So tender and juicy cooked perfectly. The highlight of the show was the fresh mozzarella makes table side. Worth it alone to come here for that!! Apps we had the bread service and the salumi which came with the most delicious melons I've seen. Dessert was okay, I wouldn't do the burnt cheese cake. We did get these cute little scoops of gelato for our celebrations. Service was on point, but it was very fast paced. They were cranking things out. They didn't miss a beat though. That's what sets Michelin restaurants apart. Plates and silver reset at every juncture, as well as the tables crumbed. Attention to detail was amazing. Although the server made to attempt to engage us in friendly conversation. To sum it all up, amazing meal. Would I be running back here immediately? No. But definitely worth a visit for a social occasion. read more

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Will return; 3.5 really This Michelin one-star restaurant has a simple, industrial decor consistent with other venues in Armature Works. I like their Spiegelau wine glasses, Fortessa tableware, pared-down menus (though the wine list is extensive), and crisp, professional service. Everything feels controlled and competent. But the food, overall, didn't quite rise to the same level of distinction. We ordered - sourdough bread - fresh mozzarella - pork arrosticini - agnolotti - tagliolini al ragù - two reds - semifreddo The bread is excellent, especially with the whipped butter/cream--unexpected and genuinely delicious. I was anticipating olive oil or old-fashioned butter, but this was a pleasant surprise. Both red wines, Franc Rodaro and Chianti Moro were decent. Our server asked whether we had dined there before and introduced their "sharing concept." I find this framing dated. It's 2026--sharing food isn't a concept; it's a norm. Maybe it's cultural (I'm Chinese, sharing is instinctive), but Italians share as well. Labeling it as a "concept" feels oddly performative. The tableside mozzarella is showy. The young man preparing it is skilled and fluent in the ritual, but the cheese itself was unexpectedly firm and chewy. Fresh mozzarella, at its best, should be soft and moist--something I've had plenty of elsewhere, including at places like Iavarone Brothers. The pork arrosticini arrives beautifully plated, with two tiny purple sakura blossoms that are delicate and striking. Visually refined. The barbecue, however, would benefit from better-quality meat. The pastas are the standouts. The agnolotti, finished with sparkling breadcrumbs (& salt?), is deeply flavorful. The tagliolini al ragù is impressively al dente. Saving a small piece of bread to soak up the sauce elevates the dish to its best possible version. Dessert redeems the ending: the birthday gelato was excellent (thank you), and the Persian lime semifreddo was light and well-balanced. No tiramisu, unfortunately--I'm a big bore. Some practical notes: - The bathroom stall locks are awkward to use. - No toilet seat covers. - Two tables by the kitchen (each seating four) typically carry a $1,000 minimum spend. - Complimentary parking is available, entry on Ola Street. - A 2% facility fee is added to the bill. Background context: this is chef-owner Bryce Bonsack's first restaurant. He trained at Italian kitchens and two Michelin-starred New York restaurants--Blanca and Corton. Tampa Bay Times critic Helen Freund (who profiled another restaurant, Hales Blackbrick frivolous lawsuit over my initial 3-star review last June) gave the restaurant a 10/10. Chef Bryce received Michelin stars in 2023 and 2024. Their website may need updating--I saw 2025 posted on the front door. read more