
Donatello Italian Restaurant
Experience timeless Italian elegance with tuxedo-clad waiters, live jazz, and authentic Northern Italian cuisine.

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Donatello Italian Restaurant

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience timeless Italian elegance with tuxedo-clad waiters, live jazz, and authentic Northern Italian cuisine.
"An endearingly attentive dining experience with outstanding service and classic Italian dishes."
Make Reservations
Book ahead for special occasions or busy nights to ensure prompt seating and a smooth dining experience.
Ask About Specials
Inquire about the daily dinner specials for unique culinary creations and seasonal offerings.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Old-School Italian Ambiance
Experience timeless charm with tuxedo-clad waiters, stucco arches, and live music. A true taste of Italy.

Authentic Northern Italian Cuisine
Savor classic dishes like Seafood Risotto and Cannelloni, prepared with fresh ingredients and time-honored recipes.

Live Music & Entertainment
Enjoy live jazz in the bar room on Saturdays, adding a vibrant soundtrack to your dining experience.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Make Reservations
Book ahead for special occasions or busy nights to ensure prompt seating and a smooth dining experience.
Ask About Specials
Inquire about the daily dinner specials for unique culinary creations and seasonal offerings.
Dress Code
Elegant casual is the recommended dress code, not overly formal but stylish.
Corkage Fee
There is a $50 corkage fee if you bring your own bottle of wine.
Tips
from all over the internet
Make Reservations
Book ahead for special occasions or busy nights to ensure prompt seating and a smooth dining experience.
Ask About Specials
Inquire about the daily dinner specials for unique culinary creations and seasonal offerings.
Dress Code
Elegant casual is the recommended dress code, not overly formal but stylish.
Corkage Fee
There is a $50 corkage fee if you bring your own bottle of wine.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Donatello Italian Restaurant offers a classic upscale dining experience with attentive service and a charming, old-school ambiance. While many praise the impeccable service and inviting atmosphere, some find the food to be good but not exceptional for the price point. The live music and traditional Italian dishes are definite draws for a memorable evening out.
"A Dining Experience Like No Other
From the moment you arrive at Donatello Italian Restaurant, the experience is exceptional. The respectful and courteous valet team sets the tone, followed by a warm and welcoming greeting as you step inside.
The ambiance is inviting, and the service is second to none—attentive, friendly, and genuinely dedicated to ensuring a memorable meal. As for the food, it’s simply outstanding. Every dish I’ve tried has been a testament to their commitment to quality and consistency. The flavors are rich, the ingredients fresh, and the presentation flawless.
I’ve been fortunate to visit several times, and each experience has been just as incredible as the last. Their lobster linguine, in particular, is a must-try—delicate, flavorful, and cooked to perfection.
Donatello sets a high standard for Italian cuisine, and I can confidently say it’s unmatched in every way. A true 10/10 dining destination!"
Nick
"For appetizers, we had the Carpaccio Di Filetto: Thinly sliced raw beef tenderloin with parmesan cheese, onions & capers. (Can get it served as a roll!)
For dinner, we had the daily dinner specials:
Fettuccine Katerina: Homemade fettuccine with prosciutto crudo, peas, and mushrooms in a princess sauce
Scampi Alla Veneziana: Jumbo prawns pan seared in a white wine butter-lemon sauce with capers and diced tomato
The prawns were giant and the sauce was incredible. The fettuccine was just right, super flavorful.
As others have mentioned, the service was impeccable!
We brought our own bottle of wine and there is a $50 corkage fee but when celebrating a special occasion and you own bottles of wine that are super meaningful to you, it's worth it to create an unforgettable experience.
It's great that everyone was celebrating their birthdays that evening (lots of birthday songs to go around). We were pretty much the only table not celebrating a birthday!"
Tyrone
"food was absolutely amazing! the staff was very attentive. very romantic atmosphere, live jazz music is played in the adjacent room. sometimes they have opera singers as well. a but pricey, but it is expected for an upscale restaurant. elegant casual would be dress code, not super elegant. i would not recommend bringing kids here though."
Karina Arbelaez
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The dress code is elegant casual. While not overly formal, guests are encouraged to dress stylishly.
Yes, live jazz music is often featured in the bar room, particularly on Saturdays, adding to the sophisticated atmosphere.
It's generally not recommended for bringing young children, as the atmosphere is geared more towards romantic evenings and adult celebrations.
Signature dishes include Seafood Risotto, Pollo Alla Milanese, Linguini Al Granchio, and the Cannelloni Donatello.
There is a $50 corkage fee for guests who bring their own bottle of wine.
Yes, valet parking is available, and street parking can also be found.
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With tuxedo-clad waiters at the ready and timeless Italian osteria charm, this upmarket classic has been a consistent hit for the past 38 years. From the moment you open the front door until you receive your complimentary red rose upon signing the check, the dining experience is endearingly attentive. Set to a score of live jazz performances and (most likely) an obligatory Frank Sinatra cover or two, fill your table with Northern Italian-influenced favorites like Seafood Risotto, Grilled Lamb Chops, or traditional Tomato-Basil Sauce over Angel Hair Pasta.
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Donatello has been around since 1984, and nobody in Tampa does old-school Italian food better. Start with the bruschetta and then get at least a couple of pastas like fettuccine tossed with bolognese or the cream-coated tortellini stuffed with sausage and ricotta. Beyond the classic red-sauce dishes, the fun atmosphere is a total time capsule and a reason to come here itself: everybody eating here gets a free rose, and servers in tuxedos whisk around plates of osso bucco and chilled calamari while live jazz echoes in the dining room.
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Donatello Italian Restaurant has been serving the Tampa community for over 25 years. The Italian take of Donatello Italian Restaurant on fine dining is delicious and satisfying.You can find multiple fish, pasta, and other Italian entrees here. Their Linguini Al Granchio and jumbo crab meat served in tomato sauce, or white wine is a highly recommended dish to enjoy.With tuxedo-clad waiters, live music, and a lively atmosphere, the dining experience at Donatello Italian Restaurant is truly amazing.
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Nestled in Hyde Park, this Italian restaurant exudes a classic charm with its white tablecloths, soft lighting, and live piano music. The Tiozzo family has run Donatello for over 38 years, a history shown on its walls featuring frescoes and pictures of famous regulars of the past, providing a charming and unique experience. This Italian restaurant offers an extensive menu featuring dishes from every corner of Italy.
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One of the signature dishes at Donatello, headquartered along Tampa’s Dale Mabry Highway, is cannelloni — and, well, for good reason. First off, the pasta is lovingly rolled out by hand, then it’s stuffed with veal and mozzarella before getting the glazed treatment with besciamella (better known by its French name, béchamel) and tomato sauce. Chef Gino’s cannelloni doesn’t come cheap, but the dish is well worth it.
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Address: 232 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33609Phone:+1 (813) 875-6660Website:donatellotampa.comDetails: $$$, Italian restaurant. Donatello Italian Restaurant in Tampa offers an exceptional dining experience that combines outstanding service, an inviting atmosphere, and an authentic Italian menu. From the moment you arrive, the professional valet staff welcomes you, setting the stage for a memorable evening.
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Donatello is considered one of the best Italian restaurants in Tampa, which also doubles up as a live jazz lounge on certain nights of the week. It has a sophisticated and vibrant atmosphere for everyone to enjoy, with reasonable prices, and portion sizes are predictably large. The fresh seafood pasta is famous around the local area, and the menu features a huge range of starters.
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Step inside Donatello, and you’re instantly transported to a world of vintage glamour and fine dining. The moment you walk through the doors, you’re wrapped in an atmosphere rich with history, elegance, and an undeniable passion for Italian cuisine. The staff, dressed in classic tuxedos, provide top-tier service while you soak in the sounds of live jazz from the San Marco Lounge.
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Understated elegance and a premier dining experience await you at this celebrated restaurant. The décor sets the stage for romance with tables set with fresh roses, crystal and China, providing a perfect lead-in for the traditional Italian cuisine. Waiters in black tie deliver perfectly prepared osso buco, linguine with lobster, and poached salmon with shrimp and asparagus.
Owners Guido and Gino Tiozzo, welcome you to Donatello, a four star restaurant serving Authentic Italian Cuisine since 1984. With its stucco arches, tapestries, gold leaf ceiling tiles and Bouquets of roses on every table, Donatello offers an atmosphere of elegance, warmth and romance. You’ll be catered to, from the first sip of wine to the exquisite culinary creations.
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This spot for some of the best noodles in Tampa Bay features Italian cuisine and even a live jazz lounge!. Donatello has 10 different pasta dishes, from homemade tortellini filled with sausage, ham, and cheese in their Tor Tellini Aurora to linguini in pesto sauce. There’s something for adventurous pasta-eaters and those who like to stick to the classics here.
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Donatello is a historical spot in Tampa, opened in 1984 by Guido Tiozzo. Since then, the management of the establishment went to Guido’s son Gino, who kept his father’s traditionalism and care over the menu. All the dishes at Donatello take inspiration mostly from Northern Italy‘s cuisine, also including various interpretations of Southern Italy’s delicacies.
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Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33609Live Music: Wednesday – Thursday: 5-10pm, Friday – Saturday: 5-11pm. Since 1984, Donatello's has been an Italian staple in Tampa. Not only do they serve up some of the best Northern Italian cuisine in the area, but they also feature live jazz in their piano bar and lounge Wednesday-Saturday.
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Established in 1984, Donatello serves Italian, mostly in the northern style, with some traditional dishes from Naples and the Amalfi coast. Every year, the restaurant serves charity meals to around 1,000 people. Even though the owner originated in Italy, he still served Thanksgiving classics like turkey and cranberries.
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If you are looking for some old school fine dining, you need to check out Donatello!. With the great service and amazing ambiance, you are sure to feel like royalty at this spot!. The Carpaccio di Filetto, thinly sliced raw beef tenderloin with parmesan cheese, capers, and onions, is delicious.
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If you haven’t been to Donatello yet, then you need to add them to your list!. Donatello has been around Tampa for 40 years serving the finest, authentic, Italian cuisine. In 2018, they were listed as top 100 romantic restaurants in the America and won best Italian restaurant of the year.
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Donatello Tampa serves up authentic Italian cuisine and will make you feel special the moment you walk through the door. And when you walk out actually, as each lady receives rose. Their menu is mainly derived from Italy, consisting of handmade pasta that is made daily and much more.
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For those who enjoy a classic fine dining experience, be sure to visit Donatello. Here they value traditional, quality Italian food and live jazz music. While they mostly use techniques and menu items from Northern Italy, they take inspiration from all parts of the country.
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A post shared by kathyd (@kd06052) on Nov 24, 2017 at 8:34pm PST. Impress your partner by going on a fancy date in Donatello Italian Restaurant. The amorous ambiance and the aroma of their fine authentic Italian cuisine will surely set the romantic mood for both of you.
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Donatello is a fine dining Italian restaurant that has been a staple in Tampa for over 30 years. This elegant restaurant features white tablecloths, live piano music, and impeccable service, making it a popular spot for special occasions and business dinners.
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The romantic in you will swoon when you walk into Donatello. Stucco arches, tapestries and roses at your table are just the beginning of the elegant experience. Italian waiters in tuxedos serve classic centuries-old dishes from Italy's major regions.
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- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (368 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: Steakhouse, Italian- Price: $$$$- Address: 232 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33609-1237- Read more on Tripadvisor
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This four-star restaurant is definitely a romantic spot especially for Valentine’s Day. They offer roses for every woman that walks in their door, live music and, delicious entrees. A post shared by Donatello Italian Restaurant (@donatellotampa)
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Known around Tampa for their authentic Italian cuisine and live jazz lounge, Donatello Italian Restaurant takes it’s guest’s palettes through Northern and Southern Italy with traditional dishes that would make every Nonna proud.
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For a special occasion or intimate and romantic dining experience, Donatello provides delicious Northern Italian cuisine combined with impeccable service. The entrees are superb, but save room for their delectable desserts.
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If you’re looking for the most romantic and authentic Italian vibe, this is the place. Donatello oozes Italian charm and flavors. The servers wear black ties, the wine is divine, and there is often live jazz in the bar.
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Maybe it’s the soft pink lighting, or the cavernous, clubby dining room. Maybe it’s the sound of Italian-American big-band crooners pumping softly through the speakers, or the red roses perched on every tabletop.
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Donatello offers private dining for any type of event, business or family. Perfect for presentation dinners, company holiday parties. Birthday parties, anniversary dinners,
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232 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33609Phone: 813-875-6660 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Donatello Italian Restaurant (@donatellotampa)
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