Donatello

Elegant ambiance, amazingly delicious food (ample selections), polite, courteous, dignified servers (well dressed), fresh flowers at the table . . . must be the finest restaurant in the Tampa Bay Area.

Outstanding restaurant. Reminded me of restaurants from years ago; waiers in tuxes, meals plated at stations etc. Veal chop most tender and flavorful I've had. Husband's linguine w/ crab had over abundant lumps of delicious crab. Only disappointment was creme brule.

We had made reservations through open table app for 715 pm- we were greeted but told our table wasn’t ready yet had a 10-15 minute wait 45 minutes later and after we saw several other parties seated ( must be friends or regulars) we said we were leaving and a table was finally available. The food was good but overpriced for what we got.
Clearly weren’t interested in our business and won’t be returning.

Outstanding old school Italian. Customer service and welcome feeling like none other. I make an effort to go every time I'm in Tampa.

Great food and service. A little small inside so your close to other tables but it wasn’t a distractions.

My first trip to Donatello's, my date had recommended as being one of her faves….the food, the service and the ambiance didn't disappoint.

The food was good. The service was very good. But the value for that kind of food. Doesn’t make sense to charge over 30$ for a plate of pasta. Unless it has lobster or some sea food. Though it was good food, for the price not at all worth it. But the service was very good!

Always a special treat for special occasions. Gino makes you feel at home and appreciated, always gracious.
We do it over and over because it is always superb.

The food, drinks and service were outstanding. Carmelo was a superb waiter never left us waiting nor was he excessively around. He made excellent suggestions. The wine list is very good but a bit pricey. Ran about $135.00 per person 1 drink spiece, bottle good Gavi Chardonay appraiser main course and desert.

We always include Donatello’s when we are in Tampa for business—always excellent!!!

Always enjoy a trip to Donatello’s when I’m in Tampa. From the moment you walk in the door until you leave it’s truly authentic Italian. Have had multiple entrees and never been disappointed. Veal, chicken, fish, beef or even vegetarian-doesn’t matter you will be craving more. Save room (if you can😀) as the dessert selections will complete the evening.

This restaurant is a Tampa institution for good reason. Bowtie clad waiters hover constantly, taking care of every need. Prices are to be expected for this level of service. Went for Mom's 88th Birthday with my brother. We had the pasta, and she had the grouper. We all loved the food. They sang happy birthday in Italian and gave her two roses before leaving. Excellent.

Was a great good experience great staff and Gino the best

Excellent food, service and ambiance for a special occasion!

The food and wine were spectacular and fairly priced.

My husband and I have been excited to go here for a date night for awhile due to its longstanding reputation in the Tampa community. We knew it was expensive so we waited for a big birthday to go. To make the experience even better, I let the restaurant know that it was his birthday before we arrived. Stepping in the ambiance was underwhelming and cheesy but expected and can be considered part of the old school Tampa charm. The service, however, was TERRIBLE from the beginning. It took over 5 minutes to get a menu and when we did it was dirty and needed to be wiped down. We ended up having to go to the bar to get our drink and flag down a server several times before even getting an appetizer. When our food did come, it was average at best. To top it off, no one ever came and even acknowledged my husband's birthday. We left very disappointed and spent WAY too much for the experience.

We had a fabulous experience at Donatello Restaurant on Saturday night! The food and service were superb! We went to the bar after dinner, and the band was great! We will definitely come back and bring more friends and family.

Donatello’s is a wonderful experience. Best service in the Tampa area. Food is delicious. Lobster pasta was amazing.

I have been to this restaurant many times and the food is excellent along with the service and very nice atmosphere. The prices are high, but it is worth it.

Dinner with my wife of 10 years. I had the veal shank. It was just like my mom’s back home. Napolean dessert was very light and delicious. Even the coffee was smooth. I will definitely be bringing my parents here when they visit next. Gino is an excellent host!

Excellent service and food as always

Great setting, great food. Will return

We come to Donatello exclusively. Have tried all the rest. Good but not to our level of exigency.
THE BEST IN ALL .

The service was outstanding, food delicious & hot. The ambience was lovely, no loud music.

We had another excellent meal. This is our favorite Italian restaurant in Tampa

We were immediately greeted at the door with a warm welcome and sat right away. Service and food was beyond exceptional. I would recommend Donatello to all friends and family!

Best it food in town. Real italian including wait staff.
Pricey but get what you pay for. Wonderful evening.

Was hoping the meal and dining experience would be exceptional due to it being a friend’s birthday. Both far exceeded all four of our expectations. The wait staff and management were very helpful with suggestions. Wait staff were continuously attentive. All four meals were incredible, as were the deserts. Nice gesture of presenting each woman with a rose prior to leaving. Definitely a traditional restaurant. Highly recommend.

Donatello is a wonderful step back in time with exemplary service and classic northern Italian preparations. The space is simple and a bit dated, but that adds to the charm compared to newer Italian restaurants. I wish we had time for an after dinner drink in the lovely lounge.
The linguini with colossal crab meat ranks among the top pasta dishes of my life.

Excellent old world Italian, great food, great atmosphere and cool band hanging in the bar

The most elevating dining experience, from valet to the owners who treat you so graciously. Best Italian food West of Italy.

Don’t waste your money!! The bread tasted like a dish sponge and the pasta, which was $29 per meal, had zero flavor. I could have made it out of a can from the grocery store and it would have tasted better. The calamari appetizers was good. The service was not good at all. Waiters standing around just chatting about random stuff. One appetizer, 2 plain pasta dishes and 2 house wines made out to be $100. There are so many better restaurants in he Tampa Bay Area.

I lived in Tampa for 13 years and never knew this remarkable restaurant existed. From the moment I entered the building, I could tell that I was in a special place.

My fiancée picked this spot for my birthday dinner and we had a party of 8 ready to celebrate. The owner, Gino, greeted us at the door and told us to enjoy a cocktail in the bar until we were ready and there was no rush.

The fact that the food is finished on open flames and served right from the pans on to the plates makes every dish piping hot and freshly served.

The portions are excellent and you cannot go wrong with the lighting, the music and the service. There are restaurants and then there is Donatello’s and I am sorry it took me all these years to find it but we will be back soon Gino!

Grazie!

We have frequented Donatello's since they opened. How far they have fallen over the last few years.
Ambiance: noisy to the point where basic communication was difficult. Service: more negligent than leisurely. Food: Bland salty mussels, tasteless pate (although abundant), rubbery tortellinis. The osso buco was still exceptional. Overall, extravagant pricing that was in no way deserved. All pretense, no substance.

First time will be back. Excellent meal, super attentive staff.

Great Italian food. Would make the 50 mile drive again.

One of our favorites! We’ve never had a less than fantastic meal. And the service is always first class

Donatello’s is always a special dining experience. The food is spectacular. The service is always top shelf. Excellent dining experience.

This was my third visit over the years...excellent service and Opera singers...Bravo!

Comfortable cozy dining room like having dinner at grandmas house authentic delicious Italian