Dolce Italia Italian Restaurant in Gulf Gate - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Bolognese over Angel hair was excellent, service was outstanding and friendly.

Service was great and the food was probably the best Italian food I have ever had! A must visit!

Nice family atmosphere, friendly staff and good food.

The first time here. The whole family loved the food. The service was amazing. We will be back for sure. We vacation here from Virginia Beach, VA, and always try to find small faimly restaurants.

My wife and I went yesterday. Food and service, amazing! The owner was present, working right along with his staff, setting the example. Will be back regularly.

Excellent service and atmosphere. Gnocchi very good. Fettuccine Primavera an excellent option as well

A bit pricey, but delicious! Tiny place, but they make it work.

A small little niche restaurant placed in a strip mall. Very good food, and being an italian, it was the closest food I’ve had that resembles that in Italy. Beautiful Restaurant, friendly people, exceptional service, and perfect for a date night of 2, or a party reservation of many. Highly recommend as I have never had a better Italian meal in the USA.

Quiant small intimate place with HuGE flavor. We love this restaurant. I ordered the tri tip pasta with sausage. Sauce was delicious.

this was literally THE best food i’ve ever eaten in my entire existence as a person i’ve seriously ascended to a higher plane of existence after coming to this restaurant… three months later this is STILL the best food i’ve ever had, it literally does not get better than this…the pesto is AMAZING and the fettuccine alfredo made my cousin cry it was so delicious!! the service is excellent, everyone here makes you feel at home, and their desserts are to die for!!!!

I don't go too often to Sarasota because it's a couple hours away, but since the day we visited Dolce Italia for the 1st time, we fell in love!!! The food was INCREDIBLE!!! The atmosphere was outstanding and to have the Chef come to the table and ask how everything was, made it even more special. We have been back twice, but I tell EVERYBODY I know that's going to visit Siesta Key. It's a MUST VISIT!!! DEEEEEEELICIOUS!!!

I lived in Italy for many years. This place was amazing. Matthew and his team were awesome and the food was absolutely delicious.

We have been to Dolce Italia many times and consider it our “go to” Italian restaurant and one where we take special guests who are discerning diners and good cooks. Last night was not the case and very disappointing. The food was “good” but not great. Caprese salad tomatoes were not ripe/tasteless and no fresh basil used, just dried Italian spice. Only two “specials” offered and they were normal menu items. The service from both male waiters bordered on disinterest and rude: no eye contact, not friendly, even a bit grumpy… so unlike prior visits.

We are local residents who after many years finally discovered this hidden gem in Gulf Gate. It is our go to Italian restaurant. When we want to impress our friends and family, we always pick Matthew’s restaurant. He is warm, the place is inviting, and the food is incredible every time. The service is impeccable and the ambience of the small restaurant truly takes your mind to the south of Italy. The regular specials are to die for and you truly cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. Make sure to put it on your list the next time you’re in Sarasota.

Delicious. Will definitely be back.

My family visited Italy a year ago and all the food here is authentic and true to what we had there. Very great the owner was helping with everything and all the waiters were very nice. The atmosphere is very nice and everything is very fancy. Would highly recommend and will definitely come back when I'm in Sarasota again.

What a delightful find! This little Italian restaurant tucked away in the heart of town is an absolute gem. The food was incredible!! Every dish that our party got was bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection. I highly recommend trying any of their specials for the day as they are a true taste sensation and don’t forget to ask about the wine selection! The service is impeccable, with attentive staff who make you feel like family. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner or a cozy meal with friends, this place is a must-visit. Don't miss out on this little slice of Italian heaven, you can thank me later!

Great service, great food highly recommend!

If I could give this zero stars I would. I called and made a reservation. I was told there’s nothing available in the main dining room. They said, I could have a table the patio. On arrival, the patio was the sidewalk 15 inches from my car. From the time we arrive to the time we departed, there was an empty table in the main dining room. The food was very ordinary. Red sauce was out of a can.

The best authentic Italian in town. The gnocchi was phenomenal 👏

First time visitor. The food was phenomenal. I had the seafood linguine and it was perfect. I will definitely be a frequent patron of Dolce Italia. 😋😋 2nd visit was just a good as the first. I tried the Trenne Dolce Italia w/ the sausage this time. It was great. Kudos to Matt and the Chef!! 💪😋❤️

Intimate restaurant. Food was delicious. Patrick was a terrific waiter.

Outstanding meal, excellent service. It was a wonderful evening.

Loved this place! Food was excellent, and Patrick our server was amazing!!! Our first time but we will absolutely be back!!!

Absolutely delightful. Patrick, our waiter made us feel like family. The food was amazing. You have to try it but leave a table for us!

Tried this restaurant for the first time tonight, what a delicious meal! Pasta was cooked to perfection, sauce was amazing, even the bread was notable. We will be back!

Fabulous. Loved everything! For a city with a lot of Italian and neopliton food...this place takes a top spot!

Wow! Recently had the pleasure of eating at Dolce Italia and let me tell you....what a fantastic experience! The food was incredible but the service from Matt and his staff was top notch. I will definitely be returning!!

Authentic Italian Family restaurant. Amazing food and service. The meatballs and the bolognese sauce were the BEST!!!! We will be back again!

I just went to a bridal shower at Dolce Italia and it was fantastic. Such an awesome atmosphere and the food was delicious. I’ll definitely be back!

Everything was delicious! The owner and staff are professional and friendly! Highly recommended!!

The food was delicious, will definitely return to try different entrees.

Italian food done magnificamente 🤌. Absolutely recommend the short rib ravioli. It was our first time here, but we were welcomed like family. The atmosphere is perfect for the style of food. Very rustic. Staff were attentive and constantly circling the dining room refilling beverages, bringing out plates of the house made bread (Absolutely fantastic), and clearing plates. Feeling like you wanna Mambo Italiano? Bring your appetite to Dolce Italia, drink a little vino and mangé. We'll definitely be back.

This is an amazing dinner location, with great staff and authentic food. Came here with my family for a lovely dinner and all of us wanted more. Outside of travelling to Europe, this is easily some of the best pasta I’ve had! Highly recommend the Trenne Dolce Italia, superb dish.

We ordered carry out and loved it! As I was waiting for our order, thenstaff was warmly friendly, and the ambiance was so quaint and inviting! We can't wait to come back and dine in! Thank you so much for an awesome home cooked Italian dinner!

I typically only post bad reviews; but after dining here tonight I wanted to take the time to give this authentic Italian restaurant an amazing review. We have eaten at numerous restaurants in Sarasota and this is by far one of the top restaurants I have visited. The atmosphere and staff were friendly and the food was delicious and fresh! Definitely recommend and we will be going back again soon!

Came here for Cioppino(my favorite dish) and was pleasantly surprise at how good it was. Probably one of the best I’ve ever had. Other dishes were also very good. Atmosphere is nice and cozy. Staff is friendly and always available. Will definitely return soon. Thanks

Delicious home cooked food. Pasta made fresh on site. Waiters are knowledgeable and attentive. It's a small place, but it's cozy. It can get a little loud when it's full. I think it tends to be an early crowd as a place was cleared out by 8:30. The desserts were also awesome, clearly freshly made. They use very fresh ingredients and take a lot of care with food. Probably one of the top, if not the top Italian restaurant in town.

We discovered this hidden gem of a restaurant last March and couldn’t wait to return this fall. Without a doubt the best authentic Italian food we have every had during our travels in the United States and abroad… including Italy!

This place is a gem, food and service is outstanding. Extremely knowledgeable and helpful service. If you like authentic Italian cuisine, you will love this restaurant.

True hidden treasure. Well worth the trip. Call ahead for reservation, not a big place.

Dolce Italia is a hidden gem that every food enthusiast must discover. From the moment you step inside, you are transported to the heart of Italy, surrounded by the warm ambiance and the intoxicating aroma of authentic Italian cuisine. I recently had the pleasure of dining at this remarkable Italian restaurant, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience.

If you would like to go to Italy for dinner tonight, save yourself the airfare. Dolce Italia was such a pleasant surprise for us. The atmosphere is exactly the same as a quaint, cozy and friendly restaurant in Italy and the service was outstanding. The food was spectacular, and so very authentic. These people are Italian and they know what they’re doing. The staff gives everyone the feeling that they are dining with family. Did I say the food was spectacular and very authentic Italian. prices were less than expected and very reasonable, make reservations, it is a small, cozy, Italian restaurant with limited seating. We loved it.

Delicious pasta, dessert, and wine! Special family story about the background of the owners that really makes you feel at home! If you haven't been, definitely check this place out!

5 star service and food selection. Great service and atmosphere!

Very intimate atmosphere with excellent attention to detail.... food delicious

The best italian food in Florida

Made reservations but didn’t need it We were the only table. I Ordered linguine and clams. Pasta was cooked perfectly, but there was absolutely no flavor to the dish. Very bland. Shrimp appetizer was under cooked and Caesar salad was not worth the calories. I’m sure I won’t be back.

A great meal! We went with a group to try this restaurant for the first time and loved it. A small family run restaurant with great food and good service. Delicious fresh bread, home made pasta and lots of happy birthdays to patrons celebrating the occasion. Will return.

Always terrific! Service and food never disappoint!

A small yet amazing place to eat as someone who sometimes has struggles with eating out in bigger restaurants this place a nice and very calming and sweet environment was able to eat my meal and peace without the stressing of the loud sounds most restaurants have the food was also phenomenal amazing dishes and desserts the food gave a welcoming and warm feeling absolutely recommend coming to this place to eat

The best italian food out of Italia! Mangia mangia , autentico and great atmosfher, I can't wait to go back .

Unforgettable meal, course after course. Attentive service featuring a family feel and a resoundingly authentic menu. As a NYC foodie, I didn’t expect the best Italian food I’ve had in nearly a decade to surprise my palette in Florida of all places, tucked away in an unassuming location. Exceptionally high and raving online reviews can sometimes be a sign of trickery and lead to disappointment, but NOT here. If you have the opportunity, visit Dolce Italia for dinner with friends. Bring an empty stomach and be sure to ask for the chef’s recommendations. You absolutely cannot go wrong! We ate (no joke) every single morsel of food off our plates, from appetizers to dessert - of course, we had to share entrees to confirm our choices were equally delightful in their own way. I look forward to returning in the future to explore more of the menu. I hope an investor will discover this gem and enable a second location to NYC, so that our reunion can come sooner! Thank you for a delicious memory.

True Italian food. Best owners and environment

Very friendly excellent service and food definitely will return

Wonderful meal Pasta was excellent and service was great. Looking forward to coming back soon

Wonderful experience from start to finish. Food was delicious and service was top notch. Locals are lucky to have this gem!

We are visiting from IL with our exchange student from the South of Italy. She LOVED Dolce Italia!! Our server Bernard was wonderful, and we met Anna from Italy. She took time to visit with our exchange student in real Italian! It was the highlight of our trip to Sarasota. The restaurant is small and we had reservations. The atmosphere is festive. The food was "REAL". 5 stars-We will be back!!

Very good food at a reasonable price. A clean and very friendly place with great service.

This restaurant is amazing! True, and authentic Italian cuisine. Our server Mathew was amazing! Another server Anna provided wonderful hospitality and was so sweet! I had a wonderful experience and would recommend this to everyone!

such amazing food and service! a must go too, for sure! mathew was an amazing server, very attentive! anna was the sweetest!! cares so much about the customers, genuinely such a feel good place with delicious dinner!

Hidden gem!! They have fresh, incredible ingredients for the perfect Italian meal. I highly recommend the Trenne Dolce Italia - a unique and incredibly tasting noodle that you will not find elsewhere! Incredible service and an authentic Italian atmosphere.

I hope I get this right: Adoriamo questo ristorante. Il cibo è eccellente e il personale è fantastico. Trascorriamo 2 mesi in inverno a Sarasota, e ci mangiamo un paio di volte. Il ristorante è piccolo, quindi prenota prima di andare.

Friendly staff and wonderful food!

If you are looking for amazing Italian food… you have found the right place!! The atmosphere of the restaurant is quaint and the service is friendly. We were visiting from Ohio and we were fortunate to find this little gem!

Matt made my night , great service

Good experience Food was delicious service phenomenal love to get back again

Fantastic experience all around. Perfect pacing of the incredible appetizers and food. Can’t recommend this place enough, when I am back in the area this will always be my first stop.

Mind blowing experience. Food was on another level, and service was on another level. Came all the way from Jersey and tried this and won’t miss eating here again unless the world comes to a complete end or seizes to exist! An absolute authentic Italian MUST if you’re in the area.

The best eggplant dish I have ever eaten. Bene !

Some of the best homemade Italian cooking I've had in Sarasota. Pasta is homemade, chef is fabulous and ambiance is inviting. Sometimes the owners wife sings in Italian!

I hesitate to recommend as I would like to keep this a secret!

I have always respected someone who can make a great dish. To be able to make every single dish as amazing as the previous is unheard of. If you enjoy Italian food, there is no other place to eat in Sarasota. Enjoy!

While on vacation we went here for a birthday dinner. Service was fantastic. The food was incredible! The place was small and quaint but they were able to accommodate our table of 7. The food was delicious!! If you want authentic Italian food this is the place!

Must try. Why grab a flight to Italy when you can stop here. Very popular lil home filled place. Matt & his team have figured it out

Great food in a quaint atmosphere

Some of the best food I've ever had hands down! The signature trenne dolce Italia is out of control good and the tiramisu is a must!

Excellent food, service and atmosphere. We ate there two nights in a row at Christmas.

It was the perfect place to celebrate our anniversary. We actually dined two consecutive nights, ordering from the menu first, then their special menu the next visit. We were extremely pleased with all the delicious menu choices (as suggested by our waiter). The entire staff was amazing and super friendly, working together as one to insure every customer was well served, and that we were! Thanks and all the best to Matthew and the staff in 2023! See you next time!

This has slowly gone down hill , food was sub par and service as well plenty of other local Italian spots around

Great neighborhood authentic Italian restaurant

Delicious meal with friendly service team. Eggplant and burrata appetizers, then three courses of family style pastas. They were happy to accommodate our request for sharing! Thank you! Overall really tasty Italian classics and fresh features. Oh, and the tiramisu for dessert was some of the best I have ever had. Bellisimo!!

A perfect experience w/incredible food. Authentic & intimate w/great & kind service. Can't recommend highly enough.

Best Italian mussels in town! Waiters were friendly and the atmosphere felt like home.

Great Food & Great Service, it feels like you are in Italy 🇮🇹

First timer this evening. I was instantly impressed by the responsiveness and sincerity of ALL the staff, not just the manager(s). Went with my wife and 2 daughters (12y and 7y). My 12y got the linguine w/ clams with white sauce and to my surprise, finished the whole thing (without giving dad a chance to try it...) I got one of the specials (delicious) and my wife was impressed with her dish as well. They also catered to my 7y daughter with a simple, yet tasty penne dish she really liked. Finally, the overall vibe of the place had us feeling like we were all a part of an extended family reunion (the kind you want to attend.) Grazie!

If you are anywhere near Sarasota, FL, Dolce Italia is the only place to have Italian food. Our experience was amazing, the food prepared perfectly, the marriage of flavors was heavenly, service from Matteo and Ana flawless and our entire party came back a second time in a week and were treated to an equally sensational experience!

We have been coming for years and it’s always an amazing experience! The staff/owners are so personable and the pasta, specifically the trenne and its sauce is cooked to perfection. The best Italian gem around town!

We just love this Italian restaurant! It feels like you are in a little bistro in an Italy ! We are Italian and from from New York , so we know and expect great food . Dulce Italia is the place ! Staff is very pleasant and accommodating. Manager Matthew is the Best !! Go to Dulce Italia !!

Staff is very friendly. Waiters were amazing and very attentive. Food was delicious

Dined here for work Christmas dinner. Everyone raved about their meal. We all gave food and service 5 stars. Will definitely be back. Small and cozy atmosphere, just like Italy. Definitely make reservations.

Lovely, cosy Italian restaurant with super food and excellent service. $100 for two. You won’t regret booking here.

Great food, wonderful service, we had lovely evening, knowledgeable staff. Thank you very much.

Enjoyed a delicious meal in great surroundings with excellent service.

Dolce Italia is one of the best Italian restaurants in Sarasota. Fantastic food and fantastic service — highly recommend!

We ate here for a Friday dinner around 7:00pm. We called Dolce Italia a week ahead of time to make reservations confirming my sister's birthday dinner. We arrived on time and were seated somewhat promptly, only waiting 10 minutes after our reservation time. The server pushed alcohol/wine hard but we are not drinkers and had to keep saying no. The food that we ordered was decent but not memorable. Bread service was nonexistent but our water was refilled once. Unfortunately, we were never offered normal drink refills. Part of our reason dining here was to clebrate my sister's birthday. I made a reservation with that information noted quite clearly. There was no acknowledgement and no special service offered. Overall, this place is not good for out of towners or special events. They seemed to focus on locals and not irregulars.

Hands down the best kept secret in Gulf Gate!!! The food is phenomenal and the atmosphere is charming. Cannot wait to bring my family again soon!

The food, ambiance, and staff were wonderful! Great authentic Italian food. 10/10 recommend!

This restaurant was incredible. Not only was the staff friendly but it is an authentic Italian restaurant with incredible food. We had the Caesar salad and the trenne (pictured here) and the linguini with clams. I highly recommend it! Next time i will be trying the burrata.

Dolce Italia has the best Italian food I've ever had in my life - seriously! The food is immaculate, the vibes are amazing, and the lively staff is the cherry on top! This is truly a one-of-a-kind, hole-in-the-wall spot that we locals hold near and dear to our hearts. Dolce Italia brings Italy directly to you, in the middle of Sarasota, Florida. Oh, forgot to mention, the beach is right down the street. If you haven't been here, you're truly missing out!