Best Italian Cuisine in Bradenton

Denise Latini

We really Rocco’s willingness to allow the sommelier, Ben, host a wine tasting event for us! He was very prepared and organized with all the details and even made small thoughtful touches that made the event feel so special! He was so knowledgeable that I myself took pages of notes! He worked hard to find our wines ... and create a detailed overview of the wines as well as tower aspects of the art of his position. The charcuterie and bread boards were delicious, and even though we had to go with a rain plan, the backup venue was absolutely perfect for the event! I would host with him again and again and again! Thank you, Ben, for all of your efforts and passion! It truly shows in your work! Read More

christie “Christie” latone

This one took us by surprise! Googled Italian when we finally agreed to what we both wanted... so I've seen this place open up by my UPS where I do all my Amazon returns. The outside is very deceiving. You walk in and it is such a big beautiful restaurant! And the food, it were blown away. From the bread, to the meal, ... we were very happy with our experience. It was delicious and such a great experience. Our host Maddie was an exceptional server and made our experience that much more lovely. Will definitely be back again. The Italain Eggrolls were so good!! Read More

Keith Wishon

Can I give 100 stars? This is an amazing Italian restaurant, the atmosphere is second to none. Kathy is a gracious lady. Chris took care of me at the bar, excellent bartender. First class service, excellent food, very warm & friendly. The waitress’s are really beautiful as well. Excellent choice Kathy! I highly ... recommend Rocco’s. They are apart of the Skymile Dining program. Read More

Yamallama

The atmosphere was phenomenal and the service was top notch, the chef came out to greet us and was very kind and respectful and the owner of the restaurant served our food and was so sweet and gentle! I love it all! The only thing I can say is that the food needed more seasoning. It tasted a bit bland and required me ... to add salt and pepper. I really enjoy this location. The drinks and Greek salad was amazing and I wish to come back and enjoy it more often. The food was presented phenomenally but definitely lacked a bit more of flavor. The mozzarella sticks needed more seasoning in the breading and less Parmesan cheese, I feel like the Parmesan cheese covered too much of the mozzarella sticks and made it a bit too overwhelming. Other than that I loved this location and the service and definitely hope to come back and try other things. Read More

Mindy McElfresh

We have been going to Rocco's Bradenton location from their opening until now (12/5/2025). We have sampled many items off of their menu and have not been disappointed. The food is always delicious and the servings are very generous. The staff and owner of this restaurant are outstanding. They make you feel welcome ... from the moment you enter their establishment until the time you leave. Cathy the owner is very warm and welcoming and this extends to all of her staff as well. Everyone goes out of their way to make sure your dining experience is first class so that you will want to go back again and again. We enjoy stopping in for drinks and appetizers and on those nights when you don't want to cook or want to meet friends and family out this is a great place for dinner. Very relaxing and friendly place to go. We need to support our Bradenton small businesses so give Rocco's Italian Kitchen your support you won't be disappointed. Read More

A Parisey

A Taste of Italy in Bradenton – Perfect Night at Rocco’s Italian Kitchen We discovered this gem last night and so glad that we did! we had a wonderful dinner and pleasantly surprised to enjoy a jazzy violin player adding to the ambiance. From the moment we walked into Rocco’s Italian Kitchen, we were transported ... straight to the heart of Italy. The ambiance is warm, charming, and authentically Italian – rustic brick accents, soft lighting, and a romantic, cozy vibe that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. We came with a large party of 18, which can often be a logistical nightmare at most restaurants, but the team at Rocco’s handled it flawlessly. From the warm greeting at the door to the seamless coordination of our orders, the service was impeccable. Every server was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the food and wine they were serving. Water glasses were never empty, plates were cleared promptly, and every request (and there were many!) was met with a smile. To start, we enjoyed an amazing selection of appetizers – the calamari was crispy and tender, the bruschetta was piled high with fresh tomatoes and basil, and the italian eggrolls were packed with flavor. It was the perfect way to awaken the palate. We had many pasta dishes, all wonderful. The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the tomahawk steak. Cooked to perfection – a beautiful crust on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. It was served with a rich garlic butter that elevated every bite. The steak was large enough to share and became the talk of the table. Everyone who had a bite was blown away. We also indulged in a bottle of Amarone, a bold and elegant red wine that paired beautifully with the steak and many of the pasta dishes on the table. The wine list is well-curated, and the staff made excellent recommendations to complement our meal. Desserts were just as impressive – from creamy tiramisu to rich cannoli, each bite was indulgent and satisfying. No detail was overlooked. It’s not easy to find a restaurant that can perfectly blend authentic Italian cuisine, top-tier service, and a welcoming ambiance for a large group, but Rocco’s absolutely nailed it. Whether you're on a romantic date or celebrating with a big group, this place is a must-visit in Bradenton. We will absolutely be back. There is a small humidor there also to enjoy cigars after dinner outside on the patio. Bravo to Rocco’s and Cathy, great for the area and worth the trip. Grazie, Rocco’s, for an unforgettable evening! 🇮🇹🍷🥩 Read More

SRQlocal

I've always had great service and Cathy does her best to make sure guests are happy. This makes the experience pretty hard to beat even if the food is not always consistent. Portions are never disappointing. Last time I was in the Bolognese was flat and the sauce wasn't very vibrant. Sometimes food is amazing and ... other times it misses the pizzazz, but not far off. Pizza is great. We love having this gem in the neighborhood and hope to enjoy it for years to come. Read More