Il Ritorno

Tonight we chose this restaurant to celebrate my daughter's birthday, and we were incredibly lucky to have Dan serve us. His service was impeccable in every detail; for example, he even changed my napkin to white because I was wearing a white dress. He also explained the menu to us in great detail, and we loved all the dishes he recommended. I especially loved their desserts!

Amazing restaurant. Loved the menu, atmosphere service and food. Jessica our server and Joe the manager were so attentive. They are clearly foodies and we had great conversations about what we were eating. You can tell they have a passion for their work. The highlight of the meal was the ramp pasta. The flavors were so complex and satisfying with a great texture. I was impressed with each course. Highly recommend the carpaccio too. Everything was wonderful from start to finish.

Seeking out Michelin-starred restaurants around the world is one of the great joys of our travels. Having lived in the Florida area for the past two years, however, we found it quite difficult to locate such establishments. When we discovered Il Ritorno online, we booked a reservation a month in advance—and even booked a hotel nearby to complete the experience. The restaurant is situated on a rather congested street. We specifically passed by in the afternoon—outside of peak dining hours—but couldn't find a single empty parking spot. The service at our hotel was excellent, however; they kindly helped arrange for us to be dropped off right at the restaurant's entrance. The restaurant features a simple exterior and interior. The kitchen is open, and the chefs are busy at work. The Steamed Mussels are exquisite; the soul of this dish lies in its extraordinary pairing with Lamb Nduja, along with a distinctive sauce... I only ate a little of the Pork Campanelle; it seemed to contain some ingredients that were too tough to chew—definitely not my favorite. Halibut is my absolute favorite. Between the pairing with vegetables, the color of the sauce, and the plating—I’d say the presentation is truly Michelin-star caliber! The halibut tasted excellent; however, the vegetables ruined the dish. It seemed as though the flames from the stove—laced with dark, sooty smoke—had tainted the vegetables, obscuring the fresh flavor they were supposed to have. I hope this particular experience was merely an anomaly. I also hope that—in terms of ingredient quality, flavor, and culinary technique—the restaurant allows guests to truly experience its unique character and distinctiveness, while also offering excellent value for money.

One of the best special occasion restaurants in Tampa Bay, and the biggest reason I keep coming back is the ever-changing menu. Just when you think you’ve found your favorite dish, the chefs dream up something new that’s impossible to resist. The bartenders are just as creative as the kitchen, crafting cocktails that perfectly complement each menu. The servers are genuinely welcoming, knowledgeable, and always fun to chat with, making the entire experience feel special without being stuffy. My must-orders include the pesto with the bread service (worth fighting over), the bucatini, the mussels, the olive oil gelato, and the caviar doughnuts. Every visit feels like a new culinary adventure, and the creativity never misses. This is definitely a higher-end dining experience, so expect a dress code and a price tag to match. But for a celebration, date night, or simply treating yourself, it’s worth every delicious bite.

This restaurant was out of this world. Everything I ate was prepared so perfectly and had the most beautiful presentation. We got the grand tasting and it was the best food I’ve ever tried in my entire life. I wish I could eat like this every single weekend. Our server Caila was amazing she gave us such good explanations about our food and made us feel so welcomed. The atmosphere of the restaurant was already amazing but she just made it so much better. This is the best restaurant I’ve tried in St. Pete and I definitely recommend everyone to go in and try it. I don’t know if anything will be able to top the experience I had.