Visiting Rocca Tampa
Rocca Tampa has been on my must-visit list for Tampa restaurants for some time now. So, when the opportunity came up for Brett and I to try it out, we were thrilled! Offering an elevated menu of rich Italian recipes, Rocca is every bit the dining experience you’d expect from their Michelin Star rating.
About Rocca
Described as a love letter to the owner-chef’s time in Monforte d’Alba, Italy, Rocca is a Michelin Star Italian restaurant just off the Hillsborough River here in Tampa, Florida. It’s conveniently located across the street from Armature Works. There is plenty of parking in the shared parking lots between Rocca’s building and Armature Works itself.
Bryce Bonsack, Rocca’s owner and head chef, spent a year traveling and training in Northern Italy, learning the cuisine from the Rocca family in Piedmont. Rocca is Bonsack’s first restaurant as both chef and owner, and it’s been earning accolades since it opened in 2019. The restaurant received its first Michelin Star in 2023.
The Atmosphere at Rocca’s
Rocca is a colorful, comfortable restaurant, with beautiful decor and a quintessentially Italian atmosphere. There are plants everywhere, and texture throughout, from the beautiful blue walls to the elegant plates they serve their food on. Perfect for a date night or celebratory dinner, the attire is elevated but not stuffy.
What We Tried at Rocca’s
When Brett and I visited the restaurant, we both enjoyed some appetizers and pasta dishes, along with tempting desserts at the end.
From their Starters, we opted for the Bread with Lemon Butter, as well as the Eggplant and Cucumbers. Both were delicious, but the Bread was the clear winner. It came with two pieces of focaccia and two pieces of sourdough. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you which was my favorite because they were both out of this world.
For dinner, I opted for the Spaghetti al Limone, which had pieces of blue crab and zucchini all through the dish, in a bright garlic lemon sauce. Brett had the Tagliolini al Ragu, with a hearty red sauce with beef, basil, and parmigiano cheese. Both of our entrees had robust portion sizes, and plenty of protein in each.
Lastly, I was tempted by the Chocolate Tart for dessert. Brett enjoyed the Cinnamon Gelato with plantains and maple syrup. My tart had a delicious mix of hazelnut, guava, and mascarpone throughout, and was sweet but not too sweet. They gave us a festive little ice cream serving too because we mentioned we had recently gotten engaged!
Visiting Rocca Italian Restaurant in Tampa
Address: 323 West Palm Avenue Tampa, FL 33602
Useful Links: Website | Menu | Instagram
Looking for more great Italian restaurants in the Tampa area?
Check out a handful of other delicious Italian spots in Tampa Bay here!
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*This post was originally published as part of my Tampa City Guide in July 2023. It was most recently updated on October 7, 2023.
