Taverna Costale

Taverna Costale is an absolute gem in downtown St. Pete and never disappoints. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and effortlessly elevated. The food is consistently outstanding—always fresh with standout pasta and seafood dishes every time. The service is attentive without being overbearing, making the entire experience feel relaxed and special. I love this spot whether it is a date night or dinner with the parents! This spot has quickly become my boyfriend and I’s go-to for happy hour drinks, and Sean at the bar never disappoints. He is so kind and always makes my drinks perfectly. He’s always in a great mood and is 90% of the reason we’ve become HH regulars. Love the outdoor bar seating!

This restaurant is a MUST if I am ever in the area again. The food was incredible! My husband ordered the swordfish & I got the NY Strip along with a side of their brussel sprouts. Everything was cooked to perfection and the flavor was 🤌🤌🤌 (The swordfish and brussel sprouts are a TOP recommendation if you eat here) Our server was fantastic! I wish I was better with names, so I could've mentioned him in this review. Pricey, but did NOT disappoint.

We had an amazing experience thanks to Sean! He’s an outstanding bartender who makes an incredible espresso martini and creates such a fun, welcoming atmosphere. His food recommendations were fantastic and really elevated our visit. Overall, an 11/10 experience—I’d definitely come back and would recommend this spot to anyone. Once more.. the espresso martini was so good.

This was a lovely night the food was delicious I had fish and a hibiscus margarita. Both very good. The staff was great and the place is very clean I would definitely go back.

First of all the service was exceptional, food was great . Bone Marrow dish is a MUST try. Brittany is a great waitress and she took care of us well and provided exceptional service! Definitely coming back

Favorite Italian restaurant in St Pete’s and best meatballs in town! Outstanding service at the bar. The bartender, Sean, and the entire bar team is knowledgeable, personable, and makes excellent cocktails. He elevated the entire dining experience — highly recommend sitting at the bar when you visit.

My Husband & I went here last night and it was great! Our server was Gabby I believe and she was super friendly and attentive. Perfect date night. Can be a little pricey with drinks but worth it!

My companion and I enjoyed a true Happy Hour seated at a high top near the bar catching up on the day, nibbling delicious n’duja mussels, citrus hummus and tartufo and prosciutto pizza with truffle honey, all recommended by our server, Sean. I appreciated being in an upscale downtown space quiet enough to hold a meaningful convo.

The place had a open kitchen so it was interesting to see the layout, nicely done menu with scratch pasta. Atmosphere was typical with the dark candlelit, it was a bit loud and would definitely make a reservation beforehand.

One of our absolute favorites! Sitting at the bar is one of the most enjoyable experience experiences in all of Saint Pete and Sean and Make sure that you were taken care of! The food and ambience is amazing and we always return here knowing we’ll have a great time!

SEED OIL FREE ESTABLISHMENT The tare tare is a must have, the lobster rigatoni is 10/10 for creaminess + flavor, and the Brussels were probably some of the best we’ve had in a long time! I had the carne pizza and it was SO good although I wished it had just a bit more meat on it, but I think that’s just my pregnancy talking 🤣🤣 The salted caramel cheesecake was 1000/10!! Rich, dense, and the fruit + cream on the side was such a light touch. Also bonus points for having a mocktail menu that’s not ridiculously priced.

Sean and Adam at the bar were great! Very friendly and our drinks were tasty and given to us almost immediately after we ordered. It was a pretty busy night with the holidays but we were served quickly and the food was awesome. Will definitely be back!!

Went for the Valentine’s Day dinner and it was amazing! The filet was cooked perfectly and melted in our mouths. Was such a lovely experience and we will definitely be back again!

My mom and I had a wonderful dinner at Taverna Costale. We were lucky enough to have Sean as our bartender. He suggested delicious food options for us, in particular the mussels. We received extra bread to soak up the incredible sauce. Everything we ordered, from the caprese salad to the meatballs, exceeded expectations. Make sure you get to the bar when Sean is there!!!

We attended Taverna Costale for a friend’s birthday. It was a busy Tuesday night and we sat in the bar area. Sean was our server and he exceeded every expectation! He made our table feel like we were the top priority! Suggestions, status of our food, and the quality of everything we asked for was met without a doubt. If you’re looking for the best experience I suggest this restaurant and Sean to exceed expectations.

Our new favorite place for lunch downtown. It has seating around the bar or inside. Very comfortable. Not loud so you can hold a conversation or read a book which I did. Hubby was watching the game. Sean our bartender/waiter was wonderful and added some chocolate to my espresso martini. I had the Italian Cuban and it was great. Plus I took half the sandwich home. Hubby had the standard breakfast which he said was great. We’ve had other food here before and everything has been delicious.

On short notice Taverna Costale was able to accommodate a party of 24 for an office holiday party. Event Manager Tahimi said yes to virtually every request. We had a choice of 2 salads, 3 entrees and dessert, all were fabulous. The staff was friendly and attentive. I look forward to coming back for a quiet dinner or cocktails with friends.

The atmosphere is great, love the outdoor corner bar area. The menu options are very interesting and delish. The staff are so friendly and accommodating, especially Sean at the outdoor bar - so funny and nice! My favorite bartender in St Pete.

Had a great experience out with friends! Loved the aesthetic, the food and the service! Dien was a fantastic, attentive, and knowledgeable server and everything we ordered was top notch. The focaccia, pork shank, salmon, flatbread, bucatini pasta, crème brûlée and cheesecake were all lovely. Definitely recommend this spot for a nice evening out.

Sean and Adam were awesome. I hadn't been back here since we were flooded by hurricane Helene over a year ago...and almost left after not seeing a hamburger on dinner menu, but Sean stopped me and next thing he showed me the happy hour menu was still in play with the tavern burger... everything was delicious

We are moving to Art House soon and came down to check out our new neighborhood. Taverna Costale is the perfect spot to enjoy a beverage and lunch and watch the hustle and bustle of St Pete come alive. But the highlight was our server, Sean, who was fantastic! Tv He was extremely hospitable and welcoming, making us feel right at home. Thank you for a wonderful experience. We highly recommend TC and Sean!

To whom it may concern, My Lady Fair and I attended Taverna Costale on the 10th. We enjoyed a pairing of iron foccacia & spanish octopus as an appetizer. Subsequently, we followed with seasonal menu truffle mac & cheese, and the Wagyu Bolognese. These dishes were incredibly arranged and well recommended by our server Dien. He kind, curious, and is a credit to his institution. Fabio should be proud to have such a well-versed, courteous and hard working server on their team.

We came to Taverna Costale last weekend with a last-minute group of 15 and were lucky enough to have Dean as our waiter. He was amazing from start to finish. Even with a big group, he didn’t miss a thing. Everything ran smoothly, drinks were always refilled, and somehow he had whatever we needed before we even asked. The food was excellent — everyone loved their meals, and the cocktails were just as good. Dean was friendly, attentive, and made what could’ve been a hectic dinner feel easy and fun. You don’t get service like that often. He truly went above and beyond and made the night for everyone at the table.

Had lunch at Taverna and had a great time. Corinne, behind the bar was fabulous and funny to boot. Food was great, she recommended the crab cakes and was spot on! Great time and will be back for sure.

I stopped in for happy hour for the first time last Thursday. I had the best time! The bartender (I believe her name was Connie) was very knowledgeable and made me a dynamic apple martini. I also had the meatballs which were perfect! I will definitely be back. Connie is a vibe.

Reserved a table for us to celebrate my better halfs birthday and mentioned it was a beautiful dinner. Staff greeted us with birthday wishes and brought procecco to the table. Taylor was our waiter and was amazing, he let us know he was still new to the wine menu. Fine with me, we had martinis We had the pork chop and lamb and it was the best meal we have had in St.Pete in years. Top it off with amazing service, #1 spot for us. Rick Vail

Birthday dinner with friends, all foodies, and global travelers. Atmosphere, service and food all excellent. Three of us had swordfish piccata (fabulous), one the special of waygu rigatoni, and the last the orecchiette bolognese. All outstanding. Meatball appetizer and focaccia bread, YUM. Finished with Lemoncello cake, pistachio cake and salted carmamel cheesecake. Definitely would return.

Absolutely loved our experience at Taverna Costale! The food was outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared from start to finish. The service was just as impressive: attentive, friendly, and made us feel genuinely welcome. Sean was awesome—knowledgeable, upbeat, and went above and beyond to make the night memorable. Can’t wait to come back!

I have long been a fan of Chef Fabio Viviani since I first watched his appearance on Bravo’s Top Chef Season 5. No wonder he was voted fan favorite and continues to make appearances that light up the screen. He brings charisma and charm to any scene he’s in and undoubtedly steals the spotlight. He is and has always been Chef Fabio trying his best, and that’s what people adore. Chef Viviani has a gift, made evident in the the recipes he crafts for Taverna Costale. I’ve been coming to Taverna Costale since it first opened here in Tampa Bay in 2022. It has become a respite and place of celebration for my family and I. The restaurant is exquisitely decorated, shades of pale blue and grey fill the room. The walls are adorned with greenery and the environment is relaxed and welcoming. I invite you sit at the window inside and look out upon Central Avenue. Time slows down and you enjoy the world around you. Sitting at the bar during Happy Hour and casually talking with Sam is also a solid option. Sam brings radiance and fun behind the bar, her energy is also casual and friendly. My family and I usually opt for inside so we can people watch and catch up on small victories. This coastal Italian restaurant offers a cast iron focaccia my Mom once got upset with me for giving the server permission to clear the table. Turns out she wanted the bread for the next day and here I thought the crumb she left on the plate was finished. The Burrata with smoked pancetta, pistachios, tomato jam, balsamic glaze, and sweety drop peppers is incredible. We enjoy it to the point that our plates are clean and all we talk about after is how good it was. I am confident the kitchen staff’s hands are blessed by God. May Jovani, David, Roxana, Ashley, and Sam continue to do the Lord’s work. My NY Strip with whole roasted garlic, charred lemon, and arugula salad arrives at the table and almost like a magic trick, it quickly disappears. Matt and Aja consistently ensure my experience is pleasurable and relaxing. The star of the show isn’t the wine or the seasonal dessert though, it’s the General Manager, Tahimi. She is tiny, but mighty. Her presence commands the room and her sweetness is unmatched. She warmly greets you and effortlessly floats across the room ensuring you feel at peace in her house. It may not be her house, but you sure do feel at home. Chef Fabio is a staple at his restaurant and comes to cook every quarter. He doesn’t need to be there nightly because his essence is all over and his recipes are unmatched. The people behind the scenes make this restaurant a must try. May Taverna Costale’s staff and G.M. be recognized. They outdo themselves showing love and kindness to patrons. P.S. This review is in honor of Grandpa Jack. I am sure he looks down upon us as one of the great cloud of witnesses that cheer us on. May we remember that each day is new and all we can do is our best.

I recently attended Taverna Costale’s wine dinner series, which featured a four-course menu with thoughtfully paired wines. While the concept was promising, the execution fell short in some areas. One key issue was the flexible reservation system, allowing guests to choose any time rather than having a designated start time for all diners. Unfortunately, this created a disjointed experience. The sommelier was understandably busy with multiple tables, which delayed the wine descriptions. By the time we received an explanation for our wine pairing, we were nearly finished with the corresponding course. Additionally, while we were still enjoying our first course, other tables seated earlier were already on their third, adding to the sense of disorganization. That said, the food, chef, and sommelier were all outstanding. Each dish was flavorful and well-portioned, and the sommelier’s insights, once they were shared, were excellent. Despite the timing issues, the experience had many highlights, and the pricing was very fair for the quality and portions. With better coordination, this could be a truly exceptional dining experience. I hope the restaurant considers adjusting the format to ensure guests receive the full benefit of the wine pairings in real time.

We visited for drinks and appetizers. Sitting at the bar, the bartender was very welcoming and helpful. We enjoyed our California Chardonnay and a tasty beer. We shared the tasty Meatballs - 4 hearty meatballs with crostini. Their Mediterranean Salad was very good - lots of olives, radishes, etc. Dressing was a little string for us. It was a very nice relaxing dining experience.

Great spot for some bevs and food before Janus Live Browsing for a spot to dine before the show and wandered into this establishment. We were a bit early so there was barely anyone there so we had our choice of tables. We decided on the bar. Service was polite and efficient from Ryan. My bride and her friend had salads which were wonderful and I had the Cioppino which was good - not great for the price. Everything is expensive but it's expensive everywhere. Good wine selection and some great features by the glass. They did not have Mount Gay rum, my favorite, but that is a 50/50 shot wherever you go. The Burrata appetizer was AMAZING! We would return

Good wine list, solid food! We had the NY strip, Caesar salad, baked ziti, pistachio cake & affogato. The Chianti riserva & super Tuscan were delicious! Jared was a great waiter. MUST order the pistachio cake.

Stopped in for lunch with a few colleagues on a Friday. Very tasty and in a great location, walkable from many nearby offices. Definitely not a a budget lunch, but the portion I had for the Mezzo E Mezzo was good. I was satisfied and would return again. Wasn’t crowded at all, but I elect folks were either WFH or salary offline for the upcoming holiday.

My cocktail was spicy and delicious. But that freaking pistachio cake was the highlight!! I will somehow figure out how to get back to St Pete to eat that again!!!! Wow!!!

Great service and decent food. Too expensive for the value/flavor. Here are the things we ordered in order of best: 1. Focaccia: Delicious, light and fluffy. Must order. 2. Tuna Carpaccio: this was fine. 3. Ciappola: $40 for a seafood broth. Not worth it. 4. Rigatoni Bolognese: could have been simmered for a few more hours as the tomato overpowered the rest of the seasoning.

The cioppino sauce was good but the amount of seafood in this dish for the price was very disappointing. A total of 2 shrimp! I don’t think the pasta was handmade fresh pasta like the waiter said - it really didn’t taste like it. Otherwise the service was good.

This place had a great vibe and a few standout dishes. We started with the meatballs, which were a hit—moist, tender, and perfectly seasoned. I went with the Margherita pizza for my main, but it fell a bit flat—bland and lacking the flavor I was hoping for. On the other hand, the roasted beet salad my husband ordered was fresh and flavorful, and he really enjoyed it. I also tried the Strega Nona cocktail, which was spicy, unique, and absolutely delicious

I’ve been in here for a pizza and app and a quick little dessert before. The pizza was OK but I expected a bit more for the 20+ dollar price. The pizza was really small and it was just lunch so that was a bit expensive in my mind. The steak tartare was good. I did have to ask for extra bread crisps but I would definitely get it again. Maybe because I was sitting at the bar the service was just a bit different because it was busier inside than the outside bar where I was sitting was. The pistachio cake was dry and definitely not something I would grab again but the night was so beautiful and the weather was wonderful so I had to give it a try!

Our experience at Taverna Costale was unfortunately impacted by the service. Our server, Dien, spent a significant portion of the interaction speaking about himself and promoting his personal business to us I assume to invest.. rather than focusing on attentive service or engaging with us as guests. There was limited check-in regarding our experience, and the attention felt misplaced. We expect service to be guest-focused, and this fell short of that standard. Food came out amazing a bit cold thank u cooks but after seeing our waiter stand around and on the phone in the corner it makes sense.