Mazzaro's Italian Market — Attraction in Saint Petersburg

A Culinary Odyssey at Mazzaro’s Italian Market

Mazzaro’s Italian Market, nestled at 2909 22nd Ave N in St. Petersburg, Florida, isn’t just a market—it’s a sensory symphony, a love letter to Italian cuisine that’s earned its crown as America’s top-rated grocery for a reason. From the moment I stepped through its doors, the air buzzed with urgency, like a culinary battlefield where passionate food lovers, armed with multiple tickets from the deli, cheese, and meat counters, orchestrated their assault on flavor. Even on a quiet weekday, the place thrummed with life, nearly sweeping me away in a tide of eager shoppers.

A Feast for the Senses

Where does one begin in this labyrinth of gastronomic treasures? The aroma of freshly roasted Mazzaro’s House Blend Coffee mingles with the warm, yeasty embrace of Crusty Italian Bread baked daily. Shelves brim with homemade wonders, each label proudly declaring its in-house or artisanal origins. The Fresh Lobster Ravioli, crafted behind glass, dances in boiling water, while the 12-Layer Sausage Lasagna, a masterpiece by Executive Chef Joshua Breen, beckons from the deli case. Every corner reveals a new delight: glistening Marinated Olive Medley, shelves of Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Puglia, and a bakery overflowing with Cannoli Siciliani and Sfogliatelle Napoletane.

The Heart of Mazzaro’s

The passion here is palpable. Robert Smith, a maestro of hard-to-source ingredients, spoke with infectious zeal about treasures like Moliterno al Tartufo, a sheep’s milk cheese infused with Alba-sourced truffles, housed in the market’s legendary cheese cave. With over 425 varieties, from creamy House-Made Mozzarella by Chris to pungent Parmigiano-Reggiano, the cave is a pilgrimage site for cheese lovers. The wine cellar, boasting over 1,000 bottles, offers gems like Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, with tastings that turn browsing into a celebration. Robert’s words painted a vivid picture, much like the murals outside.

The Mazzaro Effect

Filming a TV show here, we explored the “Mazzaro Effect”—an irresistible pull that keeps customers returning, some driving hours, others flying across states. The market’s soul shines in its quirky decor—funky statues, whimsical trinkets—and the dynamic energy of its staff. Even on the slowest day, the parking lot was a gauntlet, a testament to Mazzaro’s one-stop allure. It’s a place where you don’t just shop; you embark on a mission, grabbing tickets for the Deli Counter, Cheese Cave, and Meat Market to time your haul perfectly.

A Lunch to Remember

Lunch stopped us in our tracks. The #1 Italian Sandwich—piled high with ham, Genoa salami, capicola, mortadella, and provolone—was a flavor explosion, each bite amplified by the Housemade Butter-Flavored Roll. The Chicken Salad Sandwich, creamy yet vibrant, and the Steak, Cheese, and Mushroom Sub, dripping with savory juices, were unforgettable. The Caprese, with its House-Made Mozzarella and ripe tomatoes, sang of summer. And the bread—oh, that Soft Italian Loaf, warmed my soul with every bite. Joshua Breen’s 12-Layer Sausage Lasagna was a revelation, its richly described layers of House-Made Ingredients a reason to return.

Value and Versatility

The value stunned us. For a market of this caliber, the prices felt like a gift—sandwiches generous enough for two meals, pastries like Amaretti Cookies and Tiramisu priced to share. Mazzaro’s is a one-stop shop for any occasion, from Sunday dinners to grand parties. Need ingredients for a feast? Grab Fresh Pappardelle Pasta, San Marzano Tomato Sauce, and Prosciutto di Parma. Hosting a crowd? Their Party Platters, loaded with Soppressata and Asiago Cheese, will steal the show. The Casa di Mazzaro offers cookbooks to recreate the magic at home.

A Lasting Impression

Mazzaro’s isn’t just a market; it’s a memory etched in flavor. The Cannoli Siciliani crunched with sweet ricotta, the Espresso Roast Coffee fueled our adventure, and the Alba Truffle haunts my dreams. I held off on the Mazzaro’s hats, but I’m already planning my...

I've been a regular customer at Mazzaro’s for quite some time and have always enjoyed both shopping and dining there. It’s been a go-to spot for quality ingredients, great sandwiches, and an overall enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, my most recent visit was a letdown, and I’m hoping this feedback will be taken constructively. I stopped in around 2 p.m., intentionally aiming to miss the lunch rush. I was picking up ingredients for pizza—00 flour, semolina, tomatoes, cheese, yeast, toppings, etc—and planned to grab a sandwich to go. I went to the counter and picked ticket #40, and after a wait of about 10–15 minutes, I placed my order for a sandwich and some cold salads. It was still a bit busy, so I understood it might take a little longer. After about 20 minutes, I heard orders #44 and #46 being called. I checked with a staff member to see if #40 had already been called and missed. I was told it was still being prepared and would be ready soon. However, by the 30-minute mark, I began hearing numbers like #55 and #57, which raised some concern. When I followed up again, I was told there was no order on record for #40. I pointed out the staff member (youngish blonde girl) who had taken my order and mentioned that it had been placed over 30 minutes earlier. The employee apologized and asked me to repeat the order so they could remake it quickly. I appreciated the apology, but the sandwich still didn’t come out for another 10 minutes which was almost an hr of waiting at the counter... What disappointed me wasn’t just the delay but how the situation was handled. When I first inquired, my order clearly hadn’t been checked thoroughly. And after nearly an hour of waiting, there was no gesture to make things right. I wasn’t expecting a free meal, but even a small courtesy—like offering a small side—would’ve gone a long way in showing some ownership over the mistake. A small side of pasta salad costs maybe 50 cents in materials...but the gesture would have spoken volumes. Instead, it felt like the message was: "We messed up, but your experience doesn’t matter that much to us." That left me in a bad mood, and I didn’t even enjoy the food I had been looking forward to. It cast a shadow over a place I’ve always spoken highly of and recommended to so many. I know Mazzaro’s is a beloved and busy spot that likely doesn’t rely on any single customer—but that’s exactly why the small things matter. A little care can turn a mistake into a moment of goodwill. I’m sharing this because I’d love to continue being a fan, and I hope this kind of experience becomes the exception rather...

I live in Sarasota and it’s obviously not going to be your everyday “go to” place, but if you’re willing to drive 45 minutes to an hour and traverse the beautiful Skyway Bridge to St. Petersburg, FL in the process, then Mazzaro’s Italian Market is the hands down best place to go (outside of Italy) for Italian staples.

You enter a quaint, narrow aisled grocery store and your first stop is a butcher shop/fresh seafood section manned by helpful, knowledgeable staff. Mosey on through to refrigerated cabinets stocked with fresh grab and go items in sizes to accommodate a single person or a large family. Next stop is the well stocked wine cellar where there is almost always a tasting in progress. Leaving the wine cellar, continue on to the right and enjoy their coffee bar with incredible pastries and cakes or stop at their bakery counter and be flummoxed by the range of choices you have to purchase and take home with you including exceptional cannolis. If you come out of the wine cellar, continue towards the rear outside covered patio and instead of going right and past the coffee bar, go left to the deli. Try to time your visit around lunchtime. The deli sandwiches which are made fresh on the spot are delicious and you probably have 40 hot and cold sandwiches to choose from. Great salads, soups and pasta dishes are also available.

Grab a number and step up to order when they call it. You may get #73 from the number dispenser and they may only be on #31, but with a staff of 10+ behind the counter, I’ve never waited more than 10-15 minutes. Head to the patio to enjoy your lunch. Though there are fans everywhere, certain times of the year it can be quite warm…choose a table where a fan is pointed right at you. The middle aisles of the store are stocked with a huge variety of dry goods, all of which are Italian.

Last but not least when you exit the building, there is a second building across the parking lot that is full of kitchen related sundries and other items. Be sure to check it out!

Disclaimer: After proofreading this, I feel the following disclaimer is in order:

I am not related to, employed by nor friends with the Mazzaro’s family (immediate or distant), nor am I a paid marketer, consultant or vendor to Mazzaro’s Italian Market.

I am a retired COO for a high end boutique hotel company with over a half century of experience in the hospitality industry. I do love Mazzaro’s Italian Market, it staff, atmosphere and energy. It is a unique destination. Give them a try! *

Attached pictures were pulled from...