There’s a reason why, when you search for “Italian restaurant Puerto Rico,” the first name that pops up is Messapico—and why the reviews are all glowing 5 stars. The secret? The love for the excellence and the Italian food. That's why this place is a total gem, and people have already caught on. Even though it opened less than a month ago, it’s already packed on peak days, with people lining up—in an area where other pizzerias exist. That says something. The vibe is private and intimate, yet it’s right in the heart of Puerto Rico’s Shopping Center, just steps away from everything. While we waited for our takeaway pizzas, we had a good look at the service—and let me tell you, it’s spot-on: warm, welcoming, and absolutely on point. This time, we went for takeout—it was late, and we weren’t quite in the mood to eat out. But that didn’t stop us from noticing how well everything was run, from the kitchen to the atmosphere. Top-notch. Now for the highlight… the food. We ordered a margherita without mozzarella (I can’t have it), and they kindly swapped it out for Grana Padano flakes. It was simply divine. Then we got the “Mauretto” pizza (named after the owner) with pistachio mortadella and burrata. Since it was so late and they had just finished a packed service, the burrata was already out, so they used fresh mini mozzarellas instead—still absolutely delicious. That in itself tells you how popular the place is, and how high-quality their ingredients are. But let’s talk about the real star of the show: the dough. Crispy, perfectly salted, and super light—we didn’t feel heavy at all after eating, which is a rarity with most pizzas. If you love a crispy crust, like I do, you’ll be in heaven. And if you don’t usually go for that style? The Roman-style edge, like a pinsa, might just change your mind. An incredible dough, excellent texture, and premium toppings. 10 stars. And finally—save room for dessert, because this sweet tooth is still dreaming about their pistachio tiramisu (I didn't take the picture, but it's the one you can see in many other reviews..). We literally closed our eyes to savor it. You get that classic tiramisu mascarpone cream, but with the twist of a smooth pistachio filling that’s just… divine. And remember—this was just takeout, five minutes from home. We can only imagine how good it’ll be when we go to eat there properly, which we absolutely will (we saw some pasta dishes coming out of the kitchen that made us stop in our tracks… oh my god). If we could give 10 stars, we would. And we will be back—very soon. Bravo, Messapico. Keep doing exactly what you’re doing.
N.B. P.S. Sneak Peak about the name “Messapico” - It harks back to the ancient Messapii, a pre-Roman people who inhabited southeastern Italy, particularly the region now known as Apulia. The name “Messapia” is believed to mean “land amid waters,” reflecting the area’s geography between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. By choosing this name, the restaurant pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of southern Italy and the owner, bringing a piece of that history to...
Read moreOur evening at Messapico was an absolute delight, blending warmth, flavor, and impeccable hospitality. Dining as a party of four, we started with a bottle of "Pasqua" wine from Veneto – a sweet yet refreshing choice that paired beautifully with every course. The meal unfolded like a love letter to Italian generosity: the "antipasto misto" arrived as a feast in itself, so abundant that we couldn’t finish it despite our best efforts. For mains, we celebrated Puglia with "orecchiette" (perfectly al dente, dressed simply yet masterfully), alongside a creamy "risotto alla Milanese" that glowed like liquid gold. The "saccottini ripieni" – delicate parcels of burro and salvia – melted into rich, savory bliss. Portions here are abundantly satisfying – a joyful challenge for anyone who loves to savor every bite. The pistachio tiramisu deserves its own ovation: airy, nutty, and layered with espresso-kissed elegance. It’s no wonder this dessert is becoming their signature – a must-try for any visitor. Service shone brightest: waitstaff moved with precision, expertly timing dishes and explaining preparations with pride. They checked in thoughtfully, ensuring each course arrived at its peak. The owners’ personal touch – genuine smiles and heartfelt questions about our experience – made the evening feel like dining among friends. We’ll return – not just for the food, but for the soulful embrace of Italian hospitality...
Read moreVery good food. They do a really great Pizza Diavola, and also a really good Lasagna. However, at our visit it took very long from we ordered until we got our food. It is possible that too many guests arrived at the same time, as they were flying out with dinners to the other tables quite a lot during the 30 minutes from we ordered the starters until they arrived. A word of warning. We ordered both bruchetta and Foccacia for starters for 2 people. After finishing those we were no longer hungry. So be prepared for huge amounts of food when ordering the starters. We can recommend Bruchetta with stracciatella and foccacia with cheese.
We also ordered fries, but got patatas al forno or something like that, so be sure about what you get when ordering fries (not sure if they even have fries, but the waiter took the order of fries and delivered patatas al forno)
All that said, we can recommend this place for both pizza and lasagna. We'll be back!
It is also far too hot inside (during summer). So be sure to sit outside when...
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