Gasparilla Restaurants — Restaurant in Tampa

A new casual Italian restaurant on the Platt Street commercial area in Hyde Park near Post Hyde Park apartments. The map shows Courier City/Oscawana-Hyde Park. I read great reviews online about Palazzo from other Tampa area residents and really wanted to try a new pizza place. I looked up their menu on Google, where they state the restaurant is Boston-style Italian, and decided to call in my order. Their base price for a big 18" cheese pizza is $20, $16 for a 14". Toppings are extra as with all pizzerias today and noted these prices are comparable to their competitors in this part of Tampa. I talked with a friendly fellow and ordered a large pie with mushrooms on the whole and half meatball. I was told about 15 to 20 minutes before the pizza would be ready and found parking next to their distinctive building which has covered porches with outdoor tables and benches on both sides of the entry. Apparently this is a late night venue in this popular area of Hyde Park, similar to the action on Howard Avenue just west of this locale. I went in and was greeted by the fellow I talked with on the phone. The restaurant is fairly small with a good sized open kitchen behind the main counter and looks like it was previously a bar with concrete style floors and walls. There is indoor seating but not busy yet as I was there before 9pm. I paid for the pie at just over $24 with toppings and was surprised how big an 18" pie is not usually buying such a large pizza. I also noticed they have a decent menu of Boston inspired Italian foods other than just pizza. While getting ready to leave I met the owner, Jason, a friendly, personable 30ish guy in a baseball cap who I asked if he was up to competing with the other longtime established pizza venues in south Tampa. He seemed very confident and shared that he had tried a bunch of them over the years and was actually very close to one couple who own another pizza restaurant that has been in the area since the 90's. I shook his hand and promised I'd rate Palazzo. So, the pizza looked great when I got home and was delighted how delicious and well cooked it was, even all around with the crispy-chewy style NJ/NY/New England style crust I love, excellent amount of parmagiana cheese, very flavorful tomato pizza sauce, not too oily, and tasty toppings. The crust was so flavorful and chewy I polished off each piece I chose and the crusts left by my partner who doesn't eat crust ends. As my grandfather used to say...if you don't eat the crust you don't know what's good.😄 Palazzo is an instant winner in south Tampa and they received a Creative Loafing "best of" sign displayed on their counter to prove it. But to be honest, the proof is in the great food, pleasant, casual decor and friendly staff. Next time I'll stay in the restaurant...

Gasparilla’s Pizzaria, located at 1818 W Platt St, Tampa, FL, offers a dining experience that seamlessly combines quality, hospitality, and family-friendly ambiance. From the moment my family and I arrived, we were welcomed warmly, promptly seated, and our orders taken with impressive efficiency.

The atmosphere is designed with families in mind, even offering board games to entertain guests while they await their food—a thoughtful addition that enhances the overall experience, especially for those dining with children.

Service at Gasparilla’s is nothing short of remarkable. Staff members went out of their way to make us feel valued, even offering some complimentary items that enhanced our meal and left a lasting impression. The gestures of appreciation extended by the staff exemplify the level of care and attention Gasparilla’s is known for, and we felt truly appreciated as customers.

The food itself was outstanding, particularly the pizzas, which were generously sized and topped with exceptionally fresh ingredients. The quality of each topping suggested a dedication to sourcing or preparing the freshest ingredients, which elevated the overall flavor and demonstrated Gasparilla’s commitment to culinary excellence.

In appreciation of the exceptional service, I felt compelled to leave a generous tip, a reflection of our gratitude for a wonderful experience. Gasparilla’s Pizzaria doesn’t just serve food—it provides a memorable, warm, and engaging experience for families and patrons alike. This pizzeria is a standout in Tampa for anyone looking to enjoy not only a great meal but also genuine,...

This is our new go to pizza place!! Not only is the pizza delicious and fresh, but the service is amazing. This place really knows how to take care of its customers. This past Saturday we got 2 take out pizzas, it was ready right when I told it would be and was greeted by the nicest employees. When I got home I put the pizzas in the oven to keep them warm until our guests arrived. Well this was a big mistake, as the top of the box was touching the top oven burners and caught on fire!! Thank God we caught it quick and avoided a potential disaster... but it still ruined the pizza that was on top :( After cleaning up the ashes, I called Palazzo's back to place another order of the same pizza and briefly explained why I was getting a repeat order. When I went back to pick up the pizza, I was greeted by the same sweet people and they all knew what had happened.. when I got my card out to pay, these gracious folks did not charge me for the replacement pizza. I realized this is a family-run place because when I was thanking them, the girl at the register and kitchen guys pointed to a guy standing at the bar (presumably the owner) and said to thank him. I did thank him and spoke with him for a moment. Very nice people!! They had a big group in the restaurant watching the Gator game, such a nice, fun family-friendly vibe. I left there with a warm heart and a warm, delicious pizza!!! This day in time it seems like it good service is hard to find... it was refreshing to find great service, nice people and delish pizza all in...