With its modern but classic Italian cuisine and emphasis on artisanal and contemporary Northern Italian style, Mediterraneo is often credited with being the first restaurant to bring authentic contemporary Italian cuisine to Sarasota when it first opened in 1996. Still under the same ownership, Mediterraneo has consistently been rated one of the top restaurants in Zagat. The restaurant has received numerous accolades including the acclaimed Insegna Del Ristorante Italiano awarded by The Minister of Agriculture & Commerce in Rome. With its highest honor, inducting the restaurant into its Accademia Italiana della Cucina "Fine Dining Hall of Fame." Mediterraneo has been rated as Best of the Best in Sarasota Magazine since the first year of opening.
So whether you're celebrating a special occasion or grabbing a quick bite to eat, at Mediterraneo you are always assured the best quality food accompanied by excellent service. All of it thoroughly Italian.
"Second time here. Liked it better the first time. We felt rushed through our meal. Hate when dinner arrives and you are still eating the appetiser. Slow down!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"Our experience was exactly what we were told it would be. A colleague of mine suggested we try this ristorante because of their food. Wow she was right! If you enjoy great authentic Italian cuisine then I recommend you try this place!"
Dined on 4/27/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"Been going here for years. Restaurants come and go all the time in SRQ and I have been to most. Grew up with classically trained chef as a father in a foodie town. I eat out seven days a week and know my way around a kitchen. So I know food and Cafe Med is on my short-short list. Should be on yours too."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, special occasion, great for lunch
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"This was our second trip to Mediterraneo and it was even better than the first. Food was fantastic and the wait staff and owners are extremely helpful and friendly. Highly recommend the Bucatini and the Profiteroles!"
Dined on 04/12/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Veal Valdastano is excellent! So is most everything else!"
Dined on 04/07/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"arrived for our 7:30 reservation. the place was so crowded it was like people were packed in like sardines and extremely noisey. We made an excuse to the Matr'd and left. There was no way we would have enjoyed our saturday night out. Will try it again when the snowbirds leave. maybe end of may or june"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2010
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"The only negative we experienced was that we had requested a table in the bar or by the wall and the maitre d had no such notation. He said that he didn't know that and that the table in the bar that was open had a reservation. He was very brusque."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, hot spot
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"Wonderful welcome at the door by one of the owners. Ample pasta selections. Very lacking in seafood selections. Tomato, lettuce and gorgonzola salad weak. Funny story: I was dining with a friend who is a native Italian and the American waiter corrected my friend's Italian."
Dined on 04/01/2013
2008
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Review 17 for Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano
Overall rating
(Outstanding)5/5
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Outstanding)5/5
Service
(Outstanding)5/5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)5/5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Be sure to make reservations! Place is always busy! Definitely worth it! Best Italian food in sarasota!"
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Very good but extremely noisy. Went three times First time noisy for dinner but food was excellant had trout, partner had salmon. Second time lunch still noisy Food was good both times except for a side of marinara which was not so good Lady who ordered it was from Italy. I had rigatoni with sausage, excellat 2 people had gnocci so so they said 1 had liguini prima vera good. 3rd visit was Easter Sunday for dinner..quiet but was not busy at that time had black linguini with shrimp partner had pasta with ricotta both good. Tirami Su was very good as was panna cotta"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Very good dining experience. Food was excellent and service was very good in spite of a large crowd. Only downside was the noise level. A little too loud for a nice dining spot."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"I have eaten here several times. The food is always great. They have an appetizer that i just love. I can not pronounce iy, but it is mozzerla cheese wrapped with ham. It is awesome. This visit however was not exceptional regarding service. I made a reservation for 8:00. It was a special night as my son was moving away the next day, so this was our last dinner together We arrived and mentioned our reservation. It appeared that didn't matter. They just sat people as they came in. Once seated, whivh was about 8:30, our waiter seemed more interested in another table. He did take our orders but was not very friendly. He spoke to us when we needed him that was it. Anyway, i was there to eat with my son, so i didn't get offended. Great food"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"I love everything about Mediterraneo except the noise level. It is impossible to have a conversation idf there are more than a few people at the table."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"It was a first time dining for us. A friend recommended it as his favorite restaurant in Sarasota but we were a little disappointed. The food was good but not exceptional. Our table for two was right next to the wall and another couple was seated less than an an arm's length away. It kind of had a school cafeteria feel. The service was too quick. The food came fast and left us a long evening ahead of us with not much to do. We had hope for a leisurely dining experience."
Dined on 03/12/2013
2010
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"Had an amazing meal here with a large group of people...and everyone loved their food. The complimentary bruschetta is the best I've ever had! Definitely a must go for Italian food lovers. The only downfall is the restaurant gets very noisy!"
Dined on 03/18/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"We love love love Mediterraneo. It has been our go-to place for special occasions for years. The servers are always helpful and attentive, the food is always superior- even the specials are top shelf... excellent wine list... best tiramisu in town... lovely ambiance... you will not be disappointed."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Don't miss this venue if you are in Sarasota. Elegant, delicious, fresh Italian food beautifully presented. Home-made pasta dishes are a must. Highly recommended."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot
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"We've been here several times over the years and wonder why we don't come here more often. The food is outstanding. This maybe the best place to eat in Sarasota. There were 4 of us and we each had something different and each dish was as good or better than we have ever had. The service was just a little slow, but not uncomfortably so."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"We always enjoy our evening when we go to Mediterraneo. The atmosphere is lively and the food is great. I love the shrimp and sausage appetizer and usually just get that for dinner."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"To say the least, the service was poor. Our waiter was unattentive,slow to wait on us and uncaring as he even failed to tell us the specials. When I brought this to his attention his response was that we were ready to order so didn't need to know the specials. In this discussion we were polite and the waiter was confrontational. We received a visit from the owner or manager asking what was wrong with our waiter. Not wanting to create more confrontation i simply told him about not hearing the specials. I bit my tongue as i looked at my empty wine glass. After his visit we finally received our bread. This was my 2nd visit to this restaurant with similar awful results. A good way to spoil a nice evening."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2007
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"Always a busy, popular place with lots of local following. Food is prepared on- site and is fresh. Special requests often accommodated. Weekends are especially popular and thus the noise level increases. Back dining room can accommodate families or social groups for special occasions. Nearby parking is limited."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list, special occasion
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"One of my favorite places to take clients and myself!"
Dined on 02/28/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"I've been to Mediterraneo many times, and have never been disappointed. The pasta is always excellent. Of all the Spaghetti all Carbonaras I've had in America, theirs is the best. Also, a great selection of Appetizers and salads. Their Specials are always special. Try the pizzas as well - the best around!!"
Dined on 02/28/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Mediterraneo is my favorite Italian restaurant in Sarasota. It is consistently good in food, presentation, has a good wine list-and a full bar, a rarity here as most restaurants serve only beer and wine. My latest visit I took my 91 year old mom and requested a table near a wall and corner so she would have less problems hearing. We got a wall table but the noise level for people who have/should have hearing aids is high. It's the only complaint I've ever had. There's a lot of food,having forgotten that I ordered prosciutto with melon as appetizer. Fortunately my mother helped me because I could not have eaten it without her help and then had an entree. And why is it that I can never find melon so sweet? Great thin crust pizza too!"
Dined on 02/24/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Mediterraneo is consistently delicious and a notable hot spot. They helped to make my husband's 70th birthday dinner a truly memorable family fete! We appreciated the special attention and loved the food and wine."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Don't let the chaotic door seene/seating system or lack of organization deter you. You won't be dissapointed. It is like driving in Italy, it works if you let it. Yes, they may seat their regulars, but if you let them know you are there, what time your resv. is for and how many are in your party, you will be seated in a reasonable amount of time."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"The greeter was disorganized and abrupt. We had to wait for 15-20 min even tho we had a reservation. The waiter forgot to bring my husband's salad even after he was reminded twice; even worse, he NEVER apologized or even appeared sorry. The food was mediocre. We will never go back."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2004
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"There were six of us and I ordered for the entire table and we shared all of the dishes. Everything was great and the service was amazing. On my next visit to Sarasota I will for sure go back to Mediterraneo"
Dined on 02/03/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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