★★★★★
Best Italian on the Southside. The chicken parm is enormous and the sauce tastes like someone's grandmother made it. Family-run and it shows.
Italian Restaurants · Intracoastal West · Jacksonville
Catullo's
Italian
01
The place
Catullo's Italian is a family-owned Italian restaurant in the Intracoastal West neighborhood of Jacksonville, FL, located at 1650-2 San Pablo Rd S. The kitchen serves classic Southern Italian dishes including hand-tossed pizza, baked pasta, chicken parmigiana, and veal preparations. The dining room is small and casual, with takeout available by phone at (904) 240-1252. The restaurant holds a 4.8-star rating on Google with over 1,070 reviews, ranking among the highest-rated Italian restaurants in Jacksonville. Catullo's is closed on Sundays and Mondays and does not currently take reservations. Beer and wine are served. Street and lot parking are available outside the storefront in the San Pablo Plaza shopping center.
Tucked into a modest strip-plaza space on San Pablo Road, Catullo's Italian is the kind of neighborhood red-sauce spot Jacksonville locals guard closely. It sits a few minutes from the Mayo Clinic and the Intracoastal, and the dining room is small enough that the chef-owner often greets regulars by name. The vibe is unfussy: paper menus, family photos, and the smell of garlic and slow-simmered tomato sauce.
Order the chicken parmigiana — it's the most-mentioned dish across Google reviews — or the lasagna, baked rigatoni, and veal Marsala. The hand-tossed pizzas come out with a crisp, slightly charred crust, and the meatballs (available as an appetizer or atop pasta) are house-made. Save room for tiramisu or cannoli, both made in-house.
Catullo's does not take reservations, so plan to arrive early on Friday and Saturday nights, when wait times can stretch past 45 minutes. Takeout is popular and is ordered by phone. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday. Free parking is available in the surrounding shopping-center lot, and the patio is limited but seasonally available.
4.8★ on Google with 1,070+ reviews
Family-owned and operated
Minutes from Mayo Clinic and the Intracoastal
Chef-owner often greets regulars by name
What to expect
A small, casual family-run Italian restaurant in a strip-mall storefront on San Pablo Road. Expect generous portions of classic red-sauce Italian — baked pastas, chicken and veal parmigiana, hand-tossed pizza, and house-made desserts. No reservations; arrive early on weekends or call ahead for takeout.
Then come for the photos
03
The shop, in frames
Sponsored · Florida Hidden Spots
04
What people are saying
★★★★★
We've been coming here for years. No reservations so go early, but the wait is always worth it. Lasagna and tiramisu are perfect every time.
★★★★★
Small, unassuming spot in a strip mall — don't let the look fool you. Veal Marsala and the homemade meatballs were outstanding. Owner came by our table to say hi.
05
Frequently asked
Does Catullo's Italian take reservations?
No — Catullo's Italian is walk-in only. Arrive early on Friday and Saturday evenings, when waits can exceed 45 minutes, or call ahead for takeout at (904) 240-1252.
Is Catullo's Italian dog/pet friendly?
The indoor dining room is not pet-friendly. Service animals are welcome. Limited outdoor seating may permit leashed dogs seasonally — call ahead to confirm.
Where do I park near Catullo's Italian?
Free parking is available in the San Pablo Plaza shopping-center lot directly in front of the restaurant at 1650-2 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32224.
What are the most popular dishes at Catullo's Italian?
Google reviewers most frequently mention the chicken parmigiana, veal Marsala, lasagna, baked rigatoni, hand-tossed pizza, and the house-made tiramisu and cannoli.
What are Catullo's Italian's hours?
Catullo's Italian is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 PM to 9 PM, Friday from 5 PM to 10 PM, and Saturday from 4 PM to 10 PM. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday. Call (904) 240-1252 to confirm holiday hours.
Does Catullo's Italian offer takeout or delivery?
Yes — takeout is available and popular. Place orders by phone at (904) 240-1252. Third-party delivery may be available through DoorDash or Uber Eats; confirm on those apps.
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Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Catullo's Italian.
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