Piccolo Italian Market
& Deli
The place
Piccolo Italian Market & Deli is the anchor of Gulf Gate's dining cluster and one of Sarasota's most reliable meals. An Italian market first, a deli second, and a restaurant sort of by accident — the sandwiches are made on fresh brick-oven bread with specialty cold cuts and run 30+ options deep. The portions are absurd in the best way.
Piccolo is the kind of place that earns the word "institution" without trying to. The shelves are stocked with imported Italian cheeses, cured meats, pastas, and olive oils — you can stock a kitchen here or you can sit down and let them build you a sandwich. Most people end up doing both.
The bread is baked in-house on a brick oven, which means it has the crust and pull that grocery store bread pretends to achieve. The cold cuts are specialty imports — prosciutto di Parma, soppressata, capicola — sliced to order. There are 30+ sandwich combinations plus daily specials, and the portions are legitimately absurd. Come before noon on weekdays or expect a wait; this is a lunchtime institution for the Gulf Gate neighborhood and the surrounding office parks.
What to expect
Counter service. Order at the deli case, pick up when your name is called, find a seat inside or at the few outdoor tables. The Piccolo Classic (prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, basil) is the order of record for first-timers. Cash and cards accepted. Closes early — plan accordingly.
The shop, in frames
What people are saying
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