★★★★★
Authentic Neapolitan pizza done right. The Margherita had that perfect leopard-spotted crust and the San Marzano sauce was bright and clean. Service was warm and quick even on a Saturday night.
Italian Restaurants · Downtown St. Petersburg · St. Petersburg
Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana
& Pastaria
01
The place
Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria is an Italian restaurant in Downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, located at 945 Central Ave. The kitchen specializes in VPN-certified Neapolitan pizza baked in a wood-fired oven imported from Naples, alongside house-made pasta. The dining room offers indoor seating, a covered patio, and a full bar with Italian wines. Takeout, curbside, and third-party delivery are available through DoorDash and Uber Eats. The restaurant accepts reservations and welcomes walk-ins, with leashed dogs allowed on the patio. Street and metered parking are available along Central Avenue, with paid lots within one block. Bavaro's holds a 4.4-star Google rating across 1,593 reviews.
Set on bustling Central Avenue in Downtown St. Petersburg, Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria brings a slice of Naples to Florida's Gulf Coast. The family-run kitchen is certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, meaning every pie is hand-stretched, topped with San Marzano tomatoes and fior di latte, and blistered in a 900-degree wood-fired oven for under 90 seconds.
Order the Margherita D.O.P. for the truest taste of the technique, or upgrade to the Diavola with spicy soppressata and Calabrian chiles. Beyond pizza, the pastaria turns out hand-rolled gnocchi, cacio e pepe, and lasagna Bolognese layered with bechamel. Pair with a Chianti or an Aperol spritz from the full bar, and finish with the tiramisu — a longtime guest favorite.
Reservations are recommended on weekends and can be booked online; walk-ins are welcome at the bar. The covered patio is dog-friendly and faces Central Avenue's mural district. Street parking is metered, and paid garages sit within a one-block walk. Takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery via DoorDash and Uber Eats are all available.
VPN-certified Neapolitan pizza
Wood-fired oven imported from Naples
House-made pasta daily
Covered, dog-friendly patio on Central Ave
What to expect
A lively, family-friendly trattoria with a wood-burning pizza oven as the centerpiece, exposed brick walls, and a covered Central Avenue patio. Expect a 15–30 minute wait on weekend evenings without a reservation, attentive service, and authentic VPN-certified Neapolitan pizza served at lunch and dinner.
Then come for the photos
03
The shop, in frames
Sponsored · Florida Hidden Spots
04
What people are saying
★★★★★
We sat on the patio with our dog and had a fantastic meal. The cacio e pepe was the best I've had outside of Rome, and the tiramisu was incredible. Will absolutely be back.
★★★★★
Great spot on Central Ave. The Diavola had real heat from the Calabrian chiles and the crust was pillowy. A bit of a wait without a reservation, but worth it. Solid wine list too.
06
Frequently asked
Does Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria take reservations?
Yes — Bavaro's accepts reservations and they are recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings. You can book online via the restaurant's website or call (727) 258-7517. Walk-ins are welcome, with bar seating typically available.
Is Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria dog friendly?
Yes — leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome on Bavaro's covered Central Avenue patio. Dogs are not permitted in the indoor dining room. Water bowls are available on request.
Where do I park near Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria?
Metered street parking is available directly on Central Avenue. Several paid public lots and garages sit within a one-block walk, including the SunTrust and Sundial garages. Parking is free on Sundays in Downtown St. Petersburg.
What are the most popular dishes at Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria?
Guests most frequently order the Margherita D.O.P. and Diavola pizzas, cacio e pepe, gnocchi alla Sorrentina, and lasagna Bolognese. The tiramisu and cannoli Siciliani are the top-mentioned desserts in Google reviews.
What are Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria's hours?
Bavaro's is open Sunday through Thursday from 12pm to 9pm, and Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 10pm. The kitchen serves a continuous lunch and dinner menu.
Does Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria offer takeout or delivery?
Yes — takeout and curbside pickup can be ordered directly through bavarospizza.com or by phone. Third-party delivery is available via DoorDash and Uber Eats throughout Downtown St. Petersburg.
07
Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria.
08
From Instagram
@bavarospizza