★★★★★
Sat on the patio facing Straub Park and had the lobster ravioli — easily one of the best Italian meals we've had downtown. Service was attentive without being overbearing.
Italian Restaurants · Downtown / Beach Drive · St. Petersburg
BellaBrava
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The place
BellaBrava is a casual Italian restaurant at 204 Beach Dr NE in downtown St. Petersburg, across from Straub Park and the waterfront. The menu features wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas, house pastas, and a curated Italian wine list, with American options available. The dining room opens to a covered Beach Drive patio that faces the park and is one of downtown's most popular sidewalk seating spots. The restaurant is dog-friendly on the patio, accepts reservations, and offers takeout. It holds a 4.5-star Google rating across more than 3,289 reviews and is a frequent stop before or after visits to the Museum of Fine Arts and the St. Pete Pier.
BellaBrava anchors one of the best people-watching corners on Beach Drive, directly across from Straub Park and the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront. The vibe is lively and casual — wood-fired pizza ovens, a long marble bar, and a covered patio that fills up the moment the sun drops.
Start with the calamari fritti or a Caprese before moving to a Neapolitan pizza — the Margherita D.O.P. and the Diavola are the most-ordered. Pasta-wise, the lobster ravioli, short rib pappardelle, and chicken parmigiana are house favorites, paired with bottles from an Italian-leaning wine list. Tiramisu closes things out.
Reservations are strongly recommended on weekends and during Pier events; walk-ins fit best on the patio or at the bar. Metered street parking lines Beach Drive, and the South Core Garage on 1st Ave S is a two-block walk. Well-behaved dogs are welcome at outdoor tables, and takeout is available by phone or through the website.
Covered Beach Drive patio facing Straub Park
Wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas
House-made pastas
Dog-friendly patio
What to expect
A Beach Drive Italian go-to with wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and a covered patio facing Straub Park. Lively at night, family-friendly at lunch, dog-friendly outside, and a short walk from the St. Pete Pier and Museum of Fine Arts.
Then come for the photos
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The shop, in frames
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What people are saying
★★★★★
The Margherita pizza is the real deal — properly charred crust, fresh basil, great mozzarella. Wine list has solid by-the-glass options. Will be back.
★★★★★
Came after the Museum of Fine Arts and loved the vibe. Short rib pappardelle was incredible. Patio was dog-friendly which made our night.
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Frequently asked
Does BellaBrava take reservations?
Yes — reservations are accepted via OpenTable and the BellaBrava website, and are recommended for dinner on weekends and during Pier events.
Is BellaBrava dog friendly?
Yes — well-behaved dogs are welcome at the covered outdoor patio tables along Beach Drive.
Where do I park near BellaBrava?
Metered street parking lines Beach Drive NE, and the South Core Garage on 1st Ave S is a two-block walk. Valet is sometimes available during peak weekends.
What are the most popular dishes at BellaBrava?
Top mentions on Google are the Margherita D.O.P. pizza, lobster ravioli, short rib pappardelle, and chicken parmigiana, finished with tiramisu.
What are BellaBrava's hours?
Open daily 11:30am-10pm, with extended hours to 11pm on Friday and Saturday. Hours can shift around holidays — call (727) 895-5515 to confirm.
Does BellaBrava offer takeout or delivery?
Yes — takeout is available by phone at (727) 895-5515 and through bellabrava.com. Delivery is offered through major third-party apps.
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Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from BellaBrava.
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From Instagram
@bellabravastpete