★★★★★
Still one of the best Italian restaurants in Tampa after almost 40 years. The chicken parmigiana is huge and the sauce tastes homemade.
Italian Restaurants · SoHo (South Howard) · Tampa
Bella's
Italian Cafe
01
The place
Bella's Italian Cafe is an Italian restaurant in Tampa's SoHo (South Howard) district at 1413 S Howard Ave, Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33606. The restaurant has operated on South Howard Avenue since 1986, serving rustic Italian dishes alongside customizable pasta combinations. Signature plates include chicken parmigiana, lasagna con pollo, and beef carpaccio, with bruschetta, fried calamari, and the chopped salad among the most-cited starters. Hours run Monday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to midnight, Saturday 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. The cafe operates a full bar and accepts reservations via OpenTable. Takeout and delivery are available through DoorDash. Bella's holds a 4.5-star rating across 2,379 Google reviews.
Open on South Howard Avenue since 1986, Bella's Italian Cafe is one of the longest-running Italian rooms in Tampa's SoHo district. The casually chic dining room sits in a low-slung building just north of Bayshore Boulevard, walkable from Hyde Park Village and a short drive from downtown Tampa. Locals treat it as a special-occasion mainstay where the menu hasn't chased trends in nearly four decades.
The kitchen is best known for chicken parmigiana and lasagna con pollo — both poured generously and praised across Google, Yelp, and Tripadvisor. Beef carpaccio is the standout starter and is frequently called the best in town; the chopped salad, fried calamari, and bruschetta round out the openers. Build-your-own pasta combinations let you pair shape, sauce, and protein. Save room for the raspberry crème brûlée.
Reservations are recommended on weekends and run through OpenTable. The full bar pours classic Italian wines and cocktails, and takeout plus DoorDash delivery are available. Street and lot parking are available along South Howard Avenue, with additional public parking nearby in SoHo.
Tampa SoHo institution — open since 1986
Rustic Italian menu with build-your-own pasta
Signature chicken parmigiana and lasagna con pollo
Beef carpaccio frequently called best in Tampa
What to expect
A casually chic, candlelit Italian room that's been a SoHo fixture since 1986. Expect generous portions of chicken parmigiana, lasagna con pollo, and beef carpaccio, attentive servers, and a full bar. Reservations recommended on weekends.
Then come for the photos
03
The shop, in frames
Sponsored · Florida Hidden Spots
04
What people are saying
★★★★★
Beef carpaccio here is the best in town. Servers were attentive and made great wine recommendations.
★★★★★
A SoHo classic. Generous portions, warm atmosphere, and the chopped salad and lasagna con pollo did not disappoint.
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Frequently asked
Does Bella's Italian Cafe take reservations?
Yes — Bella's accepts reservations via OpenTable and on its website. Reservations are recommended on weekends and for larger parties.
Is Bella's Italian Cafe dog/pet friendly?
Bella's is primarily an indoor dining room. Service animals are welcome under federal law; for non-service pets, call ahead to confirm current outdoor seating policy.
Where do I park near Bella's Italian Cafe?
Street parking is available along S Howard Avenue, with additional public lots throughout the SoHo district within a short walk.
What are the most popular dishes at Bella's Italian Cafe?
The most-mentioned dishes are the chicken parmigiana, lasagna con pollo, beef carpaccio, fried calamari, the chopped salad, and the raspberry crème brûlée.
What are Bella's Italian Cafe's hours?
Monday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m.–midnight, Saturday 3 p.m.–10:30 p.m., and Sunday 3 p.m.–10 p.m.
Does Bella's Italian Cafe offer takeout or delivery?
Yes — takeout is available by calling (813) 254-3355, and delivery is offered through DoorDash.
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Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Bella's Italian Cafe.
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