Inside Tour Of St. Pete’s Iconic Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Tucked away in St. Petersburg, Florida is one of the largest Italian markets you will discover. This family-owned establishment offers a variety of authentic Italian dishes made fresh daily. Guests travel from all over the Tampa Bay area just to grab some of their most famous dishes and it’s well worth it. Mazzaro’s Italian market orders many of their food items from Italy, elevating any meal and making it truly decadent. Take an Inside Tour of St. Pete’s Renowned Mazzaro’s Italian Market.
Mazzaro’s Italian Market Cheese And Wine:
Whether you’re looking for savory prosciutto that will be sliced right in front of you or wonderfully homemade desserts, Mazzaro’s Italian Market is a one-stop-shop. When you first open their doors, you are immediately greeted with a wonderful smell of spices and meats. You will first walk through their grocery store and butcher area amazed at all the different options. The employees are extremely knowledgeable and helpful in case you have any questions. Next, to the right they have a large cheese selection where you can try fabulous cheeses from all over the world. They always offer samples, and you can pick which cheese would make a perfect match for your meal. They also make fresh homemade mozzarella everyday which is extra special. By the way, you can’t have cheese without wine! As you turn around, you will immediately see their huge wine selection and they give out wine samples on the weekends.
See Mazzaro’s Delicious Deli Area:
Prepare yourself for a long line at the deli but it’s well worth it! Offering new specials and soups every day, their deli area is next level offering all your favorite traditional melas. When you first walk-in don’t forget to take your ticket as you quickly decide on your order. Pick from one of their fresh sandwiches, ready-to-eat pasta dishes and dinner meals. Much like a famous New York delicatessen, once they call your number you need to be quick, precise and loud when ordering. On of my favorite sandwiches is their Hot Italian sub with freshly cut Italian meats, on homemade bread, topped with banana peppers, lettuce and tomato making it a fan favorite. Honestly, anything you order for lunch will be mind-blowing, making you want to come back for more.
Fresh Homemade Pasta And Sauces:
If you love freshly made pasta, all different shapes and sizes look no further than Mazzaro’s back area behind the deli. They offer a variety of shapes and sizes of pasta, ravioli, Cannelloni, Manicotti and more. The best part about this area is it’s a one stop-spot so you can order your fresh pasta, pick out the perfect homemade sauce that accompanies you dish and go. The smell alone in the area will make you immediately fall in love with this market. Craving garlic bread? They have crispy, buttery garlic bread available plus it was most likely just made that day. Needing a light Caesar salad to start off your dinner? They always have crisp lettuce, cut fresh daily to assure you have a wonderful Caesar experience.
Fresh Bread, Dessert and Espresso Bar:
You can’t make the perfect dinner and leave out a wonderful decadent treat. Whether you are looking for their famous cannoli cake, eclair pastries, tiramisu or traditional Italian cookies, just looking at all their treats will make your mouth water. Similar to the deli area, you must take a number and wait to be called to order. And if you don’t need anything sweet, just take a peek in the corner and you’ll see all their freshly baked bread. Watch out because it might make your mouth water. Before you walk out there’s always one last stop. That’s if you can find a seat at the espresso bar. Round and inviting, it can be hard to find a spot but well worth the wait. However, if you are stopping by for lunch this is a great place to sit, eat your lunch and sip on some house made coffee. Also, helpful tip in case you want to open and bottle of wine for lunch. They will chill a nice bottle for you, so you can enjoy it in their beautiful courtyard.
Helpful Tips When Visiting:
Lastly, Mazzaro’s is truly a hidden treasure if you’ve never been before. It’s a must for locals especially if you want to impress guests or enjoy some wonderful authentic Italian food. A while ago, they added more parking next to the market making it more convenient to visit and get in and out faster. We recommend going during the week if you can because the crowds on the weekend get very little busy. However, it doesn’t matter because Mazzaro’s is always worth the wait.
