Bavaro’s, one of St. Pete’s favorite Italian restaurants, has expanded with a brand new location in Clearwater. The restaurant officially opened in January, bringing its highly anticipated eats to Clearwater Beach.

Bavaro’s Clearwater Beach is located at 468 Mandalay Avenue and is open daily from 11 am – 10 pm (11 pm on Friday and Saturday). Established in Tampa in 2009, Bavaro’s lays claim to being “Florida’s first traditional, Neapolitan pizzeria.”

“We are extremely grateful for the continued support Bavaro’s has received over the past 14yrs,” owner Dan Bavaro said on Facebook. “Felt like yesterday, 8+ restaurants ago, opening on Franklin St in 2009, knowing nothing about the restaurant business! Watching the cities we operate in flourish, our work fam develop both personally and professionally is the most rewarding.”

Bavaro’s celebrates 14+ years in Tampa Bay

Tampa was a much different city 14 years ago. Bavaro’s is currently open at its original location at 514 N Franklin Street, just a short walk from Straz Center, Curtis Hixon Park, and the Tampa Theatre. They also have a location in St. Pete, 945 Central Ave, and Sarasota, 27 Fletcher Ave. Two of my favorite menu items outside of their array of entrees are the wood-fired broccolini appetizer and the cannoli dessert.

You also can’t go wrong with any of their authentic Neapolitan pizzas featuring hand-stretched pizza dough using a 100-year-old yeast culture. Full menus are available on Bavaro’s website.

“For 14yrs Bavaro’s has been a stepping stone for many to pay their way through college, path to open their own business, place to express their culinary passion or to make a few extra bucks while working their full time jobs elsewhere,” writes owner Dan Bavaro. “Along the way, we make amazing Neapolitan pizza and homemade pasta, amongst many other things…. I don’t think we can ask for anything more rewarding…”