For diners who appreciate authentic Italian food, generous portions and the welcoming feeling of a neighborhood restaurant, Villa Sorrento has become a name worth knowing in Bradenton.
Located at 2604 14th Street West, Villa Sorrento is owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Tica and Eugenio Rizzo, who have built the restaurant around family, hospitality and the flavors of Sicily. The restaurant describes its approach simply: good food should bring people together, and guests should be treated like family. Villa Sorrento
A Family Tradition Rooted in Sicily
Italian cooking runs deep in the Rizzo family.
Eugenio Rizzo is the first generation of his family born in the United States. His parents came to America from Palermo, Sicily, and the family’s restaurant roots stretch back decades. His father, Tommaso Rizzo, operated Pizza USA restaurants in the Northeast, helping establish a culinary tradition that would eventually continue here on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Today, Villa Sorrento carries that heritage forward with a menu centered on familiar Italian favorites prepared with a Sicilian influence.
The restaurant features pasta, house sauces, seafood and classic entrées. Menu highlights include Linguine alle Vongole, Chicken Marsala, Shrimp Scampi, Veal Piccata and Homemade Lasagna, along with rotating specialties from the kitchen.
A Neighborhood Restaurant Where Guests Feel at Home
Part of Villa Sorrento’s appeal is that it doesn’t try to feel like a large restaurant chain. It has developed the atmosphere of a family-run neighborhood restaurant where owners and staff get to know their customers.
That connection with the community has been important to Tica and Eugenio. Recent posts from the restaurant regularly thank customers for their support and invite them back for dinner, reinforcing the personal relationship Villa Sorrento has developed with its guests.
The restaurant was also recognized as the Bradenton Herald’s 2025 Best Italian Restaurant in the People’s Choice Awards, an honor prominently featured on Villa Sorrento’s website.
Bring Your Own Wine — With No Corkage Fee
One feature that makes Villa Sorrento a little different from many area restaurants is its BYOB policy.
Guests are welcome to bring a favorite bottle of wine to enjoy with dinner, and Villa Sorrento does not charge a corkage fee. For couples enjoying a quiet dinner or friends gathering around the table, it can add a personal and affordable touch to the evening.
From Veal Piccata to Fresh Seafood
The menu offers plenty for traditional Italian-food lovers.
Chicken and veal preparations are prominent, while seafood selections reflect Villa Sorrento’s Florida location. Shrimp Scampi combines Gulf shrimp with lemon, butter and garlic over linguine, while Linguine alle Vongole features clams, garlic, white wine and a little spice. The restaurant’s lasagna layers béchamel and ground beef for another classic comfort-food option.
Villa Sorrento has also received television exposure. Bay News 9 featured the restaurant’s Shrimp and Scallop Genovese, further introducing the Bradenton restaurant to viewers throughout the region.
Another Local Business Investing in Its Online Presence
For locally owned businesses, a strong website has become almost as important as the sign over the front door. Customers increasingly want to see menus, hours, photos and contact information before deciding where to dine.
Villa Sorrento’s website gives customers a convenient place to learn about the Rizzo family, explore menu selections, view photos and find reservation information. The website was developed by Sande Caplin & Associates, a Sarasota-Bradenton web development company that works with businesses and organizations throughout the Florida Suncoast. Villa Sorrento
Visit the restaurant’s official website: Villa Sorrento. You can also follow its latest specials and updates on Villa Sorrento’s Facebook page.
Plan Your Visit
Villa Sorrento is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday and closed Monday and Tuesday. Reservations are recommended, particularly during busy dinner periods.
Villa Sorrento2604 14th Street WestBradenton, FL 34205Phone: 941-216-3354BYOB: Yes — no corkage feeWebsite: Villa Sorrento
For Bradenton residents who enjoy discovering independent restaurants, Villa Sorrento offers something increasingly valuable: a locally owned restaurant where the owners are involved, the recipes have family roots and dinner is still meant to be enjoyed around the table.
Related Stories
For more on Villa Sorrento, read our earlier stories about its BYOB dining, Bradenton restaurant recognition, and new website.
Dining and Cooking