Pane' Rustica Bakery & Cafe

I love the food at pane. From the bread to the pizzas or salads or sandwichs or treats! Its all fabulous. I love th atmoshpere and decor at the resteraunt as well. I have been their for grad brunches and then just for lunch with my friends. All times I am delighted by the food and charming atmosphere. more

Went for the first time yesterday and enjoyed the indoor cafe like atmosphere, but as far as the food, I was somewhat disappointed. I only ordered a loaf of bread and a slice of pizza to start with, due to the prices (expensive for a bakery). The bread's crust was stale and very chewy, almost like a beef jerky, and the bread's inside ""tripa"" didn't have any flavor. With the bread tasting experience in hand, I decided to bypass the sandwiches. The pizza looked phenomenal but it was served cold. I ate the pizza that way just because I wanted to try things as they were or served without demanding anything just like an average customer would experience. I might go back to try the pizza again (hopefully this time it will be served warm/hot). Pros: atmosphere Cons: expensive, questionable food quality (stale & cold....bakery fresh...right!) more

I was one of Kevin and Karen's first customers when they opened their bread bakery on MacDill. Since then they've added sandwiches, soups, catering and now a full service restaurant in a much larger (and more convenient) location. I think it's some of the best food in Tampa. The only drawback is the huge crowd it draws at lunch time and waiting for a table to free up. But the food is well worth it. Absolutely the best! And check out the bread and pastry selection... Pros: excellent quality food Cons: waiting for a table to for lunch more

This is a great place. Lots of daily specials. I have tried quite a few things and everything has been excellent. I LOVE the salads...very unique and creative. Quite crowded at lunchtime, but they manage to keep things moving with their counter service approach. Also, love to stop by there and pick up loaves of fresh bread or pastries. A little pricey (for what it is), but the quality of the ingredients makes it worthwhile. Pros: great food! Cons: crowded for lunch more

the food is great, HOWEVER the customer service is not worth it, especially when you are paying $10 a sandwich and $22.00 for a flatbread pizza. I have given them 3 chances and everytime I call to place an order for pick-up they never have time to make it and the ONE time they did have time I waited over a hour for it and it came out wrong. Being that they have over 15 employees working there at any given time I find it really hard to comprehend why they can't get it together. Pros: good food Cons: service, service, service, i can't say it enough, service more

You can't go wrong with the food here. This family owned bakery/restaurant serves enticing pizzas, salads, pasta dishes, baked treats and huge sandwiches piled high on top of their hearty breads, baked fresh daily. Try the house favorite Rustica bread, a thick crusty loaf that begs to be dipped in their savory Tomato Bisque. The location is hip and trendy, yet still manages to capture the rustic feel of an European bistro. One word of caution, this place is popular. Be prepared to wait a while for weekend lunch or dinner. more

Great food, great ambience, good service, really nice people, an excepional chef (Kevin, a Master)...and, above all - GREAT FOOD. Ooops, I've already said that. Be adventurous; when the waiter asks for your order, just say ""Shut Up, and Eat"". I promise you - you will not be disappointed. He/she won't tell you what it is you are going to eat , except in general terms. It's supposed to be a surprise, but rest assured, me hearties, you will not be disappointed. By the way, the rustic salad is to die for. Another thing, you may be tempted to pig out on the bread with Kevin's unique dip - don't give in to the temptation. You will be much too full to eat your entree. As for desserts - sheer bliss, bordering on serious sin. - Des, the infamous Irish gourmand. Pros: I can't be more eloquent than I have already been. Cons: So popular you may have to wait - go early. more

I just moved here from NYC and this is the BEST quality, flavor, & presentaiton of food I have had in the 6 months I've been here. Hip, modern enviroment. I absolutely love it. Great sandwiches & fabulous flatbread pizzas, the desserts are to-die-for! A must try! more

Since Pane Rustica moved into its expanded location at the Palma Ceia Village shopping center, there is even more to love about this hip local eatery: more seating and an expanded menu which includes pastas and hot sandwiches, gourmet gelatto and sorbetto (that's Italian ice cream and sorbet in delicious flavors like Hazelnut Espresso or Black Cherry Cabernet). A larger oven with more staff to man to line means that there are even more of those crispy rustic pizzas to choose from, with toppings that range from roasted tomatos to eggplant, goat cheese to spinach, prosciutto and carmelized onion. The service is efficient and brisk, but not overly solicitous. The greatest drawback is the expanded cafe's newfound popularity which has resulted in weekend lines that snake out the front door. Pros: fresh ingredients, crusty Tuscan breads, inventive cominations more

While the pastries, breads, and sandwiches are amazingly inexpensive, they are among the best I have had anywhere in the world. Pane Rustica is a deservedly popular and trendy little cafe that everyone should try. Everything is high quality; this place takes pride in everything they do. In terms of value, Pane Rustica is Tampa's best restaurant in my opinion. Unfortunately, there's often not nearly enough tables for everyone--eat in the park or along Bayshore! Pros: Delicious, Wonderful value, Vibrant atmosphere Cons: Seating more