Reviews of Cena. (Restaurant) in Tampa (Florida).

Cena

443 Reviews

286 Comments

Restaurant

Italian restaurant

1120 E Kennedy Blvd Suite 112, Tampa, FL 33602, United States

Description

Information of Cena, Restaurant in Tampa (Florida)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

This place has a very good rate, they treat their customers well and you’ll feel welcome, super recommended

Map

Open hours of Cena

Popular times

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Reviews of Cena

Michael Osunsanmi

Good food. Good service. Recommend making reservations far in advance as the place is small. There is inside and outside covered seating. Pizza is available but only for guests sitting outside. Bar seating is available but limited. Food does take quite a while to come out but it’s hot and fresh. We had the eggplant appetizer which was phenomenal. We also enjoyed the lemon flavored spaghetti, branzino and shrimp/scallop risotto. We will be back to try the other options on the menu.

Joy G

Everyone in our party loved their food! They don’t have a cocktail menu but the bartender will make you whatever you’d like. The pastas are freshly homemade. My friends like the risotto, both the truffle and the seafood ones. The best part was the desserts. The tiramisu was definitely unique but delicious and my favorite was the hazelnut chocolate cake. Delish!!

Rachel King

We enjoyed a lovely meal on NYE at Cena. The dining room is beautiful and has a relaxed atmosphere for such a fine establishment. The food is absolutely delicious, Chef Michael has created a lovely menu with unique flavors that are delightful. Excellent, attentive service. Highly recommended and I cannot wait to dine at Cena again.

Jeanette Gracian

Really good place! And they have plenty of outdoor seating. Their gin drink was really good. The pasta was amazing. The server was lovely and gave great recommendations. The parking situation is great as well! Can’t to come back and try more of the pasta!

Sunshine Zenko

Cena has been on our list for a while to try. However I was super disappointed. Our food wasn’t up to the level I expected it to be. I got the shrimp and scallop risotto which was good but had too much oil. The eggplant Parmesan was delicious however. Great location to bar hop afterward but can’t say we will be back. #sunshinereviews

Malinda Koeniger

Great food and cocktails. Service was excellent. Great date night spot. Most try the meatballs, truffle mushroom and bacon tagliolini and bread service. Will visit again.

Find My Food Stu

One of the top Italian restaurants in all of Tampa tucked away here in Channelside. They have outdoor bar and tables which we love. The owner Michael Buttacavoli is an excellent chef (he beat Bobby Flay with an awesome looking meatball parm sub). Our go to spot for mid/high level dining in this area.

Edward Mingus

First visit for us. A very nice experience there. The wait staff attentive and but not hovering. We started with a goat cheese and fig appetizer. It's not listed in the online menu. I ordered the rustic bolognese and my girlfriend ordered the Bronzini. We both agreed that the appetizer was good but it was missing "something." I mentioned honey and she agreed. I guess it's just personal preference. Both entrées came out looking amazing. My pasta was al dente and there was plenty of short rib in it. The Bronzini was as described. Crispy skin with a moist and flaky filet. The plate was covered in cannellini beans. Oh so tasty! The only negatives I noted and they're not deal breakers by any means are the restrooms are singles. So there may be a wait on a busy night. It can be a bit loud at times. And lastly, the menus are on sheets of paper along with the napkins. At the end of the meal we were very satisfied and agreed that this was a great date night location.

Korean Dee

Let me start by saying this place is a must if you’re ever in Tampa. Excellent date spot. Food was delicious and the atmosphere is perfect for a date night. Please end your dinner with the deconstructed tiramisu, you won’t regret ;)

Vicki McFadden

Good food. Eggplant appetizer was excellent. The short rib risotto was good but there was a mushy factor to the rice where there was not broth which was odd.

Rachael Sanchez

Excellent experience! Very cute atmosphere, our waitress was very attentive and the food was wonderful. We ordered the bread and artichoke for appetizers and I got the braised oxtail w/parmesean potato gnocchi ...sooo good!

Lucia Di

Everything was good. The tomato dishes are all on the sweet side. They use a tomato jelly. The risotto was great! I had the mushroom and the shrimp. The calamarata pasta with meat sauce was good. A bit sweet and spicy. The gnocchi were extremely sweet. The eggplant was delicious and my favorite item on the menu. The octopus was very good but I don’t like the topping on it. Great overall experience. I love that its not a noisy place. Very comfortable ambiance.

Joe Emling

Amazing menu, super creative and the dishes are fresh and delicious. Solid service and a cool vibe. I would have given this five stars, but at the end of the meal I ordered espresso with out dessert. The server came back and said they’re out of espresso. Seriously. And they had no other coffee. I’m not sure how a restaurant of this caliber runs out of espresso at prime time on a Saturday night. Clearly a gap in service. It was a disappointment at the end of an otherwise good experience.

Vaaance

Good service. Food is mediocre for fine dining. Overpriced. We had 3 dishes that added up to almost $100 before tips. The risotto are all good. However the meat (short ribs) lacked flavor and tasted dry. Truffle risotto was tiny and didn't have much truffle flavor. I think they used truffle oil and didn't add any actual truffle pieces. The squid ink pasta was a little too doughy and was very thick. I got 1 scallop. The shrimps and scallops were good (fresh and good quality), but overly salty.

Reginald Carpenter

Cena was recommended by the hotel staff. The restaurant did not disappoint. Everything was good. We just wished we had more of it. I get branzino everytime I see it on a menu because I rarely see it. I definitely recommend it if you visit Cena.

Liz T

Food was good. Wine list was strange. All Italian which I appreciated. But simple Google search did not come up with most of the Italian listings...or the listing were seriously different than internet said. Additionally the staff was not informed and couldn't help navigate the list. Google said some bottles should have been $20 and were listed at more than $200. Hard to know if Google was wrong or the list was price gouging. That said, food was good

Magnus Mootoo

Really enjoyed my experience at Cena! Great service and food in an cozy and comfortable environment. The pasta dishes ordered were really well made and rich with flavor. Would definitely recommend to check out this place for a nice night out!

S Rayburn

Fantastic service. The outdoor patio is wonderful and shaded. The food was outstanding. The fried eggplant is a must. The two sauces on the plate were so tasty. We also got the bronzini. It was perfectly cooked and the skin was crispy and covered in lemony Parmesan cheese. The white beans and veggies were delicious too. Highly recommend.

Mia Larson

Everything was delicious. Service was great. We had a few cocktails, all delicious but not particularly strong. The bread service (pictured) was a tasty and fun appetizer. The mushroom truffle risotto was fantastic, and the sausage mushroom pasta was quite tasty. The tiramisu (pictured) was the star of the show and is a very special dessert. For two people, we spent about $125, including the tip. Not a cheap endeavor, but perfect for a special occasion.

Jason Flores

Service was excellent and we loved the location and menu selections. Both the oxtail (picture 1) and lamb neck (picture 2) was excellent. The tiramisu (picture 3) was something we've never seen but the creativity is where it counts. Lastly the appetizer was fried cheese with a jam. Salad that came was done amazing. Overall the food, we can tell was slow cooked to bring the flavor of herbs and spices. That's when you know, you can rely on restaurants like this to come back. Enjoy and support your local business.

Greta Martinez

Amazing dining experience! We were greeted as soon as we came in by Joe, very fun and welcoming guy- let us know about the wine tastings they do every month. He was not our server, yet he consistently checked on us. Paul, our server, was very attentive, and Michael, the chef was extremely friendly! We were surprised that he personally brought our plates out and even conversed with us a bit. We had the crispy eggplant as our antipasto.. delicious! The bread was fantastic and having lived in Italy and marrying into a Sicilian family we have quite a bit to compare it to. Not only was the food outstanding, but so was the service and the friendly environment was just the cherry on top. I recommend the house salad, very simple but very fresh and satisfying. Plus!! They have 1/2 priced wine bottles on Sundays! Very satisfied with our experience here. Sorry I hadn’t come before.

Erik Altman

Went last night for dinner and it was an ok dining experience. I just didn’t feel like it was $170 experience for two. We had two drinks each. She had the spicy margarita which was the highlight for her. They had a small but well selected bourbon list and I had an EH Taylor and Angels Envy. The bread service was nice, but when dropped off the person left quickly and didn’t tell us what was on the tray. I would have liked the bread a little warmer. I had the bolognese and it was “ok”. Again, could have been warmer as it felt like it sat for a bit after it was cooked. Flavor was fine. She had the short rib risotto and it felt same note throughout the dish. The restaurant itself was cute and intimate. There is seating outside as well. We didn’t know about the parking garage on the south side so we had to fight for parking. Overall nothing was bad, there are just a lot of restaurants in Tampa where I can spend $170 for two people and be wowed. This wasn’t it unfortunately. As my better half said… she was whelmed.

Marlene Plumley

Mmmm negroni, waygu carpaccio, octopus salad, risotto and oxtail followed by affogato.

Oscar Arias

The food was excellent! The wagyu short rib risotto was decadent, my favorite of the evening. The bronzini was cooked perfectly, and went great with a side of pasta. The shrimp and scallop risotto, and the black truffle carbonara were also very good. But my definite favorite was the short rib risotto, delicious! We also started with the octopus salad and had the bread service.

Fritz Eichelberger

Among the best restaurants in the Tampa Bay region. Chef Michael is fully committed to creating very tasty and creative dishes. Great bar, pizzas, cocktails and perfect location if you’re in Downton Tampa area. Definitely a must go to restaurant in the region.

Justin Wooden

We came for our anniversary. Such delicious food. The chef has an amazing menu set up. The service was spot on and we had an amazing anniversary.

James Ringrose

I expected a lot after reading online reviews. Cena is located in a trendy square set back from the road with other restaurants and bars. It’s just of a tram line so very handy from downtown. The decor is modern, light and airy. As result this is not the place for a romantic dinner for two. It is also not very welcoming. Which was an off-putting start. We hovered in the entrance looking lost (as did most other people) until someone noticed us from the back. However, we did like our waiter and felt the service was overall good if a little understated (we would have ordered more drinks if someone had asked or come by the table). The food was on the whole good, large portions, interesting combinations and well cooked. Some odd decisions had crept onto the menu. A beet salad that had way too few bits of beet, hardly any goat's cheese and way to much other stuff for example. I ordered a veal chop. The veal was juicy and flavorful, the trimmings were less appetizing than they should have been. The desserts were fun and just the right size. Avoid the olive oil cake at all costs it tasted old rubber tires. The flavor implied that the oil had been around way too long. Despite all this, overall worth a try, but does not live up to its reputation.

Bradley Bunn

What a great place for dinner. Paul, Joe and Michael were extremely welcoming and personable. Sunday night was half off wine bottles so we had a Primitivo blend that was excellent. We also had the crispy eggplant appetizer quite delicious. For dinner I order the puttanesca which was perfect. The style of the restaurant is like traditional Italian home with a touch of modern.

Albizu Acevedo

Nice restaurant run by a chef who actually beat Bobby Flay! The short rib risotto was a bit too salty for my taste, but give it a shot!

Kelly S

This is one of my favorite spots in my Channelside community to go for a nice dinner. Cozy atmosphere, welcoming staff and tasty food. The branzino, risotto, pasta bolognese and cheese selections are my favorites. They also have a good wine list and great specialty cocktails.

R and R

What can you say about the best restaurant. Yummilicious! This restaurant has been able to combine historical favorites to the area with a interesting and flavorful twist. The eggplant was a after thought when we ordered. Now, we'll order it everytime were in Ybor City. If you don't have a favorite place in this town when you visit Cena; this will be it when you rate the dishes.

Adam J Hamersky

This place is amazing. Great service. The executive chef Michael buttacavoli is a great guy. Incredibly warm and welcoming atmosphere in the restaurant. Paul was an awesome bartender. Very attentive I never asked for a refill. Very good guy. Highly recommended.

Charlie Garber

If I could give this place a 6/5 I would. The drinks, appetizers, entree and desserts were all beautiful in their presentation and amazing in their taste. I've spent a lot more and have enjoyed the meals a lot less. I have nothing bad to say about this place, it's amazing. I already have reservations to go back!

Adam Mitrani

The food and experience is always amazing. My favorite restaurant in Tampa. Every dish is high quality and you can tell very quickly how much thought was put into each recipe. The staff is amazing and very welcoming like a family. My personal favorites are the eggplant appetizer and truffle Chitarra.

Jerry Williams

My wife and I have enjoyed this spot numerous times by ourselves and family. The menu hasn't changed much since the last time we dined. I did notice a beautiful interior refresh. I really enjoyed the crispy eggplant and the truffled mac with peas was perfect! Our server, Margarita, was amazing!

Chiquta Murray

This was my birthday dinner. Everyone paid over $100 for their meal and drinks and they wanted to charge us $2.50 per person to cut the cake. Food was ok.

Argie Miller

Absolutely amazing food and drink selections. Great attentive staff. Simplistic but elegant atmosphere. Has a covered outdoor section as well. A must do on your next food adventure. Free parking for 2 hours in the west garage.

Anali Dishmey

The place is beautiful and the service was excellent. I ordered the shrimp and scallop risotto and it was delicious. The drinks were also very good but the cannoli cake was ok. Parking was not very convenient and the prices were high.

Connor Tumbleson

This place is a small fancy establishment. You won't see white table cloths, but the menu is built from one chef and everything is expensive but perfect. The staff all around is nice and welcoming, with the food being very tasteful in every way. The plating is fancy and the place is always busy, so a recommended stop when downtown.

Abigail Eastridge

Worth the cost. The ambiance was great and the food was delicious. Service was also good. Definitely make a reservation ahead of time. It's a small indoor space and they fill up quickly.

Peter S

Very good food overall. Service was a little slow, but I think it was just busy that night. We’ll be back!

Rishi Ramkissoon

Chef Mike puts out a great and innovative menu, and Paul mixes innovative 🍸. Negroni with Amaro. Mikes famous Cacio e Pepe and the nightly special : pan seared bass, lentil- sausage cassoulet. Place fills fast- reserve it …

Madison Upchurch

This was a really great experience, and I will definitely go here again. The food was all excellent, and the service was too. The reason I can't give it 5 stars is the hugely limited menu and wine selection. And there's a $20 charge if you bring your own wine.

Stephanie Morge

Great little gem in downtown Tampa! Delicious food and top notch service in a contemporary atmosphere. Highly recommend!

Glenn G.

Loved it at Cena!!! Food was awesome and atmosphere was great. Service was good as well, met chef/ owner Michael too!! Definitely will return!!

Ce-Ce Cruz

We celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary at Cena. We recently moved from NY/NJ so food is our specialty. This eggplant appetizer is to die for!! So different than any thing I have had. That tomato jam really sealed the deal. My drink for the night was the Mule, very good and gingery l. My husband and I had the shrimp, scallops risotto, risotto is well seasoned and scallops and shrimp had just enough color on it and very tender. We had to chocolate chip cannoli to go (we ate the later, yummy) I would definitely return again and again and this time no sharing that eggplant! Thanks again Joe!

Alexa Heinrich

Cena was outstanding from start to finish. The service was wonderful and the food was amazing. Easily the BEST mushroom risotto we've ever eaten and we're already thinking about when we can go back. Bonus points for free visitor parking in the garage up to two hours. Highly recommend!

Amy Entress Dudley

Ordered meatballs since the executive chef beat Bobbie Flay and they exceeded my expectations in terms of flavor and texture. Restaurant has nice ambience with natural light and openness. Looking forward to sitting outside when the weather cools down.

Laurie

Service was nice, unrushed. Food was yummy. Bread Service is great for the table. The house salad was so good. The shrimp and scallop risotto was creamy goodness and the small portion was just perfect.

Brian Franchi

I wish I could give half stars because I probably would. We had a reservation for outdoor seating and were taken care of immediately even though we were about 30 minutes early and our waitress Laura was amazing. This was a birthday dinner for me and we aren't really accustomed to high end restaurants, but Laura put us at ease. We started with the meats and Cheese. They were excellent. A unique and fun experience trying all of the flavor combinations on the plate. I am not a fan of truffle at all, but the truffle peccorino went so well with the salty meats, I forgot about any disdain I had. My wife and I had Risotto for the 2nd course. No complaints from either of us. She is begging me to try and imitate the mushroom Risotto she had at home and the spare rib Risotto was nothing short of amazing. For our 3rd course my wife ordered the Margherita Pizza with Buffalo Mozzarella and I the nduja Meatballs famous for taking down Bobby Flay. Again we were impressed but these courses were not earth shattering. The Buffalo Mozzarella definitely elevates the Margherita, but my wife likes hers with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar which obviously untraditional, was not included. The Meatballs I had were probably the best and moistest Oven baked Meatballs I have ever had. I pan Fry my Meatballs at home and seriously thinking about changing my technique. These Meatballs were unlike anything I have ever had. Although a little too much heat for my personal tastes, the kind of though and ingenuity that went into making this remarkable dish truly astounds me. The only real problem I had was with the Pomodoro sauce. I thought it to be bland. Maybe it's just my American-Italian tastes shining through or the sauce was deliberately like that to showcase the Meatballs, but I was unimpressed by it. Overall, an excellent meal and culinary experience. Thank you Cena for a great burthday!

Mario Vittone

We ate here for the first time last night and sincerely it was the best meal we've had out in years, including stops at Michelin adorned restaurants in Tuscany. Having read reviews of the place before booking a table, we were confused by the remarks of small portions (absolutely not true ) and price. Chef could have doubled the prices and we would not have felt slighted. The service was outstanding (Eric - we're looking at you) as was the atmosphere. We'll be back.

Mia W

The food was just average. The ingredients chosen for main dishes were quite interesting…and not in a good way. At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with a tiramisu - but if you’re looking for good Italian food in Tampa, there are better options.

Lissete Carrera

I was in Tampa on vacation and I went to cena last weekend to have dinner with my family and we were not expecting such a good experience from food to service everything was exceptional , we had the wagyu Rissotto , truffle pasta and the squidink pasta special all of them recommended by our great server Federico , he was very kind and on top of everything. I’ll be recommending cena to all my friends TOP FOOD TOP SERVICE

Tam Huynh

I from new York, Cena is the best Italian restaurant I've been to, love everything on the menu, there are no comparison, long live the chefs.

Flose LaPierre

Bread plate, octopus salad, and eggplant appetizers are delicious and set the bar high! Was a bit disappointed with dinner: bronzini was crispy and tasty but didn’t enjoy the soggy salad it pairs with —would have preferred something with capers or with the dressing drained; the meatballs are delicious & i recommend cutting them up & mixing well with the spaghetti. Tiramisu was out when we dined, so i went with the chocolate torta - VERY good!

cindy goldman

What a great local gem! Beautiful presentation and well prepared food we really enjoyed our dinner at Cena! I had the lemon spaghetti- it was delicious and I ate every last bite- my only comment is that there was barely any lemon flavor. The chocolate cake with hazelnut and raspberry was fab! Will come back again.

Clay McEntire

My wife and I had been looking forward to checking this place out! Parking was free and easy in the deck, food was delicious, and service was excellent. Thanks to Chef Michael for a great night! See you again soon!!!

Kristina Thomas

Attended the monthly wine tasting event. The food was superb. The wine selection was excellent and the ambiance made for a great evening.

Jenny Petrini

Best eggplant EVER! The other appetizers are great too, as well as the salads. Was happy to have healthier options at an Italian restaurant!

G Thaden

Excellent service, drinks, and food centrally located in the Channelside district. The Bread Service was a perfect start for our table of five. Fried Artichoke Hearts appetizer is wonderful. The Waygu Beef Short Rib Risotto was very tasty too. Pastas and fish entrees were also well presented, fresh, and flavorful. Nice space with a neighborhood atmosphere. Now want to try the Cena Pizza (and bar) located outside the restaurant.

Justin Piliego

Everything here is delicious. The pizza is especially incredible. Just wish they served it every night.

Johnny Fidi

10 out of 10. This is the best food in the bay area, hands down. We've now been here 4 times in 2 weeks and have tried about everything on the menu. There is no better Veal Chop anywhere, and the cocktails are super. The oxtail gnocchi and the bolognese are simply last meal worthy.. Chef Michael has cena firing on all cylinders and we will continue to visit regularly. Service is superb. His staff is world class and is the perfect frame for this masterpiece!

Sara Paull

Amazing experience. We were in from out of town and looking for a nice evening, and Cena delivered. Delicious food with a good number of options, creative cocktails, and a cozy vibe. Exactly what we were looking for.

Nathan Fisk

Excellent food, friendly staff. Just short of the experience I was expecting, but a fantastic night out regardless.

Keith Bailey

Cheers for Cena Five of us were celebrating a birthday and Cena was an excellent choice for dinner. Service was very good and the place is welcoming and comfortable. I do wish they had a list of house cocktails. Apparently, that was 86’d because of covid. But I had seen a list on their website and they were able to make a couple and they were excellent. For appetizers we had the eggplant, the artichoke and the octopus salad. All were delicious and the proportions were generous. For entrees we had the Wagyu short rib, the Bolognese pasta, the lamb neck pasta and the bronzini fish. Again, all were great—not a weak link in the bunch. Same for the 3 desserts. We enjoyed everything about our dinner and I would happily return.

John Fret

Came here Sunday night and rebekah was the bartender. She recommended the shrimp and scallop risotto…. I can say I am not disappointed. Service and food was amazing. Will be returning!!

Tracy Pelosi

Food is absolutely wonderful!! Chef Butta creates fantastic unique dishes with amazong flavors. You will not be disappointed.

Sheila Mayola

Great food. Good bartender. Wonderful service.

Josephine Schaaf

What a wonderful place to host a 60th birthday party! The service, food, drinks and entertainment was amazing.

Miguel Romero

Absolutely delicious food, great service, and spectacular wine!

Sam N

Food was good and service was prompt. Their barrel aged boulevardier cocktail was also good. Restaurant is on the smaller side so it can get tight.

Summer Timmons

Wonderful experience! I'm sure it doesn't happen all the time, but walked in on a Friday without a reservation and was sat immediately. Our server took excellent care of us the entire time and the chef made delicious dishes. Walked out feeling 100% satisfied.

Erika Myers

Amazing!! The service and food were on point. We look forward to our next visit.

Chris Carr

I love to have an incredible dinner with my wife here occasionally. The Chef is quite talented and the service is spectacular. We walk down to this place and have a very intimate and romantic dinner regularly and we'll continue to do so for as long as they stay open. If they keep up the fantastic service, unbelievably delicious food, and professional and courteous atmosphere, they'll definitely stay on top of one of my favorite restaurants in Tampa. It's a small venue, probably 15 or so tables. The owner or manager is usually walking around attentively and ensuring that everything is good, which is an understatement. Everything is fantastic! I had a very unique dessert there, a little twist on a tiramisu that was possibly one of the best desserts I've ever had. I am totally a food lover and have eaten all over the world, this place is in my top 10. Maybe top 5! Try them out, you will not regret your evening. (There's also a tiny little play-house theater next door for a different fun evening with your favorite dinner partner if you're looking for a nice evening. Im not an employee there, I just love my romantic evenings with my wife.

Misha Ritter

In town for a quick birthday trip and we were craving some good Italian food nearby. Cena's did not disappoint! The food was so delicious and prepared so perfectly. Each bite was filled with so much flavor. Our server offered great recommendations for wine as well. Apart from the food, I will say the service and staff were just wonderful. We left about 30 minutes earlier than our reservation because we saw a storm rolling in, got there just after it began pouring, they sat us right away. A lot of the patrons were staying due to the weather and the staff made sure everyone was comfortable.

Mike Terry

Wild boar was on the menu and it was amazing! Great desserts also!

chad woodruff

Literally one of the best meals I have ever had. Chef knows his way around the wine list as well. Great selections with a fantastic staff.

monique kosloski

Bartender was incredible. Drinks were seriously top notch without the price tag. Food was also amazing cannot recommend the Cesar salad enough the croutons are so good you’ll be dreaming about them seriously. The gnocchi oxtail was also amazing gnocchi was handmade and lastly get the teramisu. Definitely gets 5 stars in my book and will be going back the service was also top notch. Make reservations though because it’s small. Also no valet only street parking but it’s free

David King

The Chef and Pastry Chef have mastered their craft. From start to finish every bite, unforgettable. The wine selection is top notch and the pace of service was perfect. Wonderful atmosphere and an amazing team makes for a dependable fantastic experience time after time! Having eaten almost every meal on the menu each with their own character and flare, I have to say everything is good! Everything

Selena Glass

Service was amazing, and the manager or hostess, Jessica, was very accommodating as we were running very late for our reservation. Great vegetarian options. Pasta was fresh and delicious, I had the spaghetti and meatballs, my friend had the Cacio e Pepe, (and the eggplant dish as the appetizer) all of it was superb! We finished our evening with the Tiramisu which did not disappoint, yummy in our tummies! Would definitely go back again!!

John Zias

It took us about 5 years to get here after I was at a wine event where Chef Michael was sitting at my table. (used to own a restaurant). I remember hearing some accolades from the hosts of the event directed at his restaurant. So, I picked my birthday to finally experience Cena. This restaurant is definitely not your traditional Italian. Every dish was an interesting combination of quality ingredients that all seemed to work in harmony. I won't get into a micro analysis, but we had the Crispy Eggplant and fried artichokes for starters. Both appetizers were unique and off the charts! We then shared the mascarpone rich shrimp and scallop risotto. Another home run! For our main courses, I chose the Rack of Lamb. The prep was unique as well, as it came with a delicious Calabrian Romesco, (pepper coulis) which actually had a bit of a Moroccan character to me. It came with fingerlings and a delicious arugula pesto laced with toasted almonds. My wife got the Duck Confit Pasta, which she really liked, but found it the most traditional of the dishes. (which when you're talking Italy, is certainly not a bad thing). That particular dish blew me away! She took about 1/3 of her portion home, which I attacked the next day, it was so good, especially if you love mushrooms! We paired our food with a delicious Tuscan blend. I don't recall the producer at this moment, but it was full bodied and flavored, and complimented our meal beautifully. For dessert, I had the Tiramisu, which in its construction alone is unique. My wife got the Banana Cake, which came out looking like a huge cream egg surrounded by chopped nuts with a Happy Birthday inscribed. Our server, Margarita, was very friendly, and paced our meal beautifully. She and I even spoke some Greek to each other! All in all, a first rate dining experience. Highly recommended!

matt s

The service was excellent. The atmosphere when you enter is a little cramped but enjoyable. Went with a party of friends ( 4 person party) and made reservations of course. Wine selection was admirable. We started off with a charcuterie board basically. Not at all what i thought it was going to be. Very bare board for the price. Nothing about what was on it explained like in most established restaurants. Sadly no pic of that which was honestly the worse part about the whole experience. The other dishes in my party were close to on point. Being a retired chef myself the dishes were in my opinion chef quality, aside from the lamb that I ordered. Although the meat was juicy and cooked to temp. ( mid rare) the method of which it was prepared and presentation was a little off. More of a new style look and no sear on the meat itself. The starch pairing ( sweet potato puree I would guess ) was tasty but not to my expectations for a lamb pairing. The mint/chime churri mixture was a nice touch and actually paired well sith the lamb. The other potatoes were on point. Would guess maybe the lamb was cooked as a rack then separated then broiled. Would like to give this establishment another try of course as the other dishes I sampled were of great quality. See a great deal of thought into this quaint upscale establishment.

Charlie Doherty

My wife chose this restaurant for our anniversary dinner based on other reviews and the website. Don't get me wrong, the food was good but the service and attention to details would keep me from coming back. The cocktails were pricey $15 for a well Manhattan and a bottle of wine that once opened was refilled only by us. Water was never refilled. Our waitress Margherita was kind but unattentive. I believe Italian food is one of the easier foods to serve hot and the meals were just warm, none of the courses or drinks were served by our waitress except for the bottle of wine. We chose tiramisu for dessert and my wife ordered an espresso. The dessert was OK but did not resemble or taste like tiramisu in any way. The espresso was an embarrassment, literally two sips at best, and my wife remarked about it the response was " did you want a double ". An extra few cents worth of espresso really shouldn't be too much to ask. Like I said, the food was good, but sadly there was nothing else that would make me want to recommend or dine here again.

Ashley Dow

Wow, wow wow! Save your "going out" money for the week, call this restaurant and quickly make reservations. Such a romantic atmosphere. Soft music playing in the background. Started with the bread service and the crispy eggplant. The tomato marmalade pairs so well with the white truffle cream base. The eggplant was cooked to perfection. I will gladly go on my 600lb life if I could have a neverending supply of that dish. Moved on to the short rib bolognese and the wagyu risotto with added mushrooms. The wagyu risotto was great. My only complaint would be that the risotto itself should have been cooked a tad bit longer. The wagyu was fork tender and made the dish worth every penny. Could have used a pinch more of salt. The bolognese sauce was impeccable and traditional. Everyone usually forgets that carotts should be in a traditional bolognese sauce, but Cena delivered on that. Finished with a cup of coffee and the tiramisu. I would imagine that when I die m, my heaven would have that tiramisu and crispy eggplant. All in all, I will definitely be back even if it's by myself. I would love to eat my way through that menu.

Ric Rini

Parking can be a bit of a challenge but it is worth the struggle. Unfortunately, our first visit to Cena was not the best service experience. We had to make sure our server knew we wanted an appetizer, remind her to bring silverware when she brought out our entrees, remind her to pick up the tab with our credit card sitting right in front of her on the table and she never served us with complimentary bread. A sub par service event at best. However, she was friendly and courteous just think she was a bit scatter brained. The food, however, the food was good. Portion sizes are more European, meaning on the smaller side but they were adequate. The food was tasty and all the flavors complemented each other with unique combinations. When our meals arrived the plates where served a bit cooler than they should have been and might have been sitting a bit too long before service. The ambiance is a bit too sterile and clinical feeling for me and the interior walls of concrete and high ceilings give it a very hollow sound. Overall the experience was good and the service just a below average.

Marc Grove

Very nice meal with not too overwhelming of a menu. All the items were tempting everything we had was superb. Chef came to the table after dinner and shared a grappa with us. Really nice experience wait staff, and cuisine.

Gabriela Groza

This place deserves 5 stars and then some! The customer service was outstanding, everyone so personable, accommodating and on top of things. The food absolutely delicious! A personal touch to classic Italian. What a delightful surprise! Make sure to call and make a reservation as the space is a bit smaller and can get full quickly (no surprise there) 😊 Will highly recommend to anyone in town!

Veronica Newton

This was my first time and I was very impressed. The food is delicious; I had the eggplant appetizer and the small portion of chicken cacciatore risotto. Even their small portion option was ample! The restaurant has a chic, but comfortable, style. Flora, our waitress, was excellent. Don't leave without trying to tiramisu- decadent and beautifully presented.

Andy Jackson

The food here is incredible! We went with a group of friends, and shared several plates - they were all amazing. This is a great spot and everyone who likes Italian should make this a must try. Its in the channel side area of Tampa, so its in an area where you can walk around and check things out and walk off your food.

Adam Ketter

One of the best Italian places here in Tampa. Prices are slightly above average but it is a great price for the quality and taste of the food! I absolutely love their babe kale Cesar salad with chickpea croutons. They also have a great wine selection and have a monthly wine tasting! Very nice calm atmosphere a great place for a date or taking a client to close on a deal!

A Farbo

Amazing atmosphere, service, and food! Delicious!

Ashley Laird

This should get a 10/5 stars. The restaurant offers an intamate friendly environment, Paul the bartender was fantastic, every dish that we ordered just seemed to get better and better. The meatball antipasto was fantastic.The rustic bolognese was my husbands favorite. The shrimp and scallop risotto was my favorite. Their take on the tiramisu was like nothing I’ve seen before and was absolutely every bit as good as it looked. Hands down best Italian food in Tampa.

Richard Heruska

Celebrated my wife's best friends' birthday here. Food was incredible, very intimate ambiance , service was friendly and first class and found perfect balance on checking in on us, but letting us enjoy private time. Highly recommend the Risotto seafood dish and we enjoyed several of their desserts.

Sara Zura

The food was great along with our waitress. I love going to a small place and the owner comes out and interacts with the customers, it shows he takes pride in his place and appreciates his customers coming

Marc Weisenberg

Great place. We at at the bar. Really liked the kale Cesar salad - chickpea croutons were a creative surprise. We had shrimp carbonara which was also very good. Carrot cake stole the show though. It's a must try!

Joma Saleem

Great little spot in the middle of channelside. Great ambiance and even better food. The pasta is amazing and the risotto might be the best I’ve ever had. If you live in the area get the take out pizza!

Jason Turner

Phenomenal food and service awaits you at Cena. The entire experience is 5 Star all the way. Can't miss items include the Crispy Eggplant which may be the best single menu item I have had on 5 continents, burrata, and the redfish!

Gemma Fong

I eat here so often since I live nearby. Simply speaking, delicious food, well decorated dishes, and friendly service. It's a great place, with brilliant cocktails. The food is tasty, hearty, but not heavy with imaginative use of vegetables. Crispy eggplant with truffle cheese, fried olives, meatball with braised collard greens, buratta salad, wild mushrooms risotto, crispy pork cheek, oxtail gnocchi, all kinds of fish, wonderfully light tiramisu, ridiculously delicious banana trifle-- are all some of my favorites. I would spend most of the meals rhapsodizing over the food; I have to imagine that this is a good sign.

Kathy Merkler

Cozy atmosphere, great for a date or a gathering of a small group of friends. Lovely fresh Italian bread. Generous portions. A short but well chosen Italian wine list. Can have a charcuterie plate to share or a meal. Had the luscious potato and leek soup. Definitely good for the cold , bleak day that was happening. I had the branzino for my main and it was cooked perfectly. My date had the house salad and the rigatoni with the house Bolognese sauce and he enjoyed both. We both had wine, a red for him and a fruity Friugli white for me. Both complimented our respective meals well. We skipped dessert because we were full but all the choices looked good. We will return for more.

ANNIE STORMBORN

The service was absolutely subpar with the elegance they attempt to exude. I called the night before to make my reservation and preordered a desert with a candle, as we were celebrating my friend's birthdayI wanted to surprise her. They never brought it out. Our table ordered theBeer Glazed Pork Belly and the Crispy Eggplant appetizers. Both were well prepared and tasted divine. Unfortunately that's where the culinary excitement ended. My friend and I both order risotto dishes. They BUTCHERED them. The consistency of the risotto was more en par with sticky rice. AND they served them on cold plates! How does an Italian restaurant not know how to prepare one of the most basic Italian dishes? Suffice it to say, I was left quite disappointed.

Karla Lisboa

Food is delicious! Great customer service.

Lowry Page

This place is a foodie's delight. From apps to desert everyone kept talking about how good the food was. I had the braised short rib pasta and it was a great twist on a traditional dish. I felt the prices were very reasonable for what we got. Parking was free since we were there less than 2 hours. (Note that google maps takes you to the wrong place)

Christopher Oliver

The beef carpaccio was simple yet perfect, just a dash of salt and olive oil. The risotto was also delicious. Big risotto fan and I have never seen so many unique combinations before. It truest have you the feel of Grandmas sausage and peppers. Next time we visit Tampa we will be coming here for dinner.

Carol Steen

service was excellent and the food was delicious

Jas Bajric

We had a chance to finally check out Cena last night. Everything about the restaurant, from the management, to the servers, and let's not forget the chef and the food, was impeccable. The staff is very warm and welcoming, and made you feel at home. We had the roasted eggplant and burrata as appetizers, gnocchi and classic bolognese for main course, and the carrot cake with some espresso to top things off. The carrot cake cannot be expressed in words. You have to see it, and devour it. We just came back from a two month trip to Europe where we spent a solid three weeks in Italy. Cena's food is at par, if not better, than some of the best restaurants we experienced in the motherland. We already made our second reservation and look forward to many more.

Jim Leland

One thing that chefs struggle with is how do they stay true to their culinary heritage while still innovating? How far do they push the envelope, yet not lose the essence of a dish? This can be even more problematic with Italian food as many of the dishes and recipes are sacred! Well, Chef Michael Buttacavoli has found the sweet spot in this conundrum, and I don’t mean with just the delicious gelato! I visited Cena with my wife upon the recommendation of a friend, and the experience was extraordinary. From our host Joe (from Comack), to our server Marissa, all the way to speaking with Michael, who is not only a great chef, but a great guy! Cena has a great vibe, a bit old school, but also a bit industrial. Our meals were amazing, the menu is rotational, and always features in season ingredients; starting with the Antipasti and Insalata. I had the Octopus salad, which was spiced up with some Calabrian hot sauce and fried cauliflower. Now I’m a bit of an authority on octopus, having eaten my way across the Iberian Peninsula, where they hand out awards to the tapas bar that serves the best pulpo. The Cena version of this was fantastic, with some innovative surprises in flavor and texture. My wife had the baby kale Cesar; the chickpea croutons were an awesome touch! And Michael is not afraid to use anchovies to keep it authentic. We had the gnocchi for a pasta course, which was equally inventive as the octopus. The tomato sauce included braised oxtail, again a combination you’ll not find almost anywhere! The gnocchi had a finishing touch of being lightly braised in the skillet, which gave it an even deeper flavor and texture. Absolutely delicious. My secondi was the Parmesan crusted halibut, which was seared to perfection with a fabulous faro and risotto. Again, another twist on a theme, but next level in flavor! This superb meal was finished off with gelato and of course, some house made limoncello! In addition to my Iberian escapade, my wife and I recently made a trip to Sicily, where needless to say food is a way of life. I would put the meal at Cena on this level. Plus not only is the food exceptional, it is an exceptional value! They are transitioning to a new menu as I type this so get to Cena and have the best of the old AND new world!

Michelle Collins

We stopped here on a whim and I'm so glad we did. $5 house wine at the bar for happy hour and the Pinot Grigio was great for the price. My husband ordered an old fashioned and he is a little picky as an ex bartender, but he commented on how it was done right. We sat at the bar and ordered the beef carpaccio and sausage and peppers risotto.

B L

I liked the ambiance of the restaurant. However I ordered the octopus salad and it was more of a vegetable medley. I loved the wine menu. I would go again.

Michelle S

Very disappointing. Pasta dishes were very small portions. The spaghetti and Italian sausage was not spaghetti served with Italian sausage but rather spaghetti served with a sausage meat sauce. The chicken Marsala was good. Overall the food flavorful but nothing impressive and overpriced. (They even charged us a sharing fee for splitting a salad!) There were 4 in our party and none of us would go back.

JEREMY WLOCHAL

Great food. Try the mushroom risotto! The fried artichoke was amazing as well. Tiramisu was unique, very sweet. Will be back!

Dan F

Absolutely must try place. The homemade meatball appetizers were amazing, he beat Bobby Flay on the Food Network with this recipe.

Charlene Scott

The food was fabulous, server was friendly and attentive but not overly so (I really don't like when servers hover), and the atmosphere was really nice even with a food truck rally going on outside. Went for a friend's birthday and we all split the entire dessert menu as well as the full platter of cheese and charcuterie which was excellent. Husband and I shared (but didn't get it split or a spare plate to avoid a split fee) a pheasant pasta dish that was phenomenal as well as a prosciutto and endive salad. Our bottle of house wine was presented to us like it might be the finest wine on the menu which was nice. The cookie butter cone with chocolate gelato was to die for. Overall it was pricey, but we left full and completely satisfied. Definitely would go back.

James Dirago

My wife and I went to Cena on July 4th. We were very fortunate to find this eatery as we are out of the area. The food was masterfully creative and one of the best dining experiences we have had in Florida. Marissa was our waitress and she was superb. It you are a bar food person this experience is not for you.

W M

Watched the dirty shaggy Chef smoke a cigarette out next to the dumpster on the side of the building as my girlfriend and I walked up for a fine dining experience. Food was really heavy and dense. EXTREMELY flavorful but after a few bites was tired of it. Theres much better elsewhere. I can recommend to try but not regularly.

Matthew Mileto

I've dined at Cena twice in the past two months, and I've been thoroughly delighted both times. The food is modern Italian, and is at once both rustic and refined. The attention to detail in flavor speaks clearly for what a restaurant can be when the chef is in charge. Being Italian and loving Italian food, I have an ingrained view of what an average Italian restaurant will look like and how the experience will go. Italy and the "old world" are beautiful, but I do not need to be magically transported there every time I want to eat Italian food. Thankfully, none of my stereotypes were accurate at Cena. The decor is modern, minimal, and somewhat industrial, yet oddly warm and welcoming. In a word - clean. Chef Mike introduced himself as the owner and I noticed him visit all of the tables in the dining room at some point during our dinner. I have a service background, and seeing the chef (even as an owner) do this makes me feel a lot better about the food I'm eating. The menu appears to be constantly evolving based on my two visits. The menu items seem to change with what ingredients are available - tragic if you're craving a specific dish, but also reassuring as a food lover, since you'll never be served sub-par ingredients. We were told the menu also changes with the seasons and based on popularity of dishes, which I'm happy about simply to try new creations from this chef. The wine selection is all Italian, which I wasn't crazy about but hey - it's an Italian restaurant so what can I complain about. Low to mid range Italian wine is forgettable in my opinion, while high end Italians are unparalleled. Thankfully there was a fantastic big, bold red available without a Sassicaia pricetag. I can't remember the name, but it started with a "B" and had a lot of alliteration in the name. The bartender will know which one. Order that wine. Speaking of the bartender and service in general: We only ever dined at the bar, so we cannot speak for any of the table service. Our bartender was great, knowledgeable, and friendly. Though the restaurant was new on our first visit and he did not know everything about everything, which can be forgiven as he quickly found out any question we asked - and we ask a lot of questions. The reason I wouldn't give the service a perfect score was that they seemed to be learning still, though they were fast and attentive so we were never disappointed. We spoke to some other guests who were frequent diners and they felt the same way about the service, though they mentioned they've seen constant improvement over the few months they've been open. Overall our experiences here were excellent and we'll be back anytime we're in Channelside. The portions are the right size, the price is great considering the quality and ingenuity, the flavors are just fantastic, the restaurant itself is modern and clean, and the staff is quick, pleasant, and informed. Places like this are what Tampa needs more of, in my long-winded and humble opinion.

Helen Erskine

My lambchop was a nice piece of meat but i ordered it medium and it was well done. Also it would be nice to bone out the chop. Everything else was delicious and the service was prompt.

Jonathan Frontado

The service was nice and attentive, the menu was filled with spectacular choices but sadly the kitchen failed to deliver on the bold promises of the menu. The food was bland and the flavors underdeveloped. Conceptually great dishes but lackluster execution

Brenda Padilla

Cozy restaurant with dim lighting. The service and the food were spectacular. We ordered the beef carpaccio and fried eggplant as appetizers, highly recommended. The service and the food were great.

Fred Brooks

Went to Cena for the first time before attending the Game of Thrones Orchestra at the Amalie Arena. The bartenders joyful demeanor and playful humor really added to our evening. We asked so many questions and he answered them l politely and with detail. Really helpful! The atmosphere is a mix between upscale bar and white table cloth. So dress comfortable/fancy if that makes any sense lol. We had the buratta salad as an appetizer. They also serve complimentary bread with oil and balsamic vinegar. Very good as far as pre mela bread goes. Hot, crunchy on outside and soft on the inside. For dinner we had their braised beef in a red sauce and the seafood risotto. The braised beef was delicious but the seafood risotto stole the show. If you like risotto or have never had it start here. They are known for their risottos and I can see why! We will be coming back for dessert and more risotto!

E Franklin

The Cuisine was very Good. The seating Arrangement was extremely UNCOMFORTABLE!. We sat outside which It was Great, But the Chairs were like for Pre-School Children! It was very Disappointing!!!

David Weylie

Great place! Eric was our sever and he was flawless. Great recommendations! The pasta was fantastic. The oxtail gnocchi was great. Definitely will come back.

Kathy McDonald

Cena is a lovely spot in the Channelside district. The burrata salad was the best I've ever had, and the eggplant fonduta for this non-eggplant lover was excellent. I went again this week and shared the oxtail pasta with friends and we all enjoyed it. It's a convenient choice if you're going to Stageworks theater next door, and the parking garage is free for the first hour or 2.

Genie Suarez

The drinks are unique and delicious. It's a place you can spend hours at and not realize. The service is suberb and extremely helpful. I didn't try the food but after the drinks and desserts, there is no doubt that it will be spectacular.

Christelle Colin

We went for the day after Valentine's day. Was disappointed they the simplify Valentine's day menu was still on. The food was good though. A little expensive for what we got. Also I didn't realized the the tables were that close to each other.

Brian M

Cena Italian Restaurant offers classy upscale dining in the downtown Tampa channelside area. I liked their shrimp pasta with scallops and their chicken marsala. A little more expensive than average at $25-$30 per plate. Nice for special occasions but not a regular spot. Not open for lunch. Only open for dinner.

Martin Gucciardo

The chef at this place Beat Bobby Flay. Their food is amazing. Michael is an amazing Chef. Everything is amazing. Try his famous meatballs!!

Michael Sowa

Wow! We have been going to Cena since they opened and they've always been great! When we saw their flyer for Thanksgiving to go it was a no-brainer. Holy cow did they ever outdo themselves !! The turkey was full, juicy and boneless breasts with the dark meat deboned all with a bed of excellent sausage dressing. The sides were unbelievable as well! All gourmet. The perfect mix of quality and quantity. Hats off to Chef Michael and the rest of the folks at Cena! I don't know how you guys pulled off such a great meal for so many. It's great to have such a professional staff so close! Christmas meal is already planned !! Thanks!

Sandra Mutolo

Very nice experience after a play next door at Stage Works theater. Eggplant appetizer was great, as were main dishes. House red was delicious and a bargain.

Maurilio Purpura

Michael Buttacavoli is a fantastic Chef. He gives the magic touch to this beautiful restaurant. Great ambient, great staff, top food! If you have people in Town this is the place to go. Good place for a date

Clayton Bauer

Interesting dishes and unique sets of flavors make this some of the best Italian food in town. Unfortunately, the service is hit and miss.

Michele Mominee

Amazing food, ambiance and staff! If you are looking for authentic yet contemporary menu, Chef Mike ROCKS! Joe, the manager is very attentive and personable. Highly recommended Cena!

Zane Gilmore

Our company had our Christmas party here. Could not have been better. The food wine and whiskey selection was great! Highly recommended to anyone who likes good food and service

Beth Anderson

I went here on a date sever weeks ago! Vinny was fantastic, and took great care of us! Great service and food! The restaurant was very clean, atmosphere was pleasant, highly recommend and I can’t wait to be back!

Tommy Shelly

Oh my God!!! Another hidden gem...Get your reservation in! This place has flavor, class and some great drinks. I was blown away and shocked from the flavor...trust me you will not be let down with this as your option....

Todd D

This place is so damn good. Very traditional, extremely good service (felt like I knew the server for years), cool location (inside and out), and the Risotto with the mushrooms puts any place in NY on blast! My mom goes all time, and so do I! Thanks Chef Mike, you are so great!

David Blacker

What an amazing find tucked away in Channelside. The staff was amazing, the food was great and the atmosphere was spot on for a great night out. If you haven't been to Cena yet, make it your next night out.

Randy Thompson

Excellent high end Italian cuisine . Chef Michael makes fantastic food. Paul the bartender makes great cocktails. The tiramisu is a must try.

Paul Gamache

The anticipation is crazy as my wife and I are going there for our anniversary tonight. I have experienced some of the best that Tampa has to offer and this is a place I have been wanting to go to for several years. I would recommend this place to anyone I know.

Gary Schaaf

Wonderful atmosphere, friendly staff, and incredible food. Very good best and wine selection. And the Grand Central property is hopping!

Lauren Barnes

The food was amazing. I mean eyes rolled back in your head amazing. I went with my food connoisseur friend so I knew it would be good but it far exceeded my expectations!

Martin Vergara

5 star experience. Food was delicious. Drinks were great and service was perfect. My wife and I had a fantastic dinner!

Victoria Kucinskas

Excellent service especially in regards to drink choices. A little on the expensive side, but the food is fantastic and the ambiance charming. Definitely great date and group event spot

Andrew Wyman

Had a good experience here. Nice atmosphere, and a great staff added to the night. Meals and appetizers were prompt and tasty, and the portions were just right.

Francelis Figueroa

Best Cheese experience ever. The honey cone cheese, yummy! Very special place for me.

August Mauser

It is on one of our places to go ! We set up our age age cigars to go right across the street At the 3rd Thursday of the month food truck rally.. The aromas that drift across the street are simply wonderful!...

Bob Barnum

Food and seevice was excellent. Perfect menu. There were 8 of us and the appetizers as well as the entrees were perfectly executed, This will be one of my favs!

Rebecca

The most delicious Italian sausage, lightly fries shrimp and grouper cheeks. Yum. Thanks to Chef Michael Buttacovoli!!

Daniel Nagel

We tried almost everything on the menu, and it kept getting better and better. The pastry chef is a God. Best meal we've had in 2 years in Tampa.

Brian Mitchell

Top of the Mark for one Chefs interpretation of Italian. Great bar cocktails ( get that one made with house barrel aged liquor). Service spot on with Eric. Hats off, we'll be back

Kirby Redman

Fantastic! Food was superb. Pastas, appetizers, and the best lamb.

Brooke Palmer Kuhl

Remarkable food and service. Have visited many times and love everything. Great menu, and wonderful wine choices. A downtown gem!

Stephen hays

Some of the best food in Tampa. Has been for years. Now has ample protected outdoor seating. Excellent!

Thomas Lynott

We've been here so many times... And it never disappoints. Such a great menu. The tastiest food in Tampa.

Ingrid Lebolt

First time at Cena last night. Won't be the last. Every dish was superb!

Shannon D

The food is consistently amazing - So good that I had my wedding rehearsal dinner at Cena. Love Chef Mike and the entire Cena crew!

denise lasher

Went for a late night dinner after a show at Stageworks and had a fabulous time. Service and food excellent. Will be visiting again soon

Matt Reed

Brought my wife there on our anniversary. What a great experience we had, from the awesome food as well as 5 star service. Would recommend it to everyone.

Hardy Durden

The food is amazing! Extremely authentic. Service is top notch.

Tampas FINEST

Amazing food , the Wagu is to die for! Spaghetti and meatballs are a spicy food lovers dream, highly recommend it!

Dakota Woodward

Very “eh” - much better Italian spots in Tampa.

Paul Duncan

Food was excellent. Must get bar service figured out. Missing some Premium liquors that people like. Mixers were way below average.

Sheila Haque

The food and service was amazing! If you are looking for a great date night dinner that offers vegetarian options- this is the place to go

Jane Swift

Great Italian, good gluten free options. Scallop and shrimp risotto was divine. Burratta very good.

lisa benore

Excellent food and very knowledgable and personable bartender. The cocktails are fantastic. Atmosphere is small and cozy.

Doug Erskine

Great food and wine , the shrimp and scallop risotto is " to die for " , many tasty selections on the menu , definitely a go again spot , excellent desserts , easy parking

terri Blanque

What a wonderful dining experience, the ambiance, excellent service and creative dishes that will enhance the palate!!! Well done Chef!

Marta Kizyma

Love the food so much: delicious and modern. Highly recommend Octopus salad. Nice service as well)

Carla Dezelic

Always an amazing experience at Cena. Service is impeccable. Food is fantastic. Chef Butta is the best!!!

Geoffrey Beaugrand

Chef Mike, Paul, and Joe. Best team around. Every time we come it’s a fantastic experience. Excited to see the new menu coming soon. Thanks guys

John Rigano

Great place to dine....food is excellent the staff is Friendly! Atmosphere is welcoming just an overall top notch experience Chef Michael has a great team.

Jason Davis

Took tremendous care of us as we came in celebrating our engagement. Food was great, but the desserts were to die for!

Deborah Need

The food and atmosphere are wonderful. Portions are perfect and the service excellent. Can't wait to go back!

Jane Melamed

Would have given them 5 stars, but only teas they had were English Breakfast, Green, and a fruit herbal for after dinner.

Sarah M

Phenomenal flavors both in food and drink starting with their warm delicious bread and oil. Staff is quick and friendly.

PatrickSeven

Best Italian food in the Downtown area. Great wine selection.

Spiro Telegadis

One of my favorite restaurants. Local bread and unique selection of wines. Menu is always updating.

Kyra Williams

The food is incredible, and so is service. A perfect date night spot unique to Tampa.

Tina Travis

Very tasty food . Pasta was perfectly al detente ! Service was great! Highly recommend .

Keneth Steele

Sea food dishes were outstanding. Pasta was made to perfection.Service was excellent.Great job. Keep it up

Felix Radgon

Most amazing place! The food, beyond incredible. Will definitely be coming back! Amazing!

Karen Carr

First time here and it was excellent! Service and food was amazing! Remodel looks good. Paul was a very good bartender!

Josephine Schaaf (Florida-Hawaii)

Dining, as usual, was amazing! Bread service was outstanding.

Joe Sylvester

Absolutely loved this place. Felt like I was in Italy again. Everything was top-notch!

Sanjay Mehrotra

Best Italian food in Tampa

Maegen Metcalf

Amazing food and our server was very nice!

Ania M.

What a flavorful dining experience! One plate more unique than the next.

barry alpert

Outstanding. Chef Michael has the right stuff. We needed a 5 star restaurant in the Tampa Bay and we now have one.

michael viegas

Met some friends there that were in town from England and had a wonderful time. The staff was great and the food was amazing.

Nishant Joshi

Good food and great service!

Steve Mark

Great service and food! Very reasonable. Definitely a good value!

Todd Mullarkey

Wow! If you are looking for a great Italian place in Tampa, you gotta check this place out. Amazing.

Shannon “S.Duncan” Duncan

Food was awesome! Service was great! I highly recommend trying this place!

Vasya Stavitsky

Finest Italian cuisine in the area.Great sea food and delicious pastas and salads.We thoroughly enjoyed our food.

Brittany Cole

Great atmosphere and great food.

Nano Rosado

Love this place is so relaxing food is so perfect and the service is A++++

Philip Bishop

We go every year at our anniversary. We are never disappointed and have a lovely dinner every time.

M Nurk

Food was fresh and delicious! Happy hour til 7 was a bonus.

Mark Wilson

Over priced and small portions. You will spend a fortune and go home hungry.

Matt H

Great food and drinks! Excellent service!

Bill Levering

Excellent everything but the best blueberry cheesecake I have ever had by far.

Melissa Whitebread

This restaurant is OUTSTANDING from the wine, bread and olive oil to the small plates...can't wait to go back.

Keri Spencer

Always a great spot for drinks and food. Lots of creative dessert options

Billy Marecle

Love it, every time it’s been perfect. Friends go and say the same. Go and enjoy!

Eric Firefox fee

Awesome food, very friendly staff enjoyed everything from the appetizer to the desert

AmaurySuarez15

Really goood authentic Italian food! Nice place for a romantic dinner

Iv Aliaj

Wow the chef here is on point. Might have to visit Tampa again for this place.

May May

Real italian food,great service and chef/owner cooks delicious!

Mike Walker

Best restaurant in the City. Great food! Great chefs! Great sweets!!

Chakrapani Prakash

Good food, limited selection for vegetarians.

Jim Gottschlich

Amazing food. Great atmosphere. Awesome service!

Laine Zoppi

Incredible food, great atmosphere and pleasant service.

Jennifer Brewer Brand, Event Dir,PR-Delta

One of a kind delightful cuisine and wonderful one of a kind Ambiance and service to match in tampas beautiful Channel District!!

Kristina Sommers

Good food, great service! Nice courtyard for outside seating

Christopher Louissaint

I work around cena they are very nice and clean people i love the restaurant my self.

craig cox

Best Carbornaro....Ever... great bar and wine list.

Scott Thomasson

Easily one of the best meals I've had in Tampa.

Vince Schwellenbach

The food was amazing. Can't believe we didn't find this gem in Channelside earlier.

Kevin Thurman

The best Italian restaurant in Tampa and one of my favorite restaurants ever.

Dan Crowley

I think the food is good but a bit more expensive than it should be.

Fabio Del Greco

Every facet was in point and they had authentic caccio e pepe. Couldn't get any better.

Mena

Thank you for always being creative with the delicious food and the environment for us to enjoy. Cheers.

Julia Miller

Delicious cuisine in a wonderful atmosphere with excellent service!

Amber Cokkinias

This place was absolutely delicious and the service was impeccable!

Jesse Perkins

Food was outstanding. Wait staff incredibly helpful.

John McDonald

Always great. Had the Rustic Bolognese pasta.

Samoa Blanchet

Great food and stellar service

Bob Levine

Micheal is a great chef. I love eating here.

Riley Smitham

Large variety of food items to choose from. Cool atmosphere.

Andrew Gardiner

Great food and great service. Highly recommend.

Karen Hardie

Amazing food, fantastic service fabulous bartender

Richard Ochsner

Great Food and Atmosphere!

Wynn family fishing

Absolutely amazing food... and the presentation of that food...showstopping!

Thomas Pilla

Fantastically executed, elevated italian with a great selection of options.

Walter Pickel

Great food, great service, prefect portions

Maura Fallon

A little pricey, but always tasty!

Robert Whitehill

So good I wish I could give an extra star.

Laurie McKay

PB&J Old Fashioned was delicious

Tony Vallone

Fantastic food and service highly recommended 👌 …

Don Scott

Love their Thursday wine nights!

Laurie Zelesnikar

Delicious, with top-notch service, highly recommended.

Joshua Fan

Delicious! Always a great meal.

Camelie Cupee

Great place, service was good. Not my style on donning.

Tabusoro Rareba

Great service and excellent meal.

Brad Jelinek

A little pricey but worth it dessert is required

Oscar F. Arias E.

Could be better if willing to give an improved service

Tony Syedin

Great service, delicious food.

Herb Gold

A winner in one of the Channelside highrise. Reservations a must.

Jeffrey Schulz

Really like the place. Great for a date.

Sean Mahaffey

Just go there! Nothing I had was bad and the service was fantastic!

Rachel Doucette

Excellent food, excellent service.

Dave Compton

The food and service was excellent.

Judy R

Food was good but over priced

michael aronin

Good food good service. Great look

Elizabeth Calleja

Ask for Joe. He'll guide you to the right dish.

Rachid Rachid

Great food and great service!

Richard Smith

Well prepared and absolutely delicious

Rich Fulk

Great food and service!! A+

Gina Gandarilla

Great experience excellent food and service

Alex Lambert

Incredible! We will be back soon!

Sandra Harris

Nice place with good ambiance and good food.

Sam Harden

Excellent

Ivan Orjuela

Nice food

Emilio Cordero

It was ok, but pricey.

Grant Smith

Eggplant was good

Daniel Bareswilt

I only regret taking 4 years to visit this place

Joseph McGuire

Good cocktails and food.

Douglas Jacobson

Very upscale in every way.

Natali Rivera

BEST Tiramisu EVER!

David Parrino

Save room for dessert.

Suzy Rose

The food was art on a plate

Jeffrey Zampitella

Amazing food and service.

Tyler Carlson

Best Italian in Tampa

Linda Hall

One of the best in Tampa!

Bradley Karas

Food was a little underwhelming

Edward Bembrey

excellen

Stuart Botfeld

Great food.

Walter Oles

Awesome

Hud Bey

Good Risotto.

steven bertheat

Great food

Michael Buttacavoli Jr

This place is awesome

Georgene Diaz

WONDERFUL desserts

Xavier C

I really enjoyed this restaurant. Some of the best Italian food i've had and beautifully presented. Service from Keith was also outstanding. We will definitely return and will recommend to others!

kyle varanyak

The service was great, she really made the food SOUND like it was going to be the greatest meal ever. The simple fact was that it was just average italian & overpriced at that, $16.50 for a cocktail that was subpar? This is Tampa not a NYC speakeasy lol. Ive eaten a lot of italian in nyc area & even here in Tampa. Everything was good, edible but nothing out of the ordinary. If you want every day suburban italian go here. If you want elevated italian in Tampa go to Rocca, honorable mention Olivia.

Brendan McDowell

JAIME SULLIVAN

Isabel Ziogas

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