Rocca

The story

Rocca Tampa: Michelin-Starred Italian Cuisine in Tampa Heights

Chef and Inspiration

Rocca is the realization of Chef and Owner Bryce Bonsack’s time living in Monforte d’Alba, Italy, and his years cooking in two-Michelin-starred New York kitchens. The restaurant sits in Tampa’s vibrant Tampa Heights neighborhood, a setting that feels both intimate and polished. Bonsack describes the food as “Italian cuisine inspired by the old and the new”—a phrase that captures the balance between traditional recipes learned abroad and the modern precision he honed at Blanca and Corton.

The Dining Experience

The menu at this Michelin-starred Italian restaurant is deeply rooted in the classic Italian dining experience, emphasizing the connection between food and the people around the table. Handmade pastas are a centerpiece, with options like tagliolini al ragu and cappellacci all’aragosta. The mozzarella cart, where cheese is stretched tableside and served with heirloom tomatoes and aged balsamic, is a signature moment. Starters include an innovative crudo, freshly baked bread, and seasonal shareable plates. Mains range from dry-aged duck to dry-aged wagyu, and the extensive Italian wine list and inventive cocktails invite lingering.

The restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2023 and retained it in 2024, a testament to the kitchen’s consistent high quality. The atmosphere is refined yet welcoming—rustic flavors presented with elegance, simple ingredients treated with care. Rocca offers a contemporary Italian experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh, a place where the old and new meet on the plate.