Ortygia

Small place in the Village of the Arts in Bradenton. We came in on a Saturday evening without reservations. They didn’t have a table inside, but they were able to set us up outside on their beautiful patio.

The menu is unique. It seems they have two items that are consistently on the menu, but the rest are different each week.

The food was spectacular. They don’t serve liquor but they do offer a wide range of wines and a few beers. We shared a bottle of wine that went perfectly with our meal.

Our server was knowledgeable of both the menu and the various wines offered. She was friendly and outgoing. The chef came out to speak to us on the patio and see how we were enjoying our meal.

Overall a great place. No. It’s not like the chain places….and that’s what makes it great.

Great food and awesome place to eat. Small little restaurant makes for feel like your in a small Sicilian village. Got the timballo. First time I've had it and it was delicious. Mushroom app was also good. We were there at the end of the night, so chef came out and chatted a bit with us near the end of our meal, great guy! Will definitely be back when I'm back in town

Superbly prepared Entree. Intimate setting. Friendly Chef and Staff. Owner and Chef visited our table twice. Very friendly and skilled. Fresh Vegetables and Hand-made Pasta and sauce. Chicken was the most moist and tasty that I have ever eaten. Perfection is this Chef's name!

HIDDEN GEM! The BEST chicken cacciatore I've ever had. Wonderful service. Family/friendly atmosphere. Chef came out to each table to ask how the meal was. You could tell this place is passionate about their dishes and service. Will definitely be a repeat offender. Thank you!

I took my husband there last Saturday to celebrate his birthday. We were seated right away and served to the end with minimal waiting time throughout our time there! Gaetano is amazing, as always. The servers were great too😊! The eggplant dish (La Norma) and the Monzu chicken dish were tasty and very flavorful! Would recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves Italian/ Sicilian cuisine! We’ll be back!

Very tasty! I had the stuffed portobello mushroom and chocolate ladyfingers (but without the raspberry)

I really loved this cute little Italian restaurant! It's been converted from an old house and I love that. They're very personable and even speak to the customers by name. The menu changes every week and that keeps things interesting. I will absolutely be back.

Incredible.
A remodeled family home, with tables in different environments of the house, which provides options for large and small groups but always preserving privacy since there are no more than two tables per room.
The attention is very cordial, it is attended by its owners and they care about all the details.
The food is excellent, they have a small but very complete menu and the dishes are prepared in an incredible way, allowing you to enjoy a type of gastronomy very different from that found in the area.

Having dinner at Ortygia is like being transported to one of the many rustic restaurants throughout Italy. Chef Gaetano creates a warm and inviting atmosphere as if he were welcoming you to his home. The cuisine is authentic Mediterranean with an emphasis on quality. There is a rotating menu each week with a selection of approximately four appetizers and seven entrees. Italian wines are available to complement the dishes. Both the food and wine are reasonably priced. Ortygia is open Thursday through Saturday for dinner and the menu for the week is available every Wednesday on their website. Don't miss this gem!

Awesome experience! Most delicious food I've had in ages. 🤤 You'll feel like family there. Definitely 5 star in my opinion.

Amazing Italian restaurant located at the Village of Arts area in Bradenton!
Led by renowned chef Gaetano Canatta, Ortygia specialty is the Sicílian Cuisine, with a menu that is frequently renewed.
I’ve had the opportunity of visiting the restaurant 3 years ago while visiting Bradenton and in that occasion was attracted by the coziness and home feel of the restaurant, the wonderful live music and the deliciousness and authenticity of its menu and the very courteous service. Not to mention that chef Gaetano would momentarily take a break from the kitchen, pull out an harmonica from his pocket and play and sing the blues!
Yesterday I was able to finally come back to Ortygia with my wife.
We’ve ordered a grilled octopus appetizer: very Tender and well seasoned.
Our main dishes were veal Milanese (perfect!) and, by suggestion of our server Ellen (hope I’ve got her name right) we also had the Yellow Edge Grouper. This dish was the highlight of our dinner. I don’t think I ever tasted a grouper so tasty in my life!
Chef Gaetano came several times to our table to check if all was to our content! Definitely, Yes, Chef!
Our desserts were a black cherry gelato and a very creative and delicious lemon-basil semi fredo!
Our meal had the company of a good Sicilian Nero D’Avola red wine!
Dining at Ortygia is Highly Recommended not only because of its extraordinary authentic Southern Italian cuisine but also because the establishment’s Chef and its staff make sure you have a truly wonderful experience.
If only Ortygia was in Orlando…😊

Amazing authentic Italian food. The atmosphere was intimate and the service was impeccabile. Everything was cooked to order and everyone in our party of 4 was extremely satisfied. We will definitely go back again. We love Italian food and this is the best that we have ever had.

Been in FL a year and this was (finally!) the best place I’ve been to for quality cuisine. I am GF/DF and the chef was accommodating. This is a family owned biz with personal pics on the wall. Food was a blend of French and Italian. The wine was straight from Italy and phenomenal. I found the pricing very fair. This is a very small house converted into a restaurant. It is heavily advised to make a reservation due to limited seating. Bread was offered immediately and it was fresh baked. Option of tap, bottled, or sparkling water as soon as we sat down. We were told the menu changes often and I am def returning! The chef was at our table to discuss food, wine, travel, and pleasantries. It was a very warm and friendly atmosphere that was difficult to leave! You felt like you were at a friends. Can’t recommend enough!!

What a special place. In the heart of Bradenton’s Art District there is a little house with a special chef. Gaetano started this restaurant 13 years ago as the Chef, Owner and writer. He wanted to bring a little Sicilian flare with a New Jersey touch to Florida’s West Coast. This quaint out of the way farm to table restaurant will surprise you with its homemade Sicilian cooking. Today with all the restaurant chains, it is nice to have gem like this in Bradenton. My wife and I have not been out to dinner in over 4 months. We wanted to find a restaurant that could offer a unique dinning experience with fresh to table entrees. Well, we found it. My only regret is that I found Ortygia thirteen years later. I have often said to many of my friends Bradenton lacks true fresh Chef dinning restaurants. Maybe I was just not looking hard enough. If you want a quiet, nice dining experience, this will be perfect for you and a special someone. Ask for Penne, she was warm hearted and took care of our every need. We called to make reservations and that seemed to be the best way to ensure you got a table.

Enjoy!

Wonderful restaurant!!! The chef and service were extraordinary!!! Love it ♥♥♥ highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for and great meal and a great atmosphere to relax and enjoy your time

My son found this place in a google search. Place is great! The owner chef came out and visited checked on everyone to make sure they were enjoying his place.

The meals are creative and delicious every time we go. Hidden away in an artsy neighborhood.

Another visit, another terrific dining experience. The food here is authentic, fresh, delicious and served well. If you have not yet tried Ortygia, you definitely should.

Authentic Sicilian dishes! Prices are a little on the high side but not ridculous and are worth it because these are not dishes you will find anywhere else! Service is very personal and super friendly.

Great authentic Italian food, If you have been to Italy, you know what I mean.
Fresh ingredients prepared fresh.

Feel at home with great food, attentive and friendly service, and a wide choice of wines...chef Gaetano makes sure to do the rounds and make sure everyone is happy!