Unearth The Voyage
There is a small pizzeria in Clearwater, Florida, that has been quietly winning over locals and visitors alike with its coal-fired pies, hearty Italian classics, and a patio that feels like a little escape from the everyday. The kind of place where the crust crackles just right, the sauce tastes like someone actually cared about it, and the lasagna makes you wonder why you ever settled for anything less.
It holds a 4.7-star rating across more than 4,000 reviews, which is not something a restaurant earns by accident. Read on to find out exactly what makes this spot worth a detour, and why the lasagna deserves a spot on your order every single time.
The Address and Setting
Right at 1101 S Ft Harrison Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756, this little trattoria sits in a spot that feels both easy to find and easy to fall in love with on arrival. The building has a warmth to it that signals good food before you even open the door.
Green plants, soft lighting, and a well-kept patio create a visual invitation that is hard to walk past without stopping.
Clearwater itself is a coastal city on Florida’s Gulf side, known for its beaches and laid-back energy. This pizzeria fits right into that spirit while offering something more grounded and satisfying than typical tourist food.
The surrounding neighborhood is approachable, and parking is generally manageable for most visits.
A quick 15-minute drive from Clearwater Beach makes it a natural stop before or after a day by the water, and the location rewards anyone willing to seek it out.
The Coal Oven That Changes Everything
Coal-fired ovens are not common, and that is exactly what makes the pizza here taste so different from anything you get at a typical slice shop. The oven burns hotter than a standard wood-fired setup, which means the crust cooks fast, crisps evenly, and develops a char that adds real flavor rather than just texture.
That high heat also means the toppings stay fresh and bright instead of wilting under prolonged exposure. The result is a pizza that feels alive, with each component holding its own rather than melting into a single indistinct mass.
The Lasagna You Cannot Skip
The lasagna at this place has earned its own reputation, and that is saying something at a restaurant famous for its pizza. Layers of pasta, hearty meat sauce, and melted cheese come together in a way that feels genuinely homemade rather than mass-produced.
The portions are generous without being excessive, hitting that sweet spot where you feel satisfied but not overwhelmed.
What sets it apart is the balance. The sauce has depth without being heavy, the pasta holds its structure without turning mushy, and the cheese melts into every layer instead of sitting on top like an afterthought.
The Margherita Pizza
A Margherita pizza is one of the simplest tests of any pizzeria’s skill, and Cristino’s passes it confidently. The crust comes out thin and crispy with just the right amount of char from the coal oven, and the tomato sauce underneath carries a clean, bright flavor that does not compete with the cheese.
Fresh mozzarella melts evenly across the surface, and the basil adds a fragrant finish that makes each slice feel complete. There is nothing overcomplicated about it, which is precisely the point.
Simple ingredients handled well will always beat a busy pizza that tries too hard.
The Margherita here has been praised repeatedly for its texture, specifically the crust, which manages to be crisp on the outside while staying tender enough to fold without cracking. It is the kind of slice that reminds you why classic combinations became classics in the first place.
Pasta Dishes That Hold Their Own
Pizza may be the headline act, but the pasta menu at Cristino’s is not playing a supporting role. The fettuccine primavera, pasta carbonara, penne vodka, and veal with fettuccine are all dishes that have earned genuine praise from visitors who came expecting pizza and left talking about pasta instead.
The penne vodka sauce has been noted for its smooth, well-seasoned flavor, and the pasta is consistently cooked at the right temperature. The carbonara is another standout, with a richness that feels intentional rather than accidental.
Some pasta dishes, like the fettuccine primavera, have been described as on the milder side, so adding extra seasoning or a sprinkle of chili flakes is worth considering if bold flavor is what you are after. Overall, the pasta selection gives the menu a depth that makes Cristino’s feel like a full Italian restaurant rather than just a pizzeria with extra options.
Crispy Wings With Character
The chicken wings at Cristino’s are not what most people expect when they order wings at an Italian restaurant, and that surprise is mostly a good one. They arrive crispy and uncovered by any sauce, which immediately sets them apart from the saucy, sticky versions found almost everywhere else.
Grilled onions are piled on top, adding a savory sweetness that works well with the natural flavor of the chicken. The crispy exterior holds up under the onions without going soggy, which speaks to how the kitchen handles timing and heat.
Onion fans will find this combination genuinely satisfying, though it is worth knowing upfront that the wings come this way as a default rather than a customizable option. They have been called a great starter by multiple visitors who ordered them alongside pizza, and pairing them with the coal-fired pies makes for a solid opening round before the main event arrives.
Desserts That Finish Strong
Finishing a meal at Cristino’s with dessert is not optional, it is practically a rule. The gelato selection includes pistachio and hazelnut flavors that have each been called out as highlights by visitors who were not even planning to order dessert when they sat down.
The pistachio gelato is described as creamy with just the right level of sweetness, and the hazelnut version has earned its own fan base among regulars. The tiramisu is another strong choice, with a sharp coffee flavor that sets it apart from the blander versions that tend to appear on Italian menus across the country.
The creme brulee has also been praised for its texture and presentation. Free gelato samples are sometimes offered at the end of a meal, which is a small but memorable touch that leaves guests with a good final impression.
A sweet ending like this is hard to argue with.
The Patio Experience
The patio at Cristino’s is one of those outdoor spaces that earns its own mention rather than just being a footnote to the indoor seating. String lights hang overhead, green plants line the edges, and the overall setup feels deliberate and well-maintained rather than thrown together as an afterthought.
On cooler Florida evenings, portable heaters are placed around the patio to keep guests comfortable, which shows a level of thoughtfulness that regular visitors have noticed and appreciated. Sitting outside with an espresso or cappuccino while the heaters glow nearby is one of those low-key pleasant experiences that sticks with you.
The patio also adds a layer of ambiance that the indoor space, while cozy, cannot fully replicate. It is the kind of setting that works well for a date, a casual family dinner, or even a solo meal where you just want a good plate of food and a few quiet minutes to enjoy it.
Atmosphere and Ambiance Inside
Inside Cristino’s, the atmosphere has a quality that is difficult to manufacture but easy to recognize. The space is not large, which works in its favor by creating a snug, intimate feel rather than the cavernous emptiness that larger restaurants sometimes struggle to fill with energy.
The decor leans into an older, established Italian trattoria aesthetic, with warm lighting and a layout that makes the room feel lived-in rather than recently renovated. Several visitors have described the interior as having an old-world charm, the kind of atmosphere that suggests the restaurant has been part of the neighborhood for decades.
The noise level on busy nights can climb, as happens in smaller dining rooms with hard surfaces and full tables. An early dinner or a weekday lunch tends to offer a quieter version of the same experience for anyone who prefers conversation over crowd noise while eating.
Service and Staff
The service at Cristino’s is one of the most talked-about aspects of the restaurant, and the conversation cuts both ways. Many visitors describe their servers as patient, knowledgeable, friendly, and fast, with staff members who seem genuinely invested in making the meal go well rather than just moving tables through quickly.
At the same time, a handful of reviews mention inconsistency, with some visits featuring slower course timing or less attentive check-ins during the meal. These moments appear to be exceptions rather than the norm, but they are worth keeping in mind, especially during peak hours on weekends.
Value and Pricing
One of the most consistent points across hundreds of reviews is how reasonable the prices are at Cristino’s relative to the quality of food on the table. The double dollar sign rating on Google Maps reflects a mid-range price point that feels fair, and many visitors describe leaving surprised by how little they spent for how much they enjoyed.
For a coastal Florida city where tourist pricing can inflate menus quickly, finding a coal-fired pizza and a proper lasagna at a price that does not sting is genuinely refreshing. The portions are generous enough that most people leave full without needing to order more than they planned.
Compared to other Italian restaurants in the Clearwater area, Cristino’s consistently comes up as one of the more affordable options without sacrificing quality. That combination of solid food and honest pricing is the kind of thing that builds a loyal local following over time, and this place has clearly built exactly that.
