Tucked away in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts is a colorful bungalow-turned-restaurant that’s as cheerful on the outside as its owners on the inside. A trip to Arte Caffe is full of fun art, warm hospitality, and amazing Italian aromas and tastes.

The restaurant’s chef and owner, Remo Mambelli, grew up in Padua, Italy, and came to the United States via New York in 1990. After spending 15 years in restaurant management in Manhattan, Remo decided he was tired of cold winters. He and his wife, Meridith, who he met when he hired her as a bartender, would head south and open their own concept.

The two felt that the Bradenton Area was the perfect place to locate their restaurant. Remo’s menu is inspired by recipes he learned under the watchful eye of his mother growing up in his hometown of Padua, which is located in the heart of the country known for Italian favorites like Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, prosciutto di Parma, and other high-quality ingredients.

Favorites on his Arte Caffe menu today include imported Italian meats and cheeses such as mortadella and buffalo milk mozzarella, housemade focaccia, short rib ravioli with Remo’s sauce (also sold for home use), and pasta purses with a white pear cheese sauce. For a group, meals are served family style, adding to the intimate experience that makes you feel like you’re having dinner in a friend’s home. Remo says his goal with his food is to give guests the same experience he had growing up in Italy. It’s evident when you talk to him just how much he loves cooking for his customers.

The Mambellis have a small restaurant kitchen that produces dishes big with flavor. On their menu, you’ll also find handmade pizzas, salads, and a variety of desserts Meridith makes from scratch, including tiramisu and biscotti. They buy much of their produce from locally owned Detwiler’s Farm Market in Bradenton.

Arte Caffe brings an authentic taste of Italy, complete with warm hospitality, to the Bradenton Area. Be sure to make reservations before visiting because locals and visitors alike love this hidden gem. And if you’re lucky, you just may have the opportunity to share a limoncello with Chef Remo and Meridith, and meet their loyal dog, Oliver, who often pays guests a friendly visit after dinner.