One of the first places we discovered, even before moving to St Petersburg, is Mazzaro’s Italian Market. This is heaven!
Neither Chuck nor I were born Italian, but we have both grown up surrounded by Italians. Our first house together was in the Italian Market in Philadelphia. And my mom learned to cook, as a little girl, from an Italian neighbor. Thank you, Mrs. Mercadante!
We eat mutzarel (mozzarella), gabagool (capicola) and prozute (prosciutto).
Mazzaro’s is a culinary destination. I go between 9-10 am on weekdays to avoid the folks flooding the store for lunch and their culinary excursions. People drive several hours to stock up coolers for the drive home.
The outside is nearly as amazing as the inside. An old-world sculpture garden mixes with fun garden pieces ranging from butterflies to a panda up in a tree. Murals surround the buildings bringing a touch of Italy before you walk in the door.
The main building is an explosion of sight, sounds, and smells. From coffee to fresh-baked loaves of bread and pastry, from spices to pungent cheeses. Mazzaro’s is an experience for the senses.
The first room starts with an olive bar, fresh produce with some hard to find foods like fresh chestnuts during the holidays. They have an excellent selection of fresh butchers meats, fish, and poultry.
The room includes full wall filled with premade entrees, soups and sauces they make in house. Perfect to grab-and-go at home or a beach rental with a kitchen.
To the right is an enormous wine and cheese room. They offer a great wine selection with reasonable prices and helpful staff. While they have amazing Italian cheeses and condiment, they also include a large variety of other cheese.
Look for the barrel of freshly made mozzarella cheese. I’ve been there when it’s still slightly warm!
Back through the main building, you find spices, statues, and coffee. The narrow hallway opens into an emporium with a coffee bar, gelato, pastry, and loaves of bread on one side. To the left are foods to go, a deli counter with sandwiches made to order, meats and fresh pasta.
The middle of the room is filled with packaged sweets, condiments, and oils.
They offer a large selection of foods that are perfect for creating a picnic on the beach or a delicious dinner at your beach cottage with delicious bake at home pizza, lasagna, and pasta dishes.
Across the parking lot, don’t miss Mazzaro’s Emporium with imported gift, gadgets, and teas. It’s hard to miss the building.
Mazzaro’s is open Monday through Friday 9am – 6pm, Saturdays they close early at 2:30pm, and they are closed on Sunday.
When you travel to St Petersburg or anywhere in the Tampa Bay region, you want to put this fantastic culinary destination on your radar.
Be sure to check out our Mark And Chuck’s Adventures Instagram page for more delicious images!
