In a city—and a neighborhood—overflowing with pizza joints, Bar Bucce somehow fills a void I didn’t know needed filling. It’s casual enough to skip the reservation and the dress code, but still feels special enough for a weekend night out. Owned by the brother-and-sister duo behind the award-winning Macchialina and partner Jen Chaefsky, it checks the box for foodies, of course. Personally, I love it best for an early dinner with my family, where I can somewhat peacefully sip a chilled red while my toddler messily devours a margherita slice, pausing only to hide under the table when the train zooms by. (This happens more than you'd think, but such is life for a restaurant in industrial Little River.)
The vibe: Easygoing and all-ages. Lunch is chill, early evenings bring in the families, and dinner turns up the energy with music, flowing wine, and people posted up at the bar for cocktails.
The food: Italian small plates, oversized pies, charcuterie, and sandwiches (the latter is only available at lunch). Bar Bucce also doubles as a market stocked with high-quality Italian imports—from olive oil and tomato paste to giant cans of garbanzo beans.
The drink: Jacqueline Pirolo—James Beard nominee and MICHELIN Guide Florida Sommelier Award winner (2025)—curated an incredible list of wines by the glass and bottle, plus unexpected pizza pairings like sake. You really can’t go wrong here.
Time Out tip: Skip the $5 focaccia and use your leftover crust to scoop up the eggplant caponata appetizer. Trust.