WELCOME TO PAZZO ITALIANO!

Since their beginnings in 2017, Pazzo Italiano restaurants have served approximately 370,000 people between the two locations and employ up to 60 employees in the high season. In the past 7 years the Pazzo Italiano family has grown as partners, as employers, as clients, as members of the community, and look forward to serving hundreds of thousands more guests.

As a locally-owned family business they bring their values of commitment, collaboration, service, hard work, integrity, gratitude and caring to their two locations each and every day. Their main goal is to continue to be the Italian restaurant of choice for their beloved locals and visitors from Destin to Santa Rosa Beach. Their commitment is to continue to work and ensure they serve the highest quality, most delicious and authentic Italian food in the area with a cosmopolitan and vibrant yet family friendly atmosphere.

Pazzo Italiano in Destin has been awarded Best Italian Restaurant, Best Martini, and Best Appetizer by readers of VIP Destin Magazine. In 2022 they expanded and added a private room with its own kitchen, perfect for weddings, rehearsal dinners, meetings, holiday parties, or any private party accommodating up to 50 guests. They also now host special event dinners with scrumptious o -menu dishes with wine and spirits pairings while supporting local distilleries, breweries, and wineries.

After a leap of faith, Pazzo Italiano added a location in Santa Rosa Beach at the corner of Highway 98 and 393 in a brand new development in July 2020. The Santa Rosa Beach Pazzo Italiano has a total capacity of 175 guests, including outside dining and two rooms that can be closed for private events – one for 75 and one for 30 people. The area is developing at a very fast pace, and they look forward to growing with it. This location currently has local’s night specials and a vibrant happy hour. They are planning to have live music soon and hosting wine and spirits special dinners, similar to the Destin location.

The Story

Levi and Alfonso crossed paths years ago at an Italian restaurant where they shared their mutual dream of opening a restaurant. Recognizing their abilities and personalities that balanced and complemented each other perfectly, they married their deep experience in both the front and back of the house and built a successful partnership. The Pazzo Italiano family started at a kitchen table where they all collaborated over values, names, locations, style, menu, and design.

Alfonso Di Bonito is a native Italian chef with 30 years experience as a chef and in food management, 20 of which have been in Destin. Alfonso has a profound passion for cooking and takes pride in his work. Alfonso loves being in the kitchen with his team or at the pizza oven daily, cooking food and ensuring quality. Erika Di Bonito brings her 30 plus years of experience in the corporate world to the administrative and human resources side of the business. Being the only one with no prior experience in the industry, she brings the fresh eyes of an outsider. She loves to run around the restaurants helping while connecting with guests and employees.

Levente (Levi) Tischler started in his native Romania and has accumulated 27 years of experience in restaurant management, 20 of those in Destin. Levi’s strong business skills, work ethic and experience are a great asset. You can nd him every day and night at either of the Pazzo Italiano locations greeting their guests and making sure everything runs smoothly. Emese (Mesi) Nagy-Tischler, has 20-plus years of experience in catering and special events. She orchestrates all events, as well as handling all social media marketing. She is the restaurant’s sommelier who, along with their invaluable manager Laszlo Markus, curates the list of wines and spirits. She loves to bake and to make sure guests have the best experience at their special events.

PAZZO ITALIANO CARES FOR:

GUESTS and their experience. They are at core of their passion and commitment. Guests are Family.

EMPLOYEES. Their team is at the HEART of their success. Employees are family.

COMMUNITY. They collaborate with heart-centered, local non-pro t organizations and local schools. Pazzo Italiano is proud to be a part of the Emerald Coast Family.