Gioia Italy

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

The Story Behind Gioia Italy

Gioia Italy is the realization of a shared dream between four founders, each contributing distinct expertise to a single goal: authentic Italian dining in Hallandale Beach, Florida. At the center of the kitchen is Massimiliano Stamerra, a southern Italian native who relocated to Florida in 2018 after building a career managing acclaimed restaurants in both Italy and the United States. A 20-time awarded pizza champion, Stamerra has been shaping his culinary philosophy since the age of 14, when he first started working in the bars and restaurants of his home province. His co-founder, Amauri de Oliveira, brings an equally distinguished background — a professional soccer career spanning Juventus, Napoli, Fiorentina, and the Italian national team — channeling the same discipline into the world of fine dining.

The Pizza, and Everything Around It

The Italian restaurant's identity is built squarely on its pizza, recognized in 2025 by Gambero Rosso with 2 Slices — the guide's mark of quality for Italian pizzerias outside Italy. Stamerra's approach is rooted in understanding fermentation: the dough, its process, and the precision required to get it right every time. Beyond the classics like Margherita and Diavola, his signature creations push further — the Norcia combines truffle cream, burrata, semi-dried tomatoes, and porcini mushrooms, while the Vianello layers pistachio cream with salmon and ricotta. A separate Scrocchiarella section offers the Roman-style thin and crisp alternative.

The menu extends well beyond pizza into a full Italian restaurant experience: house-made pasta dishes such as Spaghetti Carbonara prepared the traditional way with guanciale and pecorino Romano, Tagliolini al Nero in black squid ink sauce, and mains including Branzino al Guazzetto baked with cherry tomatoes, olives, shrimp, and mussels, or slow-braised boneless short ribs with a red wine reduction served over risotto Milanese.

Inclusive by Design

Since 2006, Stamerra has made inclusivity a deliberate part of his kitchen. Roughly 90% of the menu is available in a gluten-free version, and the restaurant accommodates vegetarians, vegans, those following a ketogenic diet, and guests with dairy intolerances. Gluten-free pizza crusts, freshly baked gluten-free bread, and vegan mozzarella are all available on request — prepared with the same attention to quality as everything else. The covered outdoor terrace, full liquor license, and broad wine selection make Gioia Italy equally suited for a casual lunch, a private dinner, or a catered event.