Giovanni’s Restaurant

I would give them 10 stars if I could. I don’t even know where to begin, food was delicious, staff was extremely accommodating (even more than they should’ve been given the short notice).

Everything came out at a reasonable time, and we felt very taken care of.

I would recommend the Gnocchi de la Casa

Looking forward to going back for the next special occasion!

We had an amazing time at Giovanni’s over the Holidays! Staff was so great to our granddaughter and accommodated the fact that she wanted a filet steak over a kids menu item and split our plate with no hesitation. We had one happy little gal! This was our 2nd trip and it was just as tasty as the fist trip! Highly recommend if you’re a foodie lover 💫

Giovanni’s is, hands down, the finest Italian dining experience in Ottawa. From the moment you arrive, the service feels personal, warm, and genuinely generous. The owner takes the time to greet guests, offer recommendations, and make everyone feel welcome, whether you’re there for a full dinner or just a coffee or dessert.

The service follows the classic Italian tradition: you’re escorted to your table, attended by a dedicated server, supported by an attentive team, and guided expertly through wine selections. On my latest visit, the owner recommended an Amarone that was exceptional. The food is authentic and beautifully executed. The porcini risotto was perfectly al dente, rich, and deeply flavorful.

What truly sets Giovanni’s apart is the hospitality. There is no judgment, no pretension, just a sincere desire to make every guest feel like part of the Italian family. I even brought my children this time, and they were treated like royalty.

An outstanding experience from A to Z: food, wine, service, and atmosphere. Truly special.

I had my cousins visiting from Toronto last Friday and wanted to ensure they had a great dinner upon arrival. Part of that experience involved covering the bill and working out a plan with the staff to ensure we could handle the payment discreetly without their knowing as a bit of a surprise. Working this out with Fabio was an absolute pleasure. He was courteous, professional, and accommodating. His service beforehand via phone calls and the evening of was fantastic and I couldn’t be more thankful. Likewise, our server, Yuri was excellent. Incredibly attentive, efficient and continually checking up on us with a wonderfully positive attitude.

The food was exceptional from appetizers to dessert. For appetizers, I ordered Calamari Fritti, Bruschetta and the in-house raw Oysters which were a special addition that night. I recommend trying all of those out for your next visit. It was first class.

For mains, our table had a Risotto Porcini, a Linguine Pescatore, Spaghetti Alla Carbonara, and Gnocchi Della Cassa (Tortellini). Every dish was wonderful and hit the mark with my cousins even adding it was the best pasta and risotto they’ve had. The portions are quite filling however, so something to consider before ordering for your table.

For dessert, I ordered our table Tiramisu and Creme Brulee. We loved both but the Tiramisu was the BEST Tiramisu I’ve ever had. To die for… simply unbelievable!

We paired our meals with a Manhattan on the rocks, one GL Amarone red wine (Fantastic!), a giovannis martini, an espresso martini, and a lychee martini. The whole group enjoyed the drinks as well!

Thank you so much to Giovanni’s and their staff for the incredible service, quality food and drinks, and for a special memory for my family and I. I will definitely be back!

Shaming and guilt-tripping is never the way to get what you want.

My friends and I were celebrating a birthday. At first, the restaurant looked chic, but the lighting was so dim that it was hard to even read the menu. The food and portions were okay, but what ruined the experience was the way our server handled the bill.

After we split the check, the waitress confronted and guilt-tripped me for not tipping, lecturing me in front of my friends. Her exact words were:

“I see that you have chosen not to tip on the POS. In that case, we are serving you from our own pockets. In this restaurant, they pay the government and, plus taxes, there’s not much left for the waiter and busboy. So we’re basically paying to serve you (while pointing at me).”

I had actually enjoyed the food, despite the lighting and all the noise, and was planning to recommend this place, but this attitude and lack of professionalism completely changed my impression. As a student, I simply can’t always be generous with money, and no guest deserves to be shamed for choosing not to tip, when tipping is optional. Very disappointed and won’t be returning.

We had the most wonderful experience at Giovanni’s! From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel welcomed and cared for. We were celebrating my grandma’s 81st birthday, and she truly felt loved, special, and celebrated.

A huge thank you to Angelo, who was an absolute delight to meet and serve us. His warmth, attentiveness, and sense of humor made the night even more memorable. His recommendation after my “chunky, meaty” request was spot on—the dish was perfectly executed and absolutely delicious.

The entire team went above and beyond, and it showed in every detail—from the impeccable service to the incredible food. My grandma can’t wait to go back, and honestly, neither can we!