Carlo's Trattoria in Guildford

I brought a group of colleagues here last week on my recommendation as I am local and they are from all over the place. It was packed on a a Tuesday night. The food and service was amazing and everyone loved it so much we are going back again this week. It’s off the beaten track and a hidden gem in Guildford and if you like a family run Italian with the best food and service, this is it

Absolutely wonderful. Can not recommend this restaurant enough. Gorgeous food and fantastic service. A feel family atmosphere

Best dish for us was the antipasti. Veal was tasteless, Beef Lasagne had little beef, other pasta dishes were basic. Cost with one bottle of wine was exorbitant. Service was basic. Will not go again.

We went as we are staying at the hotel next door for my birthday it was amazing the man serving us was funny and friendly. He made us so welcome and the food well wow! It was amazing it’s Shame we live 3 hours away because we would 1000% eat here again! Thank you

We went for an 80th birthday lunch for a friend and her family. The food choice was very good indeed and it was delicious. It was hot, decent sized portions and an excellent demonstration of good Italian food. Service was welcoming and of a high standard.

Food not much better than school dinners tbh..look & taste. My ‘sirloin’ beef was grey & bland, the Yorkshire pud felt old & tough, the school dinner gravy was already poured onto the meat & plate..it would’ve been nicer to have had it served separately. Accompanying mixed veg was ok & the chocolate mousse nice enough. The staff were amiable but not really listening. The decor was scruffy & dull, akin to a motorway eatery. At nearly 60 years old I was one of the younger customers there, the whole experience (also being jostled as to where & how to park) made me homesick for London & I couldn’t wait to get back.

I cannot praise this restaurant enough. We were visiting for a spa break in a nearby hotel and went to Carlos for dinner as the menu looked better than what was on offer at the hotel. I am so very glad we did. The staff were *so* warm, friendly and attentive, and the food was simply divine. I am trying not to evangelise but ours really was an exceptional experience and one that sticks out in my mind as a sterling example of customer service in the hospitality industry. If I lived closer to it, this would be my local restaurant. I had the mozzarella salad to start (this also included avocado and tomato), which was very fresh and tasty. For mains we had the veal chop (mouth-wateringly cooked in butter and sage) and the seafood linguine, which we polished off with paired wines and a side of tempura-style courgettes. We made room for dessert too, despite the generous main course portions, which I should also say were presented cleanly and invitingly. There were several birthday parties going on at the time of our visit but far from this being annoying it was a jolly and celebratory atmosphere that felt familial. My experience didn't end there as I stupidly left my umbrella under my seat, so called in the next day to collect it. The staff were very kind about it, and my collection was fuss-free. What a lovely bunch.

It was our first visit to Carlos but it definitely won’t be our last. From the minute we entered the restaurant the atmosphere was brilliant, a really live buzz. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. The food was unbelievable, possibly the best Italian we’ve ever had. Fantastico !

Another excellent lunch at Carlo’s. The set menu at lunchtime is great value : plenty of choices and high quality food. Have had lunch here several times with friends and we are never disappointed. The staff are lovely too.

I first visited for my mates fathers birthday many years ago! Since then I’ve been annually I’d say and never let me down! The service immaculate, friendly attentive staff, great atmosphere the food lush. I nearly always opt for the specials board, King Prawn Carlo, my god it delivers honestly one the best dishes I’ve ever had. The buttery garlic with a hint of chilli sauce over the king prawns and I mean king these guys are huge! Delicious. My parents had ravioli and lamb both dishes were great washed down with a bottle of Gavi, you can’t beat it. We went for a liquid desert of espresso martinis in line with the evening made to perfection. I would recommend to anyone, great service, atmosphere and good value I’d pay more the great food and drink. Will be returning soon

The event was referred to as a 'Party Night' - there was no music, no crackers or Christmas serviettes on the table or decoration. To add to this, the staff had a TV on in the bar area watching the football (shouting). Surely, this is not right. We will not be going again. The food was very good, but the actual evening was extremely expensive (not everyone wanted to hear the results of the football).

First visit to this gem of a restaurant …..booked Sunday lunch with friends and we were not disappointed. There is a set 2 or 3 course menu with plenty of lovely choices including Italian dishes and roasts, together with a blackboard of specials. The staff were very friendly and service was good…… a nice touch is the plate of garlic bread brought to the table before you start. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend …..shame we don’t live closer as would definitely return.

Great food, family owned business and affordable. Would recommend the antipasti, the spaghetti carbonara and the lasagne. The owners were very welcoming and knowledgable about the menu and the specials on offer

Great food and service! A gem - a family run restaurant who care passionately about their food and customers.

Had yet another fantastic Sunday lunch at Carlo's today, roast pork cooked to perfection and service second to none.

We had dinner here after our local hotel closed their restaurant at the last minute. The staff were absolutely fantastic, providing a friendly and upbeat service (despite the sudden, unexpected influx of disgruntled hotel guests). They bought in friends and family to help with service...

I love the staff food and location. Great for anyone in a wheelchair as can park right outside and all on one level with no stairs to the toilet. Great food menu service and location I go every other week and love it x

Super restaurant, wonderful friendly service. Well established Italian restaurant that has so much charm and atmosphere. Would highly recommend, the lunch set menu is incredibly good value.

This is such a wonderful restaurant - the food is SO good (and consistently delicious) and the service is impeccable - Jay is a darling and always makes us all feel very welcome. I can't say enough good things about it! Highly recommended.

Having found this restaurant on our last holiday the kids kept nagging to return as apparently the pasta last time was the best they had ever had and to be honest the wife and I also had great memories. They squeezed us in for the...

I visited this charming restaurant for lunch with an old friend at his recommendation and it was absolutely wonderful. From the warm welcome to the fabulous food (a great menu with lots of specials) we couldn't have wished for a better treat! everything was beautifully...

We were blown away by the quality, presentation and taste of the food here. I finished a full 3 courses- this is rare! With lovely friendly staff and a warming atmosphere we had a wonderful evening! Shame we live so far; this would be our...

We booked for a party of 12 and thoroughly enjoyed our visit, indeed the only possible criticism was that the menu left us spoilt for choice. Welcome, service, food all excellent. Cannot recommend highly enough.

WE VISTIED WHEN STAYING AT GUILDFORD MANOR AND ITS A MUST Service and food was perfect and if you love Italian food you will have a great meal

Super evening. Carlo and Bonnie - you are just superstars! All my guests were raving about the delicious food and drinks at my husband’s birthday surprise. You were so accommodating and kindly assisted me with the birthday preparations. My husband, family and friends had a...

Had dinner here. Great food attentive staff. Would highly recommend.Just what was needed after our experience at the Guildford Manor Hotel.

I guess I shouldn’t have chosen roast in an Italian restaurant, it’s not what they do. It was thin slices of cold meat that had been warmed up in gravy, so no taste! So order lasagne but never roast pork or beef. Rest of meal...

Today I took my family of 6 (2 Adults 4 children aged 12,10,7 and 5) for an evening meal as we where staying just up the road and boy are we so glad that we did. A wonderful family friendly restaurant with amazing staff who...

Great food, great service, great atmosphere, really enjoyed our evening forvtwo at a very good price. Would highly recommend.

Visited this restaurant as it was immediately next to our hotel and so glad we did. I’d seen some of the reviews saying negative things about the decor or food and I honestly can not understand why. It’s a little family run Trattoria and looks...

The food and the staff were exemplary, I have lived in the area for years, but have never ventured to Carlos before, I have certainly missed a trick. All the food, starters and main were fabulous. I had the Steak Rosini, which was soo tender....

We eat here regularly as it is our ' go to' local and we're very lucky to have it so close by but if it was further away we would make the effort as its a 'real ' Italian. The atmosphere the welcome and chat...

I have driven past this place countless times always meaning to step inside one day and give it a try. Well we did. It appeared very popular - for a Tuesday night, so there was atmosphere. The main menu was extensive - albeit, later, the...

Underwhelming. This place has clearly been here for a long time, and perhaps has some loyal customers. But if will clearly need updating if it wants to keep going. The decor is about 20 years old. The ambience is made up of shiny painted walls,...

I would recommend this place, variety of dishes choice for dinner,welcoming staff, good quality food.

We went with great hope as we had last been 20 years ago. Sadly the smoked salmon starter was very poor with no promised dressing, not what was in the menu. Carpaccio very good however. The traditional Italian dishes are very acceptable but cheap watery...

This was a last minute booking and so happy we made it. We arrived for Sunday lunch with son, daughter in law and granddaughter and were made to feel very welcome. The staff were very helpful and friendly. All of us enjoyed our fab meals...

Carlos is definitely the best Italian food I ate in in the UK by Far ... A+ I am canadian and have eaten much italian food and i can tell you that here is the real deal . Thank you very much for the for...

During Lockdown, Carlo’s has been offering a range of chilled and frozen dishes. I’ve ordered two of their menus in recent weeks, one to celebrate my wife’s birthday and the second for Valentine’s Day. Both times, the food has been superb. Portions are generous, so...

Very good food we loved it it was very good and hopefully it opens back up soon. Anyway I’m Charlie Cooper yes Charles coopers son if Carlos hears this tell my dad I said the food was lovely

Exceptional service and four course meal.Extremely good value for money and such friendly and attentive staff. It was a pleasure from beginning to end.

Between lockdowns we dined at Carlo's several times and had consistently excellent meals - imaginative Italian menu, with food superbly cooked and presented. Friendly and efficient service. And they were clearly taking the Covid restrictions very seriously. We have also been using Carlo's collection service...

My partner and I dined here a few weeks ago after reading great reviews however we were very disappointed with our dinner. Firstly, the service was slow. It took them 45 minutes to serve between our starters and mains. When we ran out of water...

We ordered from their take away service. The food was good but the wine wasn't the one they had listed or what we had ordered. The one I ordered was, I think, a single vineyard single grape variety wine and had more individuality than the...

First visit to Carlo’s and will definitely return. Excellent food and lovely staff. A lovely normal evening out. Couldn’t ask for more in these abnormal times!

This is a typical local Italian providing all the dishes you hope to see on an Italian menu as well as some specials on the board. Decent amount of parking too.This was our first visit since lockdown and it was well organised and much the same as before lockdown, other than the temperature test on the way in, staff with masks and tables slightly more spaced in a couple of places.The main menu has been made slightly smaller and there are changes to it every week I believe. There are still the good number of specials on the boards.To start you are now given a small selection of breads, including the previously available garlic bread, which was nice. To make a change I had asparagus wrapped in prosciutto as a starter and then pasta with lobster from the specials board. Both were very good. All of that with a very nice glass of Barolo, unusual to find by the glass in such places, and it was another very comforting meal. We eat out a lot and in many very good restaurants, and we consider this a comforting relaxed evening where we can get good more ordinary Italian food in a nice relaxed atmosphere.

Ate here this evening. Food lower than average and expensive. Not worth a visit. Really disappointing

We hadn't been here for ten years or more. We had loved other Italians in and around Guildford, especially Jamie's. Now we have tried again. It is brilliant. First, the welcome from chef and waiting staff - true Italian. Venue is functional, suited to Covid=time distancing, but the welcome is genuine and warm. Then the food: we had looked at the menu, and made our tentative choices before attention was drawn to a "specials" black board. We amended our choices. Then we noticed that there were two specials blackboards - starters as well as mains. We changed our choices. We were three adults, three grown-up children and one preferring the kids menu. We all loved everything. Wine list was mainstream, very fairly priced.You want a warm elcome, constant care, beautifully executed mainstream Italian based on fresh and seasonal? Try here!

Temperatures checked on arrival and all Covid precautions observed including transparent masks for staff. Good service and cheerful staff. Three of our party had pepper steaks which they enjoyed. Two of us had Chicken Milanese, unrecognizable as such, 3 dry pieces accompanied by indifferent chunky chips and a pot of ketchup. One of had fish of the day, sea bass, with roast potatoes but no sauces. Plenty of vegetables but on the crunchy side of al dente - microwaved? All in all, a quite indifferent eating experience, although reasonably priced.

Came to eat as a family of 6 after our table booking fell through else where. They accommodated us immediately on arrival, with friendly staff from the beginning. Amazing food on the lunch set menu, I thoroughly recommend the seabass will definitely be returning!!

I took my family to Carlo's for Sunday lunch to celebrate my 70th birthday. The food was absolutely amazing. We had a variety of starters and main courses and no dish was a disappointment - even my grandchildren cleared their plates.Bonnie and the team did a wonderful job in these difficult times and our waiter was most attentive. We felt very safe there and were not too near the other customers.

I have fond memories of this place from about 15 years ago. I remember it for really good home cooked food, and friendly and fun staff. Disappointed it’s not the same today. Staff were very busy being busy, but never actually engaged with their customers, and weren’t at all attentive. Water that I ordered when I was seated never arrived. Long wait to order, and very long wait between courses. Starter (fried king prawns) was average at best. Then a long wait for the main (parmigiana) which was actually very good, but I’d kind of gone off it all by then.Wasn’t asked how my meal was until I’d finished it, but I just wanted to leave by then. I’m staying nearby, and if it was half decent I’d eat there every night, but now I have no wish to return, which is a shame. I think their main focus is mopping up as much of the government ‘eat out to help out’ custom as possible whilst it lasts. Not for me, sorry.

Despite the coronavirus measures, amazing food and exceptional service well done carlo’s definitely worth a visit

We’ve just eaten the most fantastic takeaway from Carlo’s. five of us had different main courses and each of them was easy to prepare, full of taste and perfectly filling - and so much better value than some takeaways. We will definitely be ordering again and when this is all over, we are looking forward to booking a table!

Slightly disappointing. Waitress attitude was off when ordering drinks, like waiting for an argument! However, she was replaced by a very friendly waiter who was very funny. I was looking forward to my carbonara as I hadn’t had it for a long time, however, the food was very average. Not homemade pasta, not fresh lasagne! Basic dishes for an Italian restaurant. We were expecting better.

Came here with a group of work friends last night for a leaving do. Had a really tasty meal and wonderful service. It was a fun atmosphere and would definitely recommend eating here for groups or couples

I’ve visited here many times over the years and it’s a special place for me and my family. Try it for yourself you’re in for a treat. Food and service excellent always.

The place is great and very informal, arrive and get pointed to a table, not shown to a table, nobody asks about coats, so unless you ask they end up with you at the table. The menu is great with loads of tempting choices, however, had to tackle a waiter to get a menu and a drink. Ordered some garlic bread, at the waiter'3 suggestion and then waited 25 minutes to get it !. Ordered our food from a waitrace who didn't really seem to know too much about what and how various dishes were served or what they contained. when the food arrived mine was great but my wife and daughters said theirs was very average. That was a great shame because we had waited just short of two hors for it !!!!! I think we still have been sitting there if I hadn't spoken up . Even then it all went wrong when my side vegatles arrived after I had finished the meat !! To be fair they were very apologetic and reduced the bill accordingly but it did spoil the experience. Also we weren't alone we watched tables all over the restaurant questioning where their food was

Well we have lived in the area for 35 years and yesterday was our first visit to Carlo's Trattoria. What have we been missing. The service and welcome were "top", the food faultless and the general ambience and style delightful.Home-made pasta - what a treat and the most delicious zucchini frites.This is definitely going to become a regular on our circuit. Absolutely Superb!!!!

Place gets bust so make sure you book.What can I say? From the service to the food and hospitality this place is too notch.Really friendly staff, even though the place was packed and they were really busy. They accommodated my request for spaghetti instead of Penne and I have to say the pasta dish I had was among the best I have ever eaten.9/10 would defo recommend

Underwhelmed, especially after reading supposedly good reviews. Minestrone soup was tasteless and watery with little veg. Pasta was bland and bolognaise sauce was sparse. Owner with attitude. Only go here if you are desperate.

Had the set menu as there was music playing must have been 80 people seated but the food was brilliant as was the wine and service.

We went with family and friends on Boxing Day. We are not locals so this was our first visit. Very impressed with the food and service. Very good value.

We often go to Carlos for lunch and are never disappointed. Good choice from set menu at reasonable price. Quality of food is always consistent and if we have visitors often take them to Carlos instead of cooking at home. They all enjoy the food and ambiance.

Having had Christmas meals at other local restaurants for Christmas Day we thought we’d try Carlos for our special day. Sadly it was a disappointing experience. The food was nice but the service was poor, we felt like we had been forgotten several times throughout the afternoon, yes I know they’re busy and it was their 2nd service of the day but it was not what I’d have expected from this restaurant.

Highly recommend. Excellent meal last night. Highly recommend seafood risotto on specials menu. Good choice and excellent service. We will be back. Very authentic.

Enjoyed a thoroughly good meal at Carlos, Good meal and pleasant staff. Nice venue with a good atmosphere.

We had a strange but lovely experience at Carlos again on Friday!

Carlos's has maintained a reputation for excellent food and friendly staff since inception over 30 years ago - whilst very many other restaurants have come and gone. Very good food. Highly recommended.

Carlos has become one of our favourite local restaurants, always a warm welcome and friendly staff.

Great family restaurant on Newlands Corner. Always excellent food. good value and service. recommended

Came here with the family. I had the lasagne and it was awful. I would have rather have banged in a lasagne ready meal from Asda. I don't know what was going on, better off venturing elsewhere for Italian food. Shame because my kids quite like newlands corner.

We were a large party in a full restaurant but the quality of the food was very good, the service was good and the staff friendly despite being under pressure. Would absolutely recommend.

We stumbled across this place by accident: really enjoyed our meal : Staff are very friendly and engage well with customers: brilliant atmosphere and quite full

Eaten at Carlo's 4/5 times a year and it is excellent quality at a reasonable price with good service but can be stretched on the very busy nights of Friday and Saturday.

I'm always a bit anxious about eating out alone but I was given a warm and friendly welcome here.

Four of us went for lunch today - both food and the service were very good. The restaurant was pretty full and there was a great atmosphere. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Read the online reviews, and they are quite true. This is a fantastic place to go, we went as a party and had a great 3 course meal with garlic bread before for a very reasonable price. Service excellent (well we did wait a while for the desert, but it didnt matter) ambience good - may be a bit crowded, but they want to use the available space for customers I guess. Before you go in, go to the view point close by, first, and admire the Surrey countryside. I would book in advance, though on this Thursday evening you would have got a table

I was lucky enough to be taken here having met up with a former colleague whilst in London for a flight home.

We went as a party of 12. Brilliant service and fantastic food. No negatives we all had a great time and everyone enjoyed their meals.

Been here with friends a few times,love eatting here.the food is not cheap but it’s the best Italian food we have ever eaten.highly recommend Carlos.parking is a bit restricted.its tucked away on the road to Newlands corner

Very warm welcome, brilliant service and amazing tasty food, great wines, all round very pleasant experience. Highly recommend our new favourite place.

While staying at the Manor hotel snd Spa ( next door) decided to try Carlo's. So glad we did. The lady on reception/ bar was so freindly and chatty. Very knowledgable about the food and menus. Discribed them with pashion, not just listing them off.

We drive from Essex to Guildford just to eat in this Restaurant, the food, the service the atmosphere and the owner are just amazing

We thoroughly enjoyed Carlo’s. There was plenty of choice on the menu and each dish was delicious. Service was very good, the staff were brilliant and made us feel very welcome. We will definitely be going again and would highly recommend a visit

We have been here many times over the years and the food is consistently good, with a very large menu to choose from. While we all enjoyed the evening on our latest visit, we felt that a couple of things detracted from it, which have been present on at least our last two visits. The first was the service, which tended to be functional and impersonal rather than warm and friendly, except from the younger staff, who seemed to try harder. The second was the temperature, which was uncomfortably cool throughout the evening (we've complained about this before but it made little difference). I had also mentioned, when booking, and again on arrival, that we were celebrating my wife's birthday but - despite making a point of noting this down when I booked - nothing was done about it, which was disappointing. It is almost as if the staff don't really care.

We went there for the first time. Just managed to squeeze in car park. Carlo attentive watching us. Offered a bar drink beforehand (without knowing cost). Hung around there too much before having to ask a waiter if we could be seated.

Really enjoyed the food. Mushroom Ravioli was great. However the service was very Inattentive and there didn’t seem to be enough waiters. We kept having to ask for things including the bill ( three times over!). Will probably go back and hope the service will be better.

Excellent food, staff, location, plenty of parking, nice wines. Lovely restaurant and service with smiles, also advise on food and a great specials board. Thank you Carlos and team.

Amazing food friendly staff helpful kind, food was amazing defo go back stayed in hotel which was disappointing

Was not impressed with accommodating needs this time, although main dinners on table good, I asked for some mushrooms to go with my sea bass and was declined ( although have in kitchen as cook with steaks etc) staff have no reason just said couldn't do?? Was not the best birthday meal by far!

Really good food and service. Excellent setting and a must if you're in the area. Very authentic too!

This is a hard one to review. I went in the evening and thought the menu was excellent and the food was good. However other people in my company were not impressed. I recently went back for lunch. The first day of opening after some decorative work being carried out. I had the same meal as my previous visit. This time I was not impressed either was my companion whose liver was underdone. Perhaps there is a different chef at lunchtime. As someone who eats at Naples, Italy restaurants I can only suggest if you must try Carlos do it in the evening.

I’ve been here on several occasions including Christmas Day as I was working until 15:00. It was brilliant then and equally fantastic on Mums 80th. The staff are kind, helpful and genuine. Service is good, food excellent, and I honestly couldn’t fault it. Even better since the revamp to interior last year.

Came here with friends for dinner and was not disappointed. The food was incredible - especially the ravioli, which was to die for! The seafood risotto was also incredible...fun waiters and a fun atmosphere - will definitely be back.

Genuinely great food, cooked on the premises (which makes a nice change in this day and age of 'chains' ) with great skill and imagination. We've never had a disappointing meal here and last night my son took me there for a belated Mothers Day celebration and we all enjoyed every mouthful of the plentiful deliciousness on our plates.

Been here a few times it is 'okay'.

Excellent food, super service and great atmosphere. Could not have had a more enjoyable Mothering Sunday with all the family

We had visited this restaurant before and usually found it good especially the lasagne so we decided to go there to celebrate a birthday. We had asparagus and ham which was good as a shared starter Then one of us had a pasta dish which consisted of a large helping of Tagliatelli with a scant and barely perceptible sauce, one small fresh tomato and a small chopped sausage.It was filling without much flavour. One of us an average piece of steak. The chocolate pudding was delicious. as was the other pudding. The large glass of wine did not seem very large and we were overcharged which fortunately we noticed! So we would recommend that you choose caefully from the menu as much of the food is good but avoid pasta dishes. The staff were pleasant and friendly.

Looked up Carlo's as a possibility for an evening out after passing the restaurant a number of times. The final decision was made after reading an absolutely damning review amongst a number of good ones. So we booked !