Giovanni's in Park Place in Cardiff

Food is not good and salty, the attitude of waiter is not very good as well.

Very disappointed with his reputation, they said is specially for their terrible service,never be back again

Can’t blame the atmosphere for it being the middle of the week but the food was amazing and the waiter was a gem, nice conversation and always nice to see tradition being encouraged outside of Italy. Was £80 for two but still a wonderful meal, definitely good for a special occasion.

Tables were very cramped, waiters knocking the back of my chair. Wasn’t overly busy so unsure why we were squeezed right next to the entrance of the bar. Asked if we wanted water for the table.. which we later realised cost £4.50 for a bottle! Food came out very quickly, everything seemed rushed. As soon as my knife and fork hit the plate a waiter took my plate away and the mains arrived. 5 different waiters hovered around asking several times if everything was ok, felt awkward. Overpriced, average food, strange atmosphere, sadly I won’t be returning

Unfortunately despite the reputation this wasn't a great experience. Calamari starter was rubbery in texture. Pheasant ragu came with a tasteless sauce no tomato garlic or basic seasoning. Service was good overall despite having the unique experience of 5 different waiters serving us. Food was overpriced.

Very disappointed with food and very expensive, expected a top class meal for nice venue and neon signed building, I ordered a lamb ragu pasta dish, expected to have dished up home made pasta ribbons with a nice sauce and tender lamb throughout, instead I got what looked like shop bought penne pasta with an anemic minced lamb slopped on a plate, not even in a nice pasta bowl, so not bolisimo for me 🙁

Primera visita a este restaurante ya que solemos visitar el otro restaurante. Excelente menú de almuerzo - tuvimos 3 platos. Muchos platos para elegir. Las albóndigas eran excelentes al igual que el risotto. El restaurante era tranquilo. El servicio era excelente y la comida recién preparada.

Not a great experience this time around. Starter was cold but they did fix that pretty quickly to be fair. Overall food was very salty and definitely not as nice as it has been. The place is looking tired (and toilets didn't feel clean). It's convenient but very expensive. It used to be the place to go to after/before the theatre but will be looking around for a new place next time.

No question about it, Geovanni's is the best restaurant in Cardiff. The food, staff and atmosphere have no comparison. If you have a special celebration coming up do yourself a favour and book a table here. Fabulous!!

Really great, authentic restaurant. The staff was great. I felt like a regular on my first visit. Food was great. Thanks

Un lugar muy encantador con un gran servicio y deliciosa comida: ) Tenía cordero ragu y mi amigo tenía pizza y a los dos nos encantó nuestra comida!

Comida exuberante , vibraciones exuberantes , servicio exuberante y personal super exuberante , realmente recomiendo este lugar. El tipo de la gorra fue hecho nuestra experiencia gastronómica mucho mejor, sin duda volveremos aquí

fabulosa comida, gran servicio de Salvador (el hombre del sombrero) , volvería a visitar! Un pequeño italiano encantador en el centro de Cardiff.

Terrible. La peor experiencia en Giovannis después de visitar durante años. Cada plato fue una decepción, y se le dijo al camarero, cuando se sirvió el postre de panacotta y no se cuajó fue la gota final... bebida de cortesía sí, pero el precio completo pagado impactante...

No problems with staff. The calamari starter was the worst calamari I’ve ever had, and it's my go to a mediterranean starter, so i've eaten a lot in my time. It was very rubbery. Under or overcooked. Then came the pheasant ragu. On the regular menu: "Slow-cooked pheasant ragu with a rich tomato base, served on rigatoni." On the Christmas menu: "Slow-cooked pheasant ragu served with rigatoni pasta." Notice the omission of the "rich tomato base"? Yeah, that’s because there was none. For the price of these dishes, you’d expect a decent pasta like pappardelle, tagliatelle, or fettuccine. And, I’d also expect a bowl, not a wide plate with what looked like a pool of stock like slop. Dessert? Oh god, not again. I’m not a huge fan of tiramisu, so I was the only one to have the cheesecake. It was creamy, yes, but not cheesy at all. The strawberries? Nope. Instead, it came drenched in ice cream van-style strawberry sauce and some other unidentifiable white sauce. Just sugar piled on sugar doesn’t make a good dessert. In the end, both Giovanni’s locations were an immense disappointment. The food was overpriced and lackluster. An insultingly overpriced scam, dressed up in a tricolore and plastered with Mr.Giovanni's face at every turn. Avoid at all costs.

Really friendly staff and really good food! The lamb shank melts in your mouth, and the meatballs are delightful!

Friendly and fun. On a very busy night we would have liked to be given the chance of a coffee. But overall lovely.

First visit to Park Place, lovely atmosphere, great service and the food was fantastic, would definitely recommend

My sister and I were going to the New Theatre, across the road from Giovanni's, so we went here. It was a very busy Saturday evening and we didn't have a booking. But staff were very helpful and found us a table. Our meals were delicious with plenty of gluten free options. Staff were lovely. Highly recommend.

Reservamos esto para una noche con grandes amigos que nos encontramos regularmente. Cuando llegamos - a tiempo - no había mesa lista y tuvimos que esperar unos diez minutos en la puerta del restaurante. Cuando conseguimos nuestra mesa nos dimos cuenta de que era una mesa para cuatro en lugar de seis como se pedía. La comida era abundante pero no muy apetitosa. Mi esposa en realidad se negó a comer la suya (para ser justos, no le cobraron por su comida, pero entonces tenía hambre). El entrante de Calamari era soso. En general no es una gran experiencia. Podríamos haber sido mejor servidos en uno de los restaurantes de la cadena principal. No volveremos.

Cosy, friendly, great food and a personal touch from the owner who pipped in and engaged with all customers. Thank you, Giovanni!

Superb food, great service. Wine was fantastic, thank you.

Estaba bien - ciabatta de ajo al estándar de Wetherspoons. Mi lasaña estaba bien. Vino extremadamente caro. Sería bueno para la mitad del precio.

Lovely pizzas and very convenient for The New Theatre. Another lovely meal and the pepperoni pizza was just to my liking. The tiramisu was to die for 😍. You never know who you'll see in there, and last night (Wed 6th Nov) was no exception and Jason Donovan (starring in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, in The New Theatre) was having a late meal 👌

The food was disappointing. The pizza wasn’t nice. Had a meat pizza and the chicken was really soggy

This was one of my top 2 dining experiences of 2024. We went on a Sunday night and were treated as if it was date night. Fabulous food, excellent service, wonderful ambiance (I was with my sister, btw). The gentleman in charge came over and made suggestions that elevated our meal. Ask for their Limoncello!

Tuvimos un almuerzo perfecto en Giovanni's Park Place restaurante. El servicio fue excelente, amable y atento. Recomendaría la lubina y el Pollo Al Pepe Nero. Un almuerzo perfecto en un restaurante que nunca decepciona.

Gorgeous food and great service from the staff! Thank you for a lovely meal and will certainly return again in the future.

El servicio más amable y la comida era increíble. interior encantador y buenas vibraciones. no puedo decir suficientes cosas buenas.

Wonderful classy Italian restaurant, managed to stay away from a 'How are you guys doing?' atmosphere

Small, clear menu...fast service...food is very good...

Although I have been to this restaurant a few times it has been a few years since I was here last. I had made a reservation the night before and as soon as we arrived we were seated in a quiet part of the restaurant that suited us perfectly. We had a few waiters looking after us and each was as attentive as the other. Our food arrived in no time and everyone's meal was exceptional. We will definitely come back again.

Price is justified. Very delicious and fresh food. Highly recommend the multi-layer lasagna.

Had an amazing time. The staff were really friendly and helpful, and the wild boar ravioli was to die for. I highly recommend it. Great experience and I will definitely be coming back

Amazing experience here loved every second of it would definitely recommend to everyone the workers are lovely and respectful!

Wow Amazing food, service and the best espresso martini I ever had. Starting with the welcome received , through service ( must add) non intrusive. So many businesses now , are always on "top" of the guests. What an enjoyable evening. Thank you

I felt very comfortable The person who looked after us was very nice. Met Giovanni who in my opinion is a very nice person Everything is fine

I really enjoyed the place with my husband tonight, such a lovely atmosphere. Definitely recommend!!!!

It's like stepping back in time (in a good way). Waiter was splendid, made us feel quite at home. The food was really good as was the wine. Would highly recommend especially if you are visiting the New Theatre as its literally across the road and appears very popular with the theatre crowd.

Delicious food and lovely staff. Highly recommend!

We had a great evening, food was amazing waiter service was great, was that good we left a good tip. Would highly recommend 👌

We booked a pre show meal for 5.30 and were told we were too late for the pre show menu. The a la carte was overpriced and so-so. I wouldn’t bother again.

My husband & I ate at Giovanni’s yesterday evening before going to the New Theatre (over the road) for a show. All the staff were extremely friendly & polite and the ambience of the restaurant was perfect for us. I am vegan & there were quite a few choices for me & the meals we both picked were delicious. Would highly recommend & will certainly return

Dropped in walking past on the way to a gig in Cardiff Castle. Lovely window seat, excellent service, food …. Fabulous, wine 2 bottles of house white I would thoroughly recommend. Lovely venue, a bit of a hidden gem. We will be back 10/10

A lovely restaurant with amazing food. The staff are very professional, friendly and helpful. Can't say anything about the price as I wasn't paying , but I can highly recommend it

Proper Italian food. Recommend if you’re in town!

Very good food and great service, welcoming and efficient. The tiramitsu was perfect.

We booked a table of 22 for a family get together and shared a memorable meal. The staff couldn't do enough for us and the food was regarded as some of the best people in the group have ever had from an Italian restaurant, particularly the pasta dishes. I had the wild boar ravioli and indeed this was sublime. Would also highly recommend the tiramisu which is as authentic as it gets. Incredible meal and a huge thanks to the team

We went for a pre show meal. We loved our pizzas which were so tasty. Plenty of flavour and toppings. We ordered tiramisu which was traditional and tasted so good, and a summer berry cheesecake which was a creamy delight. The atmosphere was a great, and the proprietors had fun characters. I shall definitely be going again.

Fantastic restaurant, the food was fantastic. For a starter I had a Calamari fritti and my partner had a salmon cheesecake which was fantastic! Salmon, cream cheese on a cheesecake base. For a main I had vodka al salmone and my partner had a ragu. Everything was fantastic fast service, lovely ambience and friendly staff. Definitely worth a visit if you want an Italian date night and good wine!

The food was very nice but we had a very weird experience at this restaurant - a male waiter kept bothering us/asking us strange questions saying if we didn’t like the food/drinks, he would lose his job. We then saw another waiter (who had been serving us) in the toilets and didn’t wash her hands… To top everything off we then were forced to fill in this leaflet which supposedly gave us the chance to win a holiday to Venice only for the strange waiter to message on the business number asking for a date - weird vibes and not what we signed up to when we were asked to give personal information/data…

Unfortunately didn’t eat there Just had a few drinks before theatre performance on Monday 18 March. Superb service. Lovely ambience. Cool music. No time to eat but menu looked great- am vegetarian Look forward to returning

Bit disappointed by the slow cooked lamb ragu, not homemade paste and very average. A quiet Monday night was also going to a strange atmosphere, but the staff were friendly and attentive.

From the moment we stepped into the cozy ambiance of Giovannis, we knew we were in for a treat. The warm and inviting atmosphere set the stage for a delightful evening ahead. The service was impeccable, with attentive staff who were both knowledgeable about the menu and genuinely passionate about ensuring our dining experience was top-notch.Food is also very tasty.

I have been to all the Giovannis in Cardiff but this is my favourite. The service was amazing, so attentive and fun. The food was delicious and came piping hot and quicker than I expected! I can’t wait to go back and try something new.

Delicious food-we had all three courses! The staff were very welcoming from the moment we arrived. The ambience is lovely. What a great restaurant . Will most definitely be returning.

While visiting Cardiff to spend a nice weekend, have chosen the Giovanni’s restaurant to eat a dinner with girl. Both of us got so surprised by the atmosphere around, made by perfect music and an excellent service. Food served very fast, and its taste of pasta definitely will stay with me at least I visit Italy!

Definitely one of the best Italian restaurants I’ve been in wales, the costumer service was great, I’m from Portugal but I felt home if I was born in Italy what an experience thank you

Will never be going here again. Salmon was over cooked mashes potato didn't even taste of potato. The veg (over small piece of carrot and broccoli plus 2 half roast potatoes?) were certainly not sautéed on the day, they were mush. Pizza! The crusty was the best thing about it. They took the price of the salmon off but the bill (we had 2 drinks) still came to over £40 which baffles me and if I'd been the one paying would have questioned it! If you love your food I do not recommend.

We brought my Italian aunt here for her 90th birthday, and it was a joyful evening. They spent time with her, speaking to her in Italian and asking about her life and family. Nothing was too much trouble, and it seemed to me they saw it as a privilege to have her there for such a special occasion. The food was superb, and the service was out of this world. I've been here several times before, and it was the only choice for this event. I can't recommend Giovanni's highly enough.

We stopped here for a meal before going to a show at the theatre and we’re not disappointed. The food looked and tasted amazing, our waiter was very funny and nothing was too much trouble. We will definitely be back and will save some room for desert next time.

We've returned here a few times, and the food is always top-drawer. If you have any service issues, they are resolved promptly. There are cheaper restaurants out there, but you come here for the special occasions and Giovanni's are certainly worth it. Just watch out for the added service charge on the bills, if you'd prefer that was just included in the menu prices and not quietly added.

Went here with a group of 8 people. The food was very overpriced (£10 for starters and puddings, to include 3 scoops of vanilla icecream for the same price). Mains were between £20/30 each and bland. The service was ok, but the waiter was a little overbearing and he thought he was a comedian. Won't be rushing back any time soon.

Quite expensive, but great atmosphere and very friendly staff.

A lovely evening with my friends, great service, and the most delicious Italian food that I’ve ever had in my life , and really nice cocktails selection , I will come back for sure!!!

We were late for our reservation but the staff were absolutely fantastic at putting us at our ease. Friendly and attentive without being pushy. The food was just sublime. Arancini (vegetarian option) was fresh and not at all dry, in particular the sauce was delicious. Calamari were lightly coated and perfectly cooked served with lemon, herbs and a light tartare style sauce. For main course we both had the pasta Misti alla Mer - mixed seafood. Light, flavoursome sauce containing generous amount of prawns, clams, mussels, covering perfectly cooked fresh pasta. We had a side salad, so fresh with a light dressing and orange slices. Perfect with the pasta. A small error on the bill was rectified with apologies and good humour. It was a truly wonderful dining experience.

Nice atmosphere, good location and sound but a bit pricey food.

We went to the panto at the new theatre on New Year’s Eve and pre booked for dinner after. I’d visited the restaurant before but this time it surpassed my expectations. The menu was different and a singer worked the tables providing live entertainment. Not at all expected and very welcomed. Our family table’ ages ranged from 8-76 and everyone thoroughly enjoyed. The food was delicious and the waiters/waitresses very family friendly. Giovanni himself even made an appearance and welcomed us. Would definitely recommend.

Location opposite the theatre is ideal. Food was excellent but really what really made the experience special was the staff. They were all friendly and attentive. A wonderful dining experience. Can't wait to go again!!

I had the most fantastic meal with friends here. For my starter I had the Pane all’ Aglio e Mozzarella which was very tasty, followed by one of the best Pasta Arrabiata‘s I have ever had. Desert was a creamy lemon cheesecake that was incredibly smooth and moreish, albeit a bit pricy for the portion. Giovanni came over and spoke with us all which was lovely, and the hospitality was outstanding. Giovanni and everyone at the restaurant were incredibly friendly and welcoming and gave the best service I have seen at a restaurant in years! Outstanding service and delicious food! Would very highly reccommend!

Nice and excellent service and food. All staffs are very welcoming and enjoyed really well. Good place to visit. Enjoyed really well

What on earth has happened to Giovannis???? Once an iconic restaurant in Cardiff but a shadow of its former self. Starters were luke warm, a mini portion at best and lacking in any sort of taste. I gave the benefit of the doubt but then the mains came out. I Ordered the Beef Ragu expecting big chunks of beef at £20 a portion but it was anything but, it looked like something served up in a prison canteen. Minced lamb (I think) not sure it had no taste). Absolutely awful, bland food that you would not be happy paying £5 with at a food stall let alone anything more. My partner had the lasagne and it was more of the same, heated up to a temperature that made it impossible to eat for 15 minutes and the flavour had been zapped out of it by that point. That tends to happen if you nuke something before bringing it out. The fact the meals were with us within 5-10 minutes should have been a warning sign to us. The waiters were pleasant enough but it is a very salesman like approach that pounced on you at all points - encouraging to have a beer or prosecco (we do not drink), encouraging to have garlic bread, encouraging to have dessert. It is over the top !!!! Giovannis used to be a great Cardiff institution but I will not be visiting again as this is my second bad experience in as many visits.

The staff at Giovanni’s were all extremely friendly, very hospitable and attentive. I’d have no complaints on the service we received. What I can’t get my head around is paying £8.95 for a 620ml bottle of Peroni, and £5.95 for a small bowl of frozen chips. The remainder of the menu followed suit with the outrageously high prices for what you get. The lasagne was an extremely small portion which consisted mainly of sauce. All three pizzas were very much under cooked, either the dough base still raw in the middle. Giovanni’s used to be a place where you’d get good bang for your buck, instead it all felt like one big rip off and bang average food. I understand we are in the centre of Cardiff, prices are inflated, and costs are currently high for hospitality, but paying £9 for just over a pint of larger is criminal.

Lovely food and excellent staff. House wine overpriced at £30 a bottle.

We went to Giovannis after being highly recommended to us from friends for our 1 year anniversary. We were blown away by the food. I ordered the garlic tomato meatballs for starter which were flavourful and authentic and the slow cooked lamb ragu rigatoni as my main which was fantastic. The staff were incredibly attentive and joyous and we felt that the service in general was great. Definitely lives up to the popularity.

Lovely Italian restaurant, friendly and amusing staff. Great lamb shank. Aranchini starter unusual but very nice. Good choice of tasty wine. Highly recommended.

I went with my boyfriend for our anniversary. The staff were extremely friendly and polite and were extremely attentive, making sure we were enjoying our meals. I had the lasagna and my partner had the lamb ragu pasta dish; the food was incredible and surpassed my expectations. The food was incredibly filling and portion sizes were perfect. We will definitely be going again.The atmosphere was amazing and it was definitely the perfect place to go to celebrate our anniversary!

Well done for the prompt service not making anyone really wait considering there were 40 of us & other customers there. 3 course £35 which were delicious. A decent bottle of merlot cost £31 so perhaps a little expensive? A lovely drop though. Clean & comfortable in here too.

Lovely restaurant, great service and friendly staff. I highly recommend the Gamberoni alla marchesa, it was cooked to perfection. I will definitely dine here more often!

The foid was really good. Arrived at 12.30 when it was relatively quiet. However the service level was pretty average. It took 1 hour and 45 mins to serve a 2 course lunch for 3 people. Yes, the restaurant got busier and yes the staff...

What a great cosy atmosphere to sit and enjoy an evening meal with family. The staff are super friendly. No complaints with the food. All in all, a great night of food and relaxed fun can be had here.

1st time visiting off the back of rave reviews from people who have been, but far from it. Service was slow and poor considering it didnt seem to be that busy. almost 1 waiter per 2 tables. Took close to half an hour to get...

We have been here, a few times now and the food is always spot-on and pretty authentic. The staff including Giovanni himself, are always welcoming and friendly and our waitress Olivia was outstanding and a lovely girl.

We discovered Giovannis the first time we came to Cardiff where my daughter is at university, now every time we come to visit her we go to Giovanni’s, it’s become a tradition! The restaurant has a lovely friendly feel to it, food is always fabulous,...

Wonderful atmosphere, very tasty food and outstanding service. Can't recommend it highly enough

Went with family and had a lovely meal, very welcoming staff. Was a nice venue and interior was quirky. Lovely atmosphere. We would go back..

Long journey from Newcastle to Cardiff for my son running in a race. Stumbled on this restaurant by mistake, my wife had actually booked a different Italian restaurant. We walked into the wrong place, sat down and then the penny dropped. Almost got up to...

Warm welcoming atmosphere, really delicious food, and great service from our lovely hostess Anna. Thank you!

The food was great and the service was better. Especially Anna who made sure we always had what we needed straight away.

Amazing food, and such a friendly and welcoming team. Had a birthday there and loved it, and gary the wish. Will definitely come again and recommend it to everyone

Very welcoming restaurant staff, who are polite & helpful. Giovanni, as usual was also very welcoming & talked to all the customers in the restaurant. A very good evening was had by all. The food was delicious & the wine good. Well worth a visit!

There was no room at the giovannis in the city centre, but the busic here was much better, the atmosphere was more stylish, and the wall of fame was amazing. Awesome cocktails, great service, fabulous food, cool music. Loved it.

I love it here! I always come back here as it’s such a nice place with great staff. The prices are also extremely reasonable which makes it even more worthwhile!

Popped in before a New Theatre show (restaurant handily opposite theatre!) for a quick bite. Firstly, it is good to know that they have a top 5/5 hygiene rating from the health inspectors. SERVICE: Good old-fashioned hospitality - and I thought it had nearly died...

I had a beautiful meal here; everything was amazing. The food, the atmosphere and the staff made the experience amazing. I will definitely be returning here.

Was an experience that me and all my friends enjoyed. The staff were extremely welcoming and helpful and the lamb ragu from the special menu was fantastic!

An average Italian. We went here without much research and for the price I’m sure there are better Italians in Cardiff. Lamb Ragu lacked depth of flavour, pizzas were okay, dough lovely but slightly too soggy. 3 stars is fair, not great and also not awful but no better than a chain restaurant Italian

It's not just the excellent food, it's the whole atmosphere that makes this the best Italian restaurant in Cardiff

Excellent meal as always and we were greeted by the man himself!

This is such a great family restaurant. Service was welcoming and attentive. Food simply delicious. And not overpriced. Will definitely be back 👍