Joia Italian Restaurant And Bar in Glasgow City

love their pizza - always a great option

Stumbled upon this while on a recent trip. Calamari starter was excellent..shame the pasta main I ordered wasn't as good. Lots of button mushrooms and no sign of any of the promised wild mushroom or porcine. Disapointing.

Great authentic Italian food, just what we were looking for.

From moment we stepped in, we were very welcomed. When i said it was my husband & i wedding anniversary, waiter sent over a complimentary prosecco. Thanks very much, also the waitress a young lady from Northumberlabd very nice. All in all perfect meal ; staff. Go there, u will not be dissapoi ted. Thanks again guys. Anne, Trev staying at Raddison Red up the road.

Beautiful environment, and for those who also want romantic for special occasions, how special is the staff. Real Italian restaurant, welcoming and hospitable, really excellent food, I recommend going there 🥰 🇮🇹

Visited Joia in December with friends and had a lovely meal. Returned again with family including a baby. We all enjoyed our meals and looking forward to a return visit soon. Food excellent, staff friendly and attentive. My favourite Italian restaurant ❤️

Afternoon tea, savoury dishes delish, service from waitress brilliant, however maìtre d cleared afternoon tea away before it was finished (deserts remaining), ruined our experience. Maìtre D also advised no child menu though did offer select dishes available in reduced portions

Had not read the reviews before going and went because it was close to the OVO where we had an event later. We were pleasantly surprised. Firstly the welcome and the service superb, the ambience and decor were great. The food & wine topped it off, delicious!! Would easily recommend.

Lovely restaurant, we dined here for lunch a few weeks ago with 2 adults and 4 kids. Firstly the food was delicious and arrived quickly which was great for the kids. It had a lovely family atmosphere and the staff were friendly and attentive. Would highly recommend and will definitely be returning soon 😊

I was made to feel welcome and comfortable from the moment I arrived. Lovely food, great service from waitress Holly. Thanks very much Joia, you helped make our trip to Glasgow memorable x x

Restaurant looks nice enough but very brightly lit uncomfortable chairs ..the prices were really ridiculous bruschetta 9.00 for one slice off bread and tomatoes .. but what really irked me and my husband was he spilt his drink when the bill came they charged for the spilt drink as well as the replacement we were not expecting that hence we left no tip .. we eat out once a week we will not be back here .

Che dire...mettiamola così....alla Checco Zalone...scala e un cacciavite,e rimoviamo la scritta italiano dai vari ristoranti in giro per Glasgow e poi tutti a mangiare ITALIANO da Joia.Ogni piatto è una dimostrazione che si può. Grazie a tutto lo staff di Joia,in particolare a Cristiano.

We had a lovely evening with delicious food and great service! We’re thankful to Holly, Enrico, and Angelo for a great time!

Music not too loud,nice toilets,upper seating very nice.Wine good,waiters very attentive. Italian hospitality, menu very good.Mid range pricing,recommended ,worthy restaurant.I give it a double handshake,even had a Grappa.

Delicious and authentic Italian food, good atmosphere, I strongly recommend.

We turned up with our friends only to discover we had booked for two weeks before! The Maitre De could not have been more accommodating even though it was very busy and there were only two of them on that evening. Amazing food and service. Can’t wait to return when visiting Glasgow again.

Everything just a little bit special here. Beautiful surroundings, great service and lovely relaxing Italian music. Even the pizza has a twist and the best I’ve had in years. The dessert birramisu is amazing and very moreish so don’t share!!

Awful experience just booking. Successfully made a reservation using an itison voucher, received a phone call to confirm booking and was advised I shouldn’t book using a voucher online, but the reservation was fine. Phoned the day before to check the time and was told the booking had to be cancelled as it was a voucher that was being used. We had been told the service was very poor at the restaurant, this experience even prior to walking in the door was extremely disappointing. Avoid.

Had a wonderful meal after a conference with the team. Holly who was our waitress was fantastic - friendly and welcoming, great service! Thank you :)

A real shame as the decor was nice, the food was decent enough and the service was good until the end. However the table was a little dirty but that's OK, mistakes can happen. The main issue was the misleading menu, right under the words "valentine's day menu" there was a price advertised "per 2 courses" which made it seem like the price was for a meal for 2 people given that its valentine's day and there will be many couples. In reality it wasn't the price for 2 main courses, it was the price for a main and a starter or dessert per person. It didn't specify which courses the price related to so it's open to interpretation but I felt it was misleading and could've been written a lot clearer. Very disappointing overall and poor value for money, very overpriced for the size of the portion.

Great atmosphere and good food for fair price. Definitely recommend

The bartender was extremely rude upon request of a drink. He had a condescending attitude when explaining that drink we asked for. Never ask for virgin mojito xoxo ALSO SO EXPENSIVE FOR A MOCKTAIL £6.65!!! NEVER AGAIN

What an amazing Italian, just called in as working near by but what amazing food and staff. Also very helpful with wine choices. If you are in Glasgow this is a must and on my list next time we are in the city.

Just had dinner for first time at Joia, really EnJoiad 😅. Lovely service, great food. Had parmigiana and rabbit rolle' finishing with Pistacchio warm heart which was really amazing. Great choice of food and different dishes from most other Italian restaurants. Will definitely be back.

Lovely experience! Holly was our server and she was very attentive and very nice. The food was delicious, drinks great, and atmosphere top notch. Definitely will be back!

I honestly have nothing bad to say about Joia. From the food, service & atmosphere, it was top notch. Despite the interior, it is actually kid friendly too. The staff were very sweet to our toddler. Star for me was the octopus & lava cake - must try!!

This is an excellent restaurant that I can recommend, it is in walking distance from the Hydro and there are many other bars etc on this part of Argyle St. The food was delicious my favourite being the baked rabbit, washed down with some Sicilian merlot. The staff were really friendly and helpful I must give a special mention to Holly who was very cheery and attentive. So all in all a fantastic dining experience.

Fantastic food, atmosphere and service. Lovely evening had by all, thank you.

Have just visited this afternoon (22 Jan.) to have a afternoon tea and what a change to have a different version on the menu to the normal sausage rolls and sandwiches, The Italian version of savories and cakes made this a very different menu to what we were expecting. If you want something of a change in the afternoon I hope you try the Joia .

Visited for a quick dinner before a concert, was pleasantly surprised. Nice atmosphere, delicious food and very accommodating staff.

Seconda volta a Joia restaurant, oltre ad essere stati accolti con grande calore da Cristiano e Angelo, voglio aggiungere ancora una volta che il cibo è assolutamente subblime, ho assaporato un buon piatto di calamari fritti e spaghettoni quadrati allo scoglio, il mio dolce preferito è sempre il cuore caldo, e poi le millegoglie. Tutto questo grazie va allo staff in cucina, la musica giusta per un ottima atmosfera. Lo consiglio vivamente ❤️❤️❤️

Visited for an evening meal in December as a return customer and this restaurant provides consistent excellent quality. Portion sizes are great and it's apparent the chef's uses the finest ingredients. Staff were also knowledgeable and very friendly.

Very tasty food. I recommend it with all my heart 😊

Delicious meal with family. We all loved our food! Lots of different vegetarian options which is a nice change. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Great find for us and we will definitely be back!

What a lovely little place, the staff were lovely and couldn't enough for you, the young red head girl who was looking after us was excellent and very knowledgeable, the atmosphere was very cosy and chilled compared to the-4 weather outside, we had a starter and mains both of which had amazing flavours and very good portion sizes, highly recommended if in the area, you won't be disappointed.

Terrific! Not easy to find a spot in glasglow for dinner, if you don't have any reservation. We are lucky can walk in. All dishes are very tasty and well presented.

The octopus was amazing and the atmosphere was incredible✨

A truly Italian experience. We used to live in Rome so can guarantee that the food, ambience and service are authentically Italian. Recommendations: carbonara, spigola, lasagne, kid's menu, mushroom and truffle pasta, tiramisu We'll be back!

The classic Italien restaurang with good food and with a nice and freindly staff.

A beautiful Ambience. Stylish and classy interior. The food and service were excellent. And a new thing for me, a salty Birra Moretti on draught. Overall I couldn't fault this little Italian gem.

Todo fue increíble! La comida era excelente y también el servicio! También el ambiente es muy acogedor! Sin duda recomendaría!

Fantastic little restaurant, managed to get out party of 6 in at short notice, so glad we did! Pizza and salad really tasty, friends had seafood dishes and lasagne, all top quality and filling without feeling uncomfortable. Prices were great value for money and a nice beer as well! Would recommend if you are in the area!

Tanto mi pareja como yo disfrutamos de 2 cursos. Él tenía la Carbonara y yo el risotto de langostinos y calamares. Él tomó el pastel de lava y yo el tiramisú. No podía fallar nada de la comida. El servicio fue rápido y cada miembro del personal era servicial y amable. Sin duda volveremos. Reserva se recomienda como muy popular.

Rabbit roulade with delicious sauce and additions, everything works perfectly together. I haven't eaten such a good dish in a long time. I highly recommend the restaurant

Disappointed with the service. our food took far too long, and we felt overlooked. Good food, but not worth the wait.

Tuve la oportunidad antes de un concierto en el Hydro. La comida y el servicio eran excelentes. Mi esposa se ve a sí misma como un poco de aficianado de lasaña y dijo que la que tenía aquí era de las mejores que había probado. Lo recomendaría, aunque probablemente vale la pena reservar ya que estaba muy ocupado para cuando nos fuimos.

The food was really nice and our waitress holly was very professional and friendly thanks….

Tuvimos una comida maravillosa aquí con un servicio muy amable y atento. La comida era excelente y buen tamaño de porción. Muy buena carta de vinos y mención especial a nuestro servidor Holly. Ella era fantástica, el restaurante es afortunado de tenerla. Sería difícil encontrar un restaurante mejor en Glasgow.

My friends and I had Italian afternoon tea to celebrate my birthday and everything was 10/10! Food & drinks were delicious, beautiful restaurant and the staff were so kind they even brought out a cake and sang happy birthday for me off their own back! Definitely will be back for full meal!

Excellent food and service. A must to visit for either lunch or dinner.

Delicious food & very friendly service

Very authentic Italian restaurant. Will definitely come back

A really lovely Italian. Great staff. Very accommodating to dietary requirements.

I’ve been a regular of this amazing restaurant since opening. Food is always great, authentic, the staff makes you feel home. Cristiano is not only the owner, it’s an amazing person that really takes care of customers. Truly Italian!

Lovely little Italian restaurant. Food was amazing.

Busy & vibrant Italian let down by average service and couple of poor main courses. Butternut Risotto was bland and had to ask for black pepper as wasn’t offered, seafood pasta was a touch on the dry side but tasted nice (no one came to ask if everything was ok with the food, other tables seemed to be getting done), other courses of Octopus, pizza & pistachio dessert were fine. Felt rushed to depart table (was actually told we had 10 minutes left!!) as they wanted it for other customers and we were still within our allocated time.

Have been here several times before and enjoyed however last night was very disappointing. I had lasagne which tasted nice but half of it over cooked and hard to extent could have broke a tooth. Manager said he would take 10% off which he did. However after leaving the restaurant discovered they had charged me for 3 glasses of wine when I only had 2. Not impressed and won’t be back.

The food and the atmosphere here are so lovely! We had the mushroom pasta and the calamari risotto which were such a good price for the food given! Many thanks to the chef!! The atmosphere was wonderful too and the staff were attentive and professional with everyone! Thanks to everyone who helped us enjoy our night!

Visited this restaurant soon after it opened June 2021. First of all, nice to see a restaurant back in this space ( next to Tesco Express, Finnieston on Argyle Street). Previously the restaurant here was Pelligrini and before that Panevino. These were good restaurants and I was sad to see them go. This restaurant doesn't do much to cheer me up. This is, again, a modern Italian eaterie. They have basically retained all the furniture and setting of the previous restaurant. In my estimation the decor and ambience is too 'cafè'ish'. The room is too bright and when we were in there was a decent amount of patrons and it was noisey. If you are looking for a romantic setting for two, this isn't it. Furthermore, if you are Vegan or Vegetarian there is slim pickings here for you. Something that would help is to identify the vegan/veggie dishes on the menu, making them easier to spot. Would have saved me some time googling Italian foody words. There are some dishes for non meat eaters, but the menu pays scant regard to that preference. Fish eaters and carnivores are well catered for. I would have to say the food was adequate. The bread was hard and tough and possibly not being kept air-tight. The mozzarella starter was served like a lollipop, complete with stick... just silly. The pasta dishes for some reason were served in a copper pan with a handle. Why? I don't get this obsession. Just serve food in restaurants on clean, white crockery. All in all, very average for me. ***REVISIT*** I have returned to this restaurant April 2022. I have to confess some of my initial criticisms have been addressed. The Veggie/Vegan options are highlighted on the menu. The mozzarella is not now served like a lollipop ( and was excellent) and both our dishes came served on crockery. It was an extremely quiet evening, so no rowdiness but room still a tad bright for me. They should turn the lighting down a bit as the evening progresses. However, a much better experience and deffo worth a visit. Great pre-Hydro haunt. Happy to put the record straight(er)..... ****Another Revisit**** Went back Jan 24. This place just gets better. The room has been improved with all seating now matching. The vibe is more romantic. However, most importantly the menu has been improved no end. Now seasonal, updated 4 times a year the options are exceptional and more complex. Much more 'grown-up' and very well executed. The owner has listened to his patrons and made the changes needed. This shows a lack of ego on his part and this eatery deserves to be a success. In the heart of Finnieston and handy for The Hydro. Treat yourself.

Really nice Italian. We had a wonderful evening there. The staff was slightly stressed because all the tables were occupied, but they were still friendly and accommodating. The food is recommended across the board, everything seemed fresh and homemade. Absolutely recommended, but you should make a reservation.

Food was incredible, service was fantastic! We will definitely be returning

We went here tonight before seeing Les Miz for our anniversary, and the staff were so accommodating! Food was great, and we were given a glass of prosecco each due to it being our anniversary! Some of the best Italian food we have had. Would 100% recommend to anyone looking for somewhere to eat in Glasgow.

A fun but sophisticated restaurant. Server team was spot on in making this a very memorable evening.

Great Italian in the middle of Glasgow, sounds strange but it smells like a good Italian restaurant should. Had the risotto and was cooked beautifully. There were 6 in our party and we had a show to go to but service was very fast and friendly.

I ordered a margarita pizza from the kids menu and it was undeniably delicious! My parents had a try and they also said it was delicious. The pizza dough was very interesting and also tasty 😋. The waitress was very kind and nice! The ginger beer (it is a soft drink) was very tasty, I had it for the first time, my mum's recommendation. I would highly recommend this place for a pizza or really anything for a meal out. One of the best foods I have had! 😋😋😋

We went for an early dinner, 2 adults and 2 children (6 and 10 years old). A very nice waitress took care of us and helped us choose our main courses. We had risotto and Margherita pizza for the kids. The pizza dough was made of charcoal flour, amazing and delicious. The risotto was just perfect. The atmosphere was welcoming, casual, and relaxing, with very comfortable chairs and sofas. I highly recommend this place and we will definitely be back!

Lovely afternoon tea , food was delicious 😋

Outstanding food, service and ambience at this beautiful restaurant in Glasgow. So good I came back the next night for another meal 😋

Veniamo a Glasgow 2/3 volte all’anno per lavoro, e dobbiamo sempre venire a mangiare qua, fantastica cucina e personale educato e attento. Consigliatissimo

You are unique, keep going, excellent quality and ITALIAN cuisine. If we return next year we will definitely come and see you bye

My meal was very well-flavoured and just the right amount - pasta in wild mushroom sauce. I think it was a bit overpriced for pasta. I was offered water without being told there would be a cost, a rather hefty cost at that. The ambiance was inviting and the staff friendly and attentive. I would recommend but know it is over priced, at least for what I ordered.

4 of us there for a dinner, 2 adults 2 kids. Pizza was ok, bread was chewy and the tomatoes for bruschetta was tasteless. Almost 45 mins for the main courses, 2 pasta and 1 pizza to share between the little boys, and didn't seem was the busier night ever. We had oriccette ragu, and wasn't the best. Flies everywhere, couldn't keep us in peace. Won't back

The restaurant made a different dish for myself which was much appreciated but the meal was very poor. The service was very rushed didn't feel you could relax. Made to feel like eat dinner and out. Not one of my most memorable dining experiences.

Authentic Italian food. Highly recommend.

We were looking for somewhere close to the OVO Hydro and saw good reviews on Trip Adviser. We were not disappointed. The food was exceptionally good and the service first class, friendly and efficient. We wouldn't hesitate to return next time we're in Glasgow and would highly recommend it.

Lovely wee Italian, our first visit. It’s quite compact, so a bit of a squeeze at times, especially in the ladies toilets where I was knocked in the back by a cubicle door opening while washing my hands! Another negative point was that there was no loo paper in either of the ladies cubicles. Aside from the toilet facilities, the food was lovely, service was good but quite slow (though it was busy) & the ambience was great. They were playing Texas which was a plus as we were going to the Texas concert. My main course was pasta with mushrooms and Italian sausage. There were only 4 small bits of sausage in the dish, which was a bit mean. Note, there was a 10% service charge on the bill, even though there were only the two of us.

Food was good, I had the charcoal pizza which was a lovely dough but definitely had a burnt after taste (maybe in my head because it was black…). The restaurant was nice even though tightly packed with tables. Good location would go back ✅

Whoever said Wow before was a long way short of how amazing this place was The moment we stepped into this restaurant the hustle and bustle meant it was the place to be The food and wine were amongst the best I’ve ever tasted If I could have given 6 stars I would

A little glimpse of Italy in Glasgow! Excellent Italian restaurant, kind and friendly staff. Excellent food, rich and interesting choice on the menu, from starters to desserts. After a good dinner, coffee ends: Good!

It's a lovely venue and all the staff actually being Italian (or at least good at acting) adds to the atmosphere. The only criticism I have would be the quality of the tomatoes on the bruschetta. They didn't really have much flavour which was disappointing as there are so many kinds of delicious Italian tomatoes.

Italian restaurant, Italian and more Italian. Elegant venue and romantic atmosphere. Italian staff, Italian chefs, Italian cuisine. Everyone was very kind, impeccable service, an evening truly not to be forgotten. I don't usually go to Italian restaurants abroad, but this was an unexpected surprise. Thanks again for your welcome and courtesy. Highly recommended.

Great restaurant. Food amazing. Staff very friendly.

Excellent all around- highly recommended, but book in advance

The service was really good with warm and attentionate people. The food was excellent, the best pizza I've ever eaten. And it's not expensive at all.

They were so friendly, and fit us in without a reservation. Main courses were very tasty (pizza, 2 pasta dishes). The bruschetta, however, was super disappointing. It’s like they forgot to put any oil and vinegar in it - zero flavor and dry. If they fit that they’ll be ready for 5 stars!

Activated black charcoal sourdough pizza was a new experience for me and it tasted good!

Beautifully decorated spot for a good meal! Only downside were the number of flys around during our visit. If the front door was closed it would probably be a quick fix.

A very nice place to eat, the staff is attentive and helpful. The food took approximately 10-15 minutes to be served. I highly recommend eating a dessert, they are delicious.

It’s quite confusing that the staff has treated me real bad when I refused to have a dessert and their attitude to me is pretty bad after feeling really uncomfortable with this shop😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

A wonderful restaurant with attentive, caring staff, excellent food, and plenty of space. My wife and I brought both of our families here the day after our wedding—eight people in total. Given the dynamics of our group, the evening could have been quite stressful, but the staff’s outstanding service and professionalism truly made it a memorable experience. Although there were a few mix-ups with our order, which were mostly due to language barriers in my family, the staff handled everything graciously and resolved it quickly. They even offered a discount, which was incredibly kind, though we didn’t take it. A fantastic place that we’ll happily visit again and highly recommend.

Very good food and wine but extremely busy.

Great restaurant - staff really pleasant + food was lovely- obviously the location makes it ideal if you're seeing a gig at the OVO Hydro in which case book your table in advance. But a great restaurant all round even outwith concert days.

Wow wow wow!! This Italian is SO good. Highly recommend going here. The main dishes were the highlight. I had the lasagna and it was made with braised beef and it was absolutely amazing. My bf had the rigatoni with black truffle, Italian sausage and mushrooms and it was delicious. The deserts (pistache lava cake and chocolate salami) were delightful. The arancini was okay. Great service and the interior is very chic. Definitely would go here again!

Charcoal based pizza looks impressive and definitely something to try! Good pizza menu, not huge amount of other options but pretty diverse! Good service, can get busy

Delicious Italian food in a great location. We came for afternoon tea.

Great authentic Italian food, I would highly recommend!! You must try the activated charcoal pizza 🍕 😋 Something different and a lighter tasting dough A***

A group of nine of us had dinner. Everyone had different dishes. All were good and the service was first class.

We had a lovely afternoon recently, service, food was above & beyond 👌 definitely be back ✨️✨️

Amazing seafood and service!!!!

Great food! Excellent service couldn’t fault this restaurant. Excellent pizza and lasagna, homemade bread with yummy butter and good puddings. Nice cocktails and wine. We enjoyed our meal and the banter with the staff