Poke House - Covent Garden in City of London, Westminster

Superb Italian food in a lovely ambient old restaurant tucked down an atmospheric alleyway straight out of Harry Potter. Personal top quality service.

What a wonderful place! When we arrived on friday, october 7, we were greeted like old friends and we spent a great evening. The food was excellent, as always! Many thanks to Pino and the whole crew. Every time when we visit London, it is mandatory for us to go one evening to Giovanni‘s. Greetings from Switzerland, Roland and Manuela

We had a really great time with excellent food, very nice place and superb service by the owner himself. We will surely go back!!

Excellent food, place and people!! This restaurant is a very beautiful place, the food is homemade and very tasty and the attention (by the owner) is even better. We will surely go back!!

Not sure how we’ve never been here before but were prompted by Jay Rayner’s recent Guardian review. It did not disappoint and we’ll be back.

I went to Giovanni's after reading Jay Rayner's review in The Guardian. From moment one it did not disappoint. We were greeted by the delightful owner, Pino Ragona, and were taken to the best table in the house (where Jay Rayner had sat to review). Pino's warmth and humour made the lunch a huge amount of fun. And then there was the food: fresh, delicious and plentiful! Five stars isn't quite enough for this restaurant experience!

Had a fantastic time here at Giovannis. The service was very good, everyone was very kind and attentive. The food was excellent and the level of care and the atmosphere was particularly good. Really recommend for lovers of Italian food who want a fabulous family experience

Magical old school and very splendid service

A wonderful restaurant nestled in the heart of Covent Garden. A real gem of a place hidden down a Diagon Alley style back street. Pino has so many amazing stories to tell. We will be back!

My first time in London, and had this fantastic diner with an incredible decor and with lots of stories you can listen for hours to. It’s a story I can tell to my grandkids… Can’t wait to come again to London with my family…

Nice food but you feel ripped off. 1. The medium sized should come with 2 portions of protein (I chose tuna and salmon) but they seem to reduce the amount of each compared to how much they’d put in the bowl if you order the small which comes with one protein. Should get 4 greens but they charge an additional £1 or £1.50 if any of those are ‘premium’ and basic stuff like avocado and wakame are considered premium even though you get an absolutely minuscule amount. A bit of a joke really.

Great place. Very authentic Sicilian cuisine, presented well but great staff.

Read about them online, and absolutely loved the food and hospitality. I felt home. I’d highly recommend to anyone looking for a cozy delicious hidden gem in central London

The quantities are poor and the prices do not match!!! Excessively expensive. The boss collected the bill, WHY? We paid £129.38 for 1 salad starter, 1 starter of 10 garlics and 2 mediocre pasta dishes with 6 cockles and a bottle of tasteless white wine.

Sometimes you find an absolute gem, this is a diamond! Don’t tell anyone about this fabulous place. Michael, Sue & Jess xxxxx

Sublime ! Couldn’t recommend it enough. Come come come. The food is fantastic and the atmosphere even better

Pino is an exceptional host - one of the best cannolis I’ve ever had in my entire life.

Incredibly cozy restaurant on a quiet street in Covent Garden with the best Italian food in London

I’ve never been anywhere better. You must go.

What an incredible find, the atmosphere, the food, and the main event Pino!

Just perfect! Pino is a legend and a brilliant host. The food superb. The atmosphere wonderful. The wine stunning. 100% recommend.

Pino is a truly excellent owner/host for a long lunch with a long standing friend. Food was exceptionally good Sicilian style - very authentic, just go with and of his recommendations and you can’t go wrong! And the wine recommendations to pair with the food - perfect! Its got a great, cosy, authentic vibe too Enjoy a little taste of Sicily in central London

Home cooked Italian food served with no frills in wonderful surroundings. The people made us feel like family, wonderfully attentive, funny, and helpful. Great experience!

Real Italian cuisine LIKE AT HOME IT’S DELICIOUS

I've been to dinner twice with my family. Truly Italian restaurant, with excellent Italian cuisine and reasonable prices. Very attentive service. The host Pino Ragona is unique. We will be back soon.

If I could put 6 stars I would! The most incredible (authentic) food, staff and atmosphere! We will certainly be back very very soon.

Wonderful theatre land restaurant something of an institution very welcoming good and service

This is the best place for dinner in all of England. A hidden gem in Covent Garden serving food that rivals the best Italian restaurants in the world. When you walk in you see all the famous people that have been here and there’s a reason for it. The personal service and amazing food is unmatched by any restaurant. The owner, Pino Ragona, ensures every customer is taken care of and if you’re lucky, you’ll get Roberto as your server who’s quick wit and kind nature makes the experience that much better. If you’re in England, find your way to Giovanni’s in Covent Garden and you’ll experience the best dinner you’ve ever had.

Giovanni’s is a must!. Delicious meals, personal touch to every dish and a crew that made us all feel like family! Pino Ragona welcomed us and accommodated our large party. Everyone place this on the “go to” list when in London. Roberto was #1 in making us full with laughter, refreshments and dishes.

Best Italian meal ever! Pinot, Claire, Roberto and Shivraj…love these guys and are amazing. Will definitely be coming back 🥰. Don’t even need to go to Italy!!!

There is something magical about this place. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is what to expect from an Italian restaurant, and the alleyway entrance adds a mystique to the experience, but most of all it is Pino who excites the imagination and tempts the palate. He is inviting and makes you feel at home. I try to dine with them when in London.

If only there were 6 Stars! My favorite restaurant in London.

Tastiest meal in london! Authentic Italian food with 5*** service from pino ragona!

Great service and great atmosphere. Love!

Found this cosy and intimate restaurant by chance and will definitely return . Wonderful owner and the most delicious ravioli!!! xxx

We can’t say enough about Giovanni’s. Pino was amazing. We spent two weeks in Italy this summer and did not have any better than this. Beyond amazing. Such a simple thing as the olives. I’ve never had anything like them. We weee blown away.

Excellent food. Excellent friendly and helpful service. Exceptional menu. Small intimate dining. My family loved this place! Highly recommend it.

A breath of fresh air. Excellent food, a great attentive waiter and a wonderful way to have a true Sicilian lunch.

What a fantastic experience! Amazing food, lovely service, great atmosphere. Highly recommend

Beautiful restaurant, great service and lovely food

Amazing food and lovely service ❤️

Fabulous! Food and service were wonderful. Highly recommend.

Amazingly authentic and wonderfully welcoming. Staff perfect and attentive, couldnt ask for better service. Highly recommend if in London. An absolute must! Food, wine, ambiance, staff, location 10/10! We will be back!

Fantastic food, wonderful lunchtime experience. Don’t know why we’ve not visited before but we’ll definitely be back.

With pleasure the great Pino took us back to Italy, pampering us with his dishes and his kindness

A welcoming and characteristic environment that transports you to a pleasant, unique and warm atmosphere.... A cuisine that warms the heart and takes you on a journey that takes you through true Italian flavors. An experience to try also thanks to the personality and hospitality of the owner Pino: a person who tells a story of tradition and love.

I personally met Pino and he is the best Chef, host and an excellent person!!!! You're the best !!!!

Fantastic food and great service. Can’t wait to come back

This is the best Italian authentic restaurant in London. We came especially, a night early and the service and food did not disappoint. The lemoncello is to die for!

Best Italian restaurant in London hands down!

Being of Sicilian descent, the food was spot on. In London for a 5 day vacation, we ended up having dinner there twice. The three of us each tried something different the second night and were just as pleased as the first. The food was as good as my Sicilian mother’s dinners. Pino and his staff were friendly and professional.

Such a lovely experience, Pino was so lovely. The food was delicious and the restaurant was so authentic and beautiful. 100% going to be our new local.

I have been twice in the last few weeks and both fantastic, food brilliant and great hospitality, will be returning soon.

Pino the godfather made our evening! Highly recommend.

Awesome food, service, and atmosphere! Highest of recommendations!!

This might've been the best Italian experience I've ever had. The food was as good as I've had, the wine choices, while not a ton of options, were all very nice. The Banfi Brunello was perfect. The attention paid to our experience by the staff was above and beyond. To cap the evening off, Pino pulled out his special Grappa and sat with us for a while, laughing and sharing his experiences with us. Highly recommend!

The ambience, service, and the FOOD, outstanding! A great way to start our first night in London. No need to go anywhere else!

This was hands down the best Italian food I’ve ever had. It was all delicious, the wine was fantastic, and the service superb. The waitstaff and the chef were all lovely. I cannot recommend highly enough!

Giovanni’s is not only the best Italian food I’ve ever eaten but the dining experience provided was truly delightful. Pino is a legend and he took a shine to our table and regaled us with hilarious stories that left us in tears. He provided us with free Grappa and spent almost an hour sharing stories of some of the celebrity legends that have walked through his doors. As we left, he gave us all a warm embrace and a delicate kiss on each cheek. You feel like you’ve stumbled upon the back door of your Italian grandma’s kitchen and the whole family is there to welcome you with open arms. I will forever remember this evening and wish that all could experience Pino and the remarkable food and fun he provides. Make Giovanni’s a must visit your next trip to London

One of my favorite places in London. Every time I visit London we have dinner here. Food is fabulous!

This was the meal I wish I had in Taormina! My husband and I had just flew in from Taormina and this was our first meal in London and the food was incredible! Paired with the ambiance and service it was a wonderful experience. Must stop in!

A wonderful dining experience from start to finish. The food , wine and staff are fantastic. Ten Stars. ⭐️ We love being treated like family. Grazie mille Pino 🍷

Shame as the food is really great but the server who served me today had awful attitude. I was charged the incorrect amount because she failed to listen to her colleague who had mentioned multiple times that I was having the lunch deal. As a result, I was overcharged and their systems were unable to process a refund. The manager was nice and did try to rectify the issue but instead he ended up giving me a 'free drink' that was meant to already be included in what I had paid (and at the time even overpaid!!!). But honestly the lady who served me had an awful attitude towards what felt like an inconvenience which is what has even prompted me to write this review. She has also tried to blame me in front of her manager for 'failing to tell her what I was having' although, had she paid attention to her colleague she would have processed my order correctly. Not only that but I felt I had to point out to the screen that the amount was £10 for a bowl and drink not £10.95 that she kept insisting on - the second guy who filled my bowl seemed to try to agree and I felt like I was being ripped off. I left with a sour taste in my mouth. Again, a shame as the food is nice and the first guy who served me was really lovely.

Warm friendly welcome from the proprietor. Delicious French menu. Wonderful cosy 'theatreland' ambience

A Family, Excellent Food, Typical Italian Food It's like getting to a piccola Italy Everything fantastic

L’ultimo giorno della nostra vacanza a Londra abbiamo deciso di mantenerci leggeri, siamo stati a mangiare da Poke House, qualità ottima e buon servizio. Consigliato quando si vuol mantenere leggeri.

What a lovely restaurant, and the food has to be tasted to be appreciated. More than enjoyed every course.

Nice small Italian restaurant with authentic food and lovely staff! Would come here again

Simply the best italian restaurant in London. Family run. You may find the name of this restaurant in the definition of many words in the Oxford dictionary, including: italian food, courtesy and service.

Outstanding service and quality of food! Will definetly be back soon

Intimate and welcoming Sicilian Italian restaurant. We had a 1730 reservation on Saturday, April 6th, 2024. Excellent food and friendly and attentive service from our hostess who seated us, to ok our waiter who served us to the owner, Pino who greeted and checked on us multiple times. Our party of four very much enjoyed our dinner experience. Thank you.

this restaurant is truly perfect if you want great food and a relaxed/awesome atmosphere

Went here for my dad's 82nd birthday as a treat as he'd wanted to go for a long time. Lovely service and quaint atmosphere, with all the signed celeb photos on the wall, candlelight and old-school service. All waiters were attentive and welcoming and made a little song and dance around my dad's birthday which was appreciated. Food was the let down here. The website doesn't state prices and we were pretty shocked to see £35 dishes of pasta (pasta should never be that expensive!) My dad had the liver and guanciale and it was 2 pieces of liver and 3 pieces of bacon for £38. Felt like a starter and was a bit underwhelming. Pasta was tasty but not particularly memorable or special. Fried courgettes were desperately under seasoned and the mixed sharing board of cheese and meats had 3 single bites of cheese which we had to try and share between 4. Wine was nice, although only 2 bottles under £50 so keep that in mind. I truly believe places like this are an institution, and it's important to keep the original London restaurants going. But in my opinion, Giovannis needs to learn to adapt to modern expectations and not solely lean on their history or novelty to get good reviews.

Very cozy atmosphere and friendly, family service!

What a wonderful small and cozy Italian restaurant. Everyone was wonderful, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was perfect. Great for a small group or a romantic date. If you want Italian while in London, come here! It’s tucked away in an alley - well worth a few extra steps!

Excellent find down a small backstreet. Kinda blink and you'd miss it. Small and intimate. Perfect place with authentic Italian food. Has lots of photos of celebs who have been on the walls . Great vibe good portions and lovely wine. Would highly recommend with efficient service . Closes between 2.30 and 5.30.

Faultless, just wish the tap water wasn't served in a gin bottle. I have spent the last few days denying drinking

Wonderful food. Charming atmosphere and top notch service. Owner visits the tables. You will never be disappointed with any dish you order. Go have a meal. You will be back.

Loved this as our post theatre meal. So cosy and but service and food were great

The restaurant fit us in , despite no availability on line x loved the secret entrance at the back x food and service Excellant x if you looking for quaint and traditional instead of flashy this is a definite visit x Thankyou x

Great place for a special occasion

Delicious pasta! Very friendly service. A good time for us.

Absolute Gem of a place! Lovely owner and amazing fresh pasta Beautiful decor

Went in to ask for a table last night. The person said they didn't have a table. Then he looked up and down at me and said "you stay and your husband should go and leave us". Very unprofessional and creepy. Will not go back.

Amazing! A hidden treasure which always exceeds expectations.

I had a terrific time at this restaurant and even got to meet the owner - Pino, who was very polite, stopping by each table to ensure everyone was happy. The food was outstanding - you could taste each ingredient, and the pasta was cooked to perfection. The atmosphere was cozy yet lively, with the staff being equally as attentive and polite as the owner. Thank you

مكان هادىء وجميل وأخلاق عالية 👌🏼 خدمة أكثر من رائعة أطباقهم إيطالية تقليدية جدا ولذيذة يستحق التجربة

My first time visiting and I'll certainly be back, everything was perfection

This is our first time at Giovanni's and we'll be back. A great welcome, good food and a level of service that allowed us to take our time without ever feeling we had been left too long. A perfect couple of hours in what will be one of our go too restaurants in London. Some comments around the pricing may be justified but remember that this is Covent Garden and you're in the heart of the action - that comes at a price. While there is a small premium over a more normal restaurant it is marginal, yet the food, experience and atmosphere is so much better than 'normal' - I guess you get what you pay for. Giovanni's is a hit!!

Typically Italian! One of the best Italian restaurants in London! La vita e bella! Thank you Pino and Clare! ✨️ Looking forward to seeing you on 16 December 2023 for a lovely dinner at your cosy restaurant! Please keep the bottle of Amarone ready! 👌

Cozy Italian restaurant with great food and slow, inattentive (but friendly) service. The food was very good. The service was not. We arrived for our reservation to an empty restaurant and were told our table wasn't ready and it would be 10-15 minutes. There is no place to wait so our party of 4 had to wait basically in the middle of their kitchen. 5 minutes later our table was miraculously available. When we were actually served the server was extremely friendly and the restaurant has a nice atmosphere. It took 30 minutes and 5 attempts to get our bill. They then had the gall to add a 30GBP service charge, which we wound up paying because I didn't want to have to wait a further 2 hours for the change and to get the bill back. The food was good but I definitely won't be returning. If you come here, bring your patience and plan to be here a while.

Our second visit here, Giovannis has a relaxing/romantic atmosphere and he is a really nice guy aswell!

Just reminiscing about our favorite restaurants in the world. What makes this top the list is the food , the atmosphere, the service and above all else Pino and the care he takes with his customers. Looking forward to our next visit. Bernadette and Cody Ciao

I have never been disappointed. I would strongly recommend 👌

À éviter! Ils nous ont demandé de patienter le temps qu’une table ce libère. Mais visiblement les client anglais étaient prioritaires vue qu’ils ont eu une table avant nous. Je leur ai fait la réflexion et ils ont fini par me proposer une table dehors. Juste avant nous été pris à parti par un petit et vieux cuisinier qui avait peu de considération pour nous. Inadmissible de traiter les clients de cette manière, qu’ils soient étranger ou non!

This is my absolute favorite restaurant in London! I came here with my mom for a girls night and I had one of the best meals of my life. Only one other meal has ever stood out to me like this one has. The starters were amazing! We had the garlic, which I never thought u could just eat straight garlic but it’s tasted so good it wasn’t bitter like I thought it would be. We also got the orange salad which my mom picked and I loved it, and I usually don’t like fruit on salad. For our mains my mom go the ravioli which were amazing and I got the swordfish. I have never had a swordfish or any fish taste like this, it is a must try because it was the best I have ever had! And you have to get the swordfish with the zucchini frittes on the side And for desert we finished it off with a cheese board and the gelato umbriaco, which were both amazing! Not only was the food amazing but so was the atmosphere, very cozy and intimate! And the staff was amazing! The owner really made us feel valued as customers and made the experience very personal! I will be taking all my friends and family to this restaurant!

The complementary bread was stale, the first course was the worst thing I ever tasted. The main pasta course was an improvement but swimming in too much oil

As a special occasion the booking was made for me, so was hopeful for a nice special meal, as Italian is one of our favourites. The sitting didn't start well, as there is a difference between dim calm lighting, and barely able to see the menu. Some of my fellow diners were using their mobile phone flashlight to see it! The starters where nice, but extremely expensive for what it was, and my main course is the first time I've ever had sea bass that was still swimming / submerged in its sauce. Luckily my fellow diner's meal was lovely. What spoilt the meal was a full on argument between the owner and a waiter, that played out in the restaurant itself. So much so that our empty plates just sat there... while we waited. Not once were we ever offered more drinks. Upon paying, we brought up the argument, and the service charge dropped. Will we be going back? Not this lifetime...

Everything about this place is awesome!

Excellent food, service, and the atmosphere is second to none.