Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa Reviews

tobe huang 2026.06.14

     

We had an excellent experience with our server. I mentioned that the soup tasted a bit salty to me, and he kindly explained the reason behind the flavor while also helping to adjust it to better suit my taste. I really appreciated his professionalism and customer service.

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.06.14

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re glad our server was able to explain the soup and adjust it to suit your taste. I’ll pass along your compliments to the team — they’ll be thrilled to hear it. We look forward to serving you again soon.

Melanie Robinson 2026.06.13

     

I have to say the service and professionalism is bar none the best in the city! Amazing attention to detail and service. They really go the extra mile for customer satisfaction which I find rare today . Decor is gorgeous as well. I ordered a gluten free pasta dish and didn’t love it so the owner gave me a 75 dollar gift card and took the meal off the tab. I will return. In the past I have always been very satisfied with my dining experience. This resto is willing to go the mile to make your experience incredible. For that i highly recommend!

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.06.13

Thank you, Melanie, for your wonderful review and recommendation. We’re thrilled to hear you appreciate our service, attention to detail, and decor. I’m sorry the gluten-free pasta didn’t meet your expectations, but glad our owner could make it right and that you’ll be returning. We look forward to welcoming you back and continuing to provide an exceptional experience.

Stefano 2026.06.12

     

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.06.12

Thank you, Stefano! We’re thrilled you had a five-star experience and appreciate your support. We look forward to welcoming you back soon and helping with anything you need.

Michele Charlebois 2026.06.10

     

My husband took me for my birthday, the food and service was great but we were seated right at the entrance, our chairs were bumped by servers from every side and it was so incredibly loud. Honestly it takes away from the whole experience and left us feeling a little disappointed.

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.06.10

Thank you for celebrating with us and for the kind words about the food and service. I'm sorry we seated you at the entrance and that the noise and bumped chairs diminished your birthday experience. We’ll share this with our team to improve seating assignments and traffic flow so future guests aren’t disturbed. If you decide to visit again, please let us know seating preferences when making your reservation and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. We appreciate your feedback and hope to make your next visit exceptional.

D T 2026.06.08

     

Wish the airconditioning wasn't as strong.

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.06.08

Thank you for the feedback, D T. Sorry the air conditioning felt too strong during your visit. We'll share this with our team and have our HVAC/thermostat settings checked so we can keep the temperature more comfortable. We appreciate you letting us know and hope to see you again soon.

Richard Desfonds 2026.06.03

     

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.06.03

Thank you, Richard, for the 5-star rating! We appreciate your support and are glad you had a great experience. We look forward to serving you again and are here if you need anything.

Ben Orphanos 2026.06.03

     

Repas totalement délicieux, portions généreuses et un service VIP. Vous ne serez pas déçu!

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.06.03

Merci beaucoup pour votre superbe avis et cette recommandation! Nous sommes ravis que le repas, les portions et notre service VIP vous aient enchanté. Vos compliments seront transmis à toute l'équipe. Au plaisir de vous accueillir de nouveau bientôt.

Squirrel Butler 2026.05.30

     

The service is professional, warm, and attentive without being obtrusive. The food is excellent. The chicken with prosciutto and the veal with artichokes were excellent, and the accompanying vegetables and potatoes were perfectly cooked. Yes, it's expensive. But we rarely eat out, and this was a meal worth saving for.

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.05.30

Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re thrilled our team provided warm, attentive service and that you enjoyed the chicken with prosciutto, veal with artichokes and the perfectly cooked vegetables and potatoes. We understand dining here is a special occasion and are honored you chose to save for the experience. We look forward to welcoming you back.

Eliik 2026.05.30

     

Usually when you mention a special occasion, places don’t really pay much attention, but this restaurant was different. As soon as we arrived, read my note for occasion and asked who we are celebrating their birthday , and they brought out our dessert with a sparkler and helped us celebrate. Every dish we tried٫ from the appetizers to the desserts and drinks٫ had such a delicious and unique flavor. We truly enjoyed the whole experience. The server was also incredibly professional and kind, which made our experience even more special. Highly recommend this restaurant!

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.05.30

Thank you so much for celebrating with us and for sharing this wonderful review. We're thrilled our team noticed your special occasion and that you enjoyed the dishes, desserts, drinks, and service. I’ll share your kind words with the staff— they’ll be delighted to hear them. We look forward to serving you again soon.

Moz Zou 2026.05.29

     

Definitely one of the best in Ottawa! Owner and staff are friendly! Our server Vincent was amazing!

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.05.29

Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear Vincent and the team made your visit memorable. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you back to Ottawa soon.

Melissa Piperno 2026.05.27

     

Great food, great ambiance, great service! Grazie!

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.05.27

Thank you, Melissa! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the food, ambiance, and service. Your kind words mean a lot to our team. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.

Simon Baribeau 2026.05.26

     

We ordered two of the specials (perhaps an error in judgement). A rib-eye, and a sea-bass with "lemon and wine sauce". When the plates arrived, I almost did a double take. Then i almost blurted out "where's the sauce?" After careful examination, i found the "sauce", a teaspoon worth, entirely liquid, pooled in a sad puddle at the bottom of my plate. The fish was well done and well colored, but what's the point? Anybody can grill a piece of fish, the "sauce" is where the cooking is supposed to happen. No emulsion, no richness, no savoriness, just a pathetic squirt of lemon juice, at best. The portion was rather small for 70 dollars. But my date's plate was simply alarming in its mediocrity. Frozen fries, a lonely bowl of heinz ketchup, and an untrimmed, ugly , overcooked steak thrown into the plate with no sauce and certainly no dignity. Just look at it, a picture is worth one thousand words, and let me tell you, it tasted exactly how it looked. Was it inedible? No, but i could spend 15 dollars at Metro and 10 minutes of my time and reproduce this 100 dollar plate. Although they sold me a 40 dollar meal for over 200, I ready to give it a two stars since it was not entirely without redeeming qualities. But i had to revise my rating to one star after they delivered a final slap to the face with the bill, which featured a surprise 10 dollar charge for *water*. Deceptive and outrageous, not anything I've ever seen before. If you want to eat food that's no better than fast food, please do it at fast-food prices instead of encouraging these thieves.

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.05.26

I’m very sorry your meal and final bill fell so far short of expectations. What you describe — nearly absent sauce, overcooked fish and steak, small portions, frozen fries, and an unexpected water charge — is unacceptable and not the standard we aim for. We will address this with our kitchen and billing team immediately and would like to make it right; please call the restaurant and ask for the manager so we can refund the water charge and discuss appropriate compensation. Thank you for bringing these issues to our attention.

Mona B 2026.05.24

     

Impeccable as always. The atmosphere, the food, and great service.. You get spoiled the moment you walk into Giovanni! Diogo and Stefano are amazingly hospitable from the smile you get from them welcoming you and walking the person to their table. Giovanni’s staff are phenomenal and the servers are professional. The owner Nino always check on the tables no matter who the guests are which makes it an unforgettable experience. Every single item on the menu is handcrafted with delicacy. I love ordering from their seasonal specials to try what their chefs have to offer. Great spot in Ottawa for a date, corporate dinners, family or friends gatherings and special occasions. Valet parking is available. Reservations required.

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2025.11.30

Thank you, Mona, for the kind review and the five stars. We appreciate your visit and your trust in us. Our team works hard to serve great food and provide warm service, and your comment gives them real encouragement. We look forward to welcoming you and your group again soon.

Paolo Iaboni 2026.05.22

     

We went for a birthday dinner. Erik and the staff took care of us . Great meal, great food and amazing service. Thank you for a memorable evening.👍🏼

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.05.22

Thank you, Paolo, for celebrating your birthday with us and for the kind words. We’re thrilled Erik and the team made your evening memorable and that you enjoyed the food and service. We look forward to welcoming you back soon and hope to make your next visit perfect. Thanks again for choosing us.

Bogdan Manoilescu 2026.05.16

     

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.05.16

Thank you, Bogdan — we truly appreciate the 5-star rating and your support. We're glad you had a great experience and look forward to serving you again. If you need anything in the future, please reach out.

Tracey Anne 2026.05.14

     

We've been going here for years with our Ottawa coworkers. We have always LOVED the food. We ate at Giovanni's last night and I was reminded of how comfortable the waiters make everyone in the party feel. Thank you for always taking your time and making sure everyone understands the menu as well as making sure everyone can choose something on the menu regardless of dietary restrictions.

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.05.14

Thank you so much, Tracey Anne, for your continued support and for sharing this lovely note. We’re thrilled to hear the food and our team’s service keep bringing your group back. It means a lot that you noticed how we explain the menu and accommodate different dietary needs. We look forward to welcoming you and your Ottawa coworkers again soon.

Samuel Desmarais 2026.05.11

     

Best service in the city by far!

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.05.11

Thank you so much, Samuel! We're thrilled to hear you think we're the best service in the city and truly appreciate your support. We look forward to serving you again soon.

Jada Page 2026.05.11

     

Had such an amazing experience at Giovanni’s this weekend. Fabio was incredibly accommodating and kind to our group, and that level of care really stood out to us. Our servers were also absolutely amazing all night, I regret not grabbing their names before leaving because it was such a crazy night, but they took incredible care of us from start to finish. The food was delicious as always, and Giovanni’s continues to be a classic Ottawa staple for a reason. Amazing service, amazing atmosphere, and consistently a great experience. Highly recommend :)

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.05.11

Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Jada. We're thrilled Fabio and the team took such great care of your group and that you enjoyed the food and atmosphere. We'll share your compliments with Fabio and our servers — they’ll be delighted to hear it. We look forward to welcoming you back to Giovanni’s soon.

Dapo Sobola 2026.05.09

     

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Eastkeats 2026.05.09

     

- Every thing was great all the food was incredible, portions were especially good - Service was great, our server was great - No other comments on the dining part Now for my complaint the atmosphere: - we were sat inside the bar and it was very crammed/ tight - There were quite a few people at the bar who were swearing loudly and speaking inappropriately The bartenders and some staff proceeded to take shots with these loud people. That is my only complaint, every other aspect of our meal was perfect.

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Reply from Giovanni's Restaurant Ottawa 2026.05.09

Thank you for the kind words about our food, portions, and service. I’m sorry the seating and bar atmosphere were disruptive during your visit; that is not the experience we want for our dining guests. We will share your concerns with management and the bar team to address crowding, seating assignments, and professional conduct. We appreciate your feedback and hope you’ll visit again so we can provide the excellent experience you expected.