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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

PRICE RANGE
US$6 - US$37
CUISINES
Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean, European
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
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meals, features, about
Reviews (183)
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180 results
Traveller rating
107
35
5
14
19
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
107
35
5
14
19
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All reviews pasta tiramisu lamb shank margarita pizza papperdelle arancini italian food al ragu lovely evening food was amazing presented beautifully vegan options wait staff front of house visiting christchurch new zealand giovani
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Reviewed 1 week ago

Overall just left feeling ready uneasy. The food was just okay but the service just felt awkward and a bit depressing.

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

We had to wait over an hour for a meal that had been sitting under heat for a period of time Other meals were cold and homemade pasta was not home made Over priced for meal and service aggressive she will be right in attentive...serviceMore

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 27 September 2023

Gordonsola dish is just standard blue cheese no Gordonsola . Ice cream is standard ice cream not Gelato. Food products are frozen

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 2 September 2023

This is a really fantastic place. The wonderful people working here are warm, and welcoming. They looked after us so well during our entire dinner service, from fetching me the vegan menu to making sure we had all the drinks we wanted. We had the...vegan Italian bread with dips while waiting for secondi. The lasagna, which my husband had, takes 25 mins to cook, as they don’t use a microwave, so there’s was ample time for us to have a drink and enjoy the bread, which was delicious. Husband enjoyed his lasagna, and I absolutely loved my gnocchi tartufoil, the Napoli sauce was so tasty. I really enjoyed coming here and will be recommended it to friends and family. Grazie mille.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 13 August 2023

I came to this restaurant after making a reservation and on arriving was quickly seated and introduced to a menu with a range of choices. The antipasto was served after a mere 15 minutes, shortly followed by dinner. Food was abundant, delicious and well worth...the price, with a reliable classic style of preperation. The building is brightly decorated in a very patriotic manner and situated in a bustling uptown region. Very helpful albeit small staff were polite and cheery all evening, and when asked about their beautiful vintage piano were very conversational and inviting. On the evening I dined it was very quite but I understand that it is often quitr busy here. Only complaint of note is that it took a few tries to get a reservation due to sick staff, but this is minor and out of the management's control. Overall an excellent experience, I would dine again.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 5 August 2023

Barely acknowledged on arrival by 1 staff member trying to serve about 7 tables who said that others were ‘running late’ Ordered breads which were Ok at best and then Pasta where the portions were criminal for what you pay. We all ordered different types...which came in massive plates that actually have a small bowl for the food. About 5 pieces of Ravioli, maybe 10 of Gnocchi and I had the Pappadelle which I could barely find (1 piece I think) - all costing $25. We all commented on how pitiful it was Maybe other dishes are better but my view is these guys are disorganised, badly staffed and simply creaming it and I would avoid at all costsMore

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed 24 July 2023

This place has a great vibe to it. this is the second time in four weeks the three of us have gone here. the staff are very friendly and the ambiance of the place takes you right back to Italy. the food quality is excellent,...I can't fault the placeMore

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed 14 July 2023 via mobile

The food was delicious and the staff were helpful and friendly. We went their twice as everywhere else you had to make a reservation. They always managed to fit us in. The arancini and the pizza were exquisite. Looking forward to going back when we’re...Christchurch again.More

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed 22 June 2023

Decor is nice. That's where it ends. The "pizza oven" is made to look like a woodfired pizza oven but is on fact gas. We asked the manager for recommendations and she said "there's pizza, pasta and then other mains"...pretty elaborate. The pizzas were reasonably...priced, which usually seems a bit suspect, unfortunately our suspicions were correct. The only thing Italian about this restaurant is the name. When we finally, reluctantly paid for the surprise, we were told with a sigh and a roll of the eyes by the manager that they do not have paywave. Which was rei forced by further grunting and sighing and obvious discontent by having to provide a paying customer (surprisingly willingly) with bank details to do a transfer. Utterly disappointing. Absolute crushing guilt to spend so much money in a time where there is not a lot of money to be spent, for a service that does not try, nor exhibits any gratitude towards the patronage. Do not waste your time.More

Date of visit: June 2023
Helpful?2  
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Reviewed 18 June 2023

Wow, worst Italian ever. So bad. Lacking flavour, ambience. Just horrific. They had no basil so offered us spinach - which turned out to be silverbeet!?!? Also the beef ravioli was beef mince meat?? If you have an Italian restaurant and you run out of...basil the night before and there are no deliveries on a Sunday (this was the excuse) I’m sorry - go to the supermarket and buy some. Very very bad. One waitress was wearing grey track pants? Terrible.More

Date of visit: June 2023
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed 2 June 2023

Amazing food, great atmosphere and wonderful service. I ordered the lasagne and my partner had a pizza. We definitely return.

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 17 May 2023 via mobile

The pizza was meant to be wood fired but was cooked in a wood oven with a gas flame. Because of this it was cold and not cooked properly. It might sound I am winging but when you are hanging out for a good Italian...pizza and that comes out its very disappointing. We told the waiter and she couldn’t care. The other main meal was very nice but only very small. You wouldn’t want to be hungry! I would say go somewhere else.More

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 16 May 2023 via mobile

First Time Diner - live locally, walked past many times. Was excited to check out Giovanni’s. Ordered the ravioli meal but disappointed in the portion size of six pieces ~ I’m not a big eater, but partner kindly shared his lasagne with me . We...even ordered the garlic bread . $$ overpriced for service & food.More

Date of visit: May 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 2 April 2023 via mobile

Sadly the beer pumps were not working, new waitress with little knowledge of the menu. Antipasti plank very nice, nearly got for 4 instead of 2. Asked for extra chicken, on my pizza, looked as if they had dropped it from a great height! Asked...for red opinion got red peppers. Otherwise okMore

Date of visit: April 2023
Helpful?
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Reviewed 30 March 2023

This restaurant is perfect for a night out. Staff were friendly and helpful. Food was cooked like you were in an Italian restaurant in italy. A real Italian feel also Valentino Rossi adorned the wall.

Date of visit: March 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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GIOVANNI'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT & BAR, Christchurch - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions about Giovanni's Italian Restaurant & Bar

Giovanni's Italian Restaurant & Bar is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 3