Carmel's Bistro Giovanni

Name: Carmel's Bistro Giovanni
Address: San Carlos & 5th Ave, Carmel, CA, United States, 93921
Telephone: (831) 626-6003
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.5

4.5

1187 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Top Tags:

Do you love Italian food? A world famous restaurant executive chef says it all by saying, “the best meals in California are at Carmel Bistro Giovanni!” An artful, romantic setting with an international wine list and amazing cocktails.

Try some of our specialties: the "Mamma Mia" features mouth-watering meatballs with pasta and southern Mediterranean-spiced sauce, Veal T-Bone or Veal Osso Buco, Lamb Shank, certified Angus steaks, and a plethora of seafood including halibut, seabass, salmon and local sand dabs! For our gluten-free guests, we can also provide gluten free pasta, pizza and bread.

Enjoy a seat on the pet-friendly patio with fall off the bone Osso Bucco and a glass of red wine or a cocktail from our full bar. We look forward to seeing you.

*Patio availability depending on weather. We do have limited covered tables outdoors. Please understand this when booking

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jun 28, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 22 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(831) 626-6003

Delivery

Order online

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Steak
Hours of operation
Fri–Sun 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Lunch Fri–Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(831) 626-6003
Website
https://carmelbistro.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Fernando Aguilera
Private party facilities
Come celebrate a birthday, anniversary, corporate event or other occasion with mouth-watering Italian food using the Monterey Peninsula's freshest ingredients.
Private party contact
Jennifer Mendoza: (831) 238-4188

Location
San Carlos & 5th Ave Carmel, CA 93921
Neighborhood
Carmel
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,187 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.5Service
4.4Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Monterey / Carmel
Neighborhood Gem

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AD
AmyD
Philadelphia
10 reviews
vip
1.0
10 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall1food1service1ambience2
Poor service. Our server was not attentive and did not bring items requested. Food is mediocre and not anything special for a vacation spot. Not worth the $$$.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had the best time and service and food. We came 4 years ago on our first date and had an amazing time. We came back with our kids and celebrated and our server remembered us!! My wife and I run restaurants in the Sacramento area and this place really is a hidden GEM!
Y
Yummy
San Francisco
7 reviews
1.0
7 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall1food1service3ambience2
I would never recommend this place. Our server was fine, the food was mediocre at best. Menu is price high for mediocre....
S
Satya
Washington DC
6 reviews
vip
2.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 20, 2022
overall2food2service2ambience3
Over the time the quality has deteriorated. The pasta was very sour. Everything else tasted good.The service was mediocre. I have visited this restaurant many times. This is first time I had a mediocre experience
MS
MinervaSt2
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 20, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience3
The setting provided outdoor ambience The food was delicious The wine list was outstanding The waiter provided excellent service Altogether a great anniversary event!
EM
ElizabethM
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Bistro Giovanni had excellent food and a lovely atmosphere! The family loved it. We will definitely go back.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Sacramento
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
Very cute place, a little smaller but you get to experience a bit of Italian ambiance that’s for sure. The service was great, not a very busy restaurant at the time (for lunch) which was nice. Food was very good too
OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall1food3service1ambience3
Came here last year during COVID. Dining was great. Come again this year and we saw our waitress 3 times. She took our order, she gave us a desert menu and got the bill. Never got our drinks refilled, she never asked how the meal was or if we wanted/needed anything. They had 6 bus people but even they were not refilling drinks. Just cleared our plates. Off this experience I’ll not suggest or go to this restaurant again. Rather sad.
v
view
Los Angeles
66 reviews
vip
4.0
66 reviews
Dined on June 17, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Great neighborhood feel and prices for high quality food. Carpaccio was very good as is the garlic bread. Pasta and crab cake perfectly cooked and best of all is single Paella served in the pan with generous shell fish. One of our best meals in Carmel. Street parking.
L
Latenight
Minneapolis
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on June 16, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience4
The food was exceptional. I had the Osso Bucco. My wife had the Braised Beef Ravioli. Both were delicious. The bread and Garlic Dip were also great. Highly recommended!
J
Jabel
Orange County
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My kids and I are gluten free, and the pasta was the best gluten free meal we’ve ever had! My husband had their homemade pasta and said it was excellent! The service was also excellent!
F
Foodie
Nashville
52 reviews
vip
5.0
52 reviews
Dined on June 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary here. Very much enjoyed the food and service.
RL
RonL
San Francisco
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 15, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Very good food. Server was excellent. Only issue we had was host who sat us was a bit rude.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 12, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience4
Our dinner was delicious and our server was even better he was hilarious I wish I could remember his name!!!
N
Nicki
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service. Fantastic meal!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Tahoe
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We eat at Carmel Bistro often, and can honestly say we have NEVER had a bad meal! We really enjoy coming there.
DD
DianeD
Central Coast
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a great find in Carmel. This restaurant is an old world gem. It is family owned and run. We were greeted at our table by the owner who was concerned that our drinks hadn’t arrived as yet. The daughter was our waitress and very patient when we couldn’t decide on our dinner. And at the end we even met Mom. The evening was very pleasant and the food excellent. Next time we’re in Carmel this restaurant is at the top of our list. And they definitely know how to cook and prepare seafood.
CC
ChristinaC
San Francisco
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on June 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic meal!! Our waiter did a great job of offering suggestions for both food and wine. Husband had the cioppino. He’s picky about that dish and was very impressed with the seafood and the delicious broth. Their garlic bread deserves compliments as well. I had pasta with shrimp and scallops and really enjoyed it. Waiter recommended the apple crisp - husband prefers chocolate desserts but thoroughly enjoyed sharing this. Carmelized edible bowl with delicious apples and very creamy vanilla ice cream.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and service.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 2, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience3
Anniversary. But again no one acknowledged the note on the reservation. Maybe an open table problem.
t
tommyboy363
Chicago
29 reviews
4.0
29 reviews
Dined on June 1, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Traveling to Pebble Beach. Spent the night in Monterey and found this "gem". Food was delicious and staff friendly. Owner visited our table during our meal. Bravo!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great location. Great authentic traditional Italian fair (if you’re like me and sick of ‘fine’ dining). Gluten free options for most dishes which is rare to find in Italian restaurants.
M
Mamae
Phoenix
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on May 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The best veal I have had in a long time! My husband had the clams linguini…he loved it!!!
NO
NancyO
Wilmington
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 26, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience4
Food was excellent. In the beginning the service was poor but once wait staff appeared, service was good. Would definitely recommend and return.
M
Molly
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Loved my gluten free dish.
PP
PickyPig
Central Coast
38 reviews
vip
5.0
38 reviews
Dined on May 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous! Expansive menu, excellent service and atmosphere. Delicious absolutely delicious. Would recommend and return and repeat!
DM
DougM
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was our second time here and it does not disappoint. The food is absolutely delicious. The service top notch.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
102 reviews
vip
5.0
102 reviews
Dined on May 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good food, good service, nice setting and fair prices-all good
SD
StephD
San Francisco
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved it! The service was top notch. Food was amazing - paella had the best flavor! Great place.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The restaurant food and service was excellent. We had a great server and the owner came by our table to see if we were enjoying our dinner experience. I would definitely put this restaurant as a top choice for a great dining experience.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of our favorite restaurants in Carmel!!! The gluten free pasta with bolognese sauce is to die for. It is our rotation every time we are in town.
RS
RSeater
Central Coast
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great local, long-standing, family-run, Italian restaurant!
G
Great
Atlanta
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on May 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent place to get delicious Italian food. Sit out on the patio if you can!
FD
FredD
Seattle
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We received excellent service and our food was great. This is a great spot.
r
rich
Los Angeles
86 reviews
vip
4.0
86 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Everything was very good as usual. The only disappointment was there was no angel hair or very thin pasta. I suggest getting this and serving it. The server said yes when I ordered angel hair pasta but brought me something much thicker than even linguine. When I questioned this, the manager/owner? said they only had gluten free thin pasta.
C
Chickfitllc
San Francisco
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Have the cannelloni it is divine!!!
F
Foodie2
San Francisco
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
The Seafood was fresh and delicious. The apple crisp for dessert was memorable.
p
philipk
San Francisco
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful restaurant. Great food. Great service. Very reasonably priced. Highly recommend.
V
Visitor
Sacramento
47 reviews
vip
5.0
47 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
When we visit Carmel this is our favorite dinner spot. Great service and delicious food.
RT
RyyT
San Francisco
164 reviews
vip
3.0
164 reviews
Dined on May 11, 2022
overall3food3service3ambience4
We tried this restaurant first time last year and liked Jack, our server so much, that we returned this year only to find he had the day off. The food is good here with decent portions. The owner with his fedora hat circulates the room and opens wine bottles to serve the guests. The tables can be a little closer together than I'd like as I can hear the entire conversation between the 2 women next to us. There is outdoor seating but we opted to dine inside this time. This will be a place we plan to visit again on our next trip to Carmel.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Sealed or wrapped utensils used
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Staff temperature check required

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Carmel's Bistro Giovanni using the Order Online button. Carmel's Bistro Giovanni also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 626-6003.

Carmel's Bistro Giovanni is rated 4.5 stars by 1187 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jun 28, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 22 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(831) 626-6003

Delivery

Order online

San Carlos & 5th Ave Carmel, CA 93921

Additional information

Neighborhood
Carmel
Hours of operation
Fri–Sun 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Lunch Fri–Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Steak
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Executive chef
Fernando Aguilera
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://carmelbistro.com/
Phone number
(831) 626-6003
Private party facilities
Come celebrate a birthday, anniversary, corporate event or other occasion with mouth-watering Italian food using the Monterey Peninsula's freshest ingredients.
Private party contact
Jennifer Mendoza: (831) 238-4188

Carmel's Bistro Giovanni

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Delivery

Additional information

Menu

What 1,187 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Sort by

Filters

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Protective equipment

Screening

FAQs

Does Carmel's Bistro Giovanni offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Carmel's Bistro Giovanni restaurant rated?

Is Carmel's Bistro Giovanni currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Delivery

Additional information