Giovanni's Italian Restaurant

What a fantastic experience with Giovanni at Giovanni's! My wife and I along with our two kids were visiting in the area and we stumbled across Giovanni's. This was without a doubt one of the most authentic Italian dining experiences I've had in quite sometime. I come from a very large and traditional Italian family and a very critical when it comes to Italian restaurants. The food was excellent and the service was fantastic. I was able to converse with Giovanni in our native languages (Italian). Speaking with Giovanni about food and wine really brought me back to my time spent in Italy as a child and young adult. We had a fantastic meal and connecting with Giovanni on our passion for food and wine and our love for the Italian culture enhanced the experience. This will be a sure stop on our next visit to GA! more

Worst dining experience of my life happen tonight. Never has someone been so rude and hurtful. We tried a place call Giovannis Restaurant tonight, I WILL NEVER EVER EVER go back. First we was ask to wait to be seated (I can understand that, it's V-day and everyone is out eating) the part I don't understand is the 7 tables no one is sitting at and all the people coming in after us that are being seated as soon as they walk in. After we got a table, EVERYONE that came in AFTER we did had drinks and salad, so we finally had to ask if we could get drinks. To make this extremely long story short. The waiter had no interest in serving us, was VARY RUDE, we was the last to get any food (not because they was busy, they was nice to everyone but us and served everyone but us.) , we was there for almost 2 hours b4 getting food. At the end the men walks by and slings our bill at my husband. He did not even slow down or stop walking. Our bill was not right, the water was so rude about fixing it. But to beat it all, as we was there for 2 hours he gave EVERY kid a candy toy and EVERY women a rose as he HANDED the men the bill, needless to say my son and I was the ONLY ones to leave empty handed. I get that we r young and I look 16 with a 2 year old. But the fact is I'm 26 and been married 4 years. No one deserves to be treated the way we was treated tonight. more

With 3 young children, my husband and I don't get out much. Carrabba's used to be our restaurant of choice on our rare nights out, but no more. We love it Giovanni's! more

Great place! Some what hidden but very cozy Italian restaurant off the E/W Connector...way better than Italian Oven down the street. I've had Spaghetti with Meatballs, Chicken Lasagna, Chicken Giovanni, and the Chicken Parmigiana, and all are superb. The garlic knots are the best and even the simple pleasures such as fresh mozzarella in the salad make this restaurant a great place to dine. The owner even remembers your drink of choice! I've lived here over 10 years but never knew this place existed before 2010. Very glad I found it! more

consistently great. the mussels are the cleanest freshest ever. love the garlic white sauce with them and beautiful garlic rolls smothered with butter .Once had a tuna steak that could have been mistaken for a prime cut of beef ...ssssooooo goood. then the lightest batter on the snapper florentine that somehow stays crisp even with the buttery lemon broth plated with the spinach. this is a 5 star chef that you can enjoy without breaking the bank .on top of the top flite food you can relax in the comfortable casual atmosphere,.. the place is a true treasure .please stay for ever Pros: love this restaurant more

I came from an Italian family with traditional Italian upbringing. I always compare things with the Italian culture including food taste and I challenge anybody to compare to the food my mama use to make (She passed away 5 years ago). When I saw Giovannis, I was curious, so I tried and to my great surprise, I found exactly what I was looking for. It seem like it brought back old taste that I have been missing from home. REALLY, REALLY GREAT GENUINE TASTE. I am glad I found this place. The secret my might be the sauce, or maybe the italian music playing. But whatever it is, the food taste delicious and incredible and my entire experience in this restaurant is amazing. I will keep on coming back, home to Giovannis. Pros: Everything is good, serve, food and setting more

We heard about Giovannis through a friend and came in for the first time after the hectic holidays. When we entered the restaurant, it was full pack. The host told us that we would probably wait for 10 minutes to have a table, or we can sit in the bar counter. Since we were not in a hurry, we decided to wait. Within the next five minutes, we had our table ready. We ordered for appetizer the calamari and caprese, then for the main entree, I had chicken lasagna (first I ever had), and my friend had the manicotti melanese (?), from one of their many specials. WOW, ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW. WHAT A GREAT TASTE. The portion is huge and it comes with salad and garlic bread. We had a couple glasses of red wine which is just a perfect complement to our meal. We were so full, but still opted for dessert. We shared the tiramisu and cheesecake. I am glad we did because the cheesecake is soooo smooth and delicious and the tiramisu is incredible. On the next table, there was some kind of a birthday party, so when Giovanni's staff brought the cake and started to sing Happy Birthday, the rest of the customers ended up joining in the singing. Looks like everyone inside is happy and having a good time. I have been so satisfied eating in Giovannis. The service, the food taste, the price and also atmosphere. I highly recommend this restaurant to all my friends and to anyone. GREAT GREAT PLACE. Pros: What a great restaurant more

Incredible food selection. The Manicoti Melanese is beyond description. Let your taste be the best judge. This restaurant has everything, from the moment you walk in until you leave. Friendly staff, comfortable atmostphere, great food, great prices and cleanliness. Pros: Excellent food and service more

I've always been a little weary of restaurants in strip plazas but being burned out on everything else in the local area, I decided to try Giovanni's. When I looked in the window, the place was empty but I decided to be brave. I opened the door I was warmly welcomed and seated. The first thing I noticed was how clean everything was and I like that the kitchen is in plain view of the dining room. I wasn't drinking this particular night but I took note that they had a nice selection of wine and beer. \r \r I ordered the Chicken Marsala. While I was waiting I enjoyed a salad with the house dressing which delightfully engaged my taste buds along with the fresh garlic bread. I finished just in time to watch Chef Juan plate my dinner. The first thing I noticed when it was placed before me was that the sauce was much lighter in color than other establishments in which I have dined. The Marcala wine was present just enough to let you know it was there along with the mushrooms. The chicken was tender and perfectly cooked as was the accompanying pasta.\r \r I could have been perfectly content to leave at that point until Giovanni told me about his fresh made deserts. I chose the cheesecake. Like everything in Giovanni's, the first bite you instantly know it's made there. It was creamy, excellent texture and flavor and the perfect end to dinner.\r \r Oh and by the way, during the course of my dinner, that empty dining room filled with regular customers who raved about all their favorite dishes, how nice the place is, and how they are recommending it to all their friends. And now I'm going to be a regular and have broadcast the location to all my friends on the various social networks.\r \r So even if you don't live in Austell, it would be worth the drive for some authentic Italian food.\r Pros: Clean,Excellent Food, Excellent Service more

My husband and I visited for the first time this past weekend and less than 12 hours later we were hooked up to IVs in the ER and had been diagnosed with food poisoning. We had a pleasant experience while at the restaurant, but afterwards was a nightmare. We determined we fell ill from my husband's order -- ceasar salad & chicken alfredo. I called and spoke with Giovanni himself to let him know of the food poisoning and he was extremely defensive and kept yelling ""Absolutely not"" into the phone. I was not trying to get a free meal (b/c we will never dine here again) or any reimbursement...only to notify him that we were sick. I was extremely disappointed in his reaction. Never once did he offer any apology or concern. I know food poisoning could happen at any restaurant at any time, but they were short-staffed on Sunday and serving a large group ahead of us so I feel they did not do their due dilligence in preparing our meal -- hence the illness. Long story short, if you need to lose 5 lbs. or so and don't mind knocking on death's door to get there, please eat at Giovanni's. Cons: Rude and Defensive Owner, Food Poisoning more

After reading all the reviews on here we finally went. Great decision. Giovanni greeted us upon arrival, he is a great host. The food is excellent. My wife had spinach ravioli, my brother had lobster ravioli with a piece of Italian sausage on the side. My daughter had spagetti and I had chicken parm. Everyone loved their food. My brother in law said the sausage was the best he has had, and he is from Jersey. Meals include garlic bread and salad (spinach leaves with your choice of dressing). Beer and wine are available and Coke products are served. As good as the food is, desert, in my opinion, was the best part of the meal. We each had our favorite, my daughter and I split a terra massu, my wife had the cheese cake and my brother in law had a cannoli. All are home made and all were out of this world. Giovanni says most everything they serve is made there, an exception was the Italian sausage. The terra massu was the best I have ever had. I am temped to buy a sheet pan of it, which they sell with a day or two notice, lol. A great host, great food and family, how else to spend dinner? Pros: Food, Prices, Great Owner more

Giovannis meatballs are the very best I have had in years. Coming from an area of many Italian Immigrants in the north I have searched and searched for good Italian food here in the south. Giovannis is right off the e/w connector a ways past Lowes if your traveling west away from Atlanta and Vinnings/Smryna area. Look for the little strip mall where the sigh for BJs Warehouse is located. His red gravy is also stellar. Light and sweet and yummy. I buy his meatballs and bring them home to serve either whole (so moist) or mash them up with my own extra gravy and mushrooms and pour over angel hair pasta I cook up at home. Pros: Meatballs and Delightful Giovanni more

the desert is amazing...i love all their food and they are all so nice more

One of our favorite restaurants in Atlanta! If you live in Smyrna/Vinings/Austell/Powder Springs/Marietta area you have to stop into Giovanni's on the East-West Connector! Don't forget to try a Cannoli for dessert! Pros: Food, Service, Value Cons: No Alcohol more

Fortunately we don't have to go far since Giovanni opened right in our area. We happened on Giovanni's charming little restaurant and have fallen in love with him and his incredible food! He and all his staff are so warm and friendly and always glad to see us. The service is impeccable and the food is simply marvelous. He uses a lot of his mother's recipes and every authentic dish is prepared with great pride. If you only get out to the Austell/Powder Springs area once, you MUST try the lasagna and the cheesecake. They are both the best we've ever had anywhere. We keep trying other things, all delicious, but we just can't get enough of Giovanni's lasagna! The pasta is thin and tender, the meat is juicy and the sauce is perfect-a much lighter tomato sauce than the typical American variety. We can't say enough wonderful things about this lovely man and his restaurant and especially his food! more

Husband's co-worker recommended and we are glad he did. Giovanni was a great host and is obviously proud of his food (as he should be!). The food was fresh and plentiful. For the first time since moving to Georgia from NY, we were able to enjoy food that was perfectly cooked. The pasta was al dente, the shrimp crunchy and delicious, and the calamari was amazing (best we ever had!). Initially we thought the main course looked a little small but, I think it was just the deep bowl they were served in. We were full and even had left overs. DO NOT skip the dessert. Incredibly fresh and delicious. Might have to stop back just to pick up some cannolis, best in GA, maybe even in NY! We will be back! Pros: Best restaraunt food in GA more

My wife and I stumbled upon this little eatery the first day they opened. We continue to go there regularly and have started to take out. The food is superb and the prices are amazing. Every item on the menu is a bargain as the portions are generous. Be prepared to ask for a to go box. Indulge yourself and try the deserts.\r The staff is always pleasant and humble. Giovanni is the best host I have met in all of Atlanta and he is a wonderful cook too. The food, sauces, and deserts are all prepared in house. Don't be let down by the lack of alcohol. Giovanni has put in for his liquor license and will be serving beer and wine very soon. So, stop by or take out and know you are getting the best food in town. Pros: Best food and service. Cons: Location does not stand out. more

My husband and I LOVE Giovanni's! I don't write reviews often, but I just had to let people know what an amazing chef and a gracious host Giovanni is! Everytime we go, which is pretty often, we are always treated like family. The best thing about this place is that you get great homecooked Italian food at such an affordable price. Our bill has never been over $30 and that's ordering an appetizer, 2 entrees, and dessert! The house dressing is addictive! I'm always tempted to lick my salad plate clean it's so good! My favorite dinner on the menu right now is the shrimp alfredo. I'm usually not a fan of the white sauce, but it's so rich and creamy just thinking about it makes my mouth water! For dessert, I have to say that you haven't had real cheesecake until you've tried Giovanni's cheesecake. It is a must item to order for something sweet. Most times I don't have room for anything more, so I will get this to go! Giovanni is always adding new things to the menu, so we will definitely be back to try them all! Pros: Amazing food at affordable prices. Wonderful staff! Cons: None! more

I finally found the best italian food. I am not into writing much about anything. But ""simply the best"", this place offered the most delicious food I ever tasted (italian or otherwise). The portion is huge and the place is very clean, I noticed that all the staff are wearing and keep on changing gloves. I feel so comfortable about this place and I highly recommend it. I will be coming back again and again. Pros: Excellent food, very clean place and friendly staff more

Been to small and large Italian restaurants in different states but Giovanni's is second to none !!!!! We were visiting relatives in Atlanta when they took us for dinner at Giovanni's. What a pleasant surprise because this fabulous eating place is unique. It was very clean and cozy. The host, Mr. Giovanni and the rest of the crew were very cordial. They make me fell as if I am an important person even though I am not. I had the chicken marsala and it was "" muy delicioso"". The salad was teriffic with its dressing made from a family recipe. The servings were bountiful and although I was really full, I succumb to their persistence to try the teramiso for desert. Believe me, I ate the whole thing in no time at all (with no regrets) ....... We came back two more times ( in the five short days that we were in Atlanta ) and the food were just as succulent as my first one. I said to myself, I have to start dieting again as soon as I return to Boston. I highly recomend this nice restaurant to anybody. The atmosphere is beautiful, the food are all delicious and reasonably priced. Pros: Delicious food, friendly people, reasonably priced. more