I wish I could give a higher rating, but tonight's meal was a disappointment. The $35 Branzino special was overcooked so much it was like picking at fish jerky. The side of "fingerling potatoes" were cubes of too-crispy oil chunks. The $35 Veal Marsala was also a let down - sauce was SUPER sweet... like syrup, and the veal was oddly sliced like thin pieces of deli meat. Only item I could recommend was the free bread. This place is overpriced and just not good enough. It was our second, and final, visit. read more

Excellent Italian fare! Their food is consistently delicious. Service is always excellent. They alway worked to expand their space, trying to accommodate more patrons which is nice... their good food has led to nights hard to get in for a meal. Be sure to get a reservation! read more

Whenever we're in town we try to make a reservation. It's always good and the service is too

OMG! The absolute best Italian food I have ever eaten. Prior to this, my favorite Italian restaurant was in Philadelphia. I can't believe this caliber of food is right in our backyard. Kristina provided excellent service and amazing recommendations. The chicken piccata could possibly be the best thing I have ever eaten. It really is that good. Do yourself a favor and eat here. For a real treat, sit outside and watch the sun set over Lookout Mountain. read more

Excellent food and ambience. Can't wait to return. Gets quite busy at dinner times so go early

Giardino is an unexpected surprise, for sure! The first time I went, I really didn't expect much of an Italian restaurant on the side of Missionary Ridge. But, my expectations were beyond exceeded every time I have visited! Every item I have tried was excellent. All of the pastas are cooked well. The sauces are delicious, vibrant, and interesting. And, the nice, relaxed atmosphere is enjoyable (and well updated). Among my favorite things are the crème brûlée, which is the smoothest, creamiest, not-too-sweet crème brûlée around. The veal Marsala is excellent, and the sauce is perfect! The chicken Parmesan is big enough for two meals and delicious! They have some seasonal starters/specials that periodically pop up on the menu, and they deliver them perfectly. They're always a nice surprise component of a meal. If it's a special, just try it! Once you arrive, you will see the parking lot is pretty much always full, so come early for lunch or dinner. Lunch operates a limited menu for a quicker dining experience. The full dinner menu is always a treat. Happy dining! read more

Bruschetta is the best thing I have ever put in my mouth. The vibes are so good. Service is so great and awesome! THIS PLACE ROCKS read more

Giardino is one of Chattanooga's newer Italian spots and I'm so glad we're starting to get more of a variety of Italian restaurants! It's location used to be an old hole in the wall restaurant and it's obvious they've put a lot of work into Giardino. Their decor is very cozy and inviting and they have a great outdoor patio! We ordered the veggie pasta and the chicken Alfredo. The Alfredo sauce was creamy and very flavorful. The veggie pasta was honestly not my favorite, but that had to do with my own taste as everyone else with me thought it was delicious! I will say I wish the restaurant had a bigger parking lot and took reservations. When we got there we had to wait for 10 minutes in the parking lot waiting for someone to pull out and then had to wait about 30 for a table. An upside to that though is their amazing cocktails which you're welcome to order while waiting for a table. All in all, this was a good experience and I would definitely try it again ! read more

Giardino - Pomodoro al vegetariana - Italian Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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We celebrated my daughter's birthday here at her request after previously dining here. We honestly didn't know about it - but we are certainly glad we do now. The owners were so incredibly accommodating as we added several people to our party on the day of. This is a wonderful addition to the restaurant scene in Chattanooga. Can't wait to come back when it's warm enough to sit outside and enjoy the view. We ordered the calamari and then had to reorder because it disappeared in seconds. Spaghetti and Meatballs was a huge favorite, Lasagna and Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo. read more

We really enjoy this place. The food is always good and makes for great left overs. We were able to make it right at opening Saturday, it was nice to beat the crowd & enjoy the outside seating! The service was also wonderful start to finish. read more

Giardino - Side spaghetti w/ meatballs - Italian Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Completely blew me away that such a great place like this was found in Chattanooga. You get your money's worth and some. It has a great array of dishes for any palette, and if this was in another city, they could easily charge mammoth amounts more for these quality dishes that are basically pieces of food art. We had a pretty solid spread between the 3 of us plus a bottle of wine and drinks at the bar while we waited for seating. Seating is a bit tricky to wait for, but if you can get past the way, you're doing yourself a service to enjoy this fine dining experience with a casual manner atmosphere. Come dressed to the 9s or in jeans. We saw people in both. Also, do NOT forget dessert. Dessert is everything here! read more

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WOW what a great Italian restaurant!! How did I just find out about it?! We arrived Thursday night and the place is really hopping... definitely a 'seen and be seen' place. We waited just a few minutes for a table, which was a comfy booth in the rear of place. The menu looks fabulous! Our server was super conscientious and knowledgeable about the menu. We ordered Rosé, which was crisp and chilled and fabulous! There is quite a wine list, which is interesting and not overpriced. ;) We had the salad of the day, Spinach Watermelon (with candied pecans and Gorgonzola cheese) dressed with killer Balsamic, and I'm not kidding sooo delicious, I'm hoping to replicate it in my kitchen haha! We ordered their Bolognese, which was a lovely serving and just incredible!! We are kindof connoisseurs of bolognese and it's SPOT ON with plentiful yummy sauce! Italian bread with seasoned olive oil was served during the meal also... it was fresh with a crusty/chewy perfect outside crust. I didn't plan well, but had dessert anyway... who can say no to Triple Chocolate Cheesecake?? Not us. It is made fresh in house and was definitely a slice of heaven! We enjoyed the whole dining experience, alas no photos... but next time I'll remember. There will be outside dining soon and we can't wait to go back! Bravo to the happy, friendly owners... LOVE THIS PLACE!!! 5stars! read more

Giardino - Waiting for a table - Italian Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

We had the best service and meal at Giardino's. The bruschetta was incredible, as was the bolognese. Some of the best Italian I've had in a long time at a super reasonable price. read more

Giardino - Bruschetta - Italian Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

This place was a surprisingly great find! It is located in an off putting area, but this place is a total gem! Everything we had from the minestrone meatball soup, pear sangria, chicken Alfredo, and chicken parm! It was some of the most authentic Italian we've had in a while! Definitely recommend stopping here and even bringing your family back - it's that good! Dare I mention the staff - they were fantastic! Our waitress was knowledgeable in all the menu options and in Italian cuisine as a whole. She gave us the proper amount of attention and made our experience that much better! I will definitely be back! read more

Giardino - Chicken Parmesan with added Alfredo sauce to the side noodles (no added charge!!!!) - Italian Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

If you want good Italian you've found your place. The restaurant has such a welcoming feel, looking out the windows at the views are so enjoyable while you dine on some delicious foods. The flavors are incredible, the staff works as a team, everything was top notch. Make this your place for any date night or that special occasion. Their outdoor seating area is perfect for use anytime with the setup they have. Don't look anywhere else for good Italian! read more

Chattanooga already has a decent Italian food scene. Giardino raises that bar further, however. This inviting and cozy space is getting a lot of great attention and will probably only continue to become more popular over the next few months. Taste: I've dined here on three occasions now, and the bruschetta is a highlight each and every time. Giardino has its own take on the appetizer and it has become my favorite iteration of the dish. The pappardelle bolognese, a staple of Italian food that I try at every Italian restaurant I visit, is on par with the best bolognese I have ever had. The rigatoni al gorgonzola has a very nice, subtle heat to it, and loads of flavor. The veal marsala is tender and every bite, delicious. Service: The wait staff is attentive and easily answers questions about the menu, and offer helpful insight into any of the dishes we inquire about. The host is welcoming and you're immediately made to feel like you're in the right place. Price: The cost of dining here is on the middle to higher end but absolutely worth every penny. Giardino is growing in popularity so quickly that we were told they are working on acquiring a lot next door to accommodate more parking. As it stands, you may want to carpool here. This is a great spot for a date night with a new romance or a long-time love - sit towards the back windows and you'll have an idyllic view of the Chattanooga city-scape. See you again soon, Giardino! read more

Went there in a party if 3. Reservation is needed. We made it for a 5pm on a Friday and place was already booked. Nice simple cozy decor. Waiter very friendly and informative. Many has few options but that is typical for authentic Italian restaurant. Prices very reasonable. The lobster bisque a bit on the salty side and needs little more lobster flavor. The pear pecan salad was great. I got the Rigatoni Al Gorgonzola but subbed sausage with shrimp. I like the pink creamy sauce. The Penne Al Fungi has a nice veggi combination. The Pomodoro di vegetariana red sauce was light with nice veggie combination. I got a side of fettuccine Alfredo with chicken to try their whir sauce. It was ok. Needs more cream as was on the light side and more parmigiana cheese. We had a complimentary desert that I posted and cannot recall the name. It was white sweet and very delightful. Overall a great experience. We would definitely return. read more

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I have eaten at a lot of Italian restaurants across the country and the Veal Picatta I had tonight was amazing!!!! Might be the best ever. read more

Giardino - Veal Picatta is the best I think I have had!!! - Italian Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Been in a few times since the initial visit and unfortunately service has decreased significantly. Albeit, every server has been friendly, flow and organization is haphazard. My most recent visit, the food was lacking in a punch of flavor. The meatballs in the sub were super soft, and with the soft bread and melted cheese it was all one note. The sub sauce on the side was the saving grace. I still recommend the fried chicken sandwich and the side salad was a good portion - I appreciate how they use the romaine hearts and wish they used shaved parmesan instead of shredded just to elevate the dish more. The bisque had a good consistency but tasted more like clam chowder to me than lobster bisque. Was excited to sit in their new patio but they didn't have it open for lunch. If the service was stepped up and more flavor packed into the food I would definitely return. For others, I recommend stopping in for a salad, soup, or a fried chicken sandwich, hopefully you get to enjoy their new space outside. read more

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Food was amazing, I got the Pappardelle Bolognese and it was the bomb diggity. The service was also great, the staff was friendly and caring. The lights inside the place were dim so the whole restaurant had some cool mood lighting. My girlfriend also enjoyed the place, look how beautiful she looks. 10/10 would come here again, DAMN!!! read more

Giardino - Italian Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Best damn Italian food we have ever had! Started with Calamari and some fresh bread. Calamari was fresh and light. Perfectly fried. For a main my wife had the Veal Bolognese and I had Mushroom Risotto. Both were amazing but I will say that my wife only wanted to do a 75 25 split.... We previously agreed to split 50 50. The risotto was perfectly al dente. The chicken stock came through perfectly and the mushrooms were on point. The bolognese was that amazing... We ended up ordering an additional order of Bolognese to share.... Dont get me wrong the portions are perfect, we just couldnt stop eating Somehow we finished off with Tarumisu that was light as a cloud. . Rediculous. read more

Giardino - Veal Bolognese... after my wife had a few bites - Italian Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Fast update. Last night was another great experience! New bread for dipping in the olive oil and herbs. Wine was great and the service was outstanding. We had Deja as our waitress and she did a great job. She is super professional and makes you feel welcomed. She always has a smile on her face. The lights still fade in and out which is a little distracting. read more

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Ok, we made a reservation on line for Giardino's for Christmas Eve, which their website accepted and confirmed. So we showed up there at 6pm, and lo and behold, it was closed. So we had no where to go on Christmas Eve. That is horrible customer service and unacceptable, that they would accept a reservation then close the restaurant. Especially on a special holiday evening. Will not be going back. read more

Very disappointed! Caesar Salad in a bag from Walmart and a Stoffers lasagna are far better than what I received. Very pricey and small portions. Not going to happen again. read more

We were in town visiting family and decided to try this place out. The food was delicious and the customer service was great. I would've preferred my calamari to be a little crispier. But all in all it was a nice experience. read more

The food is ok to me but my daughter loves it. I am not a big Italian food lover however the lasagne is really good. I just wish it came with a salad for the price. read more

A must if you are visiting Chattanooga! Settled in the bones of an old auto mechanic shop, this Italian restaurant has small, but extremely well executed menu. Excellent wine selection for the wino in your group. The quality and value is well worth a visit. Each entree was enough for 2 meals. Lobster bisque soup was the best iteration of that dish I've had. Parpadelle was tender, cooked al dente, smothered in bolognese sauce. Simple and wonderful. The risotto was savory and delicious with just enough truffle oil to heighten the dish to the next level. read more

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Yum so good! Their food was so delish. I have the chicken Alfredo and my boyfriend has the salmon with a side of Alfredo pasta. All very good. Would definitely recommend' read more

Giardino - Chicken Alfredo - Italian Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Best meal since moving to Chattanooga! My husband and I are originally from NY and come from Italian American families and we love to eat! The food was fresh and delicious. Great bread and flavored olive oil to start. I ordered the chicken piccata with roasted red potatoes and a Caesar salad. The sauce was a delicious blend of lemon, wine, butter and capers; a perfect balance of flavors. The chicken was a perfect thickness, and the potatoes had a lovely hint of Rosemary. The salad was authentic, fresh and delicious. My husband had the pasta with eggplant, mushrooms and sundried tomatoes. His dish was also delicious and the presentation on everything was lovely. Our server, Deja, was professional yet super friendly and the rest of the staff was attentive and helpful also. This is our new favorite restaurant. Looking forward to going back soon! Highly recommend! read more

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We visited this gem & we were not disappointed! We went for dinner right at opening (5pm) and when we were greeted the hostess did ask if we had a reservation (I recommend making one because the restaurant filled up quickly), though we did not have one they sat us right away! They do provide delicious bread and olive oil dipping sauce for the table. I ordered an espresso martini, which was top notch. For dinner I ordered the chicken piccata with a side of pasta topped with homemade rosemary cream sauce (I believe). It was amazing! My husband ordered the caprese salad & the Nonna spaghetti & meatballs. Again amazing! We will for sure be back and hope to sit on the beautiful patio (which is being remodeled right now). read more

Giardino - Espresso Martini - Italian Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

I'm just sitting right here in the middle about Giardino. *Reservations are not reservations* unless you're someone special. There are regulars that wil be seated before you. You've simply joined their seating list ahead of your time of arrival. Truly that only matters if you're interested in mediocre. Food is meh but it's easier than going downtown and entirely edible. I could erase all of these words and leave those two as a review: Entirely edible. read more

Service? Great. Atmosphere? Cozy and Welcoming. Food? some of the best Italian I have had ANYWHERE in the country. This is a must when dining out in Chatt! read more

Giardinos is one of the best, if not the best, Italian in town. The food is great, fresh, and comes out quickly. Ambiance is great and service is top tier. I've never had a bad experience here and would recommend it to anyone who asks! P.S. The the bolognese is a delicious classic but the LASAGNA is the real gem here. Order it! read more

Visiting the area from out of town and picked this location based on proximity to our hotel and the fact that it had a 5 star rating. Quaint little place, very cozy inside. Casual atmosphere, casual attire. Very clean inside and friendly staff. We ordered the bruschetta and it was unexpected. Typical bruschetta is crushed tomatoes with garlic, onion and balsamic vinaigrette (depending on where you order and who's using what recipe) but this was not typical. There was a ricotta/something cheese mixture on the bread then drizzled with a bit of balsamic and topped with tomatoes. Not a bad taste in my opinion but not what I was expecting when ordering bruschetta. Hence the reason for a loss of star when the menu was not clearer with the deviation from the norm. I ordered lasagna for my meal while my wife ordered the shrimp and polenta. The lasagna was excellent, though a couple of minutes under a salamander or in the oven would've done wonders for the warmth of the dish. It wasn't cold, but it wasn't exactly hot either. Wife says the shrimp and polenta was awesome and from the couple of bites I had, I don't disagree. The sauce is really good on the shrimp and polenta dish. The one thing that stood out was the wonderful smell when the shrimp and polenta was placed on the table. It has a most appealing scent. read more

Great new place here in Chattanooga. We are lucky to live in a foodie town. They have a very good Happy Hour. Velvet and I shared the large meat and cheese board.. Great selection of Italian meats and cheese. We also shared the Del Campo salad . Spinach with melon and candied pecans. Light and fresh. Perfect for a hot summer afternoon. We will be back and try some of the interesting entres. Service be Daijah was excellent. read more

Great local Italian! We've been here multiple times and have really enjoyed the food. Make a reservation because they are typically packed. Even when packed, the servers are kind and as attentive as possible. You can sit inside or outside on their new patio. read more

Only one issue. Ate there 7/14 at 5:15 and it was at least 80 degrees inside. It was pretty difficult to tolerate for our group having dinner. Excellent food, great service other than that. read more

A very pleasant surprise to a wrong exit exit. Like Bob Ross famously said, "There are no mistakes, just happy accidents!" We were actually just going to make a u-turn in the parking lot that looked empty because lunch time was almost over and they were closing relatively soon. With our two dogs along for the ride we eventually needed to find a dog-friendly place to get a late lunch. We saw they had a outdoor patio and ventured inside to ask if they were pet-friendly. Even though the patio was "closed" they kindly said we could sit outside and would be happy to serve. We took our pick of the patio tables and settled in. We ordered the fried calamari (we didn't realize how hungry we were until it came out that I didn't take a picture) and it was delicious. Light and crispy with two dipping sauces along with the bread and classic olive oil & herbs dipping sauce. Both entres (Chicken Parm & Spaghetti & Meatballs) were just as delicious. The outdoor patio was great and the great weather was a bonus. It has a great views and even though it's right off the main road you don't even notice. Overall we were happy to have stopped here and know where to go for some Italian classics on our way to Cleveland, Tennessee. Special thanks to everyone there for a wonderful afternoon experience. We will be back! read more

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We had a party of six. Everyone ordered something different. All food was excellent. Service was also excellent

My wife and I had an unexpected date night so we came here for our first visit. I had rigatoni with sausage and peppers, she had penne with mushrooms and eggplant. Taste and presentation were great, although the temperature was just warm and I suspect they were served up on cold plates. It was busy but there was no wait, and the servers were bustling the whole time. There is a nice patio for outdoor seating in pleasant weather. We were seated at a small two-top beside the bar, which was fine, although the bleach smell from the two buckets of cleaning water sitting on the foot ledge of the bar with dirty rags draped over their edge did impact the ambiance a bit. We look forward to visiting again. read more

Giardino - Rigatoni with sausage and peppers - Italian Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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