OK, let's cut right to the chase: The BEST dang gnocchi I've ever had. Bar none. And my waist line attests to the fact I've had a few plates of the little potato dumplings prior to Il Giardino. The gnoccho were as light as a feather, each bathed in a mild Gorgonzola sauce that was clingy, but not gooey. It too, was light. Very ample serving ( I could have had about 1/2 plate more. When to stop???) Matched with a dark red wine and there is no need for heaven above. It's at Il Giardino. In the Spring and summer, reserve a table in the courtyard to complete the experience. But do reserve. The word is still out about this restaurant's high quality after nearly 30 years. read more

Make sure to call ahead for reservations at least two weeks ahead of time; perhaps a month ahead is best. Being one of Vancouver's most prominent Italian fine dining establishments; they have a waitlist like no other for an interior atmosphere that is breathtaking. Wooden beams on the ceiling and true Italian accents throughout transport patrons to Italy. When it comes to their ossobucco it is one that cannot be beat! It is the most tender best quality of meat I have ever had throughout the city of Vancouver and it comes with the most luscious velvety saffron risotto cooked to absolute perfection. Whatever Italian created this dish needs to be given a lifetime achievement award but the Giardino chef really does it justice. You truly can't go wrong with whatever you decide to order at this beautiful restaurant. read more

Love this place, doesn't look like much from the outside but when you walk in there's a nice bar and really cute outdoor area. I've been twice, I've been impressed with every dish apart from the Burrata. I ordered the burrata twice and it was the same, it is very dry inside and doesn't taste how it's suppose too. read more

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The only restaurant that I've been to where Trevor Linden tossed his wallet in my direction! OK, maybe not, I'm exaggerating, but he pulled it out of his pocket and it landed in front of me. That was a good laugh for the evening! Beautiful atmosphere and surroundings, however a little bit noisy. It is a relatively large restaurant, and can hold a fair amount of people. Food is very good, but I hate to say it, I compare everything Italian high end to Cioppinio's. It is not as polished. Still very good to say the least. Worth a visit or for a special occasion. read more

Just happened to walk on in with four people; early enough to get a table with no reservations. Seated immediately. Great service. Great tasting food. Great ambiance. Happy with our accidental choice read more

Okay, this is one of our favourite places, always see friends enjoying a celebration or just a night without cooking. Intimate family setting in the main dining area, fun conversations on the patio. Enjoy the company of your upscale friends and delicious menu items, but don't expect to save money here lol. Always a good time, will keep coming back! read more

I've been walking past here for a while now and finally had a chance to try it out a few weeks back. Being an Italian spot I decided to go with a classic carbonara. Expecting a delicious creamy bacon speckled dish with generous amounts of cheese, I was a little disappointed.. while it was good enough, it was far from what I'd hoped for. My partner had a seafood pasta which he seemed to quite enjoy. We also shared a beef carpaccio and a dessert which came recommended. Both were quite good. The foccaccia starter bread was very good, leaving us wanting more. Perhaps some oil and balsamic for bread dipping would have been a nice touch. Ambience here is very nice, somewhat old world charm and romantic, in a sea of modern restaurants, is lovely. All in all, was nice to try, but for the price point, there's plenty of other places in this city to choose from. Think I'll keep exploring.. read more

Giardino - Seafood pasta - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Wow..I didn't know what to expect when I came into this place, but the first (and all the way through to the last) bites just blew me away. The food is here so good. The menu was a bit hard to decipher as there were quite a few Italian terms but our server was extremely helpful. She knew the menu very well and was able to help us pick out a few great dishes that we were looking for. First off, I would recommend the lobster squid ink pasta (ask the server if you can't find this, there is no mention of either "squid" or "ink" on this menu item and I forget the official name). This item goes very well with the veal cannelloni. The portions here are not too large, which is nice as it gave us some belly room for dessert. We got their homemade sorbet. The sorbet flavour resembled the fruit so well, I thought we were having the fruit ! (Har Har not really, but it was that good). They have valet parking for I think $12 for those looking to drive in. I would definitely recommend this place if anyone is looking for an Italian restaurant to try read more

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Great restaurant. The fried mozzarella was delicious. The cesar salad was ok. The salmon dish was amazing. Washrooms were small but nice. read more

Giardino - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

In from out of town. Wanted some good Italian. This is one of the only places who's menu accommodated food allergies in my party. The food was good- I was satisfied. But it didn't blow my mind :/ for the pricey menu I had expected more... Desert hit the spot and wine was good. It's just really overpriced. My waitress was lovely. I don't remember her name but she was wonderful. The gal at the front who ran the coat check wasn't very kind and came across judgey. Anyhow. For some okay food, fun ambience and lovely waiters/waitresses - come. But know you will have an overpriced bill. read more

Enjoyable Everytime What's to like? 1. In summer, their courtyard is one my my favorite places in Vancouver to have a meal. 2. The service is always excellent. 3. The food is also always excellent. 4. The entire experience from when you enter the restaurant through dessert is a pleasure. Some of my favorites are: Prawns wrapped in potatoes Tomatoes with Mozzarella and :Basil Penne Arrabiata Spaghetti Carbonara Rack of Lamb with Herb Crust Oh, and where else do they have Rudolph on the menu. I do wish they would list on Opentable.com though. read more

Pasta was ok only. There are way more intimate romantic restaurants in Vancouver where you can find handmade pastas that surpass Giardino by far. We were disappointed. Positives were the extensive wine list and nice service but the food really is overpriced and not that special. Save it for the "real housewives" read more

A good Vancouver mainstay of Italian cuisine. I had the braised veal cheeks with lemon risotto and it was good. Not as fantastic as other Italian restaurants that I went to but ambiance is nice and the service is great. Would I recommend it to others, yes I will. But in my own opinion, food is not bad but I had better. Ambiance is nice but a little cramped, however it is great for romantics. Again though, my personal preference is another place. Price point is from $20 - $35 so it can be kind of pricey especially with wine. So although I give it a 4 star, honestly, if you have the money, I suggest either the Italian restaurant along Burrard street in downtown or the Italian restaurant by end of Robson street closest to Stanley Park. Tip: this restaurant is a good location for catching some of the canucks players when they are in town. 2nd tip: Ask for the Desert Hills Winery wines. They taste great and goes well with the Italian food. No I do not work for the winery. read more

Giardino - Braised Veal Cheeks with Lemon risotto - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

This Italian restaurant is my all time favorite! I've been celebrating all my special occasions there because nothing compares to the atmosphere and food quality. Their pastas are too die for. The carbonara is especially delicious just like the one I ate in Italy two years ago.. It's all over the media that Giardino is closing due to Covid, it's a real pity but it's understandable, how can a restaurant make money during this sad time? Thank you Giardino and staff for the good times. read more

One of the best Italian restaurant in the city, hands down. The food is the best part about it, it is totally savoury and delicious like no other. There really isn't much to say about it other than that you have to try it. The service is polite as with any upscale restaurant of this caliber, so no surprise there. It gets very, very busy on certain days and it can also be way too loud inside. This makes the whole environment seem pretty hectic and to be honest I don't know if its what you want when eating. Pricing is what you would typically get for an Italian restaurant in Vancouver, so expensive. It's a place that would probably be best for special occasions given the prices. I would like to go back, but hopefully at a point in time when it isn't so busy. read more

Having been to nearly every notable Italian restaurant in the city, this one reigns supreme. Aptly named; the stately ambiance, the service- extremely competent yet never overstepping, and their dedication to presenting you a personal take on authenticity, you will leave feeling that you've temporarily stepped into the most exquisite of worlds and are going home having experienced something more than just a fantastic meal. read more

Remarkable. Giardino is one of Vancouver's most exquisite dining experiences. The flavourful cuisine, professionalism of staff, and wonderful menu selections are only topped by the ambiance and buzz of the people who are enjoying the restaurant. (Thank you Bobby and team for such a wonderful evening.) I was reading other reviews where someone wanted a "free" dessert for their occasion and someone else didn't like the steak. I burst out laughing. Fine dining doesn't include free dessert or a candle. (This place isn't for you.) And we need to tell Mr. Steak that he is in an Italian restaurant... Venture out and try the remarkable Veal. read more

If you want to splurge on cozy, homey and traditional Italian cuisine, then this is the place for you! They have a great patio and the staff is quite friendly. I had the roasted red beets with grilled scallion and burrata as an entrée which was amazing! My main course was the gluten free gnocchi in a tomato sauce which was good, but nothing too out of the ordinary. The dessert was the most disappointed part of my meal due to the heavy ricotta cheese and the unusually thin pastry dough of the cannoli. Overall, for a high end Italian restaurant, I wouldn't say my experience was outstanding, but definitely good. read more

This restaurant is so beautiful. My boyfriend and I both got different types of pasta they were both amazing! The tiramisu was delicious as well. Prices were totally reasonable. Great place! read more

We went here for work lunch last week. Service was great, appies were tasty, and my main (the tortellini dish) was just right. It's really good Italian food for downtown and they're worth visiting. read more

Great food tonight. The service was quick and there was a lot of staff working. Very nice ambiance and a mixture of demographics come here. Book in advance as it's busy. read more

An amazing meal and event last night at Giardino - Umberto has taken il Giardino and recreated it perfectly, to my casual eyes, outdoor area surrounded by the restaurant and all - Ive had family style, but not family style where they come by and serve you - the best buffet EVER - you see this menu with all sorts of choices, and you get....EVERYTHING! And not just good, not just great, but stop and go WOW kinda food - a caprese salad (my favorite) becomes insane when you use a very young watery mozzarella - fettucine with peas and a cream sauce, making you push really well done spaghetti out of the way, prawns butterflied in butter with spices making you want more, and more - and its a block and a half up the street on Hornby from the old Il Giardino location - for a group, this could be the best restaurant in town One more thing, and this shouldn't be an afterthought - the service, and I mean EVERYBODY from the front door to the back patio, was friendly, warm, helpful, not rushed, discreetly moving around, just making stuff happen perfectly - the only way that happens is under the renowned attention to details and charm of Umberto Menghi, the owner - he was around, checking on things, asking if people needed something, making sure the event went perfectly, not just for the hosts, but for each and every attendee - graceful is the word - from top to bottom - pretty impressive! Grace doesn't show up on the menu, it doesn't taste good, but it DOES give you a warm, taken care of feeling that makes you want to go back again and again - as the rating at the top says "As good as it gets" - Bravo! read more

This is a dress up kinda place. Love how friendly the hostess is! Our server was a bit on the cold side. I dunno....he spent a lot of time gazing outside(we were the only ones at the time). The black ink spaghetti isn't as good as people say it is. It doesn't feel "handmade in house." The texture just isn't the same as other handmade pastas I've had. Serving size is small for that dish. Dessert was amazing!!!! The French bread that accompanied the meal was absolutely the best bread I've had!!! Thin and crispy layer on the outside, soft chewy airy on the inside. 10 stars for that bread!!!! read more

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Worst service! Terrible! I think they're racist. Our waiter slammed the menus on the side table and was acting so snooty from the moment we arrived. We asked for extra lemons and he took the lemons from my other side of the table and said "here". We had to fill our own wine glasses and might as well serve ourselves. I could have complained to the manager, but I didn't want to make such a big scene since it was my best friend's birthday. I asked him to split our bill and he nearly refused because he said it would take too long and walks away. It was just non stop lippiness and attitude from this guy. If you hate your job, don't take it out in the guests. I could tell his life was miserable, hence the terrible service. "Wow!" Experience, absolutely!!!! I didn't leave a tip and my friends left 1% gratuity for the ill gratitude. My first time here and never coming back. read more

Ever wondered or secretly gruntled why some restaurants opt not to advertise prices on the menu? Il Giardino unfortunately brings it a step further by not having their menu posted on their website or even offer it readily available when requested. After calling twice to fax or email me a menu, and no feedback whatsoever from the staff, I gave up and succumbed to the unknown and went to meet two friends who swore by the ambience and food (which they experienced ten years ago! - umm, really helpful.) Entering the restaurant was an even more disappointing experience, with three hostesses talking about nothingness trying to avoid the fact that there is actually someone in front of them. I surmise because I wasn't wearing a three piece suit or didn't have the Esq. or MD after my name? I sat and met my dinner companions who were chatting about the same kind of reception they received. We would've left right there and then if not for the great table we scored at the gorgeous patio. You will easily forget you're in downtown Vancouver and feel as if you were instantly transported to a quaint village backyard in Tuscany. Lovely and charming ambience especially on a good clear day. The menu is well thought out, focusing on simple, fresh ingredients that offer good value. We started with beef carpaccio sliced so thin unlike anything I've had in Vancouver, and a refreshing tower of shrimp and avocado salad, flavor of which was spot on. Main entrees were cooked according to our liking as I typically request my salmon medium rare. It was grilled to perfection. Osso bucco with saffron risotto was just tender and delicious. Praline bar and tiramisu were enjoyable, and Spanish coffee decent for an Italian restaurant. As mentioned by Christine R, Il Giardino has been around for more than 30 years, remains strong and considered a Vancouver institution. It was in fact buzzing and packed to the gills on a weeknight. The food was by no means poor or below average, yet price/quality ratio could fare way better. This is the kind of restaurant you would love to go to only if someone else is paying. Meanwhile, it is a little bit comforting to know that maybe ten years from now, and I do decide to return, Il Giardino will still be there, strong and standing. read more

Awesome, friendly staff. Pure class inside with some amazing tunes. Beautiful, Mediterranean style patio outside (you have to go through the restaurant to get to the big patio). The food is DELICIOUS! I highly recommend the slowly cooked veal with the saffron risotto. Yummy!!! read more

I don't know why I felt so intimidated by Il Giardino when I first walked in. Perhaps it was seeing the all the beautiful people running around in expensive-looking clothes, or just the fact that unless it's a special occasion, we don't go to dress-up restaurants. Il Giardino is certainly that, being what you might call a Vancouver restaurant institution. It's been around for about 30 years, and judging by the full house last Saturday night, it will be around for awhile. It's a simply beautiful restaurant - a gorgeous lounge, a couple of dining rooms, and a great big patio. I was a little disappointed with our particular table however - it was in the corner of the smaller dining room, and seemed to be on the flight path to the washrooms for all the people in the private party room next to us. (Note to self: request a patio or main dining room seat next time.) The food was amazing from start to finish. The oyster soup starter was sex on a spoon, the antipasti plate had shavings of proscuitto and Parmesan and a perfect bite of tomato and bocconcini. My osso buco with saffron risotto was tender, braised in a delicious red sauce. I know - veal! But I did always want to try the dish and it's probably not something I would make at home. Another thing - the portions are big, Italian-sized. They're not pulling the tiny-food-on-big-plates trick here (like some other restaurants in this price range.) We left very, very full. And happy. And pleasantly surprised at the final bill. All in all, a great night at a great restaurant. Amore! read more

Nothing special. Had the squid ink pasta and the seared venison. The sauce and flavor were anticlimactic in both dishes. Everything about this place is just average. Would I come here again on my own? Most likely not. The beef carpaccio was the only decent thing that came out, so it was the only thing I took a photo of. That saved this place from getting a two star review. I didn't even finish the dessert and I almost always do. read more

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We've come to this place every year on the trip to Vancouver... and honestly, it's become more average than it used to be. While the food is good... it's quite expensive for the price. The wait staff is attentive... but they'll only remain attentive if you're spending more than average amounts of money. The atmosphere is good... but to get to the outside nicer seating area, you must request it quite some time in advance on your reservation. As you can see... this place is full of it's good "but". I don't know if we'll come back next year. read more

We used to go in the 90s, back when the chef was a fat Italian man named Gianni who always looked worried. This review pertains to what it used to be like. Bobby the Maitre d' would greet pretty much every customer by name upon arrival. The guy knew his stuff and even once sent flowers to apologize for a below average meal they served. The inside has pretty good seating and the outdoor patio is great in the summer time. The meat dishes are great. I've had the rack of lamb and osso bucco and both were full of flavor and cooked just right. The crowd is a mix of celebrities and slimy penny stockbrokers. For whatever reason, the celebrities dress silly when they go here. Don Johnson wore a pink baseball hat while dining with some younger women. The best was sitting next to MacGyver and Teri Hatcher. MacGyver had his mullet going on while wearing a suit and his dinner date Teri Hatcher whore a white 50's prom dress with a black leather jacket and had goth makeup on. At least I hope that was makeup. All in all, it used to be a great place but I don't want to know what the prices are nowadays. read more

Rustic Italian setting at the edge of downtown. It's easy to find parking on the street in this area or you can valet for $7. It caters to a more 'mature' clientele overall and business traffic... LMAO at the guy near me who was surprised at having to pick up the tab himself since "the CFO usually does that!" Service is average and not as polished as I'd expect.. Great wine selection and I love the old bottles that they kept around for decor. I wasn't as wow'ed by the food as I expected to be. The antipasto platter had a nice mix of proscuitto, tomatoes, eggplant, etc... The Il Giardino seasonal green salad was tasty - nice and crisp and drizzled with olive oil. The pasta course was one of their strong points - the spaghetti was perfectly done! Taste and texture were perfecto :) My baked black cod with veggies was a bit of a disappointment. The tiramisu was beautifully presented with berries and gooseberries on the side - great texture and taste. To be honest, the service and food aren't worth the price point. Of the high end Italian restos (La Terrazza, CinCin, Cioppinos) that I've been to in town, this is my least favorite. BTW - thanks to Raymond O. for his review so I made sure my first time here was on someone else's tab ;) read more

Tasty accept the portions. I ordered a salad and Ravioli. The Ravioli was al dente, and tasty but there was only 5 or 6 of these suckers. Damn lucky I didn't have to pay for it because you know I am going to have to get a second dinner somewhere else. Service was OK and the ambiance was fine but I would not come here again knowing I will leave here hungry in Vancouver. read more

IL Giardino is Umberto's resurrected Crown Jewel of the fine dining Italian scene in Vancouver. The original Location rocked for years and was renowned for its Patio, celebrity regulars and stock broker power lunches. We had a fantastic meal and the classics still shine at Giardino, so why vere too far away from them? Rack of Lamb cooked and dressed perfectly paired with a wonderful sauce. Sautéed spinach was unreal and. Beef Carpaccio and fresh baked pillows of focaccia... Porterhouse was amazing and everything cooked to perfection. My only regret is not having a pasta course. Service was fantastic. They really make you feel special here. I'd recommend this restaurant for a special occasion, however as the white and fusia tablecloths might give away- leave the cheap family members at home read more

Came here last week for Dine Out with the family. It has been a long time since the last time I came here. Fun thing was seeing Sarah McLachlan at the restaurant. It has been a long time since the last time I had been there so I was looking forward to the meal. I had the Spinach Souffle which was OK, I think I would have enjoyed a salad more. I ordered the Lamb Loin and the rest of our group ordered the spaghettini fruiti di mare. The lamb was nice and the spaghettini was very good. Except the Dine Out portion were almost a joke. I know the Dine Out prices are probably for the smaller portions, but I thought the portions were bigger in previous years. This place has a great atmosphere, good food and good service. I gave only 3 stars because of the portion sizes. read more

Table for 7 for a business dinner. I was worried as we arrived at 6:30 and were the only people in the place. At 7:30 this was no longer a worry as it was packed. Very good outside-of-Italy Italian. Double-cut Venison chop, Osso Buco, Burrata cheese, good wine list. This is a Vancouver staple, but hurry if you want to try - the owner sold out to Condo developers and April 15th 2013 this place disappears forever. read more

I visited this restaurant during my business trip to Vancouver. I waited at the front for a while but wasn't greeted in by anyone.

Very pleased we selected Giardino's while staying in Vancouver as the service was wonderful and the food very good. The staff were very helpful, even providing service outside before our table was ready. Very happy with the food and a very good selection of wines. Thank you. read more

We went to this place for my birthday dinner. I have been waiting for sometime since they moved to the new location. When we arrived, I felt great about his place with beautiful Italian decor and I was ready to try their menu. On that night , we order the Grill Spot Prawn Special, Spaghetti Al Nero Di Seppia, the Grill Duck Special. The Spot Prawn was delicious. The prawns were cooked perfect while the meat were moist and tender. The spaghetti was a great dish and it would be great for those cold winter nights. The Atlantic lobster medallion was fresh and it was a great pair with the cherry tomato and the spaghetti. The Grill duck was perfect dish for my night. The Grill duck dish was great and I can still remember the great taste of the duck with reduced berries sauce. Overall, the dishes were well presented and I enjoyed this lovely Italian experience. read more

Went for a small birthday dinner on a Monday night. The bar area was empty but the dining room was pretty full. The service was good, but the food was outstanding. I had the veal chop and caesar salad. All in all loved it! read more

Good pasta. Interesting rustic decor - not really my style, but enjoyable over the busy lunch hour. Will come back to write a more detailed review soon. read more