We got seated right away, and everyone we encountered was genuinely friendly and welcoming. We also met Erika, the manager, and despite my obvious affinity for anyone with such an excellent name, she earned the praise on her own. She was warm, pleasant, and took the time to chat with us. The food was SO good. As vegetarians, we had plenty to choose from, which is always appreciated. We tried the focaccia, cheese tortellini, and margherita pizza, and everything was excellent. We even grabbed a pasta dish to go for our teenage son, who gave it his own enthusiastic seal of approval. Our only little gripe: we were excited to see the Caesar salad labeled "VEG," since a truly vegetarian Caesar is surprisingly hard to find. We double-checked with our waitress, and unfortunately the dressing does contain anchovies. Fish is, alas, still an animal. Vegetarian generally means no meat or fish, while lacto-ovo vegetarians still eat dairy and eggs. Definitely not a dealbreaker, but the menu labeling could use a small correction so fellow vegetarians don't get overly excited about their Caesar prospects. The atmosphere was cozy with dim lighting and a really comfortable feel. At one point some questionable country music came on, but the universe apparently heard our distress and the playlist miraculously switched to rock. Crisis averted. Overall, delicious food, lovely service, great atmosphere, and plenty for vegetarians. We'll absolutely be back because the bruschetta still needs ordering. Highly recommend! read more

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Hello my fellow travelers! This fine evening in Stillwater, I decided to check out Gio's again. Let's just say they did not disappoint in their lack of service. We walked in because the sidewalk board was still out and the sign on the door stated they were open until 10:00 PM. Upon entering, the bartender acknowledged us and then simply continued cleaning. After about 5 minutes, she went to the kitchen and came back out to inform us that they were closing early and we needed to go to another establishment. This is the second time I have been turned away here. Honestly, I would not recommend a restaurant that advertises it is open and then turns paying customers away. read more

Finally checked out this hidden gem in downtown Stillwater. Was here for a bday party within our family - party of 9. This place takes reservations and is great location for large parties. Our waitress was great too. I ordered a mocktail for my bevy which was something regarding pink clouds (something within that realm) - this is a seasonal mocktail so it's not on the website. I ordered as my main the full Gio Chop Salad which includes: iceberg, romaine, salami, pepperoni, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, parmesan, Italian vinegarette. It was okay but a little too heavy on the salad dressing. Other family members said the same thing. read more

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We came in to celebrate a birthday and left disappointed, which is a shame because the ambiance was genuinely nice. The billing was a mess. A 4% card payment upcharge was baked into each item's price instead of added as a flat fee at the bottom, so we ended up paying tax and gratuity on inflated prices rather than the actual menu prices. On top of that, none of the daily special prices were applied. When I flagged it after paying, our server admitted she forgot, seemed annoyed I brought it up, and only refunded the flat $15, not the tax and gratuity, so we were still overcharged. Service was stiff and unfriendly for what was supposed to be a celebration, and the food itself was mediocre. Both food and drinks were significantly overpriced for what we got. Between the billing errors, the poor service, and food that didn't justify the cost, we spent over $500 and left unimpressed. We won't be back. read more

Another rooftop in Stillwater on a beautiful day. This definitely has more bar type foods. The drinks were good, the view of the river is nice if you grab a table along the riverside of the patio. Service is a little slow but it may have still been too early for the bar crowd. It sounds silly but I would highly recommend their pickles for the pickle lovers! read more

Gio's - Pizza Near Me - Stillwater, Minnesota

We stopped in here for the first time and we were not disappointed. It was happy hour and we enjoyed the wine and whiskey for the great price of $5/ea. Our friendly, efficient, delightful bartender, Anders, made our visit especially enjoyable. He made a few menu suggestions and we shared three items from the HH menu which were the meatballs (sooo delicious), the fried tortellini (tasty but nothing special), and the pizza (very good). A lovely space on Main Street with a welcoming atmosphere and great service. Highly recommend! read more

Gio's - Tortellini with Alfredo and red sauce dipping sauces. - Pizza Near Me - Stillwater, Minnesota

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Unfortunately, our experience fell well short of expectations. To begin on a positive note, our waitress was friendly and personable. However, the overall level of service was disappointing. Throughout our meal, she was frequently absent from our table while spending extended periods at the hostess stand using her phone or chatting with other staff. Other servers had to step in to assist us. The pricing also felt difficult to justify. Specialty cocktails were $14, draft beers were $8, and the bruschetta consisted of six very small pieces for $18. The restaurant's take on a Margherita pizza lacked the fresh flavor and quality we expected and reminded us more of a frozen pizza than an authentic Italian offering. The seating experience added to our disappointment. Although several desirable window tables were available, we were seated behind a large pillar in the corner next to the pizza station, which made the dining experience feel less inviting. Everyone's expectations are different, but based on our experience, we will not be returning. read more

Very quiet and very nice atmosphere when we visited. Our waitress, Sarah, was very nice and gave good advice. Shared a mini charcuterie, which was on the happy hour menu, and Shrimp Scampi. Enjoyed both. read more

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Really great place! The food was amazing, fast and the servers were very friendly. If you like Italian food and\or need a quieter place to eat I totally recommend read more

A few friends and I biked from St. Paul to Stillwater and decided to check out Gio's on Main Street--what a great spot! I tried the Pisa sandwich, and it was exactly what I was looking for--light, delicious, and perfect for not feeling sluggish on the long bike ride home. The overall experience was fantastic. The staff were super friendly, and they even found space inside for my colleagues' bikes, which was incredibly thoughtful and appreciated. Plenty of parking is available in the area too, making it easy for a return trip. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Stillwater and highly recommend this place! read more

Gio's - Pisa - Pizza Near Me - Stillwater, Minnesota

I'm happy a pasta place opened in Stillwater. It's a great addition to the downtown variety. This place is nice, and the food is good. I especially think it's a good value. Pasta dishes are in the teens for prices. The gnocchi was swimming in the sauce which was less than desirable. I've never seen fried tortellini on a menu so we had to try it. Props for creativity! read more

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The food here was absolutely amazing! I wish I lived closer! The service was just as great, our server was super attentive and very welcoming! The restaurant is set up so you are able to see the cooks making the food, which was super fun to watch! read more

One of the best happy hours in downtown Stillwater! I love coming here for a glass of wine and fried tortellini! Lots of seating for any size group and pull tabs for your enjoyment! The menu is so yummy and the build your own pasta is so fun! read more

Beautiful place to stop in for a Monday night dinner (by the way it's Meatball Monday). We ate family style and had the Gio chop salad with lots of olives and parm. Next up was Gio pizza - a tasty combination of short ribs, Swiss cheese, mushrooms, and onions with a crust that is just the right thickness. Maybe it could use a drizzle of something... horseradish aioli? Server Lauren was the best - quick with drinks and super friendly and even brought me some drizzle options for testing. We all really liked the Italian sausage rigatoni and focaccia. Everything was delicious and well-portioned. Nothing overly fancy, but neat exposed brick, long bar and excellent location right on the main drag in town. Oh, and dessert was perfect. Not too sweet, nice lemony flavor and a shareable slice. read more

Gio's - Gio pizza - Pizza Near Me - Stillwater, Minnesota

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We came in here for a nice little lunch date while walking around downtown Stillwater on a Saturday and were almost the only customers. I got the meatball sandwich with smashed potatoes that were completely unseasoned, and my boyfriend got a pizza... I ended up vomiting within 10 minutes of leaving the restaurant and the pizza crust was basically like a Ritz cracker. For the price it was very small, and he did not enjoy or finish it and ended up throwing away the leftovers. Our server was nice enough but nothing above and beyond, and the food took quite a bit to come out (again it was very slow). After this experience, if you are walking around and want a nice meal/experience... find somewhere else. If I could give 0 stars I would. read more

Food, drinks, and service were low level quality. Sad, was hoping it would be good. Needs improvement.

Didn't enjoy the ambiance. Food was mediocre. Service was spotty. We were the only customers in the place.

River town beer joint. Only thing Italian about this place is the Sopranos poster on the wall. Good luck if the city allows them to turn into New Orleans with open drinking in the streets. Not our vibe anymore. read more

Nice location. Sandwich tasted very fresh and tasty. Can seat outside the building and see people while listen to live music on the street. Staff is very friendly! read more

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Amazing food and unique cocktails. Service right on. We had spaghetti with meat sauce and meat balls. As good as any I've ever had. Fried tortellini as good as Vittorios back in the day. read more

Horrible pizza, a child could have made a better pizza. Plus...Don't put balsamic on margarita pizza..Lame salad that seemed OLD. I live in Stillwater & we will never go again. Gave it one star for a nice server. However, give the customer new plates after they've eaten their salad! read more

Awesome service, amazing food and reasonable prices. The happy hour specials are great, and the fried tortellini rivals Vitorios! We will definitely be back. read more

Our group had the most wonderful time this evening at Gios. It was incredibly slow on a sunday night and Jake our wonderful bartender hit it home for us. He was absolutely hilarious to talk to made the night so special. Literally the best bartender. An absolute Hoot! (Give him a raise) (Don't lose him I wanna go back and see him) read more

What a great place to eat or have a cool cocktail. The owner and staff are so accommodating and pleasant. We will be back!

Reasonable and one of the most delicious spaghetti and meatballs I have had. Great setting with a river view. Nice historic building set up for casual dining. read more

This is the best pizza in the area. Fresh and hot with fantastic spices that make the taste unique. Delicious sandwiches too. Small and cozy. Love this spot! read more