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    Giovannetti's

    4.8 (103 reviews)
    Closed • 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Giovannetti's Takeout or Delivery

    Giovannetti's Photos

    GIOVANNETTI'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Upscale
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Giovannetti's

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    Swordfish special
    Kathleen K.

    Delicious! Our sever, Lola, greeted us quickly and went through the list of nightly specials explaining each dish. All of the dishes we had were bursting with flavor. I had one of the specials; it was the swordfish dish served with fresh green beans, and a mix of purple and yellow, small potatoes, topped with a delicious tomato based sauce. The swordfish was a succulent large portion. The whole meal was a very good size and I took half of it home for lunch the next day. So nice to have an upscale Italian restaurant like this in Vista. There is plenty of parking and I really enjoyed the starry ceiling with the shooting stars. We were there before sunset so I can only imagine how beautiful it must be once the sun goes down, twinkling along with the bistro lights that surround their patio. We are definitely going back!

    10'' Pepperoni
    Heather R.

    My family and I enjoyed coming to this restaurant, small little restaurant with covered patio, ceiling has stars, which my daughter liked, Nathan was our server, he was very nice, and knowledgeable of the menu! We started with garlic bread, amazing marinara sauce for dipping, then got the penne vodka, and pepperoni pizza (it's loaded with pepperoni) both the pizza and the pasta were delicious! Will definitely return to try more options!

    Perla R.

    Tried this place out for dinner on a Friday evening, they have an outdoor patio in front of the restaurant but we sat inside, the service was great they were very nice & let us know the specials of the night immediately. We ordered a Caesar salad & garlic bread both were very good, the garlic bread came with a side of marinara which was yummy it has a slight sweet taste very garlicky and herby & delicious! I ordered the lasagna for my main dish & we also tried the penne with sausage. I had a glass of the white wine they recommended & it was very good chilled & crisp perfect for a summer night! We also tried dessert which was the mango passion fruit cake which was amazing! I loved everything we ordered I will come back to try more items because they all sounded so good!

    Auntie pasta
    Frank R.

    The food seemed pretty good, but maybe we just came on and off day. The pizza was extremely greasy. We got chicken and mostly vegetables. Everything else was good. Service was good. It is a nicer restaurant for this area.

    Cannoli for the birthday girl
    Suzanne Z.

    We had a family dinner 5 of us last night. Started with garlic bread and drinks yum. Everyone had a different pasta and each of us thought they were delicious. I had a lobster raviolis very tasty would definitely order again. The fact that each meal came out together hot was a great. We had 3 different desserts and all were delicious. The service was excellent and friendly.

    Baby back ribs
    Pete R.

    We found Pizza and More not long ago and loved it. They suggested we try Giovannetti's, run by the same family. Giovannetti's opened not long ago in the space that was Felicia's. Felicia's was a regular spot for us so we are delighted to see another outstanding Italian restaurant in the same space! They have completely redone the space, turned it into one large dining room. Elegant and still a homey, welcoming vibe (see the photo). This would be a great spot for an event dinner, especially a romantic one. We had the calamari fritti, veal piccata, and baby back ribs from the special board. Everything was fantastic! The calamari was crispy, not chewy or greasy at all, and the sauces were excellent. The ribs were tender with a smoky sweet sauce. We will definitely be back!

    Menu
    Craig S.

    Had an amazing meal at Giovannetti's!!! The entire staff is friendly and welcoming. We had the garlic bread which was delicious and the sauce was very tasty. For dinner had the vodka pasta and lasagna, both were amazing. So glad we found this place and it earns its 5 star rating. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy!!!

    Garlic bread and artichoke
    Savannah F.

    Service and ambiance were both great. Angela kept checking in with us and made the dining experience more positive throughout the night. I really like the paintings and ceiling lights. The lights are like shooting stars. They also had a Christmas tree outside. Food was okay, but either overly salty (carbonara) or overly sour (artichoke). We got another carbonara to-go with no additional salt but it was too oily. I liked the plating every time. Dessert was good. My favorite is spumoni cake. I will be back for that. It did have a bit of a grainy texture if you like that.

    Amy R.

    The reviews aren't wrong- this place is awesome. Tiny unassuming restaurant in a strip mall. With stars on the ceiling and outdoor seating this is a cute low key date spot. Service is excellent and so is the food. My favorite is that they have daily specials. I love the surprise and innovation of specials. Pasta dishes are amazing. The waitress told us they are going to expand and add a bar (they do already serve full bar/ alcohol). Can't wait to see what they do. Check out their amazing presentation of their food.

    Sea bass special
    Diana S.

    From the moment we walked up on a Saturday evening, we were welcomed enthusiastically and warmly. Service was impecable and the food was top notch. I had the sea bass special and DH had the special short rib stuffed pasta , both were cooked perfectly. It's my new favorite Italian place!

    Bolognese with fresh cheese on top
    Darci M.

    What a hidden little gem in Vista! Loved being greeted at the door with a nice gentleman all dressed up! The menu has lots of selections with a posted seasonal selection that looks amazing! We chose 2 different dishes so we can taste and share! I believe our server was Shawn and he was amazing! We will be back for sure and share with others!

    Lasagna

    We were pleasantly surprised by Giovanetti's! The food was outstanding, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Lola provided superior service--warm, attentive, and professional--while creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. What surprised us most was finding such a wonderful Italian restaurant in such a humble neighborhood. A true hidden gem! We highly recommend Giovanetti's and look forward to returning.

    Cannoli's

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    8 days ago

    The food and staff were on point. The size of the location is awesome! It's quaint and relaxing; very enjoyable.

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    Ask the Community - Giovannetti's

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    Ciao Ristorante Italiano

    4.3(1.6k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    •$$

    Last night, we held my husband's 60th birthday celebration at Ciao's. I honestly cannot say enough…read moregood things about this establishment! From the customer service, food, ambience, etc, the entire experience was a 20 out of 10. I specifically want to highlight a few people who made this event more than just memorable. Gwen, as the event coordinator for Ciao, was very communicative and hands-on from start to finish. From the staff who helped answer all our questions to everyone who worked the event, I am so grateful for your professionalism and support in making the event amazing. If you ever choose this place for one of your events, you will not regret it. I'm just mad that I've been in the local area for too many years and only discovered this restaurant less than two months ago. After having lunch there, I decided to ask if we could host my husband's party. I was then escorted to the ballroom, and the decision was made without question. After the event, I have absolutely no regrets! Highly highly recommend. Even if you don't have an event, the food is authentic Italian. My next plan is to visit Italy after engaging with our new friends from Ciao!!

    This is for the brand new ciao cafe. It is under an arbor on the left side of the building (when…read moreyou are facing the building) and is a bit hidden. There is a cafe sign on the ground and music playing in the background. I recently saw on Instagram they had opened a new outdoor cafe that was open weekends. I went on a Sunday morning and it was a bit drizzly, but the market umbrellas kept us dry. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. We had lattes and split an apricot croissant. The cool weather was lovely after a long heat wave we've been having and we enjoyed our coffee and pastry. It was pretty empty either due to the weather or because it was so new. It's such a lovely little spot. I have also eaten here in the main restaurant several times over the years for luncheons and dinners and have enjoyed my meals. I look forward to returning.

    Photos
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    Eugenio Italian Ristorante - Introducing Chef Eugenio to San Marcos!

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    4.7(641 reviews)
    4.4 mi
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    I'm going to graciously award Eugenio a 5th star. First thing brought to the table was "the best…read moreoctopus I've ever had!" This title was briefly held by Kavos Taverna in Mykonos, Greece where I visited last year. Good job Eugenio. The octopus was unbelievably tender and super flavorful. Food was excellent. Variety was enormous (huge menu). Execution was pretty spot on. I made a comment at the table, "Eugenio certainly knows how to cook" as everything brought to the table was full of flavor, texture, plentiful and well seasoned, although the prosciutto and mushroom pizza was less than desirable. The pie had ham instead of prosciutto, and the overall pie, I would not order again. Much better pizza elsewhere (very, very nearby along Lake San Marcos). Service was good, but not without flaw. We waited until the entire supper was consumed, yet waited and waited for the not really very good, (I think it was a "special") short rib onion soup of sort to come out. We never got our beet salad. Eugenio's food was that good. Lots of flavor. Lots of texture. Not without the hiccups as most kitchens experience. Try it out. Get reservations because it is very small inside and out. I've got a feeling we will be having more Italian food here. Cutely decorated inside too. CritDicks

    What a little gem- I would say "hidden" but it was jammed last night. My husband said let's try…read morethis place in a strip mall... I was curious but this was over the top- I feel like I immediately stepped into another world. It smelled amazing, had fantastic service and menu was huge! Will be back and bringing friends- thank you for having us!

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    2051 Cucina Italiana - Spaghetti Carbonara

    2051 Cucina Italiana

    4.6(1.1k reviews)
    5.5 mi
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    Family-owned & operated
    Free parking

    Should be more stars ... truly exceptional restaurant. Tucked away, but spacious dining with ample…read moreparking. Our waiter Eduardo gave us expert guidance, especially with the extensive wine selection. My wife and I stopped here for lunch after reading the Yelp reviews. Surpassed our elevated expectations! We started with an exceptional appetizer of fried calamari & veggies. The carrots were sweet, the peppers were perfect and the calamari were delicate & not at all oily. My wife chose the bolognese tagliatelle and loved it, contrasting it with her own bolognese sauce and admittedly finding the Cucina's a cut above her own! I opted for the white ragu of balanzoni which was a refreshingly different take on a traditional ragu. Although we were both stuffed from the abundant courses, I couldn't pass up the semifreddo and I'm glad we didn't. We devoured every bite! Fantastic food, with service to match -- as warm & welcoming as it was expert & knowledgeable. Cannot wait to return when we revisit Carlsbad in January.

    Off the beaten path, wasn't sure I was in the right place but glad I stuck with it…read more Big bright inside, warehouse feeling. Nice patio to enjoy a meal outside as well. Service was ok. Calamari was good, there were exactly 2 shrimp, handles of the serving spoons sitting in the sauce which is a miss of a detail, ultimately seemed under seasoned and there is a pile of food sitting in oil on wood. Parmesan prosciutto pasta was well cooked, fresh cracked black pepper would have been beneficial. Tiramisu was the best dish, the mascarpone crème was definitely my favorite, was a lil sad by the lack of coffe and rum soaked lady fingers. I would give this place one more chance now that I understand the menu a bit more.

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    Atmosphere

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    Mangia e Bevi - grilled octopus, watercress, charred lemon, balsamic reduction, pickled broccolini, currants, fennel, basil sumac yogurt, pistachio

    Mangia e Bevi

    4.4(667 reviews)
    4.8 mi
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    This was the first time I had food from Mangi e Bevi as " take out". It was just as delicious as…read morewhen we dine at the restaurant. Prepared and packaged with love. It was also my first pizza from them. I ordered the Salsiccia pizza which has a sweet fennel sausage on it. The sausage tasted homemade. Perfectly seasoned. We got several pasta dishes which were perfectly served al dente. The order was packaged neatly and prepared on time. The staff is friendly and welcoming as always. Love this place. The food is reminiscent of my Nonna's cooking.

    Had lunch Saturday Sep 26, 2026. First there were 2 little hairs on my plate under my napkin about…read more3/8". I just pushed them aside. I ordered lemon for my water. There was another hair on the lemon wedge that was old. We had the Scoglio - spaghetti with muscles around the plate and a pizza. We told the waitress that the muscles tasted old. She went to the kitchen and it took her 5 minutes to come back out. The other 2 people in the restaurant had finished eating. It took her a long time to come back out to tell us that the muscles were in a sealed bag in the refrigerator. Who knows how long in the refrigerator? My friend got food poisoning from it. Kept throwing up and slept for the rest of the day. Still felt woozy the next morning. We called the restaurant and the gal took our name and number down and said the manager will call us. To this date we have not received a call. I guess it's time to call the San Diego Health Department? The pizza was good but too expensive!

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    Amalfi Cucina Italiana - Amatriciana Bucatini

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    4.2(1.4k reviews)
    4.9 mi
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    Amalfi at Lake San Marcos was the perfect place to celebrate a birthday! The location is absolutely…read morestunning, with beautiful lake views from every angle, and the sunset made the evening even more magical. We had a very large group of about 14-15 women, and I was so impressed with the service. The staff was attentive, organized, and genuinely friendly from start to finish. Even better, they didn't automatically add gratuity for a large party, which made us want to tip them even more because the service truly earned it. Our table ordered what felt like every appetizer on the menu, and every single one was delicious. The cocktails were just as impressive. The Midnight Margarita, topped with a beautiful orchid, was as gorgeous as it was delicious, and the Aperol Sunset Spritz was the perfect drink to enjoy while watching the sun go down over the lake. From the food and drinks to the incredible staff and breathtaking setting, everything exceeded our expectations. It was a flawless evening, and I would absolutely recommend Amalfi for a special occasion--or any excuse to enjoy an amazing meal with an unforgettable view. 10/10, we'll definitely be back!

    I searched for a nice restaurant in San Diego on Yelp that is actually open on MONDAYS for dinner…read moreand Amalfi appeared in the search. We wanted to have dinner at a place we could easily meet up with our friend who is visiting from out of state. My hubby hasn't seen him in years so we can't wait to have some good food and catch up with him... I made RESERVATIONS for a party of 4... AMBIANCE: 10/10 Beautiful interior and a nice location by the lake. There's also outdoor patio seating by the lake as well. There was a birthday party for a 10 year old so we decided to stay in doors... CLAMS & MUSSELS: 10/10 Definitely worth $30. The mussels and clams were so fresh and tender. The mussels were my favorite because it was pretty big and super moist. But, be careful of some of the shells though. I got a few crunchy bites from the shells inside some clams and mussels but, not too much that it could stop me from devouring it... CALAMARI: 9/10 the batter was not super crunchy but, it stuck on well to the calamari. It was crunchy enough for me though. The important part for me is the calamari itself. It was actually FRESH! It was not chewy or rubbery at all... MEATBALL APPETIZER: 8/10 I'm not really into meatballs meaning I prefer seafood and veggies but, it was tender and not overly salty like most meatballs. My party enjoyed it... LOBSTER LINGUINE: 8.5/10 The pasta sauce had a really nice flavor. Not sure if the pasta was house made. The lobster was huge! Half of a whole lobster and they impressively took out the claw meat. I had to knock out some points for OVER COOKING the lobster though. It was very tough and dry... PRIME RIBEYE: 10/10 STAR OF THE SHOW! Worth $83. Bravo and compliments to the CHEF. This steak had some serious flavor and was cooked perfectly. So nice and JUICY! I usually need Chimichurri, Worcestershire or ketchup with Tabasco to eat with all my steaks but, this was the FIRST steak I could actually eat all by itself... CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT CAKE: 9/10 It came out instantly. Tasted great. If you LOVE chocolate and hazelnut. This is a rich treat you will enjoy! SERVICE: 8/10 B+ Our server was good but, my party got the vibe that he was kind of rushing us a bit. I mean, the appetizers came out fast within 10 minutes. However, the MAIN courses took 30-40 minutes to come out! And when it came out there was barely room for it at our table because our appetizers and plates were not picked up fast enough... The LADY and GUYS that brought out our food was GREAT! She even took a picture for us. The manager was great too he stopped by to make sure we were doing ok... Luckily, we ordered 3 appetizers while waiting 40 minutes for the main course to come out otherwise we would have been super HANGRY!!! 4 star experience today for AMALFI CUCINA ITALIANA

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    Giovannetti's - italian - Updated October 2026

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