We visited on June 2026 with my family (hubby, me, 12 yr old, 11yr old, and 9 month old). We are returning customers from one other previous time. We visited on a Thurs night around 7pm, there were a lot of people. Ordering was a few people ahead of us. The 2 pizzas took a long while to arrive (about 20mins). The pizza was absolutely delicious!! What was upsetting is the staff. The staff behind the counter were not very polite, they were short, brief, and no smiles. Not an ounce of customer service. One was actually kind of rude. Only the bus person that cleaned the tables was so nice and kind with us. Food is 5 stars. Staff and customer service 3 stars. If you're looking for a quiet ambiance, it's not here. read more

We're foodies and they are consistently good! Fresh salad and delicious dressings. Ordered for pick up and was ready when I got there.

Great casual spot for pizza and pasta! As soon as we walked in we were instructed to seat ourselves and then order and pay at the front. The staff quickly noticed we had our 1 year old and brought us a high chair and helped us make ourselves comfortable. My son was able to eat in his chair and be loud and not stand out as there were many other children and families and the spot was loud. I appreciated this! The lasagna was a huge portion but lacked in flavor and the pizza by husband got was just ok. The breadsticks were cold and dry unfortunately, but very inexpensive. The food fell short for me but as a family friendly spot, it was perfect. read more

Gianni's Pizza - Enjoying our dinner! - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

After a long day of swimming, we ordered takeout from Gianni's Pizza. Nothing hits like pizza after a long summer day of swimming. I highly recommend ordering in person rather than using their website, which is clunky and doesn't show the full menu. When I arrived for pickup, I realized they offer a huge variety of pasta, sandwiches, and desserts that aren't listed online. We ordered a small cheese pizza and a small Gianni Special (a supreme with olives, mushrooms, onions, peppers, sausage, and pepperoni). Their "small" is generous with six large slices that provided plenty of leftovers for us. The crust was excellent! Perfectly cooked, but still doughy and chewy. I also ordered some delicious house-made cannolis. I got their chocolate and vanilla versions which both use the same cream filling, just with different shells. The dining area is very spacious and has and '80s vibe that is a bit dated, but I found it oddly comforting. Overall, a great spot! read more

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We're new to town, so of course we're searching for our favorite pizza place. Many have recommended Gianni's and I can see why. The place was packed on a Saturday night, and the atmosphere was fun. Our large Gianni's special was loaded with toppings; they give you your money's worth that way. But the crust was so-so at best. Actually, kinda flavorless. And there was so much topping, the first few bites were pretty soggy. Also, it being so crowded, the only place for us was the bar. We weren't drinking, and the grumpy bartender gave us attitude about that. Eventually we found a table. All in all, I'll keep looking for the best pizza in the area. I also won't avoid Gianni's; I'll just try next time in a weeknight. read more

Gianni's Pizza - Gianni's special - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

I returned to try new items and I am SO glad I did! The lasagna is one of the best in the area I have had! Very large meat pieces throughout the dish, the perfect noodle texture cooked al dente! The cheese is so thick with a nice pull! Their pizza is delicious! I got the regular sauce this time rather than the Alfredo sauce, and it is the perfect amount of sweet and salty! I do wish the cheese was cooked a bit longer as well as the bottom of the crust. Other than that, it was delicious! Beautiful atmosphere!!! The service was right on time with my delivery driver, and the restaurant itself always double checks my order and provides me the correct items! Well done !! I will return for more!! read more

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This place is popular so prepare for a wait. The food is so worth it. My family has been coming here for years with every Monterey trip we do. The bread is so good. The pizza never misses. The restaurant is large with the charm of an old building. The staff is incredibly friendly here. Giannis is one that you should definitely put in your itinerary for food if planning a trip to Monterey. read more

Gianni's Pizza - Exteriror - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

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We ate at Gianni's for the first time and the pizza was awesome! A local favorite founded in 1974 Gianni's offer pizza pasta and gelato. We ordered a Gianni's Special (think supreme with everything) and the pizza was delicious! The crust was thin, with thick "pizza bones" (outer crust) and cooked to perfection. I can see why Gianni's is a local faverate! read more

Gianni's Pizza - Large Gianni's Special - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

The Garlic & Cheese Breadsticks are an absolute standout and an exceptional value, pairing beautifully with the classic, golden-fried Mozzarella Cheese Sticks. While the Double Pepperoni Pizza leans toward a straightforward, traditional style that might split opinions on whether it's merely good or truly great, it delivers exactly what you want from a comforting, nostalgic slice. The fast-casual, walk-up-and-order model makes for an incredibly seamless dining experience with virtually no wait time, complemented by a relaxed atmosphere and efficient table service. For anyone seeking a high-value, no-fuss pizza night in Monterey, this local staple comes highly recommended. read more

Wow wow WOW If you're looking for a delicious pizza and creamy goodness pasta, look no further. The pizza is cooked to perfection in every way. I ordered two pizzas, pasta & a slice of chocolate cake to go and everything was ready in 30ish minutes. The pasta was so freaking good, my husband and i were in a fork war over the last bite. Chocolate cake was divine. A rich chocolate lovers dream. I would recommend this place to anyone in the area. read more

Gianni's Pizza - Alfredo with clams & mushrooms - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

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Great place to stop by for a family for pizza and then ice cream. You find a spot to sit yourself and then order when your ready. They bring the pizza to your table. We liked the meat combo. We've ordered bread sticks and ice cream in the past too that were good. They charge for ranch dressing and you get your own utensils at a station. They have a parking lot. We will be back if in the neighborhood. read more

Gianni's Pizza - Large meat combo - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

The pepperoni pizza was decent. The hot wings were okay, it was missing that hot and tangy kick. Also tasted like they weren't freshly fried. My favorite items were the spaghetti with marinara and breadsticks. The breadsticks came out fresh and warm, and the spaghetti was delicious. Next time, I'd try it with the meat sauce instead of marinara. The meatballs were a little dry. The garlic was also okay, nothing special. You can either grab a seat first or order upfront, and they'll bring out the food to you. Customer service was friendly, and there's plenty of parking. read more

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Gianni's Pizza is an absolute gem! Carmel is such a quaint, cute place, but because almost everything closes so early, finding this spot was a lifesaver. I love that they stay open late, and the food is incredibly satisfying. We ordered the lasagna and the garlic bread, and I can honestly guarantee that everything we got was absolutely delicious! easily the best in town. The setup is casual and convenient, with forks, napkins, Parmesan, and chili flakes at a self-serve station. I noticed a ton of people ordering the pizzas, too, which looked amazing. I already can't wait to come back! read more

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Was visiting Monterey for the weekend and I saw this pizza place was busy with a line out the door. This is usually a good sign. We walked and were told tables are 1st come 1st served. Fair enough. We a got a table fairly quickly and requested for it to be cleaned. We then went to the counter to put in our order which was a medium house combination pizza and a small caesar salad. It was Friday night, so we knew the wait would be a bit long, and they warned us, it would be about 40 minutes. The salad came out in about 25 mins, and the pizza another 45 mins later (this means the the wait ended up being 70 mins.) The salad was standard. The pizza came hot with the perfect amount of toppings, the crust looked airy, and cheese was melted. Well, it looked alot better than it tasted. It was pretty average and the crust ended up oily and lacked flavor. read more

Gianni's Pizza - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

Had the Stromboli which they only let you add three ingredients. The Italian sausage is not crumbled, but large chunks of cased sausage. The cheese, (ricotta or Parmesan) was mealy and very difficult to get past. The dough is there usual pizza dough which is good with a pizza but extremely doughy and to much bread for a Stromboli or calzone. So looking forward to dinner tonight but was extremely disappointed. read more

A great family dining experience. I am reviewing this place as I'm trying to finish my pasta. You have to get the lasagna if you want to know how Garfield feels. I finally understand his love for cheese, pasta, and hardy sauce. The pizza is soo good with a nice tangy pepperoni. If you want big portions that are worth your money, go here. read more

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I was a little skeptical coming here because it was so highly rated so I thought it would be a tourist trap but I was genuinely shocked on how much business this place had. It must be supported locally very well too as this place was PACKED when I went on a random weekday night. First off, I would like to commend this place just on the pricing alone. Their appetizers are insanely good value at $1.18 for garlic bread and just $1.66 for a big bowl of marinara sauce. I haven't seen such pricing in so long in this age of inflation that I'm very grateful they have items that anyone can afford. Secondly, the restaurant is quite large with a ton of seating. I also like the warmth of the restaurant itself as it harkens back to an old school pizzeria or diner feel. The only con I would said is that it is so busy that it took us maybe 45 minutes to get our food which is like a death sentence if you have an impatient toddler who is tired and also hungry. Also the line for ordering is split into two (with one sign saying self-service) and the other with just a person taking orders. I think it's very confusing so a lot of people "skipped" the main line and just went to the self-service line which I'm not sure was the correct way. I felt like it was the same line since everyone just got a number and waited for the food. I'll definitely be back since I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere but maybe do take-out next time to save myself the wait. read more

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One of the best pizza place here in Monterey. This place gets busy but the service here is great. 5/5. They serve the pizza hot and the portions are huge!! The vibes here are great. read more

Gianni's Pizza - Homemade Meat Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

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So this was not my first time here...I came the first time and had pizza and it was good and the breadsticks are delicious! So was the salad.....This time I came and tried the lasagna....i was disappointed! I thought that they had given me a vegetarian lasagna because I ate like half the lasagna without a bite of meat! There was like 1.5 meat ball ish type of meat in the whole lasagna and it was in one corner of the lasagna so not every (most) bite had meat in it! It was just pasta and cheese. It looked so good when served but I was completely let down as I began eating it.....sigh! I thought I had found my go to lasagna place in Monterey...guess I'll have to keep looking. read more

Gianni's Pizza - "Homemade Meat Lasagna "meat" cuz there was hardly any in it - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

Another great dinner at Gianni's! We shared a small meat zilla. About $30. Lots of meat and cheese however I think what makes this the best pizza ever might be the crust. Just the right texture and thickness. We even took 2 slices home. We had a small scoop of their homemade Gelato. Espresso was the flavor this time and it was tasty. It was a Wednesday night and the crowd was pretty good. It might have been because the US was playing Bosnia in the World Cup. Nonetheless, always clean and service spot on. It took about 30 minutes to get our pie. As I have said in the past, always go to Gianni's if in Monterey County. It has won best pizza in the county since 1993!! read more

Gianni's Pizza - Gelato bar. 18 flavors of goodness! - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

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Recommended by the receptionist at our B&B, we weren't steered wrong! We went on a Monday night at around 6pm and it wasn't too crowded. This is an archetypical pizza restaurant, like the ones I used to go to in Los Angeles as a teen 100 years ago. Red and white checkered table cloths, theme from The Godfather playing on their music system, and pizzas in every size you could imagine (actually five sizes from 8" to 18"). We ended up ordering a small (12") chicken pesto for the two of us. Turns out that was even too big and we ended up taking home half of it. Flavors were excellent, plenty of cheese so that each bite was totally satisfying. I was going to eat one more slice, but decided to go for a gelato instead. Lots of flavors, and I opted for the rocky road (the closest to pure chocolate they had). It was good, maybe a bit too firm for gelato, and it didn't have the knockout chocolate punch I was hoping for. Counter service only (order your pizza and they'll bring it to your table). The place is large... a massive group came in that took 5 minutes to pass through. But it still felt spacious. When we returned home, we reheated the leftover pizza in our air fryer and it was just as good as at the restaurant! Strong recommendation! read more

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OK, this place is ridiculously great! We bypassed it every time we were in Monterey, but the last time we visited, we went three times! We decided to try it out because it always seemed to get a crowd. We are so glad we did! Their pizza is second to none. My favorite in California! The crust is so nicely cooked crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. Cooked to perfect perfection. Their Caesar salad is also phenomenal and we tried the garlic sticks, which were outstanding. We will go there every time we happen down to Monterey, which is several times a year. Nice job! read more

Gianni's Pizza - XL Cheese Pizza. SO GOOD!!! - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

Efficiency and Freshness at Gianna's If you're looking for a spot that runs like a well-oiled machine, this is it. Gianna's is a super busy place, but don't let the crowd intimidate you. They have 2-3 cashiers working the front who manage to get you in and out remarkably quick. The Experience One of the coolest parts of the visit is the transparency. You can see through the windows as the entire staff works tirelessly, hand-crafting various components of their menu items. It adds a great "behind-the-scenes" feel to the meal and proves they aren't cutting corners on prep. The Pizza The presentation of the pizza was top-tier--it looked great when it hit the table, loaded with toppings like black olives, sausage, peppers, and mushrooms. The Sauce: You can tell they use quality ingredients; the sauce tasted incredibly fresh, which is often the make-or-break element of a good pie. The Crust: The bake was solid, providing a nice golden-brown foundation for the mountain of toppings. The Verdict Here is where we hit a bit of a crossroads. While the quality of the ingredients was obvious, both my wife and I felt it was lacking flavor. It's a bit of a head-scratcher because everything looked right and tasted fresh, but the "wow" factor in the seasoning just wasn't there for us. Maybe it's just us--everyone's palate is different--but we found ourselves wishing for a bit more punch to match the great aesthetics. If you value speed, fresh ingredients, and a clean, bustling atmosphere, it's definitely worth a try. You might find the flavor profile hits your mark better than it did ours! read more

Gianni's Pizza - Gianni's - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

Food was delicious, we finally sat down at this place after my last review I gave it 4 stars 3 years ago but this place definitely stepped back up that bonus star back. Service was fast pace and quick they don't skimp around when it came to ordering our food. It did take a little long for waiting for our pizza to come out and be on our table. Maybe it was the timing when we went we ordered around 6:45 then came to our table at 7:30. Some stuff asides that long wait the ambiance is what you expect this place is booming and everyone sitting down and eating pizza or what you ordered. It's definitely a great spot if you're looking hungry in Monterey. Come here. But again be prepared that it might take a while for your food to come to the table. read more

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Gianni's isn't just a pizza place--it's a local landmark. Known for decades as one of Monterey's best Italian pizza spots, it delivers exactly what you hope for: pizza that is truly fresh, with crusts that are to die for, cheese that is rich and stretches with every bite. Truly not enough can be said about how good quality is. We have tried most of the menu as locals coming to Gianni's for years. All their pizzas are tremendous, and the cheese stretch is always the chef's kiss. The crust holds up beautifully without being too thick or too thin, and you can taste the care in the dough. The vibe is old-school casual: bustling, family-friendly, and filled with the smell of fresh pizza baking. Staff is quick and efficient, even on busy nights, and you get the sense that they've been doing this a long time--and doing it right. They also have breadsticks near the cash register in the front and they are absolutely delicious as well. Always a hit with kids. read more

Gianni's Pizza - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

Gianni's is a must when visiting Monterey. The pizza is made in house and the vibe impeccable. Bonus tip: Get the gelato too read more

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Combin Giannis Special Pizza. Piping hot pizza with lots of delicious melted mozzarella . The Homemade Meat Lasagna was savory paired with Garlic and Cheese Breadstick . Definitely recommend this Italian restaurant when we you visit Monterrey!! read more

Gianni's Pizza - Combin Giannis Special Pizza. - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

Its a great place right off lighthouse in Monterey. Great pizza ( a little pricey in my mind) BUT WORTH IT! I have been here before and just keep going back. The service is great and the people are kind. A very little italy style type restaurant which just makes you feel at home. Must try when in Monterey.! read more

Gianni's Pizza is an institution around here and I have a fond memory of being treated to their pizza after a school soccer game some several decades ago. Since then, I've eaten many pizzas across California. I avoid eating pizza these days because it's such a calorie dense food. So it takes something extra for me to want to eat at a pizza place. I can't say this place makes it on my rather short list. Still, it's a good joint. read more

I used to eat here quite frequently when living in Salinas..i loved the friendly vibes of the place. The pasta dishes were always delicious. And the pizza was always so good. Servers were always so friendly. I really loved this place. read more

The pizza was great! We ordered the 2 small pizzas one tasty chicken pizza- 1/2 BBQ chicken 1/2 Chicken Pesto and one signature pizza- 1/2 Gianna's Special 1/2 Cheese. They accidentally gave us 1/2 Pesto di Mare instead of the 1/2 Chicken Pesto. When we asked to confirm if it was what we ordered. They apologized and said they'd make us a mini pizza of Chicken Pesto. The ambiance is great! It's a family friendly pizzeria with an upbeat atmosphere. Shout out to Savannah for being so kind and helpful. When we arrived there was a customer that needed some assistance and she was very professional, discrete and went above and beyond. Overall, great experience & great food! read more

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Love, love, love this place! The food is great and the atmosphere is fun. It's a seat yourself/order at the register type of restaurant. It can get pretty full over the weekends but the service is quick. We usually order the lasagna (portion size is good for one person or two) with a pizza. Highly recommend. read more

Gianni's Pizza - Homemade Meat Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

Great pizza!! We called in an order for pick up. The Place was hopping but they have a to go counter for ordering and pick up that moves quickly. Old fashioned pizzeria with booths and tables. Lots of happy families were sitting around enjoying the delicious food! We picked up the pizza and a couple Italian sodas and went to watch the sunset. read more

Gianni's Pizza - Giannis Special Pizza - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

This pizza was fighting for its life. The cheese and toppings slid off the crust like they were trying to escape. The cheese had that weird rubbery texture and the crust was basically a loaf of bread. Somehow the toppings were hot but the base was cold, which felt like a magic trick nobody asked for. The wings were a whole different crime scene. Undercooked chicken should be illegal. The skin was wet and rubbery like it had been steamed instead of cooked. Calling these wings "bad" would be generous. For a place that was, so packed and full of people; you'd think it was good. But bad... all bad read more

Five Stars -- A True Monterey Classic! Gianni's Pizza is an absolute staple in the Monterey community and easily a five-star Italian restaurant establishment. The food is consistently excellent, with huge, classic Italian portions made with quality ingredients that never disappoint. The atmosphere is family-friendly, cozy, and authentically Italian, making it perfect for everything from casual dinners to special family nights out. Service is always first-class--warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming--and after countless visits, I can honestly say I've never had a bad meal here. And whatever you do, don't skip dessert. The huge assortment of fancy Italian gelato is the perfect way to finish an already fantastic meal. If you're in Monterey and craving real Italian comfort food with heart and consistency, Gianni's Pizza is a must. Highly recommended! read more

Gianni's Pizza - Gianni's Pizza On Lighthouse Monterey - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

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With my second visit to the area, of course I had to check out Giannis pizza again! We got a take out pizza to enjoy at home. While we waited for the pizza, we got some gelato... a GREAT excuse to have dessert before dinner! Thank you for everything Gianni's. I look forward to visiting again when I'm back! read more

The food was delicious and eating here makes me wish I was local so I could try even more things out. We ordered the calzone, pasta, breadsticks and garlic bread. The shop was so aesthetically charming, you could see them making the bread and we had a window seat with a view of the bay! It was a bit pricey and the service was a bit short but I can only assume it's due to their demand, all in all I can't wait to be back. read more

Gianni's Pizza - Classic Caesar Salad, Calzone, Garlic and Cheese Breadstick (ea.), Can Soft Drink - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

Amazing pizza and atmosphere. Conveniently located in Monterey. Also, a huge plus, they offer a GLUTEN FREE crust. That's what originally brought us here. But their pizza is so delicious. And the gelato is amazing. The atmosphere has made this a family favorite and we make sure we go every trip. read more

Nice big pizza place love the old fashioned ambiance brings me back when I lived on the east coast. Food was good. Not over the top but better than most. The service needs improvement. I get that there busy but the people that deliver the food should not look unhappy or like robots! The lady that took our order was light weight impatient. It was our first time there so we didn't know what the process was when we asked acted like rushed. When I asked for plates I was told to go get everything but noticed that other people would bring plates for others. For the price could have been better but it was good. read more

Probably one of the worst pizzas we've ever had. Only their name is Italian; we don't comprehend from which country is their taste-less pizza style. Either you have American-style pizzas from BJ's or you can have a proper Italian pizza. Gianni's pizza doesn't fall in either of the categories. Crust burnt, vegetables are tasteless and squishy (leaving water) because they don't know what they're doing , bread is not special, list goes on... I asked them to put Spinach. They burned and disintegrated the Spinach on the Pizza. We should have just had pasta from another restaurant instead of trying their pizza. Coke Zero was the best thing about our meal! read more

Gianni's Pizza - Squishy vegetables on tasteless bread - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California