My husband and I celebrated our anniversary with a visit to Giovannetti's. Amazing service and amazing food. We had three very different sauces between our appetizer and pasta dishes and all of them were delicious. The food presentation was world class. We started with Calamari alla Luciana. It was a zesty tomato sauce and we could and did eat the sauce alone. Then my husband had the capellini Mediterraneo. It was a lighter tomato based sauce with shrimp and scallops. Mine was the Linguine alla Puttanesca with Italian sausage. It had olives, capers and cherry tomatoes. A heavier more briny sauce but oh so good. Our server treated us to a slice of the most delicious limoncello cake. So airy, lemony and light. I think this restaurant is the best Italian restaurant in North County. We will be back again. Also, my husband wants it known that their draft beer prices were better than most happy hour specials. He could not stop marveling at the $5.50 pints of beer on draft. He had two of Stone's Hazy IPAs. read more

10 out of 10 Food 10 Atmosphere 10 Service 1000 We will be back! The artichokes are awesome! read more

We had dinner here several months ago. They did not have a full bar at that time only beer and wine. The food was excellent and the service was very good except for one server who wanted to debate with us that the wine we thought was awful, "Corked" was ok to drink. Since they have opened a full bar, we have been back twice in the last month. The food has stayed outstanding and the service is attentive. They have nice seating inside and out. It is great that another quality restaurant has opened in Vista. We will be regulars. read more

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!!! read more

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Not a valid star rating since I haven't signed there yet. With so many favorable reviews can't wait to try Giovannetti's. Sometime ago, if in the vicinity, we dined &take out at Pizza and More. Two reasons, the food and Lola. Sad to say Pizza and More is not the same. I'm glad to have Giovannetti's as I am certain it will be enjoyable. read more

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. read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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This restaurant has made me love Italian food! I always thought of spaghetti or pizza as Italian food...not necessarily! I have had Pollo al Marsala at Giovannetti's twice - it was sooo good I had to go back & have it again. The staff are so friendly- personable & welcoming. They are enlarging, I think adding a bar but not sure exactly. It is a comfortable, cozy restaurant. I will be back-frequently! Wonderful!!! Oh wait! I forgot to tell you how good the limoncello cake we shared was - super! Highly recommended. read more

Giovannetti's - Pollo al Marsala, Wild Salmon lunch special, Braised Tongue lunch special - Italian Near Me - Vista, California

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! read more

Giovannetti's - Bolognese with fresh cheese on top - Italian Near Me - Vista, California

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This place is so cute and the service is over the top. The menu is very diverse and they do have weekly specials on the blackboard. Plenty of parking available. So we ordered a chicken Parmesan and a salmon meal and a side of garlic bread. Each was very good. I will be returning back here for sure read more

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Hidden gem! Excellent food and service, they always have great specials and a lot to choose from! Their lasagna is to die for, just perfectly balanced and not overly salty. We also tried the lamb rack which was amazing and the pizza! We visited this place 3 times already in the past 2 weeks and every time is just excellent! read more

I've been several times ordering different items and each and every time I am blown away at the quality of the food. It doesn't get any better! I crave to eat at this local treasure and always look forward to going back! This is certainly a true gem tucked away in an unassuming strip center. read more

Giovannetti's - Italian Near Me - Vista, California

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This place is an amazing find in Vista. It is unbelievable. I had the chicken with a little bit of cream sauce and a little lemon and Coach had spaghetti and meatballs. The garlic bread is to die for and we started with a salad that was just really tasty. We're so lucky to have them here and I'm excited to recommend this to you. Please stop by have some dinner and enjoy the ambience and the atmosphere. It's just very comforting enjoy and bon appétit. read more

Drove by here many times and decided to stop in a few weeks ago. Friendly service and delicious food. We ordered the vodka pasta and the chicken masala. My husband said the chicken dish was a bit salty but still good. Tiramisu was amazing for dessert. Will be coming back for sure! read more

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This place is fantastic! The owner, Lola, is a major reason for this restaurant's success. Her hospitality and attentiveness to customers is above and beyond. The food is amazing but on the pricier side. The menu options are plentiful. Please give it a try and support local. read more

I'm so pleased Giovannetti's decided to open In Vista! Number 1 on my list!!!! The food beyond amazing! Service so personable, and the ambience is perfect. I can't wait to return. Penne Vodka and Arugula Salad read more

After reading all the 5-star reviews, I had to see for myself. We went for lunch on a Friday afternoon and the place was busy, but not packed. The ambiance is simple, but nice. The main star of this restaurant is the food and it did not disappoint. We shared their Salad Mele which was beautiful to behold, but also had so much flavor and the ingredients were really fresh. We also ordered a side of their homemade garlic bread with their delicious dipping which was great. For the main course I had the Chicken Marsala with loads of mushrooms served with perfectly prepared vegetables and some simple, but surprisingly tasty, homemade pasta. It was a very generous serving. My husband had their baby back ribs which were so lean and tender the meat just fell off the bones. Unfortunately, we were too full to try their homemade desserts, but we're already planning a return visit. Plus, the service is excellent and for the quality and generous portions, their prices are very fair. They are a great addition to Vista! read more

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Nice small Italian restaurant in Vista with friendly servers and a large menu to choose from. They have indoor seating as well as several tables in the front patio. Portions are large and can easily be shared. Recommend calling ahead for a reservation if have a larger party and on the weekends. read more

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First time visit tonight with my sister since they opened eight months ago. Absolutely an amazing experience! The food, service, ambience! This restaurant is a must to explore. Finally Vista is adding some quality restaurants and making want to dine locally. My sis will post our dinner. Amazingly lasagna. read more

What a hidden gem we found. My first time at Giovannetti's and I was more than impressed with the food and atmosphere. I had the Chicken Marsala and it was absolutely amazing. They now have weekend lunch available and will soon be adding a bar and lounge area, making it a great spot to enjoy a delicious meal while watching sporting events. More lunch days are expected to come soon. You definitely need to check out the chef specials -- they all sound incredible. Highly recommend stopping by and giving this place a try! read more

Giovannetti's - Chicken Marsala w/ Baby Vegetables and Penne pasta. - Italian Near Me - Vista, California

This Restaurant is the best I think in Tri City area. The artichokes and pizza is the best. Never had a bad meal in their pizza place in Vista. This is a nice atmosphere and the best part they have black sambucca. If you are here and they have the special double bone porkchop it is a must get. Giovannetti'ss is now my go to restaurant for Italian food. read more

Giovannetti's - Double bone porkchop - Italian Near Me - Vista, California

Please come and visit this Restaurant not only the service is great but the food is definitely delicious read more

Giovannetti's - Italian Near Me - Vista, California

Great food, service and ambience! Good to have a new favorite in vista! Support this new business it is awesome!! read more

My mom is a huge fan of this place and I've gotten their specials every time I've come here and they have all been amazing. The woman who runs the restaurant is incredibly friendly and welcoming and does a great job interacting with customers. Can't recommend their specials enough. The desserts are delicious as well. read more

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I am from New York and was married to an Italian man for over 20 years whose mother was from Italy. I have not had a better Italian wife meal in California since I moved here. The eggplant lasagna which was a special was spectacular. The service was great as well read more

Oh my my, tonight's special Artic Char was out of this world! A stack of grilled salmon, herb & walnut crusted trout, and potato crab cake with lovely sauce and asparagus -- perfecto! The tiramisu is heavenly also. Always gracious service too. read more

Giovannetti's - Arctic Char = seafood perfection - Italian Near Me - Vista, California

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Loved our experience! This restaurant is a lovely place! We were warmly welcomed as we entered, and were shown the specials for the evening before we were taken to our table. The server assistant immediately brought us waters and then our server, Sean, came by to answer questions about the menu. My friend and I had each course. She had a mango billini and I enjoyed a delicious red wine per Sean's recommendation. We then enjoyed the garlic bread that was served with a side of their homemade marinara. Then onto the salad with the grapes, the Insalada de Melé. They split the salad for us, and we really loved the crisp field greens, apples and tart dressing. I ordered the Chicken Marsala and it was very yummy! The chicken was very tender and juicy while the mushroom sauce was rich and delicious. I really liked the side of house pasta-- penne with vodka sauce and large slices of Parmesan--and the steamed vegetables medley. My friend enjoyed the spaghetti and meatballs. I tried the meatballs and they were really tasty! Sean offered us some bread and it was gratis and helped me further enjoy my mushroom sauce. We only ate about half of our entrees so we could share a dessert. Sean boxed them up for us so we could finish them later. Sean told us that his favorites were the limoncello cake and the tiramisu. We ordered the limoncello, and it was so good! It was served cold with some freshly sliced strawberries. My friend and I are so happy we tried this delightful restaurant! We were treated well, had terrific service and the food was excellent. I can't wait to return and try a different entree, but order the limoncello cake again. Oh, they mentioned that they are already planning on expanding this restaurant to have a pizzeria and lounge. Can't wait! Thank you! read more

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The service is amazing and the food is exceptionally delicious. We really enjoyed our early Valentine's Dinner tonight. Thank you! May you be blessed! read more

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A gem of a place for amazing Italian food! We started with an incredible burrata bruschetta, then our main course was the salmon with lobster champagne sauce on a bed of spinach and polenta. The topper was the mango cake with strawberries. We are SO COMING BACK for more. read more

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The food is always spot on, the service is always exceptional. I would definitely recommend this place if you love Italian cuisine. I find it better than Ciao and I love Ciao. read more

I am updating a prior review, improving by 1 star to full 5 star! They recently helped me with a to-go order for a small party we were holding and Mannie was particularly helpful. They went above and beyond on a couple of things, which is exactly the type of thing a 5-star establishment would do. The meals were amazing and they threw in some extras. Their chicken dishes are always phenom, so consider that as well. For anyone that may ask, 'why they only got 4 stars previously', it's only because the restaurant decor could use a bit of an upgrade. They're not the cheapest Italian around and it would be nice if the ambiance matched the quality of the food, but in the end, the food is paramount. They have that down pat. Go try it! read more

We have been back to this restaurant now several times and each time the meals and service have been excellent. What a gem! We appreciated the staff being gracious to let us have a long meal! Super cute inside and there is a patio which we will try next time. Excited to learn there will be a bar / lounge area opening as an extension of the restaurant. Such good energy from the hostess who really cared about patrons' experience! Our waitress was attentive and also unobtrusive-- hard to achieve but important combination! read more

10/10 service, food, and ambiance. Probably the best pasta I've had in San Diego. It ranks high. The pasta is so soft and flavorful. Definitely try it, especially if you frequent buena forchetta. I think this place is better read more

Giovannetti's - Squid ink pasta - Italian Near Me - Vista, California

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They moved to a great spot! Plenty of seating including outdoors. They still have the same amazing service and food. Molto Bene! read more

I called in a takeout order for Lasagna. They were quick to have it ready and extremely nice when I arrived. One of the best lasagna dinners I've ever. Great portion size. Better than the lasagna I had in Italy and across Europe. I highly recommend it. read more

After a long hike up Suicide Rock in Idlewild, we came back home, got showered, and went out for dinner at Giovanetti's. It was our first time there. We had the garlic bread, which was very delicious. It came with some marinara sauce, but I preferred it on its own. Then we had the mussels and clam appetizer. This came in an incredibly tasty broth and a couple of more pieces of the garlic bread. We couldn't stop eating the broth. For the main course, I ordered the Veal Marsala. The first couple bites were a bit chewy but after that, it was tender. It was the best Marsala sauce I've ever had. It was not too sweet, very bright, and every bite was delicious. My husband tried some, and he loved it as well. He ordered the chicken Parmesan, which was hot and fresh, but he wasn't too impressed with the flavor or the chicken. We didn't have room for dessert so I can't talk about that. I had a glass of wine and he had a whiskey sour. I think our whole bill was only about $120. Which was pretty amazing. Can't wait to go back and try some more things. It will be hard to order anything other than what I tried already as it was so good. But I'll make an effort. I definitely recommend this place. read more

Giovannetti's - Veal Marsala - Italian Near Me - Vista, California

Amazing food, deserts ( I've tried 4) and a wonderful ambience. Located in a North Santa Fe area in Vista, I found this restaurant. So glad I did read more

Giovannetti's - Italian Near Me - Vista, California

I'm Italian and am always skeptical of Italian restaurants. No more. I love Giovannetti. My go to is Chicken Picata and it was delicious. Same with their red sauce. Highly recommend Giovanneti's. read more

What a wonderful discovery this unassuming restaurant near downtown Vista was! As soon as you pass through their doorway, you realize you are in a special place. I have eaten delicious food in many different states, and countries, including Italy, but this cuisine is some of the best I've ever had! Our server, Kayla, was a delight, and very knowledgeable. The food was not only the best, but it was beautifully prepared as well. The prices are very affordable for the quality of everything they offer! I can't wait to take my friends and family there soon! read more