Bad start as the host took us to the table in an curt and brusk manner. No "welcome". No "enjoy your meal". I was disappointed that Open Table's menu was outdated by more that one year, since there were no flatbreads available. Dietary restrictions prevented me from ordering a number of dishes, and had to settles for a vegetarian ravioli, which, eventually, I did finish. My wife's cannelloni was served lukewarm, which may have been the cause of gastrointestinal distress later that night. Service was very good and my particular issue with the menu was met with genuine concern to provide an adequate substitute offering. Probably an aberration, but we did not have a good experience.
James
Came for dinner before an event at Sunset Center and it could not have been more perfect - charming , warm and romantic environment, great service and delicious food. We will be back again soon.
DougM
We loved the cannelloni and our overall experience. The service could not have been better ( thank you Kelly). The restaurant has charm and is my new favorite in Carmel. It is a bit pricey but you get food that justifies it.
BunnyD
Carmel's Bistro Giovanni is our favorite restaurant in Carmel and it is ALWAYS just great in every category. We have been going there since its opening a long time ago and it never changes, always a fantastic experience with excellent food and service.
Doodlebugluv
Quaint little Italian place with great seafood. We ordered the crab cakes and Burrata appetizers. The port wine tamarind sauce with the crab cakes was delightfully unexpected and the burrata was reminiscent of my time in Florence.
The lasagna was outstanding, my husband ordered osso bucco which was also very good. Good service and generous portions. It was my birthday and I was treated to a delicious chocolate dessert. The owner of the restaurant came over to inquire how everything was during our dinner. It was a wonderful birthday dinner.
Excellent Italian food, great and friendly service. The garlic bread is awesome, you must try it. Took 1 star off because crab cake was not good but everything else we had, Caesar salad, bolognese and veal Parmesan was excellent! Service fast, friendly and efficient.
Amazing gluten-free options! Had the shrimp scampi and salmon dishes with panna cotta and espresso crème brûlée for dessert and all were delicious! Customer service was excellent, as well.
guyc
60th birthday celebration while in Carmel, easy parking on the street, an excellent ambience and cozy setting. Waitress knows her wine and menu. Appetizer and salad arrived to table after the drinks. Entrée was hot and steaming. A piece of birthday cake and candle was a classic touch. A romantic dinning spot and will revisit in near future. We'll done!
Cute restaurant. The food was okay nothing too special. The halibut was over cooked twice. Artichokes were decent. Probably wouldn't return out of all of Carmel's restaurants.
Carmel Bistro Giovanni is one of the very best restaurants in Carmel and I'm a local so I should know! Food is superb and the service is excellent. The owner and his daughter are absolutely delightful. 
DonaldB
We had a wonderful evening. From the minute we walked in the hostess was very friendly. We got the corner table by the window, which is a couch table which was fabulous. It was not noisy. It was a wonderful and enjoyable evening. Everything is a 10. definitely recommend people going to this place beautiful food, beautiful ambience, and great service.
AmandaR
Food is always good, albeit a bit pricey for pasta. It can be a little loud with as small of a place as it is, and often our server has many tables and it can be frustrating at times, but overall a sweet, great place to eat.
KurtE
Excellent food and value. Great location and a cozy dining room. A menu with lots of excellent choices. Downsides: -The restaurant is pretty loud. -Bread does not come standard with entrees, in fact if you want bread you need to order garlic bread. Normally restaurants like this have delicious, freshly baked Italian bread. -Glasses of water need to be requested.
KarenD
My bestie girlfriend and I went with her dog, Bella, New Year's Eve, and it was beautiful outside with the heat lamps. The service was excellent.. lobster ravioli was so delicious and another salmon dish so good! The salads were exquisite. It was a beautiful evening can't say enough about it. We will come back again!
Bad start as the host took us to the table in an curt and brusk manner. No "welcome". No "enjoy your meal". I was disappointed that Open Table's menu was outdated by more that one year, since there were no flatbreads available. Dietary restrictions prevented me from ordering a number of dishes, and had to settles for a vegetarian ravioli, which, eventually, I did finish. My wife's cannelloni was served lukewarm, which may have been the cause of gastrointestinal distress later that night. Service was very good and my particular issue with the menu was met with genuine concern to provide an adequate substitute offering. Probably an aberration, but we did not have a good experience.
Came for dinner before an event at Sunset Center and it could not have been more perfect - charming , warm and romantic environment, great service and delicious food. We will be back again soon.
We loved the cannelloni and our overall experience. The service could not have been better ( thank you Kelly). The restaurant has charm and is my new favorite in Carmel. It is a bit pricey but you get food that justifies it.
Carmel's Bistro Giovanni is our favorite restaurant in Carmel and it is ALWAYS just great in every category. We have been going there since its opening a long time ago and it never changes, always a fantastic experience with excellent food and service.
Quaint little Italian place with great seafood. We ordered the crab cakes and Burrata appetizers. The port wine tamarind sauce with the crab cakes was delightfully unexpected and the burrata was reminiscent of my time in Florence.
The lasagna was outstanding, my husband ordered osso bucco which was also very good. Good service and generous portions. It was my birthday and I was treated to a delicious chocolate dessert. The owner of the restaurant came over to inquire how everything was during our dinner. It was a wonderful birthday dinner.
Excellent Italian food, great and friendly service. The garlic bread is awesome, you must try it. Took 1 star off because crab cake was not good but everything else we had, Caesar salad, bolognese and veal Parmesan was excellent! Service fast, friendly and efficient.
Amazing gluten-free options! Had the shrimp scampi and salmon dishes with panna cotta and espresso crème brûlée for dessert and all were delicious! Customer service was excellent, as well.
60th birthday celebration while in Carmel, easy parking on the street, an excellent ambience and cozy setting. Waitress knows her wine and menu. Appetizer and salad arrived to table after the drinks. Entrée was hot and steaming. A piece of birthday cake and candle was a classic touch. A romantic dinning spot and will revisit in near future. We'll done!
Cute restaurant. The food was okay nothing too special. The halibut was over cooked twice. Artichokes were decent. Probably wouldn't return out of all of Carmel's restaurants.
Restaurantji Recommends
Carmel Bistro Giovanni is one of the very best restaurants in Carmel and I'm a local so I should know! Food is superb and the service is excellent. The owner and his daughter are absolutely delightful. 
We had a wonderful evening. From the minute we walked in the hostess was very friendly. We got the corner table by the window, which is a couch table which was fabulous. It was not noisy. It was a wonderful and enjoyable evening. Everything is a 10. definitely recommend people going to this place beautiful food, beautiful ambience, and great service.
Food is always good, albeit a bit pricey for pasta. It can be a little loud with as small of a place as it is, and often our server has many tables and it can be frustrating at times, but overall a sweet, great place to eat.
Excellent food and value. Great location and a cozy dining room. A menu with lots of excellent choices. Downsides: -The restaurant is pretty loud. -Bread does not come standard with entrees, in fact if you want bread you need to order garlic bread. Normally restaurants like this have delicious, freshly baked Italian bread. -Glasses of water need to be requested.
My bestie girlfriend and I went with her dog, Bella, New Year's Eve, and it was beautiful outside with the heat lamps. The service was excellent.. lobster ravioli was so delicious and another salmon dish so good! The salads were exquisite. It was a beautiful evening can't say enough about it. We will come back again!