Visited Giannfranco’s for dinner before heading to Channel Island for the weekend as a treat and couldn’t have had a better experience. All the food was delicious and service was prompt. The chicken parm is a must have and the sacchetti while smaller in portion makes up the difference in flavor.
Let's start with this question: would I go out of my way to come back to eat here? The answer is a resounding YES; and that makes it 5 stars for me. Really good authentic Italian food (not run of the mill). You could walk right by this place and not know it is there. Reasonable prices. Superb patio (reservations for dinner on the patio HIGHLY recommended). Friendly and helpful staff. Try the Ciao Bella; it is my favorite here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paige Orgel
We love this place! Authentic Tuscan food - some of the best sauce that I have ever had! Be ready for a calm, relaxing meal that you can savor. The owners and wait staff are absolutely wonderful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
B. Ananratt
This place deserves a 5-star rating on all aspects. We had lunch there on a Saturday. The food was fantastic. My daughter had Chicken Picata and the chicken piece was of perfect tenderness and taste. I had another Pasta dish called 'Franco' with Italian sausage added and it tasted superb. I assume that it was the owner himself who served our table. He was very attentive and kind.
They offer both indoor and patio seating in the back (with table umbrellas.) We chose the latter and felt very relaxed and comfy.
Will come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lillian
Hubs and I dropped into Giannfranco's Trattoria about a hour before closing time on a weeknight. The front dining area was empty except for a table of four. The owner advised us that we can sit in the front dining area but kitchen and wait service might be slow due to the back patio being full of customers. I appreciated that she told us and we decided to stay. She had a lighthearted sense of humor as well. Luv her wit and authenticity.
We told the waiter it was our first time here. Hubs ordered a drink and the meatball appetizer (meatballs with crostini) but asked to be brought out for dinner with my spaghetti and palette (meatballs). The waiter asked if we wanted bread. We said yes. He didn't suggest this as an added appetizer. He just asked if we wanted bread knowing it was our first time here. But we found out later when the bill came that it cost $15, priced more than the meatball appetizer. So for first timers, if you are asked if you would like some bread, it's $15.
The meatball appetizer crostini looked similar to the bread in the other appetizer, and I believe the same marinara. My dish was tasty. The marina had a subtle flavor along with the meatballs and spaghetti. Housemade authentic flavors. The menu centers on authentic Tuscan Italian cuisine. Simple fresh ingredients.
I'm totally apt to come back and try other menu items. They are located on Linden Avenue in downtown Carpinteria, a few blocks from the beach. The parking is free street parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Ken Larson
Lovely family owned Italian place with excellent patio dining.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Bradley
Showed up at 7:45 on a Thursday with the restaurant dining room half empty, bar completely empty, and the owner says, “sorry, can’t take any more people tonight, we’re swamped”
Places like this should never complain again when it’s slow!!
Service: 1
Paul Falcone
Delicious menu, outstanding family service, and just a half block from the beach. A staple of Carpinteria that I couldn't recommend more highly for a great dining experience or special occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmigian
Annmarie Parker
Went here for my birthday. Ordered a medium ribeye and it was very rare. I ate a few bites and just went home very sad. And with 80 less dollars. Felt sick didn't even eat dessert
Incredible family owned and operated restaurant where everything is made in house to order. Everyone we had was made with fresh ingredients and the attention to detail was amazing. The standout of the evening was the Bolognese and the Sacchetti. Both were well executed and perfectly seasoned, to the point where we cleaned our plates to get every last bit of the scratch made sauces. The desserts and coffee were the perfect end to an already perfect evening. One of the best restaurant coffees we've found and the tiramisu was light and elegant. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu
Sharon Orfalea
For quite a few years now this is hands down our favorite Italian restaurant. The food is authentic and so tasty. We're in love with the marinara sauce (a family secret). My husband I drive from Thousand Oaks at least once a month to meet here with some family from Santa Barbara. The owners at Giannfranco are like family to us. You'll never find better service and tastier cuisine than at this trattoria....It's our happy place to go to!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gianfranco's Chopped Salad, Angel Hair with Sausage, Penne Ala Norma, Butternut Squash Raviolis, Meatball Panini, Spaghetti with Shrimp, Giannfranco's Trattoria Dessert Platter
Larry Berndt
Our favorite in Carpinteria. Great food, very friendly, knowledgeable staff, clean comfortable atmosphere. We keep going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrey Tyapin
Very nice people and delicious coffee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samuel Simard
Typical italian food. The food was incredible and the ambiance was awesome. We highly recommend this restaurant!
Always a favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Visited Giannfranco’s for dinner before heading to Channel Island for the weekend as a treat and couldn’t have had a better experience. All the food was delicious and service was prompt. The chicken parm is a must have and the sacchetti while smaller in portion makes up the difference in flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmigian, Meatball Appetizer
Let's start with this question: would I go out of my way to come back to eat here? The answer is a resounding YES; and that makes it 5 stars for me. Really good authentic Italian food (not run of the mill). You could walk right by this place and not know it is there. Reasonable prices. Superb patio (reservations for dinner on the patio HIGHLY recommended). Friendly and helpful staff. Try the Ciao Bella; it is my favorite here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We love this place! Authentic Tuscan food - some of the best sauce that I have ever had! Be ready for a calm, relaxing meal that you can savor. The owners and wait staff are absolutely wonderful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place deserves a 5-star rating on all aspects. We had lunch there on a Saturday. The food was fantastic. My daughter had Chicken Picata and the chicken piece was of perfect tenderness and taste. I had another Pasta dish called 'Franco' with Italian sausage added and it tasted superb. I assume that it was the owner himself who served our table. He was very attentive and kind.
They offer both indoor and patio seating in the back (with table umbrellas.) We chose the latter and felt very relaxed and comfy.
Will come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hubs and I dropped into Giannfranco's Trattoria about a hour before closing time on a weeknight. The front dining area was empty except for a table of four. The owner advised us that we can sit in the front dining area but kitchen and wait service might be slow due to the back patio being full of customers. I appreciated that she told us and we decided to stay. She had a lighthearted sense of humor as well. Luv her wit and authenticity.
We told the waiter it was our first time here. Hubs ordered a drink and the meatball appetizer (meatballs with crostini) but asked to be brought out for dinner with my spaghetti and palette (meatballs). The waiter asked if we wanted bread. We said yes. He didn't suggest this as an added appetizer. He just asked if we wanted bread knowing it was our first time here. But we found out later when the bill came that it cost $15, priced more than the meatball appetizer. So for first timers, if you are asked if you would like some bread, it's $15.
The meatball appetizer crostini looked similar to the bread in the other appetizer, and I believe the same marinara. My dish was tasty. The marina had a subtle flavor along with the meatballs and spaghetti. Housemade authentic flavors. The menu centers on authentic Tuscan Italian cuisine. Simple fresh ingredients.
I'm totally apt to come back and try other menu items. They are located on Linden Avenue in downtown Carpinteria, a few blocks from the beach. The parking is free street parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Lovely family owned Italian place with excellent patio dining.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Showed up at 7:45 on a Thursday with the restaurant dining room half empty, bar completely empty, and the owner says, “sorry, can’t take any more people tonight, we’re swamped”
Places like this should never complain again when it’s slow!!
Service: 1
Delicious menu, outstanding family service, and just a half block from the beach. A staple of Carpinteria that I couldn't recommend more highly for a great dining experience or special occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmigian
Went here for my birthday. Ordered a medium ribeye and it was very rare. I ate a few bites and just went home very sad. And with 80 less dollars. Felt sick didn't even eat dessert
Atmosphere: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Incredible family owned and operated restaurant where everything is made in house to order. Everyone we had was made with fresh ingredients and the attention to detail was amazing. The standout of the evening was the Bolognese and the Sacchetti. Both were well executed and perfectly seasoned, to the point where we cleaned our plates to get every last bit of the scratch made sauces. The desserts and coffee were the perfect end to an already perfect evening. One of the best restaurant coffees we've found and the tiramisu was light and elegant. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu
For quite a few years now this is hands down our favorite Italian restaurant. The food is authentic and so tasty. We're in love with the marinara sauce (a family secret). My husband I drive from Thousand Oaks at least once a month to meet here with some family from Santa Barbara. The owners at Giannfranco are like family to us. You'll never find better service and tastier cuisine than at this trattoria....It's our happy place to go to!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gianfranco's Chopped Salad, Angel Hair with Sausage, Penne Ala Norma, Butternut Squash Raviolis, Meatball Panini, Spaghetti with Shrimp, Giannfranco's Trattoria Dessert Platter
Our favorite in Carpinteria. Great food, very friendly, knowledgeable staff, clean comfortable atmosphere. We keep going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very nice people and delicious coffee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Typical italian food. The food was incredible and the ambiance was awesome. We highly recommend this restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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