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
Atmosphere: 3
Kraig Hamady
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!
My friends and I dined at this lovely little restaurant and could not have been more impressed! The service was friendly and felt like family. They were so kind and made our time there very pleasurable. The food was unbelievably delicious! We shared a salad that was fabulous and enjoyed the pasta with olive oil and tomatoes. Simple yet so delicious! We ate every last bite. The atmosphere feels cozy and Italian at its best. I cannot say enough about the quality and the experience of our visit! When in Carpinteria wether you crave Italian or not, you should not miss this spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad, Tiramisu
Jonathan Luna
Do not go to this place without a reservation! If you do not have one the hostess/owner will make you feel like trash. I understand if you are busy but good lord you don’t gotta make us feel unwanted. (We got there at 520 and it was just us and another family) They were out of a few ingredients as well and we ordered a special!
As for the seats well if you don’t have a reservation they place you in the back of the bus where the seats and decor are from 1999. Oh and one of the neighbors in the back area there smokes weed so you get every now and again that stench like you’re at a dead and company concert. All in all great memory as I will always know to never go there ever again!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Kelp Salad
Ordered the penne pasta with seafood and lemon sauce. We also tried the Insalata di Amalfi and the Carpinteria Caprese. Food wise, I highly recommend this place! Some of the best Italian food in the area. There is outdoor seating in the back with a tranquil atmosphere. Even when the restaurant isn’t busy the wait times are pretty long. The serving sizes are a bit small. However everything is made from scratch. The staff are really friendly. Overall had a great experience.
Marina V
Absolutely wonderful. Love this place. So so good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Susan Giovannoni Jay
Two weeks ago we were vacationing in Carpinteria. We wanted to have Italian food for dinner. We have been to many restaurants in Italy and none of them compared to Giannfranco's Trattoria. From the appetizers to the dessert everything was absolutely delicious! The bruschetta was MOLTO BUONA! Giovanni, Ann, and Franco are delightful hosts also! They are very nice and friendly. It was like going to their house for dinner! They even let us custom order as we wanted a few extra items! If I could give this more than five stars I would!!
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
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
Restaurantji Recommends
My friends and I dined at this lovely little restaurant and could not have been more impressed! The service was friendly and felt like family. They were so kind and made our time there very pleasurable. The food was unbelievably delicious! We shared a salad that was fabulous and enjoyed the pasta with olive oil and tomatoes. Simple yet so delicious! We ate every last bite. The atmosphere feels cozy and Italian at its best. I cannot say enough about the quality and the experience of our visit! When in Carpinteria wether you crave Italian or not, you should not miss this spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad, Tiramisu
Do not go to this place without a reservation! If you do not have one the hostess/owner will make you feel like trash. I understand if you are busy but good lord you don’t gotta make us feel unwanted. (We got there at 520 and it was just us and another family) They were out of a few ingredients as well and we ordered a special!
As for the seats well if you don’t have a reservation they place you in the back of the bus where the seats and decor are from 1999. Oh and one of the neighbors in the back area there smokes weed so you get every now and again that stench like you’re at a dead and company concert. All in all great memory as I will always know to never go there ever again!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Ordered the penne pasta with seafood and lemon sauce. We also tried the Insalata di Amalfi and the Carpinteria Caprese. Food wise, I highly recommend this place! Some of the best Italian food in the area. There is outdoor seating in the back with a tranquil atmosphere. Even when the restaurant isn’t busy the wait times are pretty long. The serving sizes are a bit small. However everything is made from scratch. The staff are really friendly. Overall had a great experience.
Absolutely wonderful. Love this place. So so good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Two weeks ago we were vacationing in Carpinteria. We wanted to have Italian food for dinner. We have been to many restaurants in Italy and none of them compared to Giannfranco's Trattoria. From the appetizers to the dessert everything was absolutely delicious! The bruschetta was MOLTO BUONA! Giovanni, Ann, and Franco are delightful hosts also! They are very nice and friendly. It was like going to their house for dinner! They even let us custom order as we wanted a few extra items! If I could give this more than five stars I would!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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