Gianfabio's Italian Cafe

A great, family-owned and operated Italian local gem of a restaurant. Great service, and the authentic Sicilian food was perfetto! I'm told the best times to reserve a table are during the week days are on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Moving reviews over from Yelp. We've been back since this was published 10/1/17:

I was pretty impressed with the food but found the service a little lacking. The owner's brother was the highpoint though. The hourly employees were a tad too disinterested for my taste. The hostess was flat-out insulting but they are usually temporary so I am not deducting a star for her behavior.

The food was great!

I started with an Old Fashioned. It was a little on the small side but potent...exactly what I hoped for when I placed the order.

Next up was the bread service. I forgot to ask but really want to know what brand of olive oil they are buying so I can find it in the stores. The bread was fresh out of the oven and delicious! Crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect.

I had a house salad and it was also very good and quite fresh. They seem to make this by the ton based on how many of them I saw served during our meal. Don't miss it.

For an entree I selected the gnocchi. This is a type of pasta that is great when it's made well and can be like a rock in your stomach when it is made poorly. These guys made it right so that it appeared a bit light, quite a feat for what has to be the most dense of all of the pastas out there. I really enjoyed the sauce too. Basil pesto with tomato worked really well and the addition of whole pine nuts brought a smile to my face.

Dessert was the chocolate cassata cake that they make in-house. I don't know that I could do it justice with a description so I'll just label it as the thing I will crave enough to get back here soon...

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Excellent food in a quiet atmosphere

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

I've never been to Italy, but I imagine it's a lot like eating here. The staff genuinely treat you like friends and family and they know literally everything about the food. They took the time to make polite small-talk while taking my order and bringing out the food (which was delicious!) Absolutely can't recommend this place enough, especially if you like a family atmosphere and care about service as great as the food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Service was good.
Mussels appetizer - many shells still closed, others had smashed shells.
Angel hair pasta w/ garlic n oil - Soaking in a 1/4 inch of cold goop.
Veal Piccata - completely bland and tough.
Seats are not comfortable.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 4

Great food and service. I highly recommend this establishment.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

First time eating here today.
My vehicle had broke down in the parking lot so while waiting on the tow truck driver, I figured I would try the food here. It was absolutely delicious. This staff is super friendly and they were accommodating to me while I was waiting for the tow truck to arrive.
Very thankful for businesses like this.

Walked in Saturday evening just after 6pm. Stood at the maitre d stand waiting. And waiting. Waiter passed by without a word. Bar man was interested in his conversation with the bar crowd and oblivious to anything else. And waited.
So I left. I can’t recommend this place

Service: 1

I moved to St Louis over 30 years ago and started going to Gianfabio’s. The fact that I still go there as often as I can should tell you how much I recommend them. The food is great and you cannot beat the service. Dad and John work their magic in the kitchen while Matteo and his service staff make sure you receive the best possible service. If you want great food with outstanding service, go to Gianfabio’s and ask to sit in Michelle’s section.

Don’t ever order carry out from this place. The tall blond waitress who always looks unhappy will hang up on you then get confrontational when you pick up your order (she probably feels entitled to a tip). If that’s the case, your employer should pay you more. And let’s be honest, the food is basically Pasta House level at premium prices.

Amazing restaurant to dine in with family, friends or business. Food is incredible, paired with a patient and helpful wait staff. With a wide menu selection, this is a go-to place for a date night out or gathering. Make the effort to come here. I'll definitely be coming back again and again.

We came in on short notice for my daughter’s 16th birthday and they were kind enough to squeeze us in on a busy Saturday night. The food and service were spectacular! (Highly recommend the seafood ravioli!) The icing on the cake (so to speak) was that the Manager came out to the car as we were leaving and gave my daughter a piece of cheesecake to go for dessert! Perfect neighborhood Italian restaurant and we can’t wait to go back!

I shouldn't have waited so long to write this review because my husband and I have visited Gianfabio's probably 10 times in the last year. We like it that much. Todd has always been great! He's attentive without hovering and we really appreciate it. I have been a repeat customer of the Cajun Farfalle With Shrimp ever since I first ordered it. It's a huge portion made for a doggie bag, and it is boldly spicy without being overwhelming. The sauce is lick-your-plate style. I could put it on almost anything. :)
I'm a Caesar salad aficionado but I don't really care for theirs. Their house salad, though, is outstanding. It's like an Iceberg house salad from the Hill (Little Italy)--the creamy Italian dressing is A+. Sometimes I overeat on their bread service, but who can resist Italian/French bread out of the oven with butter??

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cajun Farfalle with Shrimp

I shouldn't have waited so long to write this review because my husband and I have visited Gianfabio's probably 10 times in the last year. We like it that much. Todd has always been great! He's attentive without hovering and we really appreciate it. I have been a repeat customer of the Cajun Farfalle With Shrimp ever since I first ordered it. It's a huge portion made for a doggie bag, and it is boldly spicy without being overwhelming. The sauce is lick-your-plate style. I could put it on almost anything. :) I'm a Caesar salad aficionado but I don't really care for theirs. Their house salad, though, is outstanding. It's like an Iceberg house salad from the Hill (Little Italy)--the creamy Italian dressing is A+. Sometimes I overeat on their bread service, but who can resist Italian/French bread out of the oven with butter??

Lovely dinner and quite busy; we had a time limit on our table, but it worked out okay. The food was great and the staff was friendly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Caesar Salad, Chicken Marsala