Gio Rana's Really Really Nice

Love this place. Such good pasta and great value.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

One of if not the best Italian restaurant in the city. The food is amazing, service top notch and it's a very comfortable environment. Make the effort to go, you will not be disappointed

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Walked in on a Thursday evening with my wife and 10-month old (they don’t take resos for groups less than 5). Place was packed. About a 25 minute wait for a table. Service was solid - they checked our stroller and the staff felt warm and friendly. Ambience is great. Lot of fun decorations and good music. We ordered the calamari, risotto balls, gnocchi, and ossobuco. I was super excited for the food to come. It was a decent meal; just no WOW factor and the seasoning was lacking. For example, the ossobucco was meat in gravy with a couple of mushrooms — I would strongly consider serving that dish with something starchy (like mashed potatoes or polenta) for balance. I’d come back to give it another chance if in the area.

My favourite restaurant but the crepselle stays the same price over the years while portion gets less and less. It used to be 4 pieces, then 3 now 2 for $20!! Please add additional pieces as options!

Also the sea bream sas so fresh and will be back

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I had the Arancini balls, tried the Bronzino, the gnocchi and the mushroom pappardelle. Everything was good aside from the gnocchi. The tomato sauce tasted like ketchup. Like the sauce was cooked for too long, and they did remove them from our bill. For a family style restaurant, I would still recommended it. It’s really lively and, it’s nice for a date too. Though my preference is always fresh pasta, which would be my pick over Gio.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

The food here was DELICIOUS! Their pasta was creamy, their meat so tender, and the server was very polite. I would definitely come here again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tuscan Fries, Mezzi Rigatoni, Prosciutto, Involtini Pulled Pork

Just absolutely amazing food!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tuscan Fries, Mezzi Rigatoni, Involtini Pulled Pork

Great place to go for a small intimate dinner or a date with a bunch of friends. Place is clean. Staff are super friendly and very helpful. Food is all really good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Braised Veal Ossobuco, House-Made Potato Gnocchi, Fresh Italian Burrata, Brussels Sprouts Slaw

This place is a must. We come to Toronto once a summer and we don't miss this place. The meatball, the calamari was probably the best I've ever had in my life. The osabuko The seafood linguni, the Panna Cotta, you cannot go wrong with whatever you order..

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

UPDATE: unfortunately, second time dining here was a big disappointment. I would avoid sitting in the side room, first there is a step which is not suitable for seniors esp with extremely dim lighting (could barely see our food) they didnt put any highlighted tape on the floor step (yes they have signs up but its dark in the room)The music/speaker was excessively loud, odd music choice that was on repeat and repeat same songs, we could barely converse and was shouting. The waitress took 15 mins to tell me they didnt have beverages we ordered, then after another 15 mins I had to remind her the alternative drinks I ordered still hasnt arrived, waited total 30 mins for drinks and did not take off our bill. Meatball was the usual stand out, beet salad was good. Calamari had barely any pieces with a very thick oily batter. Waitress quoted us ribeye as $39.95 but bill rung up as $49.95. Additionally, we notified our waitress/ manager to address the fact that the steak tasted really burnt, with the outside seasoning giving off black bits like as if you cook a steak on a dirty reused pan or grill that was never cleaned with brush. Manager offered us a complimentary dessert but did not take the steak off the bill and tried to tell me that that is how the chef cooks their steak at their restaurant…..like ok, its not the first time Ive had a steak, tasting black burnt charr is not delicious ma’am and its not a personal preference to have properly cooked steak with a nice sear. It tasted like I was eating bits of charcoal. Near the end of this unsatisfactory night, randomly, another waitress decides to open a back door behind my dad that created a loud abrupt and unpleasant BANG sound, was so unecessaey and uncalled for. This night is still boggling my mind. We will not be returning.

Dec 2024:
Bellissima!!!! We enjoyed all the dishes and they all came out spot on!!!! Favourites were the mushroom pappardelle, burrata & figs, calamari frito, MEATBALL, and the layered gelato ball chocolate outside strawberry inside - was a nice combo!!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 2

Love the nose! Gio Rana’s is hands-down my favourite restaurant in Leslieville. The food is always incredible, and the staff are top notch — friendly, attentive, and full of personality. Every visit is a great experience from start to finish!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Really great quality food, reasonably priced, the servers were very welcoming and friendly and the dining area is comfortable. The osso bucco I had was so incredibly flavorful and fell right off the bone. We will definitely be back!

Great service. Had a couple drinks, can’t wait to dine and check out the food here

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Really good home style Italian food. Not fancy or pretentious, good atmosphere and the food was 10/10.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Loved it. Such good food, quick service, great staff!
I’ll be back again

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5