Girasole is a hidden gem in Pittsburgh. Every time my wife and I are in town for a night out it’s hands down our favorite place. If you’re into Olive Garden and cookie cutter Italian food this isn’t for you. If want authentic food in an intimate atmosphere with friendly, attentive staff go out of your way to try this place. The Pollo (chicken breast with mushrooms, prosciutto and gravy over polenta) is incredible. This is a small, family owned restaurant that never disappoints.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Montross
The reviews here are generally accurate, small, quaint, hand layed stone walls, great for date night. We split the greens and beans with sausage app, which was a large flavorful dish and a reorder in the future. We split the pumpkin ravioli with sage butter, panchette and tons of walnuts, which was 7 ravioli. My wife wasn't a fan but I loved it. Excellent service, overall limited focused menu so I recommend reviewing the menu in advance. We do recommend and will return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike Laloggia
Food is amazing. Not from Pittsburgh but we make it a point to dine here whenever we are in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Clark Candee
Appetizer and dessert was very good. The pumpkin ravioli in the brown sauce was inedible. All I tasted was burnt pancetta grease. Communicated with the server but nothing was done about it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Noreen Marusic
I have never waited 3 hours for a meal but we did and just took it as part of the experience. Worth the wait? Not last Saturday. I will give it another shot on a non Pitt home game followed by home Steeler game. Our server was a delight and she kept her smile through all the craziness, that helped the experience for sure. My food was good but was looking for unforgettable. As said before I will try again for sure . The owner was a gem to salute chin chin with and it was a pleasure to make him laugh . I’ll be back and hope it’s a five star night
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Globetrotter
A self-identified “Italian” eatery makes a Foodie have high expectations…. and then finds the food is eatable BUT MEDIOCRE AND OVERPRICED.
Authenticity is also somewhat dubious with food listing of pasta with chicken (an anathema for any true Italian chef🫤🫤🫤)….
The menu is very short, a listing of familiar comfort foods and NOTHING REALLY SPECIAL. Not a creative or daring menu at all !!!???!!!
— the odd thing is the section of fish/chicken/meat: it is a general statement that these are served. A PROUD ITALIAN WOULD GIVE A LITTLE MORE THAN DESCRIPTION🫤🫤🫤….
One gets the impression the cook may not be conversant with diversity and special features of Italian cuisine.
👎👎👎 The Antipasti is haphazard collection of CHILLY COLD foods.
- 😖😖the Prosciutto is nothing more than cold strips of very pale American ham… CERTAINLY DOES NOT HAVE THE FLAVOR AND TEXTURE OF AGED prosciutto crudo or cotto.
- 😖😖the worst are the cheeses: absolutely NOT ITALIAN BUT HIGHLY PROCESSED nondescript and flavorless curd.
😑😑😑 the Escarole & Beans are good tasting at first spoon… BUT THEN FOLLOWED BY A TART TASTE THAT LINGERS.
- the optional extra Meatballs and Sausage are actually good 😊… BUT THE TART SAUCE STICKS IN THE PALATE that one cannot savor neither meats.
🤗🤗🤗 the saving grace, or redemption of the evening, is the short wine listing… A VERY INTELLIGENT SELECTED LIST OF VINO ITALIANO…
- the Chianti Classico DOCG is just about the only thing enjoyable for the evening😎. Floral bouquet and berries, very smooth tannin…. GREAT CLEANSER OF THE PALATE from the tart sauce and the dismal antipasti.
👎👎👎👎👎 Coffee is a travesty… Double Espresso served in a large mug… it also tastes a tad burnt…. PLEASE NOTE: Espresso was invented in Italy!!!!!!
FOOD IS OVERRATED AND OVERPRICED.
The place is small sub-basement room that is somewhat cozy… BUT THE TABLES ARE CRAMPED, AND BECOMES VERY LOUD WHEN IT GETS FILLED UP, that dinner is not relaxing anymore as one has to shout for conversation.
NO NO NOT RECOMMENDED.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
ben brockman
Packed on a weeknight for a reason. Food and atmosphere are great!
Wow. This place was delicious. This is my first time visiting Pittsburgh, and the first restaurant I ate at. What a great culinary introduction to the city.
I ordered the spinach ravioli and it was so yummy. The service was very welcoming, and there was live music performances. Would recommend this place for both locals and travelers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sheena Sundin
Love this place! Cute little Italian place, perfect for a date night or special occasion. Their drinks, wedding soup, and in the fall the seasonal pumpkin ravioli with sage cream sauce is AMAZING! The staff were nice and seem to enjoy working there, and Mr. G the owner is super nice and stays involved often seating guest, answering phones and thanking people when they leave. Highly recommen, but it's fairly small and they don't take reservations, so for lunch during the week or dinner on the weekend get there early if possible (by 4:30 or 5 pm and you shouldn't have to wait). There is a little more seating outside on the patio during the summer too. Tiramisu for dessert was also delicious!
We had a great time at Girasole in Shadyside. The live guitar singer added such a fun touch to the evening — definitely a highlight during parts of our meal. The house salad was fresh and delicious, and the pasta dishes were enjoyable overall. We thought the meatballs could have been a bit larger and had more of a homemade taste, but the tomato cream sauce was rich and flavorful. Our waiter was incredibly attentive and friendly, and the hostess was an absolute delight — she even sang a couple of songs, which made the night even more memorable! The only downside was the wait: it took about 40 minutes to get a table for our group of five, and the food took quite a while to arrive after ordering. We hope they can expand into the space next door, which would definitely help with the seating situation. That said, we’ll definitely be back for the fun vibe and warm atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Olga Fortunato
Food menu was limited, and website should be updated, in addition to the menus non readable. Ordered the spinach ravioli, was good but very overpriced! The servings were small, but good sauce!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Mikel Qipro
THE BEST RESTORANT IN PITTSBURG
Laura Ford
Love this place! Not a better restaurant in Pittsburgh!
Girasole is a hidden gem in Pittsburgh. Every time my wife and I are in town for a night out it’s hands down our favorite place. If you’re into Olive Garden and cookie cutter Italian food this isn’t for you. If want authentic food in an intimate atmosphere with friendly, attentive staff go out of your way to try this place. The Pollo (chicken breast with mushrooms, prosciutto and gravy over polenta) is incredible. This is a small, family owned restaurant that never disappoints.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The reviews here are generally accurate, small, quaint, hand layed stone walls, great for date night. We split the greens and beans with sausage app, which was a large flavorful dish and a reorder in the future. We split the pumpkin ravioli with sage butter, panchette and tons of walnuts, which was 7 ravioli. My wife wasn't a fan but I loved it. Excellent service, overall limited focused menu so I recommend reviewing the menu in advance. We do recommend and will return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is amazing. Not from Pittsburgh but we make it a point to dine here whenever we are in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Appetizer and dessert was very good. The pumpkin ravioli in the brown sauce was inedible. All I tasted was burnt pancetta grease. Communicated with the server but nothing was done about it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
I have never waited 3 hours for a meal but we did and just took it as part of the experience. Worth the wait? Not last Saturday. I will give it another shot on a non Pitt home game followed by home Steeler game. Our server was a delight and she kept her smile through all the craziness, that helped the experience for sure. My food was good but was looking for unforgettable. As said before I will try again for sure . The owner was a gem to salute chin chin with and it was a pleasure to make him laugh . I’ll be back and hope it’s a five star night
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
A self-identified “Italian” eatery makes a Foodie have high expectations…. and then finds the food is eatable BUT MEDIOCRE AND OVERPRICED.
Authenticity is also somewhat dubious with food listing of pasta with chicken (an anathema for any true Italian chef🫤🫤🫤)….
The menu is very short, a listing of familiar comfort foods and NOTHING REALLY SPECIAL. Not a creative or daring menu at all !!!???!!!
— the odd thing is the section of fish/chicken/meat: it is a general statement that these are served. A PROUD ITALIAN WOULD GIVE A LITTLE MORE THAN DESCRIPTION🫤🫤🫤….
One gets the impression the cook may not be conversant with diversity and special features of Italian cuisine.
👎👎👎 The Antipasti is haphazard collection of CHILLY COLD foods.
- 😖😖the Prosciutto is nothing more than cold strips of very pale American ham… CERTAINLY DOES NOT HAVE THE FLAVOR AND TEXTURE OF AGED prosciutto crudo or cotto.
- 😖😖the worst are the cheeses: absolutely NOT ITALIAN BUT HIGHLY PROCESSED nondescript and flavorless curd.
😑😑😑 the Escarole & Beans are good tasting at first spoon… BUT THEN FOLLOWED BY A TART TASTE THAT LINGERS.
- the optional extra Meatballs and Sausage are actually good 😊… BUT THE TART SAUCE STICKS IN THE PALATE that one cannot savor neither meats.
🤗🤗🤗 the saving grace, or redemption of the evening, is the short wine listing… A VERY INTELLIGENT SELECTED LIST OF VINO ITALIANO…
- the Chianti Classico DOCG is just about the only thing enjoyable for the evening😎. Floral bouquet and berries, very smooth tannin…. GREAT CLEANSER OF THE PALATE from the tart sauce and the dismal antipasti.
👎👎👎👎👎 Coffee is a travesty… Double Espresso served in a large mug… it also tastes a tad burnt…. PLEASE NOTE: Espresso was invented in Italy!!!!!!
FOOD IS OVERRATED AND OVERPRICED.
The place is small sub-basement room that is somewhat cozy… BUT THE TABLES ARE CRAMPED, AND BECOMES VERY LOUD WHEN IT GETS FILLED UP, that dinner is not relaxing anymore as one has to shout for conversation.
NO NO NOT RECOMMENDED.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Packed on a weeknight for a reason. Food and atmosphere are great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Linguine Rustic, Escarole \u0026 Beans
Wow. This place was delicious. This is my first time visiting Pittsburgh, and the first restaurant I ate at. What a great culinary introduction to the city.
I ordered the spinach ravioli and it was so yummy. The service was very welcoming, and there was live music performances. Would recommend this place for both locals and travelers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love this place! Cute little Italian place, perfect for a date night or special occasion. Their drinks, wedding soup, and in the fall the seasonal pumpkin ravioli with sage cream sauce is AMAZING! The staff were nice and seem to enjoy working there, and Mr. G the owner is super nice and stays involved often seating guest, answering phones and thanking people when they leave. Highly recommen, but it's fairly small and they don't take reservations, so for lunch during the week or dinner on the weekend get there early if possible (by 4:30 or 5 pm and you shouldn't have to wait). There is a little more seating outside on the patio during the summer too. Tiramisu for dessert was also delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and great workers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Very warm, familiar place, great food and wine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a great time at Girasole in Shadyside. The live guitar singer added such a fun touch to the evening — definitely a highlight during parts of our meal. The house salad was fresh and delicious, and the pasta dishes were enjoyable overall. We thought the meatballs could have been a bit larger and had more of a homemade taste, but the tomato cream sauce was rich and flavorful.
Our waiter was incredibly attentive and friendly, and the hostess was an absolute delight — she even sang a couple of songs, which made the night even more memorable!
The only downside was the wait: it took about 40 minutes to get a table for our group of five, and the food took quite a while to arrive after ordering. We hope they can expand into the space next door, which would definitely help with the seating situation.
That said, we’ll definitely be back for the fun vibe and warm atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Food menu was limited, and website should be updated, in addition to the menus non readable. Ordered the spinach ravioli, was good but very overpriced! The servings were small, but good sauce!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
THE BEST RESTORANT IN PITTSBURG
Love this place! Not a better restaurant in Pittsburgh!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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