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Sinatra once ate at this mom-&-son-run trattoria famous for rustic Italian fare & handmade pastas.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 330 Oakwood, Detroit, MI 48217
Phone: (313) 841-0122
Website: http://www.giovannisristorante.com/
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Giovanni’s Ristorante – Exceptional Italian Cuisine, Old World Charm
THE BEST ITALIAN TABLE IN DETROIT. Explore the menu. What critics say about Giovanni’s. CRISTOPHER COOK. HOUR detroit. Giovanni’s Ristorante is …
Discover our menu – Giovanni’s Ristorante
Chef Paulina Tarducci worked with Frances Cannarsa Truant in the late 1970s to create the dishes that are still favorites at Giovanni’s Ristorante.
Giovanni’s Ristorante | Detroit MI – Facebook
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Reviews
Richard Tommy
Fantastic meal. I had the famous 17 layer lasagna, and the wife had veal saltimbocca. The caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes was outstanding.
… moreDuff Tyler
Getting a Valentine’s Day reservation at Giovanni’s felt like winning a small lottery—I snagged one of the last available slots, and from the moment we walked in, it was clear why this place is so sought after.
The ambiance was perfection: low lighting, a candlelit table, and a rose waiting for us. Romantic without being stuffy. Cozy without feeling cramped. Exactly what you want for a special-occasion dinner.
We started with half bottles of Moscato d’Asti, one of our favorite sweet wines. We’re unapologetic sweet-wine people, and this hit the spot—bright, smooth, and perfect with the meal to come. There were plenty of other options on the wine list, but this one fit both our taste and our budget just right.
For an appetizer, we went with the chicken noodle soup. Like everything on the menu, the noodles are made from scratch, and it showed. Simple, comforting, and a great opener for what turned into a very memorable meal.
Then came the star of the show: the lasagna, Giovanni’s signature dish. Calling it generous doesn’t do it justice. This was a mini mountain of pasta, cheese, and meat sauce—layer upon glorious layer. Rich, hearty, and absolutely delicious. Its reputation is 100% deserved. Chef’s kiss. No notes.
Dessert isn’t listed on the menu—they bring out a tray and present the options in all their glory (which is both wonderful and dangerous). Everything looked incredible, but after hearing the tiramisu described as “next level,” we went for it. That description was not hype. It really was a level above—light, flavorful, and the perfect ending to a big, satisfying meal.
Price-wise, it lands in the $$ to $$$ range depending on what you order, but the food was absolutely worth it. The service was friendly, welcoming, and impressively attentive, especially considering how busy Valentine’s Day was. Parking is on the street nearby, and they also offer valet, which is a nice touch.
The overall vibe was solid, and I was especially impressed with the bar—lots of great options and clearly well thought out.
We were genuinely thrilled we chose Giovanni’s for our Valentine’s Day dinner. They made a fantastic first impression, and we’ll definitely be back—especially to work our way through the rest of the dessert tray and more of the pasta dishes. We’ve eaten authentic Italian food in Rome and Tuscany, and honestly? The food here is very comparable. That’s high praise, and Giovanni’s earns it.
… moreThe ambiance was perfection: low lighting, a candlelit table, and a rose waiting for us. Romantic without being stuffy. Cozy without feeling cramped. Exactly what you want for a special-occasion dinner.
We started with half bottles of Moscato d’Asti, one of our favorite sweet wines. We’re unapologetic sweet-wine people, and this hit the spot—bright, smooth, and perfect with the meal to come. There were plenty of other options on the wine list, but this one fit both our taste and our budget just right.
For an appetizer, we went with the chicken noodle soup. Like everything on the menu, the noodles are made from scratch, and it showed. Simple, comforting, and a great opener for what turned into a very memorable meal.
Then came the star of the show: the lasagna, Giovanni’s signature dish. Calling it generous doesn’t do it justice. This was a mini mountain of pasta, cheese, and meat sauce—layer upon glorious layer. Rich, hearty, and absolutely delicious. Its reputation is 100% deserved. Chef’s kiss. No notes.
Dessert isn’t listed on the menu—they bring out a tray and present the options in all their glory (which is both wonderful and dangerous). Everything looked incredible, but after hearing the tiramisu described as “next level,” we went for it. That description was not hype. It really was a level above—light, flavorful, and the perfect ending to a big, satisfying meal.
Price-wise, it lands in the $$ to $$$ range depending on what you order, but the food was absolutely worth it. The service was friendly, welcoming, and impressively attentive, especially considering how busy Valentine’s Day was. Parking is on the street nearby, and they also offer valet, which is a nice touch.
The overall vibe was solid, and I was especially impressed with the bar—lots of great options and clearly well thought out.
We were genuinely thrilled we chose Giovanni’s for our Valentine’s Day dinner. They made a fantastic first impression, and we’ll definitely be back—especially to work our way through the rest of the dessert tray and more of the pasta dishes. We’ve eaten authentic Italian food in Rome and Tuscany, and honestly? The food here is very comparable. That’s high praise, and Giovanni’s earns it.
Brianna Fischer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Giovanni’s is a gem. The moment you walk in, you feel transported — it has that classic, old-school Sinatra vibe where you almost forget you’re in Detroit. The atmosphere is warm, elegant, and timeless. The food is incredible — truly authentic Italian with rich flavors that taste homemade and full of love. Service is attentive without being rushed, which makes the whole experience feel special.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable night out with amazing food and a classic old-world vibe, Giovanni’s delivers every time.
… moreGiovanni’s is a gem. The moment you walk in, you feel transported — it has that classic, old-school Sinatra vibe where you almost forget you’re in Detroit. The atmosphere is warm, elegant, and timeless. The food is incredible — truly authentic Italian with rich flavors that taste homemade and full of love. Service is attentive without being rushed, which makes the whole experience feel special.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable night out with amazing food and a classic old-world vibe, Giovanni’s delivers every time.
Sonya C
I just had the most disappointing experience at one of my favorite restaurants, Giovanni’s. This restaurant has a special place in my heart because when my mom was very ill, I would always go get carryout for her. The hostesses would ask about my mom and send greetings to her. When my mom recovered from her illness and was able to eat in public, Giovanni’s was the first restaurant we came to.
Well, fast forward to today and I am very saddened by my experience this evening. The carryout service experience has declined drastically. When I arrived to pick up my order, I walked in to the least welcoming greeting. The smiles that used to greet me were nowhere to be found.
I sat and waited for my meal. A friendly face from the past, Courtney (former hostess now manager) came to the front and we chatted briefly. I told her that I was not having the best experience today and she apologized and told me to ask for her personally the next time I called. The problem is that I don’t know if there will be a next time. Giovanni’s is pricey for carryout, two meals were $72 including the tip. I don’t mind paying for great food with great service, but I certainly won’t pay for great food with unpleasant service.
My meals were delicious as always. My only issue was that my meal did not have fettuccine in it as I requested and my mom’s did not have spaghetti as she requested.
I encourage the owners and management at Giovanni’s to preserve the warm and welcoming service that has always made my experience there outstanding. Giovanni’s is a special place, but it doesn’t matter how good the food is if the atmosphere when you arrive is the equivalent of an overcast day with dark clouds and rain. If I ever return, I hope my next experience is better than this one.
… moreWell, fast forward to today and I am very saddened by my experience this evening. The carryout service experience has declined drastically. When I arrived to pick up my order, I walked in to the least welcoming greeting. The smiles that used to greet me were nowhere to be found.
I sat and waited for my meal. A friendly face from the past, Courtney (former hostess now manager) came to the front and we chatted briefly. I told her that I was not having the best experience today and she apologized and told me to ask for her personally the next time I called. The problem is that I don’t know if there will be a next time. Giovanni’s is pricey for carryout, two meals were $72 including the tip. I don’t mind paying for great food with great service, but I certainly won’t pay for great food with unpleasant service.
My meals were delicious as always. My only issue was that my meal did not have fettuccine in it as I requested and my mom’s did not have spaghetti as she requested.
I encourage the owners and management at Giovanni’s to preserve the warm and welcoming service that has always made my experience there outstanding. Giovanni’s is a special place, but it doesn’t matter how good the food is if the atmosphere when you arrive is the equivalent of an overcast day with dark clouds and rain. If I ever return, I hope my next experience is better than this one.
Salikea Thompson
This classic long standing Italian restaurant delivers a memorable dining experience with standout dishes and some unique surprises across its menu.
The halibut special was fresh, with a flaky, light texture that paired beautifully with a delicate cream sauce pasta—can be a bit too light in flavors. The scallop and shrimp dish, on the other hand, was unexpectedly dense and heavy, puréed—was an interesting take, may not appeal to those expecting whole pieces of scallops and shrimp but the sauce was great.
Pasta Favorites
The lasagna was a classic comfort, flavorful and satisfying—definitely worth ordering. Gnocchi stuffed with ricotta and porcini mushrooms was my favorite dish.
From the appetizer platter, the porcini mushrooms and calamari stood out as highlights—crispy, well-seasoned, and perfectly cooked. Those who enjoy sausages will find them flavorful and hearty, rounding off a solid starter selection.
… moreThe halibut special was fresh, with a flaky, light texture that paired beautifully with a delicate cream sauce pasta—can be a bit too light in flavors. The scallop and shrimp dish, on the other hand, was unexpectedly dense and heavy, puréed—was an interesting take, may not appeal to those expecting whole pieces of scallops and shrimp but the sauce was great.
Pasta Favorites
The lasagna was a classic comfort, flavorful and satisfying—definitely worth ordering. Gnocchi stuffed with ricotta and porcini mushrooms was my favorite dish.
From the appetizer platter, the porcini mushrooms and calamari stood out as highlights—crispy, well-seasoned, and perfectly cooked. Those who enjoy sausages will find them flavorful and hearty, rounding off a solid starter selection.
Nick Janicke
We visited Giovanni’s for the first time in a while tonight to celebrate a birthday. It was at it always has been a wonderful experience. The service was absolutely top notch (thank you Chris) and the food was so delicious. We have never had such good calamari to start things off. Chris had an incredible knowledge of the wine list that ended us up in some incredible flavors. My wife and I both ordered the Gnocchi Porcini with chicken with was beyond phenomenal. We hope to spend more special times there in the future.
… moreRobert Stempkowski
Best date night restaurant for Epicurean grown-ups in Metro Detroit. Had a beautiful woman to wine and dine for her birthday last week. She loved every bite of dinner and every bit of our waiter’s (David) entertaining and attentive service. The wine list has breadth enough to explore beyond the standard, name-dropper labels, and our aperitifs (two sturdy yet elegant Negronis) were stellar. Giovanni’s is everything extra that dining fine for an occasion should be. Salute!
… moreCody B
This place is amazing, hands down. The homemade Mezzaluna was outstanding. The presentation was just as good as the flavor of it all. 10/10
The house and caprese salads were both really tasty as well.
For the entrees we had the Vitello Marsala, Baked Lasagna and Eggplant Parm. Marsala 6.5/10 I wish I chose the Pollo instead of Vitello. It would’ve been better that way IMO but that was my mistake, not theirs.
Baked Lasagna 10/10 Probably the best Ive ever had. (Dante & Luigis in Philly close)
Eggplant Parm 10/10 Crispy and the sauce was on point. The homemade tagliatelle (I got pomodoro and my gf got bolognese) was outstanding and cooked perfectly.
Dessert we had the Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake and the Tiramisu for the birthday girl. Both were 10/10, some of the best cheesecake we both have ever had. The Tiramisu was super light and delicious.
Overall this is a special place here in Detroit that I will always recommend to anyone or a place I’d treat my friends to. From the food to the service this place hits the mark.
… moreThe house and caprese salads were both really tasty as well.
For the entrees we had the Vitello Marsala, Baked Lasagna and Eggplant Parm. Marsala 6.5/10 I wish I chose the Pollo instead of Vitello. It would’ve been better that way IMO but that was my mistake, not theirs.
Baked Lasagna 10/10 Probably the best Ive ever had. (Dante & Luigis in Philly close)
Eggplant Parm 10/10 Crispy and the sauce was on point. The homemade tagliatelle (I got pomodoro and my gf got bolognese) was outstanding and cooked perfectly.
Dessert we had the Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake and the Tiramisu for the birthday girl. Both were 10/10, some of the best cheesecake we both have ever had. The Tiramisu was super light and delicious.
Overall this is a special place here in Detroit that I will always recommend to anyone or a place I’d treat my friends to. From the food to the service this place hits the mark.
Alison Bazil
The food and service is wonderful. This is a favorite place for my husband and one of our best friends. We like all dining together and we are never disappointed. For me, the eggplant parmigiana is absolutely outstanding. The best I have ever had.
… moreRebecca Krawczak
Chicken Marsala was very dry and tasteless. Ordered to go and they gave us the wrong sauce on one of the pastas. The pizza was OK, nothing special (and I hardly ever feel indifferent about Italian food!) Despite leaving a nice top, the servers weren’t nice and didn’t say anything after we grabbed the food. Just overall disappointing. I won’t be back.
… more