Carmel's Bistro Giovanni

4.7

2009 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 11, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 17 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Charming
Good for special occasions

An artful, romantic setting with an international wine list and amazing cocktails.
Try some of our specialties: the "Mamma Mia" features mouth-watering meatballs with pasta and southern Mediterranean-spiced sauce, Veal Osso Bucco, Lamb Shank, steaks, and a plethora of seafood including halibut, salmon and sand dabs! For our gluten-free guests, we can also provide gluten free pasta and bread.

*Patio availability depending on weather. We do have plenty of heat lamps but do not have covered tables outdoors. Please understand this when booking.

* For parties of 6 or more and special events we require a credit card to hold your table with a 24 hour cancellation policy, $40 per person will be applied to your credit card for late cancellations and no shows. We will hold your table for 10 minutes.

*We have a $30 corkage fee for a standard size bottle (750 ml.) 2 bottle maximum per table.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Steak
Hours of Operation
Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(831) 626-6003
Website
https://carmelbistro.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Fernando Aguilera
Catering
We can accommodate large or group to go orders. Please reach out to the restaurant directly at 831.626.6003 for pricing and availability. <br /><br />We currently do not offer off site catering.
Private party facilities
We have a semi private back room available for up to a party of 24. We can accommodate private groups on our patio, or reserve the whole restaurant for your group. For inquiries please email cbistrogiovanni@gmail.com

Location
San Carlos & 5th Ave, Carmel, CA 93923
Neighbourhood
Carmel
Cross Street
San Carlos between 5th & 6th
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Sun Dried Tomato Tapenade
Sun Dried Tomato Tapenade with bread
Garlic Dip
With bread
Garlic Bread
Bruschetta
Tomato, basil, garlic and parmesan, served on crostini
Frito Misto Combo
Deep fried prawns, calamari & artichoke hearts, cocktail sauce & lemon aioli
Steamers
Steamed clams & mussels, white wine, garlic olive oil & tomatoes
Gamberetti
Sautéed prawns, basil, garlic tomatoes, artichoke hearts & pancetta
Crab Cakes
Port wine Tamarindo sauce and mixed greens
Calamari
Lightly fried, lemon aioli & house made cocktail sauce
Carpaccio
Thinly sliced raw Filet Mignon, arugula, capers, EVOO & lemon
Artichoke
Charbroiled with garlic lemon aioli
Burrata Prosciutto
Tomato, burrata cheese, prosciutto, basil & balsamic vinaigrette, crostini

Salad

Grandma’s Insalatina Greca
Cucumber, diced tomatoes, red onion, dried cranberries, olives, feta & our secret dressing
Caesar Salad
Romaine, dressing, croutons & parmesan
Insalatina Vergine
Mixed greens, Blue Cheese, dried cranberries, almonds & raspberry vinaigrette
Bistro Salad
Mixed greens, romaine, cucumber, tomato & red wine vinaigrette

Ravioli

Lobster Ravioli
Spinach, mushrooms & tomato, truffle cream sauce
Crab Ravioli
Champagne cream sauce & spinach
Grilled Vegetable Ravioli
Pesto cream sauce & spinach
Braised Beef Ravioli
Brandy tarragon cream sauce
Goat Cheese Ravioli
Goat cheese & roasted vegetable Brown butter basil sauce, toasted almonds & balsamic glaze
Butternut Squash Ravioli
Marsala cream sauce, spinach & prosciutto

Entrees

Osso Bucco
Braised veal, sweet anise, red wine, carrots, onions, celery, tomato, mushroom risotto & vegetables
Lamb Shank
Braised, red wine sauce, garlic mashed potato & vegetables
Papa’s Cioppino
Shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, & fish, Italian spices, hearty tomato broth & garlic bread
Salmon Dijon
Dijon crusted salmon lightly breaded, creamy lemon caper sauce linguini pasta & vegetables
Sand Dabs
Lightly breaded & sautéed in a lemon piccata sauce with garlic mashed potato & vegetables
Paella (for one)
Mussels, clams, prawns, scallops, chicken, sausage & fish in saffron Spanish rice
Filet Mignon
8 oz, brandy peppercorn sauce, garlic mashed potatoes & sautéed spinach
Ribeye Steak
14 oz, Maître d’ blue cheese butter, truffle mashed potato & sautéed spinach
Chicken or Veal Piccata
Chicken breast or veal in a lemon, white wine, garlic & caper sauce, garlic mashed potato & vegetables
Chicken or Veal Marsala
Sautéed chicken breast or veal with marsala & mushrooms, garlic mashed potato & vegetables
Chicken or Veal Parmesan
Breaded & baked, mozzarella, fresh basil & tomato sauce, linguini & vegetables

Pasta

Papa’s Pasta Pescatore
Clams, mussels, prawns, scallops & fish, white wine, garlic & tomato sauce, linguini
Linguini & Clams
Fresh clams, olive oil, garlic, parsley & lemon zest, linguini
Misto di Mare
Prawns, scallops & artichoke hearts, garlic cream sauce, linguini
Linguini Gamberi
Prawns, white wine, garlic, chili flakes & parsley, linguini
Scampi
Prawns, baby shrimp, pureed sun-dried tomato, basil, garlic & white wine, linguini
Pasta Piccata
White wine lemon sauce with pureed sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts & capers, linguini +salmon medallions or +chicken
Pasta Mamma Mia
Bistro style meatballs marinated in Mediterranean spices, rigatoni
Mama’s Bolognese
A classic dish with a handed down recipe. Ground beef with a homemade sauce, fettuccine
Pasta Palermo
Italian sausage, roasted bell peppers, caramelized onions, mozzarella cheese & chili marinara, rigatoni
Cannelloni
Fresh pasta stuffed with ground beef, light ricotta & spinach with marinara & béchamel sauce
Lasagna
Fresh pasta layered with ground Italian sausage, marinara, light béchamel, ricotta & parmesan cheese
Carbonara
Pancetta, shallots & peas, cream sauce, linguini
Grandma’s Gnocchi
Gorgonzola cheese, béchamel, parmesan & grapes
Pasta Puttanesca
Olives, capers, anchovies, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic spicy tomato sauce, penne
Cauliflower Gnocchi
Pomodoro. Tomato, basil garlic & white wine

What 2,009 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Monterey / Carmel
Neighbourhood gem

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Carmel's Bistro Giovanni is a charming, cozy restaurant renowned for its "delicious food" and "friendly service." With a menu rich in Italian and Sicilian dishes, it's a local favorite, offering standout garlic bread and gluten-free options. Guests appreciate its "warm atmosphere" and the personal touch of owner Giovanni, ensuring a delightful dining experience.

2,009 Reviews

MM
MichaelM
San Francisco5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Our favorite Sicilian/Italian restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California! We are local and the family makes delicious homemade sauces. Farouk and Kelly thank you so much for another delicious meal! Sally and Mike
Is this helpful?
D
Dennis VIP
Sacramento65 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had the mama's salad and white bean soup to start and then the coppiano . Which was excellent with a good brother. Very good Spumoni ice cream.
Is this helpful?
P
Patricia A. VIP
San Francisco60 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A real neighborhood gem. Consistently good food and service. Hard to beat. Best veal in town.
Is this helpful?
C
Chris VIP
San Francisco67 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Venue has a nice old world charm to accompany good food & attentive service.
Is this helpful?
J
John VIP
San Francisco2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great experience with excellent food and service.
Is this helpful?
R
Richard VIP
Houston155 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 26, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
So good, went here twice in one week. Simply outstanding food and service. Highly recommend this neighborhood gem of an Italian restaurant.
Is this helpful?
R
Richard VIP
Houston155 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Great meal and remembered we were celebrating a birthday. Fabulous dessert! Gem of a restaurant
Is this helpful?
n
neil
Central Coast4 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I have lived in Italy and the food at Carmel Bistro is genuine excellent Italian food.
Is this helpful?
B
Bob
Dallas1 review
5.0
Dined on February 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
All around great place. Exceptional service and food. Broad menu. Cute and small and can get loud loud. Only weird thing is they tack on 3%, after the first bill is delivered if you pay by cc.
1 person found this helpful
S
Savina
Tahoe2 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 17, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food!! Service could improve. Beautiful restaurant.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Carmel's Bistro Giovanni offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 626-6003.

Carmel's Bistro Giovanni is rated 4.7 stars by 2009 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 11, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 17 times today

Order delivery or takeout

San Carlos & 5th Ave, Carmel, CA 93923

Additional information

Cross Street
San Carlos between 5th & 6th
Neighbourhood
Carmel
Hours of Operation
Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Steak
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Fernando Aguilera
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://carmelbistro.com/
Phone number
(831) 626-6003
Catering
We can accommodate large or group to go orders. Please reach out to the restaurant directly at 831.626.6003 for pricing and availability. <br /><br />We currently do not offer off site catering.
Private party facilities
We have a semi private back room available for up to a party of 24. We can accommodate private groups on our patio, or reserve the whole restaurant for your group. For inquiries please email cbistrogiovanni@gmail.com

Carmel's Bistro Giovanni

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Garlic Bread

Carbonara

Mama's Bolognese

Appetizers

Sun Dried Tomato Tapenade

Garlic Dip

Garlic Bread

Bruschetta

Frito Misto Combo

Steamers

Gamberetti

Crab Cakes

Calamari

Carpaccio

Artichoke

Burrata Prosciutto

Salad

Grandma’s Insalatina Greca

Caesar Salad

Insalatina Vergine

Bistro Salad

Ravioli

Lobster Ravioli

Crab Ravioli

Grilled Vegetable Ravioli

Braised Beef Ravioli

Goat Cheese Ravioli

Butternut Squash Ravioli

Entrees

Osso Bucco

Lamb Shank

Papa’s Cioppino

Salmon Dijon

Sand Dabs

Paella (for one)

Filet Mignon

Ribeye Steak

Chicken or Veal Piccata

Chicken or Veal Marsala

Chicken or Veal Parmesan

Pasta

Papa’s Pasta Pescatore

Linguini & Clams

Misto di Mare

Linguini Gamberi

Scampi

Pasta Piccata

Pasta Mamma Mia

Mama’s Bolognese

Pasta Palermo

Cannelloni

Lasagna

Carbonara

Grandma’s Gnocchi

Pasta Puttanesca

Cauliflower Gnocchi

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Carmel's Bistro Giovanni offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Carmel's Bistro Giovanni restaurant rated?

Is Carmel's Bistro Giovanni currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information