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Carmel's Bistro Giovanni, Carmel, CA

Carmel's Bistro Giovanni

4.7
4.7
2010 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 27 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood 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
  • Neighborhood
    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

Menu

Carmel's Bistro Giovanni's menu was last updated 2024-03-13.

Availability subject to change. Quite a few menu items can be modified to be made allergen friendly. Please visit website for details. www.carmelbistro.com

Appetizers

  • 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

                                                                                                  Last updated: March 13, 2024

                                                                                                  What 2,010 people are saying

                                                                                                  Carmel's Bistro Giovanni reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

                                                                                                  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

                                                                                                    Neighborhood 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.

                                                                                                  2,010 Reviews

                                                                                                  1. Mike

                                                                                                    Sacramento7 reviews

                                                                                                    5.0

                                                                                                    Dined 3 days ago

                                                                                                    1. Overall 5
                                                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                                                    3. Service 4
                                                                                                    4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                    Our fourth time. Only thing is that we come every year to celebrate our Anniversary but nobody says anything even though I put it in the remarks if we’re celebrating an occasion.

                                                                                                    Is this helpful?

                                                                                                  2. MichaelM

                                                                                                    San Francisco5 reviews

                                                                                                    5.0

                                                                                                    Dined 6 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?

                                                                                                  3. Dennis VIP

                                                                                                    Sacramento65 reviews

                                                                                                    5.0

                                                                                                    Dined 7 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.

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                                                                                                  4. Patricia A.

                                                                                                    San Francisco60 reviews

                                                                                                    5.0

                                                                                                    Dined 7 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.

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                                                                                                  5. Chris VIP

                                                                                                    San Francisco67 reviews

                                                                                                    4.0

                                                                                                    Dined on March 7, 2025

                                                                                                    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.

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                                                                                                  6. 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?

                                                                                                  7. 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. 

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                                                                                                  8. 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

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                                                                                                  9. 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.

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                                                                                                  10. 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

                                                                                                  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 2010 OpenTable diners.

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

                                                                                                  Make a reservation

                                                                                                  2 people
                                                                                                  7:00 PM
                                                                                                  Booked 27 times today

                                                                                                  Order delivery or takeout

                                                                                                  Google Map for Carmel's Bistro Giovanni

                                                                                                  San Carlos & 5th Ave, Carmel, CA 93923

                                                                                                  Additional information

                                                                                                  • Cross street
                                                                                                    San Carlos between 5th & 6th
                                                                                                  • Neighborhood
                                                                                                    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
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