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Cafe Gia Ristorante Reviews List
Cafe Gia Ristorante
In 1953, Giovanna Aquia, along with her family, boarded the famous Italian luxury liner the “Andrea Doria” and made their way to America from Cefalu, Sicily, arriving in Little Italy, Baltimore on June 23, 1953. Their family life always revolved around the dinner table. It was there that a great appreciation of simple Sicilian cuisine took root.
It was the desire to share our Sicilian heritage and Sicilian cuisine that prompted the family to buy an older neighborhood diner and create a new, warm, comfortable family ristoranté in Little Italy, “Café Gia Ristoranté.” We have strived very hard to recreate a Sicilian bistro, a place where one feels like they are in Sicily while dining. Buon appetito!
See more Cafe Gia Ristorante details
It was the desire to share our Sicilian heritage and Sicilian cuisine that prompted the family to buy an older neighborhood diner and create a new, warm, comfortable family ristoranté in Little Italy, “Café Gia Ristoranté.” We have strived very hard to recreate a Sicilian bistro, a place where one feels like they are in Sicily while dining. Buon appetito!
37 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 37 reviews
5 stars
(14)
4 stars
(19)
3 stars
(3)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(23)
- fit for foodies(18)
- romantic(13)
- special occasion(7)
- great for outdoor dining(6)
- good for groups(5)
Cafe Gia Ristorante Reviews List
Review 1 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Fabulous Italian food in Little Ita
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Cafe Gia's serves up marvelous Italian fare. The Rigatoni al forno was to die for. Comfort food all the way with a rich smooth sauce, and lots of cheese. The grilled Caesar salad puts a new twist on an old favorite, although the portion was twice as much as I could eat and still save room for my pasta."
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Nicely done, good food and good servie!"
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
too small tables on top of
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"too small tables on top of one another hostess not friendly"
Dined on 04/07/2013
2011
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Review 4 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Italian food in little Italy
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Probably the best Italian food in little Italy....enough said."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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Review 5 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food was delicious and
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The food was delicious and we worked the menu from appetizer through dessert and coffee. The bruschetta was the best we have tried. Sauces were delicious and the dessert save us a trip to Vacarro's. Our waitress was excellent. We were meeting friends we had not seen in awhile to catch up. We explained that to her and she was very patient and helpful and gave us plenty of time without being intrusive or impatient. Wish we had gotten her name. We sat in the heated balcony and it was perfect. Must try again when the winter shield is off and we can enjoy the outdoors more."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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Review 6 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Neigborhood Gem!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Café Gia definitely qualifies as a neighborhood gem. You are always warmly welcomed by Giovanna. We love the decorations inside and out – very festive….Gia took excellent care of us. The food was beautifully prepared and presented. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening. Thank you."
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
My new favorite in Little
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My new favorite in Little Italy! Very unique salad presentation with the grilled Caesar salad. The veal was very tender and flavorful. The downstairs dining room has a cute and fun ambiance not unlike a small cafe in Italy."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food was wondereful and service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was wondereful and service great. Highly recommend restaurant"
Dined on 01/28/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 9 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Wednesday night specials? Really?
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We went on a Wednesday night hoping to order from the $10 entree selection. The entrees on that menu were universally unappealing: oyster pasta, risotto with an odd assortment if shellfish( cleaning out the freezer?).in spite of this, the regularly priced entrees were very good, as was the service. We will definitely return, but not for the Wednesday night specials."
Dined on 02/20/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 10 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This was a very nice evening.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This was a very nice evening. Good food and nice ambiance. A great spot in Little Italy in Baltimore. I would go back!"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2009
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Review 11 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Yummy!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Another wonderful experience at Cafe Gia. We were seated on the cozy, heated balcony overlooking the city skyline. There were several birthday celebrations in their large dining room area which made it for a very festive, lively night out. The grilled calamari is exactly the way we've had it when we've traveled to Italy. I ordered the special which was this ridiculously delicious risotto with white chocolate shaving and a filet mignon with warm strawberries. My husband had the Branzini which was the best fish he had ever eaten, it was moist and mild in flavor and perfectly cooked. I can't stop fantasizing about it!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2012
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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Review 12 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Always great!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The ONLY place to eat in Little Italy. We've been before and have never been disappointed. The owner's family is from the same town in Sicily where my family is from. The decor and food are fresh and reminiscent of my travels to Cefalu. Delizioso!"
Dined on 02/17/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 13 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Outstanding from start to finish
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"A rare find in Baltimore'a Little Italy. Not only is the food a notch above the others, the decor is fresh and appealing. Not your typical stuffy server in a tux, the staff is professional, yet relaxed. I highly recommend!"
Dined on 01/20/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 14 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Disappointed.
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I visited Cafe Gia during restaurant week and was very disappointed. It was approximately $30 per meal. I had frequented other restaurants in the area that were also $30 for restaurant week, and they were all very high quality. I was expecting very same quality of food, service and atmosphere from Cafe Gia, but I did not. The Antipasto appetizer was three slices of cold cuts w/ grilled veggies. My fish dinner was extremely over seasoned and essentially tasted like I was eating a jar of capers. The tiramisu was okay, but I've had better. The atmosphere was very cheap. I was squished at a two person table between a wall and a column, in a room that was vastly undersized. The servers were dressed in jeans, with no apparent dress code."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2010
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Review 15 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This was a last minute decision
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was a last minute decision for Restaurant week. The menu had a good variety for everyone. The food was delish, and the ambiance was great! My only complaint is that our waitress was pretty far removed and we waited a good 15 minutes just to order wine, and she wasn't ready for our food order. Another 10 minutes went by before she came back with the wine glasses, she forgot what our order was. Once we ordered everything is was great. Last complaint, there would be wine left in the bottle when she'd take it from the table, maybe a little bit, like a sip from the bottle left, but enough that we noticed she'd take it after each bottle(only had 2). We joked that she was taking the last sip with her in the back. Food was great tho!"
Dined on 01/26/2013
2010
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Review 16 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We all loved the food and
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We all loved the food and the service. Great atmosphere! Cool spot!!"
Dined on 01/26/2013
2006
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Review 17 for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This was my first visit to
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was my first visit to Gia Ristorante. I look forward to my next excellent meal there. The meal presentation on the plate or bowl was very appealing. The food was hot and everything ordered was delicious. I don't think you will be disappointed."
Dined on 01/20/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Cafe Gia Ristorante
Based on the average of (20) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
4 out of 4 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate