Massimo runs the front of house brilliantly, he is amusing, chatty and highly efficient. From the moment you step through the door you know that Giardini is friendly and welcoming; even with the plastic screens, face masks and social distancing there is a buzz running through the place.
There is a good range of wines but the house wine is definitely quaffable. The food is fresh and zinging with flavour, the portions are pretty large but not over-powering. Their home made pasta dishes are wonderful and they certainly know how to serve well prepared fish.
One of the top restaurants in Cardiff.
JamesBischoff
Another delicious pasta and pizza dinner from Massimo and his team. We are loving our lockdown weekend takeaways.
Rubysue52
Booked this restaurant after reading some fantastic review on here and we was not disappointed!! The staff were helpful and friendly. We ordered house red wine after reading how nice it was, again we were not disappointed. The food, wine and service was great. Totally recommend and we will certainly be back! Thank you.
charlenemM7408JE
A big thank you to Massino and all at Giardini di Sorrento, what a fabulous meal. Food as usual was exceptional.
2jonathand
We had a meal last night, it felt very safe screens between the tables and staff were very friendly, polite and professional.
All of us had the Calamari for starters with the Olive Dip, plenty of it and delicious.
Mains my Husband & Son had the House Special Crab linguine, they thought it was delicious and beautiful cooked.
I had a Pizza which was excellent and perfectly cooked with a light dough base again delicious.
For dessert my son & I had Cheese Cake one with chocolate & one with mixed fruit coulis this was delicious and my husband has Italian ice cream with Espresso to pour over, he loved it.
Thank you for making my birthday special and your wonderful freshly cooked Italian foods. We will definitely be back and recommend you to our friends & family. See you all soon Ciao, Graci Milla x
sharon r
After reading all the fantastic reviews on trip advisor combined with this restaurant being #2 in Cardiff my expectations where fairly high - but not unrealistic.
Good points:
The service was very good, friendly staff very quick to serve the food. Good selection of wine. You certainly get a cosy, family run Italian feel to this restaurant which is very pleasing. For my main I had the wild boar ravioli which I thought was a decent meal! My husband had the risotto and he thought that was 6/10, the side of garlic bread was very enjoyable. For dessert he had the cannelloni and he thought it was lovely! The star of the meals he ordered.
Portion sizes are generous.
Not so good:
Whilst you certainly get the ambience of an authentic Italian the food in my humble opinion, was lacking. Which was a disappointment as we were ready to really like this place! My husband and I had the calamari to start which was disappointing. The calamari itself looked anaemic and the black olive mayo flavour got lost due to the huge portion of calamari rings! You could taste the black olive alone but not with the seafood. The presentation of this dish wasn’t there, it was basically just calamari rings on a plate with a dollop of mayo and a side salad.
My pana cotta was an effort to eat, the coulis was overpowering and had a very concentrated taste too it! Some people may like that but it wasn’t to my taste. And I also chose this desert as it’s supposed to be a light.
Would we go back? Unsure. I felt more disappointed as the reviews certainly give an impression that it’s a fantastic authentic Italian restaurant. Unfortunately we left feeling like the food was pretty average and not consistent with all the rave reviews.
rebeccaaU520JG
Even with all the regulations and restrictions in place, they still do their best to bring the wonderful experience that I love about this place. Massimo, the owner, always cheerful, makes you feel like you're having dinner with an italian relative at his house in south Italy. I had wild boar ravioli, my favourite, from the specials' board, and it was exactly as I remembered, I'm so glad that I'm able to eat here again!
Ercolano85
Friday 25th September - great ambiance, staff were so attentive and the food was great!
My wife loves seafood pasta and they went out of their way to make it especially for her and she thoroughly enjoyed it (best yet she said!). I had the steak and it was perfect!
Couldn’t ask for more!
I met with Massimo when he was first setting up his business/restaurant and I knew he would be a success and boy wasn’t I wrong!
Thanks again for a great night Massimo,you should be really proud of both your staff and food!
jamesWvr
I will begin by saying I have never, ever reviewed a restaurant online before. However, having eaten here after seeing the incredible reviews on tripadvisor, I felt compelled to write something.
The whole meal from the sticky tables and slow service (on a quiet Thursday night), to the decidedly average food and often quite annoying, loud music, was nothing special.
I hope this was just a bad night for them, otherwise I have no idea how this is the #2 restaurant in Cardiff.
Edwin151
We have visited Italy on a number of occasions and this restaurant is by far and away the best we have been to in the Uk. Absolutely stunning authentic Italian food, the service is brilliant and nothing is too much trouble. We have visited on two occasions during lockdown and their safety measures are first class. As was mentioned on other reviews, the cheesecake is so nice :-) Would thoroughly recommend and a hidden gem in Cardiff!
RichardS5733
Amazing food , true Italian taste
Friendly staff and good service
Giardini di Sorrento is the top
You really enjoy all
jodyj447
Went to this restaurant tonight and WOW! Does not look much from the road but the food is fantastic and the staff are welcoming and wonderful. Genuine Italian family cooking genuine Italian food and doing that really well. Will definitely be back the next time we are in the area. Grazie! xx
364lynnef
On arrival, service was prompt and welcoming.
Lot's of choice of meals, some being a little different from other local Italian restaurants as in new things to try on the menu. Food was great, hot, tasty and an enjoyable meal. Would encourage you to try. Cheesecake was to die for!
Violetkitty41
I visited here yesterday and had the most AMAZING spaghetti ragu. The service and food was absolutely 10/10. Must visit in Cardiff.
rhianl863
Have been wanting to try here for a while, and so glad we finally did!
The pasta was delicious. I'd go so far as to say the most authentic pasta dish i've had all year! The restaurant is compliant with covid measures but is still managing to have a lovely, cosey feel.
I can't wait to go again!
Stephie1990
Really attentive staff, quick (but not too quick) service. Lovely atmosphere with lovely music. We took advantage of the eat out to help out so it was slightly cheaper which was a bonus! We started with orange salmon and calamari. Calamari was easy to eat and soft, tasted fresh, and served with an olive mayo which complimented it! For mains I ordered ravioli and my boyfriend ordered the jack pizza, amazing! Proper homemade and you can really tell the quality in the food. Ordered dessert to and honestly, BEST DESSERT EVER! So light and fresh which was lovely after such a big meal! I ordered the special Tiramisu and my boyfriend got the cheesecake. Both amazing! The house white was also lovely, I went for that as was a bit confused with the other whites as I think they only came by bottle but I’m glad I got the house! It was lovely! Came with bread bowl too which complimented the meal and was a lovely touch! Lovely staff, lovely food, and great Italian feel! Made me feel like I was on holiday! Amazing will be coming back :)
hollyvgriffin
Wanted a Sunday treat for me, kids & my elderly mum but have been generally feeling bit nervous again about Cardiff Covid numbers rising so looked at ‘classier!’ takeaway options. Excellent choice for ‘meal deal’ - we had ravioli caprese, bolognese, tiramisu, cheesecake & bottle of red for £30 -also got pizza for kids to share for only 8.95. Ordering online was easy & when collected, food was all hot & ready, staff were wearing masks & restaurant looked so safe , cosy & well thought out. I would feel safe & happy to book a table here even with my current worries!!
Anyway, food was bloody gorgeous!! Huge portions, not greasy or stodgy, just flavoursome & plentiful! Red wine included was a lovely soft Sicilian red which complimented the food brilliantly. Girls’ pizza was lovely, fresh ingredients & smelt divine !!! Diolch, will certainly return to eat in - & out again 😂
cerijp
Such a lovely visit to an authentic Italian bistro.
Service was friendly, informative and efficient.
Portions were large and tastey as well as being reasonably priced.
Would absolutely recommend
Rowkat789
Had dinner here-didn’t realise they had a black board with specials until later.
Order the pizza cappriosa and the gardini. The first was good but the gardini was a with raw vegetable-Rather average dish.
House wine was good - red better then white.
Desert of amoretti cake was good.
Service was good.
Will be back.
nolanar
Delicious! Food was very fresh, tasty and authentic. The service was great and also well sized portions. Very impressed- thank you! 😊
Carlieracis