🍝 Solid Italian Flavors in Vancouver
The food at Giardino is definitely the highlight of the visit. Everything we ordered was good and well-prepared, showing a strong commitment to authentic Italian flavors. Whether you're there for a classic pasta dish or a more hearty entree, the kitchen clearly knows what they are doing. It is a reliable spot if your primary goal is a satisfying, high-quality meal in a beautiful setting.
🔊 A Note on the Atmosphere and Noise
While the restaurant itself is stunning, the ambiance during my visit was a bit of a challenge. It can get extremely loud, especially when there are rowdy tables nearby. This shifted the vibe from a sophisticated dining experience to something much more boisterous. If you are looking for a quiet, intimate spot for conversation, you might find the volume here a bit overwhelming depending on the crowd that night.
🍽️ Decent Service with Room for Growth
The service was decent, though not the best I've experienced in Vancouver. The staff were professional and handled the basics well, but it lacked the polished, attentive touch that usually accompanies a restaurant of this caliber. It wasn't a major detractor, but it didn't elevate the experience to that five-star level.
👍 Final Verdict
Overall, Giardino is a strong 4/5. The excellent food is the main draw here, even if the service and noise levels can be a bit inconsistent. It’s a great place for a lively group dinner, but just be prepared for a bit of a "party" atmosphere if you catch it on a busy night.
SZ 1
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December 04, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Star Review for Gardino Restaurant.. Absolutely Exceptional!
I hosted my staff Christmas party at Gardino in Vancouver.. and the entire experience was nothing short of outstanding. From the moment we walked in, the service, atmosphere, and food were all top tier. Gardino truly delivered a memorable night for our whole team.
We ordered a variety of dishes across the table.. and every single one was incredible. The filet mignon was perfectly cooked.. tender, flavourful, and beautifully presented with broccolini, roasted carrots, and braised red cabbage. The seafood dishes were equally impressive.. the seafood pasta came loaded with fresh mussels and shrimp in a rich, vibrant sauce that tasted straight out of Italy. The salmon entrée was a standout as well.. perfectly seared, served over asparagus with a silky lemon butter sauce and cherry tomatoes that added the perfect pop of sweetness.
Even the pasta plates were a hit across the table.. fresh, perfectly seasoned, and generously portioned. Everyone at the party commented on how delicious everything was.. and the staff made sure we were taken care of throughout the entire night. Attentive, friendly, and professional service from start to finish.
The atmosphere was warm and classic.. making it a perfect spot for group gatherings, celebrations, or even a special date night. Gardino feels like a hidden gem in Vancouver.. and after this experience, it’s definitely become a new favourite for us.
Highly recommend Gardino to anyone looking for incredible food, great service, and an overall fantastic dining experience.. We’ll absolutely be back!
Kristina Elkins
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November 16, 2025
Absolutely amazing restaurant! We made a reservation about a week out and were able to get in. Upon entery to the building, we were immediately greeted with warm and wonderful front of house staff. They were super nice and friendly, warm but very professional.
We started with the antipasti meat cheese and bread. The focaccia bread was incredible!!! The baguette and other non levan bread were also delicious. They walk around with a bread basket and I honestly felt like I could have as much as I wanted. The butter was tasty but could have been a little softer for spreading. We got the house red and it was lovely. Wonderful wine for being the cheapest option on the menu.
Next we got our meal. I got the tortellini. The pasta was very well made and the sauce was impeccable. My partner got the horseradish crusted sable fish. The fish was PERFECTLY cooked!! he wanted a bit more of a horseradish crust though. The side vegetables could have had a bit more flavor but were well cooked.
Our desserts were stunning and flavorful. I think it was the best tiramisu I've ever had. It was light and creamy and perfectly coffee. The canolli were unique, creamy, crunchy, and served with a super fruity sorbet. We loved it! I prefer fully sliced strawberries though.
Our waitress was flawless.
Cleide Oliveira
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December 13, 2025
A bad experience!
First, I was alone and they told me the only available seat was at the "chef's counter." I insisted a bit and then they served me a single seat (it was before 6 pm and there were mostly empty tables) in an empty room. They didn't offer me a seat where there were other people. So, I accepted the "chef's counter."
I've never seen that in any restaurant or bar: the counter was full of dishes and you couldn't see the kitchen, which was the main factor of that seat.
The food was nothing special. Good, but not worth the price.
To top off the terrible experience, the smallest crème brûlée I've ever eaten (and costing CAD$19.95) and one of the cooks (much older than me, by the way) giving me his phone number on a piece of paper to have coffee with him (totally unprofessional).
I don't recommend it. And it's not worth the price, even considering only the food.
Janek Kuchmistrz
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October 28, 2025
Don't come here. Really, it's a disappointment. Our waiter Ghislain seemed to want us to eat quickly and exit- we were not made welcome. Lots of empty tables on a Wednesday evening, so why? In any event, this was without a doubt an unforgettable dining experience- because it was terrible.
The meal was tasty, and it should be at $70+ for my entree.
Skip this place.
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1328 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1W5, Canada
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🍝 Solid Italian Flavors in Vancouver The food at Giardino is definitely the highlight of the visit. Everything we ordered was good and well-prepared, showing a strong commitment to authentic Italian flavors. Whether you're there for a classic pasta dish or a more hearty entree, the kitchen clearly knows what they are doing. It is a reliable spot if your primary goal is a satisfying, high-quality meal in a beautiful setting. 🔊 A Note on the Atmosphere and Noise While the restaurant itself is stunning, the ambiance during my visit was a bit of a challenge. It can get extremely loud, especially when there are rowdy tables nearby. This shifted the vibe from a sophisticated dining experience to something much more boisterous. If you are looking for a quiet, intimate spot for conversation, you might find the volume here a bit overwhelming depending on the crowd that night. 🍽️ Decent Service with Room for Growth The service was decent, though not the best I've experienced in Vancouver. The staff were professional and handled the basics well, but it lacked the polished, attentive touch that usually accompanies a restaurant of this caliber. It wasn't a major detractor, but it didn't elevate the experience to that five-star level. 👍 Final Verdict Overall, Giardino is a strong 4/5. The excellent food is the main draw here, even if the service and noise levels can be a bit inconsistent. It’s a great place for a lively group dinner, but just be prepared for a bit of a "party" atmosphere if you catch it on a busy night.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Star Review for Gardino Restaurant.. Absolutely Exceptional! I hosted my staff Christmas party at Gardino in Vancouver.. and the entire experience was nothing short of outstanding. From the moment we walked in, the service, atmosphere, and food were all top tier. Gardino truly delivered a memorable night for our whole team. We ordered a variety of dishes across the table.. and every single one was incredible. The filet mignon was perfectly cooked.. tender, flavourful, and beautifully presented with broccolini, roasted carrots, and braised red cabbage. The seafood dishes were equally impressive.. the seafood pasta came loaded with fresh mussels and shrimp in a rich, vibrant sauce that tasted straight out of Italy. The salmon entrée was a standout as well.. perfectly seared, served over asparagus with a silky lemon butter sauce and cherry tomatoes that added the perfect pop of sweetness. Even the pasta plates were a hit across the table.. fresh, perfectly seasoned, and generously portioned. Everyone at the party commented on how delicious everything was.. and the staff made sure we were taken care of throughout the entire night. Attentive, friendly, and professional service from start to finish. The atmosphere was warm and classic.. making it a perfect spot for group gatherings, celebrations, or even a special date night. Gardino feels like a hidden gem in Vancouver.. and after this experience, it’s definitely become a new favourite for us. Highly recommend Gardino to anyone looking for incredible food, great service, and an overall fantastic dining experience.. We’ll absolutely be back!
Absolutely amazing restaurant! We made a reservation about a week out and were able to get in. Upon entery to the building, we were immediately greeted with warm and wonderful front of house staff. They were super nice and friendly, warm but very professional. We started with the antipasti meat cheese and bread. The focaccia bread was incredible!!! The baguette and other non levan bread were also delicious. They walk around with a bread basket and I honestly felt like I could have as much as I wanted. The butter was tasty but could have been a little softer for spreading. We got the house red and it was lovely. Wonderful wine for being the cheapest option on the menu. Next we got our meal. I got the tortellini. The pasta was very well made and the sauce was impeccable. My partner got the horseradish crusted sable fish. The fish was PERFECTLY cooked!! he wanted a bit more of a horseradish crust though. The side vegetables could have had a bit more flavor but were well cooked. Our desserts were stunning and flavorful. I think it was the best tiramisu I've ever had. It was light and creamy and perfectly coffee. The canolli were unique, creamy, crunchy, and served with a super fruity sorbet. We loved it! I prefer fully sliced strawberries though. Our waitress was flawless.
A bad experience! First, I was alone and they told me the only available seat was at the "chef's counter." I insisted a bit and then they served me a single seat (it was before 6 pm and there were mostly empty tables) in an empty room. They didn't offer me a seat where there were other people. So, I accepted the "chef's counter." I've never seen that in any restaurant or bar: the counter was full of dishes and you couldn't see the kitchen, which was the main factor of that seat. The food was nothing special. Good, but not worth the price. To top off the terrible experience, the smallest crème brûlée I've ever eaten (and costing CAD$19.95) and one of the cooks (much older than me, by the way) giving me his phone number on a piece of paper to have coffee with him (totally unprofessional). I don't recommend it. And it's not worth the price, even considering only the food.
Don't come here. Really, it's a disappointment. Our waiter Ghislain seemed to want us to eat quickly and exit- we were not made welcome. Lots of empty tables on a Wednesday evening, so why? In any event, this was without a doubt an unforgettable dining experience- because it was terrible. The meal was tasty, and it should be at $70+ for my entree. Skip this place.