Poke House - Covent Garden in City of London, Westminster

Fantastic lunch at Giovanni’s. Great atmosphere and host.

I had the most authentic Italian experience If your in central and want to eat top quality Italian food in a warm atmosphere this is the place Book early as they do full up really quick 💚

Dined there Christmas Eve for my birthday and oh what a wonderful experience! Excellent food, desserts & service. Such a quaint, lovely, intimate restaurant. If ever in London again, I will definitely make a reservation to dine there again!!!

Truly authentic and delicious. A rare address.

The perfect experience. Thank you.

Fantastic restaurant - if you have never been, then you need to add this place to your list! Great selection of Italian/Sicilian dishes, all full of wonderful flavours! The ambience is also amazing, with the owner Pino and his lovely wife being great hosts....it all makes for an experience that you won't forget! So make a New Year's Resolution to visit Giovanni's!

Wow I’m so glad I booked this place today. What a small venue, but don’t let that fool you. It’s a culinary delight, the staff service is fast and efficient. They accommodated our sons food choices and Claire and Giovanni are always there to help and offer their advice fantastic hospitality. If you’re in London do try and visit but make sure you book first. Thank u for your advice about Kenya x

Family of 6 early celebration for Christmas. The atmosphere was wonderful. Immediately felt relaxed and was made to feel very welcome by Pino. The food was delicious and very fresh ingredients. An excellent wine list. Pino is a great personality and has many stories. We will definitely visit again

We had our family Christmas meal at Giovannis this afternoon. The food was excellent, the menu was fabulous. We were made very welcome by all the staff. This may become an annual event.

Don’t go here! This place is coasting on its historic reputation. It’s all style over substance. How it has endured all these years is a mystery. The food is really not good. Overcooked pasta in bland, watery sauces. And please don’t taste the house wine! Oh and the service was pretty slow, too. Overall, a real disappointment.

Some of the best food I’ve had in London. Beautiful calm atmosphere and great service. I can’t recommend this place enough

My wife and I went to Giovannis in Covent Garden and I would say it was my worst spent £250 for a meal ever; dont go there, it's a massive rip-off surviving on its location (although I should have learnt from my previous experience at this restaurant, (my wife and I loved it because it was a restaurant we visited early in our relationship). Food is barely average Italian standard and clearly survives on its location and naive tourists being in an interesting part of Covent Garden. Wine is massively over-priced but underwhelming and we were 'encouraged' to leave as the owner wanted the table back. The owner was horrendous, hanging around eager to see if we would be leaving or spending more money. It was so stressful. Don't go there; it's a massive rip-off and surviving on its location; complacency is everywhere.

Perfect restaurant for myself and my daughter to catch up in a very special place.

Wonderful, quirky and historic restaurant. Authentic, quality Italian food and the most genial of hosts. Well worth the trip we made from Suffolk to eat here. We are coming back soon.

Nice midweek dinner with friends.

Great food and atmosphere. I will definitely be back.

Giovanni’s is exactly what an Italian restaurant should always be like, starting with a warm welcome from Pino, who cares about food, wine and above all his guests. Very good, authentically Italian (Sicilian) food. And a lot of fun.

Superb Italian food in a lovely ambient old restaurant tucked down an atmospheric alleyway straight out of Harry Potter. Personal top quality service.

What a wonderful place! When we arrived on friday, october 7, we were greeted like old friends and we spent a great evening. The food was excellent, as always! Many thanks to Pino and the whole crew. Every time when we visit London, it is mandatory for us to go one evening to Giovanni‘s. Greetings from Switzerland, Roland and Manuela

Excellent food, place and people!! This restaurant is a very beautiful place, the food is homemade and very tasty and the attention (by the owner) is even better. We will surely go back!!

We had a really great time with excellent food, very nice place and superb service by the owner himself. We will surely go back!!

Not sure how we’ve never been here before but were prompted by Jay Rayner’s recent Guardian review. It did not disappoint and we’ll be back.

I went to Giovanni's after reading Jay Rayner's review in The Guardian. From moment one it did not disappoint. We were greeted by the delightful owner, Pino Ragona, and were taken to the best table in the house (where Jay Rayner had sat to review). Pino's warmth and humour made the lunch a huge amount of fun. And then there was the food: fresh, delicious and plentiful! Five stars isn't quite enough for this restaurant experience!

Had a fantastic time here at Giovannis. The service was very good, everyone was very kind and attentive. The food was excellent and the level of care and the atmosphere was particularly good. Really recommend for lovers of Italian food who want a fabulous family experience

Magical old school and very splendid service

A wonderful restaurant nestled in the heart of Covent Garden. A real gem of a place hidden down a Diagon Alley style back street. Pino has so many amazing stories to tell. We will be back!

My first time in London, and had this fantastic diner with an incredible decor and with lots of stories you can listen for hours to. It’s a story I can tell to my grandkids… Can’t wait to come again to London with my family…

Nice food but you feel ripped off. 1. The medium sized should come with 2 portions of protein (I chose tuna and salmon) but they seem to reduce the amount of each compared to how much they’d put in the bowl if you order the small which comes with one protein. Should get 4 greens but they charge an additional £1 or £1.50 if any of those are ‘premium’ and basic stuff like avocado and wakame are considered premium even though you get an absolutely minuscule amount. A bit of a joke really.

Great place. Very authentic Sicilian cuisine, presented well but great staff.

Read about them online, and absolutely loved the food and hospitality. I felt home. I’d highly recommend to anyone looking for a cozy delicious hidden gem in central London

The quantities are poor and the prices do not match!!! Excessively expensive. The boss collected the bill, WHY? We paid £129.38 for 1 salad starter, 1 starter of 10 garlics and 2 mediocre pasta dishes with 6 cockles and a bottle of tasteless white wine.

Sometimes you find an absolute gem, this is a diamond! Don’t tell anyone about this fabulous place. Michael, Sue & Jess xxxxx

Sublime ! Couldn’t recommend it enough. Come come come. The food is fantastic and the atmosphere even better

I’ve never been anywhere better. You must go.

Incredibly cozy restaurant on a quiet street in Covent Garden with the best Italian food in London

Pino is an exceptional host - one of the best cannolis I’ve ever had in my entire life.

What an incredible find, the atmosphere, the food, and the main event Pino!

Just perfect! Pino is a legend and a brilliant host. The food superb. The atmosphere wonderful. The wine stunning. 100% recommend.

Pino is a truly excellent owner/host for a long lunch with a long standing friend. Food was exceptionally good Sicilian style - very authentic, just go with and of his recommendations and you can’t go wrong! And the wine recommendations to pair with the food - perfect! Its got a great, cosy, authentic vibe too Enjoy a little taste of Sicily in central London

Home cooked Italian food served with no frills in wonderful surroundings. The people made us feel like family, wonderfully attentive, funny, and helpful. Great experience!

Real Italian cuisine LIKE AT HOME IT’S DELICIOUS

I've been to dinner twice with my family. Truly Italian restaurant, with excellent Italian cuisine and reasonable prices. Very attentive service. The host Pino Ragona is unique. We will be back soon.

If I could put 6 stars I would! The most incredible (authentic) food, staff and atmosphere! We will certainly be back very very soon.

Wonderful theatre land restaurant something of an institution very welcoming good and service

Giovanni’s is a must!. Delicious meals, personal touch to every dish and a crew that made us all feel like family! Pino Ragona welcomed us and accommodated our large party. Everyone place this on the “go to” list when in London. Roberto was #1 in making us full with laughter, refreshments and dishes.

This is the best place for dinner in all of England. A hidden gem in Covent Garden serving food that rivals the best Italian restaurants in the world. When you walk in you see all the famous people that have been here and there’s a reason for it. The personal service and amazing food is unmatched by any restaurant. The owner, Pino Ragona, ensures every customer is taken care of and if you’re lucky, you’ll get Roberto as your server who’s quick wit and kind nature makes the experience that much better. If you’re in England, find your way to Giovanni’s in Covent Garden and you’ll experience the best dinner you’ve ever had.

Best Italian meal ever! Pinot, Claire, Roberto and Shivraj…love these guys and are amazing. Will definitely be coming back 🥰. Don’t even need to go to Italy!!!

There is something magical about this place. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is what to expect from an Italian restaurant, and the alleyway entrance adds a mystique to the experience, but most of all it is Pino who excites the imagination and tempts the palate. He is inviting and makes you feel at home. I try to dine with them when in London.

If only there were 6 Stars! My favorite restaurant in London.

We can’t say enough about Giovanni’s. Pino was amazing. We spent two weeks in Italy this summer and did not have any better than this. Beyond amazing. Such a simple thing as the olives. I’ve never had anything like them. We weee blown away.

Tastiest meal in london! Authentic Italian food with 5*** service from pino ragona!

Great service and great atmosphere. Love!

Found this cosy and intimate restaurant by chance and will definitely return . Wonderful owner and the most delicious ravioli!!! xxx

Excellent food. Excellent friendly and helpful service. Exceptional menu. Small intimate dining. My family loved this place! Highly recommend it.

Fabulous! Food and service were wonderful. Highly recommend.

Beautiful restaurant, great service and lovely food

A breath of fresh air. Excellent food, a great attentive waiter and a wonderful way to have a true Sicilian lunch.

Amazing food and lovely service ❤️

What a fantastic experience! Amazing food, lovely service, great atmosphere. Highly recommend

Amazingly authentic and wonderfully welcoming. Staff perfect and attentive, couldnt ask for better service. Highly recommend if in London. An absolute must! Food, wine, ambiance, staff, location 10/10! We will be back!

Fantastic food, wonderful lunchtime experience. Don’t know why we’ve not visited before but we’ll definitely be back.

A welcoming and characteristic environment that transports you to a pleasant, unique and warm atmosphere.... A cuisine that warms the heart and takes you on a journey that takes you through true Italian flavors. An experience to try also thanks to the personality and hospitality of the owner Pino: a person who tells a story of tradition and love.

With pleasure the great Pino took us back to Italy, pampering us with his dishes and his kindness

I personally met Pino and he is the best Chef, host and an excellent person!!!! You're the best !!!!

This is the best Italian authentic restaurant in London. We came especially, a night early and the service and food did not disappoint. The lemoncello is to die for!

Fantastic food and great service. Can’t wait to come back

I have been twice in the last few weeks and both fantastic, food brilliant and great hospitality, will be returning soon.

Being of Sicilian descent, the food was spot on. In London for a 5 day vacation, we ended up having dinner there twice. The three of us each tried something different the second night and were just as pleased as the first. The food was as good as my Sicilian mother’s dinners. Pino and his staff were friendly and professional.

Best Italian restaurant in London hands down!

Such a lovely experience, Pino was so lovely. The food was delicious and the restaurant was so authentic and beautiful. 100% going to be our new local.

Pino the godfather made our evening! Highly recommend.

The ambience, service, and the FOOD, outstanding! A great way to start our first night in London. No need to go anywhere else!

This might've been the best Italian experience I've ever had. The food was as good as I've had, the wine choices, while not a ton of options, were all very nice. The Banfi Brunello was perfect. The attention paid to our experience by the staff was above and beyond. To cap the evening off, Pino pulled out his special Grappa and sat with us for a while, laughing and sharing his experiences with us. Highly recommend!

Awesome food, service, and atmosphere! Highest of recommendations!!

Giovanni’s is not only the best Italian food I’ve ever eaten but the dining experience provided was truly delightful. Pino is a legend and he took a shine to our table and regaled us with hilarious stories that left us in tears. He provided us with free Grappa and spent almost an hour sharing stories of some of the celebrity legends that have walked through his doors. As we left, he gave us all a warm embrace and a delicate kiss on each cheek. You feel like you’ve stumbled upon the back door of your Italian grandma’s kitchen and the whole family is there to welcome you with open arms. I will forever remember this evening and wish that all could experience Pino and the remarkable food and fun he provides. Make Giovanni’s a must visit your next trip to London

This was hands down the best Italian food I’ve ever had. It was all delicious, the wine was fantastic, and the service superb. The waitstaff and the chef were all lovely. I cannot recommend highly enough!

One of my favorite places in London. Every time I visit London we have dinner here. Food is fabulous!

This was the meal I wish I had in Taormina! My husband and I had just flew in from Taormina and this was our first meal in London and the food was incredible! Paired with the ambiance and service it was a wonderful experience. Must stop in!

A wonderful dining experience from start to finish. The food , wine and staff are fantastic. Ten Stars. ⭐️ We love being treated like family. Grazie mille Pino 🍷

Vergüenza como la comida es realmente genial, pero el servidor que me sirvió hoy tenía una actitud horrible. Me cobraron la cantidad incorrecta porque ella no escuchó a su colega que había mencionado varias veces que yo tenía el trato de almuerzo. Como resultado, me cobraron de más y sus sistemas no pudieron procesar un reembolso. El gerente fue simpático y sí intentó rectificar el tema pero en su lugar terminó dándome una "bebida gratis" que estaba destinada a estar ya incluida en lo que había pagado (y en su momento incluso pagado de más! ! ) . Pero honestamente la señora que me sirvió tenía una actitud horrible hacia lo que se sentía como un inconveniente que es lo que incluso me ha impulsado a escribir esta crítica. También ha intentado culparme delante de su manager por "no decirle lo que estaba tomando", aunque, si hubiera prestado atención a su colega, habría procesado mi pedido correctamente. No solo eso, sino que sentí que tenía que señalar a la pantalla que la cantidad era de £ 10 para un tazón y bebida no de £ 10. 95 en el que ella seguía insistiendo - el segundo tipo que llenó mi tazón parecía tratar de estar de acuerdo y sentí que me estaban estafando. Me fui con un sabor amargo en la boca. Una vez más, una pena ya que la comida es agradable y el primer chico que me sirvió era realmente encantador.

Warm friendly welcome from the proprietor. Delicious French menu. Wonderful cosy 'theatreland' ambience

A Family, Excellent Food, Typical Italian Food It's like getting to a piccola Italy Everything fantastic

L’ultimo giorno della nostra vacanza a Londra abbiamo deciso di mantenerci leggeri, siamo stati a mangiare da Poke House, qualità ottima e buon servizio. Consigliato quando si vuol mantenere leggeri.

What a lovely restaurant, and the food has to be tasted to be appreciated. More than enjoyed every course.

Nice small Italian restaurant with authentic food and lovely staff! Would come here again

Simply the best italian restaurant in London. Family run. You may find the name of this restaurant in the definition of many words in the Oxford dictionary, including: italian food, courtesy and service.

Outstanding service and quality of food! Will definetly be back soon

Intimate and welcoming Sicilian Italian restaurant. We had a 1730 reservation on Saturday, April 6th, 2024. Excellent food and friendly and attentive service from our hostess who seated us, to ok our waiter who served us to the owner, Pino who greeted and checked on us multiple times. Our party of four very much enjoyed our dinner experience. Thank you.

this restaurant is truly perfect if you want great food and a relaxed/awesome atmosphere

Went here for my dad's 82nd birthday as a treat as he'd wanted to go for a long time. Lovely service and quaint atmosphere, with all the signed celeb photos on the wall, candlelight and old-school service. All waiters were attentive and welcoming and made a little song and dance around my dad's birthday which was appreciated. Food was the let down here. The website doesn't state prices and we were pretty shocked to see £35 dishes of pasta (pasta should never be that expensive!) My dad had the liver and guanciale and it was 2 pieces of liver and 3 pieces of bacon for £38. Felt like a starter and was a bit underwhelming. Pasta was tasty but not particularly memorable or special. Fried courgettes were desperately under seasoned and the mixed sharing board of cheese and meats had 3 single bites of cheese which we had to try and share between 4. Wine was nice, although only 2 bottles under £50 so keep that in mind. I truly believe places like this are an institution, and it's important to keep the original London restaurants going. But in my opinion, Giovannis needs to learn to adapt to modern expectations and not solely lean on their history or novelty to get good reviews.

Very cozy atmosphere and friendly, family service!

What a wonderful small and cozy Italian restaurant. Everyone was wonderful, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was perfect. Great for a small group or a romantic date. If you want Italian while in London, come here! It’s tucked away in an alley - well worth a few extra steps!

Excellent find down a small backstreet. Kinda blink and you'd miss it. Small and intimate. Perfect place with authentic Italian food. Has lots of photos of celebs who have been on the walls . Great vibe good portions and lovely wine. Would highly recommend with efficient service . Closes between 2.30 and 5.30.

Faultless, just wish the tap water wasn't served in a gin bottle. I have spent the last few days denying drinking

Wonderful food. Charming atmosphere and top notch service. Owner visits the tables. You will never be disappointed with any dish you order. Go have a meal. You will be back.

Loved this as our post theatre meal. So cosy and but service and food were great

The restaurant fit us in , despite no availability on line x loved the secret entrance at the back x food and service Excellant x if you looking for quaint and traditional instead of flashy this is a definite visit x Thankyou x

Great place for a special occasion

Delicious pasta! Very friendly service. A good time for us.

Absolute Gem of a place! Lovely owner and amazing fresh pasta Beautiful decor