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Name: Cafe Gia
Address: 410 S High St, Baltimore, MD, 21202
Telephone: (410) 685-6727
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.88

Cafe Gia

410 S High St, Baltimore, MD, 21202

(410) 685-6727
Store is closed

Cafe Gia Menu

Antipasti

Bruschetta

Caprese

Poletna & Sausage

Anipasto Misto Della Casa

Grilled Calamari

Fritto Misto Allitaliana
Soup & Salad

Misto Della Casa

Grilled Caesar

Spinach Salad
Frutti De Mare (seafood)

Shrimp & Scallop Alberto

Shrimp Fra Diavolo

Shrimp Scampi

Vongole E Spinach

Ravioli Pescatore

Salmon Alla Griglia

Fettuccine Ai Frutti Di Mare (gias Pick)
Pasta E Basta

Mamma Mia

La Primavera

Penne Rappini

Penne Vodka

Fettuccine Or Gnocchi Alla Bolognese

Gnocchi Gorgonzola

Linguini Alfredo

Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli

Cavetelli Di Nonna

Eggplant Parmigina
Pollo

Chicken Parmigiana

Chicken Saltimbocca

Involtini Di Poll

Chicken Marsalla
Vitello

Veal Piccata Da Zio Ciccio

Veal Marsalla Da Zia Pina

Veal Milanese Da Luca

Healthy Meal suggestions for Cafe Gia

Antipasti

Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Poletna & Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Anipasto Misto Della Casa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fritto Misto Allitaliana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soup & Salad

Misto Della Casa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Frutti De Mare (seafood)

Shrimp & Scallop Alberto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Fra Diavolo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Scampi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vongole E Spinach [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli Pescatore [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Alla Griglia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Ai Frutti Di Mare (gias Pick) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta E Basta

Mamma Mia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

La Primavera [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Rappini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Vodka [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Or Gnocchi Alla Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi Gorgonzola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguini Alfredo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cavetelli Di Nonna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Parmigina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pollo

Chicken Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Saltimbocca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Involtini Di Poll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Marsalla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Vitello

Veal Piccata Da Zio Ciccio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Marsalla Da Zia Pina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Milanese Da Luca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Christine C.

What a great little place in Little Italy! I ate lunch here today with a business colleague and it was fabulous. The environment is so comfortable and nicely decorated! We had a friendly server, told us the specials and was attentive throughout the lunch. I had the panzanella salad with grilled shrimp and he had a gnocchi with bolognese sauce. Both were good lunch portions and excellent. I look forward to going back for drinks and possibly sitting outside. They have a nice sitting outside on second floor.
(5)
Leslie W.

Food was absolutely delicious... The place feels like a home.. Our server Michael was knowledgable, presentable and super nice! Definitely will return
(5)
Fred R.

What a great restaurant. We couldn't find a restaurant to take our group of 15 and a simple phone call to Cafe Gia and they accommodated us on the spot. Food is terrific and the owner made us feel totally at ease welcome. A must to dine at Cafe Gia!!! Thanks Gia!'
(5)
Michelle M.

State of Emergency. Much of the city shut down in the face of the riots. State troopers and National Guard blanketing the Inner Harbor where we are as well as other parts of Baltimore. Luckily for us, this restaurant was open for business. Welcome to little Italy. Baltimore is a beautiful city. Swept streets, well tended and quaint buildings. It's a short jaunt from the bay. Cafe Gio is nestled Is nestled in a corner, bright with color and long on charm. There's not a surface in the interior or the exterior that is not painted in vibrant colors. Even the plates and the glasses are colorful. The tables too are painted and the whole cafe is alive with murals. We ordered the specials. Mussels for me and Black Sea bass for the Hubs. Never have I had such plump and fresh mussels. No sand, no bitterness. Every mussel brought from Rhode Island sweet and firm. The sauce that covered these ocean gems was delectable with a hidden sass after the swallow. A hint of heat, it flared then subsided, leaving one wanting only more. In case you wondered if the cafe was really Italian, our server's name was Giuseppe. When we asked if they had a dessert menu, we practically skipped over and announced "I am the dessert menu." Three items: cannoli, tiramisu, bread pudding Nutella with home made vanilla gelato. Since Giuseppe waxed poetic about the last two items, we couldn't decide so ordered them both. How to describe such deliciousness? I can't. I only have enough energy now to moan that I ate too much and post photos. Here they are. Now if you can, go find out for yourself. Five stars for staying open under the cloud of violence and being a light in the temporary darkness that hangs over of this fair city.
(5)
Pilgrim C.

My partner and I visited this restaurant, in Baltimore's "Little Italy," for lunch during the week. There is on-street parking, and the restaurant is very clear about its hours and menu, offering this information outside of the restaurant. Overall, we did have a good experience here. The service was certainly a highlight. We were greeted promptly, and everything was delivered to the table in a well-timed manner. The staff was very polite and helpful. The food here is good, but I wouldn't call it exceptional. We ordered the garlic bread for an appetizer, which seems unusual to me given the fact that bread--perhaps not garlic bread, but at least sliced bread--is often a standard offering with most meals in Italian restaurants. We only got four small slices of bread with this order. My partner ordered the orecchiette with Italian sausage and broccoli rabe. It was good, but not much more than the ingredients tossed a bit with the pasta. I ordered the puttanesca, and it certainly was tasty. This restaurant adds the anchovies directly, and I liked this touch--in some places, I've found that this ingredient gets hidden. However, the sauce was a bit on the watery side, and overall, it wasn't a standout. This restaurant offers some solid Italian standards, and the service is very good. It is certainly worth visiting, but don't expect to be wowed.
(3)
Abigail R.

How have I not been to this gem of a place? Cafe Gia is small, but so colorful you barely notice. We stopped in for dinner after visiting their new cocktail and wine bar - pane e vino - around the corner. We were lucky enough to catch Aaron Joseph from Wit and Wisdom mixing up a bunch of fancy cocktails. Fancy enough, that we needed food. We called over to the restaurant and they quickly pulled together a table for 6. I mentioned we were hungry, we started quickly with a bottle of red and some bread. And shocking - octopus. We ordered it. (I think I order it every time it's on the menu - sorry friends). And the burrata which was on special. The cheese was creamy and mild, and served greens and their fresh bread. Octopus doesn't photograph as well as it tastes. This antipasti was marvelous; a perfect start to the meal. The octopus is grilled to a slight char bringing out stunning color. I love it, sitting on top of a bed arugula, spinach; a base for the creamy garbanzo beans, salty capers, and crisp red onions. I think the apps were better than the entrees. The table ended up going with the papparedelle pasta with Ox Tail bolognese. Spot on. A perfect chunky, yet, gamey meat sauce. I think it was the favorite on the table. I had gnocchi di spinaci - for some reason, I wasn't craving the ox. I can't let the picture speak for itself, but the menu does a pretty good job: "Sweet and simple, this sauce has a nutty tang from the blue cheese, cantaloupe and arugula". They were full of spinach flavor, but it did not take away from the light and fluffy pillow effect. The sauce... So, I think I single-handedly finished off a loaf bread dipping. I have been avoiding Little Italy for quite some time, in favor of Sotto Sopra. I think my gnocchi was fresh made, I am not sure about the other pastas. I will be heading back here, probably actually the cute little bar Pane e Vino they have opened next door. I haven't quite figured out why they have a urinal and a toilet in a single stall bathroom, but I am sure there is a reason.
(3)
Nicki C.

I can't complain about anything at this quaint little restaurant. The service was great! Michael recommended the perfect dishes for all three of us - shrimp risotto, manicotti and the Quattro formaggi pasta for me. It was exactly what I was craving - cheesy, creamy, and just the right amount of saltiness. Michael also checked that my friend loved spinach, as the stuffing for her manicotti was half spinach/half cheese - just like she loves it. They also had a great drink menu. We had a few drinks for our ladies night out! Highly recommended!
(5)
Tara G.

We came here because the other place we tried ran out of food. I guess my expectations were too high, but I was expecting amazing Italian food in Little Italy. The food was average, nothing stuck out. They have reasonably priced bottles of wine, so that's nice. The service was really good, attentive, and quick. We got chocolate creme brulee which I would not recommend, it tasted like it was just chocolate pudding with caramelized sugar. It was good, but not what I was expecting - I would not have ordered pudding for dessert.
(3)
Bill N.

Went for dinner. Place is cozy. Michael was out server. He was friendly and very helpful. Good was good and the size portion. Other diners were happy with what they got for dinner. Try this place
(4)
Steve L.

Jumping on the band wagon!!! Excellent grilled Caesar and Chicken Parmesan!!! Wonderful service...VERY SWEET LITTLE LADY!!
(5)
Joe C.

Oh yes - THIS is how you do Italian. Please be advised that the restaurant is indeed as tiny as many of the previous reviewers have mentioned, and while they will try to accommodate you, they will not be shy about telling you exactly what's going on in the restaurant. The restaurant was happy to take our reservation for six, but only if we promised to leave by 8:00 pm sharp so they could have the table ready for another group that had a reservation. I've never had that happen before, and while it was a little offputting, the food most definitely made up for it. Cafe Gia had more variety than I expected, and the calamari in particular was quite nice (same with the desserts). The main dishes were the only ones I didn't completely love, but they were certainly tasty as well. Match it with a bottle of prosecco to start the evening and a strong red for the main dish, and we had a lovely evening.
(4)
Kate B.

The best! Our absolute favorite date night spot in Little Italy. The grilled Caesar is a favorite app and the seafood pastas and chicken parm are consistently incredible. Delicious food, wonderful staff and an even better atmosphere. Definitely a favorite in our household.
(5)
Amanda E.

I went to Cafe Gia with two friends on a Wednesday night as part of a girls night out. Had our first issue at the door when the hostess got a little finicky when we asked for outdoor seating. We could tell from our walk that there was some available, and told her we didn't mind waiting for a bit if something needed to be cleared off. After about 10 minutes a server walked over and took us upstairs to the balcony, explaining to the hostess that he would finish busing the table. After seating us he disappeared for a bit which wound up being the theme of the evening. We finally got waters, then had to wait to place drink orders, and then when those arrived we had to wait to put it an appetizer. They were also out (??) of Buffalo Mozzarella that evening which was surprising as the restaurant wasn't that busy and it was also a Wednesday night. So instead of getting the caprese tower we went with the bruschetta which was okay - bread was overcooked. Eventually we were able to order our entrees and a good thirty minutes later they arrived at which point all our drinks were empty. Sadly we had to wait for the server to come back again to ask for refills which took much longer than it should. Again, the restaurant was rather empty with one other party on the balcony and one larger party in the main room that was sat around the time we got our appetizers and was placing their meal order right before ours arrived - so not a case of a backed-up kitchen. I had read on yelp they they are understaffed during the week and I'm wondering if the server upstairs was also responsible for the tables downstairs and/or tables in the bar area. In the end the food was great but instead of staying for dessert we decided to walk to Vaccaro's so that we could get something sweet without waiting another half hour. Might go back but with so many other restaurants in Little Italy it will be awhile.
(3)
Donna M.

BEST overall dining experience I've had an a long time! Quaint neighborhood, great for sitting outside, Brian the bartender is incredible (I'm sure the rest of the wait staff is great as well, he was just our guy), and the food is par excellence--easily the best Italian food I've had in recent memory. I'll be looking for excuses to head to Baltimore's Little Italy and making a bee line for Cafe Gia's ASAP!
(5)
Haley A.

I came here for dinner while on a date. The decor is very cute and the proprietor (I think she is) came to say hello and ask us how we liked our meal. The food was excellent. I had the shrimp scampi and my date had the shrimp fra diavolo. Prices were reasonable and the atmosphere was great. This place seems to draw a slightly older, calmer crowd which was definitely refreshing. We plan to go back for sure.
(3)
Alyssa P.

We stopped at the grand opening of the bar next door pane vino . It was quite crowded and happening. There were some free passed apps which were really nice seasoned shrimp and homemade pizza. The reason fir 3 stars is that our drinks were not good at all and no happy hour prices like advertised. Definitely want to check out the restaurant and give the bar one more chance. Lovely staff. Friendly owners
(3)
J F.

I throughly enjoyed Cafe Gia. The service and the quality of food was fantastic! Authentic Italian food served to the standards of your mother's. The ambiance was perfect; small quaint place with a great feel. I would go back and highly recommend this place to anyone who wants a home cooked meal while visiting Baltimore.
(5)
Vincent E.

Loved it. Small place well decorated with great food and great service.. Well prepared food and a nice mix of unique and traditional dishes. The group I was with are not from areas of the country that you can get authentic Italian food and they loved it as well. If u go u have to get the garlic bread with anything you order and use it to clean off your plates..
(5)
John H.

This is probably my 6th visit over the last 2 years and always on my list for dinner when in town. Now that they have the bar next door the outdoor seating gives you the ability to order off either menu. Always 5-stars.
(5)
Kim W.

I loved this cute little place! It is so colorful ! I had the Cavatelli du Nonna and lets just say, it was so good, even though the portion was so big I couldn't begin to eat it all, I kept eating way after I was full!(and I still took some home). My husband had the Lasagna Bolognese and it was amazing! We split the Caprese Tower and I would totally recommend that as well. Beautiful presentation. I would totally recommend this restaurant for a regular or romantic night out!!
(5)
Eisa W.

We've been to Cafe Gia twice, and left happy both times! For appetizers, we had bruschetta and grilled octopus, delicious! I m not going to list the entrees we had, trust me, they are all good...so were the desserts, especially the canoli, the best I've ever had! The waiter and waitress were friendly and made good recommendations! Cafe Gia is just Great!
(5)
Bill C.

Little place at the end of the road, it was prefect for what I wanted as a lone traveler. I got the specials appetizer; Burrate cheese (like mozzarella, but better) on lightly grilled tomato slices with some greens and balsamic dressing: Delicious!!!! Highly recommend. I got the spinach gnocchi in a Gorgonzola cream sauce....a little strong but still good. The portion was not large, which is exactly what I wanted. A couple glass of good red wine and the evening was complete. I had great service from Fabio . The specials sounded great and I will definitely go back for more.
(4)
Samantha D.

My fiancÃ©e and I took a mini vacation to Baltimore; the other night we decided to come down to Little Italy and came here. We both got the eggplant parm, it was mind blowing. Best italian food we have ever had! The next night we came back. I got the lasagna....amazing! !! The owner is a doll, she did a remakable job designing this place. The bartender Brian is by far the best bartender i have ever encountered. I would highly recommend this place to anyone traveling to Baltimore. We definitely plan to return here on our next trip.
(5)
Pat M.

I was hosting a "widabago weekend" of fellow widows and widowers, most of whom are not from Baltimore, so I wanted to include our classic Bawlmer-style Little Italy (or is that Li'l Itly?!) as part of the weekend plans. After looking at the generally average ratings of practically all local restaurants, including the old legends, I decided I'd go with a smaller and more intimate place, making a reservation for CafÃ© Gia. There were nine of us in our party, and the staff (including Gia, I believe) seated us upstairs despite two of our party not yet being there. We were warmly greeted by our waiter, Fabio, whose name alas prompted jokes since he was not at all some sculpted hunk of a romance novel model with long flowing hair! Fabio, however, was absolutely fantastic, and a primary reason that CafÃ© Gia deserves this 5-star review. He was smiling, gracious, friendly, attentive, and dozens of other very good things that set a professional waiter apart from your everyday wait staff. I cannot think of another instance where the waiter came back, POST-TIP, to thank us for our generosity! The man deserves generous patrons! Looks like I'm going to complete this review by writing more about the wait staff than the food! And that's by no means a slight! I had the Veal Marsala and thoroughly enjoyed it. I likewise had a small taste of the polenta and asparagus appetizer, and found it to be tasty as well. And while I didn't ask each of the other diners specifically about each and every dish, it was clearly the consensus that the food was excellent, and everyone enjoyed our dinner and just relaxing in the wonderful setting with our tremendous Fabio. Thanks, CafÃ© Gia, for providing an excellent night to our special group!
(5)
Kojo B.

I came here for a catered event for my old work place, and service was outstanding, they had pizza, some banging shreeded pulled bbq pork that had like cranberries in them delicious and some other items.. Wine was flowing, if this is an indicator of their service i will be back for sure to sample their menu.. Still can't put the pork out of my head.. Delicious.
(4)
Maia L.

While strolling through little Italy stopped to admire a very eclectic looking restaurant. To our surprise we ended up in a great convo with a charming lady Gia, the owner. After deciding to stop in and ordering our food, we were beyond impressed! 1. The food was well portioned and fresh 2. The food came out in a timely manner- we were starving! 3. The waiter made great recommendations 4. Food was delicious! Bottom line, the food is amazing and an absolute must if you are in the area!!
(5)
Jory B.

At first we thought it was taking a little too long to be seated even though we had a reservation and were right on time. As soon as we were seated we realized that the staff there, especially Giovanna (NOT the real Gia - ask her the story!), are there to take care of every guest and they take their time to provide the best service to everyone! The food is amazing, the atmosphere quaint, and just what you would hope to find in "Little Italy". Order the Antipasto and Bruschette. If Osso Bucco is a special of the night, you definitely want to order it. If you are in Baltimore and looking for a great Italian place, this is it. If you go, tell Giovanna I send my best!
(5)
Missmoti G.

The chance to dine on "real, authentic Italian dishes" fell flat at this place. I was here for lunch and ordered the shrimp and scallop (2 jumbo shrimp and 1 giant scallop), the sizes of the shrimp and scallops were great but the quantity left me disappointed. I envisioned a plate of yummy pasta drenched in thick tomato sauce but instead the sauce was watery and I had to add salt. The portion size for lunch was on the smaller side and I left this place hungry. Service: Ladies in her 30s, I didn't find her welcoming as I noticed her looking me up and down. Sorry, but I don't dress in heels and dresses as a tourist in Baltimore, especially walking around the harbor area. Maybe I just expected more, since it's a smaller business where the owners are actually working.
(2)
C C.

Server was knowledgeable and was helpful with daily specials. Food was very good. We started with the homemade caprese salad. It was outstanding with grilled tomatoes and fresh burrata. The grilled octopus with garbanzo was easy to eat. We added red pepper to kick it up a notch. We split Veal shank dinner for main course that did not disappoint. Ended with homemade canolli with espresso. Based on the dinner crowd, an additional server would have made a huge difference to allow for faster check point and follow up to wine glass refill; bread basket delivery, as well as meal verification. It was a Monday night and the restaurant was full, upstairs and downstairs; yet Only ONE server.
(3)
Lia D.

A little let down by my fellow yelpers. Food is just eh. Service is slow. Portions are small. Surprised at all these 4 and 5 star reviews. This is our first foray into Baltimore's Little Italy. Disappointed. It's going to be hard to convince me to try another place.
(3)
Kellie J.

Me and my other 2 girlfriend went for lunch on a rainy day. My one friend ordered the prosciutto arugula sandwich. And then me and my other friend split the manicotti and tortellini. The manicotti was outstanding. But the tortellini was good, but not great. Service was excellent. I might return for dinner next time I'm in town.
(4)
Brynn M.

This is my "go to" place in Little Italy for a nice night out. The atmosphere is great - artisanal and funky but no white table cloths. I have never had a pasta dish I didn't like here and their portions are generous. Their shrimp fra diavlo is my favorite. The parking garage in Little Italy - 1 block away - makes this place easy to get to!
(5)
Megan C.

This place is locally owned and so delicious. I went with a big group, with no reservation, and they were very accommodating and wonderful. The cannolis and tiramisu were made on site and to die for. I ate the cavatelli in bolognese sauce. This restaurant doesn't even compare to any other chain Italian I've ever had. Delicious! Would go back any day.
(5)
John W.

I grew up near Baltimore and have been to many of the old Little Italy stalwarts such as Chipparelli's and Sabatino's. After many years, we got to spend a tourist weekend in Baltimore and went looking for something new (to us) in Little Italy. Cafe Gia did not disappoint! From appetizer (burratta caprese salad) to entrees (shrimp zucchini risotto, chicken Parmesan, chicken picatta) to dessert (chocolate creme brulee), the food was exceptional. The service by our waiter Fabio great, and we were made to feel welcome like members of the family at this family-run restaurant. We had a wonderful time and will be back.
(5)
Joanna T.

Pleasant, family run spot in Little Italy that would be great for a cozy meal or in my case, a lunch meeting. The interior is completely handpainted with murals - mostly vintage Italian ad posters (but well done ones, not cheesy at all). We started with an antipasto plate which would make a good starter for a group or a nice snack for 2 with some wine. It included 3-4 kinds of cured meat, grilled/marinated veggies, olives and some absolutely delicious cheeses. I ordered a salad which included more of that wonderful pecorino, along with fresh veggies and a homemade and light balsamic dressing. Tasty as it was, the description on the menu promised me fresh basil and there was none to be found. One other person ordered a tuna salad sandwich (I know, at an Italian place?) and proclaimed it "one of the best sandwiches" he'd ever had. Two others got chicken parm sandwiches which were less thrilling as they were pressed under a Panini press and were kind of dry. Service - full disclosure - we were a little early for our meeting and one of the attendees was late meaning we were probably stuck waiting around for close to 30 minutes which very clearly annoyed our server. I totally get it - but there were plenty of open tables, so it isn't like we were making people wait while we hogged a table. Overall, it's a cute little place and based on other reviews, service may not be the "friendliest" - but the food was generally good and the prices were quite reasonable.
(3)
Thom D.

This was my first Yelp find for Little Italy. Seafood pasta was pretty good, as was the eggplant. Our server was excellent -- very attentive. Overall, there was nothing particularly remarkable about the experience.
(4)
David Y.

My 18 yo daughter and I visited for dinner and were very pleased. I informed the hostess that I was lactose intolerant and was told that there were a number of dishes that would be okay, just to tell our server. My daughter elected for the chicken parm, which was so large she could eat only half and insisted on taking the other half back to the hotel (which has a fridge but no in-room MWO). I had the meatballs over linguini. The food was perfect, portions were large, and Terri, our server, was very attentive. We would definitely be back and highly recommend.
(5)
Melanie K.

I came in with a party of 7 last night for dinner for my sister's birthday. Hubby and I parked in the parking lot about 2 blocks away and it was an easy walk to the restaurant. The homemade fettuccine was definitely the highlight of the night. Unfortunately it didn't come with my meal. I got the Eggplant Parmesan and although the eggplant was cooked well and was tasty, I found the red sauce to be overly acidic and kinda bitter. Overall, I found the food to be just average. My portion was adequate, but I found almost everyone else in our party had relatively small portions as far as Italian restaurants go. The restaurant is small and the ambiance was fine. There is only one bathroom. And not one male and one female--there is literally one stall. Our waitress was friendly but horrible overall. It took a LONG time for her to come by and take our orders, she never came by and asked if everything was okay, and it seemed to take forever for us to get our check at the end of the night. We decided to skip on dessert because we didn't feel like waiting another 20 minutes for the dessert menu. There was really nothing special about this place. Just average and I won't be sad if I never go back.
(3)
L B.

We have generally found this to be a pretty good place. Tonight the mussels just did't make it and were a serious detraction from the paella type dish in which they resided. They were not very fresh and had a high level of grit. I did tell the wait staffer and she said she would inform the kitchen. No further apologies were made or adjustments offered.
(3)
Nisha G.

Everything about this place screams Italy! The food itself was spectacular. I went with 3 other people and between the four of us we shared a bottle of wine and left feeling more than content. The only issue I would mention Is that our waitress was kind of snobby, however a older woman (presuming the owner or manager of some sorts) was very sweet to us. She made up for the rudeness of our waitress. I would recommend this place to others but don't see myself coming back since I have many more places to try in little Italy!
(4)
Mary P.

Absolutely fantastic! My boyfriend and I wandered over to Little Italy with no place in mind, all we wanted was to eat somewhere that had seating outside. We decided on this place after seeing the menu and wanted to give it a try. It was a beautiful evening so outdoor seating made everything even better than it was. We had a great waiter, super knowledgeable about the food! We got the gnocchi and the eggplant parmesan, both of which were awesome! We got the lemon cannoli for dessert, really great as well. 10/10 would recommend!
(5)
Tom B.

Some of the best Italian food I've had. Unpretentious and cozy cafe style place. Exceptional, friendly service. I had the seafood ravioli that was incredibly delicious.
(4)
Andy N.

Maybe it was just a bad experience that I had with the dish I picked but is 'Cavatelli di Nonna' what the Hamburger Helper concept was modeled after??? Seriously, ground beef, pasta, red sauce and cheese. Service was good, small and quaint restaurant tucked away in Little Italy. The wine selection apparently is pretty small too but then again maybe I just had poor judgement. Good luck!
(2)
Mos D.

Highly, highly, highly, highly, highly, HIGHLY, HIGH-LY, HI LEE, OVERRATED. The fact this place is voted best Italian over and over either means the voters are oblivious or advertising dollars come into play with the featuring magazines. Tacky paintings on the tables and walls, CCR playing on the radio???, an espresso bar with no knowledge of Italian espresso drinks, and a menu about as boring as could be. The Fritto Misto is too heavily battered to let you enjoy the would be sweet and delicate seafoods hidden in all that breading. The squid is either previously frozen (it is) or overcooked (it is) because it's neither tender nor tasty. I HATE HATE HATE restaurants that serve sides as an afterthought, and this place is nothing but that. Veal Marsala, which by the way was missing the Marsala, was served with flavorless green beans and overcooked, stale potato wedges. They called them Italian potatoes, which I have no clue what that meant, but I guess I don't like Italian potatoes. Overall this place is a fail. Nothing gross, nothing inedible, but nothing worse being happy about.
(2)
Nancy S.

Only issue was the service, but the ambiance and food more than made up for any delays. All 3 in or party raved about our dishes. Felt it was very reasonable for the quality of food we enjoyed. Don't forget to step next door for a night cap
(5)
Rob W.

I just went back here for a nice dinner, and please be aware that this restaurant is NOT BYOB - I repeat, NOT BYOB. I was informed of this at the door when I brought a bottle of wine. So anyone in here who says that this is a BYOB is mistaken. They told me I had to leave the bottle in my car, but I was parked far. They said to just put it under our table and don't open it. They were very apologetic, to their credit and said that they acquired a liquor license 3 years ago. Surprisingly, we didn't get that amazing garlic bread, and it wasn't on the menu this time around either. I'm telling you, it was that good! I went with a New York Strip special that was prepared with shiitake mushrooms, bleu cheese and was accompanied with freshly sliced zucchini and small roasted potatoes. My fiance went with the fresh salmon and it also was paired with the zucchini and potatoes. In fact, I heard the waitress say to another table that most of all the entrees that are not pasta are paired with the zucchini and potatoes. Needless to say our food was yet again outstanding, and really not too expensive. Total bill including two drinks from their bar, two entrees (1 special), 1 misto salad came to $79+ tip. Not too bad and again the quality and taste is outstanding.
(5)
Lauren H.

Such an adorable restaurant that feels like you are sitting in a beautiful courtyard in Italy! The food is fabulous and authentic and the waiters are very friendly and helpful. This is my go to place in Little Italy!!
(5)
David R.

The chicken cacciatore was incredible. The flavor of the slow cooked bone in chicken was perfect. I've had a spicy shrimp spaghetti dish that was great too. Make sure you ask to sit out on the balcony. Feels like you're in Europe!
(5)
Robert M.

I've been to Cafe Gia several times and have had a delightful experience each time. The atmosphere is very "cafe" like -- intimate and inviting. The service is friendly and good. The food is terrific. I've had several pasta dishes -- bolognese, arrabiata, vodka and a veggie that were all well prepared with fresh ingredients. They have a garlic oil (that you might have to ask for) that accompanies the bread that's excellent. Also had a caprese type salad and large house salad that were excellent. This has become a "go to" place for us.
(4)
Nataly N.

We came here last night. The dishes ordered were all pretty good: Shrimp fra Diavolo, Salmon alla Griglia, Fettuccine alla Bolognese (which our server pronounced incorrectly), Bruschetta, and two of our party ordered the fish special. The service, however, was slow, awkward, and unprofessional. It took 10 mins for a busser to come over to fill our water glasses. He didn't greet us, make eye contact, or say anything to us while doing so. It was another 10 mins until our server arrived, 20 minutes until she even took our order, 30 minutes until our appetizers came, and another 15-20 minutes until our entrees came. The first thing she said to us was "Sorry, but they all came in at once" and repeated her name twice (which I won't disclose, because my goal is for this restaurant to improve, and calling out names does little to serve this purpose). So, yes, the customers allegedly came in at once... as they have at thousands of restaurants across the country on Saturday nights for decades. That part is completely understandable. What you do to address the Saturday night rush, in the event that the restaurant doesn't staff appropriately, is you greet your table as soon as you can, and maybe courteously let them know that although you're busy, you still trying the best you can to take care of everyone. And then you follow up and ACTUALLY do the best you can. If the food doesn't come out within 15 minutes, you go to your table and say something like, "I'm sorry, I've been checking on your food, but the kitchen's a little backed up right now. Is there anything I can do for you in the meantime?" You can tell by how slowly the front-of-the-house staff walks here that they have no sense of urgency. By 9:30pm, our server was still saying, "Sorry about that - they all came in at once." There was no one else in our section of the restaurant. During the meal, our server also forgot one of our appetizers, and when we were done, she charged us an extra drink that we didn't order. I know this isn't a fine dining establishment, but it's a shame that such a great meal can be tarnished by such abysmal service.
(2)
Daniel L.

Giovani does an amazing job with her food. Every time I visited Baltimore, this place is a must-stop! The ambiance, eclectic building, and great food comfort me while I'm away from home. The staff are welcoming and always willing to provide the best service possible. I particularly enjoy the seafood ravioli.
(5)
Laina G.

Amazing Italian meal- from the mouth of an Italian girl! All 6 of our meals were delicious! We are only in town for a short time, but will definitely come back before we leave.
(5)
Jade O.

3.5/4 I don't typically frequent "red-sauce" southern Italian style restaurants; the reason is two-fold: 1.) I'm from New Jersey, and being from NJ I've been raised to think the best Italian food is made in NJ/NY 2.) I can cook a mean meatball/eggplant parm/sunday sauce on my own. One Sunday I didn't feel like cooking but felt that familiar pang for good, home-cooked Italian comfort food. A quick yelp search brought me to Gia's. I'm glad it did! The pasta bolognese was on point. Rich meaty flavor, velvety texture left on the noodles. The Chicken Parm was good, yet could have been better. I'm a fan of thin chicken breasts (milanese style). The chicken was substantial, yet a little on the dry side. Still, the bright tangy marinara sauce almost made up for it. We were sat upstairs, and service was a little slow, but consistent. The owner herself was a gem. Would return.
(4)
Rob L.

Portions are small for a steep price. Overall quality was good. Service was good even though we came kind of late with a table of 6. If I would of rated this place over the summer it would of got 4 stars being that I got a mouth watering special that really filled me up. The antipasto is limited and you definitely don't get enough for the price. The calamari was small and appeared that it was frozen. I want to love this place cause of the charm but it just falls a little short.
(3)
Betsy S.

This is our go-to restaurant in Little Italy! Whether celebrating a birthday or anniversary or just needing a delicious, relaxing meal, this is our favorite place. We love the charming and intimate atmosphere and the food is always delicious. The hostess, Giovanni, is one of our favorite people and always makes us feel welcome and appreciated. We would highly recommend Cafe Gia.
(5)
Sonya L.

My fiance and I were having a craving for Italian food. We know better than to make the trip to Little Italy because every experience we've ever had at those restaurants have been disappointing. We did it anyway. We did not have high expectations but we went with some basics, chicken parm, garlic bread and meatballs. We ordered garlic bread and it was awesome. We really enjoyed it. The bread was crispy and had great flavor. Our entrees we both felt were bland. The Marinara had no flavor, the meatballs were cooked well but again lacked flavor. His chicken parm was cooked well with a crisp outside but he felt some of it was chewy. We also ordered dessert because the waitress said it was the best Tiramisu she'd ever had. It was good (nothing special) but pricey. We liked the atmosphere of the place with the open windows and intimate feel. The service was decent. The server was knowledgeable but was the only server in the entire dining room so she couldn't be very attentive (not that it bothered us). It was definitely over priced (like all of the restaurants in the area). We will not be returning.
(2)
Matthew T.

I visited this place as one of a party of six for what was supposed to be lunch on Saturday because of its Yelp rating. We arrived shortly before 2.p.m., the time when, according the menu, lunch ends and dinner begins, yet we were given the dinner menu, which contained only heavy entree items. This was almost certainly the result of a financial decision on the part of the apparent proprietor who greeted us somewhat unenthusiastically. We waited at least half an hour for the only server to take our orders and bring us beverages and bread. While the restaurant was clearly understaffed, parties that arrived later than we did had food before we were waited on, including what appeared to be items from the lunch menu, and the server and apparent proprietor deliberately avoided eye contact with me for a while after I started watching them intently because my entire party were very hungry and thought we had waited long enough. Once we were waited on, one of my fellow patrons pointed to an entree on another table and asked what it was because she wanted to order it. The waitress merely told her that it was on the lunch menu (of which we had been deprived because the size of our party presented such a revenue opportunity) and suggested a mere side salad on the dinner menu as supposedly comparable. Many restaurants have offered to make me items that are typically available at different times of day after I have expressed a desire for them, but Cafe Gia seems not to be in the business of being accommodating. Our food came within a reasonable amount of time of when we placed our orders, as opposed to when we were seated. 'The food was good. It was consistent with my expectations of an Italian restaurant with four stars on Yelp. The eggplant parmesan that both my father and I ordered consisted of two large slices of eggplant fried just long enough in a very thin crust, one on top of the other with a layer of good mozzarella on top and a good-sized serving of excellent linguini in marinara sauce. Other entree items excited those who got them a bit less but looked well-executed. Our drinks were refilled without specific requests only once, however. In summary, I give this place four stars for food but one for service. We went there for lunch, not to spend the afternoon waiting. We are unlikely to return soon.
(2)
Mecha E.

This review is for the very bad service. My disabled daughter went to use the restroom and a restaurant employee ran down and blocked access and she was refuse access since we were getting Food Togo. Very SAD behavior.
(1)
Nunya B.

Stopped here due to the outside of the establishment having a very intriguing mural of Italian influence. Ate on the outside deck. Veal and shrimp diavolo was excellent! Moderate pricing and fantastic ambiance!
(4)
Nancy M.

Visited today after spending the afternoon at John Hopkins Hospital. We where looking for a small cafe which this was, but real Italian food, was not. We had good service nice wine a very nice cannolli for desert . The food was OK.
(3)
Charlotte S.

Italian, as much as I enjoy it, can leave me very happy or very sad. Thankfully, the latter did not happen. I got the chicken piccata, which was a generous-sized serving. It was yummy as well, until about 3/4 through the meal. I'm not sure if it was the squash or just the acidic nature of it all, but I felt really sick all of a sudden. I swore that I would not cause a scene, and thanks to all my years of dealing with stomach issues, kept it under control. I wish I could pinpoint this place as the cause of the sickness, but I can't. I've been plagued with stomach issues (funny, how do I review all of these places? how do I even EAT?) so I can never blame the restaurant as the culprit. Other than that, it's a really cute place. Kind of funny, actually. Everyone gets all these wacky-coloured, ridiculous tumblers for their drinks and the decor reminds me of another family-owned restaurant I know (although that one is Greek).
(3)
David B.

Cute place located in Little Italy. Greeted warmly and sat in it's cute decor. Ended up ordering a lunch size order of gnocchi with meat sauce. Delish. Simple and fresh ingredients make for a great dining experience. Back next time.
(4)
Kevin M.

My wife and I had a fine lunch. Excellent braised beef sandwich. Will definitely try the dinner.
(5)
Paul M.

Nice people but average food at best. Ate there last night for dinner and then on a food tour today.
(2)
William M.

Excellent crab & shrimp linguini special!
(5)
Leigh H.

I experienced Cafe Gia's for the first time on a Friday night for a friend's birthday with six people. We did make reservations, which I would recommend for a party of this size. However, we had the upstairs to ourselves, which afforded us a place to celebrate our friend's birthday and have a lot of loud laughs. First, the food. Overall, very good. I had a risotto, which was lovely. One friend had a shrimp scampi, which he made disppear, and another one devoured her catavappi (sp?). The only dish that did not appeal to me was a friend's lasagna, as it looked a bit greasy, but he enjoyed it. My husband and I split an appetizer that was a sampler of fried calamari and a couple of other things, and it was just so-so. However, what made the night a memorable one was our waiter, Fabio. His attention to detail was exceptional, and he had a great sense of humor. Thank you to Fabio and Cafe Gia for helping us to celebrate the birthday of a good friend!
(4)
Michelle T.

The food was delicious....I ate way too much! The staff was helpful and nice. I was not sure of what to eat and the waitress was able to provide me with some entree options. The decor is eclectic and vintage at the same time due them mostly being hand-painted.
(4)
Mark C.

Food was bland and not exciting. Tables are crammed together. Very low lighting. Very cramped entrance. Wouldn't go back.
(2)
Princess A.

This place is okay, not great. Small restaurant not a ton of space. Called the restaurant ahead of time and they said we needed an RSVP because the restaurant was packed. Okay fine no problem. Got to the restaurant and NO ONE was even there! Seriously? Lying okay, well not a good start for us first timers to the restaurant. So no one greeted us at the front, finally this woman came running out (and saw us and just looked at us up and down) and we told her we called ahead..and she didn't even seem phased at all! Ugh. Asked if we could be seated upstairs but no it was reserved. Um okay. Finally sat down and ordered, our waitress wasn't knowledgeable at all and didn't really care and acted like we were a problem. I had spaghetti, it wasn't excellent, pretty gross in fact. Could have made it better at home. I prefer less sauce anyway, but this dish was so saucy, gross! The waitress came over and I told her I wasn't impressed with the food and she didn't really care and rolled her eyes. Also food is overpriced (even for just plain noodles which were eaten in my party) Overall a pretty pompous place, we didn't feel welcome at all.
(3)
Elyse C.

I dined at cafe Gia on Friday for my first time for dinner. The ambience, food, service, and familial warmth bestowed on my date and me were reminiscent of being in Italy; one doesn't have to close his/her eyes to think one is in Italy when u dine here. I asked what the house specialty was and the server, after telling me all the chef's specials ( and he was born and trained in northern Italy the server added) told me the ravioli pescatore was the signature dish and she also recommended I start w the grilled octopus. I went w her suggestion and we shared a grilled Caesar. She was so right- perfectly sized portions and everything was amazing! We didn't think we would have room dot dessert but who could turn down home made cannolo made by the owner herself- and it also didn't disappoint. We supplemented it w chocolate cello also made in house! Yummy. Perfect ending to a perfect meal. We will definitely be back - esp w the warm weather we look forward to dining on the romantic balcony. Worth the visit!
(5)
Jackie R.

Very cozy authentic spot, will be returning next time I'm in the area. The food is delicious and it's full of regulars that all the staff knows feels like a big family!
(4)
Elysia D.

Fantastic best meal I've had in ages my first bite gave me flashbacks of my great grandmothers kitchen.
(5)
Lea K.

The food was very good here. I had the spinach manicotti. It was wonderful and had a great sauce. The service was friendly and VERY knowledgeable about the vegetarian options. The atmosphere was very fun and inviting. If I were a local this would be one of my favorite restaurants!
(4)
Jenny H.

While some of their pasta dishes are authentic and really good, it's overpriced and they give you a small bowl of their pasta. Their fettucine alfredo was the best dish we got, a nice garlicky creamy sauce with chewy thick noodles they make in-house. I got their spaghetti with seafood in marinara sauce (pretty good but nothing extraordinary, they didn't give you a lot of seafood) and my husband got their gnocchi which tasted like regular old gnocchi anywhere in a ragu sauce. They did give us some of their tomato sauce to try in the beginning which was good with bread dipped in.
(3)
Rick G.

Dined October 25, 2012 My wife and I agreed to take our son and his friends up to Baltimore from DC to see a concert and decided to have dinner in Little Italy while we waited. I looked on Yelp and Cafe Gia's received great reviews and sounded like a place to try. The Yelp reviews were spot on and we loved this place. Small, intimate and warm. There were people out with their friends, a family and business men entertaining. Perfect for all and truly authentic Italian cooking. We were greeted at the door by the most delightful matriarch of the restaurant who took my hand and said there would have a table ready soon. The atmosphere, painted walls and eclectic set of glasses behind the bar used for drinks and to serve their home made limoncello was all part of the charm. Our waitress, Elise, was delightful and selected a great Italian wine, Nero D'Avola for us and it was perfect. We had the antipasto for an appetizer, standard meats but very tasty and the cheeses were a good compliment .For dinner, I had home made pasta manicotti that was stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese and baked in a dish. My wife had the chicken caprese, pounded chicken topped with tomato, home made mozzarella cooked in a white wine sauce . My dinner was delicious, hers was outstanding, as we have never had anything like it before. Though we needed nothing more, we had shared the tiramisu and it was as good as I have ever eaten. Our only disappointment is that we leave in DC and have to travel 45 minutes to get there. However, we will. Great place, great food !
(5)
Charles M.

The restaurant is in Little Italy. It's a 20 minutes walk from the Inner Harbor. The atmosphere is nice - nothing extreme or out of place. The service is personable and efficient. The food is very good. The pasta is fresh. The bruschetta is a wonderful mixture of fresh tomatoes, olives, garlic and other seasonings, i.e. you do not need the bread. And if you don't want to order a bottle of wine, the house red/white by the glass is perfectly good and very reasonably priced.
(4)
Kim D.

I'm giving this a 3 star rating because of two things. Our server was not with it and kept forgetting to bring us our drinks and I think even forgot about us for awhile. The second thing is the chicken piccata was very dry and lacked flavor which was quite disappointing since this is my husband's favorite italian dish. However, the gnocchi and pasta were very amazing and so were the sauces. The atmosphere is chic and eclectic and they have a great wine list. I would give it a second chance if we were to come back to Baltimore. There were quite a few locals there which says a lot about the place. And Gia is as charming as the decor in the restaurant.
(3)
Sarah G.

Awesome atmosphere, prompt and friendly service (thank you Teri!), and tasteful and creative dishes! We had the grilled Caesar which was lovely... I was nervous how warm lettuce would go but it was really fresh and nice. I had the pepper fettuccine with chicken sausage, grapes, arugula, and goat cheese which was awesome - different but very complementary flavors. The hub had the shrimp fra diavalo which was great, but not the best I have had on the Hill in Providence... which is just impossible to beat. We had the house sangria which I could've bathed in... SO good! I highly recommend this little gem... we will be back someday!
(4)
Jim E.

What a great find. Pretty little restaurant in Little Italy - lots of atmosphere and we had a great meal. Very good grilled calamari - with shrimp and scallops. Great pasta menu - I had fettuccine with sausage, tomatoes and goat cheese - very good. My dinner companions had chicken parm and fettuccine Alfredo - all raved about their meals. Sangria is great too. Very good menu - look forward to coming back - seems like a real family run place.
(4)
Sonya A.

Great grilled Caesar Salads and sandwiches... Good wine selection to go with...
(4)
Christiana C.

This place was awesome, inside and out. How many places can you say that about? Not going to lie to you, the main reason this was our Little Italy winner was that there was cavatelli on the menu. But I was not prepared for how much I loved this place! I loved the funky decor both on the outside of the building (the color and funkiness really made this place stick out in a good way) and it only continued on the inside. The painting on the walls and tables was amazing and looked like it was done by a real person (as opposed to, like, TJ Maxx), which goes a long way with me. I also loved that the windows went way up and were opened up so you could look into the street and get the breeze from outside. It was a cool trick and a great day for people watching. I'm pretty much always in favor of eating nearly outside while being inside. It makes me feel more active or something. I don't know. Anyway! We had great service and the cavatelli was awesome. I really liked that it came with bolognese sauce and TONS of cheese on top (and that someone offered me more on top-these people know what Christiana C. likes). We got a couple different glasses of pinot noir which were reasonable and pretty good. You know, wine. Can't really go wrong with it.
(4)
ken m.

WOW !!! The food was amazing, some of the best Italian food I have ever had. The first bite blew me away and kept blowing me away to the last bite. I had the chicken parm which was perfectly cooked, fresh cheese melted on top and the sauce was to die for. We had also ordered calamari grilled and not fried which was a change for me. It was soft and not chewy at all. The only thing that may be a downside was the price. It was around 20-22 bucks per plate of which it was worth every cent.
(5)
Amanda M.

We ate here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch and the pasta was cooked perfect but for some reason both dishes were a little too salty and there wasn't enough of a meat portion for either dish. The wine list was very small and the menu was small too. I would come back to try the dinner menu and I hope the portions are larger. The service was terrible and slow and the waitress had the worst attitude. We skipped dessert just because I didn't feel like waiting for an eternity for service. The atmosphere is romantic and the decor is very artsy. The seating area is pretty small though so you definitely cramped.
(3)
Elizabeth L.

It is a typical local neighborhood restaurant. It is very charming. The food was impeccable! The service was not so great. I assume it had to do with a busier night than expected. Hostess offered a complimenary dessert. Love how personable the hostess and fee of the place.
(4)
Megan J.

I live in Northern Virginia and have been a slave to Filomena in Georgetown. I thought it was the best italian gets. The history, beauty and Pasta Mamas get me everytime. My boyfriend and I made reservations last night to Cafe Gia after I bought a deal on Groupon (if you follow me.. This is per usual) - Groupon is a great way to try restaurants outside of your comfort zone. I was comfortable with Filomena because it's "the best in DC." We got a bottle of wine (larger than usual and $30 - which was the average price for their large wine selection) and two Misto Verde - a great selection of baby spinach, kalamata olives, artichoke and delicious vinaigrette and absorbed the quirky surroundings of the cafe. One thing to be noted - the best Italian restaurants aren't located in warehouses. They are typically located in a space the size of your dining room. Because historically they were :) This particular cafe has an upstairs with a heated deck. I wish we would have sat up there.. but it will be great to come back in the summer time and people watch. Our server was phenomenal - i asked if i should get the gnocchi or the cavatelli and she said the cavatelli would be less filling, so i could eat more :) that's my kind of advice! She also recommended my boyfriend get the pasta with shrimp and scallops and he loved it and couldn't get enough! One thing to note - the restaurant now has a liquor license, it's no longer bring your own - that would have been fun, but let's be honest, who ever remembers that extra step on date night? Also - after seeing the very negative review about the tiramisu.. they assured me it was homemade, the owner had made it earlier that morning - so TAKE that you negative Nelly :) So to you, Cafe Gia, I dedicate my next ten pounds - and i will put them on with a smile!
(5)
Chris and Tami T.

we drove into Baltimore at dinner time and Tami was like "I want wine" and Chris was like "I want food" and we both looked at each other and at the same time we said "LITTLE ITALY". it was chilly and starting to rain so when we found a parking spot right in front of Cafe Gia we took it to mean something enchanted and then when saw on their sign that they had been voted "Best Italian Something Or Other And So On" we looked at each other, shrugged and said "OK COOL". so let us be total B's and A-holes for a sec. this time last year we were lazily passing our days on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy, so our measure of "Best Italian Something Or Other And So On" is like...forget about it. the food at Cafe Gia is totally just fine. nothing was wrong with anything we ate. there was also nothing exciting about the menu. it was straight up Italian-American fare. the service was pretty slow and weird. our deadpan waitress disappeared sometime after the 2-bite check back and after that we were cared for solely by her very helpful water-filler helper dude. verdict: this is probably just by very slight degrees somewhat better or worse than any of the other Italian places we quickly surveyed in the neighborhood.
(3)
S C.

Service slow and unfriendly.Better food everywhere on Fawn street to be honest.Underwelmed.
(2)
Blaire R.

Atmosphere, service, and food are incredible. Would have loved to see a kids menu, but I guess it's not really a kids-friendly place. They did offer to make her a small portion of whatever we wanted, so I thought that was really nice. Still craving the chicken caprese.
(4)
Lora P.

My family and I were heading out of Baltimore, but had time for lunch before flying out. I'd heard that there was an amazing Little Italy in Baltimore, so we scanned the pages of yelp for a reasonably priced casual Italian restaurant that was open for lunch. We found Cafe Gia and I'm so glad we did! They open at 11:30 for lunch on Saturdays we arrived right on the nose- we were the first ones seated but within minutes, the place was already half full. We ordered the antipasto platter for an appetizer- it was a nice array of roasted peppers, meats, bread and grilled vegetables. It was the perfect sized starter for 4 people. For entrees we all ordered different things- tortellini, ravioli, shrimp scampi, and the special of Osso Bucco Orecchietta. Each dish was super awesome! -The tortellini had a light pinkish colored sauce and wasn't too rich or heavy. -The ravioli had a fabulous meat sauce and if my aunt hadn't ordered it, I would have ordered it myself. -The shrimp scampi wasn't on the menu, but my cousin had a craving and they were happy to please her! It was a really great dish and the angel hair pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauce was nice and light. -My dish was the special and was def the best of the 4 (in my humble opinion). It had a very generous amount of veal that was as tender as butter- I'm not normally a veal eater- but this was AWESOME. It had a flavorful gravy/sauce that paired perfectly with the veal and pasta. The portions here aren't massive like they are at typical chain restaurants, but they're the perfect amount to satisfy you and fill you up and their prices are really reasonable! Also, I was impressed w/ their good prices of wines by the glass.
(5)
Steve L.

Ever dream of going to Italy and having a meal that make you feel all warm and fuzzy. well look no further, Cafe Gia delivers the mega bomb with classic dishes from the heart of Italy. Coupled with a good glass of wine and great company and you got heaven on a mind. I had the shrimp / scallop pasta while, Nancy had the Baked Mostaccioli. A great way to judge your meal is spooning and savoring every bite of your dish and wishing it will last forever. We both agreed that we would visit this place again when we visit Baltimore.
(5)
Anne M.

I loved this place! Very charming decor, wonderful food, good service. Not very expensive and there are great "modern" Italian alternatives to the traditional favorites. Def give it a go.
(4)
Jessica B.

Great service and authentic Italian. The server manned the entire dining area and spouted off the specials with ease. The marinara was excellent...we ordered eggplant parm and the lobster ravioli. The eggplant was perfect. Neither breaded nor fried but layers of thinly sliced eggplant, marinara, and cheese. The ravioli was a bit sweet for my taste but was enjoyed without complaints from my boyfriend. We received a $20.00 gift voucher to come again within the next 3 months.
(4)
Katie D.

Cafe Gia is quirky and fun! We took my mother here when she came to visit from Upstate NY. We were shown to a seating area upstairs and virtually had that section to ourselves. The walls are covered in murals and the lighting is pleasantly dim. The wine selection was great and we couldn't have been happier with our entree selections. While the food isn't what one would consider traditionally Italian, it was inventive and fresh. I hope to return soon!
(4)
Victoria L.

Listen. I lived in Boston where the North End is THE place to go for Italian. People argue over which of the restaurants with a line out the door for 2 hours should be considered "best pasta". I've eaten at Gia's three times; my opinion is still the same. "It's not the North End, but it's pretty good." They are not homestyle in portions or recipes, nor do they advertise to have such things. They serve gourmet portions, meaning "small". I don't mind this; honestly I'd rather not turn into a 400-pound woman who can't wade to her mouth from her chins to stuff a cannoli in, so I just don't understand why people expect a HUGE portion at Italian places. This ain't Olive Garden, folks. That said, it is not the top of the line for Italian food, but the service has always been great. Go for known greatness: Try the alfredo, the simple stuff. They make amazing bruschetta. Get a bottle of wine. GET A CANNOLI TO GO. Srsly. My fat ass says that I know my sweets, and their cannoli = sugargasm. Try not to stare at the 30-year-old daughter's Hello Kitty tattoo (I'd get one, too, honestly).
(4)
AJ D.

Really really good food! Poor service, but once my food came out I was happy. They also have an upstairs and you can sit outside on the deck. Cool restaurant.
(3)
Jess G.

So I read the reviews before I went and everyone said the service was slow, so going there I expected it. Anddddd it was very slow. There were like 2 waitresses for the whole place. We all ordered wine, 2 of us wanted it right away and one wanted theirs with dinner. We asked her twice for our wine STAT, but of course it never came. Food is OK. I've had way better Italian elsewhere. I ordered the Chicken Parm and there was nothing magnificent about it. It's expensive and the portions are very small. The atmosphere is cool: nice art and cozy vibe. Probably won't be back.
(2)
L W.

Enjoyed the decor to start with. Food exceptional. Service good. Price a little high but worth it.
(5)
Jessica L.

I went to Cafe Gia's recently for a Friday night dinner with some friends. The wait was very long (for a table for 4) - I think we had at least a 45 minute wait, but it was worth it! Atmosphere: Interesting, eclectic art pieces, interesting layout - very Italian. The restaurant is really small though and so we felt a bit cramped at our table. Food: We ordered something simple - pasta with meatballs. My friends ordered the special - it was some kind of fish with string beans on the side. The food was awesome - compared to other Italian restaurants I've been to. I also tried the string beans - and I have to say, they are the best string beans I've ever had at a restaurant! :-) Price: Expensive - my friend and I split a plate and we were charged $6 for splitting. I think we ended up paying $25 or so for the plate (with the $6 charge). It wasn't a lot of pasta either, so that was quite disappointing. I would definitely go to Gia's again!
(3)
Jesse B.

Great ambiance and service. The risotto and caprese were good, but the veal wasn't as great.
(4)
Chris G.

After living in Baltimore 10 years, I have finally tried Cafe Gia. Gotta say that I am kinda upset I never tried it before. You walk in and greeted by a very nice hostess. We arrived with our 11 month baby and they brought us upstairs in a room all to our own. I guess they thought the baby would be loud but she is and was very good. Anyways, the decor in the restaurant is very nice with painted murals on all the walls and tables. Even the stairs had nice painting on them. Our waitress was very nice attentive. We ordered off the regular menu (vs the Rest Week menu) and got grilled calamari to start which was really nice. I ordered the chicken parm and my wife for the eggplant baby. The baby ate portions of our meal and the bread. Was it the best Italian food I ever tasted...NO but it was still very good. The only real criticism is that the side of pasta was small but I was VERY full by the time we left the restaurant. The portion sizes were just the right size otherwise. The prices were a little high but you pay for good service, good food and nice ambiance. We will definitely be back often now. I highly recommend this restaurant for a date, a party or just a dinner before a movie or whatever. Enjoy!
(5)
Andi P.

We graced Cafe Gia because we had rec'd a 100 dollar gift certificate to this establishment. We went mid-October - a nice day to be out and about. Good time to walk the streets of Little Italy, and remember when it was the place to be, and to be seen. In some respects, it still is, but I digress. Cafe Gia....I wanted to love this place so much! After all, someone had given us a gift certificate...so they must of thought this was really, really, great. I want to say it is. I want to say the people that own this place really care about the people who come in to enjoy their food. I believe the owner, Gia does. But I don't think the daughter or the other waiters think this. And there, the fault is there. It was obvious that they could care less, as there were tables available, but we were asked to wait for about 5 minutes for a 2 table to open up. No one was waiting, there were 4 four people tables open. They were not busy, even though it was 12:30pm. But I had no problem waiting for a 2 table to open up, it was only 5 minutes, right? Wrong. We waited 20 minutes and stood and stood, (no where to sit - no bar or chairs) meanwhile, a party had ended on the second floor and many waiters and staff were bringing old food (not eaten) right down the stairs and we had to push up against a wall to get out of the way. Finally, a table opened up. We then realized it was a vendor that sitting at the table waiting for the Gia to come and see them about opening up another place or something, and they were just sitting at the table, holding it up. What? Hello, I am paying, or was paid to come here. Next, the daughter who waits on people and could give one crap about the patrons waits on us. No, "how are you doing today"? Nothing. "Can I take your order?" is all we got. This went on through the whole entire time we were there. At least she treated everyone the same. I got Manicotti, - I ate two, meh. (this was one manicotti cut in three pieces) I guess I lost my taste by then. Caesar salad. Ok. Husband got scallops and shrimp in linguine. Again, small portion (that's ok) but it was good. I wish I could of liked this better. I value good food, good service highly. I am an owner of farm, and value my customers, animals, and everything immensely. I wish others could do the same when we venture from our lair.
(2)
Lena M.

I don't normally write reviews, but this place was such a huge disappointment (especially with all the positive reviews) I thought I would. I got the spinach salad only because I knew I was going to split the Chicken Parmigiana with my boyfriend. I gave this place a two because the fried goat cheese on my salad was extremely good, but the rest of the meal was very disappointing. I did not expect the salad would be so small, it was the size of a side salad (which for the price was terrible). The pears on the salad were so hard and unripe I wondered why they even used them to begin with. The Chicken Parmigiana, again for the price ($17 for this?!), was the worst thing I have ever had at an Italian restaurant. The marinara sauce was very bland, the chicken was overcooked and so was very tough to eat. It was just so unappetizing that neither my boyfriend nor I could finish it (and he normally eats a lot and everything on his plate). Conclusion: Do not go here because you will end up spending a lot of money on mediocre food. There are much better places around for the same cost and much better food.
(2)
Adam B.

I went to Cafe Gia with a group of 8 for my sister's graduation dinner and we were all satisfied. I had the ravioli pescatori which was amazing, as well as a tasty cannoli for dessert. The service was nice; they seemed a bit overwhelmed that night (we weren't the only JHU graduation party) but they were friendly and reasonably quick. There were some shenanigans with the bill. I'm sure it was an honest mistake, but it would be a good idea to double check your bill before you leave.
(4)
Rebecca A.

Random stumble upon. The portions were a little small but the quality of the food made up for it. Their manicotti was absolutely divine! The menu looked delish! I'd go back and try it again.
(4)
Shannon M.

Wonderful dinner and great service even though it was busy and the two waitresses were kept running all night. Overly accommodating with special requests, highly recommend!
(5)
Sam M.

The service was very personable and attentive! The food was decent although the pasta dish portions were just a tad too small. The ambiance is moreso family/casual oriented rather than intimate/date night. The restaurant is NOT byob as many previous reviewers have stated. They only take reservations for parties greater than 2.
(3)
Erin G.

This is the best place ever! I love the portions, the service, and I am headed there this Friday!!!!
(5)
Dave A.

Some people in Baltimore never got the memo on customer service. We came here with a party of 12 for a friend's birthday. We were rushed through the meal even though it was 9pm on a Saturday night (they close at 10pm which seems a tad early for Little Italy). Portions were tiny and nothing was particularly good. To top it off, we were charged a $20 service fee for the cake we brought. Is that normal?
(2)
Severina K.

I don't go to Baltimore too often, unless it the Inner Harbor. We went this past weekend (1/29/12) to enjoy the unusually nice weather and spent the day at the aquarium and the harbor. After a few hours at the aquarium and hiking around, we wanted to end the day with a nice dinner on the harbor. It didn't exactly work out that way....3 restaurants later (1 hour+ wait), we ended up in Little Italy at Gia's Cafe. The outside of the building is beautiful with murals, sadly I wished I had taken pictures. We went in and the hostess was very gracious and asked if we had a reservation. We did not but they stil accomodated us and took us upstairs to a private patio area which was enclosed. There was still somewhat of a view but dining on a patio was still very nice. The decor was nice inside...murals on the walls and tables. The fireplace really set the tone and ambience and was cozy overall. I ordered the Restaurant Week 2012 special which was a 3 course meal for $30. I ordered the herbed beet salad (beets, walnuts, feta) as the first course. It was to die for (in my opinion, although not everyone is a fan of beets!). The second and main course was the beef tenderloin, lightly sauteed green beans and potato wedges. The tenderloin was overcooked for my taste (I usually have medium) but it was TENDER nonetheless. It came in a fruity demi glace (I tasted red wine and berries, maybe blueberries). It gave it a very nice, light, and sweet taste to the beef. I was pleasantly surprised. The green beans were very good but the potatoes were dry and bland. I wasn't very interested in the potatoes after the first bite. The 3rd and last course was dessert...I had the lemon riccotta cake with berry coulis. It was to DIE for. It was not too heavy and the berry coulis was sweet and tangy, which complimented on the lemon and riccotta in the cake. The wait service was another story....I think we waited for our food for about an hour or so. The service was slow....but the waitstaff was nice and respectful. I'll give them that. Overall, it was a great place dine, some dishes were a little overpriced while others were priced right. The special I got was priced and portioned just right so I left feeling satisfied instead of a "fatty"..LMAO!
(4)
Hiru S.

Cute place with delish food. Service was a bit iffy the night my boyfriend and I stopped in for dinner (likely bc of a large convention that was being held in the area). Regardless, the food was great and we really enjoyed sitting outside on the deck overlooking the neighborhood.
(4)
David M.

Great place, best in Little Italy. Great food (chicken saltimbocca was excellent), friendly staff, and an owner committed to running a great restaurant. We went here 2 nights in a row while staying in Baltimore because we enjoyed it so much.
(5)
Joe L.

I loved my experience at Cafe Gia yesterday. Excellelent food and excellelent service. I will come again.
(4)
Marji E.

My husband and I ate there this evening and it was good. Not fantastic; but pretty good. It's a tiny space, but they were very friendly. Our waitress was Terrie. She was very nice and efficient. The food was good. Portions were the right size so there were no left-overs. I got the risotto with shrimp and my husband got ravioli pescatore. Both were good meals. We would order again. Only 4 beer selections, though. With a shared appetizer, 2 entrees and 2 beers, it cost us $72. A bit pricey, but we still enjoyed our meal.
(4)
DJ A.

I agree with some of the reviews. The place is very homey and inviting, however that's all I can agree with. The food is a bit pricey for the quantity and quality. My chicken dish was a bit dry. It was supposed to have fresh mozzarella cheese on it, however the slice was so thin you could not taste it. My husband has a plate of pasta with blue cheese. Although this dish was very tasty it was a small bowl for the price. For an Italian restaurant the bread (not home baked) was served with butter packets!!! A real Italian restaurant serves home baked bread with garlic oil/seasonings. Oh well, we tried it and won't go back. We've been to several of the restaurants in this section of Little Italy and although the price is comparable, you get more food and better quality (and home baked bread!!!)
(2)
Neale O.

Nice little place in Little Italy. I was not too pricey and the food was delicious. We had the Grilled Calimari to start. It was very tasty. I then had the Shrimp Fra Diavalo. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and the sauce was not overly spicy, just perfect. I wish they had a larger craft beer menu, but it wasn't the end of the world. Our waitress, Terry, was very nice and took good care of our party of four.
(4)
Lauren H.

OMG! Hands down, best Italian food in B'more. Gia and her mom are the best. I've never had a bad meal there. When people come to town, this is where I take them. The Penne Rapini is my FAVORITE. The service is always on point. The wine selection is great. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Rebecca C.

Incredibly warm, homey feel in this small Italian restaurant in Baltimore's Little Italy. Bright colors on the walls, murals and touches like paint-spattered water glasses give it a more modern feel than many of the older-style Italian restaurants. The breakdown: Service: Attentive, quick, and friendly. Food not spaced properly though ... we got our salads when we still had an appetizer and our dinners the minute our salads were cleared. Food: Pretty good. Linguine with clam sauce was great -- clams incredibly fresh, just the taste of the clam juice, garlic and basil on the al dente pasta. Yum. Penne ala vodka was missing a little something though. And the bruscetta, although it inventively mixed the tomatoes with capers, onions and olives, lacked in the tomatoes department. We were there in August ... absolutely divine tomatoes are not hard to come by. Salads were tasty, with the misto including marinated mushrooms, artichokes and olives with the greens. Gia's also offers Caesar salad grilled or cold -- both include their delicious homemade croutons. It was BYOB, however, which could be a con for those just wandering the neighborhood looking for a place to eat -- although Gia's helped us out. ;-) We were just visiting the area, but if I lived there, I would go back with a bottle of Chianti and more of an appetite for dessert!
(3)
Martha M.

We enjoyed the vibe and appetizers at this charming restaurant in Little Italy. One of the entrees was terrific and the others were pretty good. Our waitress was sweet, timely and professional. The only downside is the lack of valet parking, which made for a long walk to the parking lot.
(4)
A. C.

(09/09/2010) Checked out Gia's before heading over to Pier 6 for a show; Little Italy is walking distance if you're going over there. We stuck with small plates and apps since we were unsure about what their timing was like. Service was professional and efficient, but not necessarily amiable. It's a cute little place, very much like visiting someone's vacation villa or cottage; open, airy, patio space, and windows with shutters that throw open to the sidewalk. The special antipasto plate of the day was a lovely, paper-thin shaved, salty, speck over lightly dressed rocket, simply finished with freshly cracked black pepper. The Caprese was nice layers of fresh mozzarella with red, ripe tomatoes, lots of fresh basil, and a balsamic vinaigrette, ultimate summer on a plate. The Grilled Caesar was a small split head of romaine, lightly grilled (like it says, but so briefly it almost just looked wilted), smokey and lightly dressed. A dining companion had the gnocchi with gorgonzola cream and was very pleased; the gnocchi were light and pillowy, the cream not too overwhelming, subtle tang of gorgonzola. The place is a little pricey, but this is not one of the usual red sauce houses like the others in Little Italy (and they're pricey, too, for what you're getting). We were pleased overall with our experience, and would definitely recommend it if you're looking for something non-touristy with cuisine just a little bit more interesting.
(4)
Stephanie K.

Stumbled upon this charming restaurant on a Friday afternoon on a random trip to charm city. The food was delicious, service good, and atmosphere cozy. This was a great find while roaming around little Italy. I only wish I had tried the sweet potato/spinach ravioli they had on special.
(4)
Am K.

We visited this restaurant on our short trip to Baltimore .. called in ahead to ask if they had enough space to accommodate a jogging stroller by the table side since my son was sleeping.. the lady on the phone very nicely assured me that they did... good start. The ambiance is cute and inviting. Our server was super nice.. so nice that she ran to the kitchen to pass on my request to change the entrÃ©e to seafood ravioli. She was attentive and friendly.. we got everything promptly. Now the food.. super delicious!! Bruschetta was delish with good amount of olive oil, my husband ordered gnocchi which he thought was good. My mum in law loved her eggplant parm. But the show stealer hands down was my ravioli.. the sauce with curry powder was heavenly and I am so glad that I requested for a change of entree... the meat stuffing was good too! Exceeded expectations. The wine was nice.. the white chocolate mousse.. super creamy and yum..we ate 2 of these and finished every bit of both! The only reason why I am taking a star off is the lady at the front desk who was clearly unfriendly and non cooperative.. when my son woke up.. we asked for a high chair and for a space to stove the stroller.. she wsnot happy about this and we had a good bit of an argument with her before she walked away saying "whatever!!"!!!?? Really lady..? That's not what you say to a customer who called ahead to check if you have space to accommodate a stroller even before she walked in.. this definitely made me furious during my dinner but I don't want to be unfair to restaurant and other staff. Overall Cafe Gia minus the front desk lady = spectacular experience!
(4)
Jen S.

Saw the "best of" stickers out front, so I stopped in for a late weekday lunch. The food did seem overpriced. My eggplant parmesan was alright, but nothing to write home about, and the pasta was surprisingly a little mushy. I guess you don't get bread or salad with lunchtime pasta dishes, which was fine because it would've been too much food for me, but if you are hoping for bread and salad you might be out of luck. The decor inside was pretty charming and the bathroom was very clean (but right next to a bunch of tables - weird). All that aside, I have to say... No matter where I go, I have no desire to overhear the staff talking about scheduling issues, menu pricing or anything else restaurant-related that does not involve my meal. (Especially when they are unhappy about something, but also just in general.) The conversations going on at the bar while I was eating lunch completely turned me off from this place. How difficult is it to go in the back room to discuss business? I mean really, it's an Italian place - did they learn NOTHING from The Godfather?
(2)
Michael C.

Amazing little Italian restaurant run by a great mother-daughter team. Service can be a bit slow when the place is packed, but the homemade pasta is definitely worth the wait. The chefs cooked everything to order and even listen to every dietary request that my friend had made - usually overlooked or ignored by most restaurants. I cannot wait to go back.
(5)
Erin B.

Traditional, solid Italian food without a lot of flair shouldn't cost this much. Very few surprises or extra touches beyond the expected. I had the eggplant parm, which the waiter highly recommended, and found it decent but unimpressive. Somehow other restaurants have turned this simple dish (sauce, eggplant, cheese) into something exquisite and creative. Cafe Gia's version wasn't bad... it just wasn't special. My boyfriend's dish, penne a la vodka, was better than average but not worth $17. One confusing thing was that their little asterisk denoting a vegetarian dish seemed to be somewhat randomly applied. A dish containing anchovies was marked vegetarian while another dish that didn't appear to contain any meat at all lacked the asterisk. Their website says they're BYOB but they actually aren't anymore. They have a good wine list as well as some beers. The atmosphere was very warm and homey (kind of cheesy murals and decor, but cute) and the wait staff treat you like family. A grandmotherly woman (possibly an owner?) was very kind to us and checked in, little glass of liquor in-hand, to make sure we were comfortable. If the food was only a little bit more special, we'd definitely be back. For delicious and solid Italian food that has lots of special touches, we recommend Sammy's Trattoria in Mt. Vernon. It's amazing. The prices are about the same but the food really wows you.
(3)
Ivan V.

Nice, casual cozy atmosphere. Wine list limited (if you are a wine connoisseur). The food was good, worth every cent.
(3)
Michael H.

3.5, but tipped to 4 for service. Second visit, first review. Nice Little Italy location, just off Eastern Ave at High St. Street parking was easy at 8 on a Saturday night. Corkage aka BYOB is allowed, $20 fee to open the bottle. Nice but short wine list if you don't bring your own. Made the reservation the same night, too, but the place was very busy upon arrival. Cleared out by 10 though. 4 year old daughter enjoyed the penne with marinara and a side of meatballs. Pricey at $13 for that combo for a kids portion. Wife and I shared the antipasti plate, which was good but not great. I'd likely skip it next time, or get the grilled calamari plate. Table neighbors ordered that and it looked and smelled amazing. Main course for me was the ravioli pescatere, which came with fried artichoke hearts, all covered in an insanely good sauce. We cleared the plate with bread! Fantastic. Wife ordered the mahi mahi special which was kinda meh. Dry. Mahi can often be dry, though. Tiramisu for desert was fantastic. Italian opera blasted throughout the meal at varying volumes. Quiet that down, please! All in all a very nice place with some great food options and very good service. Likely to return.
(4)
Jeff N.

Had lunch at Cafe Gia and loved it! Great service and really good food. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Maria M.

Went here for a night out on the town with a couple of friends and the boy. The owner was very friendly which is always nice. The wait was really long though, but I guess that's ok because it was Friday night. But the wait for the food was even longer and either the waitress didn't hear us or she forgot, but we didn't get one of the appetizers that we ordered. In any case, the shrimp bisque soup was delicious. It had lots of chunks of shrimp which is always a plus for me. The boy had some veal, but it was a little tough for me. I don't know... I thought veal was supposed to be soft. Anyways, I think the highlight of the meal was definitely the dessert - the tiramisu. YUM! It wasn't very rummy which I love because the rum taste did not overtake the sweetness of the cream. In any case, I think that it was a tad bit overpriced for the amount of food we got. But that's what you get for going to Little Italy I guess. Bottom line: Come here for the great company and ok food. It's not bad at all!
(3)
Laurel C.

We went there on a Saturday night and the ambiance looked great, so we decided to wait 15 minutes for a table instead of going to one of the many other Italian restaurants in the area. As soon as we were seated, we were greeted by a waitress that was rather rude and unfriendly. She was extremely brusque throughout the evening (for example, she could not even stop at our table to ask how the meal was, she walked by and threw the question over her shoulder and did not wait to hear a response). We also had to ask for bread, rather than her bringing it out. We ordered a bottle of wine and never got a chilling bucket, even though tables around us had them. The food was rather mediocre. The caprese salad was boring and bland with mozzerella that was too hard and tomatoes that were not very flavorful. The eggplant parmesan was just so-so, and their gnocchi had a combination of flavors that did not belong together (although, to be fair, my significant other actually liked this dish). We probably would have just rated it as mediocre, but the waitress really pushed it over to a bad experience. We won't be returning!
(1)
Jon K.

My wife and I headed for Little Italy on a rainy, blustery October evening in search of a cozy place to share a bottle of wine and some great pasta. We stumbled upon Cafe Gia and immediately knew we had hit the jackpot. What a perfect place to sip a glass ( or three) of Nero D'Avola and imagine that you are sitting in a local restaurant somewhere in the heart of Sicily. If you are seeking either some kind of up-scale Italian cuisine or an Olive Garden experience, look elsewhere. But if you are in the mood for honest, down-home southern italian cooking , delightful atmosphere , and perhaps even a hug from the owner, this place definitely fills the bill
(4)
Barbara S.

Just had dinner...highly recommend. Started with sangria...oh my yummy ! Then grilled cesear salad and manicotti. So full I had to get a canolli to go.....wow what a treat for later..crispy, sweet, touch of cinnamon, chocolate chips and hint of citrus. Interior was charming, staff very efficient, love this Little Italy cafe.
(5)
Charles L.

a solid, nice italian meal. they especially do a great job with pasta, though it can be a bit overpriced. dessert, however, is not to be missed! the most incredible, homemade tiramisu and goat cheese cheesecake ever. cute art deco ambiance and a friendly, family-owned atmosphere make for a lovely evening at gia's.
(4)
John S.

This place is, first of all, a feast for the eyes. One of the most beautiful restaurants I've ever been in. Looking at the gorgeous paintings on the walls and tabletops is like being in a fine art gallery. And the food and service are spectacular too. Discovered this gem passing through Baltimore. Loved it! Wish I didn't live so far away!
(5)
Miranda W.

I've eaten at several of the Italian restaurants in Little Italy and this cute little place is my favorite. Lovely atmosphere, friendly staff and the food is above and beyond. The manicotti is my favorite. The prices are quite reasonable and the portions are generous.
(5)
Olivia J.

I love this place. Very colorful decor, really reminds me of some places I would go to in Tuscany. Staff is very friendly and attentive. Food is amazing.
(4)
Carrie L.

I have to update my review to 5 stars now, because as of my last visit, they had their liquor license. Also, our server Rusty was tops. We sat al fresco on their rooftop deck and had a great time. Not only were we celebrating my parents' 38th anniversary, we were also celebrating a year and six months of my mom being cancer-free! It was a very special night for us, and Gia's helped it happen.
(5)
Elle A.

I've never had anything less than great food at Gia's. It's true, the service is a little slow, thus the four stars, but Gia works the room, talks to the patrons and is very friendly, which somewhat makes up for the long waits. Definitely try the seafood ravioli or the gnocci!
(4)
Andrew K.

The restaurant is very bright and colorful. The owner welcomed us when we first came in and greeted us like we were family. The wait was pretty long for a Friday night so we went to get some wine nearby as this place did not serve wine which is kind of odd for an Italian restaurant. They gave us some bread at first and it wasn't warm but it was nice and soft. I also ordered the shrimp bisque soup which was pretty tasty. I ordered the veal piccata and I also tried some of the chicken marsala and a special that was a lobster and crabmeat on linguini dish. The servings were pretty small but apparently was filling for everyone else except me. My veal was a little tough but the flavoring was really good. It came with vegetables and potatoes on the side that was also good. The chicken marsala was really delicious and I would order that next time except once again, I thought the portions were kind of small for my liking. The crab and lobster pasta was ok but nothing to rave about. Finally for dessert, we got the tiramisu and cannoli and apparently they make it in house and it was well worth it. The tiramisu was really amazing and the highlight of my meal so I recommend you try some. A problem I had with this place was the time it took for our food to come out was over 20 minutes and that was kind of long for me but the owner was so nice and friendly and gave us all a hug at the end so I guess that made up for it a little. The food is a little pricey but that is generally the case for all the restaurants here in little Italy so expect to pay about $20 for an entree. I think I would come back here again but I would definitely need to get an appetizer, entree and dessert to be satisfied.
(4)
Carl M.

My wife and I are residents of Little Italy and Gia's is our favorite Italian restaurant. The menu is excellent, the specials are creative and of gourmet quality, and the food is delicious. Contrary to other reviews, in our opinion, the price is very reasonable for the quality and authenticity of the food. The colorful ambiance and friendly staff make it a cozy place to eat. Also, Gia's is no longer BYOB (although that was fun), they now have a growing and changing wine list as well as a full bar. Gia's is a truly authentic Little Italy restaurant, with a family history in the neighborhood and they participate in the community. Cafe Gia is an example of what makes this neighborhood a vibrant, exciting place to live.
(5)
Gracie A.

Really liked how the restaurant was decorated. Very small space. Service started out well, when we were one of two tables, but quickly turned to non-existent as the tables filled. Its odd, there is a bar, but its not used as a bar. Tables are set right against it. I could smell the kitchen and it was not a pleasant odor. I got a dish called fettuccine lucia. It was supposed to be sausage (i thought the menu said more than one type, but all i had was a chicken or turkey sausage in mine) goat cheese, grapes over fettuccine. It came in a bowl with 2 inches of standing water in the bottom. The fettuccine was a hard mess of congealed goo...sitting in water. Idk where the goat cheese got to. There was a sprinkle of feta on top. The sausage was under done, so pink sausage just isn't to my liking. Appetizers were bruschetta and a fried plate of calamari bits, 2 shrimp and 1 scallop. Others at my table got chicken parm and veal piccata. Nothing to write home about. At least they weren't sitting in two inches of cloudy water.
(2)
James S.

On the whole, the decor and warmth of service were this place's best features. Adorable hand painted murals. It was surprising to hear, after we sat down, that they didn't serve alcohol, especially with a full-size bar to one side of the room and all the cute, vintage alcohol ad posters everywhere you look. This is a bring-your-own-bottle-of-wine place. I prefer warmed bread at an Italian restaurant, their bread wasn't. The shrimp bisque special was very delicious, but it was served with a thin film at the top, as though it had been sitting out for a while. My wife had the Misto salad, and thus began the big problem of the evening. Much of the greens in the salad were wilted. We sent it back, and they brought out a fresh one, but it too had wilted greens. And once you find a rotten piece of lettuce, your experience gets less relaxing, since you start playing detective with each piece. We sent that one back as well, and they didn't charge us. Our pasta entrees, however, were fantastic, especially the seafood linguine with spicy marinara.
(3)
Joojeh T.

This was the worst dining experience I've ever had in my life. I went with two of my friends and we were all appalled by the service. The service was slow... excruciatingly slow. After we were seated it took about 35-45 minutes for the waitress to take our order and it wasn't even busy! I asked our waitress a few questions about the sauces in some of the dishes and she seemed annoyed to answer the questions... ummm isn't that her job??????? Once we ordered the bus boy brought out our bread and practically threw it on the table. I've seen people feed pigeons more delicately. Finally the bus boy brought our food, and it was just okay, nothing to write home about. We all ordered a ravioli dish, I thought the portion was a bit small for the price and it seemed a bit mushy. It took forever for them to pick up our empty plates. Then our waitress brought our check. We split up the check three ways and waited for our waitress to come get it... 5 minutes passed, nothing.... 10 minutes passed, nothing... 15 minutes passed and our waitress actually left!!! We were sitting by the windows and we saw her walking into a building across the street. Really??????? After 20 minutes I went up to another waitress and said, "Is she ever going to get our check?" her response was, "She thought you were still splitting it up." REALLY???? It takes 20 minutes to split a check??????????? Anyhow finally after a grueling 2-3 hours in the restaurant we left, never to return again.
(1)

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Address : 410 S High St
Baltimore, MD, 21202
Phone (410) 685-6727
Website https://cafegiabaltimore.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Cafe Gia

410 S High St, Baltimore, MD, 21202

Cafe Gia Menu

Antipasti

Soup & Salad

Frutti De Mare (seafood)

Pasta E Basta

Pollo

Vitello

Healthy Meal suggestions for Cafe Gia

Antipasti

Soup & Salad

Frutti De Mare (seafood)

Pasta E Basta

Pollo

Vitello

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