We found a genuine gem ..Time well spent for a superior meal.Everything was cooked fresh and it was delicious ?Highly recommend this family operated restaurant.John
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Risotto
Dien Danh
Not very friendly staff.I would have preferred the restaurant to not take my reservation if they could not accommodate with a table where a huge vent is not blowing cold air directly on you..
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Rose L
OK so I've lived in St. Catharines for 22 years and this Italian restaurant has always been a fixture on our main street but up until now I'd never been - mainly because the olive green exterior colour put me off. But now I've been and I will NEVER go back. My Italian hairdresser told me to go and I wish I'd not listened. I took my husband for our 30th wedding anniversary. I had looked at their website online first and it stated they had a veggie/vegan menu which is great because my husband is veggie. Alas, when we got to the restaurant no veggie/vegan menu in sight. I asked the waiter who said they could change meat-based dishes around to suit veggies. The website also said they were open for lunch 11:30-2:30 but when I called for lunch they said they didn't do lunch. Hmmm. First red flag. The place itself is rather outdated and old fashioned; I can't see anyone younger than 50 coming here - second red flag. The chairs were saggy and the decor is a muddy greeny brown. Saturday night and there was an older couple there and us - that's it - third red flag. No atmosphere whatsoever. At this point I wish we'd just left before ordering anything. My husband picked a caprese salad ($13) and eggplant parm ($15). I chose rack of lamb with roast potatoes and asparagus/carrots ($43). Firstly, may I point out the menu was limited, a one sheet piece paper encased in a hard plastic cover - I presume to clean it better following covid, not sure? But for a restaurant that claims to be "fine dining" that was my fourth red flag. The waiter was attentive and thorough but then there were only two sets of diners in the entire restaurant. He brought a basket of different kinds of breads and iced water - these we both really appreciated. I've just come back from Portugal where they charge you at least 5 euros for still water and bread at the table. So that was really nice. The table and cutlery were very clean which I really appreciated as well. The caprese salad was fine. However, the eggplant parm was a big plate of mushy mush topped with tomatoes. To me eggplant parm should be fried with a nice crust. This did not resemble eggplant parm or any kind of parm we have ever eaten. I had requested medium for my lamb which should be a nice pink, not bloody. The lamb arrived unevenly cooked, two of the pieces were raw in the middle and they obviously had not been rested as there was blood soaking into my potatoes. Also no crust on the lamb and no sauce or jus. I had to take my plate to the back of the restaurant to get the waiter's attention to ask for the lamb to be cooked properly. Then when it came back the veggies were cold and still soaked in the blood. However, the lamb and veggies did taste rather good so the seasoning was on point. And I liked the way the veggies were all cooked too. I was thinking about dessert but was sorely disappointed when I looked at their dessert cabinet at the back. They have plates of desserts in the cabinet e.g. tiramisu, but the waiter told me they only actually had two desserts available: a strawberry pie and a pecan pie. The plated desserts were only props. I was shocked. This is a HUGE red flag to me. I felt like I was in a museum at that point. We left as soon as we'd eaten our meals. $90 inc. tax and tip for two starters, one main and no drinks or desserts. Quite disappointing. I honestly do know know how this restaurant is still existing. They must have a regular clientele whose families have been coming for decades. For good reasonably priced Italian fare - inc. a decent selection of desserts - I'd recommend Cafe Amore or Lina Linguini's instead.
Fosco Torri
Good food and good service.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Ferdinando Lori
100/100 Wonderfull
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
limeh0g
This small restaurant is quite classy. Service and food are good. Reasonable price. Owner very friendly and humorous. This is one of the places to dine when in St Catharines.
Brian Stanicki
First time customer last night. The ambiance was very nice. The food was very good. There was 7 of us for dinner and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. Overall, the food was fantastic and the price was reasonable for the portion size. (large portions) We will be back soon.
Lynda Kis
Highly recommend this family owned and operated restaurant. Great menu selection, even though using a shorter menu then what is posted on website due to COVID. Good sized portions and delicious! Have also visited for Afternoon Tea and that too was amazing! Only disappointment is that we didnt know about this restaurant sooner.
Jackie C
Such a relaxing & comfortable dining experience. Unfortunately, their vegan menu was stopped roughly 2 years ago, however I was still able to get a delicious pasta primavera (dry noodles not freshly made due to the use of egg) and enjoy a salad to start. My partner stuck with the vegetarian options and had the eggplant parm which is listed as a starter but was big enough to be an entree. They offer a large selection of wines and we were able to have our bottle recorked to bring home. Expect a pricer bill as it is fine dining but worth it for date night or a special celebration
Donna Meletio
This restaurant is absolute perfection. Step into its elegant European atmosphere and be treated to the most impeccable service and the most delicious cuisine you will find anywhere. Whether it is rack of lamb, beef tenderloin, salmon, pasta, risotto, or vegetarian specialties, you will experience the best food ever. Do not miss miss this treasure.
This restaurant is an absolute treasure. You can have delicious pasta dishes on their lovely patio or enter into old world charm in their elegant dining room to be treated to the best food you will find anywhere. Try the rack of lamb, beef tenderloin, salmon, vegetarian risotto, and exquisite desserts. The owners offer impeccable service and will make you feel part of the family. This leisurely and lovely place should not be missed!
DonnaNial
This restaurant is a treasure. Enjoy delicious cuisine and impeccable service and feel part of this family that serves delicious pastas, salmon, beef tenderloin, vegetarian risotto, and homemade desserts. Take you time to truly enjoy the impeccable service and lovely atmosphere, whether you are on their casual patio or elegant dining room. They also offer exquisite High Tea in the parlor next door several days of the week.
Julianna D'Intino
My family have been regular customers at Cafe Garibaldi for the past 15+ years and the food and service is always excellent. We have had many family parties here over the years, and it is our Nonna’s favorite place to eat. The restaurant is always immaculately clean, and the food is homemade without artificial additives.During Lockdown we have been ordering from their 'Take-and-Bake' menu and we love it. Everything we have ordered has been great quality and simple to cook - freezer to table in around an hour. (They also have amazing vegan options! Delicious even if you're not vegan.)For dessert the Torta Garibaldi is a family favourite - but so are all their homemade pies!The food is fabulous. Cafe Garibaldi is a hidden gem of authentic Italian food - the way real Italians eat.
Monique Berry
Very classy and fair prices. Two-hour street parking. TIP: they don't have access to debit cards--cash or credit cards only! They still use the swipe method for credit cards.
Carl Tilps
Great restaurant and staff. The food always tastes like it was made from scratch and served piping hot. Good size portions. I am a big guy so I like that!
We found a genuine gem ..Time well spent for a superior meal.Everything was cooked fresh and it was delicious ?Highly recommend this family operated restaurant.John
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Risotto
Not very friendly staff.I would have preferred the restaurant to not take my reservation if they could not accommodate with a table where a huge vent is not blowing cold air directly on you..
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
OK so I've lived in St. Catharines for 22 years and this Italian restaurant has always been a fixture on our main street but up until now I'd never been - mainly because the olive green exterior colour put me off. But now I've been and I will NEVER go back. My Italian hairdresser told me to go and I wish I'd not listened. I took my husband for our 30th wedding anniversary. I had looked at their website online first and it stated they had a veggie/vegan menu which is great because my husband is veggie. Alas, when we got to the restaurant no veggie/vegan menu in sight. I asked the waiter who said they could change meat-based dishes around to suit veggies. The website also said they were open for lunch 11:30-2:30 but when I called for lunch they said they didn't do lunch. Hmmm. First red flag. The place itself is rather outdated and old fashioned; I can't see anyone younger than 50 coming here - second red flag. The chairs were saggy and the decor is a muddy greeny brown. Saturday night and there was an older couple there and us - that's it - third red flag. No atmosphere whatsoever. At this point I wish we'd just left before ordering anything. My husband picked a caprese salad ($13) and eggplant parm ($15). I chose rack of lamb with roast potatoes and asparagus/carrots ($43). Firstly, may I point out the menu was limited, a one sheet piece paper encased in a hard plastic cover - I presume to clean it better following covid, not sure? But for a restaurant that claims to be "fine dining" that was my fourth red flag. The waiter was attentive and thorough but then there were only two sets of diners in the entire restaurant. He brought a basket of different kinds of breads and iced water - these we both really appreciated. I've just come back from Portugal where they charge you at least 5 euros for still water and bread at the table. So that was really nice. The table and cutlery were very clean which I really appreciated as well. The caprese salad was fine. However, the eggplant parm was a big plate of mushy mush topped with tomatoes. To me eggplant parm should be fried with a nice crust. This did not resemble eggplant parm or any kind of parm we have ever eaten. I had requested medium for my lamb which should be a nice pink, not bloody. The lamb arrived unevenly cooked, two of the pieces were raw in the middle and they obviously had not been rested as there was blood soaking into my potatoes. Also no crust on the lamb and no sauce or jus. I had to take my plate to the back of the restaurant to get the waiter's attention to ask for the lamb to be cooked properly. Then when it came back the veggies were cold and still soaked in the blood. However, the lamb and veggies did taste rather good so the seasoning was on point. And I liked the way the veggies were all cooked too. I was thinking about dessert but was sorely disappointed when I looked at their dessert cabinet at the back. They have plates of desserts in the cabinet e.g. tiramisu, but the waiter told me they only actually had two desserts available: a strawberry pie and a pecan pie. The plated desserts were only props. I was shocked. This is a HUGE red flag to me. I felt like I was in a museum at that point. We left as soon as we'd eaten our meals. $90 inc. tax and tip for two starters, one main and no drinks or desserts. Quite disappointing. I honestly do know know how this restaurant is still existing. They must have a regular clientele whose families have been coming for decades. For good reasonably priced Italian fare - inc. a decent selection of desserts - I'd recommend Cafe Amore or Lina Linguini's instead.
Good food and good service.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
100/100 Wonderfull
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
This small restaurant is quite classy. Service and food are good. Reasonable price. Owner very friendly and humorous. This is one of the places to dine when in St Catharines.
First time customer last night. The ambiance was very nice. The food was very good. There was 7 of us for dinner and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. Overall, the food was fantastic and the price was reasonable for the portion size. (large portions) We will be back soon.
Highly recommend this family owned and operated restaurant. Great menu selection, even though using a shorter menu then what is posted on website due to COVID. Good sized portions and delicious! Have also visited for Afternoon Tea and that too was amazing! Only disappointment is that we didnt know about this restaurant sooner.
Such a relaxing & comfortable dining experience. Unfortunately, their vegan menu was stopped roughly 2 years ago, however I was still able to get a delicious pasta primavera (dry noodles not freshly made due to the use of egg) and enjoy a salad to start. My partner stuck with the vegetarian options and had the eggplant parm which is listed as a starter but was big enough to be an entree. They offer a large selection of wines and we were able to have our bottle recorked to bring home. Expect a pricer bill as it is fine dining but worth it for date night or a special celebration
This restaurant is absolute perfection. Step into its elegant European atmosphere and be treated to the most impeccable service and the most delicious cuisine you will find anywhere. Whether it is rack of lamb, beef tenderloin, salmon, pasta, risotto, or vegetarian specialties, you will experience the best food ever. Do not miss miss this treasure.
Restaurantji Recommends
This restaurant is an absolute treasure. You can have delicious pasta dishes on their lovely patio or enter into old world charm in their elegant dining room to be treated to the best food you will find anywhere. Try the rack of lamb, beef tenderloin, salmon, vegetarian risotto, and exquisite desserts. The owners offer impeccable service and will make you feel part of the family. This leisurely and lovely place should not be missed!
This restaurant is a treasure. Enjoy delicious cuisine and impeccable service and feel part of this family that serves delicious pastas, salmon, beef tenderloin, vegetarian risotto, and homemade desserts. Take you time to truly enjoy the impeccable service and lovely atmosphere, whether you are on their casual patio or elegant dining room. They also offer exquisite High Tea in the parlor next door several days of the week.
My family have been regular customers at Cafe Garibaldi for the past 15+ years and the food and service is always excellent. We have had many family parties here over the years, and it is our Nonna’s favorite place to eat. The restaurant is always immaculately clean, and the food is homemade without artificial additives.During Lockdown we have been ordering from their 'Take-and-Bake' menu and we love it. Everything we have ordered has been great quality and simple to cook - freezer to table in around an hour. (They also have amazing vegan options! Delicious even if you're not vegan.)For dessert the Torta Garibaldi is a family favourite - but so are all their homemade pies!The food is fabulous. Cafe Garibaldi is a hidden gem of authentic Italian food - the way real Italians eat.
Very classy and fair prices. Two-hour street parking. TIP: they don't have access to debit cards--cash or credit cards only! They still use the swipe method for credit cards.
Great restaurant and staff. The food always tastes like it was made from scratch and served piping hot. Good size portions. I am a big guy so I like that!