San Giovanni — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Terrible experience, would NOT recommend. Would have given 0 stars if I could. Initially, we were just looking at the menu, when the 'owner/manager' greeted us and persuaded us to dine in. Once seated, he then put on a 'overly charming' act to try and trick us into ordering more food than we wanted; which we declined on numerous occasions. Whilst we were waiting for our food, he decided to bring over three dishes consisting of garlic bread and mozzarella & tomato. We did NOT order this. We questioned why he brought this over and he acted as if it were "complementary". We weren't sure of his intentions so didn't eat it at first and waited for our food. He then came over and asked why we weren't eating it and avoided giving us our food until we made a start.

He eventually brought our food over which was okay but lacked flavour and had too much cheese. This overpowered the dish.

Once finished we asked for the bill and noticed he added the "complementary" dishes on, which we questioned but had no response. When it came to payment he tried to say that the card machine was broken and that we needed to get cash out. We said that we didn't have any cash and that it wasn't possible for us to use the cash machine. We asked if there was another way we could pay using our cards. His whole demeanour changed and he started to become more rude and aggressive in the way he was talking to us.

The head chef them came out and then after having a word with the owner/manager, the card machine miraculously began to work. Just needed to be plugged in and held in a certain way. We asked to split the bill in 5 and then the manager/owner started to become rude again. The head chef (who probably could have been the owner) took over and split the bill in 5 and we were able to pay using our own cards.

This whole experience was unnecessary and could have been resolved a lot quicker. After all of this, the manager/owner went into the kitchen to get his own food and then had the audacity to try and offer us some. We left the restaurant immediately before he tried to charge us for...

DO NOT ENTER—We felt harassed by the staff!

I visited this place with a friend, and from the start, something felt off. The server, an older man around 60, didn’t greet us at all. My friend went to wash her hands in the restroom. When we noticed him behaving rude to others too, we felt uncomfortable and decided to leave, as we hadn’t ordered anything yet. As we were heading out, the man suddenly yelled at us, insisting we’d left something behind, and pointed at the floor. Once we walked back in, he shut the door and demanded that we pay for using the restroom, even though all we’d done was wash our hands.

When we agreed to pay, he insisted on charging us more than the 2 euros listed on the restroom sign and even called me “stupid.” This was the point where we decided to leave, but as we tried to walk out, he stepped in our way and pulled me backward, making me lose balance. He then asked someone else from the kitchen to watch us, while he blocked the way out for us.

After we paid, he finally let us go, but I have never felt so unsafe in my own country.

If you’re considering this place, please be cautious. It was a very unsettling experience, and I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through...

San Giovanni is a true gem! From the moment we entered, the welcoming husband-and-wife team made us feel right at home. Their warmth and dedication to their family-owned restaurant create an inviting and cozy atmosphere that’s perfect for a relaxed meal.

The food was outstanding. I ordered the classic spaghetti carbonara, which was creamy, rich, and perfectly balanced with just the right touch of pepper and parmesan. My husband tried the osso buco, a slow-cooked veal that was incredibly tender and flavorful—he couldn’t stop raving about it! Each bite tasted authentically Italian, with ingredients that felt fresh and high-quality.

We ended the meal with their homemade panna cotta, a dessert so light and silky that it was the perfect finish. San Giovanni isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience crafted by a couple who pour heart and soul into every detail. If you’re after authentic Italian flavors and genuine hospitality, San Giovanni should be at the top of your list....