Giuseppe's Cucina Italiana — Restaurant in Pismo Beach

A few months ago we had an incredible experience and great food at Giuseppies in Pismo and I gave them a 5 star rating. It can be read below. Went again last night (we are local) and the experience was awful. Upon arrival just before 5pm the restaurant was almost empty. They do not accept reservations. Because the other couple joining us was not present we were told we would not be seated until they arrived. I am 70 and my husband is 80. I am also disabled and have a knee replacement. I told the receptionist I found the policy very unwelcoming. She got the manager. He restated the policy but because I had a swollen foot he was willing to seat us in a back room that has cramped booths and a few tables that were occupied. There is also a small low bench for 2. With knee problems it is difficult and painful to maneuver into a tight booth or down and back up from a low bench...but those were the options. I resisted hoping our friends would arrive soon. While I stood in front of the reception stand the young receptionist told her coworker I was a witch or a b...tch. I am old but I have pretty good hearing. I told her I heard the remark and she was very unkind. I asked to speak to the manager again and took the seat in the back room. We had to ask for menus. Maybe I am a witch or maybe it is just the season...once seated a large black spider dropped from the ceiling onto our table...our friends arrived and tried to shoo the spider (see picture below). Because my friend fears spiders we had to move. We were seated in the bar which is incedibly noisy and had to yell to each other through out dinner. All that for $140.00 for 4 people. I told the manager I understand the impact of "flipping tables" quickly to maximize profits...but there has to be a customer service aspect to profits....and what about the appetizer and or drink we might order while waiting. A better greeting (especially for elderly customers) would be ...if part of your party is missing would you like to wait for them or be seated now. To the immature receptionist... if I truly am a witch I curse you with two bad knees, two bad ankles...and painful arthritis mixed with disrespect in your old age. Giuseppies earned 2 stars last night because the food was wonderful as always.

Had the best dinner and desert at Giuseppe's tonight. We have not been to Giuseppe's for awhile and we are locals! The fire and the wait got in the way. Well we are going back again soon. Had the Lovers Plate which is 4 prawns, butternut squash ravioli, and sauteed squash. For desert the carrot cake made with...

Giuseppe Cucina Italiana is an absolute gem for anyone seeking an authentic Italian dining experience with incredible vegetarian options. I had the pleasure of dining here recently and was blown away by the quality of the food, the ambiance, and the attentive service.

To start, I ordered the bruschetta, which was nothing short of perfection. The bread was perfectly toasted with just the right amount of crunch, topped with fresh, juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of olive oil that tied everything together beautifully. It was a simple yet incredibly flavorful appetizer that set the tone for the rest of the meal.

For the main course, I opted for the eggplant Parmesan, and it was hands-down one of the best I’ve ever had. The eggplant was tender, layered with a rich, tangy marinara sauce and gooey, perfectly melted cheese. Each bite was a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that left me wanting more. It’s clear that the kitchen uses fresh, high-quality ingredients and takes great care in crafting their dishes.

To accompany my meal, I tried one of their wines, and it was exceptional—smooth, rich, and the perfect pairing for the flavors of the food. The wine list is extensive, offering something for every palate, and the staff is knowledgeable and happy to make recommendations if you’re unsure what to choose.

As someone who appreciates good vegetarian options, I was thrilled to see that the menu included several thoughtful, flavorful dishes beyond the usual offerings. Giuseppe Cucina Italiana truly caters to everyone, making it an excellent choice for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.

The ambiance of the restaurant is warm and inviting, with a charming, rustic Italian vibe. The staff were attentive, friendly, and made sure I had everything I needed to enjoy my meal.

If you’re looking for a memorable Italian dining experience with fantastic vegetarian options and amazing wine, Giuseppe Cucina Italiana is the place to go. I can’t wait to return and explore more of their menu....

2024 Update: went in again recently when visiting pismo and we unfortunately didn’t get the service we received last year. We went in to request a table for 4 and was told 45 min wait. We waited since we had a great experience last year, but 45 min later, the family of 5 that came in a few min after us got seated before us within 40min. That was not nice to witness. If they were a large party or even like a small party of 2 it would have been understandable, however; since we were 4 and there party was 5 you would think we would have been seated first for arriving first. After witnessing this, my husband asked how much longer for our table and we were told they were waiting for a party of 4 to leave. Another 10 min more of a wait and we finally got seated. We had a different waiter, and different busser than last time. We had to ask the busser for more water, more bread etc, multiple times before we actually received it. Food is still really good, however waiting for an hour when we should have been seated around 40 min like that family of 5 was given, really made our evening not enjoyable. It’s really hard to understand why the front hostess would do that. Maybe they need more training? Truly disappointed in service overall from the very beginning to the end.

2023 Loved the food! We ordered 2 appetizers , the calamari and wood fire pizza. Both delicious! For dinner, my husband ordered Fruita Di Mare and I ordered the Capesante E Camberi. Kids ordered a Fettecinni Alfredo and Caesar salad both with grilled chicken. Then for dessert, we ordered strawberry tiramisu and milky way cheesecake. Excellent service!! Thank you to our wonderful waiter Guido and awesome busser Sasha!! We never had to ask for more water or to remove plates off the table. You both made our family’s experience extremely enjoyable. We will be...