Lola & Giuseppes Trattoria in Columbus
Site: http://www.lolaandgiuseppes.com/
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:5–8PM
- Wednesday:5–8PM
- Thursday:5–8PM
- Friday:Closed
- Saturday:Closed
- Sunday:Closed
This place is incredible. Amazing eggplant parm and bechamel lasagna. The lemon cheesecake is one of the best desserts Ive ever had. We got a salad, 2 entrees, 3 desserts, and 2 drinks and the total was under $80.
We went tonight for our anniversary. The food was fabulous, the staff were very friendly. I think its a well hidden restaurant in Gahanna that everyone needs to try. Our dinners were very flavorful, the limoncello was some of the best weve ever had, my husbands espresso - he loved. And even the salads were perfectly seasoned. Definitely a must try!!!
If you are looking for truely authenticate Italian food, this is the place! Everything is made from scratch, very reasonably priced, and the taste is direct from Italy. I personally recommend the shrimp and lobster ravioli! The staff are attentive, and friendly and you dont have to wait long. Come here when you need the old world Italy itch scratched!
Really great food! Fresh and flavorful authentic Italian. Glad to have found this place.
They dont charge enough for how amazing their dishes are. I had the wedding soup and chicken marsala. Both fantastic. Food is prepared full of flavor. Amazing garlic bread.
So I made a reservation here for the first time for my girlfriends birthday. Let me just tell you now the food is handled with care and it taste so amazing! Such a friendly and cozy atmosphere! Well definitely be back.
Excellent food, the best portion sizes and I can not say enough about the service. I highly recommend eating here and make certain to have a reservation. The portions were very generous and flavor profiles were spot on. There was no skimping in the food preparation. We will certainly return.
Literally the best Italian food I have ever had! It came out on a timely manor, the service was fantastic and the manager was friendly. Will definitely go back. Highly recommend 👌
Amazing food & great service! I have been coming here for several years & the quality, taste, & presentation of food is always excellent. Authentic Italian & the new owners are just as amazing as the original owners.
Great food, great atmosphere!I had the shrimp scampi and it was delicious. I love the cozy atmosphere and wine selection. Lola and Giuseppe’s is a must for authentic Italian food.Went back again tonight again, white wine and clam with spaghetti was amazing. Anybody leaving a 1, 2 or 3 star rating is a true idiot and should stick to Olive Garden and if you call it overpriced stay home and have some Ragu and pasta.
Service was excellent. Small restaurant with limited seating but overall a great experience. Had the chefs special...was told they were out of the scallops but chef Anthony made a special accommodation for me. Portions could have been a little larger but was a good meal otherwise. The other dish is the eggplant parmesan. Was very good.
The food was PHENOMENAL!! There’s not many true Italian restaurants in Columbus but this is absolutely the spot. Autumn was our waitress and so friendly - I can’t wait to be back often!
Very delicious meal and quaint location! We had the pasta fritto, Caesar salad, and baked rigatoni. All of the food was exceptionally fresh and delicious.
What a wonderful discovery! This is a small place so reservations are a must... and its worth it!! The menu was long and the food was wonderful. Theres a good wine selection, too.
Love this place. Small and intimate setting. Wonderful food and service, the owner came over and chatted with us as well. Will definitely be back!!!
Incredible. Fresh food, great prices, generous portions, rotating daily specials that are out of this world, an ideal family run restaurant. Do not miss out on coming here.
Great Italian food, very authentic. Very reasonably priced. Small family owned restaurant. A bit close and noisy inside but was a nice place. They don’t take reservations so it would be tough for a larger party, but service for 2 was quick. Will come back for sure!
True taste of homemade Italian food.The atmosphere is cozy, the people friendly, and service is outstanding. The food is outstanding and in true Italian fashion, you’ll definitely be bringing leftovers home!Highly recommend.
First time at Lola & Giuseppes, and we came on the advice of our daughter who was just here the night before. We ordered the spinach artichoke dip and the pasta fritto for our appetizers. On our daughters advice, we ordered the meat lasagna Tuscan style which is when they cover it in alfredo sauce. We also ordered the shrimp and lobster ravioli which was equally amazing.First off, the alfredo sauce is uniquely rich, creamy and silky. Possibly the best Ive ever had. The lasagna itself was surprisingly light, and almost airy. The tomato sauce used in these dishes is incredibly flavorful and you can clearly taste the ripe tomato and fresh garlic, but without the acidity that you notice from some intense tomato sauces.The ravioli was perfectly cooked (I have zero tolerance for overcooked pasta) and the shrimp was also perfectly cooked. Tender, but firm with a nice snap. The red cream sauce was delicious as well, and paired beautifully with the lobster and shrimp.The pasta fritto appetizer is unique and very satisfying. Hard to describe, other than to say its like a fried cheesy spaghetti with their amazing tomato sauce.The only disappointing part of the night was that I waited too long to request the reservation, and as a result, dinner wasnt until 7:30. My advice for reservations is to text their reservation number; do not call to leave a VM. They answered my text almost immediately.In all, it was a wonderful experience even though I over-ate to the point where I had to go for a walk. Took a couple of pictures, but made the mistake of eating half the entrees before remembering to snap the photos. Sorry for that.
Very friendly service and the food is beyond amazing! The pasta frito is THE BEST appetizer. I highly recommend it!!
Superb! The bread was smothered in garlic. The wedding soup was full of meatballs. Im so glad I allowed our waitress to talk me into the sampler. I wasnt able to finish the sampler because I had to try the tiramisu. Tiramisu was phenomenal. Fantastic service, waitress and the owner checked in very regularly. Its was a pleasant experience and I highly recommend coming here. Also bring stretchy pants.
Best Italian that I have had! I got the sampler and it was great! The food took a little bit to come out but it was fresh and was wonderful. The place is small but homey. Lola came around and was talking with the customers. She even gave us recommendations on desserts. I forgot to take pictures but tiramisu, bread pudding and carrot cake were all amazing! We shared them between four people. It was great, everyone got to try each one. All of them were amazing and it would be difficult to suggest just one. Give them a shot!
Great food, very cozy. Their homemade limoncello really had a kick. The sampler seems the most popular. Large portions. Sicilian onion soup and wedding are excellent.
Food and service were awesome! Lasagna was huge, very fresh and delicious. The salad dressing was fantastic and seemed freshly made. The appetizers were great, I had the bruschetta and asked for a side of balsamic. We were going to order the dessert of the day (a lemon cheesecake I think) but they ran out. They offered to make it again if we called ahead and arranged it. The waitresses and the owner came out and checked on us multiple times.The seating is tight, we lucked out and had beautiful weather so we sat on the patio. Highly recommend Lola & Giuseppes!
If theres a better place to get Italian please let me know. Hands down the best Italian food Ive had.
Wonderful place! Very cozy the food was excellent. Spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmigiana were amazing. Bread pudding was great as well. Owner and staff very attentive and pleasant.
It was our anniversary and my husband had work in Columbus. We had eaten at Lola & Giuseppes in October, so we decided to make his work trip a celebration as well and revisit there. (Confession: I would find any excuse to drive from Pittsburgh to eat at this restaurant.) I have NEVER had eggplant parmesan like this! THICK, CRUNCHY pieces of eggplant. Not soggy and mushy at all! Absolutely perfect! And who ever looks forward to green beans??? Here you will!Our waitress Chris was so fun and the couple sitting next to us was adorable and even took our picture. Cant wait to find ourselves in Columbus again!
Quite possibly the best Italian restaurant in and around Columbus. Bruschetta had a nice touch with the pesto on the bread, all three dishes on the sampler were tasty and the tiramisu was perfect.
Absolutely delicious. Best Italian in town. Go there.You’ll dream about it at night, and you’ll slap the next person who dares to give you an Olive Garden gift card. This sounds like hyperbole and it’s not.
Food was delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed the sampler of meatball, eggplant and lasagna. Great portions. I was able to take some home for the next day. Friendly service and the food came out quickly. Try this place!
The food is amazing! We went on a Friday night so the service was a little slow. But, that was expected so I cant fault them for it. They were ridiculously nice and attentive. My pic is the portabella mushroom ravioli with creamy pesto sauce on a bed of marinara sauce. Soooo good!
Absolutely amazing meal for our first time here service was great and food was even better! We will definitely be back
Such an authentic taste to their dishes, really loved it.Atmosphere is cute and cozy, loved their Italian themed slides between tables!
Just wrapped up a meal here and it was legit one of the best, if not the best, Italian meal I’ve ever had. The pasta, sauce, salad, dessert, everything was perfection. The service was spot on. We just dined with our two little ones (8 year olds) and even though there wasn’t a kids meal option, they offered half size pasta meals. This combined with a house salad split between the two was more than enough and we have leftovers for tomorrow. Absolutely delicious. Well done Lola’s team! In a world where service and food quality have been in great decline you all reminded me of what great looks like! You have yourselves a new set of devoted customers! ❤️
Randomly decided to give this place a try and was very impressed! Dont let the fake flowers outside fool you... the food was legit! I had the special which was a Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon on Spaghetti in a Pesto cream sauce in a bed of Lobster cream sauce... we also tried the salad with honey balsamic dressing and the meatball, all of which was phenomenal! Service was great as well- the owner even came by regularly to check in with us.
This place is outstanding. The best around. Cant say enough good things about the food or the entire family experience. Highly recommend it.
What a great Italian restaurant... try the sampler and you wont go wrong!! Cannoli for dessert was outstanding!
First experience and theyve earned a return customer! Waitress was amazing and the staff in general. They worked very well together to make sure everyone was taken care of. The atmosphere was very cozy and I prefer the smaller more intimate setting. I had the sampler to get a taste of a variety of items and was not disappointed. Also the sauce on the lobster ravioli *chefs kiss*. I will absolutely be back to try a few different items and I loved the homemade desserts.
Amazing food. The place is small so getting a table can be difficult. If your entire party isnt there you will not be seated. Get there early and enjoy this local gem. The Italian food here is authentic and worth the wait.
A great family Italian restaurant! Loved the eggplant parm. Great staff too.
The food is amazing definitely the best itilian in Columbus. The desserts are out of this world. I had a piece of the Halloween cake back in October and it was the best cake Ive ever had. Love love love this place
Fantastic fresh Italian cuisine! Must make a reservation. Restaurant is small, but service is attentive and comfortable. Portions are substantial, but the most important thing is the freshness. Pasta is al dente and the sauces are on point. Chicken Marsala is light, sweet, and fresh. Sampler was just right in size and deliciousness. We had to get to go boxes. Can’t wait to eat it again. We’ll definitely be back!
My best friend and I took a road trip from Chicago to Columbus for the first time ever to go to the Arnold expo and we were looking at all these fancy restaurants in downtown Columbus but nothing caught our eye.So we googled “best places for dinner in Columbus, OH” and this was the first place we saw on the list. Immediately we looked at the pictures and menu and called to see how busy it was since there’s no reservations for groups less than 6 people.We pull up to this adorable hole-in-the-wall, quaint, intimate restaurant and fell in love with it immediately!We ordered a bottle of Chardonnay to start and the caprese salad (SO GOOD) then our waitress (can’t remember her name but she has blue hair and was so sweet to us) brought out some homemade garlic bread (AGAIN YUM)!For our main course I got the seafood special which was shrimp and scallops over linguini with a tomato cream sauce. OH MY GOD THIS WAS MORE DELICIOUS THAN MY NANA MAKES! My friend got the chicken Marsala with risotto. Another absolutely tasty dish!Everything about Lola & Giuseppe’s was phenomenal! Chicago has great Italian restaurants but nothing compares to this place! Definitely recommend you check this out but call ahead to see how busy they are so you’re not disappointed when you can’t get seated.
First time eating here and I have to say one of the best chicken Parms I have ever had. The garlic bread that they serve was also on point . Thing to note was that the food was take out and it travels well so if you can’t find a spot in the dining room it will still be perfect by the time you get home . I can’t wait to try more menu items
This restaurant is one of our favorite places for my girlfriend and I to go. It may be small but the food is incredible, its always fast, and everyone is so nice. 100% recommend
Was visiting Columbus for a concert and ate at this place due to the stellar reviews! The staff is extra friendly and the food is delicious. I tried the lasagna, this dish definitely could have been for two!
Not only is the food delicious, but the customer service is AMAZING! Truly. I called since I am traveling alone on this one and they had a table waiting for me. It was all uphill from there. You wont be disappointed. This is my first time in Ohio, so obviously it is my first time in this restaurant. I hope I get to come back!
Usually a great experience however not last night. Four of us ordered our meals and we waited a lot longer than normal and the restaurant was extremely HOT! The thermostat said 83 and all of us were sweating. Not enjoyable at all!! Then when our meals finally came two of our orders had been rang in wrong and those two had to wait while the other two ate.Nothing was offered due to the mistake that was made by the server. We hardly saw our server (waited for over 20 minutes after we were all finished with our meals) and when we finally did have her come to check on us we ordered two of the desserts that were the special for the evening and she told us that they JUST sold out. We were hot and frustrated and just wanted to leave at this point.The only saving grace was that the food waa amazing and delicious. Just wish the owner/manager would have come to the table and apologized for all the mishaps!
Great food, service, and ambience. Will definitely come back when I’m in town again.
We’d been stalking L&G’s for months on Instagram and scrolling through photo after photo of delicious-looking food. Last night, we finally visited and brought friends from out-of-town. We’re so glad we did. I could eat their flavorful, slightly spicy marinara sauce just by itself with a spoon, but I also had their baked rigatoni with probably the best, richest Bolognese I’ve ever tasted. My wife and friends loved their meals, too. We brought home desserts (carrot cake and tiramisu) and enjoyed them thoroughly. The staff was kind, also. We will absolutely be back.
This is delicious food made well. There are such rich flavors, so integrated and balanced. The lasagna is poetry. I get takeout every time, and its wonderful. Order early in the day.
Ordered takeout from here - the staff was immensely accommodating and understanding with certain dietary restrictions. The portion sizes were a bit smaller than expected (we ordered a create your own pasta, Italian wedding soup, and gnocchi) - especially when it came to the soup - and they forgot to provide plasticware originally, yet they didn’t give a hard time when I went back for it. On a surprising note, the water tasted amazing! Lol.
Favorite Italian restaurant in Columbus! I must say that we started ordering here during the pandemic, so even though our food was takeout, it is always delicious and hot. Looking forward to feeling comfortable enough to dine inside, as it is such a quaint, cozy space. Until then, we will enjoy our to-go dishes.
Everything from appetizers to salad to Lasagna to service was top-notch. Only our 3rd visit, but already our favorite itialian in Columbus.
Such great food. Its nice to see the owner always helping his staff and serving tables too. Really really good gnocchi, chicken parmesan, and eggplant parmesan
Delicious food and friendly service. Cant wait to go back.
Amazing,we have eaten here 3 times and all visits are great. The service is over the top. The food is HOMEMADE...they have a great small wine selection. Make reservations. People always stop in and get turn away because its small and quaint. They are always busy from open to close because itd that good .
Absolutely Delicious! I had their sampler and shrimp and lobster ravioli. Best in Columbus!
The last time I ate at Lola & Giuseppes, I ordered Eggplant Parmigiana and considered it to be the BEST Eggplant Parm I had ever eaten. This evening I ordered Chicken Marsala and once again, it was the BEST Ive ever had. The food at this restaurant is amazing! We will continue to make it our go-to place for Italian dining.
This is by far my favorite Italian spot in Columbus. I’ve been to Italy so you could say my expectations are high when it comes to Italian food. This is the place that meets those expectations! I love supporting local businesses and this place makes it SUPER easy to do so! Delicious food, friendly customer service, and just a great environment to enjoy Italian food. I’ve gotten something different each time I come here and I have yet to be disappointed!
Chicken Parmesan was AMAZING. Limited menu on NYE was full of classic and succulent dishes. Service was great and fast as well.
Passing through Ohio on our way to vacation and searched “Italian Columbus” - lots of choices but the reviews for Lola’s were the best. The service... the FOOD... both OUTSTANDING! The house Italian dressing, egg plant, meatballs, and the green beans - - delicious! Tiramisu was fabulous as well. Text for a reservation and GO!!!
Excellent! The salad was crisp and fresh. The salad dressing is delicious. The appetizer spinach and artichoke dip and bread was the best Ive ever had. Lasagna and gnocchi dinners were perfect and delicious. Now...the desserts connoli, chocolate cake, and tiramisu...were on a truly amazing level. Overall....this is truly an amazing restaurant that made my day!!
Amazing local Italian food. Everything is delicious, we have tried almost every dish.
Everything was good. The salad dressing was amazing. Service was good too. Portions can be bigger though
Had a reservation for 7:30 Saturday. Got to the restaurant a little early, went in waited a few minutes got seated into a booth, had napkins sitting in front of us was given menus was looking at the menus, was talking to each other about what we were going to order, the owner comes out told us we couldnt sit there because we were a couple and it needed to be three people at that booth. Said we had to get up and go back over in line and wait. Was very very embarrassing for one thing. Watch someone else set in the booth and order their food. Waited around another 10 or 15 minutes until another Booth right next to the one we were sitting in, was cleared off and then we set down there. Same size Booth right next to the booth we were seated at first. Very, very upsetting 😡 ruined our date. I will never, ever go back to Lola & Giuseppe again!!!!!! Bad 👎 restaurant!!!!!!
Visiting family in the area and we went to this lovely gem. Hands down some of the best Italian food. Everything was really fresh and tasted amazing!
The food and service is excellent. The owners always come to greet with a smile. All the food is excellent. I have tried, Alfredo pasta, eggplant Parmesan, and gnocchi. Everything I and my guests have had was great.I have been to this restaurant couple of times now, and will go again.This is just me being very picky, the marinara sauce seems bit too salty, making it tastes like canned tomato. However, it tastes fine if sauce is diluted with other things, like in gnocchi or eggplant pram.
Tonight was our first time there and all I can say is wow. Amazing food, desserts, and staff! Loved the onion soup and the spinach artichoke are to die for. Best italian Ive had in Columbus! Finding this gem was a nice highlight to the year and will definitely be going back again!
We went there on a Friday night and we were able to get seated right away. This place has a small, cozy ambiance and its just lovely. We ordered the pasta fritta and holy cow, this was delicious! We also split the wedding soup and it was equally as good. The service is impeccable. We will absolutely be going back.
The best place to eat in Gahanna! Everyone is so nice and you can never go wrong with anything on the menu. In a perfect world I’d eat here every night!
By far our favorite Italian in Columbus! You’re instantly transported to a mom & pops restaurant in Italy. The food, staff & atmosphere are all delightful & delicious!! Make a reservation and don’t miss out on this gem.
Service was fantastic. Atmosphere was very comfy. We were super excited, but a lot of overly frying and questionable sauces. Sorry.
Delicious!! Definitely recommend! Great service and nice atmosphere!
Last night was the first time trying the food here. The food was hot & delicious, & the salad was fresh & delicious. This restaurant will be visited again very soon! I love little family restaurants. Be sure to keep investing into local places like these, because places like these represent the community in which we reside.
Wasn’t dressed well enough to be seated. They said they only take reservations but didn’t offer to put us on the list. Just for giggles I called to make a reservation and they said they could have us a seat in 30 minutes. Very sad about this experience, especially living 5 hours away and choosing this restaurant to represent the area.
First place I will go if I go back to Columbus. Food was awesome! Real Italian feel. Eggplant parm was the best.
Tiny, family owned restaurant with big flavors and the friendliest staff around. The mushroom ravioli was divine, and they were generous with the mussels, shrimp, and lobster in the seafood linguini special. Take the advise on the chalkboard and save room for some house-made dessert! We had the carrot cake and the tiramisu; both were fantastic! Its probably a better date night than family dinner spot... The waiting area is quite small and the tables rather close together, which kids may have a hard time with. Overall a great experience and we will be back!
This is the best Italian place in central Ohio. I recently moved out of town and am missing Lola’s! It’ll be worth the drive to come back. I have had nearly everything on the menu and have never been disappointed. Their take-out was a staple in my house during COVID.
I absolutely love this place. The food is truly outstanding the people working there are incredibly nice and welcoming. The owner walks around and chats with you about your food and other things. He is so gracious and appreciative of you being there and you never feel put out or bothered when he stops by. Instead you look forward to chatting with him and letting him know how great the food is and what a nice place he has. Its very small and intimate, and I love that about it. Highly recommended for a wonderful Italian dinner and pleasant atmosphere. The lasagna is a very large portion, but so darn good. Ive loved every dish Ive had there.
I had a double here this past Saturday. When we got there they had our table ready and everything. It was pretty hot and humid inside so they were able to accommodate and put us outside. Let me tell you the food from this restaurant is out of this world. The staff was awesome. The owner is great! Thank you for such a wonderful experience.
Very tasty food and family owned/run. I met the owner who recently (past year or so) bought it from the original owners. I really enjoyed the eggplant parmigiana! Highly recommended. The house-made pie was also very good. If you are in the area (I was on a work trip) and looking for Italian, this is a great choice.
Their sauce is great tasting and thick which I like and not runny like some places in town. My wife loves their Gnocchi and says it is the best gnocchi shes had. This time I had the Sampler which comes with a Meatball and spaghetti, a piece of their lasagna, and eggplant parmigiana which you can do like I did, and substitute chicken for the eggplant since I dont like eggplant. It was all so good and their lasagna is the best Ive tasted in this area.
Enjoyed my dinner. Good service, pasta made in house so very yummy. Vegetarian choices. Great wine selection
It’s definitely not authentic Italian food. Very nice kind owner, but the sauce tasted like the metal can it came out of. I’m just saying, as nice as the little place is, and as quaint, this is too big a deal to ignore... too important a part of Italian cooking and food to continue to use this tomato sauce. I was hoping after all the good reviews, to experience a slice of Italy; but that, it is not. But they are very nice.
We 3 had the 1) house special for the evening, white sauce with pasta, scallops & shrimp, 2) eggplant, and 3) gnocchi: everything delicious! An attentive host helped lame me in, & then appeared again by magic to help me up when we were leaving.
The genuinely friendly and pampering service I experienced was so wonderful. My family and I felt like we were VIP. The atmosphere was quaint and everyone felt like family there. Such a fantastic place to be in. The food is authentic and absolutely delicious. Fresh pasta, meatballs the size of your fist and lasangana the size of a brick- the meats of which were light with a perfect blend of seasonings. I cannot wait to go back to indulge in the best Italian food that I have had in years. Five stars. Be sure to check them out - I promise you wont be sorry.
Delicious food, great service, absolutely loved it!
Such a lovely gem of a spot! Inconspicuously located and worth the stop. I am so happy we were able to visit during our trip to Columbus. Delicious food & kind staff - highly recommend!
The food was great. The reservations were in time. Help staff did a great job. We had a salad and an entree plus two glasses of wine. Price including tip 95 bucks. Not cheap but worth the price
I used to love going to this placr, but now with Covid Ive switched to ordering take out from bere. I love the fact that you can order online (good job guys way ahead of the times). And the take out is almost as good as eating in. Their garlic bread is still included with every order (super plus) and they still have their specials, especially their seafood specials. Their shrimp and lobster raviolis are oh so delicious and one of my favorite menu items. Support your local restaurants and try to get take out from this place you wont be disappointed.
Our server was wonderful. She immediately made us feel comfortable and aware of the specials, and made sure our drinks were always full and offered us more bread multiple times. I ordered the chicken parmesan, and I was blown away. I havent had chicken parm like this is years, so tender and light with a good crust. Lola & Giuseppes is a must go; small restaurant, clean, fast service, the food is made to order; it couldnt be better. The prices are a little high, but for the amount of food and the quality that you get, I didnt mind it. Highly recommend stopping by, close proximity to the airport, definitely worth the drive.
Amazing food. Intimate atmosphere. The tables are a little close together, but it has that feeling of your classic Italian place with a very communal vibe. Perfect date night with excellent service. Manager stopped to check on the meal towards the end. Went on a whim for some Italian on a date night because we didnt like the other options in the area - wanted authentic - and we were not disappointed. Would absolutely go again.
Best Italian restaurant in Columbus. We are becoming regular customers of Lola & Giuseppe’s, and continue to love every dish we order. My favorite is the sampler platter of Eggplant Parmesan, Lasagna and spaghetti with meatballs. The bolognese sauce is one of the best I’ve ever tried. The Veal Parmesan is also a dish to die for. Crispy outside and tender and juicy install. Highly recommend this place.
This was some fantastic Italian food. But be prepared for a wait! They dont take reservations, they dont have much space, and theres always a line!Also its on the expensive side of things. The lasagna is so creamy it almost seems like it has cream cheese. Get the 3 piece sampler!
The staff was incredible, the food was even better! This quaint little mom and pop Italian restaurant is perfection! The sampler has all of the best dishes, and the bread pudding is to die for. Definitely will be going back again and again.
Came in town to spend time with family and decided we wanted authentic Italian and that’s exactly what we got! I got the special: bay scallops & shrimp with this amazing wine sauce #muah! The food was delicious and the staff was genuinely kind. Worth every minute! Thank you for the warm and cozy atmosphere and service!
Id like to give 2.5 stars but there are no half points with the rating system. Very average food at fairly expensive prices. Not exactly a winning combination. I was expecting more from all of the glowing reviews. Seating is a bit cramped as well (calling it cozy is generous). On the plus side, the wait staff was attentive and efficient.
Great food and friendly service make this one of Columbuss great Italian restaurants. Very reasonably priced and homemade pastas and sauces. The onion soup is simply Amazing, if you find yourself here it is a must try item. The appetizers are all quite good and the salads are always fresh and the dressings are homemade. Usually crowded so come early or wait till 7:30 or 8. I highly doubt you will leave without a smile on your face.
Fast and helpful response from the reservation line. Friendly service and helpful suggestions.The food is as good as it was when Lola & Giuseppe where there, the family that has taken over truly honors the original concept and recipes, while putting their own passion into the food. I will be coming here for a long time to come if they continue down the path that they are on.
First time eating here (went for our anniversary). Fantastic place, very personable, great family feel. Food was outstanding. Will definitely be back!
Lovely experience dining at Lola & Giuseppe’s with my family, all-around beautiful atmosphere and service. The onion soup was a clear standout, but all menu items were very tasty. We were most impressed by friendliness of owner and servers. Highly recommend paying this restaurant a visit.
Stopped here for dinner while in town on business. Little hole-in-the-wall restaurant, but man, was it worth it! I love a good eggplant parmesan, but have given up on places like Olive Garden as you always get more breading than eggplant. Not here! Three half inch thick slices, nicely breaded and fried to perfection, with a side of spaghetti and a vegetable. Wish I had a place like this back home, and Im hoping Ill get another business trip out here before too long...this will be one of the restaurants on my must visit again! Friendly, efficient staff as well, and prices very reasonable. Try it, youll love it!
We made a reservation. Staff was very friendly, food was delicious. Everyone wore masks. They put up dividers that were eclectic and artistic and created a great atmosphere! Definitely first-date romantic!
One of the best meals I have ever had! was the sentiment of everyone in our group. Everything we ordered was delicious, high quality ingredients, friendly staff, clean and welcoming restaurant. This place is a hidden gem! The Pasta Frito, pictured below, is spaghetti with 3 cheeses, coated in bread crumbs and fried to a crunchy golden brown. Soooo good! Amongst our party, we also had the Italian wedding soup, salad, lasagna and Guiseppes Gnocchi; all scrumptious. Finished the meal with the heavenly homemade cannoli. This was our first time here and we will definitely be back! Make reservations before you go.
The food is so good and I didnt ask, but pasta tasted like it was made fresh. Reminded me of the pasta my friends made in Italy - so tasty!The only downside is venue is VERY small. We went for a date night and shared a room the size of a 10x10 bedroom with 7 other people and a toddler. Ordinarily I wouldnt have minded, but we just hired a sitter for a special night and it really felt like we were sharing our evening with two other (full) families.I will absolutely go again, but not for a special night and I will absolutely consider ordering to go.
Wow! The food, service, and ambience was perfect. We went there on a Saturday night and only waited 30 minutes. The staff/owners made you feel like family. I cant wait to go back again to try more of there amazing food. I personally had the eggplant parmesan, and absolutely loved it 😁
Food is absolutely AMAZING. My new favorite Italian place in Columbus. They serve the same standard Italian fare, but the taste is just on another level!But because of the excellent food I suppose the restaurant was crowded. Our waitress was still great though despite how busy it was.
Even though this place is a small restaurant it makes you feel like youre eating at an Italian home everything is homemade from start to finish. Staff is friendly the owners daughter also works there she is amazing. Lola also is there most of the time and comes over and talks to you like youre family. For food so amazing that is not expensive at all its a nice little place to have a romantic evening with your loved one or even have a group dinner. This is one of my favorite places to go to.
Service could have been better, but the food more than made up for it. The Sicilian Onion is a unique and wonderful soup- polished off every drop. The creamy limoncello is also special. My main course of Shrimp and Lobster over linguine could have been better balanced as I had too many shrimp (but who would complain, right?). Generous portions and overall a wonderful dining experience!
My wife and I come here about weekly and I never really thought to give a review; we live in a fast-paced society where each moment is fueled by consumption from the moment we wake until the moment we rest. Because of that, I dont often think to leave reviews for most things or places. By the time Ive left somewhere, Im already onto the next thing and have forgotten about what I did just before.Lola & Giuseppes is small, in a tiny corner where I never would have noticed it if it werent for my wife. It is always crowded. It is always full and if you arent there right when it opens there will always be a wait; and rightfully so.Everything here is wonderful. I dont care if its crowded, I dont care if its small, I dont care about plastic tablecloths or cheesy decor.I care that the food is always perfect, the service is always incredible, and when eating here I always feel right at home. I look forward to coming here with my wife, always. I am excited to try everything at least once, and I am always in awe of how each meal here is better than the last.Tonight, I had the mushroom ravioli and was moved to tears because it was the best meal Ive ever had. I miss it; I miss eating it, because it was perfect.I dont care about waiting, and each time I leave this place, I feel the desire to return soon. I think of it often, and can smile at the memory of every perfect meal I get with my wife.Its worth the time spent, every time. Worth the wait, worth the commotion, and worth the crowd.No matter how fast-paced life is outside of here, Lola & Giuseppes is worth remembering, and worth coming to again and again.
Overbooked been waiting to get a table over 45 minutes. Some celebration huh. No freaking excuse. Make a reserving for 7:00 we should seated at 7pm
Very good dishes. Even though Lola&Giuseppes restaurant is under new management (4 years now), the feel is still warming!!!
Absolutely the best Italian I’ve ever had aside from my friend who is Italian. We took 4 kids and everything from the service to the food was amazing. A true small business that has generations of authenticity. Can’t wait to head back with my husband for a date. Felt like I was in Italy for a little bit tonight.
My boyfriend and I recently moved to the Gahanna area and have been looking for a fabulous restaurant like this one. We went to Lolas restaurant last evening and had an AMAZING experience. Lola and her fabulous staff treat you like family from the moment you walk into the door to the time you leave. She is so funny, and reminds you of the Italian grandmother that you always wish you had in your family. I loved that she walked around to every guest asking, Do you like my cooking?! She is a trip. Our server, Frankie, recommended awesome menu items and wines as well. She was great and very personable. I had the baked rigatoni, my boyfriend had the gnocchi, and we started off with the pasta Frito. AMAZING. ALL OF IT. I couldnt have asked for a better experience, WE CANT WAIT TO COME BACK, especially to try out her desserts!!
This is a top notch Italian eatery tucked away in a strip mall. The atmosphere is good, the service is wonderful, and the food is off the charts.My first time here I remember asking about desert and having the waitress say Ill have to see what Lola made this morning. After trying one I learned that wasnt just something she said. There was little doubt in my mind the desert I ordered was homemade.It is simply the best Italian Ive ever had.
This was an OK place. I had alfredo which was so-so at best. The sauce was thick and sparse. My wife had baked rigatoni which was by far better and the only thing that redeemed the visit. The bread was lackluster; almost a hot dog bun with store-bought garlic butter. The restaurant is small and therefore loud and crowded. Nothing special in my opinion.
Hands down, some of the best Italian food around. Super small joint, amaaaazing service. The owner checked on us multiple times. The hallmark of a good Italian joint is their spaghetti/marinara. Absolute top notch! Can’t wait to take the rest of my Italian famiglia here!!
Great handmade Italian. Family owned. Owner made a point to talk with us. Large portions make a good lunch the next day also. Small restaurant that is always busy. Worth the effort to eat there.
Great little Italian restaurant! If you want homemade pastas, lasagna, sauces so fresh it was like they jumped off the tomato. It is a small place run by friendly people. So not big chain dining. Im a fan.
Honest review - I picked this based on the reviews. Honestly, the food was not good. The meat in the lasagna was mush and tasted like the cheapest beef. The staff was very friendly and nice, but the service is SO slow. The special ravioli was a pound of cream sauce. Just not good. :(
I was here a couple of years ago, and it is just as good now as it was then. Not a large restaurant, but that actually works here because it encourage social engagement with all patrons. But I dont think this works without Lola. She brings so much energy to the place, it really makes you feel like you are amongst family. The only reason it four out of five is related to the food. This is one of those restaurants that appears to stock for the day, so if you come late many meals wont be available. The waiter ran down a long list of things they didnt have. I ordered shrimp and lobster ravioli. They were put of shrimp but offered to use fried calamari instead. When I got the meal, they told me that they didnt have anymore calamari. Should have said something before continuing to cook what I ordered so I didnt have to settle for just lobster ravioli. So I would warn anyone that if you come, plan to arrive before 7. Anything later than that then your options will decrease. Nevertheless I think I will be back at a later date... It is a fun place to be.
Best authentic Italian in Columbus hands down. Nevermind the bad reviews, theyre probably used to the Italian themed restaurants like Olive Garden or others. This is a small, authentic Italian kitchen, with a literal Mom and Pop running it and making the dishes. Its not fast food, or a factory type line kitchen pumping out high volumes. They take their time and individually prepare each dish to make sure its great. The staff is always very friendly and attentive and dont be surprised if Lola herself stops by to chat about cooking and great food.
My wife heard about this from a co-worker and just HAD to try it. We went together. It is a very small, cramped restaurant located in a small plaza that can be hard to see from the street. If I didnt have my wife with me I would have certainly missed it. Most tables are for a maximum 4 people and that is about all you should take. No large groups. We both ordered Giuseppes Sampler ($21x2 = $42) . This is spaghetti and a large meatball, meat lasagna, and chicken parmesan with rigatoni. I had a Coke and she had a glass of water and Moscato. The Moscato was great! The garlic bread they bring out also delicious. When out meals came, we dove right in. All of it was SUPER delicious. Because we substituted the chicken for the eggplant, it added $3.00 to the bill. So, all told our bill was $57.53 + tip. A little steep. Our server could have been a little more upbeat. Your belly will definitely be full, but your wallet much lighter..lol. Enjoy!
Local Gahanna Italian restaurant serving traditional fare. Small dining room and they do not take reservations. Tables are close together which may bother some but we found added to the charm . It was cold sitting near the windows , however the food was soooo worth it ! The service was quick and friendly , free baskets of garlic bread were a constant at the table as our 4 year old could not put it down. We ordered Fettuccine Alfredo pasta and Egg Plant Parmesan with a Bruschette appetizer. Was a little disappointed in the bruschette as it lacked a balsamic glaze .The pasta was creamy and delicious with just the right portion size. The Eggplant was breaded to perfection and the sides of spaghetti and green beans were a perfect fit. I highly recommend this place!
Come to Columbus once a year for an event. This restaurant is a must. Family recipes, family operated. Onion soup is like nothing youve ever experienced. ..absolutely the best ever, unusual & delicious! Sampler platter covers it all and more than enough food for 2 people to share. Even Lolas side salad can be shared. Shrimp & Lobster ravioli superb . Highly recommended if youre looking for delicious Italian. Staff friendly & professional!
This spinach salad had pecans, raisins and a fruit!!! As good as that was, the dressing took it over the top!!! I also had shrimp alfredo which was excellent. And the quaint service was safe and still enjoyable.
My hubs treated me for Valentines Day. We have dined here only once before but absolutely loved it! I had Chicken Parm tonight and I do not ordinarily eat a lot of meat. I usually get two to three meals out of a portion. This chicken parm was so light, so tender that I ate the entire portion and my hubs eyes nearly bugged out of his head! The red sauce is to die for! Service was awesome! Hubby had a seafood dish and he loved it as well. We drive an hour to get to this restaurant and then we drive home -- the highlight of our evening is our meal at Lola & Guiseppies! We also had the chocolate mousse and it was one of the best Ive ever eaten and I am a chocolate mousse afficionada.....if you havent eaten here, treat yourself and check it out!
Cant say enough good about Lolas! Absolutely blown away EVERY time. Ive never had a bad experience here. I special request the 4 cheese tortellini with alfredo sauce and breaded veal. If I was ever on death row with a final meal this LITERALLY would be it. Cant forget the artichoke dip appetizer! Absolutely the best Italian in town!
Havent eaten anything here that hasnt been fantastic. The Sicilian Onion Soup is especially divine.
The chicken marsala sauce was very good. The risotto was overcooked and clumpy. My wife wanted to get a different sauce with her pasta because shes a vegetarian but they wouldnt do it. My mom wanted to get angel hair instead of regular spaghetti with her meal but they wouldnt do that either. Their food was okay (I tried both) but not worth the price they paid in my opinion. The pasta was mediocre. I saw someones review say it seemed fresh but that definitely isnt true.There were people standing outside waiting to get in and the hostess was saying she was seating whoever was next and there was some disagreement about who that was.This place isnt bad; its just not very good or accommodating.
A great experience. The service is knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly. The owner came by our table a couple times to know what else he could do to make our visit better.The food was excellent. I cant find anything to say that needs improvement.
This place is amazing, but you need to go into it with the right attitude.1. It is a tiny restaurant and is very crowded. You might feel in the way, or your table might be extremely close to another table. This is just how it is, but no one seems to care, as the atmosphere of friendship makes this feel just right.2. The bathrooms are through the kitchen. That is just how it is.3. Lola is incredible and will be running around complimenting everyone and interacting with guests. She is a gem.4. The food is delicious!
We had the onion soup and the shrimp and lobster ravioli. Bothe were fantastic. The service is outstanding. Greatly recommended. I will be back!!
Delizioso!Amazing atmosphere, food, and service. Truly felt like we were guests in a home, eating from an authentic Italian kitchen. A hidden gem. Emily is the best! Thanks for giving this North Carolina girl something to write home about, y’all.
The Food was to die for! Authentic Italian and the staff was so nice! Best chicken Alfredo I have had and the sampler was great!
This was such a great dining experience. Atmosphere was great, personal interaction was so pleasant & the food is the best. You cant go wrong with Lola & Giuseppes Trattoria! Cant wait to go again!
Its lost a little something since being sold but the food is still great and the deserts are fantastic. My one gripe, I would have liked a larger portion of pasta... Its pasta. Otherwise this is still a worthwhile locally owned business, filled with charm and worth your support.
We were in the Columbus area for a concert and used Google to find somewhere to eat dinner. What a wonderful surprise this hidden little gem of a restaurant turned out to be. The service was phenomenal. The food was out of this world. We will be back.
Outstanding customer service, the creamy lobster AWESOME, very clean and pleasant atmosphere! PERFECT customer service!The owner Steve greets everyone at their table , making a personal connection!
Everything here has been fantastic so far. Ive had the chicken parmesan, meat lasagna, fettuccine alfredo with chicken, and mushroom ravioli. We will definitely be back.
Fantastic special the day we visited. Had the creamy lobster linguine. Sooooo Good. Wait staff was attentive, wine was good. Tiramisu was delicious!
Found this place on Google Maps and thought it was worth a shot. It turned out to be one of the most memorable, satisfying and delicious restaurant experiences Ive ever had. There is a sign inside the quaint restaurant that reads, Enter as strangers and leave as family. That sums up the experience wonderfully. Lola is an absolute delight. She had me laughing countless times with her sassy personality. She and her husband Giuseppe prepare all the food from scratch. Highly recommended for the great food and unforgettable experience.
My husband and I went there for our 3rd wedding anniversary and the food and service were fabulous!:) Thank you so much to our waitress Autumn- she was absolutely wonderful! Thank you Lola and Giuseppes!:)
The food was FANTASTIC but more importantly we can not recall ever being so comfortable with the team (family) serving. We went during the Creekside Music Festival (while we were in town for a swim meet) and (trusting in the Google reviews) we fought for parking with festival goers. Doing that was an excellent decision. Every seat in the house was full and the family kept us all satisfied and attended to. Go there you will not be disappointed.
The food was excellent and so was the service. We will definitely be back for dinner again!
Great food and atmosphere. Always consistent. Wonderful staff. Prices are spot on. Legit. Take if from me you wont be disappointed. Reading the negative reviews, those folks must not be into good food or prefer chains like Fazolis. This place deserves 5 stars.
Some of the best Italian you will find in Columbus. Its a small mom-and-pop restaurant with amazing food. Id suggest trying the chicken marsala and the sicilian onion soup, they are fantastic. Service is always great, and definitely try the dessert menu. It is a very small restaurant, and it can feel a bit crowded at time, and there may be a bit of a wait around peak dinner hours, but its definitely worth it.
Atmosphere is tacky and SUPER loud. Place doesnt seem to have AC so it was 85+ degrees inside. I ordered the seafood special and it was thoroughly overcooked. My water was full of debris. It was strange having the owner yelling in the middle of the restaurant for the entire two hours it took us to eat. Definitely a disappointment.
3.5-4 / 5 This is a hard one.Ambiance: 3-4/5-trying to evoke the italian feel, but done a little cheesy.-standard old school chairs and slightly tacky tables.*This doesnt match the price bracket of the restaurant.-staff were dressed semi casually.-please play piano music or some other dinner music besides the music that was played.Food:Chicken marsala:-chicken was cooked very well. Light breading with a nice crispness.-please please please remove some of the sweetness from the marsala sauce. I dont know why it is so sweet. The sweetness covers up so many of the flavors and makes it like barbecue sauce.-green beans were excellent. 10/10 for these.-risotto was decent. Flavor could be improved / amplified.Gnochi:-Sauce was amazing. Perfect balance of hearty and tangy.-Gnochis were cooked very well. Not too soft or dense.-Sauce reminded me of supermarket Italian sausage rather than something in house.Staff:-Vedy friendly, glad to see the owner working with the rest of the staff.Summary:Im probably being too hard on this place, I just expected more based on the reviews on Yelp and Google. Flavors tended to blend together instead of getting that layering. I still dont know why the marsala sauce is so sweet.Something between my comments on my food and the cheesier than expected atmosphere (when something a bit more upscale is more common) led to the lower review. I really really want to give a higher rating, but I just dont feel like I can justify it.To everyone working there, keep being amazing. Everyone I met was quite nice.
So happy you guys opened back up for pickup/takeout!! Just finished our lasagna, chicken parmigiana, and fettuccine alfredo and I don’t want this taste to leave my mouth!!!! Thanks for the delicious food once again!
Amazing food, the sauce is fantastic. Great service and a very nice restaurant. Well definitely go again!
This little, quaint restaurant was absolutely amazing! Food was just like my grandmother used to make. The service was perfect and the owner took the time to talk to us at our table. There is nothing like a family owned restaurant to make a dining experience like no other. I cant wait to go back!!!
Great little hole in the wall italian joint, can seat maybe 50 people and the food is fantastic at a reasonable price. Usually very busy starting at 530pm and they dont take reservations so the later you go the better since theres no room to wait inside because its so small.I recommend the Giuseppes Gnocchi and the good old fashioned Spaghetti and meatballs.They recently started serving beer as well, only 1 type (Peroni) but its a welcome addition.
Update: Have been back numerous times since my original review. This is is such a great little jewel in downtown Gahanna. 5 starsFood was great, though place itself was really small, so I would assume wait times will get worse as more people find out out about this place. Will definitely be back.
So small but so good. Every bite makes me so happy and the wine selection is a great booster
Wonderful new owners that know what they are doing. Great staff thank you Judy and others. Looking forward to the Spring menu. The restaurant is warm, family feel. We eat here every Wednesday night, our local place. We invite hose who want a wonderful place try this place.
I was conflicted about writing this review - place is amazing, I almost didnt want to post that because selfish me didnt want to bump up wait time because more people find out how awesome this Italian restaurant is - Lola is so friendly, as is Guiseppe and I have never been disappointed with anything I ordered, be it when sitting inside the actual restaurant or when heading home after a long day at work and wanting to have a delicious meal at my own place. Staff is super friendly.
I had the make your own, I chose Gnocchi and Bolognese sauce with onion and green peppers. Gnocchi was cooked perfectly. Bolognese sauce was savory and well balanced. I paired this with the Moretti La Rosa and I have forgotten how nice that beer is. Wife had the chicken parmesan. Chicken was NOT over cooked with the breading golden brown. It came with green beans also savory and the linguine she did with a red pepper cream sauce, that was fresh and rich. For desert we had the Blackberry cobbler served with vanilla bean ice cream. The crust was dense yet golden and somewhat flakey. my wife hates friut with her desert and she ate almost all of this one. The restaurant itself was quaint and cozy, service was great, I believe Emily was her name. She was attentive but not overbearing, sweet and knowledgeable and on top of her game. Lola and Giuseppes is a must have if you are even remotely close.
Good overall but the experience was just short of great. Still worth a stop to try the authentic Italian fare.Server was great and friendly. Food was pretty good though it took a little while to bring it out. Eggplant parmigiana was great. Chicken Marsala was good but risotto was excellent.Tiramisu was good with a hint of bourbon somewhere in there. Bread pudding with whiskey sauce was delicious.Host/greeting was a major fail. I experienced what others have said about the front desk service. We stepped inside and another family was waiting ahead of us. I waited for ten minutes next to them without acknowledgement by anyone before a waitress finally said someone will be right with you. Then another customer whom I assume was a regular showed up because the manager came out of the back and walked up to him and greeted him with a hug right in front of me. He Still didn’t acknowledge my family. He sat the party that was waiting ahead of us and that’s when I caught his attention and asked how long the wait was for a table. I was told he would get his list and be right back. He came back and said I have one party ahead of you waiting outside. I told him no we were ahead of them and we have been waiting much longer. They just arrived so seat us next. He said he didn’t have us on his list yet and asked for my name. He wrote it under the other party and said he would check on a table for us. That’s when a server came up and asked us how many in our party. She said she would prep a table for us which she quickly did and seated us. She ended up being our server and was very nice and did a great job from there on out. Would have been a five star review except the first impression was so poorly executed by the manager.
Dont be fooled by the modest exterior... this place is a real find! Its small and personable and the service was excellent (thanks Concetta!). I started with Lolas house salad which was fresh and very good (lots of nuts, berries, and cheese -- no cheap lettuce here). The meat lasagna was hands-down the best lasagna Ive ever had. Its what other lasagnas want to be when they grow up. Fresh, meaty, cheesy, perfect. And its huge. My only regret is that I discovered Lolas on the last day I was working in town (after a month of mostly chain restaurants). Thanks Lola!
Finally got to go for dinner and it is a great little place! Delicious food and attentive staff! We will def be going back.
Very delicious and authentic Italian food.Everything that I had was awesome, including the desserts (I got the tiramisu and bread pudding).The restaurant itself is a house turned into a restaurant so it feels homey.
I was last night for the first time, Lola came to us with a big smile and her great personality to welcome us. The waitress very polite and she did good take care of us. I asked for GIUSEPPES SAMPLER, is a dish combination of spaghetti meatballs, lasagna and eggplant serve with Rigatoni, everything was delicious but the lasagna was extremely delicious. I couldnt stop eating and then we have a pumkin roll and pumpkin Ice cream OMG!! Was unbelievable, and everything is made from scratch I can tell you right now with honestly this little restaurant became my favorite #1. I cant wait to take my kids with me and enjoy the place and the food like I did.
For my daughters birthday, she wanted to go somewhere new and she loves Italian. We drove from Marysville to Gahanna and let me tell you it was well worth it! The food was so amazing and the staff was so friendly. Very quaint. We will be back!
Very good food. A little noisy, as the tables are a little tight, so might not be a choice for a romantic dinner on a Friday night. But, the upside of that was a lot of laughter is contagious and we did talk to folks start other tables, which is fun.
I only gave a star because the food was good. I have never felt so bad in a restaurant before this place. We were one of the first people in a line to be seated and the last people to get our food. The owner went around out of her way to great everyone but us. The waitress only checked on other two groups seated in our section. I did notice we were the only people of color there. Perhaps this had something to do with it. Its so sad that we havent come long enough of a way yet.
Home style Italian cuisine to die for. Gigantic meatballs homemade noodles great wine selection. After living in Italy for several years in the Navy, this is the closest I have found to authentic home style Italian. Like walking into the dining room of an Italian family. Guissepe is from Naples and will chat you up and Lola is a gem. Both love kids and eat em up! Great experience. Be careful you dont pass it though.
We realized how popular this place was with the locals before we were even seated as people were more than willing to wait for 20 minutes outside. Owners greets at the door and asks for names which she will remember throughout the experience. Our appetizer was spinach and artichoke dip and was amazing, nothing like you get at a chain, it was chunky with a bit of a kick and served with a garlic flat bread wedges. I hated to give it up when the entrees came. Desserts were exceptional as well. I had the bread pudding which was rich and custardy and my husband had a huge and sinfully creamy tiramisu.
The seafood pasta was to die for! Super rustic and yummy, this place is definitely a hidden gem in Cbus. Lola was so sweet, and took the time to talk to me. Loved her passion, look, and vibe. You can tell she really cares about her food and customers. Will for sure be returning.
Well, I went to this restaurant for a friends birthday, and my experience wasnt so good. The waitress was so into the birthday girl, that she forgot my order. I ordered a Caesar salad with salmon, which ended up taking 45 minutes. Also, while my friends and I sat laughing and having a good time, another waiter came over and insulted everyone at the table, by saying, These two girls are pretty (pointing to the birthday girl, and someone else who was with us), but I dont know about the rest of you. I will never visit this place again.
A new favorite!This is a quaint Italian restaurant near Creekside Gahanna. Tried the chicken parm, meatball and fettuccine alfredo.Chicken was a huge piece and a beautiful golden brown served with green beans and a side of spaghetti. Sauce has a nice, bold flavor. Chicken so tender a knife isnt needed. Good size meatball, also tender; wonderfully prepared. Not as big as Buca, but a good size (and not as pricey). Fettuccine looked like a small portion, but Im told it was the perfect size and also very good.Only issue was a problem with the a/c, but Im told thats being fixed.Dessert fans: try the lemon cheesecake!Also, great, friendly service.
My husband and I have dined here on multiple occasions bringing back different friends and family members. The food is consistently of high quality and the service is amazing . Lola always going above and beyond to accommodate and make you feel like family .
Great food, great service, great atmosphere! Cant wait to visit again!
Chef Anthony Fancelli is a master at the craft, and better Italian cuisine would be difficult to find locally. What he is not, however, is a master restauranteur, at least until he learns how to run a haute establishment without insulting guests. We were horrified by the behavior of his hostess, who promised us a table in just a moment while servers put together two two-tops (which we could plainly see from the entranceway), and then watched in amazement as she seated two parties behind us at the tables she promised us! After waiting patiently for 15 minutes, I suggested that she uncork our wine so that we could have a drink while we waited. She said, Sure, for $15. I thought she was joking! Any restaurant worth their salt would have gladly accommodated us for our inconvenience. To make matters worse, she returned from inside, and told us that Chef Fancelli emphatically said, No! (without even apologizing for the mix up!). If you must have Italian food, there are a host of less expensive and equally fabulous Italian restaurants in Columbus that understand good customer service. Lola & Giuseppes is not one of them.
Sicilian onion soup was fantastic. The place is a little small and loud, but the staff is very friendly and the food is excellent. The flourless chocolate tort is an excellent dessert.
Melt in your mouth Gnocchi. Melt your heart romantic setting. About the size of a living room. Very very nice and attentive staff. All home made from scratch. I went off my diet.
Always wonderful. The specials and some apps are prepared in limited quantities because they are all fresh. Cant tell my favorites because I dont want you to get them before me! My favorite dinner is the old staple spaghetti and meatballs, and you wont find it better anywhere else.
Cozy (small)Great food.Friendly service.The kind of place that they get to know you. Lola or Guiseppe can be found in the kitchen or working the floor.Dont go if youre in a rush. The kitchen often gets backed up and the servers are very busy.
Everything was great. Hot, fresh, delicious food and excellent service. Ill be back for sure
Delicious, homemade food, excellent Sicilian onion soup. Only criticism is that the place is rather small, with somewhat high ceilings, and the acoustics are rather unpleasant when its busy and one is sitting near a large party.
I had a long, in-depth review typed up and ready to go, until I accidentally deleted the whole thing. So instead of spending all that time to rewrite it, Im just going to sum up everything I said:This is hands-down one of the best restaurants my wife and I have EVER been to, and weve been together eight years, and eaten at quite a few restaurants. It was about an hour round trip, and I wouldnt hesitate to make it again...thats something I wouldnt even say for some of the fancier restaurants weve been to.Unlike a lot of eateries, the names in the restaurant title arent just homages...Lola was actually there the day we went, and even though it was our first time here, from the looks of things, shes there just about every day (Giuseppe wasnt there because he recently had surgery, and was recovering). She came and talked to us, just as she did to pretty much every other table, and when we told her we were there for my wifes birthday, she absolutely insisted on buying my wife Limoncello for dessert, as well as a cannoli for the road.Lola is an incredible host, and will talk your ear off about anything you want to know...she told the table next to use exactly how Giuseppe makes the Limoncello served at the restaurant, and was even describing how the restaurant makes money in a difficult industry. From the mouths of other people, this could come off as bragging, but with Lola, you can clearly tell its simply out of pride. And boy does she have every right to be proud of this place. The dishes arent just great, theyre flat-out memorable. Even something as simple as their bruschetta absolutely explodes with flavorThis is one of those rare places that transcend nationalities. Sure, the focus may be on Italian cuisine, but I wouldnt just recommend it to fans of Italian food, Id recommend it to fans of food in general. This place is a crash course in exactly how a restaurant should treat their customers, and I honestly cant recommend it enough. I took my wife here because I knew she would love it, simply because of the food being served, but I ended up walking away loving it just as much. I wish I could give it a 10 out of 5.
Great service, fantastic food, and friendly atmosphere! For an out-of-towner, this was worth the stop!
Omg this place is Amazing, the food is awesome and the atmosphere is nothing but smiles and laughter. We will be back!!
I do not usually write reviews online, for or against anything - but with respect to our visit to Lola & Giuseppes Trattoria, I will make an exception: This was one of the top three dining experiences I have ever had in my life (the other two were in Bologna and Sorrento, Italy). Lola, Gabriella, Brian, and Joe were warm, engaging, attentive, and gracious throughout our time with them. The many and varied entrees we enjoyed were delicious and Lolas homemade Tiramisu was incredible. This was not just another night out to eat - this was a completely original and utterly enjoyable dining event!!
You feel like youre amongst family here. Family that is really, really talented at cooking. Eggplant parmigiano some of the best Ive ever had. Gnocchi is amazing, too. And the Giuseppe salad is a burst of fresh flavor with a yummy pesto sauce.
I was visiting Gahanna from out of town with my husband and had a hankering for Italian. Doing a quick google search for Italian restaurants in Gahanna, this came out on top. Im all for quaint local family run restaurants, especially those offering old-world traditional foods. The soup and salad were excellent, but our main dishes and the service left much to be desired.I ordered the Sicilian onion soup and Braciole, my husband ordered a small Giuseppes salad and baked rigatoni. We had arrived a few minutes after the restaurant opened, but the waitress returned to say they were out of the Braciole (this early in the evening, really?) Considering the good reviews online, I thought Id try something new and got the special of the day, clams, lobster and pasta in a garlic white wine butter sauce.The onion soup was delicious, I almost wanted to order more, and my husband said the salad was great, especially the dressing. These two items are why the rating has 3 and not 2 stars. We were eager for the main dishes, but when they arrived they left much to be desired.The sauce on the rigatoni was average (quite acidic for a bolognese) and the copious amount of cheese while baked, was simply melted, not golden or crispy. (Its hard for me to type this, but it actually had too much cheese on it.)My dish was not good. The seafood was rubbery and overcooked, the pasta was full of sand from the seafood, and the sauce was thick like alfredo without much flavor. I expected the garlic white wine butter sauce to be flavorful and light.I would have let the waitstaff know, but our waitress disappeared after delivering the food. Both my husband and I, and another couple next to us that came in at the same time we did, waited, and waited, and waited, and then waited some more after finishing our food.When waitress finally arrived, she seemed angry when we said we didnt want boxes (we had a 2+ hour drive home), but at least processed our check quickly.
The food here is AMAZING we live a hour away and happened to be in the area and decided on Italian ended up at Lola & Giuseppes. Weve made this our go to Italian place and yes even with it being a hour from home we feel its well worth the drive .
Not a restaurant for everyone. We went for the first time last night as a date night with 1hr and 45 minutes until we had to pick the kids up. The restaurant was extremely busy with many large tables. We waited 15 minutes to be seated (no big deal) but then waited another 15 minutes before we even got our menus. Once we ordered another 45 minutes went buy and when we asked the waitress how much longer she looked shocked like none had ever asked that before. After 10 more minutes and no word from the waitress we found her and asked her just to box it up for us as we had to leave. She came a few minutes later with the food boxed up followed by Guiseppe bellowing about someone having a problem. He completely embarrassed us. Never apologized. And basically told us not to return. Oh and all of this still ended up costing us $70 and we never even got to eat. Very disappointing.
Total reviews rating 4.8
199 Reviews for Lola & Giuseppes Trattoria 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-25Really good food. Great service. At a decent price from a small business. What is not to like? Tiny dinning room so make reservations early. I think they only do dine in by reservation. Wife and I enjoy a delicious meal while celebrating our anniversary. We really appreciated feeling like the meal we got was worth the money we spent!
Review №2
2022-06-24Fantastic family owned Italian restaurant. Make sure you get reservations. Tiny inside but food was very good. Had the chicken marsala, slightly sweet with mushrooms and panchetta. Clams with white wine also good. And the table gets garlic bread. The bread pudding is one of the best Ive ever had and get the whiskey sauce, not the Carmel, very soft and custardy.
Review №3
2021-12-31I came to google in search of great pasta, and found this gem! The restaurant is absolutely delightful. It is a nice intimate setting. Perfect for a date, or family dinner. The staff is so sweet and attentive! I ordered the fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp and my mom ordered a salad with soup! The bread brought out before the meal was impeccable and the food….omg…. The best pasta I’ve ever had at a restaurant! The portion size was perfect (not too big, not to small) . The soup was delicious and so was the salad! I also got a cannoli and it was the best cannoli I’ve ever had. The owner was also so nice and came by the table to check on us. There aren’t many restaurants left like this! I felt welcomed, appreciate and full of great food . The atmosphere, the employees, the food and the owner really make this an amazing dining experience.I can’t believe I’ve lived in Gahanna and never had this amazing place? I will most certainly be back.
Review №4
2021-12-16This is the best Italian restaurant I have been to in Columbus. Absolutely amazing food. Hands down best eggplant parm I’ve ever had. Homemade pasta, delicious sauces. Loved the garlic bread to start. Walking into the the small little restaurant with loads of character, you immediately smell the amazing food cooking away! It is a family owned restaurant with the family members working there. I love this place and will always tell my friends to go here if they are looking for a low key, but high quality Italian dining experience.
Review №5
2022-06-04Made a reservation for the same day and so glad we tried this little place! Our server, Emily, was helpful and had great recommendations as we’d never been here before. I had the eggplant parm which was done perfectly - eggplant wasn’t bitter or tough and the breading was super crunchy and not over cooked at all. Our party also got chicken parm, chicken Marsala and spaghetti with meatballs. We all agreed that our food was delicious. Desserts were really good as well - tiramisu was close to the best I’ve had. Will be back to this cozy little gem for sure!
Review №6
2022-05-06I happened to stumble upon this restaurant while doing a Google search for Italian restaurants in the Columbus area. I saw that it had really good ratings and wanted to check it out for myself. I went here with my dad, husband, and our 2 year old. The service was top notch and the food was fabulous! We thoroughly enjoyed our entire experience. They even helped to accommodate my daughters egg allergy, which is difficult with homemade noodles, but they offered a few options and it turned out great. We hope to visit again when we come back to the area!
Review №7
2022-04-01This is a small venue, but you will receive great service and delicious food! I went with the sampler basically because Im greedy. I was well rewarded. The meatball was large, tender, and well-cooked. The sauces were thick and amazing. I packed half of my dinner as I wanted to indulge in the raspberry chocolate cheesecake. Oh, it left me to make noises I was unaware of, it was so good!!!Make your reservations asap. Ideal for 2-4 folks from what I could see, but they can make larger groups work with enough notice.
Review №8
2022-04-24Being from NY it is hard not to roll your eyes when a restaurant claims authentic Italian food. From the moment I walked into this place the aroma alone had me sold that I was in for something good. It wasn’t… it wasn’t good it was great!!! The sauce was near perfection, the Pasta Fritto was genius and delicious! The spinach artichoke dip was the best I’d ever had and the veal parmigiana was generous and perfectly prepared. This place is an absolute gem with some the best Italian I’ve ever had! Not to mention the time the owner took to come chat at our table and the wonderful wait staff. If I could given this place a bonus star I would. Only in Columbus for two more days and they are closed both (Sun and Mon). Might have to visit Columbus again just to go back here!
Review №9
2022-02-19Just fantastic. The food as a whole is my favorite Italian in the greater Columbus area. The meatballs arent even a question, other restaurants are not even in the same league.The staff is amazing, and if youre eating here, its virtually guaranteed that the owner will have as long of a chat with you as you want.The only thing I wish were different here is that I could have the marinara and meatball recipes.
Review №10
2021-12-04The restaurant is a hidden gem. The food was very good. Emily served us, it was great. I ordered the sampler and the wife had the Marsala. We shared a cup of the wedding soup. Some of the best ever. The eggplant 🍆 was supreme! I am not a meatball fan, but the meatbalss were great. The Italian beer with dinner added the extra layer of flavor. Finished with bread pudding with a whiskey sauce. This is a new family favorite for certain. A small quaint, friendly environment with wonderful, flavory food, that is truly authentic and tasty. Yes, please take my money...