Gianni's Pizza

Efficiency and Freshness at Gianna’s If you’re looking for a spot that runs like a well-oiled machine, this is it. Gianna’s is a super busy place, but don't let the crowd intimidate you. They have 2-3 cashiers working the front who manage to get you in and out remarkably quick. The Experience One of the coolest parts of the visit is the transparency. You can see through the windows as the entire staff works tirelessly, hand-crafting various components of their menu items. It adds a great "behind-the-scenes" feel to the meal and proves they aren't cutting corners on prep. The Pizza The presentation of the pizza was top-tier—it looked great when it hit the table, loaded with toppings like black olives, sausage, peppers, and mushrooms. The Sauce: You can tell they use quality ingredients; the sauce tasted incredibly fresh, which is often the make-or-break element of a good pie. The Crust: The bake was solid, providing a nice golden-brown foundation for the mountain of toppings. The Verdict Here is where we hit a bit of a crossroads. While the quality of the ingredients was obvious, both my wife and I felt it was lacking flavor. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher because everything looked right and tasted fresh, but the "wow" factor in the seasoning just wasn't there for us. Maybe it’s just us—everyone’s palate is different—but we found ourselves wishing for a bit more punch to match the great aesthetics. If you value speed, fresh ingredients, and a clean, bustling atmosphere, it’s definitely worth a try. You might find the flavor profile hits your mark better than it did ours!

Hubby and I stayed in Monterey for the weekend and were told to eat at Giannis by some friends. The food was good, but the pizza was AMAZING!! The crust was crispy at the bottom but fluffy and chewy and soft all at the same time. The toppings were delicious and fresh. Its been 3 weeks since we have been there and my mouth is drooling as I write this review and thinking about my combination pizza. We live 3 hours away and we want to take a day trip JUST to go eat pizza. Hahaha. The place isnt anything fancy, but its a cool spot to hang out, have drinks (both alcoholic and non), and eat some good food.

Ordered a large pepperoni pizza for takeout and it was more than enough for a family of four—super cheesy, gooey, and loaded with pepperoni. We placed the order about 20 minutes before closing, and they were still very accommodating. The ambience inside was cool and relaxed. Great food and great service.

We ordered the Andy’s Southwest Chicken Pizza (XL – $40), a salad ($15) and a fountain drink ($5). Andy’s Southwest Chicken Pizza had a really strong mozzarella cheese pull, a signature white tangy sauce and homemade spicy pico de gallo along with fresh ingredients like garlic, tomatoes and onion which made the pizza so irresistible. So incredibly good after so many years. Yum! For the full review and details of our 5 months Round The World (RTW) travels, visit 2bearbear today!

We ordered a few pizzas and dishes. Cauliflower crust margarita pizza was fantastic, full size meat pizza was really good, ravioli was tasty, clam linguine was ok - they didn't b drain the pasta so it was sitting in a puddle of water. Breadstcks and marinara were delicious.

Giannis Pizza is always a place we like to eat at when we visit Monterey. We decided to get a pizza on our first day of vacation, Sunday, October 26, 2025. They were very busy. We ordered a small pepperoni. When they brought our pizza, it was burned all around the edge. We decided to keep our disappointment to ourselves. It was delivered hot but not much flavor and of course burned. We decided to give it another try on Thursday, October 30, ordering a small Meat-zilla. To our dismay, the pizza arrived burned on the edge and missing both pepperoni and beef. Giannis Meat-zilla menu description: A magnificent combo loaded with meat: Italian salami, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Italian sausage, beef, and linguica. This is not the same good pizza we have enjoyed in the past.

Atmosphere is amazing. Customer service could use some help. The manager was not welcoming and overwhelmed. The pizza we ordered did not come out as requested. Bread sticks were amazing.

Visiting my family. Stopped in was impressed with the awards on the wall. Ordered the Ravioli and it was ok, pizza came with a human hair cooked into it. Over all the food was ok, I am sure you can find better . The best part was the Bread sticks.

I was a little skeptical coming here because it was so highly rated so I thought it would be a tourist trap but I was genuinely shocked on how much business this place had. It must be supported locally very well too as this place was PACKED when I went on a random weekday night. First off, I would like to commend this place just on the pricing alone. Their appetizers are insanely good value at $1.18 for garlic bread and just $1.66 for a big bowl of marinara sauce. I haven't seen such pricing in so long in this age of inflation that I'm very grateful they have items that anyone can afford. Secondly, the restaurant is quite large with a ton of seating. I also like the warmth of the restaurant itself as it harkens back to an old school pizzeria or diner feel. The only con I would said is that it is so busy that it took us maybe 45 minutes to get our food which is like a death sentence if you have an impatient toddler who is tired and also hungry. Also the line for ordering is split into two (with one sign saying self-service) and the other with just a person taking orders. I think it's very confusing so a lot of people "skipped" the main line and just went to the self-service line which I'm not sure was the correct way. I felt like it was the same line since everyone just got a number and waited for the food. I'll definitely be back since I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere but maybe do take-out next time to save myself the wait.

Gianni's Pizza is an institution around here and I have a fond memory of being treated to their pizza after a school soccer game some several decades ago. Since then, I've eaten many pizzas across California. I avoid eating pizza these days because it's such a calorie dense food. So it takes something extra for me to want to eat at a pizza place. I can't say this place makes it on my rather short list. Still, it's a good joint.

Five Stars -- A True Monterey Classic! Gianni's Pizza is an absolute staple in the Monterey community and easily a five-star Italian restaurant establishment. The food is consistently excellent, with huge, classic Italian portions made with quality ingredients that never disappoint. The atmosphere is family-friendly, cozy, and authentically Italian, making it perfect for everything from casual dinners to special family nights out. Service is always first-class--warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming--and after countless visits, I can honestly say I've never had a bad meal here. And whatever you do, don't skip dessert. The huge assortment of fancy Italian gelato is the perfect way to finish an already fantastic meal. If you're in Monterey and craving real Italian comfort food with heart and consistency, Gianni's Pizza is a must. Highly recommended!

Gianni's is a must when visiting Monterey. The pizza is made in house and the vibe impeccable. Bonus tip: Get the gelato too

Recommended by the receptionist at our B&B, we weren't steered wrong! We went on a Monday night at around 6pm and it wasn't too crowded. This is an archetypical pizza restaurant, like the ones I used to go to in Los Angeles as a teen 100 years ago. Red and white checkered table cloths, theme from The Godfather playing on their music system, and pizzas in every size you could imagine (actually five sizes from 8" to 18"). We ended up ordering a small (12") chicken pesto for the two of us. Turns out that was even too big and we ended up taking home half of it. Flavors were excellent, plenty of cheese so that each bite was totally satisfying. I was going to eat one more slice, but decided to go for a gelato instead. Lots of flavors, and I opted for the rocky road (the closest to pure chocolate they had). It was good, maybe a bit too firm for gelato, and it didn't have the knockout chocolate punch I was hoping for. Counter service only (order your pizza and they'll bring it to your table). The place is large... a massive group came in that took 5 minutes to pass through. But it still felt spacious. When we returned home, we reheated the leftover pizza in our air fryer and it was just as good as at the restaurant! Strong recommendation!

Sevice here was strange. Several employees just standing around trying to act busy. I would have sent 3-4 of them home. We needed more water, napkins and a spoon, and we had to get it ourselves. Those idle employees could have done that for us. Yet they ask for a tip. The pizza was fine. Very expensive $16 for mini. This restaurant doesn't really cater to kids. No crayons given to kids. I'll never return. Domino's and Little Caesars is better value for your budget.

Gianni's isn't just a pizza place--it's a local landmark. Known for decades as one of Monterey's best Italian pizza spots, it delivers exactly what you hope for: pizza that is truly fresh, with crusts that are to die for, cheese that is rich and stretches with every bite. Truly not enough can be said about how good quality is. We have tried most of the menu as locals coming to Gianni's for years. All their pizzas are tremendous, and the cheese stretch is always the chef's kiss. The crust holds up beautifully without being too thick or too thin, and you can taste the care in the dough. The vibe is old-school casual: bustling, family-friendly, and filled with the smell of fresh pizza baking. Staff is quick and efficient, even on busy nights, and you get the sense that they've been doing this a long time--and doing it right. They also have breadsticks near the cash register in the front and they are absolutely delicious as well. Always a hit with kids.

If I go to Monterey & Gianni's is open, it's a must go! The best old school pizza around! Great chewy, crispy crust smothered in cheese. Yummmmm! Don't forget to start with their breadsticks & marinara. Soooo good!

We meet here monthly and the service and food is always wonderful. I've been driving over from Salinas for over 40 years! Check it out if you are looking for a classic ... and be sure to get the bread sticks!

Probably one of the worst pizzas we've ever had. Only their name is Italian; we don't comprehend from which country is their taste-less pizza style. Either you have American-style pizzas from BJ's or you can have a proper Italian pizza. Gianni's pizza doesn't fall in either of the categories. Crust burnt, vegetables are tasteless and squishy (leaving water) because they don't know what they're doing , bread is not special, list goes on... I asked them to put Spinach. They burned and disintegrated the Spinach on the Pizza. We should have just had pasta from another restaurant instead of trying their pizza. Coke Zero was the best thing about our meal!

The pizza was great! We ordered the 2 small pizzas one tasty chicken pizza- 1/2 BBQ chicken 1/2 Chicken Pesto and one signature pizza- 1/2 Gianna's Special 1/2 Cheese. They accidentally gave us 1/2 Pesto di Mare instead of the 1/2 Chicken Pesto. When we asked to confirm if it was what we ordered. They apologized and said they'd make us a mini pizza of Chicken Pesto. The ambiance is great! It's a family friendly pizzeria with an upbeat atmosphere. Shout out to Savannah for being so kind and helpful. When we arrived there was a customer that needed some assistance and she was very professional, discrete and went above and beyond. Overall, great experience & great food!

Great pizza!! We called in an order for pick up. The Place was hopping but they have a to go counter for ordering and pick up that moves quickly. Old fashioned pizzeria with booths and tables. Lots of happy families were sitting around enjoying the delicious food! We picked up the pizza and a couple Italian sodas and went to watch the sunset.

Favorite pizza place in Monterey. Bread sticks are delicious. Pizza is delicious I love the sauce. The service is pretty quick even for large orders. The restaurant is huge with plenty tables. Love the checkered decor. Try it out if you get a chance.

Excellent takeout pizza. The large pepperoni was huge, very cheesy, and generously topped. We ordered 20 minutes before closing, and the staff was still friendly and helpful. Ambience inside looked chill and inviting. Solid spot--would order again!

As someone who only eats chicken, a chicken pizza menu was amazing. I got the chicken Alfredo pizza mini to go and it was so good! I ate some of it cold the next day and it was still very good haha. We placed our order efficiently over the phone and it was ready when we arrived. It looked like a fun spot on a Friday night but I opted to eat this in bed at our hotel

I am a local and this was my first time visiting, it was always packed but I thought it was a tourist trap. It definitely is not, very delicious pizza, good prices and friendly service. There was a hiccup with my wing order and they went above and beyond to fix it. I highly recommend this place! Will definitely be returning!!

I looked on Google map to see what restaurant is near Carney Row and found this restaurant. The workers here are nice and friendly. My wife ordered Gianni's Special pizza, Caesar salad, and Lasagna. Caesar Salad came out quick and fresh. The pizza was so delicious and flavorful. They put a lot of toppings on top. The one topping that they put a lot was olives and I got happy. The pizza crust was sloppy made. Some crust was thinner then others. Lasagna was good and delicious with some small meatballs on the inside. They didn't over sauce the lasagna which I love. Don't for get to get their gelato, it's so delicious and not that sweet Overall I will definitely come back.

The restaurant offers plenty of seating and parking, with its own lot. You place your order at the register and receive a number if you're dining in. You can then choose your own table. The service was excellent! We ordered the small Gianni's Special. Though we were a party of two, the pizza was large enough for three, especially with the addition of Alfredo pasta with clams. The pizza had a thick, crispy crust all around, and it was absolutely delicious! Often, the middle of pizzas can be too doughy, but this one was perfectly toasted from edge to edge. I loved it! I will definitely be coming back.

This was our third time stopping by Gianni's for some pizza and it's always such a delight with great customer service. Their pizza is literally delicious, if you haven't tried it, you're definitely missing out!

Good place for pizza if your near the aquarium. The pizza is good and so is the Gelato they have. There have good options for the ice cream. The wait is a little long because it can get busy. You basically seat yourself and have to ask for the table to be serviced. They don't wait on you or have pizza serving tools. You have to use your knife. The pizza has a lot of toppings and family friendly.

We tried Gianni's Super Veggie Pizza during our vacation in the Monterey area - and let's just say, it was a super disappointment. The pizza arrived cold, greasy, piled high with raw veggies on top barely melted cheese, and a crust that still had raw dough in the middle. And by "middle," I mean a solid 7-inch raw circumference. "Disappointed" doesn't quite cover it. The pizza was so undercooked it felt like we were supposed to finish baking it ourselves. We gave up on Gianni's and called it a night--hungry, but wiser.

This restaurant is seriously one the best American-Italian restaurants I have ever been to, i would go so far as to the say one the best restaurants ever. My gf is Italian and she loved it also. I had marinara pizza, she got calzone We reference this place for the ectasy it gave us almost every week since we came here. The ambiance is all American. Local teenagers working and bussing. Classic American Italian interior. We are going to come back to Monterrey just to go here!!!! Must stop shop!!! Experience ecstasty!!!

Giannis is still a solid choice! It was jam packed on a Saturday night. The line wrapped around but I wasn't going to give up. I had 4 of the garlic bread sticks since they are so good. I also tried the spaghetti and meatballs and it was really flavorful. I also got a half Hawaiian half Mario's and both were good pizzas! I really love the food here and the nostalgia of being in a pizza parlor. However I didn't like that most of the tables were dirty and even when I pointed out the table needed to be cleaned the busboy just ignored it and never came back.

Giannis pizza was such a treat! Ordering takes place at the front counter and a number is given for your table where the food will be delivered. My husband and I ordered a medium Paul's primo and one bread stick that was calling our names at the front counter. I mean who can pass up a breadsticks when a mountain of them are staring at you from the other side of the counter? The toppings in our pizza were plentiful and included: mozzarella cheese, canadian bacon, pepperoni & salami, olive oil, fresh sliced. tomatoes, parmesan cheese, oragano, and fresh garlic. The medium was way too big for the two of us but we had plenty of left overs. Overall, our food was delicious!!! When you walk in, there are plenty of seating options right away, but the place wraps around with even more spots that are easy to see as soon as you enter. Also, there is a separate bar where you can order and pay for adult beverages. My only complaint is the cleanliness of the tables and bathrooms. We couldn't find a clean table and we ended up just busing our own table to have a place to sit.

Giannis Pizza is a place we like to eat at when we visit Monterey. We decided to get a pizza on our first day of vacation, Sunday, October 26, 2025. They were very busy. We ordered a small pepperoni. When they brought our pizza, it was burned all around the edge. We decided to keep our disappointment to ourselves. It was delivered hot but not much flavor and of course burned. We decided to give it another try on Thursday, October 30, ordering a small Meat-zilla. To our dismay, the pizza arrived burned on the edge and missing both pepperoni and beef. Giannis Meat-zilla menu description: A magnificent combo loaded with meat: Italian salami, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Italian sausage, beef, and linguica. Not sure what has changed, but it is not the same good pizza we have enjoyed in the past.

Giannis is a self service restaurant that has so much to choose from! We got a small BBQ Chicken pizza, garlic cheese bread, and Cesar's salad. We loved everything about it. Everything tasted delicious. The restaurant also has a bar area if you prefer that; you order what you'd like and then seat yourself in any available table. It's a nice spot to come after a beach day in Monterrey! It seems to get more packed over the weekends. We went on a Monday around 7 PM and it wasn't as crowded. I would definitely come back!

Gianni's Pizza offers some solid pies, fully loaded with toppings and that irresistible cheese pull in every bite. We ordered the medium Hawaiian Delight and were pleased with the generous portion size and the abundance of toppings. The best part? They don't skimp on the cheese--each bite comes with that satisfying, gooey pull that pizza lovers crave. As for the service, Gianni's is an order-then-seat kind of place, so interactions with staff are minimal, but they're always friendly. The food arrives promptly, though the restaurant can get chaotic and packed depending on the day you visit. Unfortunately, my experience was soured by the state of their soda fountain. When I went to fill my drink, the machine was out of ice and many of the soda options were unavailable. Worse still, the Diet Pepsi I poured tasted like dirty water--not once, but twice, indicating a serious lack of cleaning and maintenance. This left a bad taste in more ways than one.

Local here. Usually we have the Gianni's Special pizza, but yesterday we tried Pizza de la Casa, featuring the generous addition of creamy ricotta and fresh basil. Delicious! We love the regular crust as the "bones" are yummy.

Double pepperoni, eh? I'd hate to see regular. It's pricey for how mediocre it is. It wasn't bad, necessarily, but I'm trying a different place next time I'm in town.

I came here with a friend and we split a pizza and salad and it was so good! It feels like a true family style pizza place and offers a lot of great options. Our service was quick and staff is friendly. One of these days I will try their dessert but for now their pizza and salad are excellent choices.

Gianni's Pizza in Monterey is a local favorite for a reason. It has been voted best pizza in town for several years! My family had the Gianni's Special with sausage, pepperoni, peppers, black olives, and onions on a perfectly baked crust. With lots of seating, TVs to catch a game, and friendly service, it's the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious meal.

I tried to give Gianni's another chance. After all, an over a decade love affair deserves chance after chance... I ordered an xtra large cheese/ bbq chicken pizza. I also ordered the assorted appetizers. To my dismay, my pizza arrived at my table burned. The cheese pizza is unacceptably burned and the bbq chicken was missing ingredients, no cilantro... and was a bit undercooked... It took 30 min to get our pizza because Gianni's is always so busy.A burmed/ unfercooked mess was served to us... I've given Gianni's so many chances because I didn't want our long love affair to end.... But after so many chances, I just can't stay anymore... The quality has gone downhill. Waaaaayyy down... This is coming from a patron that has been supporting them for 16 years (i did the math) It saddens me to say goodbye to Gianni's. But know the flaw is not in Gianni's himself. He is a a stand up guy. It's in the quality of the employees and shift managers... Such a pity... Arrivederci Gianni's....

Tried Gianni's Pizza for the first time, and I was really impressed with the service! As soon as you arrive, you place your order at the counter, get a number, and find your own seat. The food came out incredibly fast. I think I was in and out within 30 minutes, which is perfect if you're looking for a quick and easy meal. I ordered the linguine with clams, and it was pretty good! Next time, I definitely want to try the ravioli and, of course, the pizza. If you're in Monterey and need a fast, casual spot with great service, Gianni's is a solid choice. Looking forward to going back!

This was one of the worst orders I've ever had from Uber Eats. The meatballs had no flavor at all, and the sauce cup was only half full. The pepperoni pizza was burnt, and even though it said "extra pepperoni," there were barely any slices. The breadsticks were stale, like they had been sitting out for hours, and definitely not "lightly buttered" as advertised. Very disappointed -- the quality is not what I expected. Gianni's, it really feels like you've lost it.

The young lady was super nice and friendly. She gave us the menu and explained what we had to do . The atmosphere was very family oriented the only thing they should think about is a fan or a way to get the smoke out. It seemed a little overwhelming at times. The food was fabulous! The pizza reminded me of the pizza we would get overseas. Delicious and authentic!!

On a weekend getaway coming from LA and decided to look for a pizza spot. Place was busy but it was a Friday night. Service was fast despite that. Food was good for the price. There is no server besides the people who bring you the food you order besides that you can get up and get your own drinks/condiments. Overall was a nice meal and service was good. Ambiance was ok but was expected due to it being a busy Friday night.

I volunteered to organize the team dinner for the Monterey baseball tournament again this year and picked Gianni's (last year I picked Hula's). Andy, the manager was my contact and he was great! Super helpful and flexible in accommodating us! Pros- pizzas were super tasty and devoured upon arrival! I preordered a lot of pizzas too! Picked out 15XLs, plus 3 family sized Caesar salads (for the parents) - this was for 46 people in total (22 players). Note: we did have leftovers and everyone was stuffed! I probably could have picked 10 pizzas and should have ordered 4 salads, but everyone seemed to enjoy the variety... Additionally - Gianni's allowed for a larger group...last year we had just under 40 and took up the entire extra room at Hula's, this year we shared space with 2 other parties (including the team that just beat us, literally!) Gianni's party room is quite big, so no baseball brawl took place (haha, totally kidding, both groups of boys were/are totally chill!) Gianni's also did not have a room fee since we're a high school sports team, thought that was super cool! Per person, including covering the dinner cost for coaches and their families, it came out to $20 per person, so super reasonable! Cons- if we could have, it would have been nice to have our own space, like at Hula's. Gianni's also didn't have an option to order party size trays of pastas, but those are small cons in the grand scheme of things! Anyone that wanted pasta could order it on their own though... the option to self order pastas, drinks, etc., was there (another great perk!) Very happy with last night's dinner spot!

Drives by... Mhmm maybe next time. Drives by again mhmm not in the mood for pizza. Drives by after walking around the Monterey bay aquarium, that is the one. The parking lot is always packed and the smells from outside will draw you in. The windows to the kitchen are right on lighthouse and you can watch as one might say where the pizza magic happens. The breadsticks for $1 are large and in charge! Oh lord they a coming. Aka don't be like me and order one for each family member. Ranch is baby and child approved. I, nor the family, were disappointed, even with the leftovers. Yummmmmm.

Quality Pizza and great service. Self seating and easy to find a spot during lunch rush. The Pizza tasted real and made with better quality ingredients. It veggie Pizza tasted fresh and tasted like fire cooked quality. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for an easy and inexpensive way to feed the family and still have time to walk the shops and beaches.

Simply delicious- I'm really not a pizza person but my gosh was this good. So glad I live 2.5 hours away or I'd be here every day

The best Italian food I have ever eaten in my life. We appetizer the bread with meat sauce. Fantastic Then we shared the Antipasto salad. Best ever. They brought the lasagna. OMG. Best ever. Love this place.

Ordered delivery through Uber eats. One of the best pizzas I've had. Plenty of toppings, crust was excellent

This place is a must, must try! Drop what you're doing and head to this pizzeria now if you are in the area! Pair your pizza with a salad to eat your greens! Service was fast even on a busy day. We sat at the bar before we had our takeout ready. Cool ambiance with pizza connoisseurs!

Great pizza and service on one thing I was disappointed with the forks are so cheap it's a shame . They hurt my fingers.

Smells amazing when you walk in. Friendly staff. The sauce however, is loaded with huge tomatoes. Yuck! Also, large hunks of onion and garlic. We prefer a smooth sauce. The cheese was a blend of several types but the texture was sadly missing the cheesy pull of mozzarella. We only ate a fraction of a $18.00 calzone. Waste of money.

Pricey but WORTH IT l! Mushroom, black olive, sausage is delish. Great location for dinning in or order out

Parking is ample but traffic makes it hard to access! Super cute inside! We were able to order quickly and sat in the dining room to wait. It was comfortable with plenty of seating. Our pizza came out and was loaded with toppings. The crust was a little dark but delicious, chewy without being tough. The mozzarella was melty, stringy perfection, full of pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms and black olives. The marinara was spicy, and bursting with flavor. It was cute place with lots of options to sample! Great experience, reasonable pricing.

First time coming here based on the reviews and sorry but the pizza was disappointing It had no flavor, the dough is very thick and it's all you can really taste.

The pizza's here were delicious. We had the peperoni, combination and a calzone. Ingredients were fresh. I was there with a party of 8 and there were plenty of seats that fit large parties. We would go to Gianni's again.