Nestled in a charming converted house, Gigi's Italian Kitchen serves up fresh, delightful dishes, including a must-try tiramisu, with an inviting, cozy vibe.
"Gigi’s is a very tiny Italian spot in Candler Park, and it's perfectly suited for anyone whose view of romantic dining is still shaped by that Lady and The Tramp spaghetti scene. Red gingham tablecloths, colored Christmas lights, wax-covered candelabras, and randomly incorporated plastic green vines feel playfully cliché. Chefs pan-toss pasta while couples lock eyes with each other (because the tables are so tightly packed a glance elsewhere risks uncomfortable eye contact with strangers). Don’t expect to find kid-friendly spaghetti and meatballs here—but rather a small menu of great, upscale dishes like flaky poached snapper and fried, chewy polenta strips topped with cream and caviar." - nina reeder, juli horsford, jacinta howard
"When we visit Gigi’s Italian Kitchen, we feel like we’ve been whisked away to another time, one that’s light on stress and heavy on delicious creamy pasta primavera with housemade cavatelli. If you snag a seat at the bar, you’ll see chefs in crisp white T-shirts preparing pastas, salads, and beef carpaccio in the open kitchen, where fancy dramatics take a backseat to plain old fantastic cooking. The red-checkered tablecloths, family photos, and always-burning candle could have fallen out of a romance novel. And since the place is tiny, reservations fill up fast, though spots are always reserved for walk-ins." - nina reeder, jacinta howard, juli horsford
"Gigi’s Italian Kitchen in Candler Park feels straight out of a romance novel. It’s intimate, with only a few tables (each covered in checkered red-and-white tablecloths), a huge melting candelabra on the counter, and soft evening light pouring in from the large windows with sidewalk views. Like the space, the menu is also small. But dishes like the housemade cavatelli in a vegetable-packed creamy primavera sauce and the silky tiramisu make this spot deserving of a prime place in your date night rotation." - nina reeder, jacinta howard, juli horsford
"This cozy Italian bistro (and 2022 Eater award winner for best new restaurant) comes complete with red-checked tablecloths and candlelight. Nestled in the Candler Park neighborhood, Gigi’s serves super fresh takes on classic red sauce dishes made with in-season produce and house-made pasta. Expect everything from beef carpaccio and pasta primavera to rigatoni fazool with cowpeas and chicken marsala served with fresh focaccia bread on the menu. Dessert features Gigi’s popular tiramisu. Cocktails, wine, beer, and amaro round out the beverage list, which includes the Dirty Gigi martini and a rye Old Fashioned punched up with espresso and coffee bitters." - Eater Staff
"With the departure of Gato, pop-up Gigi’s Italian Kitchen took over the space permanently in 2023, finally becoming a full-fledged restaurant in Candler Park. The unfussy vibe Gato first created in the cozy neighborhood spot a decade ago continues to live on at Gigi’s. With lights turned down low and red checkered linens draped on tables punctuated by candlelight and flowers, Gigi’s delivers on romance and traditional red sauce dishes using in-season produce and fresh pasta that first made the pop-up popular with regulars." - Eater Staff
