Gioia Mia, Rome

I first ate here in 1981 while an American College Student at John Cabot University. Absolutly the best pizza and calzone in a Roma restaurante back in the day and based these reviews, it still is. Not far from a lot of the best places in Rome, easy to find. Back in the day it was just down the street from a hole in the wall English Pub where all the ex-patriot English,, American and Aussies would push back a pint or two. Love the little Cherubs doing what they do sos well (Gioia Mia Pisciapiano!)

The first time I was in Rome a friends' mother suggested we try Gioia Mia. Turned out to be the tip of a lifetime. Went back for lunch the next day and dinner the night after that. Its a few blocks walk from the Trevi Fountain and a little off the beaten path, but it only adds to the quaint and comfortable atmosphere. The service is wonderful. Mario treats everyone like family. I recommend you have whatever he suggests. All the dishes are reasonably priced and the portions are generous. Since that first trip I've been back to Rome twice and have yet to go without Gioia Mia. This is the first review I've ever written and it is because I recommend Gioia Mia to every soul in the universe. If you ever have the chance to travel to Rome then don't miss Gioia Mia!

For Sure, I'll visit Gioia Mia if I visit Rome. The Best Italian Resto I ever taste with Good Value. Don't forget to try the Deserts (Tiramisu). I eat there Twice during my Two Nights in Rome. Two Thumbs Up !!. Felix Dani - Jakarta.

In our 5 day trip we chose to eat there for two dinners and a lunch and were very very happy. Every dish was great, albeit I may have had a hint of mushroom problem that another reviewer noted in one of my dishes as a few were a bit soggy :(. Every other dish was really great and yes my husband is still talking about the papardelle Gran Duca and I really liked my Spaghetti Puttanesca. One word of caution however, Our first day we ordered the mushroom pizza and asked them to add prosciutto. Do not deviate off the menu w/o asking what it will cost. Big mistake. Ultimately when I complained they worked with me, but still I didn't like them charging 50% more to add 3 slices of prosciutto. In the end, if we go back to Rome, several visits to Gioia Mia will be in order. Oh, and one more word of advice, if you have time to plan try to make reservations. Our last night we ended up sitting by the entrace, not great. You'd be well served to avoid sitting there. Good luck!

The ambiance was presisly what you want from an italien trattorie. Good food, good wine a lot guests and the hot italian waiters. And as a guests one felt very velcome.

Want a real Italian restaurant? Go there and pay the lowest prices of Rome :) We went there twice... Order a penne, pizza, funghi risotto, mixed salad and a bottle of wine and pay 35 €. Excellent

My husband and I stumbled upon this restaurant while we were on our honeymoon. We ate here 3 out of 4 nights that we were in Rome. The only reason why we were not there the 4th night was because Gioia Mia was closed on Sundays. The food was so delicious. Our favorites were the ravioli with vodka sauce and the trenette aglio, olio carciofi. The staff were very friendly and we got to practice speaking Italian with the staff. The prices were not bad at all compared to other restaurants and considering how bad the dollar is compared to the euro. My husband and I will definitely go back here and we will definitely recommend it to anyone who will go to Rome.

The place is not large. It is very busy and somewhat loud. The service was very good. Food was outstanding. Portions were generous even by Italian standards. Located on a small side street it is not difficult to find if you have located it on a map beforehand. Easy walking distance to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Dinner for my wife and I was 34 Euro. When in Rome, we will definitely go back.

I'm truly mystified as to the positive reviews on this site. Just last week we were staying down the street at the Daphne Inn and decided to take a chance on this restaurant as it was listed in Sandra Gustafson's Great Eats. It was an awful experience from start to finish---and my husband and I have traveled extensively in Italy. First off, the place was packed with tourists only--not a good sign. And it went downhill from there, as the waiters rushed us to order, rushed us to eat, and rushed us to pay (hoping we wouldn't check the bill, no doubt). The food was just dreadful---cold, day-old antipasti; pizzas with a decent crust but cheap toppings (e.g., ham you couldn't cut through with a knife); and the piece de resistance----a small $22 plate of "the day's special": porcini mushrooms that the waiter foisted upon us. They were inedible--soaked in bad olive oil and microwaved. No doubt they had stewed up a huge vat earlier that day and then just microwaved a batch every time they got some poor chumps (like us) to order them. Had we known they would be $22 we never would have done so, that's for sure. Oh, and they add a 15% service change to the bill, which is extremely rare in Italy. I suspect they know that they would never get any tips otherwise, given the awful service and food. Do yourself a favor and avoid this place like the plague. It's tacky, overpriced, and unpleasant. Try Ditirambo, Armando's, or any number of other truly great, representative Roman restaurants instead.

Off the beaten path but worth the walk. The food at this restaurant is delicious and the service is great. My husband and I love the Pappardelle alla Gran Duca (wide egg noddles with a creamy cognac sauce with ham and peas) and the Ravioli with Vodka Sauce. The Vodka sauce is tangy and spicy and quite different than anything you'll find anywhere else. We go there every time we are in Rome and we are never disappointed. The house white wine (Pisciapiano)is depicted by a cute and amusing statue of a happy little cherub peeing into a wine glass. It's so good. Stay late and enjoy each course.