Giovanni's on The Hayes is an Italian restaurant at 38 The Hayes in the centre of Cardiff. Established in 1983 as part of a family run business, it sits opposite St David’s Hall and the St David’s shopping centre, making it convenient for shopping days, theatre visits and celebrations.
The menu is grounded in familiar Italian restaurant cooking. Antipasti such as burrata, meatballs and calamari lead into homemade pasta, risotto, pizza, fish and meat dishes, with vegetarian and vegan choices marked across several sections.
Pasta ranges from tomato based classics to seafood and filled varieties, while pizzas use house dough and cover both simple and richly topped combinations. Tiramisu, panna cotta, gelato, cannoli and affogato continue the Italian theme through dessert.
The inviting dining room and sharing dishes make the restaurant suitable for groups as well as a meal for two, and bookings are available. Wine, cocktails and other drinks accompany the food. Anyone with an allergy or intolerance should check the latest menu and discuss ingredients and preparation with the restaurant before ordering.
Address: 38 The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1AJ, Wales
Giovanni's Restaurant Cardiff City Centre Menu
Starters
POMODORO E BURRATA (V)
Sun-dried tomatoes and creamy burrata served on baked ciabatta.
ZUPPA DEL GIORNO
Traditional Italian soup of the day.
SALSICCIA E FRIARIELLI
Italian sausage on a bed of wild broccoli sauteed with garlic and a touch of chilli oil.
INSALATA CAPRESE (V)
Fresh Neapolitan buffalo mozzarella, with juicy tomatoes, basil and a drizzle of garlic olive oil.
FUNGHI ALLA MIMI E COCO
Spicy Italian sausage and mushrooms, sauteed in a creamy, mustard sauce atop ciabatta.
POLPETTE DELLA CASA
Homemade Italian meatballs in a garlic, basil and tomato sauce. Served with toasted ciabatta.
CALAMARI FRITTI
Deep fried squid lightly dusted in seasoned flour. Served with fresh lemon and tartare sauce.
GAMBERONI GIOVANNI (GF Opt)
King prawns cooked in garlic and white wine sauce. Served with toasted ciabatta.
PROSCIUTTO E MOZZARELLA (GF)
24 month dry-cured Parma ham with fresh buffalo mozzarella.
ARANCINI
Breaded and fried rice balls served with tomato sauce and fresh basil.
COZZE ALLA MARINARA (GF OPT)
Mussels sauteed in a spicy tomato, parsley and chilli sauce. Served with ciabatta.
COZZE ALLA CREMA (GF OPT)
Mussels sauteed in a white wine, garlic and cream sauce. Served with ciabatta.
PIATTO MISTO DI PESCE (To Share)
Mixed seafood platter, designed for sharing. Calamari, Prawns and Seabass.
ANTIPASTO ITALIANO (To Share) (GF OPT)
Designed for sharing, a platter of mixed Italian cured meats, cheese and olives.
Pasta
GNOCCHI SALMONE E VODKA
Pan-fried salmon with gnocchi in a cream sauce with a touch of vodka.
PENNE CALABRESE (GF Opt)
Penne pasta tossed in an nduja and burrata sauce.
SPEZZATINO (GF Opt)
Pasta with pieces of braised steak tossed in a traditional tomato sauce with garlic and wine.
LASAGNA DELLA CASA
Home-made traditional baked layers of pasta sheets, beef ragu and bechamel sauce.
CANNELLONI CAPRESE (V)
Spinach and ricotta cannelloni served in a rich tomato sauce.
PENNE ALLA VANESSA (Ve)
Penne pasta tossed in a fresh tomato and roasted vegetable sauce.
RAVIOLI ALLA GENNARO (V, GF Opt)
Mushroom ravioli tossed in a creamy dolce latte blue cheese and truffle sauce.
PANCIOTTI MELANZANA & SCAMORZA
Large, circular pasta parcels filled with aubergines and scamorza cheese with sea bass.
TORTELLONI ROSSO MARE
Fresh lobster tortelloni with clams, garlic, parsley and cherry tomatoes.
SPAGHETTI NAPOLETANA (Ve, GF Opt)
Spaghetti tossed in a rich southern Italian tomato, garlic and basil sauce
SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE (GF Opt)
Strands of spaghetti tossed in a traditional prime minced beef, tomato and garlic ragu.
PENNE ARRABIATA (Ve, GF Opt)
Penne pasta with fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, garlic and chillies.
MATRIBOLOGNA
Pasta cooked with smoked Italian bacon, a creamy tomato, onion and beef sauce.
SPAGHETTI CARBONARA (GF Opt)
Spaghetti strands cooked in egg yolk and parmesan cheese with roasted pancetta.
LINGUINE ALLA MARINARA (GF Opt)
Linguine pasta tossed together with fresh squid, mussels, clams and prawns in a light tomato sauce.
LINGUINE AI GAMBERI E ZUCCHINE (GF Opt)
Linguine strands cooked in a creamy tomato sauce with king prawns and sliced courgette.
LINGUINE AL GAMBERIE PISTACHIO (GF Opt)
Linguine strands cooked in a creamy pistachio sauce and king prawns.
Pizza
MARGHERITA (V/Ve Opt)
The original pizza, homemade pizza dough, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
PIZZA DELLA CASA
Margherita base with ham, pepperoni, chicken and meatballs.
QUATTRO STAGIONI
Margherita base with mushrooms, ham and artichokes.
HAWAIIAN
Margherita base with ham and pineapple (if you must!)
PIZZA GIOVANNI
Margherita base with parma ham, burrata cheese, pistachio sauce and shaved parmesan.
BAGNATA
Margherita base with mortadella, truffle sauce and burrata.
CALABRESE
Margherita base with lavish ricotta and spicy nduja.
TONNO CIPOLLA
Margherita base with tuna, red onions, capers and black olives.
DIAVOLA
Classic margherita base with plenty of pepperoni sausage and fresh chillies.
PIZZA CARBONARA
Our classic pizza dough base, topped with mozzarella, parmesan, bacon and fried eggs.
Pizza Marinara
Our pizza dough base, mixed seafood and cherry tomato sauce.
Mains
BRANZINO LIVORNESE (GF )
Fillet of seabass with onions, olives and tomatoes served with mixed veg.
SALMONE ALLA REGINA (Ve)
Sun-dried tomatoes and creamy burrata served on baked ciabatta.
INSALATA DI POLLO
Grilled chicken on a bed of salad with mixed Italian herbs and shaved parmesan.
POLLO AL PEPE NERO
Chicken supreme sauteed with mushrooms and black peppercorns, finished in a brandy & mustard cream sauce.
POLLO MILANO
Chicken breast in breadcrumbs, topped with parma ham and mozzarella and served with spaghetti pomodoro
POLLO GIOVANNI
Chicken supreme topped with a creamy white wine, mushroom and bacon sauce.
VITELLO ALLA GIOVANNI
Veal escalope sauteed with cream, white wine, mushrooms and bacon.
VITELLO AL MARSALA
Escalope of veal served with a rich sauce of shallots, mushrooms, garlic and marsala wine.
AGNELLO AL FORNO
Welsh lamb shank braised in a rich red wine and vegetable stew.
COSTOLETTE D’AGNELLO ALLA GRIGLIA
Lamb cutlets, marinated in Italian herbs, grilled pink and served with potatoes and vegetables.
COSTATE DI MANZO AL PEPE NERO
10oz Ribeye steak served with a peppercorn, mushroom, brandy & mustard cream sauce.
Sides
BRUSCHETTA POMODORO (Ve)
Toasted ciabatta with juicy marinated tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil.
PANE FRESCO (Ve)
Toasted ciabatta with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
PANE ALL AGLIO (Ve)
Toasted garlic ciabatta.
PANE ALL AGLIO E MOZZARELLA (V)
Toasted garlic ciabatta topped with mozzarella.
CROSTA DI PIZZA (Ve, Gf Opt)
Pizza crust with garlic and rosemary, designed for sharing.
SPINACI AL BURRO (Gf, Ve Opt)
Sauteed spinach in butter.
PATATE AL BURRO (Gf, Ve Opt)
Baby potatoes sauteed in butter and garlic.
FUNGHI AL BURRO (Gf, Ve Opt)
Mushrooms sauteed in garlic butter.
PATATINE FRITTE (Gf, Ve )
Lightly salted fries.
INSALATA DELLA CASA (Gf, Ve)
House side salad with mixed leaves and cherry tomatoes.
VERDURE ALLA RUSTICA (Gf, Ve)
Chargrilled marinated roasted peppers and courgettes with garlic.
OLIVES MARINATE (Gf, Ve)
Mixed olives marinated with peppers, carrots, herbs, lemon and olive oil.
Desserts
PROFITEROLES (V)
Choux pastry frilled with a vanilla cream and topped with a chocolate cream sauce.
PANNA COTTA
Homemade panna cotta topped with a berry coulis.
TORTA AL FORMAGGIO (V)
Crunchy biscuit base with a light cream – ask for the flavour of the day!
TIRAMISU (V)
Layers of espresso soaked sponge fingers and mascarpone mixed with cream and marsala wine.
GELATO DELLA CASA (Gf, V)
1 or 3 scoops of our homemade ice cream. Ask for available flavours
AFFOGATO (Gf, V)
Vanilla ice cream served with a shot of espresso to pour over.
TORTA AL CIOCCOLATO (V)
Chocolate fudge cake served hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
CANNOLI GIOVANNI (V)
Sicilian tube-shaped pastry shell filled with a sweet ricotta cream and candied fruits.
SORBETTO AL LIMONCELLO (Gf, Ve)
Lemon sorbet served with a shot of Limoncello.
PIZZA NUTELLA (Gf Opt, V)
Pizza dough covered with nutella hazelnut chocolate spread, strawberries and chopped hazelnuts.
MIXED DESSERTS TO SHARE
A sharing plate of Tiramisu, Cheesecake and panna cotta to share – perfect for when you can’t decide!