Ristorante La Gardenia In Castel gandolfo

I went last night with my partner for the second time to this masterpiece of a restaurant. It's incredibly beautiful, truly elegant, and the owner and staff are incredibly kind, professional, and extremely helpful. The food was excellent, the octopus alla diavola (it's actually a whole octopus) was spectacular, and the wine was excellent. What can I say? We'll definitely be back! And finally, it was my partner's birthday. The waiter probably overheard us talking, and at the end of the bill, the desserts were offered by the owner. A very nice and much-appreciated gesture, thank you very much! Go there, you'll be amazed! Congratulations to the entire Gardenia staff! See you soon, Matteo!

Gardenia is a magical place. The atmosphere is meticulously maintained and elegant. It has a street-level entrance, but there are a series of stairs to reach the various rooms. My husband and I dined in the outdoor area overlooking the lake, and it was truly a magical experience. The service was courteous, attentive, and punctual. The wait for our dishes was short, and the attention to detail was truly excellent. Regarding the cuisine, I can only confirm what has been said so far: the dishes were delicious, and the recipes were unique and sophisticated, complemented, of course, by some classics (the ever-present scampi risotto and lobster tongues, to name a few). Personally, I was very satisfied.

Exquisite dishes. With a beautiful view of Lake Albano

I must say that, after parking practically in front of the restaurant (very convenient!) and descending the few steps leading to the restaurant, I was quite perplexed. My partner had made the reservation, and she had described the location and, above all, the cuisine as excellent. At first, I felt like I'd entered a nightclub (both because of the downhill entrance and the furnishings, which I initially thought were a bit intrusive, only to later change my mind and find them adequate and "on point" overall). In fact, the location of our table on the veranda with a fantastic view of Lake Albano was exceptional, and the table setting and the waiter's precise and accurate descriptions of the dishes already hinted at a fantastic lunch. And so it was: despite some small changes I requested to some courses (due to a temporary diet I had recently been prescribed), the quality of the food was exceptional! I must say that both the menu and the wine list were “very extensive”, so much so that I was embarrassed when having to choose. I would have ordered everything: appetizers (both meat and seafood), first and second courses (both meat and seafood), and then dessert (but, in this case, I immediately chose the coffee-flavored zabaglione mousse, with a soft cocoa and white chocolate center); only to then sample the rest from my companion's plate. For my first experience at the "Gardenia" restaurant, I opted for fish, both for the appetizer ("polpo alla diavola") and for the first course (a classic "spaghetti with clams," exceptionally prepared). Unable to indulge in the "fried calamari" (which I would have chosen if fried foods hadn't been forbidden), I opted for the "grilled cuttlefish skewer with sand-baked potatoes" (the potatoes were indescribably delicious!!!). The wine of choice was a Gewurztraminer DOC from Alto Adige. A sumptuous lunch, with impeccable table service. In short: everything was perfect. To conclude, we were treated to a Visit the rooms below the restaurant, which must have once been used as cellars, but have now been transformed into private spaces, perhaps—I imagine—for small business meetings or couples seeking privacy. The prices are appropriate for the type of venue and the quality of the dishes. I will definitely return. And I would definitely recommend the experience to others. (Visited July 2, 2025)

Great experience, high quality food, breathtaking view of the lake, I will come back again

One of the most beautiful restaurants I've ever been to, elegant in every detail... the view, what can I say, leaves you speechless... the food is excellent and the service is fast and professional... I recommend it 100% ps:(If I really have to find "flaws," there are two in my opinion... the first is the rather limited selection of foods. I know that in high-end restaurants there is this thing about limited choices, but still, one might want a slightly wider choice... and the second is the waiters, very professional. I was a waiter myself, so I know them. The only thing is, they were a little too insistent, they often came to the table to ask if everything was okay, etc., a little too often... that's all.

An excellent restaurant with impeccable service from the welcome with sparkling wine to the farewell. The food was delicious. We ordered the house appetizer, pasta, and risotto, all delicious. The dessert was very original and tasty. The location is unique, very elegant, and has a beautiful view of the lake.

The location is breathtaking, the interior rooms are stunning, it feels like being inside a castle. Not to mention the beautiful view of Lake Castel Gandolfo. The dishes are delicious and imaginative. I highly recommend the spirulina spaghetti with shrimp ragù, saffron cream, and squid ink bread for a starter—it's definitely worth it. For main courses, we tried the monkfish with flambéed peaches and Romanella and the turbot saltimbocca with mashed potatoes, both of which were also truly excellent.

Ristorante con una posizione invidiabile e scenografica sul lago. Abbiamo avuto la fortuna di mangiare sulla terrazza con un ottimo clima. L'ambientazione del ristorante è nero e oro, molto 'lounge'. Abbiano mangiato bene anche se la ricerca dell'originale in ogni piatto non sempre riescce: ad esempio la curcuma nei tortiglioni secondo me si può evitare. I mieo fagottini erano troppo amari, qualcosa è andato storto nella parte dei carciofi. Porzioni abbondanti. Prezzi molto alti

Locale curato nei minimi dettagli che affaccia sul lago di Castel Gandolfo. Pranzo domenicale in famiglie e amici. Abbiamo provato dagli antipasti al dolce tutte le cosine sfiziose e particolari. Ottimo qualità e prezzo, di prima qualità il pesce che abbiamo scelto fantastici i dolci