Gino’s Spaghetti House

This is a total surprise for my visiting at Oxford! Definitely a hidden gem!
It is located in a very quiet zone and with a lovely color of green.
I ordered a Spaghetti Bolognese as usual, the flavor is quite beyond my expect. It is quite authentic and with a reasonable price.
I would like to try the seafood one if I have the chance to come here an other time.
They offer a lunch set for one drink one pasta and one salad with a price of 9 pounds. And they will close at 2:30 every afternoon.
Have a try if you like Italian pasta!

Always the authentic Italian experience including some of their quirky ways. Good food and reasonable prices.

After reading the positive reviews for this place, I think the English have pretty low standards. We went last night, a Saturday, without a booking and we understood it might be busy. They did find us a seat next to a counter where they put their drink trays and wine glasses. Not a big deal. We were fine with that. Then the younger female server came to take our order. I wasn’t ready but we could order drinks I said. She was silent for a second. My husband said she didn’t understand because we heard everyone there speaking Italian and their English seemed broken. But I think she did understand because she then said, «Well, you see, it’s very busy,» as in, I can’t just take your drink order. I need all of it because we can’t wait for you. We have other ppl to wait on. That’s what I understood anyway. I looked at her and said firmly I simply needed two minutes. And instead of saying sure, no problem, I’ll get your drinks. she left completely. She returned when we were ready, we had to point out the wine we wanted to her twice and after she took the order, she returned to confirm it again with my husband. Even if she didn’t understand English well, I’m not sure how she could’ve mistaken what we pointed at. It was the only red we could get in any amount less than a bottle. That was the last we saw of her. Someone dropped off our wine but that was it before food arrived. No one offered us water like in most places around town.
Our food came and was plopped down. No ‘enjoy’ or ‘need anything else?’ and no one came to ask midway if everything was ok. My husband’s pasta was fine. He kept salting it as it was just bland. But then so was my calzone. It badly needed salted and 2 places we’re charred. And while we were waiting for our food, twice the servers reached between us to put drink trays beyond us on the counter. They’re lucky they didn’t do it a third time because I was going to grab their arm and remind them to go around us.
The place is small, maybe 15 or 16 tables and understandably was busy but the staff and owners were running around like their lives depended on it. It was stressful being a customer there. I waited on tables growing up, I’m understanding but they all seemed unorganized, rude, and their food isn’t worth the poor experience. Pizza Express or Ask Italian are way better and we don’t consider those places more than average. Too bad. We came in wanting to recommend it and sadly, I’d give it no stars if I could.

So many memories and delicious meals at Gino’s! Finding authentic Italian food in England that meets this Italian girls standard is not easy. The minestrone is superior and I still dream about the white grape gelato. I would pass this cute restaurant every day on my walk into town for school and occasionally treat myself to a cozy and satisfying meal. I always brought my American family and friends to hang out and meet my new friends when they visited. I miss Gino’s dearly and will make it back soon enough!

We went in here on Sunday evening. Yet another first for us, and yet again, another great find.!! We were recommended after asking around for an alternative to the chains. Excellent place to relax, eat and drink.
Very impressive menu and drinks are not outrageously priced. The Mixed Olives are sensibly priced and there’s plenty to go around. Really enjoyed the Calamari starter and went on to hammer the Spaghetti alla Puttanesca.(I do like Anchovies and Black Olives)! Lovely EveningThank you and see you again.

When I was sitting in there, it felt like i was in another country.
I think white cream sauce is better than tomato cream sauce.
Staffs were very kind but sometimes they forgot what i ordered.
I invited my friends and went there for party.
My friends were very satisfied with atmosphere and food
If I go there next time, I want to try sherbets for dessert.

the food is really good and has a family atmosphere. I will come back again

Nice to see an independant Italian doing well in the city centre, holding it’s own against a Zizzi, Ask, and two Pizza Expresse’s!
With good reason as well. A quite small selection of pizza’s is backed up with a good range of spaghetti, pasta and veal dishes. There also my favourite Pollo Picante dish which is diced chicken pieces in a White wine sauce with chillies and mushrooms — delicious.
Can get a bit crowded on weekend evenings with tables a bit too close together, but go at a quieter time and you’ll enjoy a good meal.
Well worth a visit!

100% agreement my favourite restaurant in town when I was living in Oxford and first port of call whenever I go back. For great atmosphere and tasty italian food this place beats all the chains hands down.

I agree with the other reviewer, this place is a hidden gem. Food is café-​style but tasty. Portions are definitely on the generous side, but the quality of the food does not suffer for this. There is a good selection of food for vegetarians and for those that don’t want to eat Pizza or Pasta. The Pasta and Risotto are probably better than the Pizza, but all is worth trying. They have a Specials board but this does not change very often. The staff are friendly, although they can rush you a bit at busy times, although this is understandable.

Truly one of Oxford’s hidden gems. This is a one off restaurant and has an authentic feel to it, which makes it a much better choice than the many chain Italian restaurants in town.
I’ve been a few times to this restaurant and have enjoyed my meal every time. The food is fantastic value as it is cheaper than many others and much better quality. The pasta dishes are cooked perfectly and all have a great authentic Italian taste — the food is not a pale English imitation by any means.
The atmosphere is always bubbly and lively as the restaurant is always full, a sign of how great it is! The service is attentive and at a great pace, so you can take your meal at a relaxed pace but are never left feeling abandoned.
Well worth a trip here if you fancy Italian food, head and shoulders above others in town. Great for dates, parties with mates and family nights out. A brilliant all round restaurant, excellent value too.

Nettes kleines Restaurant mit freundlicher authentischer Athmosphaere. Gute, preiswerte Mahlzeiten (Pizza, Pasta, Steak gibt’s auch), alle im Haus zubereitet. Original Italienisch.