A restaurant with real Italian roots.
The Volpi Family September 15, 1988
Benthe, Mikele, Giovanni and Daniele in front
Danish-Italian married couple Benthe and Giovanni Volpi opened SanGiovanni on 15 September 1988 in the former Kristine Konditori. Since its inception, the restaurant has been family-run with a focus on Italian tradition and coziness.
The decor was modernized, and the focus shifted to the Italian cuisine. SanGiovanni joined Slow Food, and La Cantina, a unique five-room wine cellar, took shape.
SanGiovanni became 100% Italian when pizza went off the menu at a small ceremony. The focus shifted to classic Italian meals and all-night menus in the wine cellar. The family also began importing wines and raw materials directly from Italy.
SanGiovanni was redeveloped and extended towards Vingårdsgade with three function rooms. The wine cellar received a light renovation and an additional room, bringing the capacity to over 200 seats.
La Cantina became an independent restaurant with its own staff, Trattoria & Pizzeria reintroduced pizza, and A Casa-take away opened in Enoteca. Several exciting concepts were brought together under one and the same roof.
After three years of operation, La Cantina was converted into premises for Private Dining and Societies. The trattoria continued as the only open restaurant, while the rest of the house was dedicated to corporations.
Covid-19 created challenges with restrictions and a shortage of tables in the Trattoria, as many wanted to eat out. A banquet hall was brought in as a restaurant, which proved so effective that it continued after the pandemic to meet growing demand, especially on weekends.
The main entrance was moved to Vingårdgade and remodeled to create a more open and welcoming access to Trattoria, companies and the new Italian bar, “il Bar.” The bar opened in February 2023 with custom-designed details and a façade that can be opened to the street.
Today, SanGiovanni has 1,100 sqm and 30 employees. With a new main entrance in Vingårdgade, Trattoria & Pizzeria as well as “il Bar” are open daily, while La Cantina and the banquet rooms are used for Private Dining and events.
