Gio's restaurant bringing big flavours to Bournemouth

At the head of the family-run pizzeria and grill house in Yelverton Road, Bournemouth, is Sergio Pinto, who has spent the last 26 years working as a chef across the globe, including in Swaziland and South Africa. 

After being made redundant, Sergio was able to use this opportunity to focus on opening a home-delivery food service, Cloud Kitchen, during lockdown.

Following the success of his lockdown venture and the immigration of his mum and sister to the UK from South Africa in December 2020, Sergio decided it was time to set down some roots and open his own restaurant with his sister Michelle - and that is how Gio’s was born.

'The secret's in the sauce'

The restaurant’s menu is inspired by Segio’s Portuguese, Italian and South African family heritage - serving the best of all these cuisines under one roof. 

Just some of the food at Gio's including shell-on prawns, Durban lamb bunny chow, pizza and pasta

Sergio said: “The most popular South African dish is of course the bunny chow, which people know and they say it’s the best curry they’ve ever had and the best bunny chow.

“I’ve actually been blown away at times at the response that I’ve got. 

“It’s good tasting, traditional food.

“A lot of people go out and complain that they spend money and the food just tastes normal, there’s no flavour - so when people come here they love the flavours. 

“We say ‘the secret’s in the sauce’ - that’s our slogan.”

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Inside Gio's

Every customer that walks through the door is welcomed as if they were a part of Sergio’s own family and his children, sister and parents all have a big part to play in the running of the restaurant.

Sergio said: “It’s a whole family thing. 

“My son works here, he’s a real natural and my daughter is unbelievable. 

“My sister’s fantastic, she’s really great. She’s a really good people’s person, she can sit at a table and chat and people love her.”

The affordable menu features a range of dishes that ensures guests aren’t priced out of enjoying good quality, fresh and tasty food - there are also a range of special offers each day.

The interior has been lovingly designed featuring South African flags, colourful chairs and walls lined with imported Italian, Portuguese and South African produce. 

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Sergio said: “We have had a huge amount of support from the South African community, I’m overwhelmed.

“But I don’t think a lot of people know about us to be honest because we are very tucked away so we’re hoping more people will come and try us.”

Looking towards the future, Sergio and Michelle are hoping to offer a South African braai in the summer and have already started looking at securing a spot at the Christmas Market next year.