Giuliano’s

We recently went there for a family meal, when the Christmas menu was available as well as the ordinary menu.
The restaurant itself is fairly small, with one main room and a small bar/​waiting area. The room itself is a bit bare — plain walls and a wooden floor — and felt functional rather than inviting to me. Note there’s also limited car parking nearby, although the location — overlooking the old harbour at Barry — is very pleasant.
The food is fine, if not remarkable, although I found the vegetarian choice rather limited: plenty of starters to choose from, but only one pasta dish on the main menu and another pasta dish on the Christmas menu. That’s just enough, but Italian restaurants normally have more choice. (They don’t serve pizza here). It’s also the first Italian I’ve been to in a long time where there weren’t olives available to nibble on.
It’s reasonably priced (around £25 a head), and staff were friendly enough, but two things put me off a little: the first was their wanting us out after two hours for a second sitting; and the second was they ran out of the best dessert on the menu (Amaretto Crème Brulee) even for us — and we were the first diners in that evening. Four of us wanted it, but were told only two puds were left.
So, overall, it’s OK, and may be better when outside the Christmas period.

This family-​run restaurant serves delicious Italian and British food. It has a friendly, intimate atmosphere and is conveniently located near the sea front. All the food is freshly prepared so this is a place for ‘slow food’ and not ‘fast food’. The staff are attentive without being intrusive. The décor is smart without being formal. The price (around £25 for a three course meal) is good value for the quality and level of service received. There are always vegetarian dishes on the menu and also an excellent choice of fish dishes which change according to the season. It is best to book if you plan to go at the weekend as this restaurant is very popular.