OT: What’s the best Italian Restaurant in NJ?

[mildone]

I have always really liked Alphonso’s in Somerville and they seem to do a pretty good business. Has a liquor license and a bar area. They have a large room upstairs that can be used for parties or whatever. Very casual. Quiet.

Lou Ca’s in Edison is an Italian-ish restaurant I’ve gone to for years and it has always been wildly popular with many regular customers who swear by the place. BYOB. Also casual, but people often dress up for it and can be pricey I guess. We recently did a birthday gathering for my mom there (~25 people) and it was excellent.

I dunno. I love Italian food and have probably eaten in over a 100 different Italian restaurants over the years. I can’t remember which were great and which were average.

Oh, and Olive Garden does not qualify as an Italian restaurant. 😀

 

[mildone]

No idea which would be the best (would have to try them all to find out) but my favorite is La Lanterna in Ridgewood.

Being Dutch would probably disqualify me from judging any food but cookies and doughnuts.

BTW, lest my sense of humor be misinterpreted, I love everyone including Dutch people. 🙂

 

[Kbee3]

View embedded media

BTW, lest my sense of humor be misinterpreted, I love everyone including Dutch people. 🙂

I love their tulips.

 

[mildone]

I love their tulips.

Everybody has two lips.

 

[Rutgers NJ]

Il Nido - Marlboro
Nettie's - Tinton Falls

No children please, lol

 

[mikemarc1]

MV ristorante in Bernardsville.
AMA Pizza in Hillsborough

 

[RUPete]

Anyone ever visit Caffe Navona in Rockaway? Owned by an old friend from North Plainfield.

My brother attended his NP class reunion there a couple of years back as your friend was kind enough to host it.

 

[ScarletNut]

MV ristorante in Bernardsville.
AMA Pizza in Hillsborough

MV is awesome both for food and ambience.

 

[zappaa]

Lunellos in Cedar Grove is very good, excellent food but better people watching.

They still have the “made guys” and their young Goomah’s in the back room.

Who’s who of recognizable faces in the bar, Joe Torre, Joe Piscapo, Jerry Cooney,, Joe Pesci are regulars

 

[1stand3rd]

My favorite is Jimmy's in Asbury Park.

 

[BossNJ]

I have always really liked Alphonso’s in Somerville and they seem to do a pretty good business. Has a liquor license and a bar area. They have a large room upstairs that can be used for parties or whatever. Very casual. Quiet.

Lou Ca’s in Edison is an Italian-ish restaurant I’ve gone to for years and it has always been wildly popular with many regular customers who swear by the place. BYOB. Also casual, but people often dress up for it and can be pricey I guess. We recently did a birthday gathering for my mom there (~25 people) and it was excellent.

I dunno. I love Italian food and have probably eaten in over a 100 different Italian restaurants over the years. I can’t remember which were great and which were average.

Oh, and Olive Garden does not qualify as an Italian restaurant. 😀

Lu Ca’s is very good.

Metro North in Princeton is pretty solid too.

Stella Marina in Asbury Park is good too, unbeatable view as well (my avatar is next door to SM..).

 

[rurichdog]

My favorite is Villaggio Iccara in Hamilton. Small, local, great food, consistent. Not on the same level as the well-known heavy hitters upthread, but those in the area know.

 

[Tango Two]

Spanos one of the best if not the best:

Spano's Ristorante Italiano

Quaint little BYOB Italian Restaurant in downtown Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

www.spanos.net

 

[Scarlet1984]

Lu Ca’s is very good.

Metro North in Princeton is pretty solid too.

Stella Marina in Asbury Park is good too, unbeatable view as well (my avatar is next door to SM..).

My joke is that Stella Marina specializes in table availability. I find it to be pretty mediocre but you can usually get a table.

 

[BossNJ]

My joke is that Stella Marina specializes in table availability. I find it to be pretty mediocre but you can usually get a table.

It’s pricey and it seats a lot of people so yeah you can find tables. That said, I find the food good to pretty good.

 

[KK1827]

Its extremely unassuming and location is on ground floor of a hotel. But subtly Michael Angelo’s (formerly of newark) which is now in Fairfield is a must if you only care about quality of food. Another great spot near there is Lu Nellos

Two of my personal favorites in Hoboken from my years there were Cafe Michelina and Augustino’s.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Girasole is awesome
Love that place

+1
The correct answer is Girasole on 28......Bridgewater/Bound Brook border.

 

[T2Kplus20]

MV ristorante in Bernardsville.
AMA Pizza in Hillsborough

AMA is very good, but more of a high-end pizza joint than a true Italian restaurant. Yes, splitting hairs.

 

[rubaseball78]

Olive Garden in East Brunswick.

A chain restaurant should never be on the list of best italian restaurants.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Olive Garden in East Brunswick.

That place always had an hour+ wait! IIRC, it replaced the old Victoria Station in the late 80s.

 

[Purple-Ed]

A chain restaurant should never be on the list of best italian restaurants.

You didn't notice my tongue in cheek?

 

[wheezer]

Bella Napoli's many years ago was one of the best...at the time it was a cash only small restaurant off Rt. 3 not far from the Rt. 46 interchange. The owner sold it to one of his chefs....it moved to a larger location on Bloomfield Ave. Over time the chef that took it over, used alternate / lower quality products to make the entrees. Last time I went there it was still very good, but not the exceptional quality it was in the early 90s. Always went with the stuffed artichoke, split for 2 and the filetta di pomodoro with proscuitto. They also had some excellent seafood entree's. Lastly, always told them to 'burn the bread' to get the big round italian bread crust extra crisp. I miss that place.

My second cousin owns the original spot
Called Matthews
If you are saying Matthew cut the quality, that is surprising, he takes great care and pride in the place, and gets very good reviews

The new Bella Napoli, broad st, is solid, similar menu to Matthew’s

 

[William J. Leggett]

Gallo Nero Ristorante Italiano · North Bergen, New Jersey

maps.app.goo.gl

Casa di Napoli · Union City, New Jersey

maps.app.goo.gl

Vincenzo’s ristorante · Middlesex, New Jersey

maps.app.goo.gl

Peppinoâs Restaurant · 4.5â(313) · Italian restaurant

53 NJ-34, Marlboro, NJ 07746

maps.app.goo.gl

Trattoria Mediterranea · Bedminster, New Jersey

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[thegock]

How is Dolce Fantasia in Asbury Park? A friend recommended it to me today.

 

[RU848789]

So many great Italian restaurants in NJ. Here's a few off the top of my head in no particular order and yes, we eat out too much, lol.

Mangia Toscana in Metuchen
Il Kastello in Woodbridge
Espo's in Raritan
Chef Vola in AC
Girasole in AC (no idea if related to the other Girasoles in NJ)
Da Filippo in Somerville
Cafe Venezia in Martinsville
Joe Italiano's in Hammonton
Tre Famiglia in Haddonfield (a HS buddy owns this place)
Nonna's Cucina in Manalapan
Amici's in Linden
Luca's in Somerset

 

[mikemarc1]

Hi

AMA is very good, but more of a high-end pizza joint than a true Italian restaurant. Yes, splitting hairs.

I’d agree. But still worth a visit for Italian food

 

[Zak57]

Brando's - Asbury Park

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

Went to La Pergola in Millburn yesterday after seeing Jersey Boys at Papermill Playhouse. Thought it was pretty good, and super convenient to hit after the show.

There was a smaller Italian place almost next door that we considered as well, but already had reservations for La Pergola.

 

[RUInsanity]

MV is awesome both for food and ambience.

I forgot about MV. Only there once but really great overall experience.

 

[RUevolution36]

Luca's Ristorante

Luca's Ristorante

A Fresh Approach to Traditional Italian Cuisine.

www.lucasristorante.com

Buona Sera Ristorante

Buona Sera Italian Restaurant in Red Bank | Buona Sera

Red Bank’s finest traditional Italian Restaurant Not Just A Restaurant. An Experience. Menus OVER 40 YEARS culinary experience & passion Buona Sera Italian Ristorante isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an extraordinary dining experience located at the heart of Red Bank NJ. With over 40 years of...

buona-sera.com

Alfonso's

Alfonso's - Family Trattoria & Gourmet Pizza

Alfonso's - Family Trattoria & Gourmet Pizza, Somerville New Jersey has the best pizza and is the perfect family restaurant with a great happy hour selection.

alfonsostrattoria.com

Espos

Home | Espo's Restaurant & Bar

www.esposraritannj.com

​

Mama Rosina's​

Mama Rosina's - Bound Brook, NJ - 350 E Main St - Hours, Menu, Order

Get 10% off your pizza delivery order - View the menu, hours, address, and photos for Mama Rosina's in Bound Brook, NJ. Order online for delivery or pickup on Slicelife.com

www.mamarosinas.com

Leone's Trattoria

Leone's Trattoria

Join us for the best Italian food around with friendly service and a casual atmosphere.

leonestrattoria.com

Catherine Lombardi

Catherine Lombardi | Italian Restaurant in New Brunswick, NJ

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www.catherinelombardi.com

Dusals

Dusal's - Kendall Park, NJ - 3300 Route 27 - Hours, Menu, Order

View the menu, hours, address, and photos for Dusal's in Kendall Park, NJ. Order online for delivery or pickup on Slicelife.com

www.dusalsmenu.com

Dusal's is a perfectly ok local spot. It is not, however, one of the best in the state.

 

[RAA-1]

Amelia's in Spring Lake

 

[Good-Knight]

I broke up with a girl in the Olive Garden on Rt 22 in 1991. She was beautiful but did not have two brain cells to rub together.
If you ever find yourself in this situation, you don't want to cause a scene in a nice restaurant. And, what would be the investment return on that expense? During the entree you discuss how you are both different people heading in different directions. During the coffee you tell her that we both need to explore new opportunities and to date people more like who we see ourselves with in the long run.
"Oh, good. I thought you brought me here to break up with me."
"I did."
Screaming begins. Waiter speeds over with the check and gets me out of there in seconds.
That's my favorite Italian restaurant in NJ. I've never been back.

 

[ClassOf02]

Really like Cafe Venezia in Martinsville.

And I know this is cheating a bit because it’s in PA, but Italian Cucina in New Hope is excellent.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Really like Cafe Venezia in Martinsville.

And I know this is cheating a bit because it’s in PA, but Italian Cucina in New Hope is excellent.

I need to try Cafe Venezia. I've heard a bunch of positive feedback on it.

 

[RU at the shore]

Forte - Hackensack
Girasole - Bound Brook
Piccolino - Tom's River

To name a few.....

Piccolino in Toms River had some issues and is now closed, at least temporarily

 

[RU Golfer]

Piccolino in Toms River had some issues and is now closed, at least temporarily

They have reopened, they closed for some kitchen renovations.

 

[RU848789]

I need to try Cafe Venezia. I've heard a bunch of positive feedback on it.

You will love it.

 

[RU_87]

My second cousin owns the original spot
Called Matthews
If you are saying Matthew cut the quality, that is surprising, he takes great care and pride in the place, and gets very good reviews

The new Bella Napoli, broad st, is solid, similar menu to Matthew’s

Not the original spot. Haven’t been there since Bella Nap’s moved. I meant the location on Broad St doesn’t have the same quality it had when it was near Rt 3

 

[tom1944]

I broke up with a girl in the Olive Garden on Rt 22 in 1991. She was beautiful but did not have two brain cells to rub together.
If you ever find yourself in this situation, you don't want to cause a scene in a nice restaurant. And, what would be the investment return on that expense? During the entree you discuss how you are both different people heading in different directions. During the coffee you tell her that we both need to explore new opportunities and to date people more like who we see ourselves with in the long run.
"Oh, good. I thought you brought me here to break up with me."
"I did."
Screaming begins. Waiter speeds over with the check and gets me out of there in seconds.
That's my favorite Italian restaurant in NJ. I've never been back.

I only ate at an Olive Garden once in my life. The Freehold location. We met my in-laws there. My MIL was a PITA and gave the staff a hard time. I was never prouder of my wife as she tore her mother down as many levels as you possible could and to piss her off ever further gave the staff a great tip. Including handing cash directly to a 14-year-old bus boy who for some reason my MIL was just awful to.

My in laws were very nice people generally but embarrassing at restaurants. My MIL once almost went into shock when the waitress at Solo Bella in Jackson came up to me after our meal to thank me for the tip, I handed her when I paid the bill.

 

[wheezer]

Not the original spot. Haven’t been there since Bella Nap’s moved. I meant the location on Broad St doesn’t have the same quality it had when it was near Rt 3

Ok
That sounds more like what I have experienced