23 Best Italian Restaurants near Essex

“SO SO SO SO GOOD. We couldn’t decide so we got 3- a margherita, a classic and a mashed potato. The sauce is incredibly, and every pie was perfectly balanced with ingredients and an insane crust that was both chewy and crunchy. 🤌🏻 perfecto!“

“Great food. We were 4 and ordered: Penne ala Vodka GREAT Carbonara GREAT Special Burger GREAT Meat Lovers Pizza PERFECT CRUST“

“EXCEPTIONAL Italian deli. Cool little place and very friendly.“

“Was visiting area. Stopped in for drinks. Sarah the waitress was awesome spent time with us made the best sangria. So friendly unbelievable customer service. I got the salad was delicious. My husband chicken parm. Great place highly recommend!!!“

“Best penne alla vodka I’ve ever had. Gluten free option too! Great service as well. ❤️“

“Love it so very much. Food is excellent“

“Round 2 for Valentine's Day dinner... A completely new spot for us that DIDN'T disappoint.. Morina Restaurant for the win...Everything was amazing..The entire staff made us feel like family, the way a restaurant shouĺd be. The Garlic Rolls are to die for, and the awesome Chicken Parmesan with fresh made parpardelle pasta, and homemade sauce, & Jen's Greek Chicken wrap was PACKED with fresh grilled chicken & feta cheese & had killer fries. We will be back. Thank you to the whole Morina family.“

“Hey Connecticut, you have a culinary gem in your back yard. We had been trying to get to Grano Arso for a couple of years while visiting CT from San Diego and it finally worked out. We stopped by on our way to the Goodspeed theater and wow, it was worth the wait. We don't like to fill up too much before the theatre so opted for the small, rotating, tasting menu, which included 2-3 choices for each phase of the meal and each was amazing. At the recommendation of our very adept server, we did share the peach salad and it is truly a winner. All pastas and the bread are house made from locally sourced ingredients. I opted for the cod as my main and it was so fresh... you can taste the fresh North Atlantic Ocean. My opener was squash soup, which was perfectly cooked .. not to thick not to thin .. and oh my so good. Service was first class from the time we entered until heading out the door with lots of assistance, from all. I'm one to ask lots of questions, which were met with patience and a smile. The ambiance is elegant but not over the top. We both felt we could enjoy our meals without any pretentiousness. The Michelin folks need to head to Grano Arso fast ... as do you Connecticut because after Chef Jean gets his first star, you know the prices, which are very reasonable for the quality and service, will rise. Well done and can't wait to return to enjoy one of their pasta dishes.“

“Dinner at Rustica Ristorante – A Perfect Experience

From the moment we walked into Rustica Ristorante, we were welcomed like family. This multigenerational gem exudes warmth and hospitality, and the service is second to none.

Our server, Andres, was a true professional—attentive, knowledgeable, and gracious. His recommendations were spot on, and his thoughtful service made the evening even more memorable. It was a pleasure to meet his mom, dad, and aunt, who were just as warm and welcoming as the atmosphere they’ve helped create.

The meal itself was exquisite. We enjoyed the Lasagne Bolognese, rich and comforting with layers of perfectly seasoned meat and pasta, and the Halibut special, which was flawlessly cooked and elevated by a delicate orange cream sauce that brought a bright, citrusy balance to the dish.

For dessert, we indulged in the Budino al Formaggio (cheesecake) and a classic crème brûlée—both beautifully prepared and the perfect sweet finish to our evening.

Rustica is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience marked by genuine hospitality, exceptional cuisine, and the kind of heartfelt connection that keeps you coming back. We’ll absolutely be returning.“

“This restaurant is my summer favorite. Awesome staff, awesome food and a wonderful view at Pilots Point Marina. Absolutely the best !“

“great food, great staff! Only pizza we ever get!“

“Fantastic pizza! I'm pretty picky with pizza..I was impressed. service was great too! 👍🏼“

“07.26.25 *WRITTEN REVIEW Big Al’s Reel Reviews – EP.143 Sapore Pizzeria Town of Old Lyme, CT This morning, I dropped a post asking if any restaurants wanted to invite Big Al’s Reel Reviews to their spot—and guess who hit me up? Sapore Pizzeria in Old Lyme. So I pulled up—and let me tell you right now… this one felt special the minute I walked through that door. The welcome? Warm. The vibe? Bustling. The atmosphere? Absolutely amazing—families dining, good conversation, and a team that made me feel like I’d been coming there for years. My server, Sarah, was top notch—attentive, kind, and on point from the jump. The owners were there as well, and you could feel the pride in the place. Turns out, the owner is originally from Naples, Italy and used to work for Illiano’s before opening this place six years ago. That Naples-to-Old-Lyme pizza lineage is real. And then something beautiful happened… A true B.A.R.R.fan—Troy Gaston—saw I was at Sapore and drove over just to show love. So I invited him to sit down and have dinner with me. That’s what this is all about: community, connection, and real support from real people. Troy’s a solid dude and a subscriber, and I appreciated him being part of this experience. Here’s what I ordered: 1. Meatballs in Vodka Sauce – $11 Served with toasted ciabatta. These were tender and flavorful, and the vodka sauce was creamy and smooth. A perfect starter. 💣 2. New York-Style Cheese Pizza (17”) – $20.50 This right here was the star of the show. Thin, crispy, cheesy, and cooked just right. I gave this a DOUBLE 💣💣 — one of the best I’ve had on the shoreline. 3. Chicken Parmigiana Bolognese – $24 Served over penne pasta with rich, meaty bolognese. This was another 💣. Classic flavor, hearty sauce, and that perfect comfort-food bite. And then… out came a complimentary tiramisu—a gift from the kitchen. That kind of gesture speaks volumes. The tiramisu was absolutely delicious, a smooth and sweet way to end an already dope meal. The food was fire. The service was flawless. The atmosphere was family-friendly and full of good energy. And the fact that they reached out and invited me in? That means something. Especially after what happened yesterday. Sapore didn’t just pass the test— They’re officially a Big Al’s 💎 Gem Spot. It’s worth checking out—and if you go, make sure you tell ‘em, Big Al sent you! ☝🏾❤️ - Big Al Mayo “See you on the Rebound, Peace✌🏾out”“

“Our group of 7 was seated & treated well, food was delicious, fast & hot & service was great!
The Clam strips & calamari were delicious, as was the cheese pizza, calzone, club sandwich, genoa grinder and spaghetti with meatballs. Onion rings were a very generous serving.“

“My wife & I have been enjoying MANY weekday meals at TJ'S for more than several years. And I can honestly say that we have, not only enjoyed the food we ordered, but, more importantly, the caring and attentive staff that we have dealt with over those years. We could more highly recommend this restaurant as a place for you to enjoy a good meal!!“

“Excellent meal , perfect flavor and presentation, and generous portions“

“A little pricey , but you get what you pay for. The food is absolutely excellent!“

“We've been going to Sal's Pizza since it was in the Westbrook Cumberland farms building & now their beautiful restaurant!! ANN & Staff thank you for making our Daughter's Birthday Special, Memories are a Lifetime, Kindly Brandy, Tommy & Family

Vegetarian options: They're accommodating just ask politely

Parking: PLENTY OF SPACE

Kid-friendliness: ABOVE KIND, PROFESIONAL & THOUGHTFUL

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“Hand cut steaks and macaroni and cheese that’s better than homemade. Let them make lunch and you can grill dinner.😊“

“Five professional motor cycle riders who eat in a lot of food at different stops were very satisfied. Great prices/ great quality/ good quantity/fast service/ great waitress/ clean modern seating and restrooms/ ample free parking. Its now on our favorite list. Thank you for serving us so well!!“

“First generation Italian here. Used to Mom's cooking, off the boat from Italy. Pastavita has great variety, good Italian selection. Tried their meatball stromboli. So drowned in salt that the overall taste completely ruined, cut back on the salt and might be ok“

“Stopped by on our way through CT from Long Island. Was pleasantly surprised with how great this pizza was! A little on the greasy side but nothing you couldn’t pick up with a napkin. The only “negative” was the inside is very plain. Not a ton a decor, but that’s not really important. Would deff come “

“Stayed here for a family vacation the amenities were amazing they have a Starbucks inside of the spa and the spa itself was a treat to be there for it was a very relaxing place to spend a vacation I would recommend it to all my friends and family“