50 Best Italian Restaurants near Sandy Hook

“Amazing food. Awesome service; owner so accommodating. Love the short rib tagiliatelle. The bar is so much fun and the bartender is on his game.“

“Absolutely the best pizza I have EVER eaten, and excellent customer service 💯💯“

“The best! That’s all you need to know“

“Great Food, Great Drinks, and Great Service“

“Excellent dinner, love the house salad dressing!“

“I dined here with a group of six a couple of weeks ago and everything we ordered was cooked perfectly and very flavorful. The portions were very generous, our waiter was attentive, kind and pleasant. The music, atmosphere and ambiance were lovely and the food and desserts were incredible. I ordered food to go last night and met the owner, he was such a wonderful man and very appreciative of his customers. Once again everything was perfect and delicious. I can’t wait to go back soon. I highly recommend that you check out Flames soon.“

“Great restaurant. We just celebrated my wife's birthday in their private area. We had 21 guests and the food and service was excellent. The staff was very attentive and everything was served timely, hot and delicious.“

“Food was delicious! Drinks were very expensive. C&C sour was $14.95..small glass with lots of ice!!“

“4 of us had dinner last night, food was excellent! The eggplant rollatini was stuffed with ricotta, tender eggplant and delicious sauce. My husband had sausage & mushroom pizza. Nice crust, just enough toppings and again, that sauce! Fried calamari was tender & crispy. 6 nice size shrimp in the cocktail. If I had anything to complain about it would be the cocktail sauce was a bit wimpy for my taste. More horseradish, guys! Lol Service was super, empty glasses and plates were removed after we finished. Cozy atmosphere, nice music at a good volume. I highly recommend the place! <3“

“From the beginning Lisa was very helpful and listened to what we wanted to do. Roberto was as well. Recently had a surprise party here for my Mom. The delicious food and friendly helpful staff was excellent! Our guests are still talking about it!! We will be back!“

“Great pizza! Tried the veal parmigiana tonight. Loved it. The sauce was incredible and the homemade pasta was a complete surprise 😍. Then...the apple tart for dessert was over the top. Everything was amazing. Great service - Sarah made our night. Thanks for everything!“

“Testo's is hands down the best restaurant in town, if not all of fairfield county. Their food and portions are phenomenal, and never disappoint. My friends and I frequently visit and almost always order off the specials menu, which has something for everyone. My last dish was Lobster Ravioli Lillian. It was slap yo mama good 😍😍😍😍.Don't pass this place up!“

“Dishonest business sells gift certificates yet doesn't honor them. Will be contacting BBB of New England“

“the food is delicious and the service is great“

“Been looking for a good pizza since we moved here. definitely going to be our place for italian.“

“Wasn't sure about this place when we pulled in to the parking lot but so glad we gave it a try . I ordered the Zuppa di pesce ( one of my favorite hard to find meals ) absolutely everything I was hoping it would be and more . Very extensive menu if you can't find something here to tickle your taste buds maybe your not human . The service was awesome. The restaurant itself ain't very fancy but a steady flow of traffic of people picking up and calling in for orders . They are definitely doing something right . Me and the wife was in from out of town for a funeral. And we was very satisfied with our meals and service . So if your in the area this place is definitely worth the stop .“

“Went here for brunch with some friends and ate at the rooftop. It was slow when we arrived because we ate at an off time but that made it better because it was such a nice atmosphere to chat and relax. By far some of the best things I’ve ever eaten. It was $27 for an appetizer, main course, and dessert which I thought was a great price. You won’t be leaving here hungry! I would definitely come here again.“

“My husband and I tried Bora Restaurant for the first time last night. It was excellent!! The food was delicious, the decorations were beautiful, the atmosphere was warm and cozy, all of the staff that we encountered were young but surprisingly all so very well mannered, polite and very nice!! Our waiter was Alton, he did a wonderful job and always addressed my husband as Sir. We would definitely recommend this restaurant!!“

“Went last night for the first time to celebrate my birthday with my granddaughter. The food was great and we were treated to the best waiter and manager. The service was the best that i have had in a long time and made us feel so special. The veal dish I had was wonderful, Large portion for the price and my granddaughter had the chicken parm and she couldn't finish her dish. I will definitely go again and tell my friends about this gem of a restaurant“

“It has been awhile (too long) since we’ve eaten at Portofino’s, just busy. It was very nice to be recognized and they were genuinly glad to see us “back”! Our dinner was delicious! I had the sea bass over risotto. The bass was cooked to perfection! And their service was excellent as always! Thank you for a wonderful evening! We highly recommend Portofino’s and we will definitely be back soon!“

“Today my wife and I stopped into Jennie's Pizzeria for some late lunch. We entered the bar area. There were no seats at the bar because they were all taken by what appeared to be regulars, they all knew one another. Several others were standing, blocking the way to small tables across from the bar. As we tried to walk to one of these tables we were blocked by the senior citizen regulars who did not move. They would not move for my wife and only did after I spoke up and said very loudly "excuse me". They were not happy and copped an attitude but moved slightly so we could get through. It was very unwelcoming and profoundly cliquey. Sad they have to have a clique at their age. We sat down and it took forever for the one barmaid to come over. She was constantly being called by one of the regulars at the bar to get them more drinks. We ordered and the food took a while to arrive. It was good so no complaints there. The problem with this place is the clientele during happy hour. They are Senior citizens who are rude, cliquey, unfriendly to other patrons and frankly a sad bunch if all they have to do is hang out in a bar everyday to drink. Later a young waitress, who was cute came out and was met with comments from one of the older regulars at the bar. She had to walk around several patrons who did not move to let her pass with food. These people acted like they owned the place and were not happy outsiders invaded their little drinking party. As a result of all this we will never go there to eat again. There are plenty of other places which serve the exact menu close by.“

“If you're looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience in Monroe, look no further than Vazzys Italian Restaurant. From the moment you walk through the door, the warm and inviting atmosphere sets the stage for an exceptional meal. The rustic, charming décor paired with friendly, attentive service makes you feel right at home.

The menu at Vazzys is a celebration of authentic Italian flavors, each dish crafted with the utmost care and precision. Whether you're a fan of classic pasta dishes, hearty meats, or fresh seafood, there's something to tantalize every palate. The Fettuccine Alfredo is a standout – silky, rich, and perfectly balanced. And the Chicken Parmesan? Absolutely divine – crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, it’s the ultimate comfort food.

But what really sets Vazzys apart is the attention to detail. The sauces are made from scratch, using only the finest ingredients, and it truly shines in every bite. The freshly baked bread served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar is addictive, and you’ll find yourself asking for seconds.

For dessert, don’t even think about skipping the Tiramisu. It's the perfect ending to a perfect meal – light, creamy, and just the right amount of sweetness.

The staff at Vazzys is top-notch. They make you feel like part of the family, always checking in to ensure everything is just right. The combination of superb food, excellent service, and a cozy ambiance makes Vazzys Italian Restaurant a go-to spot for date nights, family dinners, or any special occasion.

Vazzys has earned its place as a true local favorite, and it’s easy to see why. If you're in Monroe, do yourself a favor and make a reservation—you won’t regret it!“

“I’ve been a fan and customer of Villarina’s Southbury for many years for far too many reasons to list ... but the most important one is the owners who are family and treat everyone like family!❤️ This is a quick review to say YUMMMM!!! Before the “stay at home” order went into effect, I stocked up on their frozen dinners and lots of pasta sauce. Always love having these in our house and especially so now. We recently tried the frozen linguine w/white clam sauce I had picked up. It was our first time for this dinner and WOW! It was fabulous. My husband says it’s the best he’s ever had. It’s not something I typically eat but loved it. We’ll add it to our list of things to pick-up. Thanks as always!!!“

“First time there. Our hostess was also preparing drinks, answering the phone and then she was our server! What a trooper. Lots of menu choices. Meals were all delish: baked rigatoni, penne vodka, chicken Frances, beef stroganoff and a cavatelli dish. Yum! Lovely atmosphere.“

“Great food. Need to get rid of that rude waitress. We have been there several times,and She is not nice at all. Seems to be mad all the time.“

“Amazing pizzas and fantastic food. Very tasty cocktails and fast service with friendly staff. Beautiful interior and lovely summer patio. Fantastic experience overall!!!“

“great food & set up for a gathering of 30 in party, everyone so friendly-Jose and owners were so welcoming!!!“

“Great sandwiches and chicken cutlets“

“We were driving up to the Boston area and everyone got hungry so we looked for a place right off the highway and this is what came up. It was a fantastic stop because it didn’t set us back even 10 minutes - perfect location. When we pulled up we were honestly skeptical and warned the kids it may not be like home (we are NYers) but the pizza was SOOOOOO YUMMY. Some of the best we have had. The kids chicken fingers/fries order was large enough to feed 3 people and also excellent. This is a classic case of don’t judge a book by its cover - a MUST EAT location.“

“Great pizza and friendly service“

“What a surprise!!! Tucked away behind a small shopping center, you wouldn't know about it unless someone told you about it!!! Great food, great staff, and a wonderful dinner!!!! 5+ Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟“

“Delicious food love them. highly recommend“

“I love this restaurant and the family that works hard every day. Always quality food for a great price.“

“One of the best meals I’ve ever had!“

“They make a really great breakfast sandwich and they don’t nickel and dime for every added ingredient. Very reasonably priced, and always greeted with friendly service. I go out of my way to drive through Brookfield so I can stop here! Also highly recommend their tuna salad wrap with the potato chips in it.“

“Delicious food !! Friendly staff and great service! We love Southford Pizza!! I’m a Gluten Free girl and they got me covered as well!! Good Stuff! 👍🍕🍽😊❤️“

“I had lost power for 28 hours last week. I called Carlito’s on Friday evening 6/28 after I got my electricity back ?. I had salad, warm
rolls, fried zucchini with marinara sauce, my entree was 2 sautéed soft shell crabs & pasta.
The service was amazing! Food delicious!
I decided I had room for dessert. I sat in the lounge and had a scrumptious chocolate lava cake!!!
I don’t want all of my food delivered at once. At Carlito’s I didn’t feel rushed. Warm rolls and ice water. Appetizer. Salad. Entree. All served after you have finished the previous course. I enjoyed a very relaxed evening!
Thank you Carlito’s.
Servers, please keep smiling! ?

Parking: As Carlitos is a small restaurant and has takeout; they have clearly marked area for takeout and dining parking.
A well lit parking lot. I was catching up on my messages in the parking lot and the owner stopped & asked me if I was okay!!! ?

Kid-friendliness: Outdoor or indoor dining!! Definitely a family friendly place!“

“Best pizza around, salad was great too.“

“3rd. Time at Mercato. Food is good. Problem is the music! If you want to eat and relax, forget it! If you are 15 and like loud disco type music, this is your place. They need some relaxing jazz, Opera, Sinatra etc. However picked the music for an Italian Restaurand, knows nothing about a relaxing atmosphere!!!!“

“My favorite place! Rina is Always amazing takes care of me there!“

“thin ny style crust is great!“

“Best Pizza ever. Great customer service and terrific food. We just stopped in one day and have returned many times. It was a great surprise to find. Everything we have had has been great. Enjoy!“

“Absolutely wonderful and kind people! The pizza was not only packaged wonderfully but it was fresh and tased great! They delivered it to me even though I was farther out and not only this they only had one delivery vehicle and multiple orders and still got it to me in a timely fashion thanks gain guys!“

“I would walk 500 miles... Well maybe not walk 500 miles. But I will drive 350 miles round trip. Just to have dinner at one of my favorite Restaurants in my old neighborhood. Congrats to Kenny and his culinary and service team. Dinner for my party of 4 was delicious. The 3 specials Short Rib Ravioli, Chicken & Sausage Paella, and the Baby Rack of Lamb. The 4th dinner was our longtime favorite Gnocchi Sorentino. Walked out bellies full and pallets completely satisfied. Oh yeah, don't forget the Fried Burrata. Anytime I'm in Brookfield I will visit Portobellos. Love this place.“

“The food was really good. This was the first time I was here, but I will definitely return we ate in, and the owner was very friendly he even offered to make a small pizza while I waited for my girlfriend to get there. If you haven't tried this location, you are missing out.“

“Love Sals. From Jersey and this has to be the best pizza around. Most other places that have sauce that is either flavorless or too sweet. Sals pizza is as close to perfect as it gets. Ambiance is that of an old school Italian joint and there's something nice about that. Reminds me of childhood.“

“Consistently delicious pizza and very friendly staff. I order about once a week and am always happy with the food. The pizza is crispy, chewy and has just the right amount of sauce and cheese. I love the garlic knots too. Its the best pizza in the area hands down.“

“AMAZING! A.S is amazing. Their staff is so patient and helpful. The quality of the food and cleanliness of the location is near perfect. We usually travel to Norwalk, but thankful they opened a location near Shelton/Monroe. We went before Christmas Eve and it made our holiday feel “normal”.“

“We recently celebrated my mother`s 100th birthday at Pulcinellas with about 40 friends and family and everyone is still talking about it ! Linda ensured perfection all around. The pizza, antipasto, entrees (chicken champagne, veal francese, eggplant rolatini, penne a la vodka), and sides were delicious and plentiful. The pistachio BD cake was gorgeous and tasted out of this world! the staff was so attentive to everyone's needs and the piano player added to the festive atmosphere. Thank You Linda, John and team for making the event so special and memorable for my mom and our entire family“

“Just wanted to leave a glowing review for Franco's Pizza and Pasta! We ordered dinner for delivery last night and it was absolutely wonderful. Every dish was outstanding. The pasta bolognese was rich and flavorful, the chicken cacciatore was perfectly cooked, and the garlic knots were a delicious must-have. We also really enjoyed the fresh combo salad. The delivery was prompt and the food arrived hot and fresh. Franco's delivers a fantastic dining experience right to our door. It was our first time and we will definitely put them on the top of our list to order regularly. Highly recommend!“