50 Best Italian Restaurants near Avenel

“Nice place for a good dinner. Large portions. Friendly staff. Clean. And they have a good tomato sauce. We had the seafood platter which was loaded with lobster, shrimp, scallops, calamari, and chicken parmesan. Both were very good. We also had dessert. It's a family-type restaurant that gets pretty busy on the weekends. Also, it gets pretty loud, like getting together with your whole family for Sunday sauce!“

“We love the cozy atmosphere of D'Italia in addition to the delicious food. The service is always excellent!“

“Best Sandwiches, salads, specials, Amazing meatballs, high quality ingredients. Do yourself a favor and try this deli, you will be hooked!!!“

“I LOVE THIS PIZZA PLACE!! I LOVE THE PIZZA THE FOOD AND THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE!!! I HAD ASMALL PARTY AT MY HOUSE AND ORDERED 9 PIZZAS! ALL WERE DELIVERED HOT AND MY GUESTS LOVED THEM!! THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE TO ORDER PIZZA! IN THE WOODBRIDGE AREA!“

“I LOVE their grilled chicken w/sautéed broccoli and cheese 😍 Everywhere else I tried was horrible until I had it here . Their food is amazing , the guys that work there are always super nice and polite . If your looking for a delicious dinner after a long day of working reasonably priced , I woul totally recommend giving this place a try . You don’t be disappointed!“

“Can I please give it 6 stars? I recently went there with a group of five family members while visiting New Jersey and we had a truly extraordinary night! As an investor in restaurants I'm very critical when visiting any restaurant and not often impressed even with well known critically acclaimed restaurants. It's very rare when a place has truly incredible food with every appetizer and entree as well as first class VIP vibes for service. You could literally taste the passion and care put into every plate with beautifully prepared flavorful abundant meals. In fact, it was the first time in almost a decade I brought home leftovers as the meal was delicious and easily sufficient for two people. Our entire table raved about their meals and the attentive but not obtrusive service was always there to refill our wine and assist without any of us having to look up for service. The food alone would have made for a great night but what truly made it memorable besides the great waitstaff was the manager, Eli. When was the last time a manager, GM or owner greated you at your table to share a polite, interesting and passionate conversation about the food and why they love sharing this experience with their valued customers? He made our entire table feel like VIPs and made perfect recommendations for wine and dessert. It felt more like we were in someone's home as we were there for close to 3-1/2 hours talking, eating, drinking and laughing. The ambiance is warm and unpretentious and the memories of a great experience will certainly bring us back again.“

“Giuliano’s Restaurant is a place where the food is absolutely fantastic. I’ve never ordered something that I didn’t love. The staff are all wonderful. From the first time you walk-in the doors they make you feel like you’re part of their family. I highly highly recommend this restaurant.“

“Excellent food, excellent service and excellent atmosphere. I promise if you try this place, you will be extremely satisfied and for sure you will go back again! This restaurant serves the best Italian food in Staten Island.“

“Nichelle was our gracious server. Our first visit to Terza was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting—but it was our server who truly made the night unforgettable. Attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind, she guided us through the menu like a seasoned storyteller, making every dish feel like a must-try. The food? Divine. The service? Impeccable. We left already planning our next visit. Terza, you’ve set the bar high!“

“Great place to have delicious food at good prices . The waitstaff was sooo friendly“

“I love food. I love to eat it. I love to cook it. But food to me has always been more than just something to eat. I like to study process. Fun to me is to be able to be in a restaurant kitchen and talk to the chef while he’s making a dish. I want to be able to see what he’s doing and ask about it. Why are you taking the dish off the fire so quickly? Why are you using canned peeled tomatoes rather than fresh? I want to know everything. To me, process can be just as exciting as being presented with the beautiful and delicious final product. This evening, I stopped at an unusual pasta restaurant - All' Assassina. https://www.allassassina.com/ They call themselves the killer pasta project. It’s different. It has an open kitchen. The small dining room is colorful – eye catching. You go up to the front and order your pasta. You decide what will be added in – mushrooms, capers, tomatoes, chicken, olives and more. And then the chef makes it right in front of you. The owner told me that not everybody watches. They’re missing out. This restaurant is offering dinner and a show. And the cooking here is a performance. You get to see what goes into your food and how it is made. It gives you an additional appreciation for what you are about to savor. All the senses go on alert. You could see it. You could hear it in the pan and you could smell it. If you are anywhere near Union, New Jersey, check out All' Assassina. But do not just order and walk away. Look. Listen. And learn. Not everybody likes to cook. But everyone should like to learn. The more you know about what’s in your food and how it is prepared, the more you’ll appreciate good food. The tastes, the textures. Wow. There was an avalanche of different flavors hitting my mouth all at once. It’s worth a trip. Go for the meal. Stay for the show.“

“very attentive service without being intrusive. Our meals were absolutely delicious, so fresh and hot. Dessert was heavenly. Thank you for making our wedding anniversary perfect“

“food was amazing staff and our waiter was the best great atmosphere definitely will be back that veal chop melted in my mouth 😋“

“Overall a WONDERFUL experience...They never disappoint. Whether it's with their friendly, attentive service or specials which are culinary delights, they hit the mark! The staff is almost psychic in their attention. The chef makes this a local gem. Over time, I've become a 'regular'. I HIGHLY recommend. Frankly, the best in Union county..“

“We had an intimate Repast at Farington's Cafe after the sudden death of my nephew. We were all so impressed with the food... a delicious salad and one of the best penne vodka dishes ever. These were followed by the main course...choice of lemon sole, flank steak or chicken parm. Each and every dish was superb! Beyond this, the compassion shown by the staff was so consoling. I recommend this restaurant to all. You will thank me!“

“First time visiting tonight! The dining experience was great and the food is delicious! The service was very friendly! I'd definitely go again and recommend to anyone in search of a good Italian restaurant! :)“

“I have always loved Bella Mamas,, and now it's has gotten even better, with the grilled pizzas , the new menu, the portion are huge and you are definitely taking left overs. very inviting atmosphere.“

“I have used catering from Mazzella's several times now and never disappoints! Food is always fresh and abundant. Guests always ask where I got the food. 👍👍“

“What a great Christmas Party… The room was decorated beautifully with Christmas Cheer… The food was amazing…truly the best meatballs in the state ♥️ the staff was courteous friendly & attentive…Enjoyed the evening with friends…Thank you to Gilda & family for never disappointing ‼️“

“Had a great dinner! Always great service too!“

“We are Never disappointed eating at La Campagnola~ the Food is Amazing ~ the Service is always impeccable ~ love the Ambiance ! We Wish you were in Monmouth County ~ but the distance won’t stop us from returning again ~ We’ll be back Brian 🍝🍷👍☺️“

“Delicious pizza! Needs a little more crunch though.“

“Excellent sandwiches. I especially like their chicken cutlet ones. We pick up from here a couple times a month and have never been disappointed.“

“The food was delicious!!!“

“My Step Dad Recently had went for his birthday dinner, with my mom and my step family and wanted to share they recommend this place(they don’t have social media). They had a big party of like 20 people. Food was delicious, servers and service were amazing. Everyone got their food at the same time. They were extremely happy with the restaurant.“

“I hosted my friend’s 50th birthday here last week and it was great! Mike the owner was super accommodating and made sure everything was set up when we arrived. The staff was amazing and even with the multiple checks we had with people sitting all over the place, they still got everything right!!!! The food is great with huge portions and everyone went home with leftovers. This place is a gem and we will definitely be back with more friends and family!“

“Wow what an AMAZING place. Service and Food were both outstanding. We definitely will return again. Thank you Giacamo for everything.“

“Great service, food, and location.“

“Excellent service , cozy atmosphere. Place is second to none !“

“This was a local wish list item I didn't make happen before I left nj for points west. I happened to be back visiting and got an invitation to an event.

It definitely lived up to the hype!

Everything was spot on!

Best egg plant i ever had!“

“The hot dog & hot sausage combo with the works is the best!“

“Food is awesome, along with service .“

“Everything is the best!!! ♥️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟♥️“

“Delicious food and huge portions! Our waitress Kate was amazing! Great Mother’s Day experience.“

“Excellent atmosphere, service and food. Best veal parm I've ever had!!“

“Delicious food and great service!“

“We had a wonderful family dinner at Lava. The food was excellent and the service was outstanding!! We can’t wait to return!“

“Best Pizza in Union & Middlesex County HANDS DOWN! The Hot sandwiches, calzones, Stromboli’s all great! The dining area has that cozy home “cucina” feel. The serving staff are friendly and prompt. Whether it’s take out or dine in. Max’s Pizzeria & Restaurant is the only place that gets my money! Quality, Value & great food ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“I can’t say enough good things about Corrado’s Cucina. We had a party of 25 for a funeral repass, and Frankie and Christian went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. During such a tough time, their kindness and attention to detail really meant a lot. The food was absolutely delicious. The service was incredible, and they made us feel truly taken care of. It’s not easy to enjoy a meal on a day like that, but they made it possible. We’re so grateful and can’t wait to come back under better circumstances.“

“This foursome found Enzzo's by luck. We were warmly welcomed and enjoyed delectable appetizers including antipasto, eggplant and meatballs. For certain, the next time we're in town, we'll stay longer and enjoy more of Enzzo's tantalizing menu!“

“This spot is a hidden gem. I’ve been living in the area for about 15 years now and just randomly tried this place one day, and let me just say it not only exceeded my expectations but blew them out of the park. The food is absolutely delicious and the service is nothing short of simply the best. I would highkey recommend trying their freshly house made pizzas, they’re finger licking good as well as their pastas which are chefs kisses. I’m genuinely amazed at how not many people know about this restaurant. The owner is the sweetest woman I’ve ever met, we talked for 15 minutes just about her business it was 2 minutes before they closed and she offered me all of the left over pizza they hadn’t sold that day FOR FREE. I’ve found my new favorite go to Italian spot.“

“Went to Osfizio last weekend and it was great! The food was so good, the waiter, and all the staff were so nice and polite. There were food options for everyone. Willie was our waiter and he went above and beyond for our table. Will definitely be returning! 10/10“

“A lovely traditional Italian dining experience, this restaurant definitely tickled this Italian girls fancy! From the olive oil and warm bread to dip, to miniature lemon gelato as a pallet cleanser before our entrée, I was repeatedly impressed with our experience. I highly recommend.“

“Just had a delicious dinner at Il Gabbiano for my husbands birthday! Food, atmosphere and service was top notch! The shrimp and flounder francaise was phenomenal! I’ll definitely be back!“

“Love this place. Food and staff are friendly. Outside seating. Definitely recommend!“

“Loved this place so much ❤️ The environment, costumer service and food is wonderful !!!“

“Amazing Food and service !!“

“good.service.and.good.food...happy.place“

“I love family style dinner and enjoying an evening with my other half“

“Excellent food and service. A hidden gem.“