50 Best Italian Restaurants near Colts Neck

“Amazing food, great portions and quality for price, friendly and personal able staff, quick service, clean and warm atmosphere. Highly recommend. Definitely make reservations“

“My mother and law happen to come across this family owned establishment when we came into town for a doctors appointment. The food was AMAZING. We literally ate every piece of the delectable meal that was cooked for us. Our waitress was a family member who was the kindest person. If we are ever in town again we will definitely be stopping in!“

“We had a catered affair from Prima Pizza at our VFW Post. Food was delicious. The fettuccine carbonara was so tasty. Eggplant rollatini was cooked to perfection. Definitely 5 Stars.“

“My wife and I had a wonderful meal she had a calzone that was cooked to perfection and huge. I had the best Pasta Bolognese I ever had and it's my go to dish . We both loved the Stewart sodas to compete the meal. Owner and staff were welcoming and pleasant a perfect find we loved it“

“Owner should learn how to treat customers We were a party of four and we arrived on time for a 7:45 reservation. When we arrived there were many people waiting to be seated. We were told that the wait would only be 10 - 15 minutes. Fifteen minutes later we were told that the wait would be an additional 10 - 15 minutes. A half hour later my wife was told that the wait would only be another 10 - 15 minutes. After 45 minutes I requested to speak with the owner and I was told that I was speaking with the owner (at that point there was only one other group waiting to be seated). They informed me that a group of six with an 8:00 reservation was just seated. I said that it was not fair to make us wait 45 minutes since we did have a reservation and the people with a later reservation were just seated. I said that I may have something to say about it after the meal. The reply was "if you have something to say, say it now"! I replied that I would reserve my thoughts until after the meal. How insulting, imagine waiting over 45 minutes and then being told if I had anything to say I shouldn't wait till after my dinner, that I should say it now. I replied that I would wait till after the meal before I had any additional comments. With that we were refused service and we were told to leave. I am a 75 year old retired veteran and in my life I was never treated in this manner. When we grew up we had more respect for others. This is not how customers should be treated.“

“The BEST! Always a wonderful experience. Great food, great service and an amazing atmosphere. A feeling of being in Italy.🇮🇹 Our favorite place to eat. And the owners Mike & Ro are always so pleasant and accommodating.“

“We highly recommend Patricia's of Holmdel. We have frequented this establishment with our immediate family of 12 for birthdays, celebrations, and more! The environment is warm and inviting through its modern decor, enjoyable music, lighting, and seating. Tables are covered with white clothes and seating is comfortable whether inside or out. The location is well maintained and clean. The pricing is average for fine dining. The entire staff is exceptional. We enjoy all pleasantries with the staff members. It is evident that care is placed in choosing the staff. Each is professional, personable, and thorough. They make us feel like VIP every time we go, especially when John N. is our server. John N. is extremely knowledgeable of the inner workings of this establishment. We have severe food allergies and dietary restrictions. John N. illustrates such compassion towards us. He is diligent in keeping us safe, and keeps open communication with the chef when we are present. He is so kind and fun, too, in such a way that he feels like a family member. While eating at Patricia's it feels as if we are transported to a family dinner in Italy. Between the welcoming ambience, pleasant staff, and delicious food, we (without hesitation) highly recommend Patricia's of Holmdel. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“The perfect evening ! Food, service and atmosphere were all spot on! Chef Dimas Montalvo III your a true talent !“

“Regularly a Brooklyn customer and tonight stopped in the NJ location. I really enjoyed the food as usual. Julia was a great server and would definitely go back when in the area. Rob“

“Fun atmosphere, delicious food. Our waitress Staci was great! We will be back.“

“This restaurant has amazing food and the waiters are very kind“

“We had such a great dinner with friends. The food was outstanding and so was the service. We have never been disappointed when eating at this restaurant. I highly recommend for any occasion or no occasion.“

“The food was amazing,the staff is friendly attentive and very professional“

“Absolutely stunning atmosphere, The service was impeccable, And the food was some of the best I have ever had! Yes it is expensive but so worth it. Perfect for date nite!!!“

“Exceptional service! Bobby reopened his restaurant upon my son and I arriving there after a late basketball practice. Instead of turning us away, he made us a personal pizza. The food was outstanding and moreover his kindness will make us future loyal customers.“

“We have been to Nonna's many times and have always enjoyed the food and service. Today, my wife, daughter and I went to celebrate our 51st anniversary expecting to have a delicious dinner as usual. Although the food was excellent as always, the service was not! The waitress Melissa took our order and never saw her again until we were almost finished eating and had to wave to her to get more water. A man brought our bread and butter, another man brought our meals, and cheese etc. and that went well. It should be noted that Melissa never once came back to our table to see if the food was ok or if we needed anything. When she brought the water, she asked if we wanted desert, to which we declined. Another lady came and asked if we wanted our leftovers wrapped whereas she took our plates and returned immediately. Melissa dropped off the bill and walked away, and we never saw her again. We had some questions about the administration fee, because we were paying cash, but there was no one to ask so we just paid the bill, left the folder on the table and left, again, no one was around. When we were seated, there was a small party at a table near us, but they left long before we were ready to leave, so I cant understand why no one even came to our table, since by that time there were only about three tables of diners. Sorry I had to write this response but we were very unhappy with this dining visit. Like I said earlier, we have previously had great service and hope our next visit will be great. Thank You.“

“Never had a meal I didn’t love“

“Most amazing subs I’ve ever had, treated with complete respect. I had wings, fries, pickles, Philly steak, and Philly chicken. Taking the first bite it was mouth watering. Thank you!“

“Amazing food, amazing service. A bit pricy for the area and food but worth the go!“

“We stumbled on this spot to take out pizza, which is very good. Now it’s become our local spot. Amazing salads - no boring iceberg lettuce, it’s arugula, pears, gorgonzola….Fave entrees include super eggplant parm, tortellini, the classics. Also great lunch deals.
Prices are very reasonable and the staff a delight. No ambiance but it’s a friendly, local spot with super food in generous portions.“

“Had a Family Birthday Celebration Awesome definitely go back!!“

“Beautiful atmosphere, attentive and friendly staff, delicious salads, soups, family style appetizers, meal choices, desserts and drinks - everything was perfect.“

“Been a customer for twenty years. Solid BYOB Italian restaurant with a veteran staff. Owner and general manager are always present. Ownership changed 9 years ago. Very good fresh pastas. I’m totally a fan of their main marinara sauce. Sometimes I’ve asked for it on the side. My wife and I have liked the seafood pasta panadora. I tend to order a lot of salads and I’ve tried most of them. My favorite is their chopped salad ($18). Sometimes I get it with the chicken option. I really like their own salad dressing. It’s a little different. The Greek salad is really good too. The braised slow cook short ribs are very popular; a long time specialty item. Their lunch menu is very reasonable. Surprisingly good burgers and sandwiches. I’m particularly a fan of their tuna sandwich, with several variations. I have found the service to always be excellent. I noticed their bread has been outstanding. Owner said they invested in a new ovens from Italy✅ Their homemade carrot cake is excellent, and I’m fussy when it comes to carrot cake, my favorite😀 Great location in downtown Red Bank on Wallace Street, which is not busy. There is municipal parking nearby. Keep in mind you generally have to pay in Red Bank unless you’re willing to walk a bit. Also, a special mention goes out to special events. They’re particularly good at parties. They scale well to what the needs of the event. It can be simple to full sit-down dinner or buffet.“

“Held my daughter’s Bridal Shower here today and I can’t say enough wonderful things about it. The service and food was exceptional. Everyone was so helpful and accommodating. We were so pleased and I would highly recommend hosting your event here.“

“Great food amazing service and wonderful warm hospitality“

“My granddaughter had her graduation dinner here. It was absolutely fabulous. Lovely atmosphere, fantastic service & the food was amazing. Can’t say enough how great this restaurant is. I would highly recommend this restaurant to family & friends.“

“Always accommodating! Very close to work and convenient.“

“We went on Saturday for dinner...My wife had Eggplant Rollatini for an appy and Chicken Francese for dinner...I had the Sauteed Clams for an appy and the Seafood Fra Diavolo for dinner....Everything was Excellent....Next we will try the pizza...“

“La Cucina is absolutely delicious. Always fresh and VERY consistent. I have never ordered something that wasn’t superb! They have the best halibut over risotto I have ever had. If you have never dine here before then you are certainly missing out. Cucina is our go to! Best food in town by a long shot 🙌🏼“

“I’ve been coming to this restaurant for years. This is by far my favorite restaurant in Ocean Township! If you want a great fine dining experience with delicious food and a friendly owner and staff, Piccolo’s is the place to go! They are consistently delicious :). Highly recommend this establishment. 5 Stars!!!
.“

“I hosted a family event at Via Sposito. Everyone was very pleased with our server, Jessica and the dining experience. The food was amazing and plentiful. We have dined there a few times prior to this and were always pleased with food. At our event everything was family style and there was a variety of food. The pizza and zeppoles were also great. They worked within our budget and offered a lot of choices.“

“We’ve been going to Illiano’s nearly 36 years. It’s been great since day 1. We usually do takeout and find the pizza, subs and garlic knots to be the best in Monmouth County. When we moved out of town about 3 years ago we tried to find something that was comparable and closer, but that didn’t work out so make the trip back just about every Friday night. We highly recommend them!“

“Award-winning food with a side of award-winning service. Cheers to you Jimmy and thank you as always!!“

“The food and service was second to none. The staff very attentive not over bering. A comfy cozy atmosphere. The restaurant is BYOB this is a plus. The portions are perfect size. I can't find enough good to post.“

“Delicious food, wonderful staff and great music.“

“Great food and friendly service. Local family atmosphere. Highly recommended 👌“

“STUMBLED UPON A THIS GREAT FIND. BEEN THERE MANY TIMES SINCE. EVERYTHING IS FRESH, TASTY AND VERY REASONABLY PRICED. IF YOU'RE IN THE AREA DON'T MISS OUT AND STOP BY. ONCE YOU TRY THE FOOD YOU'LL ALWAYS GO BACK. NEVER WRITE A REVIEW BUT THIS PLACE IS SO WORTHY OF ACCOLADES, I JUST HAD TOO.“

“Great food and nice place to be“

“Food is excellent, amazing selection of specials and all that we had was so delicious! Pizza is by far the best pizza around! It’s cooked perfectly and flavors are just amazing! Staff were all terrific and make you feel like part of their family. Definitely returning and brining family and friends and letting everyone know about it!“

“Great food! Lunch portion had me stuffed! I'll be back again!“

“Great sandwich shop and good service. This team generally gets busy between 12:30 - 2 pm so if you’re in a rush, order earlier or wait later in the afternoon. I’ve never had any issues with my order or picking it up, and my sandwiches have always been made correctly. They use fresh produce and meats and you can tell. I recommend coming here.“

“Nino Jr's food is so delicious. I recently catered from them for my daughter's baby shower and our guests raved about the food. It was amazing. Everyone wanted to know where the food came from. The entire experience was wonderful! The staff was so wonderful also. Everything from the ordering experience to delivery was incredible. I highly recommend Nino Jr's. The best Italian food!“

“It’s our favorite place. Liam and all the servers are the best and make the experience whole. The food is exquisite and the chef will go out of his way to accommodate any request even off menu items if he can. The value is incredible as I look forward to the leftovers almost as much as the meal.“

“Locale doesn’t just serve Italian food — it seduces you with it. The meal opens with a Margherita pizza that nails the holy trinity: blistered, leopard-spotted crust with a satisfying chew, bright San Marzano tomato sauce, pools of molten mozzarella, and basil that perfumes every bite. It’s simple, soulful, and executed with confidence — the kind of pizza that reminds you why restraint is the ultimate flex. Then come the pastas, each one richer than the last. A creamy spaghetti glistens under cracked black pepper and fine breadcrumbs, indulgent without tipping into excess — silk on the tongue, deeply comforting. The baked rigatoni arrives bubbling and bronzed, blanketed in béchamel and cheese, fork-tender and unapologetically decadent, finished with a rosemary sprig that whispers old-world charm. The seafood salad brings balance: crisp celery, briny sweetness, delicate citrus notes, and freshness that cuts through the richness like a perfectly timed palate cleanse. And just when you think you’re done, a golden, cheese-crusted entrée lands center stage — crackling on top, impossibly tender beneath, finished with olive oil and snow-like Parmesan. Rustic. Elegant. Completely crave-worthy. Ambiance? Warm, intimate, and effortlessly stylish. Wood tables, low lighting, the hum of conversation — the kind of place where time slows, wine flows, and every table looks like it’s celebrating something. Final verdict: Locale is the kind of restaurant you plan your week around — not flashy, just flawless. Come hungry, linger long, and trust the kitchen. This is Italian food done with heart, heritage, and serious skill.“

“Highly recommended! This place is great!“

“Best restaurant in nj hands down“

“Emilio’s new Bar Pie is hands down the best Bar Pie that I’ve ever eaten. It’s handcrafted and the crust is perfection. I wouldn’t go anywhere else!!“

“Loved it! Best subs around. I'll be back for sure! Can't wait to try the pizza.“

“Wow the pizza was amazing. Love the thin crust, the sauce was good. Just yummy. Next time I’d only order just pepperoni cause the bacon was just ok. We ordered an appetizer of fried ravioli (skip appetizers, just get pizza. Trust me) the vibes of the place were great after a day in the ocean.“