50 Best Italian Restaurants near Farmingdale

“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...“

“Thank you for preparing the delicious food for our son's High School graduation party last Saturday. The food was fantastic and received many compliments!“

“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.“

“Excellent food, service and ambiance. Kristin was amazing!“

“What a great time! I'm not sure why some reviews say ride staff. I didn't see that at all. Tables are a little toght but not that bad. Service was exceptional and they have a TON of gluten free food. Save room for dessert. Only thing is go early or you'll be waiting even though you have reservations and BYOB. Can't wait to go back!“

“Wow The best Italian restaurant at the jersey shore if you go Friday or Saturday you better get a reservation I would suggest you get one during the week also to be safe. Byob food and atmosphere are outstanding and the hostess waitresses and owner are so nice they make you feel like you were invited to their home for Sunday dinner with the family.“

“Our friend highly recommended Spanos Restutant , our first time, Was absolutely outstanding, The nicest customer service was the owner introduced himself to us with three special appetizers he made and greeted us with a Bon appétit Everything is made special to order,go go go and order there homemade bread pudding with chocolate in middle & there vanilla ice cream Thank you Mr Spano , for a special evening ??“

“Absolutely love this place! Our waiter was amazing and very knowledgeable on everything on the menu. Yes EVERYTHING!! I personally don’t like beets but everyone I was with said they were to die for. Meatballs were amazing. The tomato sauce was so yummy. Mushrooms I would label as vegetarian steak. Beautifully charred. The sausage and peppers pasta dish is my favorite thing on the menu. I love everything about it. Pasta is always perfectly cooked. I can’t say enough good things about this place!“

“Our favorite date night spot!! From the moment you enter- elegant atmosphere, warm faces and nice music set the tone for a wonderful night. Anthony the owner makes you feel like you’re the only diners there- making sure you’re enjoying yourself, getting your food in a timely manner and making it special. He is such a kind generous man. The servers Faith, Carson, and JoJo are absolutely incredible- they are knowledgeable about the food, friendly, and their work ethic is incredible for such young people. They truly made our night special! The food is the star- best rice balls we’ve ever had!! We have been dreaming of them ever since! The homemade burrata, meatballs and eggplant were also just amazing. We had the homemade gnocchi and chicken scarpiello- again the best we’ve ever had We are locals and try to get here as often as we can for date night- and we are always so amazed how it continues to be just 5 star every time. It’s a special, special place and we are lucky to have such a gem in our small town. Thank you Anthony & Heather!“

“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.“

“Food… Service… Atmosphere… FIVE STARS!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“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.“

“Went with 5 couples…party of 10! All the appetizers, meals and drinks were great. Very good service…would definitely go back!“

“A fantastic family run Italian Restaurant with a nice atmosphere and consistently delicious food. Pizza is a classic, but when it comes to sandwiches I recommend the Montague (a breaded chicken and roasted pepper sandwich) and the meatball sub. All of the staff and the cooks are amicable and welcoming.

I recommend signing up for their benefits so that you can get discounts and coupons.

The restaurant has a decently sized menu and someone could likely find anything they want to eat.“

“Never had a meal I didn’t love“

“Great food amazing service and wonderful warm hospitality“

“The best hospitality one can ever receive. A big shout out to the owner. A true gentlemen and a humble man. This is the definition how an establishment should be ran. The waitress was awesome. I am mad at myself for the super late review but we are here! Food great! atmosphere great! and a nice dinner experience my gf and I had. If you decided to parasail in the area and decide to grab a bite afterwards you will not regret!

Dr. Shawn approved!!“

“I am so glad my Dad found this place!! The owners are incredibly sweet, patient and friendly. The food is made fresh, and it's affordable. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!! Oh and the chicken parm to die for! Dessert even better!! Trying to add photos but not letting me. Place very clean!!“

“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.“

“Our family had dinner there this evening. our waiter Austin was absolutely phenomenal and the food was delicious“

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

“We were in town due to a medical procedure and after a long day, we needed to find a place to have dinner. We stumbled upon this gem and were so glad that we did! The food was spot on and the service was great! We will definitely come back when we have to travel here again.“

“Awesome food and service by Justin! Thank you!“

“Amazingly delicious food. Friendly service“

“Great food and nice place to be“

“Hard to beat these Eats Beautiful restaurant“

“Yesterday we had a Luau/Pool party at our new Toll RegencyFreehold Community .. we explained to Frank we had a very bad experience with a previous caterer and he promised us we would be pleased and not to worry. Well, we weren’t just pleased, we were excited and we all felt DAngelos far exceeded our expectations. The compliments kept flowing during the party… the service, setup and food was AMAZING!! Thank you Frank for an awesome job! We can’t wait to call you for our next event!!“

“Absolutely outstanding!! Great atmosphere, great service, and fantastic food from appetizers to entrees to desserts! Have been to the original in Brooklyn many times over the years but this was our first time at Gargiulo’s in Tinton Falls and it did not disappoint. Spoke to Theresa at the end of the night and she was very welcoming and sweet. We will DEFINITELY be back! Not one negative thing to say about the entire experience.“

“Delicious food, wonderful staff and great music.“

“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.“

“The food was delicious and our server was excellent. We will be going back. Plus a byob is always nice.“

“Everything in the store that’s offered“

“love the food!! will eat here any time!!“

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

“Have been many times, but this was possibly our best experience to date! Josh is fantastic and always describes the menu and specials expertly. Parada appetizer was exceptional as was their tuna Crudo. The Roma pasta course is always cooked perfectly. The pork special for two won the night, however… Amazing flavor! Can’t wait to come back.“

“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!“

“Last weekend we had my baby shower here & the staff, service & food was just exceptional. I will always recommend this place to anyone looking to have dinner OR a party. The staff was on top of everything. I did not have to worry about a thing they took care of everything. It was just a beautiful shower. Thank you aunt butchies we will be back for our next event!“

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

“Nice selection of Italian food nice atmosphere very nice stuff food was amazing“

“What a wonderful experience I had unexpectedly today stopping in here while shopping with my daughter. I
Didn’t expect to buy anything but I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and the reasonable prices. I’m very discriminating when ordering at “Italian Specialty Shops “ because of working in the 5 boroughs of the City. This place is a family on gem with personable owners and workers ! I’ll will be back! Go here!!!“

“Food and service were outstanding. Will definitely be going back often.“

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

“This is our go to place when down the shore! I’ve tried so many dishes here but my favorite meal by far is the Chicken Marcello. Chicken strips with Vinegar Peppers & Potatoes. Outstanding! My wife got the Eggplant Rollatini, but like me has tried numerous others! Kudos to the kitchen staff! The staff is always so friendly. Highly recommend to all.“

“Best restaurant in nj hands down“

“We just had my daughter’s first birthday here and it was absolutely perfect! The pricing was very reasonable, especially for everything that was included. The salad, pizza, and appetizers were delicious—all of our guests kept complimenting the food. Jackie truly took care of everything from start to finish, which made the entire experience stress-free and enjoyable. The space was also beautifully decorated for Christmas, adding such a cozy and festive touch to the celebration. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to celebrate such a special milestone. Highly recommend!“

“The service was attentive and the atmosphere was pleasant. Even though the food was good, we were surprised that the entrees did not include a pasta or vegetable.
For example, the veal parmigiana did not come with pasta and the pork chop had no potato or vegetables. The entrees were priced above average, so the least expensive components should have been included and not treated as a side for an extra charge.
For this reason, we will not be returning.“

“i was treated to a great Birthday dinner on Saturday evening. Our waitress was amazing and never stopped running. Very crowded. the shrimp scampi was delicious.“

“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!!“

“service food treated like family!AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+++++++++++“

“Great food and excellent service!“