50 Best Italian Restaurants near Franklin Lakes

“Delicious food“

“My absolute favorite. Pizza is the best in the area. Staff is super friendly. Everything you want from a small business! Definitely my go to.“

“Yes..Staff, Service and Food always great! Have been dining here since they opened. We enjoy the Jekyll and Hyde calamari and the spiedini appetizers. Anton makes a great rack of pork and filet mignon. We ended with cappuccinos which hit the spot. 👍👍👍👍👍“

“Tonight I had the pleasure to dine at Bici restaurant in Ramsey, NJ. From the minute I walked in, I knew I was going to like it! You are greeted in such a warm and friendly manner. One of the owners, Marcello makes his rounds around the room speaking to his customers and making you feel at home. Everything I ordered was delicious and the waiters are so polite and attentive. Pleasant atmosphere and I will be back again. Thank you staff for your hospitality. It’s a BYOB. It’s a small restaurant with outdoor dining. Definitely 5 stars!!!!!“

“Attended a baby shower. The food was the best I have ever had in a long time. Everything was delicious. I will be back really soon“

“Always try to the best, make the customers happy, make sure they enjoy their meals. give a good service and good food.Mezza Luna Bistro .“

“Well, this is a special place, don't you believe? Let's see.I was walking around looking for a place to eat and saw this deli , mind you that when you see a line outside a deli and customers willing wait in the cold for food , you know the food is going to be off the hook ! In line a sweet man was telling the history of the deli and how is the best town and anything I choose will definitely make me happy, another customer arrives and tells me to how much he loves it ! I knew I had found a gem that needs to be shared , because customer's are raving for it , the employees and owner sweetest guy very patient in waiting for me to decide what I wanted I even bought few things brought from Italy while I waited for My delicious 🤤 Little Nicky sandwich 🥪 which not only is so big I ate it for lunch and dinner 🍽️ is the best sandwich I've had in years ! I appreciate the stories of when it was established. I care so much for the excellent customer service and the way they run the place makes you feel like you step into a home! I'm definitely looking forward to what to try next!!! Sorry for the no picture of the sandwich, I ate the whole thing 🤣 don't forget grab freshly made mozzarella!!!!!“

“Had my daughter’s bridal shower here Saturday. It was amazing. My friends all said it was one of the best bridal shower they have been to. A large selection of food and fabulous ambience. I highly recommend! You won’t be disappointed.😋“

“Una excelente atención, bien acogedor, ricos los platillos de comida, grande el lugar de estacionamiento con personal de seguridad y una amabilidad tanto al ingresar como al salir, me llevó una buena impresión lo voy a recomendar. Gracias por todo“

“Muy buena comida y buena atención un sitio agradable“

“From the moment we walked in, the host greeted us like old friends and walked us right to our table — I instantly had a good feeling, and I was right. Our server was awesome — super friendly, knew the menu inside out, and was on top of everything all night.

The menu is classic Italian but with a twist — way more interesting than your standard North Jersey Italian spot. The ossobuco was fantastic (if I had to nitpick, I’d say the risotto could’ve used a touch less water and a heavier hand with the parm). The clams were fresh and baked to perfection, and my son devoured his ravioli. For dessert, the bread pudding was absolutely unreal — honestly worth the trip alone.

Safe to say we’ll be regulars!“

“Albert’s’s has been a go to favorite for many years and Albert is an excellent host. The food never disappoints and the service is always great. I recommend Albert’s HoHokus whole heartedly.“

“Absolutely recommend! Best chicken marsala and fried calamari I have ever had. Incredible service - extremely attentive. Everyone at our table ranted and raved about their meal. My mother had my babyshower here about 5 years ago now, and it was great for an event. Perfect event space with a separate door. Can't wait to go back!“

“We had my daughters baby shower here yesterday. The food was absolutely amazing! The manager Sam was extremely easy to work with long distance (I live in Pennsylvania). The wait staff were very friendly and attentive . I would highly recommend this place for a private party.“

“The food and service are excellent. This place is great!! I shouldn’t be saying this because people will go. There is alway a line at the door even with reservations. But it moves quickly.“

“This is one of my Fav. Italian Restaurants. The Food is Delicious. The Hostess’, Servers & Staff are friendly & attentive. Many Friends & Family have been coming here for years. Each visit we enjoy the whole atmosphere!“

“We recently had a private event here for my daughter’s baptism party. The food and service was fantastic! Servers were on point and very nice! The only thing was that we paid until 4pm and felt that we were being rushed out due to them wanting to turn tables over to open up to public for 4:30. Tables were being cleared & set up for dinner crowd way before the party was over (at least a half hour) and outsiders were coming in for what I assume was take-out orders and were sitting at our tables while they waited for their to-go orders, so I just thought that was a bit rude when we are paying the restaurant for a private event and they are normally not open during those hours to the public (just for private events). Other than that, all was good and very affordable! Thank you!!“

“Every time we go to Lavagna, the owner and his staff are always gracious and accommodating. This past weekend, my family and I were looking for a place to go after my Mom's wake. It was after 8:00 pm and we thought we would try Lavagna, knowing that they may not be able to accommodate the 12 of us as is was late and Friday's are usually very busy. We asked and they went out of their way to seat us as close as possible and served us with a smile even with two picky kids in tow. The food was delicious, as always. Thank you Lavagna staff for a relaxing, delicious comforting meal!“

“Excellent food and service always an enjoyable evening at Michael Angelo’s in Fairfield“

“Had a surprise birthday party here for my sister in law. The staff, including Brianna and Jasmine were fantastic. They were so accommodating with our requests and the service and food were on point! We were able to arrive early to decorate our party area that already looked very nice without our decorations. We picked off their standard party menu but they had no problem tweaking it to our requests. Last minute requests for pasta and butter for kids was no problem. We have already placed a deposit for my daughter's bridal shower for next year. Also..BYOB!!!“

“Absolutely amazing. Julia was our waitress and she was very attentive but not overbearing like others can be. She knew when to come and check on us and when we just wanted to be. Food was as always, delicious.“

“Good food and plenty of it“

“Outrageous food, I had the veal chop and it was delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant.“

“Had my husband’s 60th bday party at Justin’s. We had never been to the restaurant but were looking for an Italian BYO place for the party. Manny and the whole team were wonderful to work with! They were so accommodating and the service was wonderful.We chose to do a buffet. Excellent food!! Highly recommend! We will definitely go back!“

“My husband works in Hawthorne and we we’re looking for a good Italian restaurant. After Google reviews we decided to order from Ossy’s and we are so glad we did. When you first walk in the atmosphere is nostalgic and authentic. The staff is so warm and welcoming. I spoke with Ken the last time to place our order and he was a total sweetheart. We have ordered from them twice so far and their food is second to none. You can taste their passion for food. My husband ordered the Chicken Napolitano both times and said it was out of this world delicious. My son ordered Rigatoni with Vodka sauce and practically licked his plate clean!! I ordered Chicken Marsala and Chicken Sorrentino and it was one of the best I have ever had. Yes this is coming from a Jersey Italian whose family once owned a restaurant in Newark so my standards are very high. We did takeout but we are looking forward to bringing the family to the restaurant for a sit down meal. If you are looking for a great Italian restaurant look no further. Ossy’s is your place!“

“Fabulous food, excellent service, wonderful restaurant !!!“

“Came here with my husband for our anniversary. The garlic spread on the bread with scallions was so good! Then the homemade bread was so fresh out of the oven! The mozzy sticks and marinara were delicious! Crispy and cheesy. The sauce was wonderful. The potatoe croquettes were also so good and the sauce was amazing!! The soup was one of my favorites. Just right. I loved the thin noodles. The salad was ok but my husband enjoyed it. The chicken skillet with bruschetta was AMAZING! Very generous portions. The sauce was so flavorful. I added mushrooms and best mushrooms ever! The spinach was a little salty but great! And the bruschetta mixed was a wonderful mix! I truly did love it. The calamari was okay but not my thing. The pasta was amazing! And all homemade. My husband liked the calamari but didn’t realize it wasn’t breaded. The cookie and Ice cream were great! I liked the cheesecake! Very light! Highly recommend and would come back. Service was wonderful and I enjoyed how they spaced out the food.“

“Vengo spesso da La Cambusa per una pausa veloce, ma non trovo il locale sull’app Coverflex; sapete se accettate i buoni pasto?“

“My wife and I recently celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary at From Scratch, coinciding with the restaurant’s 10th anniversary, and it was an unforgettable evening that exceeded every expectation. From the moment we stepped into the warm, inviting space, the staff made us feel like honored guests, with a special nod to the milestone celebrations—both ours and theirs. The atmosphere buzzed with a joyful energy, perfectly balancing sophistication and comfort, as if the restaurant itself was toasting a decade of culinary excellence. The four-course tasting menu was a masterclass in flavor and creativity, each dish showcasing the kitchen’s dedication to crafting everything from scratch. I began with the beef tartare, a delicate yet bold starter. It set the tone for what was to come: precision and passion in every bite. My wife got the eggplant caponata for her first course, a vibrant dish that was both rustic and refined. It was a testament to how From Scratch elevates humble ingredients into something extraordinary. The handmade raviolis were an absolute highlight, each delicate parcel bursting with a silky ricotta filling. The pasta was so tender it practically melted, a labor of love that spoke to the restaurant’s name and ethos. We couldn’t stop raving about the texture—perfectly al dente, yet impossibly light. The mint added a hint of freshness to the dish, that I was originally hesitant about, but I’m happy I gave it a go! For the main courses, my wife got the lamb. Perfectly cooked to a rosy pink, it was fall-apart tender, and had a perfect crust on the outside. The dish was hearty yet elegant. Equally stunning were the scallops, seared to golden perfection with a buttery, caramelized crust. They sat around a small bed of caviar with purple mashed potatoes. Each bite was a harmonious balance of sea and earth. The meal concluded with a ricotta dessert that was nothing short of divine. The creamy, cloud-like ricotta mousse was paired with a coulis with ginger dough crumbs. It was the perfect sweet note to end the evening, light yet indulgent, with flavors that lingered long after the last spoonful. From Scratch isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of craft, community, and unforgettable moments. For our anniversary, we couldn’t have chosen a better place to mark the occasion, and we’re already looking forward to returning to see what the next decade brings for this culinary gem. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a dining experience that’s as heartfelt as it is delicious!“

“I cannot express how much we were obsessed with the food tonight! Everything from beginning to end! Our waiter was impeccable and the owner was more than accommodating and so nice! Will definitely be back asap! Plus the atmosphere was amazing! A must! Byob“

“Really can’t say enough about this place for family celebrations: Excellent friendly service, & a menu that has something for everyone, including accommodations for gluten free.“

“There is never a time that I can say that the experience wasn’t exceptional from start to finish. The food is always incredibly fresh, and you could truly taste the quality in every bite. The menu offers a wonderful variety of Italian dishes, each prepared with great attention to detail. The staff at Villa Rosa were equally impressive, providing friendly and attentive service that makes each meal even more enjoyable. They were knowledgeable about the menu and eager to ensure that the dining experience was perfect. Check them out for your next event as well! They supplied my office with a great variety for our holiday party this year! Overall, Villa Rosa is a gem in Hawthorne that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for delicious Italian cuisine and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.“

“Always great food and friendly service.“

“We have been going to Trovatos since they opened years ago ,
It is so Real NJ Italian!!
The food is SO over the top, I'm talking fresh and authentic NJ food here, top quality ingredients, no cutting cormers, the real thing!
Tony and staff are the most friendly and courteous of any North Jersey restaurants I've ever visited. Simply the best!!!
Go there!“

“Really great Italian food! Can't wait to go back,“

“Monica‘s restaurant is a great place to eat delicious food. Very friendly professional, hard-working staff.“

“Cracker-crust pizza! Birchbeer!“

“Wow! Took us years to get here… but so glad we did! I’m an Italian originally from Queens who doesn’t much care to eat an Italian restaurant when I can get it home cooked. My better half, however, is a boy from Brooklyn, who is Italian by osmosis & loves to eat it out of the home. For his birthday we wanted to go somewhere special. We did! LuNello ranks up there as one of our favorite Italian Restaurants EVER… From the valet staff, to the maitre D, hostesses & waitstaff, to the ambiance… and the FOOD. There are basic dishes on the menu but so many interesting & varied plates that I was blown away! Everything we ate, from appys, to main courses, and dessert (famous bread pudding) were the best!“

“Had such a great experience here! The food was absolutely delicious full of flavor and really impressive. The place itself is beautiful and very clean, which made the whole atmosphere even better. The service was amazing, and everything just felt welcoming and well taken care of. I came for dinner with friends, and we all loved it. Definitely a spot we’ll be coming back to again!“

“We held an event here recently and it went off without a hitch. The food was delicious, the team was communicative and attentive, and though the room was filled, there was plenty of space to move around. A special thank you to Ben and the wait staff for their kindness and attention to detail.“

“Such a great place, from the food to the staff there is no where else I go to enjoy quality time with friends and family. love it here and thank you Ilpanino for always going above and beyond.“

“Come with an empty stomach! Giant sandwiches, great quality meats!“

“The food is always delicious. Rosario also supports organizations through dining to donate/coupon days contributing a percentage of the proceeds supporting humanitarian causes. You cannot beat that!“

“The food is always top notch & the Menu goes on for miles . You’ll keep coming back time after time.“

“I've used Sonny and Tony's several times for corporate catering. They are always on-time and everyone compliments the food.“

“I have been eating at Belle Vita since 2003, when I moved to Fairlawn.

The place has alway had extra great pizza, the owner/pizza maker having honed his skills in the dog-eat-dog pizza capitol of Brooklyn, NY where pizza HAS to be top notch or you close shop.

It has not dissappionted all these years.

12 years ago, I moved from Fairlawn to another town (4 miles) away, but still occasionally come back for their pizza.

The place has lost traffic since Shoprite moved a few miles away a few years back (2 or 3 years ago), but the pizza quality still remains the same.

I especially recommend their chicken marsala pizza. You used to be able to buy it by the slice, when there was more traffic.

Now, you have to buy it by the pie (less business due to Shoprite), but it's to die for, and I am sure your family will love it.

And the service is still just as good.

I am 23 years a Belle Vita pizza fan. Still just as good as the first day I moved into Fairlawn, and found them.“

“The food is incredible everytime I am in town all I want to do is go eat there“

“Excellent food & service!“

“EVERYTHING was outstanding. That in a nut shell is putting it mildly!! Four of us went to dinner on a rainy, rainy Thursday night. You would think the restaurant would be empty because of the torrential rain,nope. They had a wonderful dinner crowd. We started with the stuffed or artichoke that was outstanding.Our entrees were Barramundi , two of us had lamb chops and the other Nino‘s pasta. Trying all three dinners I couldn’t tell you which I like the best. Yes, I can. It was my pasta that I haven’t had in years from them. Needless to say the service was outstanding we just miss seeing Amy. Don’t worry we’ll be back. SOON… ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Food is always good! Have taken friends & family here, and always get a rave review: BYOB, so very reasonable. One suggestion: redecorate!“