50 Best Italian Restaurants near Harrison

“We went just before closing time and the service was phenomenal! We have a person with autism and they were so patient; when we asked him how he liked his food his response was “the food is so good I feel like I am in Italy.” Thank you for a memorable evening.“

“Yesterday was my first time in Newark, and I promise you without any exaggeration this place had the best pizza I ever had in my life. I ordered a Pepperoni slice (it was giant) with a side of fries. when you eat both the pizza and the fries together its 15/10 you got to try this spot.“

“Ate here before a Red Bulls game on a Saturday evening due to a friend’s enthusiastic recommendation. I saw a previous review recommended making a reservation, which I thankfully did since all the sit down tables were reserved and a few people were turned away. Food was great, neighborhood Italian style, and service was friendly and efficient. Mozzarella sticks, linguine with clam sauce, veal marsala were highlights. Get the parking pass when you pay your bill and the walk to the stadium is about 10 min. Will definitely return to try the Sicilian pizza next time.“

“Let me start off with saying the pizza at this restaurant was phenomenal… real Italian pizza we order a 28”inch and omggggg the slices were huge like New York pizza my kids really enjoyed that not to mention the customer service was amazing I didn’t ask the young lady’s name but I asked her questions about the establishment and she answered with confidence and pride that my family would enjoy this pizza… my husband started we have finally found a new real pizzeria and this is our new place.. we thank you very kindly for your service ?“

“We sat at the bar and were served by Chiara, who gave us impeccable recommendations. Everything was outstanding. The flavors were bold, but the combinations made every dish feel light and refreshing, including the dessert. The atmosphere was cozy and elegant, and the playlist was excellent!“

“si pranza divinamente con prodotti di qualità. Il proprietario è molto simpatico. lo consiglio.“

“This is some of the best food and the best dining experience I've ever had. Everything was so exquisite, thoughtful, flavorful, surprising, lovingly made without any frills. All you really need to do is glance at the kitchen to get it.“

“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.“

“Stellar service! Will definitely be back.“

“Everything was beautiful , service food & decor !“

“Great food and service. .we went with a group of 10 people and everyone enjoyed their food .we been back many times and even had them do a party for us :)“

“BUEN LUGAR EXCELENTE COMIDA MAGNIFICAS RECETAS GRACIAS VOLVEREMOS 🇲🇽💚🇮🇹💜🍀🎁“

“Food was delicious despite the meat not being cooked as requested. The atmosphere & our server, Julian, were incredible! Julian found out at the end of our meal we had a celebration & went above and beyond to help us celebrate! Would definitely recommend & return (-:“

“Good food good service recommend you get a good pizza margarita“

“Great food and wine! variety of cocktails, appetizers and entrées. Spacious place with chic decor.“

“Lovely atmosphere. The food was super tasty, fresh, and authentic. Staff was friendly and wonderful, and cocktails were top tier.(Loved the Terina Basil) From the food to the warm hospitality and the elegant designs. What really makes this elegant restaurant out is the service, and the owners/management came over to our table and introduced themselves and made us all feel welcomed. I will definitely be returning!“

“Had the Virginia ham with fresh mutz and holy crap …. Amazing!!! Great service, friendly staff, great food and owner is awesome! Five stars all the way, place is top notch 🤌🏼“

“Place is a hidden treasure. Food is outstanding! The waiters were very welcoming, funny and very attentive without rushing us before we could ask for anything they were right there. The owner is super sweet with a beautiful personality. He makes you feel welcomed from the moment you walk in. The food was phenomenal every dish was seasoned perfectly and portions were plentiful. The prices very reasonable for the service and food quality they provide. This is so far our favorite Italian cuisine restaurant I'm so glad we live close by we will be back. If I could give a 10 star I would!“

“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.“

“Love the food, love the place, very attentive, don't walk run here, great!“

“Had the pleasure of eating at Giorgio"s last night before a show at SPAC. Service was outstanding, menu explained and food was excellent. From our salad, entree and desert everything was outstanding. I highly recommend it but please not before a show I may now get a reservation again.“

“Perfect seamless reservation - plenty of parking even texted to let us know where to park. Inside wonderful atmosphere all the staff was friendly. The food was amazing -especially the Caesar Salad . A thank you card in my left over bag ❤️ the bathroom has a full changing station with supplies . Thoughtful touches throughout the experience that really make you feel the owners care -which makes me so happy I came here . I recommend definitely to anyone !“

“Had my daughters wedding tonight at Il tulipano I give it a 5 stars Mario helped us so much Cocktail hour was absolutely outstanding our dinners was amazing the workers took such good care of us Thank you so much Mario and staff the Capozzi family“

“They are rescuing Newark Ave. Absolutely the finast dinner. Those in the CourtHouse neighborhood should make Yub's 78 a regular stop.“

“My husband and I Came To Brooklyn Roots last evening for the first time to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary . The food was delicious we ordered a few apps salad and an entree to share . Nothing disappointed us . Absolutely amazing felt like home cooking The service was great from the bartender the moment we walked in to the servers. We will definitely be back soon to try some more dishes . Thank you for such great service“

“The Italian food is so delicious and authentic 👌👌 everyone is so nice. And the mozzarella is the freshest cheese. They hand stretch it every day. I love that they use tallow to fry and they make their own dough without all the processed junk. You eat and feel satisfied instead of heavy.“

“Consistently delicious EVERY SINGLE TIME 👏👏👏 so grateful for great food, great service, and great ambiance. Our server tonight, Ron, was exceptional! His recommendations were spot on and he was so incredibly personable. We absolutely will be back, again and again and again.“

“everything !!! rice balls can’t be beat. vodka sauce the best“

“Just ate there for dinner. Was packed but they were so accommodating for us four, and I was dying for my favorites. I have been going there since 1984 and sorry to say, 90% of the time I get the same thing! And still always delish. The service is great, servers are great, I have bought many people there and no one has ever complained, always loved the food! And I will continue to be a customer for as long as they will be there!“

“We have been coming to Piccolinos Restaurtant in Bayonne for years. My father loved the veal and the great service our family received from the staff. It would only be fitting to host his repass there and when we called Byron to let him know he passed, he quickly helped my family with arrangements to host our family and friends in their private room. The food was cooked to order, absolutely delicious and the service our family and friends received from the staff was impeccable! Mostly everyone had to try the his favorite dish, the" veal martini" and loved it. The Wanko family would like to take this opportunity to send our sincere thanks to Byron, Jackie, Angelo, Juan Carlos, David, Yahir for their outstanding service to attention and delicious menu cooked to order on such a sad occassion. They truly made our friends and family know why we "love" Piccolino's and why this is surely the best Italian Restaruant and staff in Bayonne.“

“The best Italian restaurant in Rutherford. Huge portions and the fish dinners are incredible. If you see mahi mahi, snapper, cod or salmon on the menu, order it! You will not be disappointed! Friendliest service around!“

“Matthew 's Restaurant is 1 of the best restaurants in North NJ if NOT The Best. The food is always Delicious & Service is excellent. Beyond that, the atmosphere or aviance is excellent. The vibe & energy is first rate positive fun & culinary enjoyment. I believe that this fine dining experience is also driven by the owner Matthew who is usually in the restaurant greeting guests & helping out. When you visit Matthew's you'll have a great time and it'll feel like you're on mini-vacation from the stress of every day life while seemingly enjoying the warmth of family. It may be a cliche but it's definitely true. 10 stars ⭐ out of 10.“

“First time trying , we ordered five sandwiches and all were delicious. Highly recommended, lots of food for the money.“

“Been going for 30 years since the Ridgefield Park days. Food never disappoints.“

“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“

“went here with my daughter a few days ago, and everything was outstanding. The food and drinks were delicious, and I had one of the best Cosmos I’ve ever had
and I’m very picky about my Cosmos! The atmosphere was wonderful, and the service was great as well. I highly recommend this place and can’t wait to come back.“

“Wine was ok, but the cake...........................insane“

“Very delicious pastas. We both got a fettucine Neapolitan tomato Bolognese and fettucine chicken alfredo. The portions are generous and fairly priced. The area is a nice touch as well especially at night. The pastas were well seasoned and very filling. Will get from here again.“

“First time here. Our waiter dropped the ball but food was good so might give it another chance someday. Valentine's Day so I get it was busy so not an issue with being sat 15 min past our reservation. Hostess was very attentive, taking coats and pulling our chairs. Water staff did provide water promptly but our waiter who passed us several times didn't greet us or take our drink order until after 20 minutes and after greeting a couple who was sat several minutes after we were. Still tipped 20+% but I'm a heavy tipper so when I round 20ish % it means service wasn't great. Maybe pick a wine next time because cocktails were off. Waiter left us hanging after dropping off dessert menu and I was about to change my mind on it and just take the check after waiting too long. Not sure what happened but someone else took over who was much quicker but maybe because it was getting closer to closing time? Happy I stuck around for dessert. The cheesecake was amazing and was the highlight of the evening for me.“

“We had our daughter's baby shower here and it was an exceptional experience. The food and service were outstanding. Highly recommend this wonderful venue.“

“Mutz is a soft, mild cheese. You'd be forgiven for thinking that it would struggle to stand up to roast beef, roast turkey, hot peppers, sweet peppers, and the soft loaf encasing them all in a piled-high deli sandwich.

This mutz shines through. The stories about this place? The Biancamano lore? All true. This old-school deli shows why they're an institution.“

“Consistently excellent meals with a very attentive staff.“

“Very fun social vibe, special Birthday ritual, food was excellent, I practically licked my plate, service was attentive and the manager very active.“

“I had dinner here and it's the best ITALIAN FOOD I've had in a long time,SERVICE was great as well.“

“Excellent food, excellent service and reasonably priced!“

“Dante’s has truly transformed the old Alexis Steakhouse space with a modern, refreshing facelift and a fantastic menu to match. It’s the perfect spot for happy hour, a night out with family or friends, or even a business lunch. One of the standout features is their exclusive upstairs party room, which accommodates 75+ guests—ideal for baby showers, bridal showers, or business meetings. The space includes a flat-screen TV for presentations or party highlights, plus its own private bathroom and bar. Convenience is another plus: Dante’s offers plenty of parking and is located near all major highways (Rt. 46, Rt. 3, Parkway, Turnpike, and Rt. 80). The cozy bar area is great for catching a game, and their intimate lounge space comfortably seats up to 10 people with private wait service—perfect for small gatherings. I’ve enjoyed Dante’s for everything from meeting friends and business lunches to happy hours and private lounge get-togethers. The food never disappoints: the prime burger is massive and made with quality prime rib, the tuna tartare is fresh and loaded with avocado, and their homemade chips are addictive. The clams casino are packed with flavor, the steak sandwich features premium cuts, and the pear salad with grilled chicken is a delicious option if you’re looking for something lighter. Check it out—you won’t be disappointed!“

“I love coming here! Whether eat in, order take-out directly or Doordash it, they are always on point. I've tried a variety of things on their menu including dessert. It's always perfect! Great job with the flavors & consistency of all your dishes!“

“First time here and the food was delicious. The service was wonderful the people are all very nice.“

“I just celebrated a birthday and the food was delicious and bon appetit. We were delighted with sautéed spinach, salmon; Pork chop dinner and black spaghetti dinner. The waiter was superb along with his sense of humor.“

“Here’s my review that I’ve been meaning to leave for a while! Overall, I’m really happy this place opened in the neighborhood and we’ve already been back several times.

Location/atmosphere: Unbeatable. Such a great addition to the Walnut Street area, and I’m a huge fan of the fast casual setup. It makes eating out with kids SO much easier. The patio is also amazing and has quickly become one of those places you naturally gravitate toward with kids or on a beautiful day.

Food: Really great! We’ve enjoyed the pastas, salads and pizzas. The menu is very pork-heavy, and I do hope over time they consider adding a few more options that make the menu accessible to those who don’t eat pork, including Muslim and Jewish diners. That said, I understand the menu is very authentic to the specific region of Italy the owners are from, and I genuinely respect that they’ve stayed true to that rather than watering it down. Hopefully there’s a way to preserve that authenticity while adding a little more variety over time.

Accessibility: The patio is wonderful, but the main entrance has a step, which can make getting in with a stroller or wheelchair a tad stressful. There is a flat entrance along the side, as well as a side door, but both have generally been blocked off when we’ve visited. I’m sure there’s a reason, but I’d love to see that reconsidered, it would make the restaurant much more accessible and stroller-friendly!

Service: The wait staff are fantastic. Everyone we’ve interacted with has been incredibly kind, patient and genuinely great at what they do. My one piece of constructive feedback is regarding one of the owners (glasses/slicked-back hair). On a few visits, I’ve found his demeanor a little dismissive or unwelcoming, whether asking questions about the menu or dining with our extended family. It’s hard to pinpoint and certainly not enough to keep us from coming back, but there have been a few interactions where I’ve walked away feeling like we weren’t quite as warmly received as other customers. I’m mentioning it because everything else about this place makes us want to keep supporting it, and a little more warmth in those interactions would go a long way.

Overall, a really great neighborhood addition with delicious food, an amazing outdoor space and a wonderful staff. We’ll absolutely continue coming back!“