50 Best Italian Restaurants near Highlands

“Thank you for such a wonderful evening! We couldn’t have chosen a better place for Kelsey and Michael’s rehearsal dinner. Service was excellent, staff was so welcoming and accommodating ❤️ All of the food was delicious with beautiful presentation. Thanks so much!“

“Super delicious Italian cuisine, excellent dessert menu, super ambiance, free parking and to top it all off; you can stroll the boardwalk to enjoy the cool sea breeze of the Atlantic Ocean.“

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

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

“Amazing food amazing service“

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

“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!!!“

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

“This was my first time here. I'm visiting from Pennsylvania. It won't be my last. We ordered dinner to go. We had Chicken La Nonna, and Housemade Rigatoni. Everything was light fresh and delicious. The portions were large enough to have some for lunch tomorrow. Fresh bread was excellent. Now let me tell you about the Creme Brule cheesecake. I can't. It was so good that even I am speechless. I may have to go back tomorrow for another piece. Absolutely delicious. The staff was very friendly and the service was great.“

“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.“

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

“Great food amazing service and wonderful warm hospitality“

“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.“

“My favorite! Love their mushroom pizza! Always fresh! They use quality ingredients !“

“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.“

“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!!“

“Had the Tricolore Salad with grilled shrimp today and it was DELICOUS!!!! Dad has the poke bowl and loved it. Service and atmosphere were great!“

“Everyone is so friendly and the food is delicious I highly recommend“

“Great food and nice place to be“

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

“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.“

“Looking for a place to celebrate your birthday? Undici restaurant is the place! The food, service and atmosphere was fabulous. I was greeted with Happy Birthday when I checked in. The table was set with a Happy birthday card. After a splendid meal and a dessert with a birthday candle, we were treated with Champagne and Meletti. Thanks for making my birthday so spectacular!“

“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!“

“Stopped by the newly opened Gigi’s in Long Branch on my way to the beach. First off, loved that they have a parking lot which didn’t stress me about finding a spot cause I was going to have that adventure when I headed to the beach. I ordered the grandma’s pie and garlic knots! The grandma’s pie had pesto on it and I am a s***** for pesto!! Love the crust style being crispy. Hands down the best garlic knots I ever had! Don’t sleep on this place. It’s 3 blocks from the beach, easy parking and they deliver. I look forward to some pasta dishes on my next visit! Other key likes of mine was the aesthetic, it’s beautiful Inside but decorated to make you feel outside. I was very impressed with the kid friendly atmosphere of the chalkboard wall, beanbag seats and they even have juice boxes on hand for the kiddos. They also accommodate our tweens and teens with a pizza wing mural for their insta! They really thought of everything. The whole staff were so accommodating and genuine. Thank you Tommy and Faye for a great experience.“

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

“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!!!“

“Old world Delicious Pizza. Home made Dough not processed. Highly recommended. Sooo good !“

“We went here yesterday before a show at the theater... Food was outstanding great service and great ambience“

“Food was good, service was great (Alex) . They charge you if you use your credit card and in my case my debit card. My biggest complaint is that the oysters were the size of my thumb nail, so skip the oysters.“

“The food and the service was excellent very reasonably priced and a very nice atmosphere“

“I recommend the roast beef kitchen club sandwich. And the rice ball filled with meat is the best in town. Yum!“

“Love everything about your restaurant. The atmosphere, your staff is a delight , the food is absolutely delicious!! Love , Love Love ❤️ See you very soon again !!!“

“I order from Nunzio’s at least twice a month. It’s always fresh, in large amount, and just as good as the last time! I went in for pickup once and everyone was so kind and the kitchen was very clean. Today, uber forgot an item and they personally drove to my house in a flash! I love it there!“

“I'm originally from New York so I am very judgy when it comes to pizza. This place brings me right back to home, great atmosphere, great people and delicious food. The owner Lewis is an awesome guy. Great place, great food, great people.“

“Delicious Authentic Pizza, Reminds me of NYC pizza in the 80’s. I will drive an hour again to have another slice of Heaven !“

“Amazing food will go back“

“My first time here. Loved it. The food was delicious! Felt like I immediately was in a neighborhood restaurant. And the prices weren’t over the top. Very reasonable.“

“I've been going to Brother's Pizza for YEARS! Best pizza around!!“

“Good food - great service.“

“Really enjoyed the pizza. Highly recommend the food, friendly service & great atmosphere!“

“Had a Stromboli that was great ! Great service & the staff was great ! Looking forward to going to there new place in eatontown next to earth treasures !“

“Perfect non boardwalk slice. Regular size but still takes up the whole plate. Great sauce and crust and cheeses is perfect. Thanks AJ and Tony.“

“Best pizza and service!!! Amazing wings, salad, everything!!!“

“Great food. Nice people. The best!“

“I got the steak hero, was quite good, my wife got the salad with grilled chicken..another visit I tried the pizza too,, was excellent everything is fresh and big portions.“

“My wife and I went to Christines last night, on recommendations from many, to celebrate her birthday. Wow. Met at the door by the owner, Ron. Big personality that was both genuine and welcoming. He and the staff made my wife feel extra special! The food was what I was expecting, given all the reviews from friends, authentic and delicious! Everything from the appetizers, main courses, desert....exceptional. Can't wait to go back. Highly recommend!“

“i was there yesterday with my son and his girlfriend ( 5-10-2025 ) we had a very nice time waitress was great also the food ,is was my mothers day treat ( they came down from pa ) they have never been there i have i live in middletown nj thank you again“