50 Best Italian Restaurants near Irvington

“I used to go to Big Joe's as a teen, I'm around 40 now lol and they came to mind when my kids wanted a Italian cheeseburger. I had a chicken parm. Still delicious as it was over 20 years ago! Thank you Joe's for bringing back that nostalgic feeling. My kids loved it, you're their go to now!“

“We place large orders here and they are always extremely delicious and handled with utmost care. I'm obsessed with the turkey ham and pineapple (don't judge me). The pizza has that chewy crust, the cheese is quality (I know because it melts right), and it's always on time.“

“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.“

“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 :)“

“We had a wonderful time at Sapori! The food is incredible and service was fantastic! We had the mussels and rock shrimp to start and they were delicious! Had the halibut, lobster pasta, steak pasta and seafood risotto and everything was amazing! Will definitely be back.“

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

“Wonderful food. Nice attentive service!“

“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.“

“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 🤌🏼“

“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 !“

“Cielo delivers a fantastic dining experience with world class service and delicious food! The staff is warm, attentive, and truly elevates the meal. The food is flavorful and well prepared. The atmosphere could use more personality to match everything else, but overall a wonderful restaurant well worth visiting!“

“This place was such a great discovery! Beautiful interior and an excellent cocktail selection, both in taste and presentation. The Gin & Jam was fantastic, and the Coconut Espresso Martini is probably one of the best espresso martinis I’ve had.

We ordered the lamb chops, which were cooked to perfection, and the oyster mushroom pasta, both dishes were outstanding. Finished with tiramisu, which was also very good.

Lastly, the staff was incredibly kind and attentive! Definitely a great spot - will be back!“

“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.“

“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.“

“very attentive service without being intrusive. Our meals were absolutely delicious, so fresh and hot. Dessert was heavenly. Thank you for making our wedding anniversary perfect“

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

“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.“

“The Mootz ! Best around !“

“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!“

“We had tomato herb soup, crab cakes, caesar salad, pounded veal parm, pappardelle bolognese, carrot cake & coffee ice cream for dessert and it was all excellent!!!!! The staff service was without flaw!!!!!! Thank you for a wonderful dinner experience! Sincerely, Craig & Karen“

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

“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!“

“Excellent food, excellent service and reasonably priced!“

“Consistently excellent meals with a very attentive staff.“

“The best pizza in NJ“

“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!“

“Excellent service and food. Accommodating for dietary needs. They even took our group earlier than our reservation which was much appreciated as we were all from out of town and heading home immediately following lunch. Roasted potatoes, chicken francese, eggplant parm and sausage with peppers all got rave reviews.“

“We chose Montclair, NJ as a midway point to meet up with our daughter’s boyfriend’s family for an early Sunday night dinner. And got so lucky finding Boschetto! What a perfect spot! The food was delicious with so many great gourmet options, including vegetarian varieties. We loved the concept of ordering and paying as we dine, and the leisurely pace of the meal and byob was perfect. The vibe was great, restaurant was modern and clean-and the owner and staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Such an amazing find- Boschetto is our new go- to meeting place. We can’t wait to return and try more from their eclectic menu.“

“I have always loved Bella Mamas,, and now it's has gotten even better, with the grilled pizzas , the new menu, the portion are huge and you are definitely taking left overs. very inviting atmosphere.“

“We had our daughters 18th Birthday Bash here at the Appian Way on: February 5th, 2022. We dealt with Bob throughout the whole process. And he was just great! Alot is included in the price you receive. And many other venues don't compare when it comes to price. Helping to save you some money along the way. The rooms are beautiful and my guest were amazed. The workers were accommodating and helped get our room together way before time. This helped us tremendously with getting most of the setup being done the night before. The lighting is awesome. The food was absolutely delicious. My guests are still raving about the food. It really was better than I expected. I will definitely be back to celebrate more gatherings. Thank you Bob and your staff for your get service.“

“I have used catering from Mazzella's several times now and never disappoints! Food is always fresh and abundant. Guests always ask where I got the food. 👍👍“

“Just had a magnificent dinner at La Bottiglia! It was our anniversary and we wanted to enjoy a great dinner at a restaurant with great ambience and a quiet and cozy atmosphere. From the delicious hot antipasto to start our meal along with a delicious house wine and amazing cosmopolitan we knew we were in the right place to celebrate a momentous occasion. The hot antipasto was so delicious and plentiful along with warm, fresh bread and focaccia to spread the homemade caponata on. Off to a great start! We were now full! The chicken parmigiana that my husband ordered was great according to him, and he is a harsh food critic! My salmon Dijon with mixed vegetables was so good!! I order it every time I come here as it is so very delicious! The desserts are amazing! The cannolis are so good. Double espressos are so rich and satisfying! To top off the great meal is the hospitality of the entire restaurant staff. They are so professional and efficient with such a warm and welcoming attitude! I can’t say enough good things about La Bottiglia! You have to come and try it for yourself! You will be very pleased, I’m sure!“

“Had a great dinner! Always great service too!“

“Atmosphere is great ! Service is excellent!! Food is delicious!!! It’s an all around great place to eat with friends , family , etc.“

“What a great Christmas Party… The room was decorated beautifully with Christmas Cheer… The food was amazing…truly the best meatballs in the state ♥️ the staff was courteous friendly & attentive…Enjoyed the evening with friends…Thank you to Gilda & family for never disappointing ‼️“

“The best thin Sicilian pizza I have ever had in my 56 years of life. Recommended 100%.“

“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.“

“Seasonal dishes fresh and beautifully presented! Friendly and helpful team with excellent dish recommendations :)“

“Il Forno was a very pleasant surprise. The lunch specials exceeded my expectations. The food and the service was very good. I would recommend this restaurant to my friends.“

“We are Never disappointed eating at La Campagnola~ the Food is Amazing ~ the Service is always impeccable ~ love the Ambiance ! We Wish you were in Monmouth County ~ but the distance won’t stop us from returning again ~ We’ll be back Brian 🍝🍷👍☺️“

“I was there when I was using a rollator.. super easy to get around inside for being disabled! The food was delicious!“

“The food never ever disappoints“

“Apps and entrees are delicious...have eaten here 5 times and had something different each time...was never disappointed. Always have really good specials too...just don't ask for olive oil with your bread...I don't think it was even olive oil...very bad...otherwise is great.“

“Excellent sandwiches. I especially like their chicken cutlet ones. We pick up from here a couple times a month and have never been disappointed.“

“A true gem of restaurants in Livingston, NJ. The delicious food reminds me of the fantastic food we tasted in Italy. This is very different from most Italian restaurants in America. The presentation of the food is superb and the food is amazing. Be prepared for an epicurean feast followed by delectable dessert. Prices are very reasonable, in addition.“

“The food was delicious!!!“

“I’m not from JC. My boyfriend is a firefighter @ Rescue 1. For various reasons I won’t bore y’all with details, I had to call back multiple times to change delivery time as well as add on to order. Everyone I spoke w were absolutely amazing! They are an extremely accommodating business. Everyone who I spoke with is a class act. Thx y’all!!!!“

“Hosted my 30th high school class reunion and it was a blast! Great food & staff. Many thanks to Sal for accommodating all our needs.“

“ALWAYS.. fantastic Italian food. The very best!! Been going there every Saturday night since they opened. Unbelievable Italian cuisine, great service & Frankie and Jen are concerned & attentive to their customers.“