50 Best Italian Restaurants near Maplewood

“Wonderful, consistently good food in a friendly atmosphere. Because it is popular, it can be a bit noisy. The inability to make a reservation is a detriment but makes us eat early. They do m charge fir bread, but it is a very wonderful peasant bread worth the extra cost.“

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

“If you love good pizza and live in North Jersey, you have to check them out! The garlic knots are so good. I was sad to see the confetti cake go, but they suggested the cinnamon one — guess I've got my next visit planned! I ordered the garlic knot. It's the hugest l've ever seen. The pepperoni slice was so yummy.“

“I'd give a 10/10 if I could. Food? PHENOMENAL. Best homemade pasta I've had in years. Absolutely delicious. The service was fantastic, the people were so nice and welcoming and the atmosphere was so clean and comfortable. Absolutely recommend checking this place out.“

“We have been regulars for years!“

“The margherita pizza and house salad have been a favorite and a staple my diet since we moved here five years ago. But tonight, after slice/uber eats screwed up my order, Sabatino himself came and delivered my food and won my loyalty forever! You really can't beat excellent food and a kind, community-oriented owner. Please check this place out if you haven't already!“

“First time at Artie's since the move and name change from Arturo's in the village. The new place is big and modern with a warehouse vibe similar to Porta's in Asbury park. The pizza is amazing the crust has a little more tooth than a typical wood fired style you can taste the freshness and quality of the ingredients at first bite. Will definitely return.“

“Roman Gourmet has been around a long time and they have delicious pizza and other Italian specialties. When you come here for pizza, it's as if you walked into a time warp - the pizzeria looks like it's from another time, but they have amazing service and always with a smile. If you order a pizza to go, you know it'll be ready within 30 minutes, not like some of the other pizzerias in the area. A great place!“

“I eat at Maplewood Pizzeria occasionally. My food is always good and service has always been friendly. Last week, my job order zeppole from there, but they gave the wrong time for pickup. The event would have started before the pick-up time. We'll, I went there and explained the situation to the young man behind the counter. He told me he would start the order for me, and I had two pans of freshly made zeppole in 20 minutes. They were delicious. The service was impeccable and above and beyond anything that we could have hoped. BTW, the zeppoles were delicious, and the trays were overflowing. They were delicious, and everyone asked where we purchased them. Maplewood Pizzeria saved the day.“

“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.“

“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 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“

“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 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“

“Had a great evening at Sapori. Started with enjoying a glass of the wine we brought while waiting for our table to be ready. Absolutely delicious food: filet mignon lasagna that was chock full of meat, octopus that was perfectly cooked, and meaty saffron mussels. Service from Julian was attentive. And we enjoyed lovely music from an electric violinist. Will definitely return.“

“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.“

“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“

“Excellent food, excellent service and reasonably priced!“

“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. 👍👍“

“Great food, excellent service!“

“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!“

“Great Place!! Will be back for sure“

“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 ‼️“

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

“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 :)“

“Delicious pizza! Needs a little more crunch though.“

“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!“

“Todo excelente, lo recomiendo“

“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!!!“

“Delicious food with great service!!“

“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.“

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

“Excellent service , cozy atmosphere. Place is second to none !“

“Anticipation was that I am going to an old school Italian restaurant with 90 years tradition. And that was exactly what I encountered. Simplified old look, polite and hospitable workers, and good food. Portions are ridiculously large. One of the times I went was during their September Wednesday deals when you can order a pasta and get another one for 1$, and I expected due to promotion that servings might be slightly smaller. Since I ate one and brought the other one home, I measured it and it was 3.2 Lbs portion!!!

Oh yeah, it's BYOB, so bring some wine to complement your food“