50 Best Italian Restaurants near Maplewood

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

“i went with a group of 5 people and it was amazing!

we split the margarita pie, rustic bread with ricotta and corn, rustic bread with stracciatella cheese and pesto, cacio pepe fries, and cacio pepe pasta.

everything was so delicious. i don't have a fav. i just loved all of these dishes. all different flavors and of course cheese and carbs lol.

the only con i have is that the portions tend to be smaller and prices are higher. so go with people to share things. i also know its a small place with big windows. you will get blinded if the sun is shining on you. so just ask to shut the shade.

they also don't seat you until your whole party arrives.

overall it was a great place and you def. need to check them out.“

“REALLY GOOD PIZZA DEFINITELY MADE MY TOP 10 AND FOR YOU GUYS THAT KNOW ME KNOW I EAT ALOT OF PIZZA FROM ALL OVER THE 5 BOROUGHS AND BEYOND“

“Words can’t describe how good that agnolotti with the ribeye and black truffle was, It would have felt like a felony to even drop one, the only downside was they are so filling that I saw two left on my plate and knew I could not finish them. The atmosphere and kitchen were lovely too and everyone was nice and the arancini were very good too. Delicious.“

“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.“

“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 (-:“

“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.“

“Wonderful food. Nice attentive service!“

“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“

“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.“

“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.“

“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“

“The best pizza in NJ“

“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.“

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

“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 🍝🍷👍☺️“

“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.“

“Excellent food, excellent service and reasonably priced!“

“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.“

“Not a better pizza on Staten Island, than Deninos! Just the right amount of crust and every topping is quality. I’ve celebrated birthdays, dates and just a great Friday night bar scene if you want. It’s the best of Staten Island!“

“My husband and I just ate at Allettante, and what a superb experience!! Everything was absolutely delicious. My husband had the Chicken Parmesan, and I had the Branzino. Both dishes were flavorful, beautifully prepared and truly did not disappoint!

Our waitress was incredibly attentive and made sure we were comfortable and satisfied throughout our entire dining experience. A huge shoutout to all of the owners as well, who personally took the time to come over, greet us and thank us for supporting their establishment. That personal touch meant so much!

It’s always a pleasure to support a Black-owned, Newark-raised family restaurant, that takes such pride in its food, hospitality and community. We will definitely be back again and again! Wishing Allettante continued success and many more years of serving the community. 🩷“

“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. 👍👍“

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

“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.“

“Frequented the old location many times and loved it every time. 1st time at the new location this past Saturday and… WOW. Food was above and beyond as was the service. PEI white mussels are out of this world. Duck breast and lamb chops were delicious. With tomorrow being the 1st day of spring we are that much closing to a lovely meal on the patio.“

“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.“

“The most attentive staff. The food was phenomenal. The owner came to our table twice. Once to greet us and give us a complimentary calamari which was delicious and later to ask if we enjoyed our meal. It was our first time dining there. It won't be our last. It was a great experience.“

“Todo excelente, lo recomiendo“

“Delicious food with great service!!“

“We enjoyed a gorgeous dinner at La Rocca Osteria, on the corner of Midland Avenue and Portland Place (a block south-east of Valley Road and a block north-east of Bloomfield Avenue), this week. The food was brilliant - fresh, flavorful and great portion sizes. I was thrilled with my choices of the buratta salad, crabmeat-stuffed lobster tail with mashed potatoes and a chocolate mousse cake. My fella demolished the mussels and clams in a white wine and garlic sauce, lasagne (he thought it was so delicious that he even bought a second portion to give to his dad) and cheesecake. I almost wish I’d taken photographs, but I was more interested in the experience than documenting it. The service was fantastic as well - friendly, calm, organized and reliable. Parking nearby wasn’t difficult either. It’s the second time we’ve eaten there; the first was on our first date. It was just as lovely then too.“

“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.“

“Teresa is lovely & welcoming & did a fabulous job with this Italian deli/restaurant! Delicious meatballs, great salads, spotless & cozy dining space along with pretty outdoor seating. I definitely recommend this restaurant.“

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

“Fantastic!! So glad we came, by far the best Italian we’ve had….ever! Service from the outset was 1st class, very attentive team, could not do enough for you. Food quality was outstanding. Definitely worth the price tag.“

“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.“

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

“My husband and I love Primavera. We had our wedding rehearsal dinner of 65 people here in June 2025 and the owner/chef, along with all the staff were so friendly & accommodating. Guests from our rehearsal dinner still talk about the meals they had that night and the amazing atmosphere of the restaurant.

My husband and I now try to go to Primavera at least once a month as a date night and the staff still remember us and are so attentive. The food is very delicious and the different specials each night you can tell are thought of with intention and care. We highly recommend if you want a date night there or a private party!“

“Back in October, we had a surprise 30th birthday dinner for my daughter with a party of 22 people. The waitress was spectacular. The staff and owners were veryaccommodating and the food was delicious. They allowed us to come ahead of time to decorate. The event turned out wonderful!!!“

“Outstanding food, pizza is better than in Italy and I lived in Italy for a couple of years! Meatballs are so light. I don’t know how they could make them that way, would love a recipe! The sauce is also fantastic, well seasoned and flavorful! If you like spicy food, their muscles are a must try and they serve them with a fresh hot home baked bread, you can’t stop eating it! Their zucchini fritters are light and crisp like potato chips and not greasy at all and served with light lemony humus! If you haven’t eaten there yet, it’s a must! You won’t be disappointed!“

“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.“

“Everything was perfect from the atmosphere to the excellent service to the delicious food!“

“Best Pizza in Union & Middlesex County HANDS DOWN! The Hot sandwiches, calzones, Stromboli’s all great! The dining area has that cozy home “cucina” feel. The serving staff are friendly and prompt. Whether it’s take out or dine in. Max’s Pizzeria & Restaurant is the only place that gets my money! Quality, Value & great food ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

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

“Love Felina! It is so beautiful inside and the food was very good. We all enjoyed the complimentary eggplant and bread and the linguine dish was fantastic! The calamari app was also perfect. My friends and I were there for all of our birthdays and it was fantastic, they made us feel so special!!! Our server was so helpful and nice. The bar manager was also so nice and made excellent drinks! We all shared a perfect tiramisu to end the night. We are def going back!“