50 Best Italian Restaurants near Neptune City

“We stumbled on this spot to take out pizza, which is very good. Now it’s become our local spot. Amazing salads - no boring iceberg lettuce, it’s arugula, pears, gorgonzola….Fave entrees include super eggplant parm, tortellini, the classics. Also great lunch deals.
Prices are very reasonable and the staff a delight. No ambiance but it’s a friendly, local spot with super food in generous portions.“

“Great food and friendly service. Local family atmosphere. Highly recommended 👌“

“Love this place!! Always an excellent meal. Last night my boyfriend had a blackened pork chop with Murphy sauce and I had Monk fish Francaise. Both absolutely delish!!“

“Wow the pizza was amazing. Love the thin crust, the sauce was good. Just yummy. Next time I’d only order just pepperoni cause the bacon was just ok. We ordered an appetizer of fried ravioli (skip appetizers, just get pizza. Trust me) the vibes of the place were great after a day in the ocean.“

“Delicious food & great staff. I actually have a problem. a new addiction. I'm seeking help. No really. Delicioussssss stuff. 😍“

“Their food is made fresh delicious. Friendly staff. Great prices. Very clean. I love going there. They are outstanding. Great place to have have lunch with your family or dinner Having a party they have pizza kids will love Let’s support this amazing restaurant. In town“

“Had a awesome experience and the lasagna was good“

“My family and I love Maurizio's because their food is fantastic. We have catered food through them, and eaten in their back room on several occasions. Most recently, we celebrated the birthdays of two family members. Maurizio's wonderful staff not only accommodated our needs and large group, but also facilitated the cutting of the birthday cake we brought. 10/10 would recommend!“

“Great food and friendly staff, my grandson ask me to bring Luigi’s pizza down to Georgia so 12 hour car ride fresh delivery“

“During our short stay in the area, we chose to dine here as it was one of the few restaurants open on a Monday. We had an excellent meal, with starter and main course which were delicious. The staff were friendly, helpful and very caring towards my elderly mother. Thank you in particular to Adam for his help with organising the taxi for us .“

“Delicious meal from start to finish! Don’t skip dessert ?“

“Excellent food, service and ambiance. Kristin was amazing!“

“What a great time! I'm not sure why some reviews say ride staff. I didn't see that at all. Tables are a little toght but not that bad. Service was exceptional and they have a TON of gluten free food. Save room for dessert. Only thing is go early or you'll be waiting even though you have reservations and BYOB. Can't wait to go back!“

“Wow The best Italian restaurant at the jersey shore if you go Friday or Saturday you better get a reservation I would suggest you get one during the week also to be safe. Byob food and atmosphere are outstanding and the hostess waitresses and owner are so nice they make you feel like you were invited to their home for Sunday dinner with the family.“

“Was lucky to snag a chef's counter reservation on Friday. The service and food was amazing. We had the latke and pork chop paired with a really lovely wine. We loved the Harry's bar so much that we returned the next night for cocktails and snacks.“

“Our friend highly recommended Spanos Restutant , our first time, Was absolutely outstanding, The nicest customer service was the owner introduced himself to us with three special appetizers he made and greeted us with a Bon appétit Everything is made special to order,go go go and order there homemade bread pudding with chocolate in middle & there vanilla ice cream Thank you Mr Spano , for a special evening ??“

“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.“

“Amazing food amazing service“

“Excellent service by Don. We were fortunate to be seated in front corner window which gave us privacy. Every dish ordered was excellent, including dessert. The back room includes a brick oven. Worth the 5 stars I posted!“

“Food… Service… Atmosphere… FIVE STARS!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“The food is so good in Marandola‘s restaurant.“

“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!!!“

“Delicious food. The crab stuffed mushrooms were amazing. Highly recommend.“

“From the minute that we got there until we left very friendly.Great service!! It was our first time there.They gave us this beautiful salad on the house! Our food was delicious! GOOD bread,Eggplant parmesan,lasagna, cavitelli and broccoli rob. The meatballs are possibly the best i've ever had out, not even kidding. The red sauce was delicious, teeny bit salty for me but by far better than what I have experienced in the recent times I have been out to eat. Can't wait to go back. Very friendly atmosphere!“

“While we were too early to try anything off the menu, I wanted to thank this business for opening their doors (and bathroom!) to the people at the Pride Parade. The gentleman at the counter was sunny and kind and let everyone in. Most other businesses did not. We already have this place earmarked for our dinner after our next beach day. Thank you for being excellent humans.“

“Amazingly delicious food. Friendly service“

“Great food amazing service and wonderful warm hospitality“

“Always accommodating! Very close to work and convenient.“

“Superb Pizza and Pasta dishes, especially The Sunday Sauce. Casual and consistent. BYO and enjoy!“

“Our family had dinner there this evening. our waiter Austin was absolutely phenomenal and the food was delicious“

“The food is so good. During the winter it's open to the public, but over the summer it's a club, members only. It's recommended to make a reservation although they can take walk-ins. The pastas are so good. The specialty pizza was delicious. The service was so friendly and attentive. This is a kosher dairy restaurant, with delicious mocktails. They do have fish on the menu as well.“

“I’ve been coming to this restaurant for years. This is by far my favorite restaurant in Ocean Township! If you want a great fine dining experience with delicious food and a friendly owner and staff, Piccolo’s is the place to go! They are consistently delicious :). Highly recommend this establishment. 5 Stars!!!
.“

“Delicious food and great service. Wonderful atmosphere. So nice to see the owners welcoming you too.“

“Warm, welcoming feeling as soon as you walk in. Our waiter really knew the menu well and how each dish was prepared. Service was excellent. Too many items looked great. Portion sizes are geared for sharing, so larger group would have given us the ability to try more items. The Chicken Parm is as good as everyone has recommended. From the fresh Burrata to two half portions of different pastas and the light Hazelnut cheesecake, it was excellent. We will be back as well a look forward to going their other location, Raia's in Long Branch that recently opened.“

“We just had my daughter’s bridal shower there and everything was perfect. We chose the lunch buffet and the food was delicious. There was so much included and it was priced very reasonably. The room upstairs was very spacious for our group of 40 people. It was nice to have our own bathroom and bar. The servers were friendly and attentive and also very helpful. Thank you for making the day run so smoothly. It was perfect!!“

“Hard to beat these Eats Beautiful restaurant“

“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.“

“We went on Saturday for dinner...My wife had Eggplant Rollatini for an appy and Chicken Francese for dinner...I had the Sauteed Clams for an appy and the Seafood Fra Diavolo for dinner....Everything was Excellent....Next we will try the pizza...“

“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!!“

“Last night we came in before a show we were seeing! Our waiter Collin was fantastic he was nice and attentive and made sure that we had everything we needed. The pasta with the spicy sauce was amazing. Collin suggested the meatballs and they were honestly the best meatballs I ever had at a restaurant. We will be back for sure!“

“Food was good but the bread was not! There’s plenty of good Italian bread nearby in Staten Island and bklyn! Get some real bread there“

“Delicious food and friendly service!“

“Great food and nice place to be“

“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!“

“Everything in the store that’s offered“

“The food was delicious and our server was excellent. We will be going back. Plus a byob is always nice.“

“Nino Jr's food is so delicious. I recently catered from them for my daughter's baby shower and our guests raved about the food. It was amazing. Everyone wanted to know where the food came from. The entire experience was wonderful! The staff was so wonderful also. Everything from the ordering experience to delivery was incredible. I highly recommend Nino Jr's. The best Italian food!“

“Awesome food and service by Justin! Thank you!“

“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.“