50 Best Italian Restaurants near Oakland

“Attended a baby shower. The food was the best I have ever had in a long time. Everything was delicious. I will be back really soon“

“From the moment we walked in, the host greeted us like old friends and walked us right to our table — I instantly had a good feeling, and I was right. Our server was awesome — super friendly, knew the menu inside out, and was on top of everything all night.

The menu is classic Italian but with a twist — way more interesting than your standard North Jersey Italian spot. The ossobuco was fantastic (if I had to nitpick, I’d say the risotto could’ve used a touch less water and a heavier hand with the parm). The clams were fresh and baked to perfection, and my son devoured his ravioli. For dessert, the bread pudding was absolutely unreal — honestly worth the trip alone.

Safe to say we’ll be regulars!“

“We have been going to Trovatos since they opened years ago ,
It is so Real NJ Italian!!
The food is SO over the top, I'm talking fresh and authentic NJ food here, top quality ingredients, no cutting cormers, the real thing!
Tony and staff are the most friendly and courteous of any North Jersey restaurants I've ever visited. Simply the best!!!
Go there!“

“It does not look like much on the outside (it’s a pizza place) but the Margherita was TOP NOTCH.
And while many places have pushed the price of their pies towards $30 including tax, we’ve paid $25 for a large pie and two cokes. Thumbs Up, Junior!!“

“Excellent Italian food. They know what it should be.“

“We have ordered from Frank's numerous times with no issues. Tonight, driver arrived with 2 items missing and instead of leaving the items he had, took them with him....cold when he returned. Must have thought he was an Indy car driver on the way back because all the sauce for the mussels was gone, box was saturated. When questioned, he checked and said Ooops, sorry, and left. Called and spoke with the Manager who seemed less than Customer Service concerned although did offer another order of mussels. Unfortunately, with the fear of sabotage on the replacement due to complaining, we declined. Should have offered some kind of refund. As a Client Svc Mgr this is an unacceptable response to a dissatisfied client. We will not be ordering from Frank's again. I guess they have enough clients to not care about EVERY client. Shame!“

“Yes..Staff, Service and Food always great! Have been dining here since they opened. We enjoy the Jekyll and Hyde calamari and the spiedini appetizers. Anton makes a great rack of pork and filet mignon. We ended with cappuccinos which hit the spot. 👍👍👍👍👍“

“Tonight I had the pleasure to dine at Bici restaurant in Ramsey, NJ. From the minute I walked in, I knew I was going to like it! You are greeted in such a warm and friendly manner. One of the owners, Marcello makes his rounds around the room speaking to his customers and making you feel at home. Everything I ordered was delicious and the waiters are so polite and attentive. Pleasant atmosphere and I will be back again. Thank you staff for your hospitality. It’s a BYOB. It’s a small restaurant with outdoor dining. Definitely 5 stars!!!!!“

“The atmosphere and food is always 5 ⭐️. Met Mario the chef fantastic !“

“Always try to the best, make the customers happy, make sure they enjoy their meals. give a good service and good food.Mezza Luna Bistro .“

“Well, this is a special place, don't you believe? Let's see.I was walking around looking for a place to eat and saw this deli , mind you that when you see a line outside a deli and customers willing wait in the cold for food , you know the food is going to be off the hook ! In line a sweet man was telling the history of the deli and how is the best town and anything I choose will definitely make me happy, another customer arrives and tells me to how much he loves it ! I knew I had found a gem that needs to be shared , because customer's are raving for it , the employees and owner sweetest guy very patient in waiting for me to decide what I wanted I even bought few things brought from Italy while I waited for My delicious 🤤 Little Nicky sandwich 🥪 which not only is so big I ate it for lunch and dinner 🍽️ is the best sandwich I've had in years ! I appreciate the stories of when it was established. I care so much for the excellent customer service and the way they run the place makes you feel like you step into a home! I'm definitely looking forward to what to try next!!! Sorry for the no picture of the sandwich, I ate the whole thing 🤣 don't forget grab freshly made mozzarella!!!!!“

“Had my daughter’s bridal shower here Saturday. It was amazing. My friends all said it was one of the best bridal shower they have been to. A large selection of food and fabulous ambience. I highly recommend! You won’t be disappointed.😋“

“REALLY good food- service great.“

“Muy buena comida y buena atención un sitio agradable“

“The best pizza in NJ“

“We had my daughters baby shower here yesterday. The food was absolutely amazing! The manager Sam was extremely easy to work with long distance (I live in Pennsylvania). The wait staff were very friendly and attentive . I would highly recommend this place for a private party.“

“Had a surprise birthday party here for my sister in law. The staff, including Brianna and Jasmine were fantastic. They were so accommodating with our requests and the service and food were on point! We were able to arrive early to decorate our party area that already looked very nice without our decorations. We picked off their standard party menu but they had no problem tweaking it to our requests. Last minute requests for pasta and butter for kids was no problem. We have already placed a deposit for my daughter's bridal shower for next year. Also..BYOB!!!“

“Absolutely amazing. Julia was our waitress and she was very attentive but not overbearing like others can be. She knew when to come and check on us and when we just wanted to be. Food was as always, delicious.“

“Every time we go to Lavagna, the owner and his staff are always gracious and accommodating. This past weekend, my family and I were looking for a place to go after my Mom's wake. It was after 8:00 pm and we thought we would try Lavagna, knowing that they may not be able to accommodate the 12 of us as is was late and Friday's are usually very busy. We asked and they went out of their way to seat us as close as possible and served us with a smile even with two picky kids in tow. The food was delicious, as always. Thank you Lavagna staff for a relaxing, delicious comforting meal!“

“I love this place it’s the best Italian food out there“

“My husband works in Hawthorne and we we’re looking for a good Italian restaurant. After Google reviews we decided to order from Ossy’s and we are so glad we did. When you first walk in the atmosphere is nostalgic and authentic. The staff is so warm and welcoming. I spoke with Ken the last time to place our order and he was a total sweetheart. We have ordered from them twice so far and their food is second to none. You can taste their passion for food. My husband ordered the Chicken Napolitano both times and said it was out of this world delicious. My son ordered Rigatoni with Vodka sauce and practically licked his plate clean!! I ordered Chicken Marsala and Chicken Sorrentino and it was one of the best I have ever had. Yes this is coming from a Jersey Italian whose family once owned a restaurant in Newark so my standards are very high. We did takeout but we are looking forward to bringing the family to the restaurant for a sit down meal. If you are looking for a great Italian restaurant look no further. Ossy’s is your place!“

“Came with my family to celebrate my dad’s birthday. The service was great and the atmosphere was lovely it felt like a true Italian restaurant. Food was amazing! We ended the night with some delicious desserts and complimentary limoncello!!“

“Cracker-crust pizza! Birchbeer!“

“Fabulous food, excellent service, wonderful restaurant !!!“

“Excellent food and service always an enjoyable evening at Michael Angelo’s in Fairfield“

“Vengo spesso da La Cambusa per una pausa veloce, ma non trovo il locale sull’app Coverflex; sapete se accettate i buoni pasto?“

“Has been our favorite restaurant for quite a few years. I LOVE their Veal Chop (I've had close to 100 over the years!!) and if i stray and go to pasta, the Wild Mushroom Ravioli has one of the best sauces you'll ever taste. My friend loves the Lasagna, various Chicken dishes and this time, she said the Orechiette alla Maria was so delicious! We've been starting with the Hot Antipasto for Two to get a taste of varied favorites (but they let us substitute NO mussels for extra clams). The Caesar Salad is always crisp and tasty. The service is outstanding and friendly with ample busboys delivering the extras and cleaning the table. We should also mention the super-friendly hostesses who start your meal off with a very positive note. Thank you all for an all-around enjoyable evening time and time again!“

“Came here with my husband for our anniversary. The garlic spread on the bread with scallions was so good! Then the homemade bread was so fresh out of the oven! The mozzy sticks and marinara were delicious! Crispy and cheesy. The sauce was wonderful. The potatoe croquettes were also so good and the sauce was amazing!! The soup was one of my favorites. Just right. I loved the thin noodles. The salad was ok but my husband enjoyed it. The chicken skillet with bruschetta was AMAZING! Very generous portions. The sauce was so flavorful. I added mushrooms and best mushrooms ever! The spinach was a little salty but great! And the bruschetta mixed was a wonderful mix! I truly did love it. The calamari was okay but not my thing. The pasta was amazing! And all homemade. My husband liked the calamari but didn’t realize it wasn’t breaded. The cookie and Ice cream were great! I liked the cheesecake! Very light! Highly recommend and would come back. Service was wonderful and I enjoyed how they spaced out the food.“

“Outrageous food, I had the veal chop and it was delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant.“

“My wife and I recently celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary at From Scratch, coinciding with the restaurant’s 10th anniversary, and it was an unforgettable evening that exceeded every expectation. From the moment we stepped into the warm, inviting space, the staff made us feel like honored guests, with a special nod to the milestone celebrations—both ours and theirs. The atmosphere buzzed with a joyful energy, perfectly balancing sophistication and comfort, as if the restaurant itself was toasting a decade of culinary excellence. The four-course tasting menu was a masterclass in flavor and creativity, each dish showcasing the kitchen’s dedication to crafting everything from scratch. I began with the beef tartare, a delicate yet bold starter. It set the tone for what was to come: precision and passion in every bite. My wife got the eggplant caponata for her first course, a vibrant dish that was both rustic and refined. It was a testament to how From Scratch elevates humble ingredients into something extraordinary. The handmade raviolis were an absolute highlight, each delicate parcel bursting with a silky ricotta filling. The pasta was so tender it practically melted, a labor of love that spoke to the restaurant’s name and ethos. We couldn’t stop raving about the texture—perfectly al dente, yet impossibly light. The mint added a hint of freshness to the dish, that I was originally hesitant about, but I’m happy I gave it a go! For the main courses, my wife got the lamb. Perfectly cooked to a rosy pink, it was fall-apart tender, and had a perfect crust on the outside. The dish was hearty yet elegant. Equally stunning were the scallops, seared to golden perfection with a buttery, caramelized crust. They sat around a small bed of caviar with purple mashed potatoes. Each bite was a harmonious balance of sea and earth. The meal concluded with a ricotta dessert that was nothing short of divine. The creamy, cloud-like ricotta mousse was paired with a coulis with ginger dough crumbs. It was the perfect sweet note to end the evening, light yet indulgent, with flavors that lingered long after the last spoonful. From Scratch isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of craft, community, and unforgettable moments. For our anniversary, we couldn’t have chosen a better place to mark the occasion, and we’re already looking forward to returning to see what the next decade brings for this culinary gem. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a dining experience that’s as heartfelt as it is delicious!“

“There is never a time that I can say that the experience wasn’t exceptional from start to finish. The food is always incredibly fresh, and you could truly taste the quality in every bite. The menu offers a wonderful variety of Italian dishes, each prepared with great attention to detail. The staff at Villa Rosa were equally impressive, providing friendly and attentive service that makes each meal even more enjoyable. They were knowledgeable about the menu and eager to ensure that the dining experience was perfect. Check them out for your next event as well! They supplied my office with a great variety for our holiday party this year! Overall, Villa Rosa is a gem in Hawthorne that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for delicious Italian cuisine and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.“

“Came here for the first time and enjoyed the double veal chop special - cooked perfectly in a demi glace sauce . Service was great - quickly took our order and served in a reasonable amount of time. It was BYOB so we were able to pair our meal with our favorite red wine“

“Always great food and friendly service.“

“Such a great place, from the food to the staff there is no where else I go to enjoy quality time with friends and family. love it here and thank you Ilpanino for always going above and beyond.“

“Monica‘s restaurant is a great place to eat delicious food. Very friendly professional, hard-working staff.“

“Wow! Took us years to get here… but so glad we did! I’m an Italian originally from Queens who doesn’t much care to eat an Italian restaurant when I can get it home cooked. My better half, however, is a boy from Brooklyn, who is Italian by osmosis & loves to eat it out of the home. For his birthday we wanted to go somewhere special. We did! LuNello ranks up there as one of our favorite Italian Restaurants EVER… From the valet staff, to the maitre D, hostesses & waitstaff, to the ambiance… and the FOOD. There are basic dishes on the menu but so many interesting & varied plates that I was blown away! Everything we ate, from appys, to main courses, and dessert (famous bread pudding) were the best!“

“Excellent food & service!“

“I’m a big fan of shouting businesses out when they do something great so that they get even more support from their community and continue to be successful as a business. That being said… A huge shout-out to Arca in Lincoln Park. We were supposed to spend Thanksgiving at my brother’s house, but our daughter was unexpectedly hospitalized the night before Thanksgiving. Arca was hosting a free Veterans Thanksgiving event that was dine-in only (my husband is a vet) but they were kind enough to prepare a free to-go meal for us so we could enjoy Thanksgiving lunch with our daughter at the hospital since we couldn’t be with extended family. Everything was incredible. If you can, please visit and support this amazing restaurant. My family and I definitely will, and our district’s PTA will be there next week for our holiday social. Truly wonderful people.“

“All the different meals I’ve had at Columbia Inn have been amazing! I’m never disappointed. Their pizza is amazing too!!!“

“Really can’t say enough about this place for family celebrations: Excellent friendly service, & a menu that has something for everyone, including accommodations for gluten free.“

“We love coming here. Delicious food, great service, and wonderful services. Michelle and Paul are so welcoming!! You are not rushed so you can enjoy your food and your friends. The new decor is very calming!!! The best!!!!“

“The food is always top notch & the Menu goes on for miles . You’ll keep coming back time after time.“

“I've used Sonny and Tony's several times for corporate catering. They are always on-time and everyone compliments the food.“

“Come with an empty stomach! Giant sandwiches, great quality meats!“

“Delicious Italian food! Friendly staff and excellent service. Great atmosphere. Also very accommodating of Gluten Free diners and can make most dishes GF along with incredible GF bread.“

“I have been eating at Belle Vita since 2003, when I moved to Fairlawn.

The place has alway had extra great pizza, the owner/pizza maker having honed his skills in the dog-eat-dog pizza capitol of Brooklyn, NY where pizza HAS to be top notch or you close shop.

It has not dissappionted all these years.

12 years ago, I moved from Fairlawn to another town (4 miles) away, but still occasionally come back for their pizza.

The place has lost traffic since Shoprite moved a few miles away a few years back (2 or 3 years ago), but the pizza quality still remains the same.

I especially recommend their chicken marsala pizza. You used to be able to buy it by the slice, when there was more traffic.

Now, you have to buy it by the pie (less business due to Shoprite), but it's to die for, and I am sure your family will love it.

And the service is still just as good.

I am 23 years a Belle Vita pizza fan. Still just as good as the first day I moved into Fairlawn, and found them.“

“I finally got to meet up with “The Mozzarella God” I tell you, you have to try this. It’s mouthwatering just looking at the menu. The sandwiches are nice size to.(BTW they were cut in half and only ate a quarter of each…filled me up) I got the Uncle Paulie Sandwich: Fresh chicken cutlet, fried mozzarella on toasted cheesy garlic bread topped with fresh basil, pecorino cheese and a side of vodka sauce. And The Big Poppa Fresh mozzarella melted sandwich with tomatoes, house made seasoned arugula, prosciutto, chicken cutlet on toasted cheesy garlic bread. Truly amazing. Fast friendly service. Take cash/card/Apple Pay Go to their site and follow them.“

“The food, the service and the atmosphere are all top notch. Let me first start off by saying the bartender Zoe (spelling?) ALWAYS makes us feel welcome as if we are part of their family. The sliced filet mignon on the bone special I had the other night (recommended by Zoe!) was SPECTACULAR!! I've also have had the lamb chops in the past and they are equally as delicious. Zoe also make sure there are plenty beers on ice as soon as i arrive. she is by far the best bartender I've ever encountered and i dine out several time a week so I'm well qualified to make such a statement. Sear has become one of the stops on my dining rotation.“

“The plain pizza pie from JP's is the best I've had. Just the right blend of cheeze and sauce. The crust was excellent too. I had it delivered from Door Dash and it arrived on time and piping hot. Good value.“

“The food is always delicious. Rosario also supports organizations through dining to donate/coupon days contributing a percentage of the proceeds supporting humanitarian causes. You cannot beat that!“