50 Best Italian Restaurants near Ocean

“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!!!
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“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!“

“Best local Italian deli! Went in for brasciole and the owner made it fresh on the spot…DELICIOUS!!“

“I am hoping it was just a fluke but got a pizza from here this past weekend and it just doesn't taste the same. I think the cheese mixture has changed or someone forgot some spice or something. I will try again since they have had the best pizza since Seaview mall.“

“Can’t comment on atmosphere but got delivery here via DoorDash. I try to get some breaded chicken Alfredo everytime I’m in Jersey and this was some of the best. Super fresh, deliciously saucy, and chicken was great.

Came w a salad, breadsticks, AND garlic knots. Hate that I ate this many carbs but man it was worth it. Hopefully will be back to try some more.“

“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 .“

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

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

“Super delicious Italian cuisine, excellent dessert menu, super ambiance, free parking and to top it all off; you can stroll the boardwalk to enjoy the cool sea breeze of the Atlantic Ocean.“

“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!“

“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.“

“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“

“The perfect evening ! Food, service and atmosphere were all spot on! Chef Dimas Montalvo III your a true talent !“

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

“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!“

“Fun atmosphere, delicious food. Our waitress Staci was great! We will be back.“

“This restaurant has amazing food and the waiters are very kind“

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

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

“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!!!“

“Amazingly delicious food. Friendly service“

“Great food amazing service and wonderful warm hospitality“

“Been a customer for twenty years. Solid BYOB Italian restaurant with a veteran staff. Owner and general manager are always present. Ownership changed 9 years ago. Very good fresh pastas. I’m totally a fan of their main marinara sauce. Sometimes I’ve asked for it on the side. My wife and I have liked the seafood pasta panadora. I tend to order a lot of salads and I’ve tried most of them. My favorite is their chopped salad ($18). Sometimes I get it with the chicken option. I really like their own salad dressing. It’s a little different. The Greek salad is really good too. The braised slow cook short ribs are very popular; a long time specialty item. Their lunch menu is very reasonable. Surprisingly good burgers and sandwiches. I’m particularly a fan of their tuna sandwich, with several variations. I have found the service to always be excellent. I noticed their bread has been outstanding. Owner said they invested in a new ovens from Italy✅ Their homemade carrot cake is excellent, and I’m fussy when it comes to carrot cake, my favorite😀 Great location in downtown Red Bank on Wallace Street, which is not busy. There is municipal parking nearby. Keep in mind you generally have to pay in Red Bank unless you’re willing to walk a bit. Also, a special mention goes out to special events. They’re particularly good at parties. They scale well to what the needs of the event. It can be simple to full sit-down dinner or buffet.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“Highly recommended! This place is great!“

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

“I hosted a family event at Via Sposito. Everyone was very pleased with our server, Jessica and the dining experience. The food was amazing and plentiful. We have dined there a few times prior to this and were always pleased with food. At our event everything was family style and there was a variety of food. The pizza and zeppoles were also great. They worked within our budget and offered a lot of choices.“

“Amazing food, amazing service. A bit pricy for the area and food but worth the go!“

“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“

“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.“

“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!!“

“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!“

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

“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.“

“Award-winning food with a side of award-winning service. Cheers to you Jimmy and thank you as always!!“

“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!“

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

“Great food and nice place to be“

“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.“

“Amazing food, great portions and quality for price, friendly and personal able staff, quick service, clean and warm atmosphere. Highly recommend. Definitely make reservations“

“Great food! Lunch portion had me stuffed! I'll be back again!“

“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!“

“Great sandwich shop and good service. This team generally gets busy between 12:30 - 2 pm so if you’re in a rush, order earlier or wait later in the afternoon. I’ve never had any issues with my order or picking it up, and my sandwiches have always been made correctly. They use fresh produce and meats and you can tell. I recommend coming here.“

“Loved it! Best subs around. I'll be back for sure! Can't wait to try the pizza.“

“We went here yesterday before a show at the theater... Food was outstanding great service and great ambience“