50 Best Italian Restaurants near South Orange

“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.“

“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“

“I love this place! The food is so fresh; and the service is always great!“

“great food. friendly atmosphere“

“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 (-:“

“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.“

“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 !“

“Wonderful food. Nice attentive service!“

“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“

“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“

“The Italian food is so delicious and authentic 👌👌 everyone is so nice. And the mozzarella is the freshest cheese. They hand stretch it every day. I love that they use tallow to fry and they make their own dough without all the processed junk. You eat and feel satisfied instead of heavy.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“Wine was ok, but the cake...........................insane“

“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.“

“First time here. Our waiter dropped the ball but food was good so might give it another chance someday. Valentine's Day so I get it was busy so not an issue with being sat 15 min past our reservation. Hostess was very attentive, taking coats and pulling our chairs. Water staff did provide water promptly but our waiter who passed us several times didn't greet us or take our drink order until after 20 minutes and after greeting a couple who was sat several minutes after we were. Still tipped 20+% but I'm a heavy tipper so when I round 20ish % it means service wasn't great. Maybe pick a wine next time because cocktails were off. Waiter left us hanging after dropping off dessert menu and I was about to change my mind on it and just take the check after waiting too long. Not sure what happened but someone else took over who was much quicker but maybe because it was getting closer to closing time? Happy I stuck around for dessert. The cheesecake was amazing and was the highlight of the evening for me.“

“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.“

“Consistently excellent meals with a very attentive staff.“

“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!“

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

“Excellent food, excellent service and reasonably priced!“

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

“The best pizza in NJ“

“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.“

“Here’s my review that I’ve been meaning to leave for a while! Overall, I’m really happy this place opened in the neighborhood and we’ve already been back several times.

Location/atmosphere: Unbeatable. Such a great addition to the Walnut Street area, and I’m a huge fan of the fast casual setup. It makes eating out with kids SO much easier. The patio is also amazing and has quickly become one of those places you naturally gravitate toward with kids or on a beautiful day.

Food: Really great! We’ve enjoyed the pastas, salads and pizzas. The menu is very pork-heavy, and I do hope over time they consider adding a few more options that make the menu accessible to those who don’t eat pork, including Muslim and Jewish diners. That said, I understand the menu is very authentic to the specific region of Italy the owners are from, and I genuinely respect that they’ve stayed true to that rather than watering it down. Hopefully there’s a way to preserve that authenticity while adding a little more variety over time.

Accessibility: The patio is wonderful, but the main entrance has a step, which can make getting in with a stroller or wheelchair a tad stressful. There is a flat entrance along the side, as well as a side door, but both have generally been blocked off when we’ve visited. I’m sure there’s a reason, but I’d love to see that reconsidered, it would make the restaurant much more accessible and stroller-friendly!

Service: The wait staff are fantastic. Everyone we’ve interacted with has been incredibly kind, patient and genuinely great at what they do. My one piece of constructive feedback is regarding one of the owners (glasses/slicked-back hair). On a few visits, I’ve found his demeanor a little dismissive or unwelcoming, whether asking questions about the menu or dining with our extended family. It’s hard to pinpoint and certainly not enough to keep us from coming back, but there have been a few interactions where I’ve walked away feeling like we weren’t quite as warmly received as other customers. I’m mentioning it because everything else about this place makes us want to keep supporting it, and a little more warmth in those interactions would go a long way.

Overall, a really great neighborhood addition with delicious food, an amazing outdoor space and a wonderful staff. We’ll absolutely continue coming back!“

“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. 👍👍“

“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 have recently eaten at Sear House a few times over the past three weeks. We have had the mussels in red sauce, Calamari, angry halibut, scallops w/ risotto and a T-bone steak. All of the dishes were well prepared, very tasty and the service was great. The manager is very friendly with a good sense of humor. Definitely worth going to. As a bonus their happy hour drinks and menu is excellent.“

“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.“

“Best pizza on island“

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

“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“

“LOVEDDDD the atmosphere and service here. It was just a nice experience from start to finish. My favorite dish happened to be the fig bruschetta and the dessert 😋 the lychee spritz was delicious too. We got the specials so unsure if their classic food was better or not. But overall, would love to come back here again.“

“Great food, excellent service!“

“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“

“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.“

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

“Il Forno was a very pleasant surprise. The lunch specials exceeded my expectations. The food and the service was very good. I would recommend this restaurant to my friends.“

“New ownership and some of the BEST pizza in NJ you have to come try this place“

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

“Excellent sandwiches. I especially like their chicken cutlet ones. We pick up from here a couple times a month and have never been disappointed.“

“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 ‼️“

“Delicious food with great service!!“

“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.“

“Tried familia pizzeria for the first time. Did not disappoint! Food was absolutely fantastic and the service was excellent! Highly recommend this spot!“

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

“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.“