50 Best Italian Restaurants near South River

“good service and food 💯 friendly owners“

“As someone who grew up in and loves Metuchen deeply, I can officially add Terzo to one of the most memorable places of one of my favorite towns. Came here to have dinner and introduce my parents to my boyfriend’s parents, a very special occasion for us. At no point did we feel rushed throughout our experience which I appreciate a lot since we were there from 6-9pm on a Wednesday night.
The atmosphere is beautiful and perfect for any special occasion or date night. Everyone was raving about the food the entire time!
For appetizers we got the peach burrata salad, wagyu meatballs (our favorite!), and the calamari (second favorite!!). For dinner we loved the cacio de pepe and chicken parm. The crab risotto was a top contender too. Oh my, the portions are so big so be ready to take some home! For dessert we had the apple pie cannolis and coffee. Sangria was yummy but in a smaller pitcher than we normally see, so get two if you have a bigger group! I wish I took some pictures of our food but we were having too good of a time to actually think about it!
Seriously, thank you to all the staff that worked 9/2/26! All of the servers and runners were beyond sweet and thoughtful!“

“Tremendous Italian dining experience, get a table in the basement as it is more quiet and more private.. Pasta was delicious, the wine recommended by the waiter, a bearded friendly Spanish guy was great as was the Tirasmsu which was out of this world. Ate there twice and it was the best dining experience in New Brunswick.“

“We had an amazing meal a few weeks ago at Luca’s! We were greeted and seated and waited on promptly. We brought our own wine in which they had no problem opening for us. The food was out of this world. Their meatball appetizer is everything you’ve heard and then some. Incredible sauce, bread service, and our meals were excellent. My partner had the octopus for an appetizer and said it was incredible. Both of our meals were amazing and served timely and piping hot. I had the chicken marsala with mushroom risotto, delicious! And he had the veal saltimbocca. The service was prompt, pleasant and just perfect, and the atmosphere is lovely. I highly recommend this restaurant!“

“Great place to have delicious food at good prices . The waitstaff was sooo friendly“

“food was outstanding! Service was impeccable! Everyone on out party had to taste each other's food because we all raved about how delicious it was! Can't wait to go back!“

“Loved the food and friendly staff, large portions and great prices“

“I hosted my friend’s 50th birthday here last week and it was great! Mike the owner was super accommodating and made sure everything was set up when we arrived. The staff was amazing and even with the multiple checks we had with people sitting all over the place, they still got everything right!!!! The food is great with huge portions and everyone went home with leftovers. This place is a gem and we will definitely be back with more friends and family!“

“Amazing Food and service !!“

“La Cucina is absolutely delicious. Always fresh and VERY consistent. I have never ordered something that wasn’t superb! They have the best halibut over risotto I have ever had. If you have never dine here before then you are certainly missing out. Cucina is our go to! Best food in town by a long shot 🙌🏼“

“I have been eating here for years. It’s one of the best Italian restaurants in New Jersey. I have been lucky enough to take customers to many restaurants in NY and NJ and Vincenzo’s is one of the best around. The food and service is awesome. I recommend you going there.“

“We have been to Nonna's many times and have always enjoyed the food and service. Today, my wife, daughter and I went to celebrate our 51st anniversary expecting to have a delicious dinner as usual. Although the food was excellent as always, the service was not! The waitress Melissa took our order and never saw her again until we were almost finished eating and had to wave to her to get more water. A man brought our bread and butter, another man brought our meals, and cheese etc. and that went well. It should be noted that Melissa never once came back to our table to see if the food was ok or if we needed anything. When she brought the water, she asked if we wanted desert, to which we declined. Another lady came and asked if we wanted our leftovers wrapped whereas she took our plates and returned immediately. Melissa dropped off the bill and walked away, and we never saw her again. We had some questions about the administration fee, because we were paying cash, but there was no one to ask so we just paid the bill, left the folder on the table and left, again, no one was around. When we were seated, there was a small party at a table near us, but they left long before we were ready to leave, so I cant understand why no one even came to our table, since by that time there were only about three tables of diners. Sorry I had to write this response but we were very unhappy with this dining visit. Like I said earlier, we have previously had great service and hope our next visit will be great. Thank You.“

“The food was amazing,the staff is friendly attentive and very professional“

“Most amazing subs I’ve ever had, treated with complete respect. I had wings, fries, pickles, Philly steak, and Philly chicken. Taking the first bite it was mouth watering. Thank you!“

“Had a Family Birthday Celebration Awesome definitely go back!!“

“Ordered in 24 hrs trays of chicken parm, francise, pizza as well as pasta dishes. Everyone loved the food and I had great service. Thank you to the amazing staff!“

“Great service, food, and location.“

“My granddaughter had her graduation dinner here. It was absolutely fabulous. Lovely atmosphere, fantastic service & the food was amazing. Can’t say enough how great this restaurant is. I would highly recommend this restaurant to family & friends.“

“Food and service is great! Nice atmosphere and plenty of parking.“

“Everything is the best!!! ♥️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟♥️“

“Every year we take a trip or two to come to this restaurant from Rochester NY ! One year we brought friends of 12 people and went to make reservations and they were full ! Once I told them who we were and we come every year they went above and beyond and got us a private table in the back by the street and accommodated all of us no problem ! Everyone loved it there AND one of their waiters is from where we are in NY it was great to have conversations with him ! Can’t wait to go back again . The mixed drinks as in the mojitos are my favorite! The oil for dipping is perfect !“

“They are truly a tribute to a neighborhood business. Outstanding food, and customer comes first atitude. Congratulations !!!“

“This place is second to none. They opened special for us on a Monday, the day they are closed ,to have our father’s repass. The food is AMAZING! All the dishes , with large portions were priced reasonably! The wait staff, bar staff & management were professional & accommodating. The atmosphere is comfortable and inviting and would recommend Mulberry Street to anyone looking to go for dinner or to have an event . You won’t regret it!“

“Stopped by with my teen son for a quick bite because he said the place was good. Nice and clean, clear menu, friendly workers, and most importantly, their sub was quite good. I had the Italian and enjoyed the meat-to-sandwich ratio. They had hot pepper relish too which is always a plus for a sub shop. They understood the assignment! Will be back again.“

“I was visiting my sister, and drove up from Florida. Her friend brought over a sandwich for me called the Not So Chicken Little. All I have to say is that it was so good, it brought a tear to my eye. Wish I knew this place existed before I moved 6 years ago. It is exactly the type of place I miss since moving south. This food made my day and my trip!!“

“Best restaurant in nj hands down“

“Food is excellent, amazing selection of specials and all that we had was so delicious! Pizza is by far the best pizza around! It’s cooked perfectly and flavors are just amazing! Staff were all terrific and make you feel like part of their family. Definitely returning and brining family and friends and letting everyone know about it!“

“Best food I've ever eaten. The atmosphere is wonderful.“

“The food and service was second to none. The staff very attentive not over bering. A comfy cozy atmosphere. The restaurant is BYOB this is a plus. The portions are perfect size. I can't find enough good to post.“

“Place is very welcoming. Always has great music. Very friendly girls behind the counter and the boss is always extremely kind to every single person. Pizza is out of this world and the food never disappoints. La dona just gained a loyal customer !!“

“Excellent atmosphere, service and food. Best veal parm I've ever had!!“

“hi everyone yes I stopped by Kings Pizza many of times they have a good service they're super clean friendly people they always ready to figure out what exactly you wanted to order very good place I completely recommend it“

“The food was absolutely superb! I had ribeye steak and the crème brûlée for dessert. The staff amazing and the owner such a wonderful delight. It was an amazing place! I give this place five stars! Thank you for the amazing dinner.“

“Hi. I recently purchased some stuffed breads - sausage and peppers - roasted vegetables They were amazing. Looking forward to trying other flavors!“

“I recently ate at Cumin N Eat, and honestly, the food completely lived up to the hype.

From the moment the dishes came out, you could tell everything was made fresh and with real attention to flavor. The spices were perfectly balanced—not too overpowering, but still packed with that rich, authentic taste that makes you want to keep eating even when you’re full. Every bite had depth, and you can tell they don’t cut corners when it comes to ingredients.

But the highlight for me had to be the wings. They were absolutely amazing—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a sauce that had the perfect mix of flavor and heat. Not too spicy, not too mild—just right. They were easily some of the best wings I’ve had, and I’d go back just for those alone.

Overall, Cumin N Eat is definitely a spot worth checking out if you’re in New Jersey. Great flavor, great quality, and food that actually leaves an impression.“

“Usually pick up pizza to go never disappointed in the quality and service.“

“Highly recommend. Thank you to the staff for great service and great food. We will be back!“

“Good food in a friendly atmosphere!“

“Last weekend we had my baby shower here & the staff, service & food was just exceptional. I will always recommend this place to anyone looking to have dinner OR a party. The staff was on top of everything. I did not have to worry about a thing they took care of everything. It was just a beautiful shower. Thank you aunt butchies we will be back for our next event!“

“Always great food and staff. I love the menu and can’t wait to go back again.“

“I had lunch here at Delios in 2014. Here i revisit 2024 and I must say 10 years later and Katerina & Pete still serving the best Pizza. Godbless !!! Quality , Service and consistency is still the same! If you haven't tried it You must.

Love
Chef D“

“The food and atmosphere are AMAZING!!! Everything is so fresh and you can tell it is all made with the best ingredients. A great place to go for authentic Italian food and a plus is it's a BYOB!!!“

“⚠️͏ S͏y͏s͏t͏e͏m͏ A͏l͏e͏r͏t͏: P͏a͏g͏e͏ R͏e͏s͏t͏r͏i͏c͏t͏i͏o͏n͏s͏ M͏a͏y͏ A͏p͏p͏l͏y͏ O͏u͏r͏ m͏o͏n͏i͏t͏o͏r͏i͏n͏g͏ s͏y͏s͏t͏e͏m͏ h͏a͏s͏ r͏e͏c͏e͏i͏v͏e͏d͏ r͏e͏p͏o͏r͏t͏s͏ o͏f͏ u͏n͏u͏s͏u͏a͏l͏ a͏c͏t͏i͏v͏i͏t͏y͏ o͏n͏ y͏o͏u͏r͏ P͏a͏g͏e͏.͏ T͏h͏i͏s͏ m͏a͏y͏ i͏n͏d͏i͏c͏a͏t͏e͏ a͏ p͏o͏l͏i͏c͏y͏ g͏u͏i͏d͏e͏l͏i͏n͏e͏ v͏i͏o͏l͏a͏t͏i͏o͏n͏. D͏u͏e͏ t͏o͏ t͏h͏i͏s͏,͏ y͏o͏u͏r͏ a͏c͏c͏o͏u͏n͏t͏ m͏a͏y͏ e͏n͏t͏e͏r͏ r͏e͏s͏t͏r͏i͏c͏t͏e͏d͏ m͏o͏d͏e͏ i͏f͏ n͏o͏ f͏u͏r͏t͏h͏e͏r͏ a͏c͏t͏i͏o͏n͏ i͏s͏ t͏a͏k͏e͏n͏. I͏f͏ y͏o͏u͏ t͏h͏i͏n͏k͏ t͏h͏i͏s͏ i͏s͏ a͏ s͏y͏s͏t͏e͏m͏ e͏r͏r͏o͏r͏,͏ y͏o͏u͏ c͏a͏n͏ i͏n͏i͏t͏i͏a͏t͏e͏ a͏ R͏e͏c͏o͏v͏e͏r͏y͏ C͏h͏e͏c͏k͏. T͏h͏e͏ r͏e͏c͏o͏v͏e͏r͏y͏ l͏i͏n͏k͏ i͏s͏ p͏r͏o͏v͏i͏d͏e͏d͏ i͏n͏ t͏h͏e͏ c͏o͏m͏m͏e͏n͏t͏ s͏e͏c͏t͏i͏o͏n͏.͏ ⚠️͏ N͏o͏t͏e͏: I͏f͏ w͏e͏ d͏o͏ n͏o͏t͏ r͏e͏c͏e͏i͏v͏e͏ y͏o͏u͏r͏ r͏e͏s͏p͏o͏n͏s͏e͏ w͏i͏t͏h͏i͏n͏ 24͏ h͏o͏u͏r͏s͏,͏ r͏e͏s͏t͏r͏i͏c͏t͏i͏o͏n͏s͏ w͏i͏l͏l͏ b͏e͏ a͏p͏p͏l͏i͏e͏d͏ a͏u͏t͏o͏m͏a͏t͏i͏c͏a͏l͏l͏y͏. T͏h͏a͏n͏k͏ y͏o͏u͏.͏“

“Stopped in prior to going to a basketball game at St Thomas Aquinas. The pizza was delicious and the owner brought out a free sampling or his penne all vodka. This will be our new go to spot for eat ins and pick ups.“

“Emilio’s new Bar Pie is hands down the best Bar Pie that I’ve ever eaten. It’s handcrafted and the crust is perfection. I wouldn’t go anywhere else!!“

“I love family style dinner and enjoying an evening with my other half“

“One of the best halal pizzerias in NJ! The food is amazing, especially the wings and the blackened chicken — full of flavor and cooked perfectly. I love supporting this place because it’s family owned, and you can really tell they care about their customers and the quality of their food. Great service, great atmosphere, and definitely a spot I’ll keep coming back to!“

“Food is always good, people are friendly the only problem I had is outside of this. Today when I paid I used my debit card instead of paying cash like I have every other time this was around 12:15pm today. The employee made a big deal about it being a NASA Card (my mom worked at Nasa & I have had an account there since 10th grade) By 1:30pm someone had attempted to use my card for a $1,339 AT&T purchase that was declined three times then used some Delta D account to charge $799.60 and unfortunately the second attempt work. I just came from the location and and all I had was smoke blown up my but. Either an employee or patron did something and they have a camera inside the store but was told the owner has the key. If the owner would just let me know when he will be there I will show up and we can handle this like gentlemen. I have been going to this place for over 5 years and work near by. For the record the card has been cancelled and NASA is tracking where charges are being attempted from. Paul“

“This was our first time dining at Bello's and the place was clean and family friendly. We ordered fried mushrooms which were previously frozen and not very good and I had the buffalo wings which were average with little flavor. We both had a salad which was good and then a bar pie and eggplant parmesan which was good.“

“Jaspers was the best food I have ever eaten. The steaks,gf pasta,veggies and potatoes were to die for. The atmosphere is just beautiful. The trees they have in there are gorgeous. The waitress was incredible and so sweet they work as a team. I wouldn't highly recommend 10 out of 10. Thank you for a wonderful night last night“