Dina and her staff are excellent. Had my moms repast for 70 people and they were so friendly and accommodating. The food was family style and top notch. I can't say enough about how great everything was and how thankful for making the celebration of my mother's life memorable. I recommend this place for any event.
Marie Elaina
Went really expecting some great food from things that I read. Sorry to say it was disappointing. Probably the worse chicken parmesan I ever had. The chicken itself was thin and crispy but the gravy was terrible! Tasted like jar. Very dark and thick. My friend had the special - filet mignon tips with peppers and onions over rice. She didn’t care for it. Very salty and yellow Spanish rice in my humble opinion was not the best choice with a red sauce. Whit would have worked better. Place was packed… and two servers were unable to cover properly and give attention to the tables. No we didn’t complain while there. I have the mouth and would have nicely said something but my friend that was with me preferred to just leave, pack it and pay. Sadly we tossed it. With all the talk I was really looking forward to the chicken parm but it just wasn’t there. I guess the Madigans like it but it wasn’t for me.
Michael Saunders
Went to this restaurant for an engagement party, for one of wife's best friends son. The Food was Great, the Servers were Fantastic. The REASON I gave it the Three stars was because of the way the Management handled the paying of the bill. The host of The Party had a signed contract regarding the amount of the bill, apparently the wife of the owner didn't agree on how much should have been paid, which was already agreed to with the contract. The owner's wife proceeded to show her displeasure in front of the guests of the party, which was absolutely rude. After telling the host, that she was losing money in this deal, the owner's wife stormed out rudely on the phone yelling at somebody. About a half hour later she returned to grab the money from the party host, not saying a word, and rudely walked out. To ruin what would have been a great night, and possibly more returning guest to The restaurant. After that display, me nor my family will ever come back there, and probably neither will any of the 37 other guests that were there. Never experienced such a thing
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Darima Tcheveev
Had dinner with a large group, they were able to handle, with no difficulty. Some ordered off menu, some daily specials. The bread is phenomenal .I personally had a special and it is a great deal for the cost ($36) app, entree, dessert. It was also cooked perfectly with ample portion,tasted fabulous! Others had assorted entrees with NO complaints only than the chicken Murphy was 'meh' and crab cake slightly dry. They are worth a try for anyone contemplating.. I will absolutely be returning to try a few different dishes! They are BYOB and service super attentive and friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melissa Bloomquist
Had the MOST delicious meal. The filet Oscar is hands down the most delicious meal I have ever had. 10/10 recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert Pynckels
1st time and won't be the last.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arlene Lombardi
Absolutely amazing food and service! We shared the clams casino for an appetizer. Excellent and very fresh! For main course I had the salmon piccata special with risotto, it was perfectly seasoned and expertly cooked and pleated. My dinner partner had filet mignon Oscar which had crab meat on top. He loved it. We were too full for dessert so our lovely waitress gave us a piece of their famous pistachio cake to bring home, on the house!! So kind! We will most definitely be back. Make a reservation because they crowd up, I'm sure you will enjoy it! ⭐ ✨
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joh'ni Kimberlin
Great Food!
Kim Moshier Smokowski
Horrible experience earlier this week. They clearly overbooked. Service was very good considering what they had to deal with. Owner kept disappearing. Waitress didn’t even know where he was. Two dinners had to go back as were warm/cold. At that point we were a few hours in, little kids, couldn’t wait for replacements. Everyone just shared what we had including the kids meals. Took half hour just to put in app order. Apps didn’t come out together ( 3 plus 2 salads, salads last!) dinner took over hour and half to come out and they were mainly pasta dishes. This was a special 87th birthday and had requested and was assured when I booked we would have a specific table/location. That didn’t even come close to happening. Worse, one of the meals that went back was for the birthday girl. We sang happy birthday to my mom outside. This is 4 local families that will never go back. Looking around there were many unhappy people there. Better choices elsewhere.
MABEL VANDAALEN
A Perfect Night Out for a Family Birthday Celebration
We recently celebrated a family birthday with a party of 14, and from start to finish, the experience was exceptional.
The evening began with a warm welcome and a spacious, well-arranged table that allowed us all to spread out comfortably — a rare and much-appreciated detail when dining with a large group. Our server, David, was outstanding — attentive, friendly, and perfectly paced the evening without making us feel rushed.
The food was phenomenal. One of the night’s specials, the Shrimp Oreganata, was a showstopper — six colossal shrimp that were incredibly fresh and cooked to absolute perfection, with a flavorful, golden breadcrumb topping that didn’t overpower the natural sweetness of the shrimp. The Ossobuco was equally impressive — fall-off-the-bone tender and generously portioned. The Stuffed Shrimp were packed with big, juicy lumps of crabmeat and bursting with flavor — not at all the filler-heavy version you often find elsewhere.
Even dessert was memorable. The Tartufo was rich, creamy, and beautifully presented — a sweet ending to a savory meal.
What really elevated the night was the level of service and hospitality. The owner’s son came by several times to check on us, which gave the evening a personal touch. The bus person was attentive without hovering, and every course flowed seamlessly.
In short, this was an all-around excellent dining experience — delicious food, top-notch service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere perfect for a special celebration. Highly recommend for both small and large gatherings. We’ll definitely be back!
I’m new to the area and was looking for a new “go to” Italian restaurant and I believe I have found it at Dina’s Bistro! The food is delicious and there are so much awesome options on the menu. In addition, our waitress (Filomena) was excellent and her recommendations were spot on. My wife and I had a great dinner here and will definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nancy Nahaczewski
It never disappoints! Food is excellent!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katrina Wagner
Decided to try Dina’s for our anniversary dinner, and it was the best decision we could have made. Our meals were cooked and seasoned to perfection. Our server David was kind, personable, and had a great sense of humor. We will definitely be back and look forward to trying the rest of the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
S
No liquor license. This is a bring your own wine place. Unfortunate, because we didn’t realize. We ordered an appetizer and an hour later we had to ask where it was. I think they just completely forgot. Not sure if it was the kitchen’s fault or the server’s but they did take the cost of the app off our bill. On top of that, a couple was seated 15 minutes after us and they got their food before we did. In addition, if you’re going to have dinner options over $70 on your menu I wouldn’t expect your bathroom to be worse than some gas station bathrooms I’ve seen. I will say my meal itself was good and the servers were friendly but wont return due to the overpriced menu and dirtiness/clutter of the place and the slow service.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
richard pape
Where shall I begin hands-down best food I’ve ever eaten at any restaurant in Ocean County. Absolutely phenomenal experience from start to finish. First time at the restaurant since it’s changed hands and name. My wife and I enjoyed great conversation with staff and service was amazing. We enjoyed the no rush atmosphere dining experience. We look forward to returning soon. 5 stars!!!
Dina and her staff are excellent. Had my moms repast for 70 people and they were so friendly and accommodating. The food was family style and top notch. I can't say enough about how great everything was and how thankful for making the celebration of my mother's life memorable. I recommend this place for any event.
Went really expecting some great food from things that I read. Sorry to say it was disappointing. Probably the worse chicken parmesan I ever had. The chicken itself was thin and crispy but the gravy was terrible! Tasted like jar. Very dark and thick. My friend had the special - filet mignon tips with peppers and onions over rice. She didn’t care for it. Very salty and yellow Spanish rice in my humble opinion was not the best choice with a red sauce. Whit would have worked better. Place was packed… and two servers were unable to cover properly and give attention to the tables. No we didn’t complain while there. I have the mouth and would have nicely said something but my friend that was with me preferred to just leave, pack it and pay. Sadly we tossed it. With all the talk I was really looking forward to the chicken parm but it just wasn’t there. I guess the Madigans like it but it wasn’t for me.
Went to this restaurant for an engagement party, for one of wife's best friends son. The Food was Great, the Servers were Fantastic. The REASON I gave it the Three stars was because of the way the Management handled the paying of the bill. The host of The Party had a signed contract regarding the amount of the bill, apparently the wife of the owner didn't agree on how much should have been paid, which was already agreed to with the contract. The owner's wife proceeded to show her displeasure in front of the guests of the party, which was absolutely rude. After telling the host, that she was losing money in this deal, the owner's wife stormed out rudely on the phone yelling at somebody. About a half hour later she returned to grab the money from the party host, not saying a word, and rudely walked out. To ruin what would have been a great night, and possibly more returning guest to The restaurant. After that display, me nor my family will ever come back there, and probably neither will any of the 37 other guests that were there. Never experienced such a thing
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had dinner with a large group, they were able to handle, with no difficulty. Some ordered off menu, some daily specials. The bread is phenomenal .I personally had a special and it is a great deal for the cost ($36) app, entree, dessert. It was also cooked perfectly with ample portion,tasted fabulous! Others had assorted entrees with NO complaints only than the chicken Murphy was 'meh' and crab cake slightly dry. They are worth a try for anyone contemplating.. I will absolutely be returning to try a few different dishes! They are BYOB and service super attentive and friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had the MOST delicious meal. The filet Oscar is hands down the most delicious meal I have ever had. 10/10 recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
1st time and won't be the last.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely amazing food and service! We shared the clams casino for an appetizer. Excellent and very fresh! For main course I had the salmon piccata special with risotto, it was perfectly seasoned and expertly cooked and pleated. My dinner partner had filet mignon Oscar which had crab meat on top. He loved it. We were too full for dessert so our lovely waitress gave us a piece of their famous pistachio cake to bring home, on the house!! So kind! We will most definitely be back. Make a reservation because they crowd up, I'm sure you will enjoy it! ⭐ ✨
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great Food!
Horrible experience earlier this week. They clearly overbooked. Service was very good considering what they had to deal with. Owner kept disappearing. Waitress didn’t even know where he was. Two dinners had to go back as were warm/cold. At that point we were a few hours in, little kids, couldn’t wait for replacements. Everyone just shared what we had including the kids meals. Took half hour just to put in app order. Apps didn’t come out together ( 3 plus 2 salads, salads last!) dinner took over hour and half to come out and they were mainly pasta dishes. This was a special 87th birthday and had requested and was assured when I booked we would have a specific table/location. That didn’t even come close to happening. Worse, one of the meals that went back was for the birthday girl. We sang happy birthday to my mom outside. This is 4 local families that will never go back. Looking around there were many unhappy people there. Better choices elsewhere.
A Perfect Night Out for a Family Birthday Celebration
We recently celebrated a family birthday with a party of 14, and from start to finish, the experience was exceptional.
The evening began with a warm welcome and a spacious, well-arranged table that allowed us all to spread out comfortably — a rare and much-appreciated detail when dining with a large group. Our server, David, was outstanding — attentive, friendly, and perfectly paced the evening without making us feel rushed.
The food was phenomenal. One of the night’s specials, the Shrimp Oreganata, was a showstopper — six colossal shrimp that were incredibly fresh and cooked to absolute perfection, with a flavorful, golden breadcrumb topping that didn’t overpower the natural sweetness of the shrimp. The Ossobuco was equally impressive — fall-off-the-bone tender and generously portioned. The Stuffed Shrimp were packed with big, juicy lumps of crabmeat and bursting with flavor — not at all the filler-heavy version you often find elsewhere.
Even dessert was memorable. The Tartufo was rich, creamy, and beautifully presented — a sweet ending to a savory meal.
What really elevated the night was the level of service and hospitality. The owner’s son came by several times to check on us, which gave the evening a personal touch. The bus person was attentive without hovering, and every course flowed seamlessly.
In short, this was an all-around excellent dining experience — delicious food, top-notch service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere perfect for a special celebration. Highly recommend for both small and large gatherings. We’ll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I’m new to the area and was looking for a new “go to” Italian restaurant and I believe I have found it at Dina’s Bistro! The food is delicious and there are so much awesome options on the menu. In addition, our waitress (Filomena) was excellent and her recommendations were spot on. My wife and I had a great dinner here and will definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
It never disappoints! Food is excellent!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Decided to try Dina’s for our anniversary dinner, and it was the best decision we could have made. Our meals were cooked and seasoned to perfection. Our server David was kind, personable, and had a great sense of humor. We will definitely be back and look forward to trying the rest of the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
No liquor license. This is a bring your own wine place. Unfortunate, because we didn’t realize. We ordered an appetizer and an hour later we had to ask where it was. I think they just completely forgot. Not sure if it was the kitchen’s fault or the server’s but they did take the cost of the app off our bill. On top of that, a couple was seated 15 minutes after us and they got their food before we did.
In addition, if you’re going to have dinner options over $70 on your menu I wouldn’t expect your bathroom to be worse than some gas station bathrooms I’ve seen.
I will say my meal itself was good and the servers were friendly but wont return due to the overpriced menu and dirtiness/clutter of the place and the slow service.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Where shall I begin hands-down best food I’ve ever eaten at any restaurant in Ocean County. Absolutely phenomenal experience from start to finish. First time at the restaurant since it’s changed hands and name. My wife and I enjoyed great conversation with staff and service was amazing. We enjoyed the no rush atmosphere dining experience. We look forward to returning soon. 5 stars!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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