50 Best Italian Restaurants near West Orange

“Excellent food and service. Was in town for a wedding and tried this place the evening before. Chicken piccata was great, two large flat breasts with a great sauce and plenty of capers. The vodka penne was even better and very light sauce. One of our party ordered the pork chop and said it was the best chop he had ever eaten. The sashimi tuna appetizer was excellent and was enough for a meal for a light eater. Very attentive service, my water glass was refilled anytime I took more than two sips. Complimentary bread and small thin crust cheese pizza while waiting. Not a large place but they take reservations. Definitely would return.“

“Stopped by at the recommendation of a friend. Restaurant is in a strip mall so plenty of parking. Restaurant was hard to find at night being their sign was not lite. Small place with a small bar in which I sat at for the evening. The owner Julio took care of me. I ordered a white sangria to begin the evening and the owner made it Perfectly. For entree, I ordered the Chef Giambot which is a mixture of filet tips, chicken; sausages, onions and peppers and homemade flat french fries. Dish could of had more seasoning but overall was good and plentiful. I had to take leftovers. This dish has heat to it being it has hot peppers in the mix. I will probably be back to try several of their traditional authentic Italian entrees.“

“Best good ever and always ! Family friendly and family owned! Go once and u will never stop! From generation to generation and recipes are the same ! Real Italian food!“

“For everyone that put this place under 5 stars or 1 star let me tell you about my experience and how the pizzeria got it's new owner. Johnny's pizzeria has been around west orange for a long time until frank decided to sell the place to someone. One customer was interested about buying the place and it ended up being sold! Then the new owner was Wilfredo Palta. Wilfredo Palta was a kind person who loved owning a business. He was dedicated to his new business and wanted everyone to see how nice he makes pizza. He ended up getting some employees to help out. He ended up becoming one of top ten's best pizzerias in west orange. He was really proud of his accomplishment. He owned the place for 4 years and has great customer service also I am related to the current owner!“

“The food at Momma Maries is EXCELLENT everything they prepare is tasted.“

“Outstanding service & Food they treat you like family !“

“Staff was bubbly and friendly. They made my hoagie just right and wrapped it very nicely!! Will definitely go back!!“

“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.“

“Great food and wine! variety of cocktails, appetizers and entrées. Spacious place with chic decor.“

“Wonderful food. Nice attentive service!“

“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.“

“Had the Virginia ham with fresh mutz and holy crap …. Amazing!!! Great service, friendly staff, great food and owner is awesome! Five stars all the way, place is top notch 🤌🏼“

“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.“

“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 !“

“Una excelente atención, bien acogedor, ricos los platillos de comida, grande el lugar de estacionamiento con personal de seguridad y una amabilidad tanto al ingresar como al salir, me llevó una buena impresión lo voy a recomendar. Gracias por todo“

“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“

“This place was such a great discovery! Beautiful interior and an excellent cocktail selection, both in taste and presentation. The Gin & Jam was fantastic, and the Coconut Espresso Martini is probably one of the best espresso martinis I’ve had.

We ordered the lamb chops, which were cooked to perfection, and the oyster mushroom pasta, both dishes were outstanding. Finished with tiramisu, which was also very good.

Lastly, the staff was incredibly kind and attentive! Definitely a great spot - will be back!“

“We have been coming to Piccolinos Restaurtant in Bayonne for years. My father loved the veal and the great service our family received from the staff. It would only be fitting to host his repass there and when we called Byron to let him know he passed, he quickly helped my family with arrangements to host our family and friends in their private room. The food was cooked to order, absolutely delicious and the service our family and friends received from the staff was impeccable! Mostly everyone had to try the his favorite dish, the" veal martini" and loved it. The Wanko family would like to take this opportunity to send our sincere thanks to Byron, Jackie, Angelo, Juan Carlos, David, Yahir for their outstanding service to attention and delicious menu cooked to order on such a sad occassion. They truly made our friends and family know why we "love" Piccolino's and why this is surely the best Italian Restaruant and staff in Bayonne.“

“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.“

“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“

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

“Had a great evening at Sapori. Started with enjoying a glass of the wine we brought while waiting for our table to be ready. Absolutely delicious food: filet mignon lasagna that was chock full of meat, octopus that was perfectly cooked, and meaty saffron mussels. Service from Julian was attentive. And we enjoyed lovely music from an electric violinist. Will definitely return.“

“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.“

“The Mootz ! Best around !“

“The best Italian restaurant in Rutherford. Huge portions and the fish dinners are incredible. If you see mahi mahi, snapper, cod or salmon on the menu, order it! You will not be disappointed! Friendliest service around!“

“Love the food, love the place, very attentive, don't walk run here, great!“

“We had tomato herb soup, crab cakes, caesar salad, pounded veal parm, pappardelle bolognese, carrot cake & coffee ice cream for dessert and it was all excellent!!!!! The staff service was without flaw!!!!!! Thank you for a wonderful dinner experience! Sincerely, Craig & Karen“

“Just ate there for dinner. Was packed but they were so accommodating for us four, and I was dying for my favorites. I have been going there since 1984 and sorry to say, 90% of the time I get the same thing! And still always delish. The service is great, servers are great, I have bought many people there and no one has ever complained, always loved the food! And I will continue to be a customer for as long as they will be there!“

“Excellent food, excellent service and reasonably priced!“

“Muy buena comida y buena atención un sitio agradable“

“Consistently excellent meals with a very attentive staff.“

“The best pizza in NJ“

“Absolutely recommend! Best chicken marsala and fried calamari I have ever had. Incredible service - extremely attentive. Everyone at our table ranted and raved about their meal. My mother had my babyshower here about 5 years ago now, and it was great for an event. Perfect event space with a separate door. Can't wait to go back!“

“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!“

“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 chose Montclair, NJ as a midway point to meet up with our daughter’s boyfriend’s family for an early Sunday night dinner. And got so lucky finding Boschetto! What a perfect spot! The food was delicious with so many great gourmet options, including vegetarian varieties. We loved the concept of ordering and paying as we dine, and the leisurely pace of the meal and byob was perfect. The vibe was great, restaurant was modern and clean-and the owner and staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Such an amazing find- Boschetto is our new go- to meeting place. We can’t wait to return and try more from their eclectic menu.“

“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!“

“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.“

“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. 👍👍“

“Just had a magnificent dinner at La Bottiglia! It was our anniversary and we wanted to enjoy a great dinner at a restaurant with great ambience and a quiet and cozy atmosphere. From the delicious hot antipasto to start our meal along with a delicious house wine and amazing cosmopolitan we knew we were in the right place to celebrate a momentous occasion. The hot antipasto was so delicious and plentiful along with warm, fresh bread and focaccia to spread the homemade caponata on. Off to a great start! We were now full! The chicken parmigiana that my husband ordered was great according to him, and he is a harsh food critic! My salmon Dijon with mixed vegetables was so good!! I order it every time I come here as it is so very delicious! The desserts are amazing! The cannolis are so good. Double espressos are so rich and satisfying! To top off the great meal is the hospitality of the entire restaurant staff. They are so professional and efficient with such a warm and welcoming attitude! I can’t say enough good things about La Bottiglia! You have to come and try it for yourself! You will be very pleased, I’m sure!“

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

“We recently had a private event here for my daughter’s baptism party. The food and service was fantastic! Servers were on point and very nice! The only thing was that we paid until 4pm and felt that we were being rushed out due to them wanting to turn tables over to open up to public for 4:30. Tables were being cleared & set up for dinner crowd way before the party was over (at least a half hour) and outsiders were coming in for what I assume was take-out orders and were sitting at our tables while they waited for their to-go orders, so I just thought that was a bit rude when we are paying the restaurant for a private event and they are normally not open during those hours to the public (just for private events). Other than that, all was good and very affordable! Thank you!!“

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

“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 ‼️“

“The best thin Sicilian pizza I have ever had in my 56 years of life. Recommended 100%.“

“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.“

“Good food and plenty of it“

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

“We are Never disappointed eating at La Campagnola~ the Food is Amazing ~ the Service is always impeccable ~ love the Ambiance ! We Wish you were in Monmouth County ~ but the distance won’t stop us from returning again ~ We’ll be back Brian 🍝🍷👍☺️“

“I was there when I was using a rollator.. super easy to get around inside for being disabled! The food was delicious!“