50 Best Italian Restaurants near Central Islip

“there customer service is a trip ! been waiting over an hour for a slice when they told me 30 mins. unbelievable this is the last time I will order from here.“

“Amazing pizza and chicken best in town! It tasted all homemade!“

“The food is out of this world. The servers are professional and patient. My husband and I felt great, relaxed and we were able to talk unlike other restaurants that you can't hear people on your table.“

“Yes!, but I have been there a few times all have been great but this last time. The food was salty. I mean every dish. We spoke to manager who was extremely nice. Apologize and did the right thing. But I will go back for sure“

“Amazing baked clams!!! Amazing Drinks!!“

“I grew up in a 100 percent Italian family and I have to say Nona’s lasagna was the best I’ve ever had in my life. At 58 years old I have had plenty of lasagna. This is my new go to spot for Italian fare.“

“These guys are the best! They make you feel like a king when you walk in and treat you like family! God bless 🇺🇸“

“The food is amazing ,every dish. The portions from the appetizers to the meals are above the average restaurant.“

“Amazing food Nicest people Very clean Obsessed with their rigatoni rustica Grilled chicken panini Grilled chicken salad French fries and bbq sauce 😋 Yummmmmmm“

“Dinner was great. When the waiter came to take our order we wanted to just order the appetizers and then continue to figure out what we wanted for dinner and we were told we had to place the entire order together. We have been here many times and never had to do that before so we had to quickly figure out our meal so we could get some food. The food is always good we were a party of five. We hope they change the way they require the entire order together be placed.“

“We had an incredible experience at Luca in Stony Brook! Came with a group of six friends for a family-style dinner, and everything from the service to the food was outstanding.
Our server, Kacey, made the night—she was incredibly attentive, funny, and personable, with spot-on recommendations throughout the meal. The cocktails were excellent, and they helped me find the perfect glass of wine to pair with our dishes.

The menu had something for everyone, including one pescatarian in our group who had plenty of delicious vegetarian and seafood options.

We shared a range of dishes:
First Course: Artichoke & Crab, Summer Squash, Calamari, and Meatballs—each dish was fresh and flavorful.
Second Course: The Squid Ink Agnolotti and Braised Rabbit Paccheri—both unique and beautifully balanced.
Third Course: Lamb Chop, Potato-Crusted Halibut, and the Wagyu Skirt Steak (a daily special)—all cooked perfectly, with layered textures and bold flavors.

The portions were exactly what you'd expect from a restaurant of this caliber—elegant but rich and satisfying. Everyone in our group left with very full (and very happy) bellies. Each of us had a different favorite dish, which says a lot about the variety and quality of the food. Can’t wait to come back!“

“Delicious home cooked Italian food. Relaxing warm and cosy atmosphere.“

“Went here for my wife’s Birthday Sunday night. We did not have reservations bit they seated us anyway (4 of us in total). Food delicious and service outstanding, will definitely return. Reminded us if our favorite restaurant in Park Slope, Brooklyn.“

“Our first time dining but certainly won't be our last time. Great local Italian restaurant. Atmosphere is great and very welcoming staff is terrific and friendly. The menu is fantastic with many delicious dishes. It's great that they have their own parking lot. Their prices are very reasonable for the quality that they provide. It certainly will be on our regular dining schedule.“

“Staff and food were amazing. High recommended“

“Incredible. One of the best meals I’ve ever had. Every dish was better than the last. The fried little necks were next level and that’s coming from a native New Englander. Can not recommend enough.

The chef is owner as well and cares about every single thing that leaves his kitchen. The prices are beyond reasonable. You can truly tell he just wants to give people an incredible meal at a fair price.

If you are in the area or are traveling, this is a must stop.“

“Very good food nice people“

“only complaint was how busy it was and I can totally understand why. everything was amazing steaks and italian food alike. I'm super picky about my food and I was shocked how great everything was. I live an hour away and am already planning my next visit back. my new favorite restaurant. highly recommend“

“This is my fiancé and mine official favorite restaurant of st.James and surrounding areas! Always great food and staff, we have even used their catering and the owner Sal always comes over and says hi! Keep it small and make sure you come to this amazing small business. Skip the sushi and big chain restaurants 😂“

“Food was delicious and nice presentation!“

“Hadn't been to this restaurant in a long time. Certainly worth the wait on line. Tried a few different things. The chicken parm delicious the 3 type manicotti superb the baked clams perfection salad uniquely delicious and the meatballs yummy. We will definitely be back now that ive found a favorite Italian spot“

“Service and staff are excellent. The dinners we had tonight were outstanding! Definitely will be returning for another great night out❤️“

“Love their food. Just not happy with the pizza“

“We had an amazing chicken cutlets sandwich w/mozzarella and tomatos thinly sliced on a hero and the bread was fresh and crunchy on the outside.... we also had a mozzarellas/red peppers/black olives salad.... delicious and the Coffee was so tasty!!!! Both me and my g/f always use sugar in our coffee , but here we didn’t even need it!!!! It was delicious!!!! The crew are so nice!!!! I recommend this place !!!! You could take out or eat in . They have a few tables that you can sit down at... it’s really cute!!!!! Enjoy!!!!!!“

“Always the best, food is delicious and very consistent, the staff is exceptional.“

“I have been ordering from them for years. They always deliver a tasty meal for a great price. Sandwiches, pasta or pizza, they have the best food in town!“

“Just picked up food to go the Bolognese with Angel hair pasta for the 2nd time since Sunday, my wife got the Chicken parm dinner and had ordered Lasagna this past Sunday absolutely AMAZING, thank you so much I drove 1/2 hr away just to get it! Well worth it!!! Thank you !“

“Just like the golf course this venue is one of the best hidden gems on Long Island! Beautiful room. Great staff. Amazing food. What more could you ask for?“

“Just had dinner and Marvin was our server. He was absolutely amazing. Beyond friendly and made sure we always had every refill (from soup to drinks) to make our dinner perfect! Marvin was also friendly and made our dinner experience fantastic!“

“Whether you dine in or order pizza to go, you will be happy you went to Mama's. I love coming here on pasta nights (Monday and Tuesday) for the (very reasonably) fixed price meals that include soup/salad, entree, dessert, and wine. There's always enough to re heat for lunch the next day. If you have friends from out of town that want to try real long island pizza you should order from Mama's. I moved away and I cry every time I eat their za. The servers are so hard working and friendly. Shout out to Christy!! She's killing it!! Ps - pasta nights get BUSY so it would be smart to make a reservation.“

“The veggie was loaded!

The owner(s) know what they're doing. Dunno if they are chain, but they will make a Bronx-win if they replace the (bland) cheese.

Better service than most *****“

“Staff were very attentive food was delicious nice atmosphere.“

“We, thankfully, had a reservation on a Saturday night. We had a spacious table for 4. Brittany was our waitress. She was wonderful. She introduced herself, took our drink orders, gave us time to look over the menu, told us about the specials, was attentive to make sure we had everything we needed and wanted. The appetizers she suggested were delicious. The courses were nicely spaced apart. Each course was cleared from the table before the next course was served. We never felt rushed. The food was excellent. Atmosphere was quiet to enjoy a conversation. We will certainly be returning.

Parking: We used the valet parking.“

“Great selection and great food“

“What a great place, food was wonderful ! And the service was excellent. Brought our out of state family of 10 and every one enjoyed there food and great view of beach and sun set. From delicious appetizers to dessert every bite was delicious.Special thanks to Reily our server she did a great job . Thanks La Casa we will be back! He“

“My husband gets Too Good to Go from you guys weekly. I had to leave and review and say that the BBQ Chicken Slice is amazinggggggggggg. Absolutely amazing. Everything from you guys is great, but this slice is on another level! 🤌🏻😚💕“

“Service was outstanding!!! Nice atmosphere.. First time there, food was amazing definitely going back..“

“Ate at this location for the first time Saturday night. We have been to the original Westbury location several times. The food and service are exemplary ! We all thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Highly recommend this hidden gem ! 10 out of 10“

“There is no Place like Robkes food is top notch never disappoints. I cant wait to go back glad i live in the area 😊☺️🙏🏻👍💗it is unbelievable the lunch prices are half dinner price. so you are def getting bang for your buck. I almost want to keep it a secret but looks like the secret is out ,).“

“Thank you for taking care of us at our daughter’s graduation party! We had the most amazing time! The food and service was top notch!“

“Great consistent food. Priced very fairly. Great atmosphere. Enjoy seeing Todd O and Richie. It's like the 90s and Sprats. We are just missing Danny S.“

“If you’re craving an Italian dining experience that transports you straight to the heart of your Nonna’s kitchen, look no further than Cafe Gio in the Lidl Shopping Center, West Babylon, NY! From the moment we stepped into this unassuming gem tucked off Sunrise Highway, we were enveloped in an atmosphere that exuded authenticity, warmth, and culinary passion. This is not “just a meal”—it’s a direct love letter to true Italian cuisine (and I’m still swooning over every bite). Let’s start with the menu (!), a veritable symphony of Italian classics and innovative dishes that could satisfy even the most discerning appetite. The selection is vast, offering everything from Neapolitan and artisan pizzas to seafood, pastas, and entrees that make you feel like you’re dining in a rustic trattoria in Italy. The diversity is staggering, yet every dish feels crafted with precision and heart. We were a party of five, each with our own cravings, and Cafe Gio delivered beyond our wildest expectations! First up, the Roma Chicken. Oh, where do I begin? This dish was a revelation—tender chicken breast sautéed to perfection, crowned with spinach, melted mozzarella, and bathed in a delicate light pink brandy sauce. Next, the Chicken Parmigiana. This is not your run-of-the-mill parm. The chicken cutlet was impeccably crispy yet juicy, blanketed in a vibrant, house-made tomato sauce that had just the right balance of tang and sweetness. Topped with a generous layer of bubbling mozzarella, it was served with a side of perfectly al dente pasta. This dish alone is worth the trip to West Babylon—it’s comfort food elevated to an art form. The Shrimp Parmigiana was another showstopper. Golden-fried shrimp, plump and succulent, were nestled under that same glorious tomato sauce and mozzarella. Paired with a side of linguine, it was a plate of pure indulgence. And then, the Chicken Francese. This dish was a masterclass in elegance. The chicken, lightly battered and sautéed in a lemony white wine sauce, was bright, zesty, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Now, let’s talk about Jill, our server, who was nothing short of a superstar. She was the epitome of salt-of-the-earth—warm, genuine, and attentive without ever being overbearing. Jill’s infectious enthusiasm for the menu made us feel like we were dining at her own table. She checked in just enough to ensure our glasses were filled and our needs were met, all while sharing a smile that made the experience feel personal and heartfelt. Her knowledge of the menu was spot-on, and her recommendations were pure gold. Jill is the kind of server who turns a great meal into an unforgettable experience. The ambiance at Cafe Gio strikes a perfect balance between casual and inviting. Located in a strip mall, you might not expect the cozy, family-owned vibe that greets you inside. The dining room is spacious yet intimate, with a clean, welcoming aesthetic that makes it ideal for everything from a quick lunch to a celebratory dinner. Once you enter the door, prepare for the magic to unfold. Buon appetito!“

“The staff and have delicious cannoli“

“Such a wonderful experience! We had the blackened tuna done perfectly, ordered 5 different pasta dishes all perfection not to mention the lemon cake and creme brulee was perfect!“

“Great food and friendly staff. Deceivingly spacious compared to other similar venues. While prices are really not unusual they could be seen as a bit on the higher side, but the portions are pretty tremendous so could easily be a second mail with take home.“

“😀This is the third party he has catered for us. Sooo good. Thank you!!“

“This is truly a hidden gem. From the moment you walk in, you feel at home. Everyone is so nice and accommodating. But more importantly, the food is absolutely amazing!! This was our first time here but definitely will not be the last! Thank you to the entire staff!“

“We were very fortunate to use Mama Sbarro's for a recent meeting at our organization. Nicole did an amazing job providing us with everything we needed at a very affordable price. And the food was AMAZING! Thank you so much! We will continue to use Mama Sbarro's for a long time given their amazing service and food!“

“This was my spot growing up in East islip. Great food and people! Always grab a slice when I’m home“