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“

“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 🇺🇸“

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

“We have dined at Ciro's a few times before. We ordered from the regular menu even though it was restaurant week. Everyone's food was prepared to their liking and enjoyed. The desserts were decadent but quite delicious. The service was slow, but we didn't mind because we were not in a rush. We will be back.“

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

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

“This place is up there with Michelin star restaurants in my opinion. Very very impressed .
I got the Carpaccio - the rabbit - and then the duck. All of which were prepped very very nicely . Carpaccio is some of the best I’ve had. Great high quality ingredients , along with incredible flavor profiles, and very nice ambiance.
Will be coming back.
- Griffin Ferro“

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

“Great food. Great atmosphere. Great music. Great people.“

“Absolutely one of the best meals I have had recently. All the pasta is freshly made in house. Run don’t walk to Talina“

“This place is amazing. The food is delicious. I enjoyed the crab cocktail and the lobster crêpes the people there are awesome and the place is nice fancy.“

“Staff and food were amazing. High recommended“

“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 😂“

“The restaurant was over and above our expectations the service was superb as was the food was absolutely the best Italian food we have every experienced. We had a few favorites on long island but La Villini will be our best choice going fot“

“I don't know how I missed this hidden gem in St.James, but I was fortunate to have dinner there last night. A small, but intimate restaurant, almost missed it traveling from south to north on Moriches Rd. Not your typical menu that you would find in your average Modern Italian restaurant. Delicious, authentic italian regional dishes, like mama made. Interesting appetizers to wondetful pasta dishes, and the braised beef over polenta was incredible. You can bring your own wine, and the wait staff was very attentive, great place, looking forward to returning!“

“Holy moly!! That’s all I can say! First and foremost today was my first time ordering two sandwiches after my mouth watered seeing a friend bring her sandwiches to a basketball game a couple days ago and I said I have to try them out. Upon walking in I felt at home seeing so many Italian staples, my eyes lit up. I’m so sad I didn’t know about this gem earlier. Everyone there was so nice and welcoming even going far as showing me around and even giving my husband and I a sample. I’m so excited to go back and be a regular moving forward.“

“Absolutely excellent, pleasantly surprised“

“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 !“

“We attended a party on a Saturday, about 25 people. The food, service and presentation was very good. The staff couldn’t be more attentive and helpful. I loved the way food was family style at every table. Thank you to all the staff, great job.“

“One of our favorite spots to grab casual dinner with the family. Service is good and price is pretty good too. The chicken parmigiana dinner comes with choice of soup or salad or pasta. Pasta Fagoli is some of the best around reminds me of my Nana’s. Go check it out they don’t take reservations but even on busy nights the wait is no longer than 15-20 mins.“

“Food was delicious and nice presentation!“

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

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

“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?“

“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!“

“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! 🤌🏻😚💕“

“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“

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

“i came here to celebrate my birthday w my cousin and grandma and our waitress Kaitlyn was the sweetest person ever. she has so much personality and her service was impeccable.
the food was good too, but thank you Kaitlyn for making this dinner enjoyable.
i had no idea my grandma asked them to sing to us… she is usually here weekends so we will be back!!“

“It was my first time dining here, and I was very pleased! We split the fried calamari arrabiata style, and I had the chicken mannino, which was a lighter dish cause of the vinegarette as opposed to a thicker sauce. My family enjoyed their dishes as well, and of course we saved room for dessert. The captain jack cake has become my top 5 favorite dessert of all time, and we will definitely dine here again! Shout out to Dawn, what a lovely waitress!“

“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!“

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

“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“

“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.“

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

“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 ,).“

“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“

“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!“

“We had a Mothers Day celebration Sunday at this fabulous seafood restaurant. There were 15 of us- 9 adults and six children between 5 and 12. We traveled an hour to get there. The food was delicious- fresh, tasty and the portions were so large that everyone took a doggy bag home. It was served by a great staff including Angel who was our server. The owner, Donna, was very cordial and friendly. Everyone had a great time. We can't wait for our next family dinner to return. This is a must restaurant if you are a seafood lover!!“

“Thank for my roast beef and mashed potato and my buffalo blue pizzas 🍕 yesterday, my husband was so happy I bought his two favorites back to Pennsylvania for him! They travel great and always delicious 😋“

“The staff and have delicious cannoli“

“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.“

“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!“

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