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.“

“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.“

“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“

“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.“

“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!“

“This is my new favorite spot for Italian!! As a local from KP we had not been back since this was Sal's, but clearly we waited too long.. Saturday night, got seated in 5 min, great service.. Owner checked in, and opened and poured the wine. Food was spot on, and did not wait long. Chicken Valdostana, fantastic, definitely recommend. Ambiance was cozy, not loud and décor had me wanting to book a trip to Tuscany. No time for dessert, but next time I'm ordering a Sambuca. Not pretentious, not over priced, just a great spot that clearly the owner has a lot of pride in. Thanks, we will be back! *Don't write reviews often, but this one is worth getting the word out.“

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

“Staff and food were amazing. High recommended“

“This place never disappoints. Last night I sat and had a table filled with dishes that were so delicious. Spare ribs were falling off the bone and seasoned to perfection. Steve makes the finest dishes packed with savory goodness. Love the bread and toppings. Their Pesto pasta with broccoli rabe and sausage is amazing and one of my favorites. Quaint place with wonderful service too. I recommend trying each dish ❤️?“

“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“

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

“We have been coming for years and never had a bad meal. We love this place and is a staple when we go out or to bring in. It's a hidden gem. I hope nothing happens to it when they put in the apartment building close to train tracks. Service as always is excellent and personal. Benny and his brother Victor always treat us as family. Congratulations Matt you have a great restaurant.“

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

“Everything ordered was delicious. We were not rushed; our server was excellent. The food was perfect and serving sizes large. We were there to celebrate birthdays, and they even gifted a small bottle of prosecco. We plan on returning soon and have told family/friends about our dinner. It is a wonderful, homey restaurant and well worth it.“

“Friendly service and delicious food.“

“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“

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

“It was my first time there. My parents have been there before and suggested we stop for a bite! We tried about five different slices! OMG....the deep dish with pepperoni was AMAZING!! I decided to order a whole tray and take it home! We stopped by around 2:30. They didn't have any table service, so you ordered and brought it to your table. We didn't wait long for our food. The service was friendly. We will be back!! YUMMMMM“

“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.“

“Very good food nice people“

“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!“

“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!“

“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“

“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!“

“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.“

“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 😂“

“Ate here for the first time this past Friday 12/6. Walked in and loved the decoration of the interior of the restaurant. We ordered the Crostini for an appetizer, and I got the Mezzelune Al Tartufo and my Fiancee got Strozzapreti Gratinati for our main dishes. For Dessert we got the Apple cake. Our waiter recommended the Apple cinnamon old fashioned. Everything was phenomenal. I can’t wait to go back. They should promote that there is parking in the back so people don’t drive by if their isn’t parking in the front.“

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

“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 😋“

“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! 🤌🏻😚💕“

“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 ,).“

“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!!!!!!“

“Not only do me and my family come to eat here all the time, I had my baby shower, my son’s baptism & his first birthday here. Every event hosted here is amazing. The food is incredible and you are treated like family!! Best of the best.“

“Always awesome and delicious!!!“

“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?“

“One of the best authentic Pizza loving, cheezy, perfect crispy doughs I have come across. The stuffed pizzas are stuffed just right, the portions are a nice size, shareable as well. The prices are reasonable and the staff are super friendly. ? Their pizza is delicious dinning in or at home and reheated the next day.“

“The food at this restaurant is exceptional, with delicious flavors and generous portions. The atmosphere has the perfect balance between classy and comfortable, making it ideal for any occasion. The service is outstanding—professional, friendly, and attentive without being intrusive. The waitstaff are knowledgeable and genuinely helpful.

During my father's recent visit, he accidentally dropped his wallet outside the restaurant. He didn’t notice until the check arrived. After paying, as they were about to leave, the Maître d' approached him and returned the wallet, which had been found and kept safe. Not a single item was missing, and my father was deeply grateful for their honesty and care.

This restaurant not only serves amazing food but also exemplifies integrity and exceptional customer service. Highly recommended!“

“The staff and have delicious cannoli“

“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!“

“I ate here after a long day of work. And I had the best experience ever. The server Emily was very nice and helpful. And made sure I got my food on time and well made. She is there to work and work only. And I appreciate a server like that. Excellent service.“

“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.“

“Good food excellent and attentive service generous portions Thank you for a great dining experience“

“Food was delicious and nice presentation!“