50 Best Italian Restaurants near Lake Grove

“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 can not believe that this restaurant has been here on Main Street in Port Jefferson Village for over 20 years and I never ate there!!! This is my new Favorite place to eat. The food was exceptional and good size portions. The pita bread they put out on the table was so delicious I could have made that my meal. The service was extremely attentive and so personable. The Owner came around greeting everyone and made us feel like we were all family having dinner together. I am looking forward to my next visit.“

“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.“

“We've been coming to Orto since it opened, and have brought family and friends several times. My husband proposed to me while we dined there four years ago and we recently went back to celebrate our anniversary. Every meal has been wonderful.“

“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!“

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

“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.“

“My family bought me here for Mother’s Day and it most definitely did not disappoint.“

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

“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 ❤️?“

“Had my bridal shower here and it was a dream! The food is delicious and the staff is wonderful. The catering manager Byron is a pleasure to work with and was so accommodating! Our guests can’t stop talking about how great the event was!“

“Staff and food were amazing. High recommended“

“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.“

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

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

“My new favorite place in Port Jeff! Food is delicious, staff are great!! I used to manage an Italian restaurant in Manhattan, I tend to scrutinize restaurants, 2 thumbs up for Pasta Pasta, say it again!!! 😋 🍽 🍷“

“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!“

“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“

“Love the food. Service and atmosphere.“

“Friendly service and delicious food.“

“Happened upon this restaurant while visiting Port Jefferson. And glad we did. Got here early enough that we could get a table right away. Steve took great care of us without being overbearing. We started off with the stuffed mushrooms, which were so freaking good. For main course my husband got the Chicken & Sausage Scarpiello, and I had the Veal Scallopini - both were delicious. We finished off sharing the Rainbow Cookie Cheesecake. This exceeded my expectations. Everything was so good that my husband wants to go back tomorrow!“

“BEST FOOD EVER, ALWAYS FRESH !!! FRENDLY STAFF . A MUST TRY!!“

“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.“

“Always Great Service At The Bar!
I had Dinner at the bar and was served by Deanna. As always, she was friendly, informative about the menu and specials, and made sure I received great service. Be sure to come down with your friends and family when Deanna is working! Tell her I sent you!
Bob D. East Setauket“

“Very good food nice people“

“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!“

“Branchenellis in Miller Place, New York, is a delightful eatery that offers a unique blend of flavors and a welcoming atmosphere. Known for its creative menu and commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients, this restaurant has quickly become a favorite among locals.

The menu features a diverse selection of dishes that cater to various tastes, including mouthwatering brunch options, savory sandwiches, and flavorful entrees. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty breakfast, a fresh salad, or a delicious pasta dish, there's something for everyone. The brunch offerings, in particular, are a standout, with items like fluffy pancakes, eggs benedict, and creative omelets that are sure to satisfy.

The ambiance at Branchenellis is warm and inviting, making it a great spot for a casual meal with friends or a cozy date night. The decor is charming, and the layout provides a comfortable dining experience.

The service is friendly and attentive, with staff members eager to ensure that guests have a pleasant experience. Many patrons appreciate the restaurant's commitment to customer satisfaction, which adds to the overall positive vibe.

Overall, Branchenellis in Miller Place is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for delicious food in a welcoming environment. With its flavorful menu, inviting atmosphere, and attentive service, it’s a place worth visiting for a memorable dining experience.“

“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!“

“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!“

“Delicious food from start to finish. Wonderful service (we had Gina but all others were great as well) and Friday night they had a singer and had the whole restaurant singing together. Comfy intimate spot that I will definitely return to.“

“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 😂“

“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 😋“

“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!!!!!!“

“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“

“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!!!“

“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.“

“I had the bowtie pasta with shrimp in a pink sauce, and it was delicious! The dine in seating area was small but comfortable. We were a party of 10. The pizza area was busy with a lot of take out pizzas, and it was a Wednesday night.
This was my 1st time at Bonappetito in Smithtown, I live near Port Jefferson, and I definitely will go back again!“

“They catered our party and the food was fabulous. Their meatballs are soft and the best we’ve tasted. The trays were filled to the top. The chicken parm, chicken francaise, and pasta dishes were great. Hero was great too. I was a little hesitant hiring them only because I had never used them before. I decided to use them because we had gone there for dinner a few times and loved the meatballs and other dishes (chicken bruschetta for one) and their homemade dipping sauce for their bread. I could be happy with the dipping sauce and bread alone, delicious! We will definitely use them again to cater. They delivered and were right on time.“

“Cosy little place with the Italian vibe you'd expect from a charming Long Island Italian place. It's half traditional slices and half sit down Italian restaurant. The sit down food is great and the pizza is higher level. Not your average corner store.They have a wine selection worthy of this level of Italian cuisine.I always judge Italian restaurants by their eggplant dishes. This one passes the test.Servers are quick and courteous. They always have more people on staff then needed so there's never a wait. At least every time I've been there.I used to go when I grew up a few towns over and it doesn't seem to have changed.Their Sicilian is my go to when it comes to slices. I like their marinara sauce for dipping as well.

Vegetarian options: Pizza and eggplant dishes.

Parking: Always more then enough. The parking lot is huge.

Kid-friendliness: Not kid oriented but definitely kid friendly.

Wheelchair accessibility: It's ground level.“

“Pizza and calzones are always burnt, effecting the taste. Even when you ask the staff to cook it lightly, they still burn them. Calzones have way too much mozzarella cheese, and not enough ricotta cheese. Burnt is the norm here. Staff are friendly.“

“Food was delicious and nice presentation!“

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

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

“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.“

“I attended an event Friday night and this place blew me away on so many levels. The food was amazing, but the service was even better. Between Kaitlyn giving me a sample of one of the wines because I told her I was picky about wine and Zack accommodating an absolutely ridiculous request, they were all just amazing people. I’m autistic and I make some ridiculous requests sometimes, but Zack didn’t even bat an eye. I have pet rats and I saw that broccoli rabe was on the menu as a side, so I asked if I could take home like a single piece and he didn’t even blink, he just said to remind him before I left. I will definitely be patronizing them in the future“

“This place is for the foodies! We dinned at the Patchogue Location on a Saturday 4pm and had the place to ourselves which was nice. We ordered The Sals fried chicken bowl with caesar salad, it was so good! we also ordered the mac & cheese and this was probably one of the best i’ve ever had, 10/10 must try. The parmesan truffle fries are perfectly crisp and delicious. The risotto balls were also very good! Our server Gianna R was so sweet and attentive. Highly recommended this place. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️e“