50 Best Italian Restaurants near Stony Brook

“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!“

“Dinner was excellent! Extensive menu. Ordered from the pasta section of the menu gnocchi a la vodka with melted mozzarella on top. It was delicious. There was an unprinted kids menu that included good items like spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, chicken fingers with fries, pizza, etc on the night we went. Chose the spaghetti and meatballs and it came with a large bowl of spaghetti and two giant meatballs. My portion was huge too. They were all about service. Very friendly and attentive team members. The restaurant was very busy, but the food came out relatively quickly and very hot.

The only reason I gave the atmosphere four rather than five star rating is because the front door area was so crowded and congested when we arrived that we couldn't get through the dense and unorganized crowd to figure out where the hosts and hostesses were to request a table. We had never been there before so we had no idea if that was a line for a table or takeout. Appears the front door has a take out order counter or area there. There was a back side door that we ended up using and found some hosts in the middle of the restaurant to ask for a table. To our pleasant surprise there was table readily available for us on the patio!“

“Every good service and great food“

“The service was great and the ambiance was beautiful!! My chicken Francese could have been better. I was disappointed in that. I really enjoyed the salad and desert!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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 ❤️?“

“Staff and food were amazing. High recommended“

“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“

“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!!! 😋 🍽 🍷“

“Love the food. Service and atmosphere.“

“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!!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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 😂“

“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! 🤌🏻😚💕“

“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“

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

“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!!“

“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.“

“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.“

“We had a delicious meal with the family.“

“DELICIOUS food with wonderful, accommodating waitstaff. They always take my request to make the gnocchi with the hay & straw cream, mushroom snd truffle oil pasta sauce. I go here for birthdays celebrations to brunches as often as I can. Try their Malbec and flourless chocolate cake which is naturally gluten-free—in fact, their brunches have almost all gluten-free options. The coffee is smooth and just wonderful. The outdoor dining experience is as if you are at a party in Europe. They already see me often for 10 years—I love food and this gets my repeat business. Try it at least! See if it becomes a favorite of yours!“

“Picked up Three pies two hero’s the price is great. we ordered three different types deep dish. Thin. Crust and regular pie with meatballs five stars the meat balls really made the pie.“

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

“I don't know what's better, their food (the absolute best sausage heros) or their location (gorgeous views and there's a little park nearby) I'll definitely come back again!“

“Great food, great service, great ambience and fair prices make for a great dining experience!“

“Just had my grandmother’s 90th birthday here last weekend, and it was amazing! Maria (manager) was an absolute pleasure to work with from the beginning to the end. The staff was on top of everything, led my Wilma. The food was phenomenal! All our guests raved about how beautiful it was, how good the food was and how there was so much food! I can’t wait to go back!!!“

“4.5 experience overall. Was really impressed by the comfort of the seating, the service and the freshness of the food. This is a place that costs more and they do deliver to the price point. Really enjoyed the small details like the presentation on our drinks and portions of the food.“

“Oh my God! This is the place I've been searching for. My years long hunt for 'authentic' Carbonara pasta is over. This restaurant is a perfect blend of comfortable surroundings, upscale finishes, and well presented, lovingly prepared cuisine. Wrapped in lovely ambience with friendly service dining here is a delight.“

“The BEST pizza in the world!“

“We are very happy with L'anatra. Love their pizza and we had them cater a party for us this weekend. They delivered to the door for free and the food and presentation was beautiful. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. I wish them much success and highly recommend. Will cater from them again!!“