46 Best Italian Restaurants near Sandy Hook

“We had lunch there today with another couple for the first time.We did not like the previous restaurant at this location but this was surprisingly different.The place was completely redecorated and the food and service was excellent.Our server Katy gave us all the time we requested to catch up with our friends whom we had not seen in quite awhile.We will definitely return for dinner soon.We felt as though we were dining in the city which we often do when attending a show.We will be back.Great job.“

“Pizza ? is old school. Absolutely delicious. Simple place emphasis on quality. Not doughy perfectly cooked. Not burnt but done. One minute either way would have been a different pie. Perfect. Delicious from the first bite Easy to eat , cheese does not fall in your lap but there is plenty of sauce cheese and any topping you choose. Stiff enough to pick up and eat without it flopping in your lap. Really enjoyed the pie. From the outside it looks small. Once you enter it opens up into a large area that can seat a lot of customers. Highly recommend. Real nice suprise. It’s a pizza joint.“

“Really good accommodations for gluten, most of the apps were gluten free or could be made gluten free. They even made a few sauces to accommodate a dairy allergy, highly recommend this place and this will be the new go to spot for us. For those of us with no allergies, all food and service was spot on!Dietary restrictions: Gluten, dairy was easy here, highly recommended“

“Honestly one of the best meals I've ever had. The cowboy steak was amazing!!! 4 of us sampled each other's dishes and we were all impressed with them all. The vodka sauce was one of the best I've ever tasted. And then there are the desserts!!! Everything was perfect from start to finish. Cannot recommend enough.“

“I've been a regular at Nardelli's for a couple years and have never once had a bad meal. It's always phenomenal and service is always excellent as well. I've had half their menu and would recommend any of it, but in particular I'd recommend the shaved steak and cheese, the barbecue bacon chicken and the pulled pork sandwiches, as well as both their seafood salad and macaroni salad, and any of their parfaits and cheesecakes.“

“It's been too long since we're been. We've realized that we've been missing exceptionally great food and nice servings at very reasonable prices. It's a cozy atmosphere with very good waitstaff. Making reservations through SEVENROOMS was very easy and being part of Five Star is a nice perk. Thank you again...we'll be back !!!“

“Food , service, vibe, all awesome! We started with the most tender fried calamari I have ever eaten and a side of fried artichokes topped with a lemon ailoi. My husband had a twist on chicken parm, topped with gnocci that were like pillows. I have never had gnocci so light. I had eggplant parm and it was unreal. The sauce was flavorful, the eggplant was thin, not bitter at all. The bread was warm and light, even the olive oil on the table was top notch. I had a glass of house chardonnay with dinner, I don't know who's it was, but it was tasty! Even the music was upbeat and nostalgic. This is my third time there and it's always been perfect. I can't wait to explore more of the menu!“

“This is the best pizza in southbury,ct, they are so friendly and make you feel welcome, eggplant parm is very tasty, if you know Italian food , this is authentic, I’m Italian , I Know ,this is a taste of italy, the best , give it a try you won’t be sorry“

“Love this place, when my father was around this was the only place he would eat pizza from. We recently celebrated the 12 year mark since his passing and my family gathered here and flooded the place in memory of him. They were able to accommodate us and it was greatly appreciated! The pizza is also incredibly good delicious. Anytime I’m around bethel I take a pie home!“

“Having lived in the area my whole life I can't believe last week was the first time I ever ate here. The restaurant is bigger than it looks from the outside but is very cozy. The wait staff is friendly and the pizza we ordered was the best I've had in a very long time. My wife and I shared a large pie and had plenty to take home. Usually the next day pizza's not so good but honestly I think it was better!!! We will definitely be going back“

“This place is awesome! Best meal that we have had in a long time! Top quality, fresh ingredients and generous portions! This was our first time there and we will be coming back for sure! Shout out to Carrie and the chef!!! So happy to find a great place like this and can’t wait to go back!“

“We ordered 2 pizzas and a few meals using the site called Slice when we searched for a phone number for Vincent's. We felt that there were 2 issues with our order. We ordered penne ala vodka and received penne with meat sauce. We also ordered a specialty pizza called Margherita pizza and we received a cheese pizza. We did contact the restaurant and we were told that the ticket they received had not stated penne ala vodka but it did say meat sauce. As for the Margherita pizza they make it slightly 'different' and we had received the correct pizza. It looked and tasted like a cheese pizza and there was no fresh basil in or on it at all. The menu states that the Margherita pizza is made with Plum tomato sauce and fresh basil topped with mozzarella cheese. So it is different as this description does not state that fresh mozzarella is used but we expected to have seen the green fresh basil in the pie and the sauce tasted similar to what was on our sausage pizza.If we are to order from them we will not use the App and we definitely will not order a Margherita pizza as we like it the way it is 'normally' made and not the 'different' way that the restaurant makes it. Otherwise the food was good.“

“Wonderful real homemade chicken parm grinder, no "patty" here. The pizza is delectable, especially with toppings. I order a large chef salad often; salad is always fresh and olives are great as is the homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing. The turkey and cheese are very fresh also.The service is great, friendly in a small cozy atmosphere. Pat Winn“

“Went with my family this summer. It was delicious. Customer service was great. The girls that work the front are friendly and helpful. Pur pizza was amazing. The veggie ranch is a much try. So many options and toppings. There is something for everyone. They have subs and pasta dinners that we great too. Indoor or outdoor seating. The outside was great on a summer night. A great local pizza shop!!!“

“Under new ownership! We stopped in for a meal and I ended up being highly satisfied, started with bread and an oil garlic and herb did, that had a lot of aroma and fine taste. Bread was hard shell soft inside perfect to soak up the oil. We ordered espresso martinis that were excellent in taste! Then the salad, great color to the greens and crunchy croutons with a great Cesar dressing. The meals Fra Diablo calamari in spaghetti and a shrimp and scallop special with broccoli rabe cooked with knowledge and heart. Finish with a Sauvignon Blanc. What a great meal and they are making the dining area cozy and warm. Exactly what you need when you eat at an Italian restaurant. I will continue to dine in and out.“

“Me and my individual went there last night. We each got our own pizza. Broccoli & chicken pizza, pepperoni pizza. Both were very delicious especially with that crunchy crust not too crunchy but just perfect. The family there was very nice, helpful and funny. All and All definitely will be returning for more pizza.“

“Love this place. Fresh meats, cheeses, delicious prepared foods and a small selection of Italian ingredients to stock your cabinets. Great place to grab a quick sandwich or buy your picnic supplies. They are always so nice here and have that "locals" vibe.“

“Awesome food and great craft beer list. Very knowledgeable staff about craft beers and wine. Great food and and a great value. Very cute, friendly waitreses. Truly great beer selection, not just the usual 5 different hazy NE IPA most places put up as their craft beer. There was 1 Belgian, 2 Germans, a bourbon barrel aged beer, as well as few Excellent Local beers. Do yourself a flavor, go for the beer and stay for the delicious food.Highly recommended!“

“Wasn't sure about this place when we pulled in to the parking lot but so glad we gave it a try . I ordered the Zuppa di pesce ( one of my favorite hard to find meals ) absolutely everything I was hoping it would be and more . Very extensive menu if you can't find something here to tickle your taste buds maybe your not human . The service was awesome. The restaurant itself ain't very fancy but a steady flow of traffic of people picking up and calling in for orders . They are definitely doing something right . Me and the wife was in from out of town for a funeral. And we was very satisfied with our meals and service . So if your in the area this place is definitely worth the stop .“

“I have been going to Capri since I’ve lived in Bethel as it is my favorite pizza place in this town so far! They have outdone theirselves with the buffalo chicken pizza. This was the best buffalo chicken pizza I’ve ever had anywhere! The blue cheese dressing underneath and just the right amount of spice. Idk who was making them pizzas on the night of 10/14/23 but they did a phenomenal job. As do all the pizza makers. Thank you“

“Delicious! I’d suggest calling ahead during lunch because they get busy with a lunch rush (good for them!) Everything I ordered was ready in the time they told me to come pickup. The few one star reviews tell more about the person who wrote them than the business itself lol! Will be going back.“

“We discovered this place recently but fell in love with it immediately. This restaurant has great food and atmosphere. Salads are excellent, soooo tasty, and one of our favorites is Mare Caldo (seafood) in red sauce. Octopus is also fantastic. I would recommend this place to anyone who appreciates good food and a classy environment.“

“BEST Italian anywhere nearby and worth traveling into Bethel for. All Italian wine list has something for everyone and the staff is happy to help. Amazing cocktail program and rotating draft beer, and we haven't even mentioned the food. This is classic Italian (no parm list or gloopy pastas here), and you get a true taste of Italy. They run weekly specials to keep the menu fresh and change the entire menu seasonally, using local farms as often as possible. A true gem in Bethel!“

“What a hidden gem! Portobello is our new favorite in Brookfield. I can definitely see why they were voted the number 1 pizza in town! The clams oreganata were such a delicious appetizer, and all of the food was just fantastic. Great presentations and quality homemade food, with a creative list of cocktails too! Friendly staff in a clean, welcoming environment. We’ll be back!“

“Decided to try something new tonight for Dinner.After a referral from another local business to Lapiazza I stopped in to check it out for myself. I spoke with a gentleman named Sam he was super friendly ,and after I shared my recent (Bad) experience at another local restaurant waiting for my order he gave me a tour of the soon to open dining area/bar. It was beautifully decorated, spotless and had an amazing atmosphere. He promised me I would not be disappointed with the pizza I ordered. Well Sam was absolutely right ! The pizza was amazing ! I can't wait to dine in and try the other meals they offer. Pizza was delicious thank you Sam for not disappointing!“

“I was very excited to move to a town that had a pasta shop and this place did not disappoint. Nice variety of pasta, and other things. We purchased their prosciutto and fontina cheese raviolis and they were delicious. The staff was very nice and friendly, story was clean. Will be shopping here more for sure.“

“This place is fantastic and employs some of the kindest people you will meet. They were so gracious and kind to my aunt who just lost her husband. I can't say enough good things about this place and the people who work there. And the pasta and pizza was absolutely delicious. Thank you very much, and may the Lord bless you for your kindness!“

“The service here was top-notch - attentive, but not obtrusive. I had the scallop entree - an attractive display of scallops, which were well-seasoned and cooked to perfection, along with three veggies of different textures topped with crispy shallots - yum.“

“I moved to Monroe over a year ago and I have sampled the pizza in the area with my family over that time, but recently a co-worker of mine told me I have to try Sal's. So with it being lent ... and a Friday ... I thought what better time to try it. I felt a little like Dave Portnoy without the camera and the millions of followers of course. I'm originally from NJ with family roots in NY. I know all the hub bub about pepe's and sally's - they are solid. This is the best local pie I have had. Hands down. Best pizza I have ingested since I got to Monroe. We will be going to Sal's only now for pizza. I didn't comment on atmosphere, because we ordered to go.“

“Armando's is an old favorite of mine, so when I was back in town I made a point of stopping in. As usual, I wasn't disappointed. The food was incredible - never overdone, just classic dishes done really well. The service was wonderful, the owners are completing charming and make you feel at home. Highly recommend Armando's and can't wait to go back next time I'm home.And oh my goodness, the cheesecake...“

“Not only was the 2 sandwiches I had the meatball then my kid took it so I got a buffalo chicken sandwich and omfg again amazing. I about to get that cute girls number so I can eat there every dayVegetarian options: U can pick what goes on ur subParking: It's nice“

“The BEST!!! Saw the ad for $30 of take out gets me a free large pie and am sooo glad I did. Bought the hubs chicken cutlet parm with spaghetti and I got meat lasagna. Easily enough food for 6 people. The sauce was so fresh, chicken done to perfection, and covered in wonderful cheesy goodness. The lasagna was scrumptious! Loads of cheese and meat in it and it filled the large take out container to the very top!. The fresh bread that comes with the food is delightful too! Pizza was perfectly thin, good proportion of cheese, sauce and crust, oh..and FREE!Seriously, you HAVE to try this place. The nicest guys, the best food and my family will eat well for at least 3 days!“

“It's like going to grandmas house! I had the chicken parm lunch special and it hit the spot. A full and flavorful bright red sauce two big pieces of chicken and a perfect topping of mozzarella. Friendly service in a pleasant atmosphere. So when you miss grandma head to FrancoGianis“

“Hubby and I ordered from Bella Rosa tonight. Hubby had the cheese pizza and I enjoyed the Lula Grelhadas. My meal was succulent. The calamari was tender and the broccoli rabe had just the right amount of garlic. The piece de resistance was hubby's pizza crust. Each time he was finishing a slice of pizza I was asking for the crust. It looked beautiful and tasted absolutely yummy. Crunchy on the outside soft inside. Perfectly done. Yummy.“

“I had it delivered but the delivery guy was so amazingly sweet and the pizza delicious . I’ve lived in Woodbury over 10 years and complain there are no good pizza places first time trying , now I’m wrong !! So good !Vegetarian options: Yum“

“Our chicken dish was described on the menu as being atop pasta. What we received was just chicken on a plate. I feel like every time we try to eat here there's an event going on. They should close the restaurant portion of their business during events so paying customers don't get neglected.“

“We heard such good things about Portofino, so we decided to check it out for ourselves! The food lived up to our expectations - everything was incredible! The meat was cooked perfectly and the lemon sauce on the chicken francaise was flavorful. Every dish was perfect. We sat in the bar because we visited in the early afternoon. The staff was friendly. I’ll definitely be keeping this spot in mind when I’m in the Bethel area for fantastic Italian food!“

“The menu features a wide variety of pasta dishes, pizzas, seafood, and meat dishes. Some of the most popular items include the eggplant parmesan, the lasagna, and the grilled salmon. The restaurant also has a full bar with a wide selection of wines, beers, and cocktails.Vazzy's Osteria is a popular spot for both families and couples. It is also a popular choice for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and reservations are recommended.“

“There were two tables of young people who behaved extremely rude on March 17; Screaming at the top of their lungs for the entire two hours wendined. The management did nothing to correct them. We could barely have a conversation over their very rude behavior. Sad that young people don't have more self respect and behave moreintelligently.Parking: Fine, no issues.“

“Our family tried Osteria Romana for the 1st time in Monroe on Easter Sunday. A challenging time to be first trying a restaurant. There were little things here and there that kept this from being a 5 star experience. When we arrived the parking lot was filled. There was a valet but we were skeptical because I did not notice the guy had a sign, pin, or jacket stating he was the valet. Luckily it was legit. When I checked in early they were of course not ready for us. I asked would they come out and call us once our table was ready? I was told No and to keep checking back. I kind of felt like since there was no where to wait inside. They should have at least come got us when our table was ready. Our reservation was for 7 people @ 4pm and our table was ready at 4:15pm. It's fine it was Easter and they were busy. At one point our waiter left, and it took a bit before a new waiter came over. All the staff we encountered were very friendly. For appetizers my husband had the octopus salad, I got the mini meatballs. My husband was skeptical about the grilled lettuce but actually enjoyed it. The mini meatballs came in a cute bowl with a nice added touch of a wooden spoon and was really good. Our main courses were seafood risotto for him and prosecco chicken for me. He ate every last bite of his seafood. I tasted his risotto which was cooked nicely. The sauce for my chicken made my chicken cutlets not crispy but it had nice flavor. Desserts: Chocolate Lava cake with ice cream and pistachio cheesecake. Both heavenly and sweet (but not too sweet). Wish we were offered coffee or cappuccino. But I guess its good they didnt because we were all ready to get up and moving. Hope to try their brunch with my husband or smaller group soon.“

“Food was good. We sat in front of the door in the dinning room. No curtain, frosted gloss or shade in the door which resulted in the light shinning in my guest all through dinner. You would think that they could fix this quite easily, by covering the glass with a decal from Home Depot or placing a curtain or drape over the glass since there exists a curtain rod on the door.“

“My sister is visiting from Florida and it happened to be her birthday on Monday. My father suggested this restaurant because he had dined in for lunch a couple of months ago. I've passed this place hundreds of times and never looked twice so I was skeptical. From outside it doesn't say much to capture your attention. We were a party of 8 and the place was empty which again made me skeptical. But to our surprise, the waitress was polite and patient as well as Accommodating. We ordered several appetizers: bruschetta on garlic bread with mozzarella, calamari with marinara sauce, garlic knots and clams casino that were the best we ever tasted. All the appetizers were delicious! We ordered drinks from their pretty full bar they have and were generous about topping drinks off ! I ordered the rigatoni chicken a la vodka which I make at home from scratch and tend to be picky. Loved it!! The rest of the family ordered chicken cutlet parmigiana, fried shrimps , shrimp scallops and mussels in garlic sauce, sausages and peppers dinner and chicken piccata. There was no complaints about any of the dishes served. All were cooked to perfection and had great flavor! Even the dinner bread served at the table was delicious! We felt satisfied all around with the food and service! It's a quaint place but you feel very welcome. A must go for a great Italian meal! Loved everything about this place. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures of the dishes , I left my phone in the car and I was enjoying my meal too much to get it!“

“The food was very good and our waitress was very helpful and friendly! I would give Jennies five stars if it wasn't for the very loud acoustics. Once a few large parties left, it quieted down making the remainder of our meal much more enjoyable!“

“Food price / quality (value) rating 9.5. this place uses high quality ingredients and everything is cooked properly. Their Pizza is a Greek style pan pizza with a wonderfully thin crisp crust. I've gotten probably 30 pizzas here in the last 18 months and they've all been perfect! High quality cheeses and meats and generous toppings are always the norm. This is the only pizza I've been eating lately. I would recommend the meatball and hot pepper Pizza or the sausage and hot pepper pizza and always get a large. Easy access from exit 10 off i-84 in Newtown.“

“Had a great time at Ecco with the fam even after almost having to break out the swim trunks to get there! Apparently, it was Monsoon Season in CT on Saturday evening...Anywho, the atmosphere, food, & wine were excellent but the service really stood out! Our server, Matthew, is the best in the game and was highly personable/knowledgeable about everything. Thanks for the recommendation on the type of sauce to get for the Steak, Matt! My fiancee ended up taking the majority of mine because she enjoyed it so much...Now all we need to do is get you guys some Hawk Ridge wine to serve! We will be back!“

“It was our first time here for lunch. The server brought out a nice half loaf of warm bread and seasoned olive oil, which is already a bonus over traditional butter. We split a small Ortolana pie which consisted of grilled eggplant, zucchini, red pepper and fresh mozzarella . The crust was thin and crispy, the sauce was flavorful and the dash of fresh basil really sent a plesent aroma into the air. We can’t wait to go back for dinner .“