50 Best Italian Restaurants near Dunellen

“I can’t say enough about Avellino’s hands down the best tasting pizza. We order ALL the time and it’s always delicious. Customer service is always exceptional. I recommend Avellino’s to anyone that is looking for fresh, tasty and delicious pizza!“

“Such a great dinner spot! Came here with a two coworkers and were blown away by the service. Our waiter gave detailed recommendations that turned out to be delicious!! I got the ragú as my main meal and loved it, and the cabbage/shrimp appetizer was what especially surprised us with its flavor. It was a small and quaint spot with only a handful of tables, which created an intimate environment. I came from out of town but if I was local, this would be a go to for me!“

“We went to Tosca Mangiano for our Anniversary on a Friday night, the food was absolutely amazing, Pulpo cooked to perfection, the gnocchi was probably one of the best I have had, my husband ordered the Bronzino and he said it was delicious! Dessert was the Almond sponge cake which was decadent! The service was not great, disappointing considering the quality of the food.“

“The food at Carrabas is delicious and extremely comforting!The chicken soup always hits the spot and you can never go wrong with getting the Rigatoni Martino or the Chicken MarsalaThe staff is always super friendly and always accommodating for our food allergies! Thank you for always being one of our go to spots!Dietary restrictions: Gluten allergy and nut allergy“

“Food is excellent, and it is consistently excellent, over many years. From the breads to the fico appetizer to the pasta and chicken mains (haven't had meats or seafood), I've always been satisfied. The staff is very good. Do wear or bring something warm because the room can feel cool. Do make reservations earlier than the day of, at least on the weekends.“

“In our search for a Sunday brunch outdoors, we ended up here and were blown away by the quality of the service and the food. From the moment we sat down, Luis and the rest of the staff attended to every detail and went above and beyond to create an outstanding experience. They generously provided recommendations and ensured that we were completely satisfied. The huevos rancheros and crabmeat omelette were flavorful and filling. We will be back to support our neighbors. Muchas gracias!“

“Changing my review because it technically wasn't fair. The decor was very pretty. The waitress was nice and my husband enjoyed his pasta even though it was not as described on the menu. My eggplant was not done well and my lack of finishing it should have raised concern with the waitress. Overall it was a pleasant atmosphere and the wine list was extensive.“

“Went to Jessica’s last night with friends. Absolutely beautiful restaurant and the food and service was amazing. What a wonderful addition to downtown Fanwood. The salads mussels meatballs chicken scallops all amazing. Make sure to make a reservation. THE BEST.“

“An amazing family style restaurant. The food is what you'd be served at Nonnas on Sunday.The food is amazing.The service, friendly, efficient, incredible.The location, cozy, down to earth, honest.A great place to go if you're hungry.Plates are big.Ingredients are fresh and you can tell that sauce simmered on a stove for some time and didn't come out of a can.Top 3 meals of my life.I can guarantee I will return next time I'm in this corner of the world.Please check this jewel of a restaurant out.“

“ordered a large cobb salad. it was so delicious. they gave so much chicken and the greens were so fresh. I used to be a steady customer of highland park pizza but they went out of business and I was upset because I have health issues and need meals delivered to me. Tried Francesco and they will have me as a steady customer now. so happy I found this place. give them a shot you wont be sorry.“

“Short menu but it's not the usual, predictable selection you'd find at most Italian restaurants. The bruschetta was perfect, the beef was done to perfection and the gnocchi with shrimp was excellent. Service was attentive but not rushed and the room was quiet and well-appointed. Don't be put off by the outside appearance. Once inside, you'll get a great meal.“

“Im in the business and wish i had the front of the house management and staff that consistently deliver the level of service found at Water & Wine. Fantastic menu, excellent execution, outstanding service, and fair prices. Nice fireplace near the bar and nice views of the Watchung pond from every table in the dining room.“

“This is one our favorite places to go. What makes it so special is the people that take care of you!..After you have been there a couple of times you are treated like family laughing and talking with everybody including the owners. Oh ya and food is awsome!“

“Great pizza with great service! The garlic knots are delicious- must buy! Tons of huge garlic pieces! I got half plain and half green peppers, and definitely the freshest green peppers I've had on a pizza ever. I haven't been here in years but went because they were supporting a fundraiser for the local animal shelter- another reason to come here! Definitely will be back soon!“

“I picked up the most delicious 3 foot subs, turkey and cheese and the chicken mozzarella and red pepper, Caesar salad and penne pasta with vodka sauce for my husband 65th birthday party and the food was delicious. Not only that but the customer service was outstanding. Thank you for your talents and your help in making my husband’s a huge success.! And a shout out to Lori for suggesting I eat the bread that day. It was worth every single bite.“

“This was our 3rd time dinning and the place was very busy for a Thursday at 7 pm. The service was not as great as our last couple of visits. The food was excellent my only complaint would be the clams casino were a little small. My date enjoyed the soup and both of our entrees were great. We will be back soon.“

“Absolutely love Pizza Da Napoli! The pizza is excellent - deliciously thin crust, amazing sauce/cheese, and the gourmet pizza options are top notion. Great salads too! Highly recommend!Vegetarian options: Great toppings for vegetarians, plenty of veggie options on menu.“

“Focacceria is our go-to restaurant! The food is always delicious, but maybe equally important is the staff! Everyone is friendly and accommodating,and we never feel rushed. They have an amazing outdoor area that I can't wait to get back to this spring!“

“Ordered some plates of baked ziti, chinken parm and antipasto here for family Easter dinner. Everything was delicious.Excellent sized portions,freshly made, extra sauce and cheese on the size and the italian pastries here were excellent as well.Fresh and good variety“

“Authentic Italian restaurant with great service. I am a vegetarian and I found vegetarian selections to be very limited but if you are not vegetarian, this is a fantastic place with lots of great choices. Please note that this is a bring your own wine restaurant. Some of my colleagues wanted to drink but we didn't realize that this place was BYOW so they were a bit disappointed.“

“The best tacos!! Keep it up always and you will never lack customers!! The delicious tacos al pastor and enchilada not to mention with their fresh and finely chopped onion their fresh cilantro the super fresh cucumbers, radishes, lemons that's how it should be! Just a little less fat but they are “

“We really enjoy this place. The food is excellent and it has a very chill laid back atmosphere. The second time we visited this place was because the Mexican restaurant next to it had a one hour wait. I'm not waiting one hour and we need that the food here was good. My wife ordered a Italian Stromboli and I had pasta and octopus. They were both exceptionally tasty, and always come out piping hot. In addition, everyone gets a really delicious bread basket with different types of Italian breads, garlic, bruschetta and baked bread. The owner is always cordial and you can see him mingling around talking to people.If you are in town I would recommend this place. They are fully accessible, and will move tables around for you if you need them to be moved. The bathrooms are also accessible and there are some accessible parking spots available on the street, or in the parking deck behind the courtyard restaurant area. By the way the prices are really good.Wheelchair accessibility: This place is wheelchair accessible and that includes the restroom facilities.“

“Big C's Cheesesteaks are out of this world. The mushrooms, onion, peppers and cheese complemented the steak so well. Excellent bit of char of mush, onion and peppers for extra flavor. We hired Clemente to cater my birthday based upon a great friend's recommendation... and my man did not disappoint!!!!! Catering - ask for the Pasta Genovese - your mind will be blown. His meatballs and gravy are outta hand. My friend's still talk about his food months later. Not only is Clemente great chef but he is a great person! He preps, and presents....and the best part, he cleans your friggin' kitchen when he's done!! Love your food! Keep it up and you will do great things!“

“Food was 11/10 ❗️Order 4 different dishes yesterday all of them tasted amazing! Ordered so much that I dropped my garlic bread on my way to the car. Went back inside and without hesitation the manager made me a fresh batch. Very hardworking people who care about our community. Great environment to bring to your friends and family for quality food.“

“Incredibly good. I had veal parmesan last night as I do every time my work brings me to New Jersey. Best I've had after going to about 5 different restaurants in the area. Very tender and perfectly seasoned and prepared.The bread was addicting since I had 6 pieces and the service was excellent. Unfortunately I didn't catch his name.This will be the go to place when we come to work up here from now on.“

“Love this place. Food and service have always been top-notch. The service is never rushed, even at a Christmas Eve dinner. Our server Brian is always fantastic, and has even spoken to my sister-in-law in Polish. She's Ukrianian and I think she loves the fact that someone would go to the trouble of speaking to her in a language she's comfortable with. Much appreciated.“

“Tried Carlo’s for the first time and got a 1/2 grandma 1/2 grandpa pie…..delicious!!!! So tasty!!! It also smelled amazing on the drive home. Got the sautéed broccoli which was also really good….loaded with flavor. Can’t wait to go back again!“

“We hosted our kiddos baptism at Savor and it was just wonderful. Our guests all raved about the food and how beautiful everything turned out. Robert and Lisa were really great to work with during the planning process and even accommodated a last minute change for us. I have tried a few different things at Savor but my favorites are definitely the rigatoni vodka and flat ironed steak. Its BYOB so don't forget that wine :)“

“We celebrated my mom's birthday at Dimaio's, and it was a wonderful experience overall. The BYOB policy was a nice touch, allowing us to bring our favorite drinks to toast to the occasion.The food definitely hit the spot, with each dish offering delicious flavors that pleased our palates. However, the only downside was the wait time, which was a bit longer than expected. Despite the wait, we had a great time celebrating and enjoying each other's company.“

“Their food and service were superb. My husband and I had this restaurant recommended by close friend and we were so glad for that recommendation! We went here for our first year anniversary and it exceeded our expectations. The seafood was fresh and the pasta was so flavorful. The desserts were also so delicious! Their carrot cake was amazing! Every recommendation our waiter Jose made was on point. Aside from the food, we had such a fantastic waiter who clearly enjoyed his job and did it well. My husband is from Northern NJ where they are known for Italian food, so if he was impressed than I knew it was a great pick for us. We will for sure be back!“

“Stopped here for dinner on a Thursday night after wanting to try it moving to the area. First impression is that it’s dark but somewhat cozy and quiet on the place’s dine-in side. I had the veggie burger with fries and my partner ordered the penne vodka personal pizza. The veggie burger was okay but my favorite part of the meal were the extra crispy fries. I tried some of the penne vodka pizza and it could’ve had a bit more sauce on it. Overall decent dinning experience.Parking: There’s a free parking lot for the plaza.“

“I been coming here since the 1970’s for awhile it was the only place in Manville to get pizza. Now there are three other places but their homemade sauce stands out amongst the other. The food is good the owner Anthony welcomes everyone like they are his family. Come try his pizza and his other Italian cuisine, you won’t be disappointed.Vegetarian options: I sometimes order the mushroom or peppers on my pizza.Dietary restrictions: They use quality ingredientsParking: They are by an open empty mall there is parkingKid-friendliness: YesWheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“Cannot say enough about the food, the atmosphere and most of all the staff and attention we received….. Don’t waste your time looking for a great place! Hit the brakes and Stop looking. For us a 40 minute precursor to a magnificent meal and dinner with friends. We met Rudy (owner) for the first time, a humble and wonderful person. We cannot wait for May 2024 when a new location In Byram, NJ opens up. 10 minutes from our offices and showroom…. Wonderful night!“

“This pizza place deserves a solid five stars! The pizza is consistently delicious with a perfect balance of crispy crust, flavorful sauce, and quality toppings. The menu offers a variety of creative options alongside classic choices, satisfying every pizza craving. The service is prompt, and the staff is friendly, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Whether dining in or opting for delivery, the pizza arrives hot and fresh. Affordable prices and generous portions make it a go-to spot for pizza lovers. A must-try for anyone seeking a delightful pizza experience!“

“A huge thank you to the Ancona team for hosting our son’s baptism lunch this past weekend. They were incredible to work with, the food was amazing, and went above and beyond to ensure we had a great event. Will definitely be hosting future events there (and will be back for dinner soon)!“

“Once in awhile you come across a business owner who takes enormous pride in their products, and makes them as though they are making it for their own family. I called Cioffi's and got Jerry the owner, who helped make my friend's birthday extra special by honoring my request for a heart-shaped pizza to be delivered to his house on his birthday. Jerry was in on it from the moment I explained what I wanted, as excited and joyful about the surprise as I hoped our friend would be! He was excited about our idea, excited for my friend, and excited to play his part in the whole thing. He even sent me texts as he was preparing it and just before he gave it to the delivery guy. I am so grateful for such a well executed (and delicious!!!!) surprise. Thank you, Jerry!!! Stay YOU!!“

“I love this pizzeria restaurant. I have been going there since my teen years. The food is always fresh, delicious and made to order. The sauce is amazing in my opinion. Great portions hot and cold subs, mozz sticks, garlic knots and zeppoles. There is tons of parking and indoor seating.Parking: Large parking lotWheelchair accessibility: Ground level entrance“

“Excellent experience! The food was very good and the service excellent. The owner Alfie was a pleasure to talk to, very interested in his customers experience. It was our first time dining there. We enjoyed the Burrata to start, the lobster pasta, veal chop and dessert. All excellent!“

“I have a rare food allergy which can often be challenging to accommodate. I was beyond please when the server had the chef come out and the chef told me I could have anything I wanted customized so it would be safe for me to eat. My dish was absolutely amazing and I even had the manage come and check on me as well to make sure my allergy was taken care of. I will definitely be dining again“

“This place is fabulous. The food and service amazing - the atmosphere is gorgeous but on a Thursday evening had a number of very very very loud tables so it got hard to hear conversation at ours - but it is NJ so guess to be expected.Street parking or municipal lot only.“

“I wanted to try a new place for pizza, Benny's had pretty good reviews and I decided to try them. I placed my order for delivery not realizing there was a $5.99 delivery fee which didn't show up until I got the order confirmation. I don't know if the delivery fee was from the establishment or the delivery company Grabull.The Grabull website says " their service is absolutely free, all you pay for is the food & whatever fee's are mentioned for delivery or processing and taxes" I did not see any mention of a delivery fee on Benny's website. Also is the delivery fee a guaranteed tip for the delivery person? If it is that person got a big tip because I added on a tip at checkout.As far as the pizza goes, it was just okay, it certainly was not worth $37.23! It's too bad since Pharmaceutical Reps pays for our lunches we order food several times a week for delivery. We can't go over $17.00 per person delivery fee's cut into that $17.00“

“First time in this area and grabbed some pizza to-go. Classic pepperoni pie with buffalo chicken wings. Order was fulfilled expeditiously by the friendly staff. Pizza was tasty, a bit greasy, but ingredients seemed fresh! Wings were moderately breaded, with good taste as well. Seems like they have some seating inside but we were in and out. Would return.“

“Burger? Ribs? Thin crust pizza? Beer on tap? This is the place. Always on the list for a great casual meal. Eat at the bar for some interesting conversation. (And many gluten free options).Dietary restrictions: Extensive gluten free selections.“

“I was looking to have a small lunch after my son's communion and pretty much every place I contacted was like "4 hours and $80/pp" which is more money and time than I wanted. On a recommendation I contacted Pasquales Brick Oven on Ryders in Milltown and for MUCH less they gave us their side room for 30 people and it was FANTASTIC! It's BYO so we brought some beer and wine and they set up wine glasses and gave us more delicious food than I can even say-everyone went home with dinner for a few nights! Service was impeccable and I would recommend anyone having an intimate party check it out.“

“The service was fantastic! Very attentive staff. And the restaurant itself is lovely. I also can't say enough about how delicious the food was. Their fried calamari was the best I've had in a very long time. Italian cuisine with vegetarian options. Everything from the appetizers to the dessert was fantastic and everything arrived to our table nice and hot.“

“The best pizza in town. Delicious ,tasteWas unbelievable. Like Grandma use toMake. The staff was so helpful and friendlyI had the Margarita pie. Beautiful. Presentation. Loved the freshness ofThe basil on top. My. Sister and I wereSo happy with everything. The Argula saladDelicious. The desert cheese. Cake creamyTasty and delicious. Going back again.That is for sure. Paulette Kloos Of Basking Ridge Nj. and Vivian Gallagher of Basking Ridge Nj. Thanks again. Love this Restaurant.“

“Jimmy provided the food for our family and friends after my husband's funeral. Everything was excellent. He went out of his way to accomodate us and made sure everything was set up and ready for us when we arrived from the funeral. Wonderful people to work with and prices were reasonable.“

“We went to Mr. Assante’s last night for dinner and my husband had the shrimp Parmesan over angel hair pasta and he said it was the best dinner ever he has had there with the shrimp fried Diablo, normally being his favorite. An of course the pasta fagiol soup is hands down amazing !! An cant say enough about the tortilleni with meat sauce served with garlic cheesy bread ? ❤️❤️“

“Pizza Margherita is The Best I’ve ever had in Jersey. Grilled Chicken is delicious. Salad is crisp and fresh. Cheesesteak hot freshly made exactly how I ordered it excellent flavor. Even the French Fries are delicious. The kids enjoyed their Plain Cheese Pie too. Maintenance of Restaurant atmosphere is clean with high standard. Professional friendly staff helped me bring everything to car. Thank you kindly PJ’S!!!“

“I caught up with my friend here yesterday and so glad we chose this place. We were there for over 4 hours. They let us stay as long as we wanted. Everyone there was so nice and the food was delicious. Their pizza was some of the best I have had in Jersey. Highly recommend.“