50 Best Italian Restaurants near Lake Hopatcong

“Pepperoni pizza is a flavorful masterpiece, with a perfect balance of toppings on a deliciously crispy crust. The service is friendly and efficient, making every visit a pleasure. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this pizzeria is a must-try for authentic Italian pizza lovers.“

“Brian is a gem, great service and Drinks. Some of the other should take tips from him, not as good but overall service and food is very good. There should be uniformity in cooking, for example the pastrami sloppy joe has been in 2 pcs ,grilled and other times it's 3 pcs toasted, other times it's not grilled or tosted and served sandwich style, 2 pcs. White bread!! Great food and drinks overall, no matter how it's served. Try them and you'll become a regular patron!!Parking: Parking is very good whole parking lotKid-friendliness: Very kid friendly, try em you'll see for yourself!!Wheelchair accessibility: Very accessible by wheelchair, from parking to restaurant, whether diner or tavern.“

“La Vita Italian Specialties in Sparta, NJ, is a true gem. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was greeted with the inviting aroma of fresh Italian cuisine. The food here is nothing short of exceptional – every dish bursting with flavor and made with the freshest ingredients.Not only is the food outstanding, but the business itself is impeccably clean. It's evident that the staff takes great pride in maintaining a spotless environment, which only adds to the overall dining experience.And let's talk about the sandwiches – they're out of this world! Each bite is a symphony of flavors, expertly crafted to perfection. Whether you're craving a classic Italian sub or something more adventurous, La Vita Italian Specialties delivers every time.If you're in the Sparta area and looking for fresh, delicious food in a clean and welcoming atmosphere, look no further than La Vita Italian Specialties. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!“

“Even though Google says they open at 11 am. I called to push my luck and to my surprise they were open and I called them at 10:30 am! The owner of the restaurant Anthony picked up the phone. He is the most sweetest man I have ever spoke with on the phone. This is my first time ordering a huge order for my work place and he helped me plan everything and I was so nervous to because it's my first ordering for my work place and trying out NJ pizza. I only know NYC pizzas lol. I am getting off topic here. I highly recommend this place for anyone. They are so welcoming and you can definitely tell they care about their clients needs. Their pizzas is just as good as NYC.“

“LOVE this place. I have eaten hear several times. It has a great family atmosphere. The wait staff (which has been the same each time we go) are friendly and funny! They make you feel like you are right at home. The AUTHENTICATE Mediterranean food is EXCELLENT! I am already looking forward to go back again!“

“Had a wonderful dining experience and can't wait for my rehearsal dinner here! Stopped in the other day with my mom to try the food out. Was very pleased with the service and the food. The owner was a delight to speak to and his staff was very kind and attentive. They were able to make accommodation for me (dairy free) and provided recommendations. The table came with bread and a spread. It was fantastic! We ordered pappardelle bolognese - wow so good! The pasta tasted so fresh! You can tell it was house made. We also ordered a sandwich to split. We packed half of it up, as we were so full. The portions are huge. Very happy with this place and very excited for my rehearsal dinner in November, but I'll be back sooner for sure. My mother in law wants to try it with how highly we spoke about it!“

“Heading to Hopatcong State Park and my husband remembered this little pizza place made excellent pizza. He brought out 3 slices. I'm from NY, my mom is from Brooklyn, we know pizza. I have to say, this pizza tastes authentic homemade; especially the crust. And good mozzarella too! I do not typically like sweet tomatoes sauce, but this one was spot on. Will definitely be back!“

“Claude & Joe Branda are amazingThey’re accommodating with last minute reservations even when their books are full.Their staff is amazing for the big parties & for the small tables - lot of local kids - which is great they support the local community.I live in nyc & I know the food I get at brandas is probably better than what I get in the city.Love having family gather there - & the food is out of this world.It’s BYOB which is also niceDon’t miss out on the shrimp with garlic sauce“

“Was at roses trattoria.for a first communion of my grandson.Owners are great.real italians.food delicious.great espresso.service impeccable.kids running around.never felt rushed.even after dinner when we hanged around the bar.will for sure come back..thank you Rose and Joe.“

“One of the best pizzas I’ve had in a long time. Probably since I went to Italy this past summer.My quick story experience from them today was my dad putting me on speaker and asking what pizza i wanted and the owner went out of his way to make a fresh penne vodka pizza himself because they did not have one left.“

“Went to see a friend's band, Release the houndz, and had a great time!Service was awesome, even though it looked like she was on her own and the bar bands area was packed. She was so friendly!Food was good as well. We ordered a few appetizers and a pizza and all were tasty. Wings were especially good!!! Crispy but not overcooked.Nice place. Well be back!!!Oh... reasonably priced as well!!!“

“Service was quick, attentive, personally attentive and professional.Food was delicious. I recommend their bruschetta, the homemade bread was amazing. Great balance with the balsalmic vinegar, exceptional taste.We can't wait to comeback and see the new dining room once construction is complete.Parking: Depending upon the time of day, parking can be a challenge. There was plenty of spots in front on the street at 4:30 pm on a Tuesday.“

“We came here on a strong recommendation from a family member. We were truly impressed with the quality of the food and the service. The menu offered many delicious classic Italian dishes, along with some elevated interpretations of the classics. We will absolutely return to try other items that this great restaurant has to offer! Do yourself a favor and eat here soon, and try the roasted pear salad.“

“Food was excellent, I had the special halibut over mashed potatoes with a lemon caper sauce. Large thick piece which was very soft and flaky literally melting in my mouth. Sauce was perfectly balanced and plentiful. Finished with coffee and desert, topped off with a complimentary shot of zambucca.It was quite loud which is the only thing I can criticize with the dinner. Cost was fairly high but considering the quality of our meals, it was a fair price.“

“Last week I ordered pizza and salad for a surprise party today for my sister in Newton for 50 people. I asked for delivery between 12 and 12:15. They arrived at 12 on the dot. Sal helped me figure out what to order and it was perfect. Everyone was very happy and loved the delicious pizza. Price was reasonable. I am so happy! Throwing a surprise 60th birthday party in Newton NJ from Waipahu HI was stressful and Sal made it smooth. Highly recommend these folks and I send Sal and his team much warm aloha!!!“

“Been meaning to review Table 42 many times before. I have the honestly say, the food, the staff and environment are delicious, super friendly and very accomadating. The atmosphere was relaxing and the live musician was the perfect background. I've had apps, entrees and their thin crust pizza and would recommend every dish on the menu. Highly recommend this Dover NJ gem. Enjoy!Parking: Parking located behind restaurant“

“The food here is DELICIOUS! We didn't have a reservation (this place books fast apparently, so make one!) but were kindly seated in between reservations. The bread in the beginning with olive oil was perfect, drinks were delicious and the main event was amazinggggg. Get the chicken parm!! This is the Italian restaurant you go to when you want a filling and flavorful Italian meal. The decor inside was lackluster but am looking forward to dining outside when it gets warmer out under the pretty lights.“

“My husband and I decided to try other pizza place. We choose this place and it did not disappoint. We are less than 5 mins away and eating freshly cooked and hot pizza ? was amazing. The flavors was so good..highly recommend and it's our new favorite ? pizza..“

“Our family ordered 2 pizzas. They were cooked perfectly and the toppings were fresh and delicious. I had the cavatelli and broccoli. The pasta was Al dente and the broccoli was not soggy. Our service was excellent. I'm sorry I didn't get the young lady's name.“

“It’s definitely the best spot in the area for good food. They have very good salads and a great selection of pizzas. One pizza style in particular reminds of a homemade pizza my Italian grandmother used to make. So Yummy!Staff is also very welcoming!“

“5 stars all across! We moved to the area about 4 years ago now and were so lucky to discover La Forchetta. By far the best pizza in the Rockaway/Wharton area. We have ordered catering through them twice now and every time we do, our guests RAVE about the food! It's one thing to delivery a delicious meal on an individual basis, but it's another to perfect large scale catering orders - chicken marsala, meatballs, penne vodka just to name a few. Will always turn to this place when in need of a quick meal ordering out or catering a party!“

“Last year: Good food, great service, and a comfortable atmosphere. Great find!A year later, I was in the area and went back. It was once again really good.If you are looking for a comfortable atmosphere and food that is straightforward, hearty and good, then I highly recomend Charlotte's Web.“

“Our experience at The Windlass restaurant for Easter Brunch was simply outstanding! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality and a festive atmosphere that set the tone for a memorable dining experience with family.The selection of food at the brunch buffet was exceptional, with a wide variety of delicious options to satisfy every palate. From traditional brunch favorites to inventive chef specialties, each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The freshness and quality of the ingredients were evident in every bite, and we appreciated the attention to detail in every aspect of the meal.The ambiance of the restaurant was charming and inviting, with stunning views of Lake Hopatcong adding to the overall atmosphere. The staff were attentive and accommodating, ensuring that our dining experience was nothing short of perfect.Overall, our Easter Brunch at The Windlass exceeded our expectations in every way. We left feeling thoroughly satisfied and grateful for the wonderful memories created with family. We cannot wait to return and indulge in more of the culinary delights that this gem of a restaurant has to offer.“

“Dined her many times years ago when I worked nearby, it’s been over 20 yrs. It was excellent then, and still is now! Some of the best Italian food you can have. Everything we had was excellent… fresh & full of flavor. It’s a bit out of the way for some, but so worth the trip. I live in Florida and have had many grouper meals, the potato crusted grouper here is ?! The best I ever had. My wife had a chicken dish with pasta that was the bomb. My buddy had the pork chop that was tender and tasty. If you’re looking for a quite atmosphere with great cocktails and fantastic food, you need to make plans to drive to Hibernia Inn ( approximately 3 miles off the Hibernia/Rockaway exit off of Rt 80). This is family owned for many years and they keep bringing a excellent dinning experience. Wish they were in my home town in Florida ?“

“This place is amazing! The pizza, wings, macaroni, and pasta salad are all out of this world. The owner made sure that the oil was changed before making my wings, because after cooking eggplant, the quality of the oil was not up to her standards, which I greatly appreciated. I had mentioned to the owner that I had just moved in and before I took my food to go, she was kind enough to offer me paper plates, which I desperately needed, top notch customer service.“

“We had a great dinner! Service was excellent, and the food was delicious.Hadn't been in a while, we had such a great experience it won't be long before we are back again.We had a chicken dish and a pork chop dish. Both were excellent, I had the pork chop and I cannot recommend it enough. It was so juicy and tender. The dinners come with a salad to start and a side of pasta which is so nice!The atmosphere is warm and cozy. Overall I highly recommend it.“

“We stopped in to get a cheese pie on the way to the drive in and it was so good. Perfect ratio of cheese and bread. Some small shops have cheese sliding off but not this one! It was just done perfectly. Will be our go to when we go to the drive in!“

“Searching around the area for pizza 2 places came up I decided to stop here . I was met by the owner on her own making pizza , garlic knots and a few more things . What a hard working woman. The pizza was amazing , the garlic knots amazing . My coworkers loved their meals . She chatted with us for a little bit , gave a little history , and how she takes pride in what she does and what comes out that kitchen and oven . Definitely recommend this place . Keep doing a great job and thanks for the great customer service . See you soon !!!“

“Absolutely adore the owners . Food is literally Manhattan quality gourmet food to me . That's where I'm originally from . Lol . The owner is amazing hands on , he cooks he is fully hands on with each customer ALWAYS !!. His daughter is a beautiful delight to have as waitress an everything she does not only being such a fun young woman she does anything needed around the family restaurant. I'm always given something free while I'm there an treated as I personally know these beautiful humans. I do not know them! Just an amazing experience all around . Must try“

“Was very please with my food. I built my own pizza with cauliflower crusted. I ordered a white pizza with spinach and grilled chicken. I was not disappointed. The crust was crispy and the flavor was great. Staff were friendly and over atmosphere was good! Prices weren't that bad either.I would definately recommend this place and will be returning.“

“We had a wonderful dinner at the Corner Bistro. There were six of us, and as we hadn't been together in a long time, there was a lot to catch up on. This was perfect place to enjoy a meal and a conversation. The service was attentive but didn't make us feel rushed. The food was delicious, and several of us had to take food home as the portions generous. It is BYOB, which is nice. I highly recommend this restaurant for food, service and atmosphere.“

“Celebrated our son's birthday there this past Saturday night. Was our family's first time there. He picked the restaurant. We all like to try new places.Boy we were glad he picked Bella Italia!!!From the moment we walked in, with cake in hand, to the moment we left with full bellys it was a pleasure.Our server, Carly, was friendly and fast. Our drinks were very well poured. All of our orders were 100% accurate. The food was AMAZING!!!!Every dish was delicious. Portions were a good size. Prices were surprisingly reasonable. Our cake was brought out to sing, whisked away and brought back perfectly sliced for us. I'm looking forward to dinning there again. Saw the bar area on our way out. Next visit will be in there. Looked nice. Have to check it out.Highly recommend dining here to anyone.“

“Last night was my 3rd try at Carmines, I have no clue why they do not have 5 stars. The food is AMAZING. Salads are crisp, fresh and delicious. Cannot say enough about the quality of their pizza. Have also tried pasta and meatballs - WONDERFUL.“

“Excellent restaurant with high quality food and daily specials. Nice variety of mixed drinks with a cozy bar. Relaxing and friendly atmosphere with nice clean decor. Ask for Heidi when you go!! She was an attentive and outgoing waitress. The bar pie is the best in the area!!! Looking forward to making this restaurant our go to place!“

“Causal pizza restaurant but not like your typical pizzeria. It's located in an old house. Friendly staff. Pizza is some of the best in the area! The fettuccine carbonara is also one of their best pasta dishes! Also able to get packaged goods to go. Full bar as well.“

“We recently had catering from Uncle Sal's Pizza in Budd Lake for our large Christmas party, and we were thoroughly impressed with the experience. Their catering menu is incredibly extensive, offering us a wide array of options to choose from. With a large number of guests and various dietary restrictions to consider, it was our first time hosting a party and having food catered for us. We collaborated with the restaurant to create a diverse menu that accommodated everyone's needs while ensuring we had just the right amount of food.We greatly appreciated the restaurant's guidance to prevent us from over-ordering. They delivered the food promptly and assisted us in setting everything up seamlessly. However, what truly stood out was the quality of the food. Every item was outstanding, and our guests couldn't stop raving about it. Many asked where we had ordered the food, as it was not only delicious but also served hot and fresh.We will undoubtedly turn to Uncle Sal's Pizza for all our future catering needs. Their pricing was also very reasonable, making it a fantastic value for the exceptional food and service they provided. Uncle Sal's Pizza in Budd Lake is a reliable choice for making any event a success. Highly recommended!“

“Always searching for new pizzerias, I stopped in for lunch at Pizza Rustica yesterday. This restaurant is located in a strip mall off Main Street in Rockaway. There's plenty of parking in the lot in front. The place is big inside with plenty of seating. The counter is on the right with a few small tables. To the left is a large dining room. I always love when there's plenty of choices of pies for slices, and they had an excellent selection here. I chose a slice of broccoli rabe with sausage. That combo is great and you don't find that on pies too often. Very friendly server behind the counter giving details on other pies. It was a fun stop and I definitely recommend!“

“The food is delicious, the service is good too, obviously depends who you get the day of and how their day is going, but overall i always recommend this place to anyone in the area and all my clients ( to be wed couples)BYOB SO THATS IMPORTANT , there is a wine store next to the parking “

“Really nice and clean location, everyone working was super friendly. The specialty slices are really good, I recommend the Buffalo chicken slice. The regular plain slice was nothing to write home about, (expected better on that, since I been to a few other locations). Good place to stop for lunch.Parking: Small lot“

“Ever since we learned about Enzo's delivery to Long Valley we've tried to order at least once every other week. The food from Enzo's is excellent. Whoever comes up with the special menu does such a nice job putting together meals that aren't typical "Italian pizzeria" food. Very well thought out, fresh, and creative dishes. The food is never overly salty or greasy. Bravo Enzo!“

“Stopped by with another couple for drinks after dinner elsewhere. Nice bar and pleasant atmosphere. Bartender was knowledgeable and friendly. Although I only had a Sambuco Black, it was served appropriately with three coffee beans. Would stop by this bar again. Maybe even do dinner here next time.“

“Went to Forte last night for the first time in many years. We don't live close, but was traveling to a dinner party in the area. There was ample food for everyone and food was enjoyed by all. I especially enjoyed the linguini with clam sauce, which included a plentiful portion of chopped and shelled clams. We look forward to our next visit to Forte.“

“My wife and a good friend ate at Mia Nonna's yesterday. I have never given a restaurant a review because I never felt compelled to. That changed yesterday. The first thing we noticed was the fantastic attitude of the staff. Eager and constantly at our service. Then there was the food. Excellent and generous portions. And served HOT! First, we started with an order of the Fresh Fried Calamari. Shared 3 ways it was excellent. I had the veal saltimbocca. As another reviewer commented, I got two very large portions of veal, pounded so thin it was almost as thin as the prosciutto. Served with broccoli, carrots, and roasted potatoes. One of my favorites when dining Italian. This was one of the best. My wife had the special veal dish and my friend had the penne alla scampi. Everything was excellent. We finished with dessert, home made creme brûlée, spumoni bomba (strawberry pistachio and chocolate gelato covered with chocolate). The wait staff was excellent and always there meeting our needs. And equally important to seniors with hearing aids, it was quiet with gentle background music. A very pleasant dining experience. We have definitely added Mia Nonna's to our "weekend night out" list. We will be back soon.“

“Had a mid afternoon lunch with a large party in May. The food was wonderful, the service was great and the view of the lake was spectacular! Highly recommended!Parking: Lots of parking in private lot right across the street from the restaurant.“

“I Have coming to Valentino,s Pizza From The First Day since I was in Oakwood Village Apartments and I Have Been back There Many,Many Times Since .And I Can tell You That I Feel You Will REALLY,REALLY BE Happy There and The Staff are Really Nice Also & I CAN Say I GET ALONG WITH All of Them and Call All of Them Friends & I THINK You Will Also .So That,s Why I,m Going 2 Give My Favorite Place Valentino,s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant 5 Stars and I Bet You Will Also after Your first Time & I Can almost Guess that You Will GO BACK Also Just as I WILL DO MANY, MANY MORE TIMES Also .SO TAKE MY ADVICE AND I DO HOPE YOU GO IN Valentino,s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant Soon To Enjoy The Staff and The Atmosphere &;The Out of This World Food which is Homemade.So That,s Why Valentino,s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant Says ( Love at First Bite ) . AndBecause I Love It Ohhh ! Sooo ! Much I Will Go Back Very Soon MYSELF .I went Back into Valentino,s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant Today 2/15/24 so I could get some of That REALLY GOOD Food I got a Few Nice Hugs From My Favorite Friend & I am Referring to The Best Friend I am lucky to get To Know Joe and I will be back to My Favorite Place Valentino,s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant a lot so I Can Have Dinner and I Can see Joe ( My Favorite Friend/Buddy) & I think Valentino,s Pizzeria is like a Family to Me and as I said I think You Will think that also“

“Brick 46 has been a go to spot for my family since moving to the area 2 years ago and the food never disappoints. That in mind we decided to host our 3 year olds birthday party here. Everything was executed perfectly. Our hostess, so sorry I don't recall her name, was awesome and made everyone feel at home. Lou, the owner, made everything easy during the booking process and my wife and I could not been happier with the outcome of the day. A huge thank you to Lou and the entire Brick 46 family!!!“

“We had our daughter's birthday party at the YMCA last weekend (also highly recommended) and they mentioned Paisano's as one of the local eateries to order food from. Well I'm glad they did because it couldn't have been easier!Ordering a few days before (pizza and chicken fingers) took no less than three minutes and all my questions were answered. Granted, I didn't have many questions, but yes, the chicken fingers come with honey mustard on the side.The delivery was on time - which was very important considering the time frame in which the kids were eating at the party.The food was delicious.It was fairly priced.What more can you want? Five stars, highly recommended.As an aside, I always chuckle when reviewers write something along the lines of "usually a huge fan" or "I'm not one to leave bad reviews" and didn't previously take the time to write a positive review. Sharing my positive experience took no more than five minutes. Also, the owner replying to each negative review is also a positive.Anyway, A+ pizzeria in my book.“

“We ordered delivery of this delight (two pizzas in one for the family)The service was excellent, the food unmatched, well, it was the best pizza we have eaten in Dover.We lack the experience of going in person and eating there at the place, but we are going to go soon and continue trying each of the delicious flavors they have on their menu.God bless you, success and blessings in your company.❤️??“

“We dined last night. We have been dining at ilvilagio for 20+years while we do like the men who usually serve us they can be slow and easily distracted talking with customers they know. We had a young lady last night who was so pleasant and absolutely adorable, she made food recommendations that were spot on and knew the menu items well enough to tell us the ingredients. She did everything herself from taking the order to serving the food and clearing the table. I'm impressed. She was so cute and funny that she made our night exceptional. I didn't get her name but she was the only girl there. Thanks for making our night special.“

“It was amazing they give you a genororous big slice and a hand full of peperoni. The service was great the owner a very holsome man i am defenitly going to recomend him to my friendo and try the chikenwings they were nice and crisp. I Will defenitly come again also need a good pasta for a party go here trust me also fast “