This isn't a list of the fanciest or most expensive Italian restaurants, just the best; they cover the white to red-checked tablecloth spectrum. This restaurant is farm fresh, and it prides itself on having natural and localingredients. In addition to sit down dining, Axtons excels at private parties, off-site catering, holiday events, and even corporate luncheons. Specialties: Restaurant, banquet and events. Plus, these options range from white tablecloth fine dining to casual family-style restaurants, so theres something for everyone. Locals have most likely seen owner and chef Pat Trama and Chef de Cuisine Mike Butler of Tramas Trattoria in Long Branch scouring the stands at the Long Branch farmers market. These smoothie bowls come in four different flavors, and aretopped with pretty much whatever healthy goodies you could possibly want. From the hot and cold appetizers to the pasta, chicken, veal, seafood, and steaks, you will find every item is prepared in a unique way for our guests. Every time you visit Best of NJ, you'll find stories, events, and businesses that highlight and exemplify Garden State greatness. Location: Cedar GroveDetails: Classic Italian staples plus inventive dishes featuring locally caught seafood combine to make LuNello a winner. Thin crust pizzas, stuffed bagel sandwiches, perfectly cooked fish, decadently sweet ice cream. Menu highlights include breaded pork chops, grilled branzino, lobster tail, and veal cutlets. The menu is practically a novel, allowing you to build the omelette of your dreams. Brennens Steakhouseis a must-try for hungry carnivores and steak-lovers. Location: Morris PlainsDetails: Grato serves fine and elegant Italian dining that features classic dishes such as pasta, fish, meat, chicken, and pizza. Runnersup: Undici, Rumson; Patricia's, Holmdel. Location: RumsonDetails: Reminiscent of a Tuscan farmhouse, Undici serves up rustic Italian cuisine to the Jersey Shore area. Location: WhippanyDetails: il Capriccio maintains an atmosphere that is upscale yet relaxed; so its no surprise they adhere to a business casual dress code. Didn't think so. Anyone whos ever been knows that Delicious Orchards is much more than a market. In particular, this spot specializes in seafood complete with a Raw Bar featuring clams, oysters, shrimp, and more. For years, diners have been enjoying everything from pizza to pasta to seafood specialties for lunch, dinner, dates, and parties. And you gotta try the guac. This four star restaurant excels at everything from pastas to steaks to souffls, and everything in between. The Best of NJ. Popular dishes include the Gnocchi Margherita, with plum tomato, basil sauce, and Fresh Mozzarella; as well as the Veal Novelli, a cutlet topped with arugula, red onion, tomato, and burrata salad. A little dry. For those who havent discovered Porcini in Highlands, let us let you in on a little secret. The menus (both food and drink) change with the season, so theres always something new. 27 Ocean Ave, Long Branch (732) 222-1119http://www.sirenaristorante.com, Stella Marina, Asbury Park Il Nido 168 Desserts Italian $$$ Outdoor seating Locally sourced ingredients For instance, this functional time capsule plays classic gangster movies at the bar and Frank Sinatra on the stereo. And Bagel Nook makes some superb ones. Amazing wraps, salads, bowls, and sandwiches await you at the Ocean Cafe. They specialize in pizzas, pastas, and traditional Italian dishes, in addition to sides and salads. Its constantly praised for its unique dishes like stout-braised short ribs, maple sweet potato mash, and chili lime salmon. In fact, the restaurant is so old school that they are cash only and do not accept credit cards. Go to theCourt Jesterfor the bar foods that you know and love. Ama Ristorante, Sea Bright 31 West Front Street, Red Bank (732)747-9569, Monmouth County Edition Listed Alphabetically, Jersey Shore Italian Food in Ocean County, A Locals Guide: Jersey Shore Waterfront Restaurants Monmouth & Ocean County Edition, 20 Jersey Shore Celebrities Living in Monmouth & Ocean Counties, Jersey Shore Foodie Bucket List:The Tastiest Burgers at the Shore, The Ultimate Locals Guide to Jersey Shore Hidden Gem Restaurants In Monmouth County, Best Places to Run, Walk or Bike at the Jersey Shore, Our Favorite Jersey Shore Happy Hours in Monmouth County. Location: Asbury ParkDetails: Steven Botta, chef/owner of Brandos Citi Cucina, provides a fun and welcoming environment in this space. So we'll substitute Capuano's for RosaLuca's and offer our sympathy and best wishes to Jill and the RosaLuca family. Be advised they have nomore, New location - new dining room- party roommore. Locals love the stuffed mushrooms, lasagna, and cannoli options. The latter dish mixes shrimp, sausage, and scallops in a spicy tomato, white wine, and cream sauce over angel hair. Or red velvet. Best Italian Restaurants in NJ With perfect Italian dishes, Patricia's of Holmdel offers a fine dining experience perfect of an intimate meal and also equipped to accommodate large events, Patricias of Holmdel is one of the top Italian Restaurants in Monmouth County NJ. Tastes like summer. For an entree, the panko-crusted pork chop Milanese is recommended, and the creme brle pie is outstanding. There are juicy burgers, crispy fries, spicy wings, loaded nachos, and of course, cold beer. The Day Boat Scallops are always a winner, served with brown butter, crispy prosciutto, farro risotto, and Brussels sprouts. In an Italian restaurant/deli-mad city, Augustino'sstands out. Get an inside vue on the latest in luxury. Become part of the Best of NJ community and get new restaurant updates, entertainment picks, and upcoming event details delivered straight to your inbox weekly! Let us know in the comments section. 2022 BestofNJ.com LLC/All rights reserved. It was worth the drive.". Casa Comida offers Mexican food that is uniqueand delicious. Their signature pies and specialty Sicilian pizzas come with a variety of toppings, and they also offer gluten-free pies. Hoffmans is an ice cream institution, allhomemade and all delicious. This includes the mozzarella with roasted peppers or Hotsy Totsy Shrimp. From our Original Series spotlighting NJ Vocabulary and Historic Landmarks , to our Statewide Events Calendar ; to our Business Directory full of the best local eateries, entertainment and services. A rotating soup of the day and other daily specials keep the menu fresh for patrons. A Tuscan Italian Eatery. The menu presents traditional Italian fare as well as a few curveballs like calf liver and frog legs. All Rights Reserved, 9 Lansdowne Street, Suite 2Boston, MA 02215. Thankfully, she also brought along generations of homemade recipes with her. Its exponentially better than the plain old spaghetti and meatballs in marinara that youre probably used to. Let us know in the comments section. If outsiders know Lawrenceville, it's usually for Quaker Bridge Mall, but there's a cute little town there, with Vidalia as its dining centerpiece. Zeppoli often tops lists of South Jersey's best Italian restaurant; Joey Baldino's intimate 25-seat restaurant was named one of the top 25 Italian restaurants in the country. Drewsis one of Monmouth Countys hidden gems. (732) 493-3090, Ristorante Giorgia, Rumson Pizzutos in Eatontown has made a name for themselves as one of the best gourmet Jersey Shore Italian specialty markets in the area providing all of us with all things Italian. This is where you go to try a pork roll, egg, and cheese. 115 Brighton Avenue, Long Branch (732)222-1121http://tramastrattoria.com, Patricias of Holmdel With a comfortable and elegant atmosphere, Fascino is a must stop for any Italian food aficionado. Monmouth County's Best Italian Restaurant Since 1929 Choose from a menu that offers a variety, including even the most particular of combinations. Mama's Cafe Baci in Hackettstown is on point for the vegan Italian food! Zeppoli: This 35-seat establishment, which serves up cuisine inspired by Sicilian cooking, was named as one of the 20 best Italian restaurants in the country by Time Out. 5. Location: SomervilleDetails: Cafe Picasso is all about true southern Italian cooking, complete with the warm and friendly ambiance that implies. The portions are large and the dishes are as authentically Italian as it gets. In addition to all their other awesome baked goods, of course. Outdoor reservations are weather permitting, as we MAY NOT have availability to move you indoors. Location: WayneDetails: Novelli offers the classic Italian fine-dining experience. The menu includes both Northern and Southern Italian influences, and in particular, the regions of Avellino, Lombardy, and Sicily. Adding a business to Yelp is always free. Allowing overseas Filipinos to rediscover theirmore, Mobility Equipment Sales & ServicesMediterraneanFood Delivery Services, Clarizio's Italian Restaurant just opened and my wife and I wanted to try it.more, Certainly the top choice for Italian food in the area..more, We enjoyed an excellent dinner with some friends at Jasper Stone Italian Steakhouse.more, It's actually a really good Italian restaurant with fresh tasting food that's on par with a Brooklynmore, I can assure you the restaurant decor inside is that of a fine Italian restaurant as is the servicemore, and see what true service is like here. MJ's Restaurant Bar & Grill in Bayville, Jersey Shore Waterfront Dining. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Theyve also got pizza, sandwiches, soups, pastas, desserts, and more. And this bakery has, as you can probably guess, some seriously great scones. Dishes range from traditional linguini in white clam sauce, pork tenderloin to novel hen's egg ravioli. Mercer: Vidalia Restaurant, Lawrenceville. LuNello, casually elegant, was in the Italian restaurant limelight well before Teresa Guidice infamously flipped over a table there in a Real Housewives of New Jersey episode. Executive Chef George Edward creates signature dishes using his Brazilian roots to add a unique flair to his dishes. That email doesn't look right. Of course, they also have a handful of signature chicken, fish, and veal entrees. Yang's Teriyaki Plus 29 reviews Open Now Fast Food, Asian $ "Great Teriyaki" "Local favorite" 3. Other popular picks include the Chicken Francese served with linguini, Shrimp Scampi, and their Stuffed Shells. The menu features lunch, dinner, and dessert favorites like Stuffed Calamari and Filet Mignon; in addition to their Chocolate Mousse Supreme cake. This coffee shop is open until 3 am, and its an extremely popular hangout spot. Little Szechuanhas some fantastic Chinese food, constantly hailed as some of the best in the county. Desserts are first-rate; the white chocolate bread pudding is practically life-changing. If you've got the room in your waistline: Spano's Feast, with sausage, shrimp, chicken and lobster and sundried tomatoes over linguine. None of it was salty! Now, from inside an unassuming strip mall in Somerset, he offers fresh seafood, homemade pasta, and braised meats. 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