New Jersey has more Italian-Americans per square mile than anywhere outside of Italy itself, and that means the bar for Italian food here is personally high. These are the restaurants that cleared it.
From a 35-seat Sicilian BYOB, to a cash-only speakeasy in Atlantic City that’s been running since 1921, we’re covering the best authentic Italian restaurants in the Garden State, the ones worth the drive, the reservation battle, and the planning.
Drop your favorite NJ Italian spot in the comments. We’ll argue about it.
29 Comments
All these places cut corners and are basically unhealthy…an filthy
The announcer needs a pop filter immediately. His voice and volume are grating.
Anjelica’s definitely overrated 😊
How can you compare, Dickey Dee's is a hot dog joint the rest are restaurants, you have no idea what you're talking about
Reservoir in South Orange. Cash only and closed on Tuesdays. Give it a try!
Dominic’s in Avenel ! 🍝
Superb food, great atmosphere and excellent service.
The pronunciation of Italian words is atrocious!
Dolce Fantasia Asbury Park, New Jersey BYOB Owner operated
Chef Vola accepted credit. Are a year and a half ago and yes the veal parm is the best.
The problem with the restaurants in New Jersey is that they are in New Jersey.
Sbarros at the rest stop on Parkway is wonderful
You should get a narrator that knows how to say the Italian names for food items properly.
Anjelica’s is way over rated !
Great listings, the voice in my ears sounds like an Irish assault on Joey bag of donuts.
E&V’s in Paterson, since 1967 👍🏻
The pronunciation of Italian dishes is diabolical 😂
I went to a Place that had the Best Italian Ever so big I had to eat it 4×'s
Enjoy the info …but the narrator’s voice is grating ……voice made perfect for a Charlie Chaplin movie.
went to Chef VOLA‘S last week veal Parmesan was excellent as always!
The fried calamary. lol
My mother talked about Vola’s from when the family would be guests of Nuckey Johnson.
This guy‘s pronunciation grates on my north Jersey ears.
I am from Brooklyn NY living in Jersey for 30 years. I have not found a good Italian restaurant yet. I am Italian born and I am sorry food is too over done.
They might be good for American standards but way different from Italian restaurants in Italy.
Does anyone else think this sounds like Tim Dillon 🤣
probably the worst narrator ive ever heard, had to shut it off.
Chef vola has flipped owners multiple times, this place is a tourist trap, making you wait for months to a get a reservation and their food is a joke for american italian food, i was born and raised in italy, i have eaten in nyc finest Italian restaurant, their food is a joke😮
It would be so much to listen to the presentation if the narrator had a smoother voice and knew how to correctly pronounce the names of the food. His squeaky voice and mispronunciation ruin the video.
Belmont Tavern on Bloomfield Avenue is absolutely phenomenal. People have been going there for years and talking about it like it's the first time they've ever had the most fabulous chicken on the planet. They are so well known for their chicken Savoy. You have to have to experience the Belmont Tavern on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark. I lived in Belleville and always heard about the Belmont Tavern, but never got a chance to get in there cause it was small and busy, but if you have a chance, you have to try out the Belmont.