Location: Lakewood
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Top 10 Italian food in Lakewood, New Jersey, United States
Find out what Italian restaurants to try in Lakewood. Lakewood Township is a township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States.
Things to do in Lakewood
10. Lubrano's Trattoria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 310 reviews
Reviewed By W8LT3R
This place is a hidden gem. Located in a strip mall anchored by a Shop rite supermarket just off Route 34 South in Manasquan. They offer great food and great service in a causal, family dining atmosphere, with an upscale menu and decor. This was our first visit to Lubranoâs Trattoria and we were very impressed.My wife was given a gift card for a meal at Lubranoâs so we decided to use it on a lazy Sunday evening. We arrived at 5PM to a nearly full parking lot but did manage to find an open parking spot close to the restaurant â one of a few spots that night. As we approached the restaurant there were some nice patio furniture â chairs and tables for two with umbrellas - on the sidewalk outside the entrance. The interior of the restaurant was divided into two sections. You enter the restaurant into the smaller section in the front which is a takeout pizzeria that does a brisk business. As we entered, a man at the counter, asked âTo pick up or place an order?â. When we said we were there for the restaurant he told us we had 30 min wait. So, we gave him our names and sat on the patio furniture just outside the door. Then our waitress came out to get us after just a 10 mins. She led us into the back section of the restaurant which was a much larger, upscale dining room with dark, wooden tables and chairs and a wall of red brick with the name Lubranoâs stenciled across it. Tables were arranged in rows to accommodate small and large groups. Our waitress took us to a private table for 4 against the red brick wall. The noise level of the dining room was medium âthere was significant background noise, but not so much that you could not carry on a conversation without shouting. At the start of our meal, our waitress brought us to a plate of pesto to share â that goes with the olive oil that was already on the table - and a basket of toasted, warm French bread to dip in it. The soft bread with the toasted crust dipped in the oil and pesto was delicious. To drink we both ordered the unsweetened, blueberry flavored lemonade we saw someone else drinking at another table. Drinks were served in large plastic cups with straws - which was convenient. Because of their size we did not finish our drinks in the restaurant and took them home with us - cups and all - along with doggy bags of our food at the end of the meal. For entree's, Lubranoâs offers an extensive menu of Italian dishes that goes beyond the standard pizzeria offerings of Lasagna, Meat Balls and Spaghetti, Eggplant Parmesan, etc. The menu even had a section for those who want to eat a low carb meal. I ordered the spicy, garlicky salmon with mash potatoes which was listed as a customer favorite on the low carb menu â you can skip the mash potatoes if you really want this meal to be low carb. My wife ordered the shrimp risotto. My salmon filled a large plate and the mash potatoes were artfully sculpted to look like a white pineapple with green leaves sticking out of the top as a garnish, and it was covered with garlic cloves and red sauce. My wifeâs meal was equally as large with lots of shrimp over a bed of rice. Both meals were huge and delicious. The price for entrees here can run you from $15 to $35 but you get a lot of food for your money. For casual dining the presentation and the food here were more like a fine dining experience, only with a lot more food than you typically get at fine dining restaurants for the price. After eating two thirds of our meal we were stuffed and did not have room for dessert.
9. Nick's A Pizza and Restaurant
Reviewed By mary532
Having moved away from the area, I always enjoy getting good pizza when I return. Nick's was great. The pizza was excellent. You know you are getting good pizza when the workers are watching soccer and speaking a combination of English and Italian. Its just a pizza shop so nothing fancy but good food.
8. Villa Vittoria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By billpizzaiolo
We enjoyed a dinner with a small group of 6 friends. The food was excellently prepared our expectations were delightfully met. The double stuffed veal chop was gigantic. The meat was tender the stuffing of prochutto and cheeses was incredible. Highly recommend the stuffed artichoke appetizer. Good service even in the crowded Saturday night dinner hours.
7. Urban Coalhouse
Overall Ratings
3 based on 77 reviews
Urban CoalHouse is an Italian Restaurant & Bar where you will enjoy award-winning coal oven wings, delicious appetizers, selection of artisan old-world style pizza, pasta, dinners, and a wide selection of craft beer.
Reviewed By monmouthprof
It's the same as Tommy's, which was mediocre at best. Many of the same staff as well. Greasy food with mid to higher prices. Happy hour was even a bust. Hi, We're sorry to learn that your experience with us wasn't exactly perfect. This is certainly not what we want our customers to experience. We would like to check into this, however, we need the time and date of your visit so that we can check what happened. Hope to hear back from you so that we can look into it. Looking forward to your reply.
6. Ippolito's Pizzeria e Ristorante
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By cpgz
This place was recommended by some "locals", so we dropped in for a late lunch. The servers were very friendly, as was the owner. This is a "local fave", yet we certainly felt very welcome. We ordered an antipasto and a large sausage pizza, and since it was 92 degrees outside, 2 large waters with ice. The antipasto was huge and more than enough for both of us, and came with warm Italian bread and butter. Everything was flavorful and fresh. The pizza came piping hot, and the owner served the first 2 slices to us. The crust was thin and crisp and the cheese and sausage were abundant. The pizza tasted great. The cost of our meal was $33 (not cheap), but the serving sizes and quality make it quite worth it! Although we didn't drink, it's also a BYOB.
5. Via Veneto Italian Ristorante
Overall Ratings
4 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By Adam F
My Italian family took my Grandmother out for her 87 birthday here, after our first restaurant choice couldn't accommodate our party of 7. Atmosphere is nice, typical Italian restaurant vibes. We were seated and greeted by our server. He was very polite and knowledgeable of the specials, menu, etc. but he slowly became distant. We ordered 2 appetizers and 7 entrees. Appetizers came out in a reasonable time, however it took over an hour for the entrees which I feel is unacceptable in any restaurant, I don't care how busy you are. After waiting an hour, I expected some of the best Italian food ever! Was pretty disappointed by my extremely small portion. Gave it a taste, and wasn't much happier. Average Italian food, nothing that made me say, wow! That was the opinion of everyone in my family. Also found it odd, we felt like we were outsiders here. Everyone seemed to know everyone in this place. I saw one guy seated at three different tables drinking wine at each one becoming louder and louder and so obnoxious my grandmother couldn't wait to leave. The Hostess who sat us was also going table to table gallivanting with certain guests. Judging by some other reviews I read, I affirm my assumption that this other man going around was the owner maybe? He was having a good time too drinking with the guests at these "cool tables." Not to mention the speedy good service was diverted to the owners "friends." I could be 100% wrong about all my assumptions, but that was my perception and everyone in my family's perception as well. Also, almost $400 for this meal. A bit overpriced for average Italian and poor service. I don't like giving poor reviews, but this is one place I will not be returning too.
4. Carrabba's Italian Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By Rich F
We haven't been to Carrabba's in a while so when driving by we decided to stop in for dinner. The restaurant is very clean and well maintained and we have always received good service here. Our server Kyle M was excellent. I ordered the chicken parmesan and pasta which was excellent. For dessert I had the Limoncello Bread Pudding which was also excellent. Great Food, Great Service and Great Prices. Sounds like a good night.
3. Cordi's Italian Gourmet
Overall Ratings
4 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By PhilandSherry
We have the pleasure of eating at Cordiâs quite often and are NEVER disappointed!!! The veal parm chop (my husbandâs favorite!) is an absolute must as well as the chicken parm which is my husbandâs second favorite menu item! I go for the âspicyâ and Dominic makes the BEST fra diavolo sauce I have ever tasted...whether itâs served with the sweet, tender lobster tails, mussels or clams...itâs addictive! The restaurant has a lovely ambiance and an outstanding staff. The owners are wonderful people who deserve all the success in the world!
2. Denino's South Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By SallyDrac
Do yourself a favor and get yourself to Deninoâs. One of the best pizzas in the area. Try the Asalute-arugula on a white pie. Outstanding!
Most Popular Japanese food in Lakewood, New Jersey, United States
1. Tuscany Restaurant and Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By Mardee53
Always a great place to stop for lunch or dinner for homemade food. They make great soups and it has a nice friendly atmosphere.
Where to eat Sushi food in Lakewood: The Best Restaurants and Bars
