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Top picks in Clifton

Authentic Italian Food

You are looking for Italian food that sticks to the fundamentals and respects the origins of the dish.

Based on 641 Opinions
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Updated April 2026
01
IL Posto Eatery image 1
IL Posto Eatery image 2
IL Posto Eatery image 3
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Hole-in-the-wall deli with warm atmosphere and immaculate space offers artisan Italian sandwiches featuring fresh mozzarella and expertly cooked chicken cutlets. Small interior with two tables and a drinks cooler supports a largely take-out business. Prices reflect quality ingredients, with some extras charged separately.

Food stays consistently fresh and flavorful with a focus on Italian comfort dishes. Staff handle food allergies carefully while maintaining excellent service.

Fresh mozzarella stands out with its melting texture and balanced flavors in sandwiches like chicken cutlet with prosciutto and roast beef. Creamy penne vodka adds a rich touch to the Italian offerings.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing, always fresh and flavorful."

"I found the sandwich to be awesome and tasty."

"The chicken cutlet with prosciutto and mozzarella is amazing Italian food."

Good to know

1

A 6-inch sandwich costs $7.95, providing good value.

2

The business primarily operates as a take-out deli.

3

A twelve-inch sandwich can serve as two meals.

02
Dante's Restaurant image 1
Italian restaurant

Modern space blends upscale sports bar with intimate lounge areas and a large bar with multiple TVs. Atmosphere feels welcoming and balanced, combining cozy and elegant elements without music or heavy decoration. Popular spot for pregame gatherings and casual dining with a clean, refreshed interior.

Food offers amazing flavors and is consistently delicious and excellent. Meals come with great taste and quality that stand out.

Pasta dishes come from scratch with light and fluffy pesto gnocchi and a delicious Penne Vodka that stands out. Chicken parmesan issues get quick attention from fantastic customer service.

People are saying

"The food here is creative and delicious."

"The tuna tartare at this Lunch Spot is fresh and perfectly balanced."

"The spicy rigatoni vodka was perfectly cooked and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 4-7pm on weekdays with excellent drink deals.

2

Parking is available on-site, but it can fill up quickly during peak hours.

3

Dante's hosts a grand opening event with complimentary appetizers for attendees.

03
Tony's Pizza Pasta Grill image 1
Pizza restaurant

Small, stylish pizza restaurant with about 15 tables and outdoor seating offers a family-friendly atmosphere with a chill vibe. The space feels warm and stuffy due to lack of air conditioning. Guests enjoy a cozy setting that supports community promotions.

Italian dishes stand out with excellent quality and generous portions. The food consistently impresses with its incredible taste and solid preparation.

True Italian cuisine shines through with pesto pizza, bruschetta, and chicken parmigiana. Pasta dishes like lasagna, linguine with clam sauce, and lobster ravioli offer consistent, great flavors.

People are saying

"The Italian food, especially the pasta and pizza, was incredible."

"The pasta dishes here are incredible, just like Mom used to make."

"I thought the food here was amazing."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers a buy one get one free dinner deal.

2

Dinner costs $22 for two chicken Parmesan meals with a side.

3

A delivery charge of $3 applies to all orders.

04
The Grand Saloon image 1
American restaurant

Space combines vintage elegance with modern renovations that brighten without losing old character. Atmosphere feels homey and welcoming, with a cozy, captivating vibe and friendly energy. Live music adds to the inviting setting, making it a comfortable spot for drinks and dining.

Food here stands out for its excellent quality and delicious flavors. Both food and drinks consistently impress with their outstanding taste.

Menu offers a variety of dishes including pasta, steak, and fish. Pasta quality varies, with some dishes tasting off or unpleasant. Steak sandwich and some pasta dishes stand out as excellent.

People are saying

"The food here is fresh, flavorful, and delicious."

"The bartenders here are awesome and make you feel like a regular."

"The Italian food, from pasta to steak, is exceptionally good."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 4-6pm on weekdays with discounted drinks and appetizers.

2

Trivia night occurs every Wednesday at 7pm with a $5 entry fee.

3

Reservations are recommended for larger groups, especially on weekends.

05
Mario's Restaurant & Pizzeria image 1

Nostalgic Italian restaurant with old-school atmosphere and booths or bar seating creates a cozy, low-key vibe. Separate food station area offers spacious layout that eases movement. The place suits family dining and parties with a comfortable, familiar setting.

Food stays consistently delicious and amazing even after new ownership. The Emma pies remain unchanged, and a bonus area with food stations helps keep the flow smooth.

Mozzarella sticks stand out as a unique offering. Pastas like rigatoni bolognese, eggplant parmigiana, and ravioli consistently impress with rich flavors and solid preparation.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and always wonderful."

"I thought the pizza here was awesome and fresh."

"The Italian food, especially the pasta, is outstanding."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers half-price appetizers from 3-6 PM Monday through Friday at the bar.

2

There is plenty of free parking available in a large lot across the street.

3

The venue is suitable for both large and small parties.

06
Crab Island Cajun Seafood & Bar image 1

Sea-themed interior with backyard-esque decor and walls covered in visitor signatures creates a cozy, island vibe. Loud, energetic music plays, ranging from Spanish to old songs, setting a lively atmosphere. Guests enjoy seafood boils and snowcrabs in a space that feels clean and beautifully decorated.

Food comes out fresh, hot, and with good portions. The dishes consistently taste delicious and offer excellent value.

Seafood dishes stand out with New Orleans pasta featuring scallops cooked properly and a sauce served separately. Options include spinach ravioli and seafood pasta with scallops, shrimp, and squid.

People are saying

"The seafood here is so fresh and delicious."

"The food here is fabulous and delicious."

"The Italian Food here has big portions and lots of seafood."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 4-7pm on weekdays with discounted menu items.

2

Parking can be tricky as the lot is shared with nearby businesses.

3

The boil bags are great for sharing, especially for groups of five or more.

07
Taste of Tuscany - Clifton NJ image 1

Italian restaurant offers a warm and inviting space with authentic Italian vibe and relaxed atmosphere. It draws a steady crowd, especially on weekends, with a BYOB policy and popular garlic knots. The setting feels more like a pizzeria than traditional dining.

Italian food offers rich, flavorful dishes and authentic pizza that stand out. Take-out orders require extra time on busy nights, but the food consistently delivers great taste.

Spicy calamari arrabbiata stands out with peppers and heat. The rigatoni with vodka sauce coats every piece with rich flavor. Classic dishes like veal piccata over angel hair come with generous portions and perfect lemon sauce.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be excellent and delicious."

"Their Italian food, especially the pizza and pasta, is amazing."

Good to know

1

Get there early as the place is very popular and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

2

Expect a wait during weekends due to high demand.

3

The restaurant is BYOB, so bring your favorite drinks.

08
Bruno's Pizza image 1
Pizza restaurant

Cozy dining room with homestyle atmosphere and clean, updated decor creates a welcoming vibe. The place fills up easily, reflecting its popular, busy energy. Seating is simple, with uncomfortable chairs contrasting the otherwise inviting space.

Food comes fresh and delicious with generous portions. The dining room stays clean and adds to the overall great food and amazing service experience.

Thin crust Margherita pizza features good pomodoro plum sauce and mozzarella. Main dishes include Chicken Pesto with rigatoni and a Brooklyn-style upside-down pizza with mozzarella, sauce, and black pepper on top.

People are saying

"The square pizza here is always fantastic."

"I found the food here to be great."

"I thought the Sicilian pizza was the best I had ever tasted."

Good to know

1

Bruno's Pizza offers a cash discount, so bring cash for your order.

2

There is plenty of parking available at Bruno's Pizza.

3

The restaurant gets busy, especially when schools are out.

09
Fratelli's Pizza & Pasta image 1
Pizza restaurant

Small, unassuming pizza spot offers Italian style pizza with crispy, flavorful crusts and excellent pasta options. Atmosphere is minimal with always available seating, making it suited for takeout or casual dining. Pricing includes a two plain pie special that provides value for money.

Food offers various options with generally delicious flavors and excellent quality. Some orders may face delays in arrival.

Excellent pizza and pasta stand out here, with the penne pizza being a notable choice. Staff are friendly, though orders can sometimes mix up ingredients like pasta and chicken.

People are saying

"I found the pizza here to be delicious and crispy."

"I thought the food here was delicious."

"The Italian food, especially the pizza and pasta, is excellent."

Good to know

1

They offer a two plain pie special for $25 including tax.

2

I would recommend takeout instead of dining in.

3

There were always tables available to eat.

10
Master Pizza image 1
Pizza restaurant

Small dine-in area includes a cute fish tank that adds to the welcoming vibe. Pizza features a crispy crust and fresh ingredients, with a menu offering flavorful dishes beyond just pizza. Prices remain fair and accommodating, attracting a steady local crowd including police officers.

Excellent food stays consistent even with management changes. The pizza quality and taste remain strong, supported by steady service.

Penne vodka pasta appears in both traditional and pizza forms, with the penne vodka slice standing out as a unique option. Mozzarella and meatball parm also feature, but Parmesan cheese availability seems inconsistent.

People are saying

"The pizza crust here is perfectly crispy and flavorful."

"The penne vodka pasta here is amazing."

"I found the food here to be really good."

Good to know

1

On Wednesdays, there is a special offer for a pie.

2

The prices are fair, with slices starting at $4.16.

3

Orders are typically ready in about 15 minutes.

11
Villa Pizza image 1
Pizza restaurant

Small pizza restaurant with only 2-3 tables offers a nostalgic, old school ambiance featuring traditional ovens and menu. Atmosphere feels friendly and peaceful but can be quiet and dingy inside. Known for halal meat and late-night hours until 2:30-3 AM.

Food comes out hot and fresh with a homemade touch every day. The flavors stay consistently good and satisfy cravings for fast food.

Penne vodka and cheese pizza offers a unique twist with penne pasta blending into gooey cheese. Mozzarella sticks feature delicious mozzarella cheese, and pasta dishes maintain a good pasta to sauce ratio.

People are saying

"I thought the pizza here was amazing and delicious."

"The food here is hot, fresh, and super delicious."

"I thought the pizza here was on another level."

Good to know

1

Villa Pizza is open daily until 2:30 AM.

2

Limited seating is available with only two tables.

3

Street parking and a parking lot are conveniently available.

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Clifton, New Jersey

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