Monmouth GuideItalian cooking shows up all over Monmouth County, from BYOB pasta rooms to ocean-view dining rooms and pizza patios. For September we pulled together seven places worth a reservation, spread across Freehold, Red Bank, Long Branch, Rumson, Deal and Upper Freehold, with a mix of handmade pasta, brick-oven pizza and wine-focused menus.
Some are quiet and chef-owned, others are built for a group dinner or a long Sunday. Below you'll find the seven picks with a short note on each, a few nearby events if you want to make a full evening of it, and a pointer to the wider list if none of these fit the plan.
Our 7 picks
Seven Italian spots across the county, ranging from BYOB pasta kitchens to a kosher Italian dining room and a beer-garden patio.
1. Solo Trattoria, Freehold Borough
Roman-born chef's BYOB trattoria serving handmade pastas, risottos, grilled seafood and brick-oven pizza.
2. Sorella's Trattoria, Upper Freehold
Italian trattoria and pizzeria on Yardville-Allentown Road with online ordering.
3. Semolina, Red Bank
Chef-owned BYOB focused on handmade pasta and seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
4. Sirena Ristorante, Long Branch
Pier Village Italian with floor-to-ceiling windows over the Atlantic, often called one of New Jersey's most romantic restaurants.
5. Tre Pizza Pasta Beer Garden, Freehold Township
Brick-oven pizza, pasta and craft beer with a patio featuring bocce and fire pits; Sunday brunch has a Bloody Mary cart and live band.
6. Undici, Rumson
Romantic Tuscan-farmhouse-style Italian with handmade pastas and what it calls the largest Italian wine selection in New Jersey.
7. Teva, Deal
Upscale kosher Italian restaurant with a seasonal menu inspired by the Roman roots of executive chef Valerio Brambilla.
Make a night of it
If dinner is only part of the plan, here are a few events happening around the same towns this week.
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Wednesday · 5:00 PM · The Bar at Wave Hotel, Long Branch
Join us every Wednesday for Wine Down Wednesdays, at The BAR at Wave Resort featuring curated wine flights, ocean views, and beautifully crafted pours from standout…
foodvia Pier Village -
Wednesday · 7:30 PM · Hall of Records, Freehold, NJ, 07728 · Freehold Boroughmusicvia Downtown Freehold
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Yellow Brick Joel: The Tribute Concert - Count Basie Center for the Arts
Friday · 7:30 PM · Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre , 99 Monmouth St, Red Bank, NJ 07701Step into a world of timeless melodies and unforgettable piano anthems with Yellow Brick Joel: The Tribute Concert! This incredible live show features David Clark, a…
musicvia Monmouth County Tourism
More Italian restaurants in Monmouth County
These seven are a starting point. The full guide goes much further if you want to keep exploring.
See all 65 Italian restaurants in Monmouth County.
Whether you're after handmade pasta in Red Bank, a table by the water in Long Branch or pizza and bocce in Freehold Township, there's a good range here. Check hours and reservations before you go, since details can change from week to week.
Quick answers
What are good Italian restaurants in Monmouth County, NJ?
Local picks include Solo Trattoria in Freehold Borough, Sorella's Trattoria in Upper Freehold, Semolina in Red Bank and Sirena Ristorante in Long Branch. See the full guide for all 65.