You can’t talk about Italian food in Jersey without a nod to its spiritual home in Brick. But this town these days is so much more than red sauce joints (don’t get us wrong, we love a red sauce joint). With quirky BYOB spots, newer restaurants that feel like you’re on a Roman holiday, and some of the freshest pasta anywhere, the Italian scene here has never been better.
LG’s Pizza & Pasta
$ | (732) 920-2200 | WEBSITE
LG’s Pizza & Pasta is the reigning champion of Brick’s Italian dining scene, and it’s arguably the best pizzeria in town. A cozy, welcoming space, all friendly chatter and warm aromas, with some of the most authentic Italian meals in the area. It’s a bit like your neighborhood go-to spot for people who crave real flavor, and the kind of place where regulars, both families and friends, gather over slices of pepperoni pizza and plates of made-to-order pasta.
Get the vodka sauce raviolis, a comforting dish that comes with that signature creamy richness, and save room for the rainbow cookie cake, too.
Claudio’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop
$ | (732) 262-7999 | WEBSITE
Claudio’s makes the best sandwiches in Brick and should be your lunchtime go-to. Use it when you’re craving one of those “let’s treat ourselves to something huge and delicious” meals—grab a seat at a table in the bustling shop, take advantage of the under-$15 sandwich prices, and order a ton of food off the carnivore-friendly menu.
The options stay consistent, but look for the overstuffed roast beef sandwich fit for a god, the fabulous eggplant cooked perfectly without peel, and the amazing Grandma pies that are off the charts.
Oscar’s Pizza & Restaurant
$ | (732) 920-2233 | WEBSITE
Oscar’s Pizza & Restaurant could have felt generic pretty easily. It’s a neighborhood spot in Brick that was built to serve classic Italian-American fare—think fresh dough pies and red-sauce staples like sausage pie and garlic knots. These types of places usually feel like they were designed by somebody who watched The Sopranos once and decided to open a restaurant, but Oscar’s is just a great casual spot that’s perfect for grabbing a meal after a long day.
The staff is kind and friendly, the delivery is quick and hot, and the pizza is a top contender for the best in Brick.
DeCaro’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery
$ | (732) 262-7746 | WEBSITE
Longtime Brick residents might recall the old-school pizzerias that once dotted Route 70, places where families gathered for thick-crust pies and friendly service. DeCaro’s carries that torch into 2026, with pizza so reminiscent of those classic spots it might make you think vinyl booths and jukeboxes are back in style (they’re not).
This eatery fits perfectly into modern Brick, as the steady stream of cars at the drive-thru can attest, but it’s also a place to go when you want that nostalgic neighborhood feel, when local pizzerias were community hubs rather than chains. Start with the mozzarella sticks and move onto the grandma pie. Arguably the slice that put DeCaro’s on the map, the pepperoni version, served with that perfect crispy-yet-chewy crust, should be in your takeout bag.
The Chicken Francese delivers generous portions at around $18, while the gourmet pizzas run $22-28 for a large—reasonable for food this consistently delicious. The simple dining area with its warm lighting and casual seating makes you feel right at home, especially when the owner stops by your table to check on your meal. It’s that personal touch, along with standout dishes like the steak and potato slice and those amazing rice balls, that keeps customers coming back.
Tre Pizza Pasta Beer Garden
$$ | (732) 455-9470 | WEBSITE
This Italian spot in Brick is consistently busy on weekends, and you’re going to have to deal with that if you want to get a table. But let’s be clear: You want to eat at Tre Pizza Pasta Beer Garden. Why? Well, for starters, they have a decent beer garden area that you can enjoy with friends over some warm pizzas. There’s also a number of smaller tables inside the casual dining room that can get noisy when full.
But even if your dream isn’t to share plates of very good pizza with several other humans, the menu offers tasty stuff like their excellent beer selection and decent pasta dishes.
Papa V’s
$ | (732) 458-0500 | WEBSITE
There are a lot of pizzerias in Brick serving reliable Italian-American food with solid pies and a good staff. Papa V’s is the best of the bunch, thanks to dishes like the classic North Jersey-style crust with perfect toppings, the Big Mac pizza, and eggplant rollatini that you might as well call dinner. This is the spot to take your friend visiting from out of town who wants an ‘authentic Brick experience,’ or your family after a long day around the area.
Brick Oven
$$ | (732) 451-0300 | WEBSITE
The main attraction at Brick Oven is the wood-fired pizza, with pies like the Plain, White Truffle, and Pepperoni starting around $18, and the Salccicia pie is truly a masterpiece at $24. And while it might sound simple to your friend who only eats cheese pizza, you’re never going to have a bad meal here. The menu stays consistent, but always includes delicious options like Veal Saltimbocca, cheesy garlic bread, and calamari with the boss sauce.
Some dishes we’ve loved have been the perfectly charred Pepperoni pie and the tender calamari with that addictive sauce. The restaurant is just one cozy room with warm lighting and wooden tables, and it’s the perfect place to come hungry with at least one friend and have a quiet, memorable evening. The service is exceptional, with staff members like Collin being very accommodating and helpful, and the atmosphere stays quiet enough to enjoy the tasty food and connect with the personable staff.
Princess Maria’s 2 Pizza & Restaurant
$$ | (732) 714-6471 | WEBSITE
Princess Maria’s 2 is a friendly, family-run Brick institution known for delicious pizza and reasonable prices. It’s worth the trip, but if you want to avoid the weekend rush, try a quiet Tuesday evening when the dining room feels more relaxed. Find a table in the renovated space, which has a warm, welcoming vibe that makes you feel like you’re at a big Italian family dinner.
Anything on the menu with fresh buffalo chicken or the house vodka sauce is a must order, especially if crispy, flavorful pizza is your thing. The manicotti dinner or penne vodka aren’t reinventions, but they’re the kind of staple dishes you’ll drive across town for on a regular basis.
La Fontana Pizzeria
$ | (732) 920-6200 | WEBSITE
La Fontana Pizzeria is serving some of the most satisfying Italian food at the Jersey shore. We’re talking about things like the Hot Honey Roni Pizza with its visually appealing pepperoni and that sweet-spicy honey drizzle. You’ll also find a menu packed with must-try items like the chicken parm sandwich on garlic bread and plates of spicy rigatoni vodka that are noted as some of the best ever.
It’s a solid casual dinner or relaxed family meal move where you can enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and great service, though be prepared for prices that run a bit higher than other local spots—the quality makes it worth every penny.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
$$ | (732) 262-3470 | WEBSITE
Carrabba’s Italian Grill falls into the category of restaurants we’re calling ZBVs, or places with zero bad vibes. It’s a spacious restaurant where families and friends actually have dinner, and it’s impossible not to find satisfaction on the menu. Especially if you order the tender calamari and the Johnny Trio that you can customize with options like grilled chicken with goat cheese or the filet with mushroom sauce.
There are plenty of booths for groups, but try and snag a seat at the lively bar area during happy hour for a peak ZBV evening.
Amore Ristorante | Brick Township New Jersey
$$$ | (732) 204-7901 | WEBSITE
Amore Ristorante is a classic Italian spot that sticks to just that, so don’t come here looking for small plates or fusion twists. The service is friendly, and the menu focuses on stuff like chicken parmesan, salmon with crabmeat topping, and a chicken scarpiello that isn’t too heavy. It’s all served in a cozy space that never feels too rushed, and their warm, welcoming dining room is one of the best neighborhood spots in town.
Federico’s Pizza
$ | (732) 701-9903 | WEBSITE
Federico’s Pizza is pretty much the perfect neighborhood Italian restaurant, filled with the warmth of a family-run spot that’s been serving the community for over 21 years. Go for the stuffed manicotti that rivals the best in New York City, the chicken parm with its crispy coating, and the Sicilian pie loaded with toppings that could give a full-time pizzeria a run for its money.
We love posting up at the counter to share a gluten-free pizza crust with chicken, bacon, and ranch, watching the friendly staff accommodate last-minute catering requests while we forget we’re just grabbing a quick bite.
Nino’s Coal Fired Pizza Brick
$ | (732) 255-7700 | WEBSITE
Nino’s has a neighborhood warmth and a weekend energy—like your favorite local joint, but make it Brick—with those cozy booths and checkered tablecloths you’ll find in every classic pizzeria. This welcoming spot lands smack in the middle of the Venn diagram between family dinner and a lively night out with friends.
Coal-fired pies like the classic pepperoni with its blistered, chewy crust sit on the menu alongside comfort dishes like veal pizzaiola, the always-reliable burger with crispy fries, and the fresh bread served hot from the oven. We also strongly endorse their live entertainment nights with Max singing on weekends as the best possible way to cap off the week.
