Villa Gennaros has the best Italian Food in the Edison area! Dinika waited on us last Saturday… the service was excellent and she entertained us all evening. If you haven’t dined there you must check it out!
Lane B.
Place rating: 5 Colonia, NJ
Really comfortable environment, wait staff is very attentive and friendly. Been there 20+ times including my Dad’s 70th and everyone always leaves happy. Shrimp scampi is different than others and soooo good. Penna vodka is great, always have good specials too. Braised beef in a brown sauce is excellent and my favorite is the Chicken Genovese. Always enough to take home leftovers. Highly recommended!
Leslie C.
Place rating: 3 ASTORIA, NY
Came on Friday night with my girlfriend and her friends to celebrate some birthdays. So I am going to start off with a pet peeve and something that did not get my visit to Villa Gennaro started on the right foot. We get to the restaurant at 7 and have a reservation at 7 for a party of 10. Our table is all set up and ready to go and… «Sorry, we can’t seat you until everyone is here.» I understand that’s your policy, but let’s be honest, you aren’t using the table for anything else, and the restaurant is small and standing room is cramped. Ok, I’m over it. I didn’t knock the restaurant because I understand a policy is a policy, but for those who have friends who are consistently late, be prepared to stand. The ambience was nice and our waiter, Geo, was phenomenal. Very attentive, funny, and all around just a great server. The three star review is strictly for the food. For the appetizer we got clams casino, calamari, and tomato & mozzarella. Out of the three, the tomato & mozzarella was surprisingly the tastiest. Well dressed with the right ratio of ingredients. The calamari was disappointing, although cooked nearly to perfection, the breading was entirely too thick and any texture or flavor from the calamari itself was lost. For entrees, the dishes were varied, some got the short rib, some the pasta and short rib, rib eye steak, salmon, etc. I went with the osso buco and the girlfriend with the short rib(two of my all-time favorite dishes might I add). The sauces were very tasty, the meat tender, however in both dishes 1) the meat had a lot of fat, much more than I would have expected and 2) the risotto was slightly undercooked. Neither of these issues were huge, but certainly kept the dishes at a solid 3. The other dishes that I tried were also good, but nothing impressive. The only thing I will point out is that many dishes came with a side of sautéed tomatoes and some other greens. Each person who got this side said exactly the same thing, that it was too spicy to eat. Dessert was also good, but again, nothing that makes me running to come back here. Reading the other reviews, perhaps I ordered the wrong dish and would be willing to come here again.
Fred S.
Place rating: 5 Andover, NJ
Stopped in again for dinner tonight and what can I say? Dinner was superb! We had stuffed shells, cavatelli & broccoli and penne vodka(I added salmon). Phenomenal. Service was awesome. This place is a gem and perfectly located near the train station. Had a hard day at work? Grab a bottle of red wine at NYP and come here for dinner after getting off at MET. Plenty of parking in back too! I’ll be back here again!
Ed O.
Place rating: 5 Metuchen, NJ
We have been coming here for years. It is a great place to celebrate family affairs because it is kid friendly and on top of that the food is excellent.
Damaryz R.
Place rating: 2 Edison, NJ
Go in knowing that the service is gong to be mediocre at best. The place wants to have a fine dining feel but doesn’t quite make it. I wouldn’t take a date here, it’s more like a place you go to casually — for pizza or dinner. No expectation other than to just east. The food is good, their portions are generous. I’ve never had anything that blew me away; but I’ve ordered from them at least 10+ times, often because they are convenient and not bad.
Anthony F.
Place rating: 5 Jersey City, NJ
We’re relatively new to the Edison area and didn’t really know where to go for Italian. Unilocal reviews for this post looked good, it was a quick ride away and the price point was spot on. As soon as we entered the restaurant we were impressed with how clean everything was. We were looking for an easy and casual Italian restaurant on a Saturday night and found the perfect place. While we did make reservations, the restaurant is quite large and can easily take walk ins. The service is extremely friendly. Our waiter was quirky and friendly and made sure that we were never wanting. We ordered the Zuppa di Pesce and Veal Toscano and both were delicious. The clams were extremely fresh and not overdone and the tomato sauce was just right and not too salty. For dessert we had the tiramisu which they make in house. Yum. We are definitely coming back here again We look forward to many more meals at Villa Gennaro.
Dino P.
Place rating: 2 Woodbridge Township, NJ
Ordered a meatball hero for delivery and this is what was sent. 2 small meatballs cut in half. One for each half! And tiny ones at that! Never again will I be robbed by this pizzeria. $ 7.50 for this? And I didn’t order parm and was still charged for it. Horrible. When I called the excuse was that they were busy. Too busy to sent out a proper order? I posted pictures of the hero. Check for yourself
John J.
Place rating: 5 Matawan, NJ
Long time, old school, established friendly Italian eatery that has a variety of tasty traditional style Italian dishes. First came here a few times a couple of years ago, tasting the Linguini and Clams, Chicken Parm, Pizza, etc. but a recent job relocation has increased my visits significantly. Gennaro’s has a wide variety on it’s menu, so you can eat here a few times a week without getting bored. We have been coming to Villa Genarros for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. We recently celebrated my mother’s 65th birthday in their private banquet room, and it was amazing. Tony and his team made sure the party was a success. I would recommend Villa Gennaros for a business lunch, family dinner, or to a host a private function.
Stephanie T.
Place rating: 5 Metuchen, NJ
My family loves this place. We go here for causal meals and special occasions. They have a salad with goat cheese and raisins that’s amazing! Their pizza is good, serve complimentary bruschetta, and have Monday Pasta Nights. I almost always get the linguine with white clam sauce(piping hot and overflowing with clams). My dad has ordered everything on the Pasta Night menu and every dish is amazing(very fresh and served hot). This is the one place that my family orders desert.
Bill S.
Place rating: 4 Colonia, NJ
I will definitely be back to Villa Gennaro. Everyone at my table got a different type of pasta dish, all of which were fresh and flavorful. Can’t wait to try more things on the menu next time!
David B.
Place rating: 5 Edison, NJ
Went here with my mom, they were really busy. We didn’t make a reservation but we didn’t wait long at all. I had the stuffed salmon and my mom had spinach fettuccini. It was so good. Also out waitress told us they have a banquet room. We asked if we could see it, they didn’t hesitate to walk us to look at the room. The place is so clean, makes you wanna eat everyday there.
Marilyn T.
Place rating: 5 Edison, NJ
Quality food. Their pasta is delicious. Also I’ve tried their seafood it’s always fresh. Try ahi tuna wasabi. The staff is very accommodating. Try it out there is barely any family owned Italian places anymore like this place
Cathy Y.
Place rating: 4 Edison, NJ
Came here last night for dinner and had a wonderful time. Our server with Andre and he was very attentive and friendly! My husband and I ordered the homemade pappardelle pasta with short ribs and tomatoes. We also had a pizza which was really good. For appetizers we ordered stuffed mushrooms, calamari, and garlic shrimp. All were great. Our table also ordered stuffed chicken, which was very juicy and not dry at all, the seafood pasta and clam linguine. The décor is nice, simple, and intimate. Prices were not too bad either!
Lenny K.
Place rating: 4 Edison, NJ
Good meal. Excellent service. This is one of the better pizza place/restaurants in the area. The dining room is open and thus visible to the pizza place part of the restaurant so you may not necessarily feel like you are in a restaurant. But, that should not detract from the excellent food that they are serving here. We have eaten here several times and have always enjoyed both the food and the service. We have pretty much stuck to the basics(pasta, parm dishes, salads) but they do have something interesting sounding things on the menu that are probably worth a try.
Stef C.
Place rating: 4 Ewing Township, NJ
One of my go to places when I’m visiting my boyfriend. I live an hour away and wished I had Villa Gennaros closer. This review is long overdue. I’ve been to this awesome place several of times(one of the servers recognizes me even if I go months without going!) I was last there for NYE. The preset menu didn’t have vegetarian options but as they always do they made it happen for me. The food is delicious, the servers are friendly, and the ambiance is pleasant. Its also BYOB which makes it even better! If I could I’d be there every week but unfortunately I live too far! I definitely recommend this place if your looking for casual(non chain restaurant) fresh food and great service!
Erica S.
Place rating: 3 Edison, NJ
Started ordering from here a LONG time ago and the food was always amazing. They remodeled the place and it changed a bit… for one, the prices went up. This wouldn’t be a big deal if the quality of the food stayed the same but IMO, it did The food just wasn’t as good anymore and I don’t know if the remodel had anything to do with it, I’m just saying it occurred at that same time. Regardless, I continued to order from there hoping it would get better again but instead, found myself ordering less and less. The food isn’t awful but if you were a customer from long ago like myself, then you may notice the change in food quality, but that is just my opinion. Honestly if I just started ordering from them now, I’d probably be writing this review on how I love the food. So that’s my input =)
Kathleen M.
Place rating: 5 Tuckerton, NJ
First time here. Will come again food is delicious! Nice atmosphere! Just really noisy but it’s busy
Andy C.
Place rating: 4 Edison, NJ
The first time I came here I ordered the braised short rib paparedelle which was pretty good. Also came on Monday night and they have a special $ 9.95 pasta menu, which also comes with a salad. Great deal! Service was also prompt and friendly both times. This place is also BYOB! Will be back for sure.
Nicole M.
Place rating: 5 Edison, NJ
Villa Gennaro’s is my favorite Italian restaurant! I grew up in a very Italian household with traditional Italian food regularly and we love going to Villa Gennaro’s. The ambience is great! It’s cute and perfect for any occasion — lunch or a nice sit down dinner. The staff is very friendly and always accommodating. My brother is even gluten free and there are plenty of options like the fish and variety of risottos. The deserts are beautiful and beyond delicious! Villa Gennaro’s is by far the best around. Strongly recommended and my genuine guarantee that you will be impressed and thoroughly satisfied with your meal!