Positano Restaurant & Pizzeria

Loved this spot recommended to me by my aunt. Classic american Italian place with plenty of choices. I was on the hunt for some chicken parm and this place did not disappoint! I went with their twist on the classic and got my chicken parm drenched in delicious creamy vodka sauce, yumm! My boyfriend got shrimp fra diablo. While the actual spice level was a bit underwhelming, the red sauce was still delicious and flavorful with huge shrimps! We started with an order of calamri and caesar salad. Portions here are huge, I was already stuffed before they even brought out our entrees. Not complaining though, cause I got to eat chicken parm for BREAKFAST the next day!
Two more highlights of this meal– complimentary hot and tasty garlic knots (yaaas) and it’s a BYO! Service was also friendly and efficient. Will definitely be sure to come back and visit when I am in Wayne again.

Slow, and pizza tends to be soggy. Not much room to stand if you are ordering to go…

The. food at Positano is consistently wonderful. The atmosphere is above the normal. There waiters are courtiouss and well trained. The food is fresh and seasoned perfectly. It’s also plated very nicely. I’d recommend linguini in white clam sauce. It’s exquisite as is a multitude of other dishes.
Mark G.

We recently had Positano cater our party and they did a phenomenal job. They delivered the food right on time, very hot, and the entire night everyone kept asking us where we ordered from because everything was so good. Anytime we need something catered we are going back to Positano and looking forward to stopping by there for dinner too.

Had a party for 10, the food was outstanding like always. All the food came out at the same time. Enjoy going there every week. Steve the owner made sure everyone was satisfied. Great place to eat
John De

The prices have gone up, the food quality and portions have noticeably gone down. This is the only Italian family owned sit-​down restaurant in the general Wayne area… they know it and they’re taking advantage. Boycotting.

I had an issue with the service a few times and wrote about it here and the owner immediately reached out to me to remedy the problem. While no business is perfect, I can appreciate people who do their best to make things right.
The food is good and I like that they are sincere about doing their best.

I have ate here many times over the past 20 years but hadn’t been in recently until last week when I met some friends for dinner. Upon being seated our waiter came over and informed us they are still a BYOB but you can buy full bottles of wine just not by the glass. He also brought over a bread basket with 3 different types of bread. My favorite was the one that reminded me of a larger garlic knot. For an appetizer, we spilt the fried calamari which had a very light breading and cooked perfectly. I would definitely recommend trying it. For dinner I went with a grilled chicken Cesar salad which was packed with chicken. It was a little light on the dressing so I asked the waiter to bring me more. Since the dressing was homemade and not from a bottle when he brought it out it tasted nothing like what was on my salad, more just like a glob of mayo and vinegar. He then offered to bring out the house dressing for me. I’m glad he did, best house dressing! We were all pretty full after our meals but we decided to take advantage of the free Unilocal check in desert which was a cannoli. Staff here is very attentive and friendly. Food is legit. Of course I will be back!

Awesome food and service. Love the menu and could eat here everyday.
Order the chicken Parmesan sandwich for lunch. Awesome.

In Wayne, NJ on business and decided on Positano’s. I ordered the cold antipasto and the sausage and broccoli rabe appetizers. The antipasto was good, especially the fresh mozzarella. The sausage and broccoli rabe was amazing. It was recommended by Sapo, who provided excellent service. Ordered the tiramisu, also at Sapo’s recommendation, to go. Looking forward to trying it.

This place has that home cooked Italian feeling. As soon as you walk in the aroma hits your nostrils like walking into he kitchen of a Italian grandma. The pasta was fresh the chicken was tender and melt in your mouth and pizza had a cheese pull unlike any pizza I’ve had in jersey. This is just how good the food is, the atmosphere is amazing you feel like you’re part of an Italian. Come here if you want a full stomach and friendly staff.

Still great! Pasta figioli is superb. Lunch chicken Parm sandwich is great! Soothing latte topped off a great lunch. I may have my birthday party here this February. Eeeoooww!!!
BTW — I was so impressed with their pasta fagioli I brought a quart home to enjoy later. So good!

We went to Positano on New Year’s eve. I was with a party of 4 and we had a reservation for 630. We were able to sit within the matter of 10 minutes. The owner there is extremely nice! The food is always excellent here and the service for it being very crowded on New Year’s was great.
This place by far has by favorite pasta in the local area. Th Penne Vodka with Breaded Chicken Cutlet and Mozz is their special on the menu daily and it’s my favorite !
The overall space is small, but its more enjoyable that way. A great spot for families and friends.

I absolutely LOVE this place. It is one of my favorite Italian restaurants. It is not only pizza and pasta, it has anywhere from soups and salads to seafood and burgers. The wait staff is always on point with the orders and usually rather quick when it comes to seating, ordering, and delivering the food to hungry customers. I always go to this restaurant for a decently quick sit down meal with my family because you can never go wrong with amazing service and even more amazing food!

I remember going to a restaurant with this same name. I remember how much I enjoyed it.
Too bad this was not that restaurant.
Service was decent, food not so much.
Ordered the veal cutlet parm hero. The veal was actually strips and pieces of meat not an actual cutlet.
The bread was cold and the sauce and cheese sparse, Too bad they didn’t know enough to heat the sandwich and melt the cheese in the pizza ovens.
You can get a better sandwich elsewhere.
Save your money

The owner, Steve Catalano, made me feel right at home and offered just a couple of suggestions for lunch. I chose the Burger option based on his suggestion and description. I was not disappointed in the least, in fact was an excellent burger with a side of tangy sauce and the fries were perfect. As I have read, and can now attest to, this is a little gem in the heart of Wayne, NJ!

Positano is such a great restaurant in Wayne NJ for good food at a great price. The owner is friendly to each and every guest that walks through the door. Its nice to see a great family run restaurant. No reservations necessary, and they are so helpful to accommodate.
BYOB is always a plus when going for a quick bite to eat or to make a dinner date of the night. The service is also great. Our waiter remembers everything! He knows what we have ordered in the past and reminds us of the meals we loved and might have forgot. Its also nice when a waiter doesn’t hound your table. They give you space to enjoy, but are always there if you need something.
Have gotten catered food for a few parties we have hosted from Positano as well and this place never disappoints!
Thanks for the great food and service Positano team!

Cookie cutter Italian food (IE: pasta out of a box, sauce out of a can) and average for the area Pizza with an owner (Steve Catalano) that plays favorites to the families of the Wayne Hills HS Football team.
He comes around and chats with the regulars «I had them make it how you like it… how is it? Bobby has been running 80 yards a game, you must be proud!» while he IGNORES anyone he doesn’t know. GREAT WAY TO RUN A RESTAURANT, PAL!
If your kids are on the team, you go to the head of the waiting list while others wait around for their average food. (They always claim they had reservations.). Even his wait staff playing this game with bringing out free garlic bread to the regulars as soon as they sit, while others need to place an order before they decide you are worthy of the free bread.
I called my waiter out on it and he backpedaled and backpedaled but refused to get me any bread or even a bottle opener for my wine (they are BYO and brought openers to other tables) until I ordered.
I could go on and on, but why bother, THIS PLACE SUCKS!
I honestly don’t blame anyone who likes it, they probably have kids going to the local HS or know him personally and clearly don’t understand the ridiculous favoritism that goes on every weekend in this place.
Would never give Positano another dollar.

Positano is a great family-​run Italian restaurant. From the moment I walked in I felt like I was part of their family. Stephen (owner) greeted us and got us a table in less than 10 minutes and with a huge line of people both with and without reservations.
The main reason we were here was to try out the food and experience prior to booking the restaurant for a private event. A huge plus is that the food is affordable while also offering BYOB. The service is really fast and friendly. It’s a no rush atmosphere and so the cadence of the experience is spaced out so that you can enjoy your company and meal. The bread basket was probably my favorite part because they had these hot buttery garlic knots. No additives necessary, but paired with the marinara from the calamari it’s amazing!
I went with the chicken parm staple and it was great. Everyone else seemed pretty happy with their selections as well.
I’d recommend visiting for lunch or dinner if you’re in the area.

What can I say about one of my favorite places. The staff is wonderful and very attentive. They can’t do enough for you. Walking in the place is like walking in a party where you know everyone. The mussels and sauce are amazing. If they just made me a bowl of mussel sauce I would eat it like soup. Wonderful flavor. Crispy and light calamari and sautéed perfectly broccoli rabe with sausage are 2 of my favorites. I had veal Sinatra which was light and cooked perfect. Prices are very reasonable and the half orders of certain dishes are great for the kids. I have never been disappointed with any selection I have ever made. Highly recommended.