Best Italian Restaurants in Newark

Olio e Pui was a lovely place to take my out of town guest for lunch on January 4, 2025. The food was excellent and the selection absolutely to our taste.

Wait staff seated us immediately and menus were provided. We loved the wild mushroom soup special which was creamy and very savory. Tre colore salad was wonderful and dressed perfectly. Our calamari was too heavily breaded and a tad overdone. The marinara, that accompanied the calamari, was bright and flavorful, although I like it spicy so I added some hot pepper flakes. I really enjoyed my scallops, Sicilian style, with capers and olives in a white wine sauce. My request for spinach instead of pasta was immediately granted. I truly appreciated that. My husband felt the rack of lamb was just okay. The cappuccino gelato had a strange texture, kind of gummy like it was dried out. The chocolate gelato texture was fine and had a nice flavor.

The dinner was spectacular in every way. Hygge in New York! The atmosphere was cozy, congenial and filled with Christmas cheer. Flowers and soft candle light everywhere. The punterelle salad was perfectly dressed with ample anchovies, the sea bream en papillote was tender and infused with deep flavor. Add a perfectly balanced negroni sbagliatto to start and the evening was perfect.

Good food, good drinks, good service. Good location and they can accommodate large tables. Its a really good place to meet friends for food and drinks.

The service was fantastic. The food plentiful and delicious - would highly recommend especially the Penne Alla Vodka.