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Il Leone, Matawan, NJ

Il Leone

4.7
4.7
23 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 8 times today
  • Hot spot
  • Romantic
  • Good for special occasions
Il Leone: A Culinary Journey in Matawan

Il Leone is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. Nestled in the heart of Matawan, this farm-to-table haven celebrates the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, crafting each dish with passion and artistry.

Step inside and be enveloped by the warm, inviting atmosphere. The aroma of wood-fired pizzas mingles with the laughter of friends and family, creating a sense of community and joy.

The menu is a testament to Il Leone's commitment to quality and creativity. From hand-crafted pasta to succulent seafood, every dish is a symphony of flavors, showcasing the bounty of the region.

Indulge in the signature wood-fired pizzas, each topped with a unique blend of seasonal ingredients. Savor the melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi, tossed in a rich, creamy sauce. Or embark on a culinary adventure with the chef's tasting menu, a curated journey through the finest flavors Il Leone has to offer.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Sat 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (973) 400-0263
  • Dress code
    Business Casual

What 23 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Il Leone delights with "fantastic" cuisine, a cozy ambiance, and "friendly" staff. Diners rave about the BYOB policy and personal touches from the owner. The strip mall location is transformed into a "phenomenal" dining experience. With "delicious" dishes and attentive service, Il Leone is a promising addition to the dining scene.

23 Reviews
  1. Regina

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It's a beautiful restaurant and decorated very nicely! The service and food were excellent! Will definitely be going back!
    Il LeoneResponded 1 day ago
    Hi Regina! Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you found our restaurant beautiful and enjoyed the excellent food and service. Your support means a lot to us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for another great experience! ;-)

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  2. cyndi

    VIP

    Orlando

    10 reviews

    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    First time dining. Restaurant is vey loud. Also only tables for 3 are big round tables that could seat 6 so we felt very far apart and had to yell. Food was ok had pizza for appetizer Which was good. Dinners were skirt Steak which was good and spicy rigatoni also good. Linguini with clam recommended By waiter was not too good. Clams were chewy and overall bland dish. For dessert only three choices. Tiramisu , chocolate soufflé and something else. Then waiter offered cheese cake but after we ordered it told they didn’t have it. Charged anyway but upon noting taken off bill.
    Il LeoneResponded 1 day ago
    Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I truly appreciate your honest feedback, and I’m sorry to hear that your first visit didn’t meet your expectations. I understand that the noise level can be challenging, and we’re actively working on ways to enhance the atmosphere for our guests. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the pizza, skirt steak, and spicy rigatoni, but I apologize for the disappointment with the linguini and the dessert selection. It’s important to us that our guests have a great dining experience, and your insights will help us improve. I hope you’ll consider giving us another try in the future, Cyndi. Your feedback is invaluable, and we’d love the opportunity to serve you better next time!

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  3. headro

    VIP

    New York City

    7 reviews

    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Not impressed. Food was mediocre. Served bird sized bread pieces to start. Whipped ricotta with hot honey drenched crustini, not appetizing. Vodka pie, not spicy, too much sauce and cheese atop a thin crust. Entrees tasteless and did not taste like fresh pasta. Only earned a single star for a happy ending of moist tiramisu. Ambiance appealing, but attempting to be a more reputable restaurant than actually is. Why black out front windows and ignore light entering from side door? Dining experience disrupted by smoke alarm. Disagree with all reviews or my palate has just been pampered with finer foods. An additional star for attentive service, including topping off water glasses repeatedly, changing plate settings and silverware between courses. Unfortunately, we do not plan to dine again.
    Il LeoneResponded 1 day ago
    Hi Aaron, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. I’m sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your expectations. We value all feedback, and I appreciate your comments about the food and ambiance. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the service, and I’ll make sure to address your concerns with our team. We hope you'll consider giving us another chance in the future. :-)

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  4. Margaret

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food service and ambience. Highly recommend!
    Il LeoneResponded 1 day ago
    Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the food, service, and ambiance. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for another excellent experience!

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  5. patricia

    New York City

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beyond amazing…one of the best meals I have had in a long time. Owners were lovely as well as the ambience !!!! Definitely a MUST TRY !!!!
    Il LeoneResponded 1 day ago
    Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so glad to hear that you had one of the best meals in a long time and enjoyed the ambiance. As the owners, it truly warms our hearts to know that our guests appreciate what we’re creating. We can’t wait for you to visit us again!

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  6. Kristie

    New York City

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food will be returning. Music could’ve been a little lower.
    Il LeoneResponded 1 day ago
    Hi Kristie, Thank you for your feedback! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the food and plan to return. We appreciate your suggestion about the music volume and will definitely take it into consideration. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

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  7. Tiffany

    Miami

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful dinner! Everything was perfect! Food was amazing and great service!
    Il LeoneResponded 1 day ago
    Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful dinner and that everything was perfect. Your compliments about the food and service mean so much to us. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another amazing experience!

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  8. stephen

    VIP

    New York City

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was fantastic. This is elevated cuisine. Not what you would expect from a restaurant in a strip mall but as soon as you step inside you will forget about the surroundings. My wife had veal osso bucco and I had shrimp Franchise over angel hair pasta. Both were fantastic. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, very helpful. The owner heard that it was our anniversary and he came over to introduce himself. There were only a few tables when we got there at 6:00 but they were packed by the time we left at 7:30. I give I’ll Leone my highest recommendation. Enjoy!
    Il LeoneResponded 1 day ago
    Thank you so much for your incredible review! We’re thrilled to hear that you found our food to be fantastic and that you enjoyed our elevated cuisine. It’s wonderful to know that both the veal osso bucco and shrimp Francese exceeded your expectations. We’re also glad you felt welcomed by our friendly and knowledgeable staff. Your highest recommendation means the world to us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to Il Leone for another memorable dining experience. Enjoy! Happy anniversary again!!

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  9. Judith

    New York City

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food, decor, and service was phenomenal. I will be going back again and again. We did not have one bad dish. And being able to bring your own wine was such a plus. I highly recommend trying Il Leone. You will not be disappointed.
    Il LeoneResponded 1 day ago
    Wow, thank you for such an incredible review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the food, decor, and service phenomenal. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed the option to bring your own wine as well. Your recommendation means the world to us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back again and again at Il Leone!

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  10. Gail

    VIP

    New York City

    26 reviews

    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on January 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The ambiance, food and vibe were great. This is a new BYOB and we were pleasantly surprised. Our waiter was excellent and friendly. The food was delicious and fresh. We will absolutely be going back.
    Il LeoneResponded 1 day ago
    Hi Gail… Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed the ambiance, food, and vibe at our new BYOB restaurant. It’s fantastic to know that our waiter made a positive impression and that you found the food delicious and fresh. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another great experience at Il Leone!

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FAQs

Il Leone is rated 4.7 stars by 23 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 8 times today
Google Map for Il Leone

443 NJ-34 suite i, Matawan, NJ 07747-9506

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    Old Bridge
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Sat 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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