Cafe Venezia Ristorante Italiano

1966 Washington Valley Rd Unit 6, Martinsville, NJ 08836, United States
+1 732-356-3500
$$$ Italian restaurant , Bistro , Caterer , Family restaurant , Fine dining restaurant , Gluten-free restaurant , Northern Italian restaurant , Party planner , Restaurant , Southern Italian restaurant
(434 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

Cafe Venezia Ristorante Italiano situates itself quietly in a small strip mall along Washington Valley Rd in Martinsville, offering a full-service Italian dining experience that balances both casual family meals and more refined occasions. The interior leans towards simplicity rather than ornate décor, putting the spotlight squarely on the food and service, which local diners consistently highlight.

The restaurant draws a mix of patrons—from couples marking special occasions to families and small groups looking for hearty Italian classics. The atmosphere is bright and open, especially in event spaces with ample natural light streaming through large windows, making it a practical choice for private celebrations like bridal showers or intimate gatherings. The space manages to feel comfortable without being cramped, striking a useful balance for those who want a sense of occasion without formality overwhelming the experience.

Cuisine here reflects a broad spectrum of Italian regional styles, with an emphasis on Northern and Southern dishes. Diners can expect traditional pasta dishes with rich, well-crafted sauces, seafood options like Branzino Alla Amalfitana and Lobster Tail Fra Diavolo, alongside indulgent desserts such as Pistacchio Mousse and classic Cannoli. The kitchen reputation for expertly balancing flavors—from bright tomato-based sauces to elegant saffron cream reductions—sets Cafe Venezia apart from typical neighborhood Italian spots. The menu also caters thoughtfully to gluten-free diners, broadening its local appeal.

Service tends to be attentive and unobtrusive, marked by a professionalism that helps smooth over the rare glitch. Staff interaction is noted as warm and consistent, with an owner/maître d’ presence that adds a personable touch, making guests feel genuinely welcomed and valued. BYO policies contribute to a relaxed dining rhythm, where guests can pair their meals with their favorite wines or sparkling drinks like Prosecco.

This is the kind of place that suits a variety of outings: an anniversary dinner, a family celebration, or a casual night out where the focus is on solid Italian fare without distracting pretension. Visiting on a weekend or hosting a party here feels comfortable, thanks to the spacious private dining options and the restaurant’s accommodating approach to events. While the décor may not stand out, the combination of well-prepared food, steady service, and a venue that can flex between intimate and group-friendly makes Cafe Venezia a reliable neighborhood spot for those who value experience over flash.

Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Has salad bar
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

5:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

12:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

12:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Friday

12:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

5:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

5:00 AM - 9:00 PM

434 Reviews
Emily Cimins

31 Dec 2025

We had a great experience! Some rude lady from “Staten Island” started yelling at the staff for a simple error they were quick to rectify but she was completely unreasonable, the staff and potentially owner(?) was very professional in deescalating. He was attentive to our experience as well and the food was delicious.

Michael Rieger

30 Dec 2025

Excellent Italian restaurant tucked away in a tiny strip mall. Everything we have had here has been delicious. The service is attentive and professional. We have had specials as well as regular menu items and all have been delicious. The waiter always makes terrific recommendations. Love fantastic BYO places. Our go to Italian in this area (an area with many Italian restaurants)

Brooke Grzeszczak

27 Nov 2025

My family hosted my bridal shower at Cafe Venezia and it was amazing! The room is bright and there are a ton of windows at the front. The room is also a perfect size and felt intimate without feeling tight. Everyone was raving about the food and the service was great. Overall I would recommended Cafe Venezia to anyone for dinner or to host an event! 10/10!

Dom Q

27 Nov 2025

My wife and I went to Cafe Venezia for our anniversary. We had a great time; this restaurant is fabulous. We were greeted by Leo, the owner/Maitre'd, he's gregarious and perfect for his role as restauranteur. The food is excellent. The kitchen does great sauces; from the light, flavorful, tomato-based to the saffron-infused white white reductions, they made me look forward to the next bite. All the dishes were well made and presented beautifully, even the appetizer. Speaking of which, the eggplant rollatini were delicate clouds that melted in your mouth. This is no small feat. I will definitely be returning, and next time I'll bring friends; this place is too good not to share.

Mark Burgos

17 Nov 2025

A nice high end Italian restaurant for sure. Definitely worth the drive with a loved one or large groups. The inside is kind of plain looking but the service and staff go above and beyond to make your experience a joyful one. The appetizer part of the menu is absolutely a must, including the calamari dishes and the Baratta fresh mozzarella dish. I was a little disappointed with my dinner. The Fusilli mama mia I felt with the shrimp, did not have any flavor and may have been cooked a little to long. I didn't relize that there are various types of fusilli pastas and I was thinking of a different shape then the one I was served. Everything else in the dish including the asparagus, artichokes and brandy pink sauce was very good. I am a huge fan of Ceasar salads and this particular ceasar salad was no slouch. The dressing was so amazingly delicious and the homemade croutons were yummy. I shared it with my wife, but could have easily devoured it all by myself. I'm not usually a big fan of Italian desserts, but the chocolate souffle lava cake was out of this world! Everyone loved their desserts as well. The coffee was also well made. I'm so bad at remembering names but our host for the evening was so kind and generous and very knowledgeable. He definitely gave us a great experience. We do recommend you give this little gem a try. I would love to come back and try some other dishes and specials. Don't forget it's BYOB as well. Until next time, hope this review helps.

Anna Petro

17 Nov 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We celebrated my grandson’s first birthday at Café Venezia, and everything was perfect! Eddie and the entire staff were wonderful, so welcoming and incredibly attentive. The private room was easy to decorate and looked absolutely beautiful. The food was delicious, and the service was outstanding from start to finish. I highly recommend Café Venezia for any occasion, parties, date nights, or even just a great night out to eat! We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

Stephanie Moench

10 Oct 2025

We had my daughter’s communion there with about 40 ppl. The food was amazing and service was so attentive. They had 2 parties going on (one in each room) and they didn’t skip a beat! Presentation of food was great and my guests raved about the dishes served!

Sreeni Sharma

02 Oct 2025

Family went to Venezia on a Sunday, the day before Labor Day. Little did we know that the kitchen was closing at 8 pm and our table was booked for 8 PM. The owners I suppose were very gracious enough to seat us. This kind of service and warmth cannot be taken for granted . Thanks Bruno and partner. So, we ordered minestrone soup, salad, burrata, mushroom ravioli, penne vodka, and chicken pasta. All the dishes were awesome!! Each having its own distinct and unique flavors. The mushroom ravioli was creamy, and had lots of mushrooms in it. Would have it again in a heartbeat . For desserts we got tiramisu and creme brulee cheesecake....both wiped out in a minute. Overall a very warm and pleasant experience. Will go back soon

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