I've driven by this place for so many years and wow I've been missing out. Great food for starters, interesting NNJ Italian vibe, great little social bar with great drinks, fancy without the snobbery. read more

Bensi Restaurant Caterers - Chicken Marsala, sangria - Pizza Near Me - Denville, New Jersey

The waitress is so helpful and friendly Food great We go after swim class every week read more

The bartenders are so nice Ruthie, Rebecca and Julian the manager george is nice. Also, the food is great always enjoy going.

I was in the area and saw Bensi in the complex and wanted to give it a try. I came in around lunchtime. It's small & has simple decor. The servers were really nice. I appreciated the immediate attention. I started off with a Bensi Bellini as my cocktail. It was very tasty and strong, and the martini glass was literally filled to the brim. I ordered the Rigatoni bolognese in the lunch portion as my meal. The portion size was still quite large even though it was lunch sized. I can't imagine how big the dinner portion would be. It had a lot of ground beef, and I loved that they gave me my own parmesan shaker because I am a huge parmesan lover. But the sauce kind of felt like it was missing something. The side salad didn't seem too fresh, but it was okay. I was given a basket of bread before my meal arrived. It was a good amount, but the bread kind of tasted stale. The food is decent, and for Italian food, the pricing was pretty good. For a quick bite I'd say stop in and sit at the bar and definitely try other cocktails. But if you're expecting an upscale Italian dining experience, this location doesn't really give that. read more

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I came here with family and had a wonderful time!! The food was excellent as was the service! We were seated in a nice area of the restaurant and it accommodated us well! I definitely recommend! Our waitress Ruth was excellent!! read more

The service here is super friendly and family oriented and I would mostly return because of how much I enjoyed the staff. The place is fairly casual making it a good option for any dining out experience. The food is where I felt things were subpar. We ordered the burratta which was good but the arugula salad it came on top of was the main star of the dish with its freshness. I ordered papardelle with vodka sauce and grilled chicken - this wasn't exactly on the menu as the dish originally came with salmon but the staff is so accommodating that they let me make the protein swap. While the sauce and chicken were good, the pasta felt a little over cooked. My friend ordered the cheese ravioli with vodka sauce and did enjoy her dish but said it felt pretty basic. For dessert we ordered the Bensi lava cake which was delicious and a big serving coming with two scoops of ice cream and whip cream. While delicious it was too big for us to finish. Overall this is a nice local spot if you're looking to dine out and more than the food the service and family atmosphere are what will bring me back. read more

A great place to eat and drink! Bensi never disappoints! The staff is very friendly, they have great hospitality! I love the Espresso Martini or the white sangria. I always get the shrimp parmigiana with linguine and it's perfect every time! My favorite appetizer is the zuppa di mussels! So juicy and fresh! I recently tried the zuppa di clams. I'm normally not a fan of clams but it was so good!! Definitely a go to if you're in the area! read more

I've read a couple of reviews from Yelp friends whose opinions I value, of this Bensi restaurant. They were all very positive. So, on a late Saturday afternoon, my wife and I stopped in for an early dinner. I have to say I agree with my friends as it was an excellent dinner! In these "COVID" days, this was just the second time we ate indoors. The restaurant was set up perfectly with tables spaced out. If it had been a little warmer, they have a cool setup with two tables outside. Since there's a full bar, we each ordered a glass of wine. Our entrees came with soup or salad, and my pasta fagioli was delicious! My wife had veal francaise with artichokes and I had a dish I never had before, gnocchi cacciatore. The gnocchi was in a dish of chicken, peppers, and onions, in a red sauce. It was excellent! We finished by splitting a piece of limoncello cake. We've been to other Bensi restaurants, but this was by far our best experience at one. The only reason I didn't give the 5th star is because our main courses came out too fast. There should be some space of time after appetizers are finished. Our server was very friendly which means a lot. Parking is easy with a big lot. I certainly recommend this Bensi for a nice meal! read more

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I was concerned about visiting this place with such skewed reviews. Based on reviews it seems your milage may vary because reviews are all over the place for this restaurant; it's not all bad reviews and it's not all good, it's just all over the place. That said I visited with hesitation but I'm glad I went because it was a good experience overall. The "bad" staff was actually really pretty darn amazing during my visit though I expected bad service, again, based on Yelp reviews but that was not the case. I got some manicotti which I don't get often and it was so yummy! I also took some pizza to go but that was good but not as good as pizza from my local shop. The decor and ambience felt really simple but I think they were trying to get an upscale feel but this place does not feel upscale at all but still a lovely restaurant. read more

If you are looking for gluten free pizza- this is the spot to check out! They have personal or family sized pies AND even better, there is no additional charge if you need GF (not alot of places do that!) At work we order here for lunch almost all the time and they never disappoint! The service and employees are great- food is always ready fast plus they always check the bag before you leave to make sure they didn't forget anything! (which I love since nothing is worse than getting take out and them forgetting an item) Overall, its a MUST TRY read more

Bensi Restaurant Caterers - Bensi Salad Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Denville, New Jersey

Used them to cater a Graduation party. I ordered the food little over a week in advance and was told to pick up 30 mins prior to party so food is hot and fresh. As always the food was absolutely delicious and everyone of my guests enjoyed everything we ordered. It was so good!!!! Only issue: I had pick up set for 1:30pm which is 30 mins before my party began. I got there at 1:30pm and the order was just starting to get packed up in boxes and wrapped. They forgot to make my salads and gave me the wrong sandwiches. I order 18 Chicken Milanese sandwiches and I was given 18 Portabella Mushroom sandwiches instead. I just took them home, but no one ate any of those sandwiches. By the time the food was packed up, loaded in my car and they figured out the bill it was 1:53pm. I got home and we were unloading the food while guests were arriving. I did give them enough time so they were be able to manage their time more affectively. Like I said, the food was absolutely delicious. It's just there time management that needs to be corrected. read more

Excellent food. I had the Pasta Bensi. It was delicious. Everybody else in my party cleaned their plates as well. We sat down just the back room; very spacious and relaxing. I LOVED the music they were playing; all hits from the 80's. Server was nice but he didn't check on us during the meal. Other than that, awesome experience!!! Highly recommend. read more

Food was good. Large portion. Will be going back. I use to go years ago opened a new location read more

Bensi Restaurant Caterers - Food was good. Big portions. - Pizza Near Me - Denville, New Jersey

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Solid Italian restaurant. It's our top choice in the area when we want to pick up Italian food for dinner without breaking the bank. LOVE the cavatelli w/ broccoli and I really enjoy the pasta fagioli. The only thing I've had there that I didn't like was the chicken noodle soup. The broth, veggies and noodles were all great, but the chicken was too rubbery to eat. We really like this place but will be staying away from the chicken noodle in the future. read more

I had a good meal Here. The food was fresh. The price was fair for the amount of food and service was great. Plenty of parking. Overall I had a great dinner. read more

Bensi Restaurant Caterers - Sea bass - Pizza Near Me - Denville, New Jersey

Our go to after our sporting events. Moises and Ruthy are the best!! Great pizza as well.

We've been going here for years. The food is excellent. Typically we get the chicken Murphy and the Cranberry Gorgonzola Salad with chicken and both are delicious! All their soups are homemade and amazing! The owner George is so friendly. The staff: Junior, Jill, Monse, Ruth and Paulino are just the best. Everybody seems to love working here and it shows. It's the best kept secret! read more

I've always liked everything about Bensi and now that they're in a new location I like that too. I mean what's not to like? They consistently serve some of the best Italian cuisine in the area, the service is always attentive, portions are huge, and prices are very reasonable when you consider the quality of amazing food they prepare here. Everything on their new streamlined menu is tremendously delicious and you really can't go wrong with anything here. One bite of thier classic Spaghetti and Meatballs will leave you wondering how do they make this simple yet satisfying dish so fantastic? Or thier supurbly stellar Sausage, Peppers, and Onions dish which is loaded with authentic Italian flavor. The Stuffed Chicken Pomodoro is yet another excellent example of a truly heavenly experience for my taste buds. And in all three cases it is all about the one of a kind and incredibly delicious sauce they make here at Bensi. That, to me is the mainstay standout in all of these authentic and amazing classic comfort meals. The Sauce here is absolutely perfect!! Now I have always thought that one of the reasons to return to any restaurant is that question in my head "what am I intrigued about trying here for my next visit?" If a restaurant can't give me that, then I probably won't be returning. But here at Bensi I have a list of at least 10 dishes that I just can't wait to try. Check this place out and I'm sure you'll come up with your own list too. Come and Get Your Munch On!! read more

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This place is fantastic!!! I have been been in the restaurant business for over thirty years and I have been going to Bensi for a few months now and have always had an EXCELLENT experience. We used to go to Cafe Navona because it's closer but have started to dine here because this place is soooo much better. They also have a full bar. The service is impeccable and I cannot believe this place doesn't have a higher rating. read more

From the outside the place is not appealing. Walked in & was turned off. Manager & server sitting around with several dirty uncleared tables. Placed looked dirty & like a diner. Walked out. Not spending $ at a place that doesn't care nor do I trust the food quality. Too bad - it used to be very nice at the old location. read more

Friendly service, Ruth was amazing server, smiled, helpful, fast, Great food went there for my birthday, hand the lobster tails amazing! Drinks were super! Will go to Bensi Denville at least once every two weeks. Highly recommend! read more

The food was excellent the waitress was amazing the dessert is very good I would definitely recommend this place!

Really enjoyed the atmosphere and service. Menu was spot on for Italian favorites. Reasonable prices for food and beverages.

Bought a Groupon that was $15 for $30 worth of food, there aren't any restrictions on it and I liked that they didn't give me any trouble. Service was alright and the food came relatively quickly on a Sunday night. The bread was really odd-- they were like hard nuggets of dough. Once you got through the crusty exterior it tasted softer on the inside, but I still didn't want to finish it. I ordered a penne bensi and my boyfriend got a Milanese chicken sandwich. The pasta was a solid dish with a nice sauce, but it didn't "wow". My boyfriend's chicken sandwich was decent but the best part was really the crispy fries it came with. Overall, it was a good deal with the Groupon and I'm happy I came, though without a Groupon it may be too pricy. read more

Bensi Restaurant Caterers - Penne bensi - Pizza Near Me - Denville, New Jersey

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Bensi used to be my favorite take out place. We were regular customers and loved it, but something has recently changed. The last two times I ordered it was terrible! Got my usual pasta primavera dish which I used to love, but it was so loaded with salt, it was inedible. The overall quality also went down. Not sure what has changed, but whatever it is, please change it back! read more

Amazing food ... TRASH SERVICE . The food is so good I've given this restaurant 2 & 3 chances , but they fail every time . It's like the people who work there hate their lives . It's a shame because the food is so good . read more

Portions are shrinking. I had a chicken Melendez sandwich and the breading was thicker then the chicken. The waiter had an attitude...the type when you ask for something he just leaves without saying anything and gets it. Strange. The other servers looked fine. read more

We've been to Bensi before at other locations, so we had specific expectations. Unfortunately, our experience was subpar, and we aren't likely to ever return. Our disappointment comes from both the bleak atmosphere and unsatisfactory adult entrees. The main dining area provokes the feeling of dining in an impersonal corporate conference room. The rectangular room features almost no decor to mention while the acoustics in the room make it loud with little ability to hear any music playing. If you are seeking even an average Italian dining experience, Bensi is not for you. Our children ordered ravioli and chicken fingers, and they seemed to enjoy the food. Our salads and soup were also of acceptable taste and quality. However, my wife and I both ordered Salmon Escarole, and after a few bites, we both independently concluded to contract the culinary experience. We concurred that both the texture and unexpected fishy flavor of the salmon was not normal and certainly not desirable. While the service team was efficient and friendly, the food quality and restaurant atmosphere are too far below expectations to recommend this restaurant to anybody. read more

I've been a huge fan of Bensi for many years having been to most of their restaurants, many now since gone. I was very thrilled when I moved to Denville to find a Bensi in town. We went often. They originally had a huge menu with many pasta and other offerings. Similar to Hasbrook Heights, Clifton (closed) and North Arlington (closed). But A few years back the Denville menu went from a book to a single two side page with some offerings gone. But the food was consistently good and so was the service. They then closed Denville in Winter 2018/ 2019 but luckily reopened August 2019 nearby. We were so excited and waited in anticipation. Finally we tried it this week. We went on a Wednesday night. Not too busy. we disappointed in the new place but enjoyed the food. The new place is cold and lacks the style it originally had. There are two dining rooms and now a large bar. The smaller dining room is along the windows and the second in the back is basically a very large room. No decor on walls. It feels more like a pizzeria than a restaurant now. Very basic. And very noisy. The menu seemed like a cheaper version of the last menu, a single two sided long laminate card. The menu seemed to be the same but we had a feeling some things were missing. There is no Chicken Parmesan offering appearing on the menu, unless you get a sandwich or a kids meal. You could probably ask for it though, we didn't. Anyway, we ordered Zuppa di Clams which were very tasty. They were middle necks and it was plentiful for an appetizer. We were provided bread and butter but the bread was okay and not the same as in the past that we once enjoyed. As to our meals we had chicken over broccoli rabe, and pan fried veal with arugula. Both were done great and tasty. Amble portions and seemed consistent to past visit. Service was good but not great. We didn't recognize any staff. It's definitely a good restaurant but given so many options for great Italian in the area, we may not be back as often as in the past. While the food is consistent, the new location lost its special charm to us. We hope in time it will come back. read more

Food was excellent, price was more than reasonable, plenty of room to sit and the servers hustle.

To start, everyone is right - the bread is definitely pizza dough. Doesn't look like it, but sure tastes like it. I would also agree this is not where one should obtain pizza. Service is definitely slow, where normally you see a a place really try with a group. The server started in the corner where everyone had just arrived and barely had a chance to review the menu. As our orders were taken, the plastic menus remained in front of us until everyone was done - that almost never happens. The ambiance is off-putting - large pictures of people eating and a bowl of snails above our heads. Tasteless, tacky, and gross. Quite honestly, I would have already left at this point if not for the group outing. The sad side salad reinforced that perception. Mostly lettuce, messy and inconsistent presentation. Someone else in our group had a larger and better arranged version. Some people had different dressing. No one asked about my dressing choice. Plus: the honey BBQ wing side someone else ordered came out hot and well-sauced. Minus: They didn't clear my fork or wing plate (with bone) after the salad. Not even at bargain chains do you have to reuse the fork. As lunches arrive, I notice small portion sizes relative to the price. No new utensils. My friend will have to eat with his BBQ wing fork. Exceptionally poor form. How much does it cost to wash utensils? What little food there was, was decent, but not enough to salvage a star. The veal was overdone and tough for being such a thin slice. Another friend commented that the side pasta doesn't go with the main dish. Why no option to include in the dish? The sandwich looks like the only good option here, which is hardly becoming of an Italian restaurant. The fries seem decent but a bit lacking in heft. Icing on the cake: flies buzzing around our food. Mid winter. Not fly season. My friends who were praising their dishes suddenly did an about face. Also, took way too long to wrap up with the check. Way too long. Not only would I never return here, I would never go to another Bensi again. Go find an Olive Garden if you want a crappy Italian chain. At least they have service and ambiance there. You might even get fresh utensils. I want to leave two stars based on my friends' reactions, but the number of times I was disgusted by poor service, flies, and that snail photo won't let me. read more

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DOORDASH DRIVERS BEWARE! Long story short I am a doordash driver. I accepted an order from this restaurant and went to go pick it up I walked in as the person behind the counter evidently gave my order to someone else just because of the luck of the draw of the exact same house having two different orders coming to them. I explained that's my order and I already accepted it. I tried to call and rectify the issue on why they attempted to hand the order I already accepted to another driver and was very rudely talks to from the owner of the business and hung up on twice. They seem to not want to take fault for their own actions be careful. read more

This is probably closer to 3.5 stars but I have rounded up because the staff is so nice there. Yes, it's a chain but they don't merchandise you to death. Even though I'm not a huge fan of Italian, the food and the ambience are good although I have not been there during crowded hours. There is a bar in here as well but primarily to serve the tables. I can't see 'hanging out' at the bar. My parents live close to this Bensi and I have gone there a few times with them. The side salads are good and appropriately sized. The veal parm, eggplant parm and shrimp parm are delicious ... hmmm ... I guess that means I like cheese?!?!?!? I had a pasta dish that was quite good but can't remember the name. In addition, I love the bread, especially with olive oil and balsamic. We catered from here once and I have to say ... the staff took care of us. Everything was well wrapped for transport and we got SO MUCH BREAD! More is always better in my book. All in all ... a solid standard when visiting my folks. read more

The employees here are so friendly and down to earth. The restaurant is rallying during COVID and currently booming in their takeout service. They also offer delivery through various well known online and mobile platforms. The food has always been so underrated here. I've been a patron since their days when they were located at what is now Trader Joe's at Union Hill Shoppes. There was a time when it seemed they were going through a bit of a struggle, but I am so happy to report that they are kickin it at their current location on Route 10 in the handsomely refurbished Denville Commons shopping plaza. They have even custom made wooden cabana booths to accommodate more outdoor seating space if the patio area is at capacity. Ruthie is an outstanding employee. I am not sure if Ranger still works here but he is also great! There is another gentleman who is a terrific server as well- I don't know his name but he usually wears his hair in a ponytail. Great crew! My favorites here are the salmon with escarole and beans, and the pasta with vodka sauce. The bread is always served hot and fresh! Portions are very generous!!! The bar selection is great and I've never been disappointed in my wine, beer or cocktail choice. Had a vodka soda with lime last night and it was so refreshing. This is a cozy place to come for a lunch or dinner with friends, a date night out, or a fun time with your family! They used to have pappardelle a la vodka but I didn't see it on the menu last night. Maybe they will bring it back- if you've never had pappardelle, you've gotta try it. It's such a lovely pasta paired with the richness of the vodka cream, and Bensi never serves over cooked noodles. I'm holding off on giving 5 stars until indoor dining starts up again, so that I can provide a more comprehensive review, and since I've not yet had the chance to eat inside at this new location. Great to have this delicious option for outdoor dining, as we all wait with baited breath for the restaurants to get the green light for returning to full operating function! read more

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We ate here for grilled chicken or a variety of salads. I wouldn't go here for "real" Italian food but it's fine for soup and salad. The ambiance is absolutely awful. It feels as if you're eating in a school cafeteria. Although they claimed when they first opened that they ordered the booths as well as pictures for the walls, that never happened. There are tables thrown into a very cold room with no ambience whatsoever. Because of the cafeteria feel, we will not be visiting the establishment any longer. read more

This is regular haunt of ours. Admittedly, the location is within a few miles of our home, but the food would justify a much longer drive. We particularly like the penne with pink vodka and shrimp. We were (pleasantly) surprised at some of the wine bargains when purchased by the bottle -- don't overlook those. Negatives -- only one that comes readily to mind. Despite a fair number of visits over the years they've been open we have no sense of being part of a "family". The staff are efficient but not very friendly. You need good food at fair prices to keep me comng back, but friendliness on the part of staff will likely get me in more often. read more

Bensi Restaurant Caterers - Pizza Near Me - Denville, New Jersey

I arrived in Parsippany late Sunday night and hadn't eaten all day. I asked for suggestions at my hotel and decided to eat at Bensi. I asked my waiter for suggestions and he suggested that I should start with the Balsamic Chili Calamari. I have had Calamari many times but never with Balsamic Chili sauce. It had a mild sweetness and a bit of a back heat and it was outstanding. My entree suggestion was Veal Marsala. The veal was cooked perfectly tender and the sauce was out of this world. I left the restaurant completely satisfied and full. The food was phenomenal and the service from Jr, was top notch! read more

If you're looking for somewhere that serves delicious food, yummy drinks and has AMAZING customer service- look no further. My partner and I are regulars here, because we love the food and staff so much. It is a family run business which you can sense. Everyone is always on the same page, and work together as a team. They are willing to accommodate my picky-ness which is about 10 brownie points and every time we walk out the door, we want to come back! :) read more

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Did I just eat at a hospital's cafeteria? At the new location, food was decent, nice staff too, but seriously needs some wall decor and different table settings. Voices echo throughout and can hardly hear a thing. Previous place was more cozy and comfortable. read more

The new Bensi is finally relocated and open. Food is as good as the old Bensi on Denville commons. Eggplant Rollatine was great but miss some of the blue cheese chunks in the blue cheese salad dressing. Cup of pasta faggilo was only $3! We will be coming back! New phone is (973) 989-9000. read more