I cannot explain why it took 7 years after Florence, Italy natives Alberto Buglione and Ivan Guarducci took over this restaurant for me to visit. It is outstanding! Over the years I have heard nothing but good from friends -- "Excellent" "Exactly like they make it in Florence!" "Best Italian food I've ever tasted." I went with a party of four. For appetizers we split the Polpo E Patate (grilled octopus & potatoes) and Patate Fritte (French fries). The octopus was amazing, tender almost like perfect scallops with a tasty pesto. The French fries with herbs, garlic bread crumbs and pesto were crunchy, tasty, delicious. For mains my companions had Branzino with eggplant carponata, an amazing 4-cheese Gnocchi, and swordfish. I tasted all, and all were spot on; everyone loved their main course. I had Linguini Vongole (clams and linguini); the clams were perfect - tender and tasty; but the star of the show was the homemade linguine, seasoned perfectly and cooked to al dente perfection. We finished with cappuccino and Tiramasu. The service was excellent. Attentive and quick, and our waitress, Merin, was able to answer every question about the menu with authority, and even about the ingredients and preparation. The ambiance is understated, relaxed, and what you hope for when enjoying a special meal. I am quite stingy in passing out 5-Star ratings; I reserve them for the best of the best, for restaurants where I'm confident readers will also enjoy an outstanding meal. Mangia Toscano is clearly 5-Star; it is *the* must-do restaurant in Metuchen. read more

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The food, service, and atmosphere were definitely a vibe! Everything about the experience was enjoyable from start to finish. I had the Salmon and the Gnocchi Al Pesto, and both dishes were delicious, savory, and full of flavor. The staff was attentive, the ambiance was great, and the overall experience made me want to come back again. Highly recommend! read more

Mangia Toscano - Salmone - Italian Near Me - Metuchen, New Jersey

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This place is absolutely fantastic. The octopus is some of the best I've ever had. So delicious. They got it crispy on the outside without overcooking the inside. The bread they bring you before meal was fresh out of the oven. I was like oh no. I don't want to fill up on this but it is amazing. Warm and fluffy and cut into fingers. We got a Cesar salad as a starter to share too. That was very good. For my meal I got the tuna steak medium rare. They cooked it perfectly. The orange sauce they put over it too was amazing. I don't know how to describe it. Some sort of tomato base. Which I wouldn't think of for tuna. Then I finished the night with a cappuccino. I was too full for desert but we weren't in a rush. That hit the spot. This was a business meeting and they moved us to a larger table to give us more space which was super cool of them. We got to sit in the tented area where it was easy to talk to one another without yelling. read more

Excellent- had a wonderful piece of fish in a great setting. Business dinner that went well because of the food, smiling service and great ambiance read more

Had such a lovely experience at Mangia Toscana. The staff was incredibly warm and welcoming . They make you feel very comfortable from the moment you walk in. The service was attentive and seamless throughout the evening. The ambience is modern, neat, and welcoming. Great for a relaxed & cozy dinner.The appetizers were great , the main food tasted 4 out of 5, beautifully presented. read more

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Excellent date night restaurant or a nice lunch out. BYOB, nice dim lighting and a nicer atmosphere for a parents night out or something. Housemade pastas, perfectly cooked octopus, and great service. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE their sandwiches during lunch time, mostly because of their housemade focaccia bread. My fave is the mortadella. You can pick them up to go too. read more

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We came here for a weekend date night! It was pretty packed on a Sunday night so I'd definitely recommend booking a reservation. We ordered the Kale salad to start, my husband got the Branzino and I got the mushroom risotto. Every single dish was delicious. I look forward to coming back again and trying their gluten free pasta. They are also a byob restaurant so we brought a nice bottle of red to enjoy. The service was efficient and friendly. I'm really glad there is an Italian spot in the area with gluten free options and I look forward to coming back again soon! read more

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Sooo lovely. The dining atmosphere is quaint, quiet and romantic. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente, and so flavorful. There is a larger party room in the back for larger parties, though I did not check it out to see how big it was. This place is definitely on the pricier side (akin to NYC prices), but it's definitely worth for a fancy occasion I'd say! read more

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Met up with friends for a "first time" visit to Mangia Toscana. Interior is modern and has a nice vibe. There is the main and an enclosed outside area. Service was good overall. Appetizers Octopus Tuscan bread soup Coccoli Mid course Tagliolini Cacio e Pepe Entrees Dover sole Raviolo Swordfish Dessert Tiramisu Lava cake Overall it was a nice visit. Some dishes better than others. A nice spot in Metuchen. read more

Mangia Toscano - Tuscan bread soup - Italian Near Me - Metuchen, New Jersey

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We have been meaning to try Mangia Toscana for awhile and finally came for dinner on a Saturday. I recommend making a reservation online for weekend dinners. We parked in the lot by the train station but there can be street parking spots available too. It has a nice ambiance, service was good, and we got our food quickly. The kale salad was great but unfortunately neither of our pasta dishes were memorable and the flavors weren't as complex or balanced as we were hoping. read more

Mangia Toscano - Homemade pasta with Nduja and burrata - Italian Near Me - Metuchen, New Jersey

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I got dinner with a friend here on a Friday night and we had a phenomenal experience! The restaurant had a nice date night ambiance and even though we were seated in the outside covered patio area, it was still beautiful and warm in the winter. We were started with complimentary focaccia with olive oil and we shared the octopus to start. This was my first time having octopus in the format and it was amazing. The octopus was perfectly cooked and not rubbery at all. For our mains, I got the gnocchi and my friend had the spaghetti. This was probably the best gnocchi I've ever had and my friend said the spaghetti was spicy as advertised. We also shared a bottle of riesling during the meal. read more

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I made a reservation to celebrate my fiancé's birthday. As soon as we walked in, we were seated directly under a heater, which unfortunately made the experience uncomfortable. My fiancé almost passed out and kept saying, "My head is hot, my body is cold." Not the best start to a birthday dinner. That said, the place itself is nice and lively, and the service was great. We were welcomed with wine, focaccia bread, and olive oil, which were all excellent. For appetizers, we shared the Caprese di Bufala, which was fresh and flavorful. For our mains, I ordered the seafood risotto and he ordered the gnocchi al quattro formaggi. Both dishes were okay,mid,not bad, but not memorable. I don't usually have high expectations for risotto, and this one met that expectation.Overall, I'd recommend the place for the atmosphere and service. Just make sure you're not seated under the heater unless that's your thing. read more

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Came for a birthday dinner- we ordered the grilled octopus, kale salad, and French fries as starters. And the sirloin steak and bolognese for our entrees. The grilled octopus was a highlight, the texture was soft and tender (not chewy at all like other places). The fries with pesto were a cool idea, very delicious. The sirloin steak was cooked perfectly and the better of the 2 entrees. The bolognese was very average and didn't compare to bolognese at other Italian restaurants. The other pasta dishes looked good, so maybe they were better. Our waiter, Daniel, and the restaurant ambiance were amazing. He was so helpful and service was quick. The food was all good, will be back to try some of their other dishes! read more

Mangia Toscano - Italian Near Me - Metuchen, New Jersey

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Mangia Toscano is an easy 5-star spot and perfect for a cozy night out. It's quiet, dim, and gives that intimate vibe that works for both date night and a girls' night out. Even though it's BYOB, they still offer a wine menu, which is super convenient. The burrata with prosciutto was fresh, creamy, and a perfect way to start the meal. The lobster pasta was rich, flavorful, and definitely a standout dish. Our server was good and super knowledgeable. Definitely will be returning! read more

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Spontaneous stop at 2 pm while we were heading out for NJ to VA and we didn't regret it. They closed in less than an hour but we were heartily greeted when we entered and received great service. An explanation of the menu and the items we decided on were so flavorful, delicious and filling. We got PAPPARDELLE ALLA BOLOGNESE Pappardelle with traditional Tuscan meat ragù and RAVIOLO DI ZUCCA Single long raviolo filled with pumpkin squash, gorgonzola sauce, grapes, and toasted walnuts. This was mine and I loved it! Happy we stopped. read more

Mangia Toscano - Papadelle Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Metuchen, New Jersey

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Had a great dining experience here. The restaurant's interior is charming and clean, featuring a dark green color palette and a thoughtful yet understated design that creates a welcoming atmosphere. The service was quick and attentive, without being overbearing. It's a great spot for a date night, family dinner, or business meal. Must Get (5/5): Agnello Al Pistachio (highlight of the night; the lamb was perfectly cooked, tender, and paired beautifully with a unique pistachio sauce and creamy mashed potatoes), Tagliolini Cacio e Pepe. Still Good (4/5): Toscana Salad (a good kale salad, though not particularly memorable), Capesante (smoky scallops with a unique flavor, though I prefer mine pan-seared for a crispy exterior), Polpo e Patate, Tagliolini alla Carbonara, Ferrero Rocher Cake. Pass (3/5): Coccoli (a deconstructed pizza that was unique in concept but underwhelming). read more

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Service was good and the restaurant is very clean. We each got the eggplant entrée and it was so bitter. We could not eat it. The salads were good, but the restaurant is very overpriced for what they give you. read more

Very nice atmosphere. It is BYO but they also have wine. I really enjoyed my meal and I would return. read more

Mangia Toscano - Burrata app - Italian Near Me - Metuchen, New Jersey

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I came here a year ago on a date with my fiancé, and fell in love with the freshness and quality of the food we ate, especially their mashed potatoes. I don't quite remember what pasta we each had back then but I can attest to their flavor and quality. Fast forward to today , after a bike ride through the middlesex greenway I decide to stop by and grab myself another serving of their mashed potatoes (it was that good). This is when I realized I should have written a review earlier. Wether you are on a date or by yourself , the ambiance is lively yet comforting. I read a book while eating and had myself a tiramisu for dessert and left very content. I'll be back and you should too! Service was also very nice and attentive. read more

Mangia Toscano - Lemonade, mashed potatoes, and focaccia bread with olive oil. - Italian Near Me - Metuchen, New Jersey

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Mangia Toscano is a small restaurant that packs great cooking ability. The carbonara was delicious and I enjoyed the meat they put into it. A lot of places use regular bacon in the carbonara but Mangia Toscano uses Guanciale which is still a cured meat but packs stronger flavor. The mushroom ravioli is fun because it's one giant ravioli that is like a snake. A little on the salty side but still a dish worth trying. Their French Fries are also delectable and seasoned well. The panna cotto was delicious and had a strong vanilla flavor which paired with the blueberry topping. The entire meal was delicious but one dish I had was lacked creativity and balance. The caprese had way too many tomatoes and made the cheese to tomato ratio skewed. Besides that, it was an enjoyable experience and a great spot to dine at in the bustling little downtown of Metuchen. read more

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It's like taking a trip to Italy! Decor not great inside but outside is lovely and the food is beyond great! Lovely servers, def an A+

Delicious food and very nice atmosphere. Our waiter was very helpful and attentive. Love that you can see into the kitchen! read more

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We were kind of underwhelmed by this small BYOB Italian restaurant. My husband and I started with the caprese di bufala and then split the tagliolini alla carbonara and some kind of white fish over risotto (I don't remember what it was exactly, but it was either cod or sea bass). The issue is that portions are extremely small and meals are expensive. If I'm going to spend $30 on a pasta dish, it needs to be both delicious and I better be taking a lot of it home. It's definitely a plus that the pasta is fresh and homemade, but it was honestly just okay, and I left feeling like I could have eaten more. The fish was honestly like a small plate portion. It was good but pretty simple. Considering this restaurant was a bit of a hike for us, I'm not sure if we'd come back to try more dishes. read more

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This has to be my favorite restaurant in Metuchen. I only come once or twice a year to keep it like a treat but every time I come, I really enjoy the food! The fresh pasta is amazing, the seasonal gnocchi, the fresh cheese appetizer.... Even the sandwiches blow me away!! The interior is beautiful but I love sitting outside if it's open. read more

Mangia Toscano - Italian Near Me - Metuchen, New Jersey

I met up with a long time friend to originally go to Hatch 44 Cafe but they were booked so we strolled along down the street and found MANGIA TOSCANO! A friggin. hidden. gem. Hands down the BEST pasta I've had! Cooked to al dente perfection. The ambiance was the perfect combination of elegance and tranquility. A much calmer atmosphere than Hatch 44 Cafe (which was crowded). They had a full party booked outside so they let us sit inside. We ate an early lunch and shared a bottle of wine from a local winery and octopus appetizer. My friend and I enjoyed conversation for hours without being interrupted. If lunch was this delicious, I've gotta come back for dinner!! read more

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Really enjoyable dining experience. The dishes were fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. Service was efficient and polite. Just a slight delay with drinks, otherwise an excellent visit overall. read more

Love a good BYOB. Gnocchi was incredible! Even the complimentary bread and oil was good. Fulfilled every request :) read more

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Good vibes and ambiance, especially the heated back porch area which we were seated in. The restaurant was pretty full on a Saturday night, and required a reservation. The service was great, our waiter was extremely nice and patient for our group of 9. He brought out extra bread whenever we asked... and we asked a lot LOL. It is also a BYOB place so make sure to keep that in mind - there's a liquor store right nearby the restaurant! As for the main event, the food was honestly lacking in flavor and depth. We got the Burrata (2) to start, which was good to share amongst a large group. We tried almost every pasta on the menu, and they were lacking in seasoning and were a little overcooked. The carbonara did NOT taste like a carbonara and had an odd taste, it was closer to an Alfredo more than anything. The Spaghetti alla Njuda was spicy but lacked a robust tomato flavor - also the spaghetti was overcooked to the point it was almost mushy. Ravioli was just okay, nothing special and the sauce was just bland. The steak was probably the best thing that we tried. Don't think I'll be back again, which is unfortunate since the servers are great! read more

Fantastic food, service, and atmosphere at Mangia Tuscano!! We had a reservation for 6:30 on a Wednesday and the restaurant was full. The decor was modern and cozy, and the plants between tables were good for feeling separated from other tables. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. For appetizer we ordered the prosciutto and burrata and for dinner we had the fusilli truffle cacio pepe, florentine steak, and fries. All food was incredibly fresh and flavors were some of the best I've ever had. Tastes straight out of Italy! It was our anniversary and we shared the panna cotta topped with strawberry compote. The restaurant and service made our special day even better. I'll be talking about this meal forever! read more

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We absolutely love dining Mangia Toscano! The food is delicious, the staff are so welcoming and friendly and truly want guests to have a great experience, not just a "good" experience. BYOB. My favorite dishes are the pesto fries, branzino, and cacio de pepe, chef's kiss! Its a local gem! read more

The food was great, and the restaurant itself is beautiful. While our waitress seemed a bit tired and not very engaged, the overall experience was still good. read more

Mangia Toscano - Italian Near Me - Metuchen, New Jersey

My fiancé and I drove 40 minutes to this restaurant for our anniversary based on our friend's recommendation, and it did NOT disappoint. The sleek modern interior extended to the outside where we sat on a beautiful, warm night. One unique thing about the restaurant is that they're a BYO but they're allowed to sell local wines which are conveniently next door, so that was a nice option our waiter offered! One of our favorite parts of the dining experience was getting the burrata con prosciutto toscano, and to end the night we got some of the best ice cream we've ever had across the street. read more

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The food was very tasty and the service was great. Our server really understood the food on the menu and was helpful with selecting the items. The atmosphere was very nice as well. I would love some fresh herbs in the olive oil for the bread and a full bar. Otherwise this place is top notch and I will be back for sure!!! read more

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Service good. Vibes great. Food was mediocre. I judge most places off of food so I probably would not go back. read more

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Good Food Service and Ambiance Lobster Linguini Bisque was excellent. The lobster portion was nice and the quality was very good. Pasta a little too Al dente. Excellent waiter Great music read more

Italian food is so ubiquitous in Jersey that it's hard to stand out, but Mangia Toscano is one that shines out from within the pack. It's perfect for a date night. The darker toned modern decor, open space, and smaller space makes it a more intimate experience than I would have expected. This is not a loud, bustling Italian restaurant but a place where you'll get individual attention. The waiter explained the specials and where certain ingredients in the menu had been sourced from. The tastiest dish for me was the "Pappa Al Pomodoro", a bread based soup that hit the perfect balance of rich, light, savory, and fresh. Indeed, while the pasta dishes might at first seem not that impressive - or rather all that different from pasta from any other old Italian restaurant - if you truly stop to savor every bite, you'll notice how the fresh pasta breaks in your mouth, how tangy and sweet the fresh sauce tastes. It's deceptively simple! read more

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Loved my experience here! My friend and I made a reservation and were seated right away. The interior was so gorgeous and clean! Our server, Daniel was very nice and attentive which we really appreciated! Our food came out quickly and tasted great, the pasta dishes were fresh and had great flavors, and the panna cotta for dessert was a perfect finish! Daniel also added a candle to my dessert and sang to me for my birthday, which was very sweet! My friend and I definitely enjoyed our time here and can't wait to return. read more

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The owner is amazing. The food was great. Service is fantastic. BYOB makes the dinner even better

Nice restaurant. Was perfect except for the pasta. Undercooked, not al dente but crunchy. Apps and desserts were fantastic

Great dinner! Got the risotto and lobster pasta and it was incredible. Highly recommend! read more

Mangia Toscano - Italian Near Me - Metuchen, New Jersey