This place came highly recommended by a friend and I must say the experience was simply amazing from the minute we walked in the door . We had reservations for 5:30 but we were early and decided to grab a drink at the bar , we were greeted by Shawna the bartender . What a pleasant and friendly person . I could sit at that bar for ours simply because of her services . Once we sat at our table we met our server Oberon ( hope I spelled that right ) what a pleasant person , very helpful and efficient . We had a little discrepancy with the appetizer and that was immediately addressed by Janine , who was extremely helpful . The ambiance in the place is AMAZING !!! We ordered chicken park and pappardelle as main dish and I must give my complements to the chef . The food was exceptionally good . I felt like the servers are attentive and always checking if you need anything . They also have parking and the bathrooms are extremely clean . Will definitely go back as I have now saved this place on my favorites list . Great big thanks to all the amazing people mentioned above for their outstanding service . See you again soon :) read more

See all

I always heard about this place and we decided to try it on a weekday night for dinner. We made a reservation that day and were able to get in. While this very local -very casual place was very busy and packed inside...( I forgot to post when we came a while ago. ) They accommodated us with a table which they called the " upstairs area". While the service was attentive and very good the food was ok. We had salads, apps, onion dip, eggplant parmesan, and a chicken dish. They had hot bread on the table as well. It was ok- so idk if i'd be rushing back so fast again. read more

We went here for my nephew's birthday because he wanted steak and it was close to where we lived. The place was crowded but, since we had a reservation, we didn't have to wait to be seated. Our server was attentive and gave us time to look over the menu after we ordered our drinks. There are no refills on the soft drinks (except water) because they are sold in bottles. I ordered the Linguini alle Vongole and it was good. If you are really hungry, the portion size probably won't satisfy you but it was enough for me. The noise level was above average but it's because the place was really busy, even for a Monday night. I'll return here if the occasion calls for it. read more

French Onion Soup has an odd flavor. Unfortunately I won't be ordering it again. Too bad because the cheese is very good

It's back! This used to be a family favorite when I was a kid back in the late 70s. It went through some rough patches, but the food has been amazing the last few times I've visited. The pork chop with long hots is killer. Great drinks too! I love the fact that the lobster tank is still in its original place. If you haven't been there in a while, give it a try. read more

Came here to celebrate my son's college graduation. Caroline was our server. She is very attentive, and friendly. All the other runners/servers are very nice too. The owner came to each table to make sure that we were happy with the meal, and greeted us again when we left the restaurant. The portions are huge! Everything we ordered were excellent. From lobster rolls to Chicken to scallops to fish, everything was well presented and the taste and temperature were top notch. Desserts: we had no more room for the huge carrot cake...so we ordered three different things to share. The cheesecake was so good! Key lime pie was also very good. But the star was the strawberry shortcake! The only complain is the price for soda. Each tiny bottle of coke is $5, and no free refill. The price was not listed anywhere on the menu. I will simply not order any drinks next time. Very happy with the dinner. We will be back. read more

They are popular, a 90min seating limit outside and a big lot to expand to if they need more space. Lots of space heaters outside and seating inside if you're vaccinated. Enter though the open back space that faces the forest area and you get seated by the host. It's warm today and there are hornets all over so be careful if allergic, constant interruption to the meal. For an Italian restaurant, they have surprisingly little in the way of pasta dishes (different part of Italy perhaps?) which I was looking forward to trying a short rib cavatelli or something similar. I ended up having to settle for the chicken franchese special and it disappointed; the chicken was cooked a little too long, pasta was too soggy, well past al dente, and the color brightly yellow which was disturbing and suggested food coloring as the butter flavor went lacking. The chicken Milanese was better as a salad plus chicken though the other diners gave up on the onions, guess a bit too strong. Bread in the table was good, but butter was rock hard and too tough to spread, no olive oil and vinegar in sight. After lunch coffee, out of there cups, two had coffee all over the side due to sloppy pours, could have been wiped off nicely before giving to us, but a lack of detail here. Ditto the water glass which was dusty possibly from being outside. Left feeling unsatisfied. Will have to try a burger next time, next door seemed to have the right idea there. Most of the crowd was in the older age, guess a weekday noontime is mostly a retirees crowd here or from the local elderly care home. read more

Nero's Grille - Chicken franchese - Seafood Near Me - Livingston, New Jersey

See all

In a neighborhood where the clientele can be demanding, Nero's has delivered for decades. Solid, reliable food-but the customer service stands out. They do cater to your special requests, unfazed. read more

My family lived in Livingston for many years, passed by this place countless times and moved out of Livingston but have never been to Nero's. We decided to give it a try for my mom's 73rd birthday. I was a little nervous because the mixed reviews. First, it's a beautiful establishment with both indoor and outdoor seatings. Second, the service is great. I made a reservation for today but for some reason it was put in for next Sunday. They quickly put a table for us for 9 people. Now the food, it is decent but I do agree with other reviews that for the price you pay, it could be better. We asked for medium rare for our ribeye but it was well-done. We told the waitress and she was very nice and cool about it and they made us new ones. When you didn't do it right the first time, you do it very right the next time and they did. We all enjoyed the calamari a lot and the kids liked the pizza. We also brought a cake and they were nice to bring it out and give us plates and silverware even when they have a full house. Overall, it was a good dining experience. read more

See all

I came here yesterday for a business lunch. We had made reservations ahead of time for a party of 10. They sat us in a back corner which was kinda nice to not be in the middle of other tables. There was bread and water at the table. I ordered the Gabrielle Salad with Salmon. A lot of the people I was with ordered the blackened salmon special which looked amazing. My salad was delicious but for the cost I thought it was a really teeny piece of salmon. Much smaller than what was on the sandwich. I would not recommend coming here if you are on a timeline. From when we sat down to when the waitress brought out our food it was 45 minutes. Food was great its just timely and costly. read more

My updated review 8 years later. What a shame. Nothing has been updated in all those years except a new elevated dining room (off the bar) with florescent lighting (AWFUL!). The food is fine, I had chicken with fried onions.....not much flavor, except the onions (it's called "chicken aglio olio"...WHY?). Service is kind and efficient....that's not the problem. It's the worn carpets, the awful crowd allowed to wear baseball caps in the bar and dining room! Half the men (adult men over 50) wearing baseball caps. The bar was SO LOUD on a Thursday night, we were yelling across the table to each other. We did not stay for dessert. This used to be a nice place where families went for dinner. Now it's a neighborhood bar with mediocre to bad food. Won't be going back to Nero's in the next 8 years. read more

I visited this place last night. The food and service were amazing. The woman who I believed to be the owner made sure that we were able to enjoy our dinner although we arrived while the kitchen was closing. We were not rushed out nor did we feel rushed. I will return soon, just a little earlier next time. read more

Service is great, owner is nice, but food is SALTY! Not as fancy as the outside would lead you to believe (which is good).

Absolutely HORRIBLE service. I attempted to order 5 things online for a dinner and they missed 3 of the items. I then proceeded to call after I got my meal and then they proceeded to hang up on me..... TWICE. Absolutely do NOT come here. The worst service EVER read more

Nero's main clientele are locals whose taste has been deteriorated by years of eating pastrami and washing it down with Dr. Brown's soda. Somehow Nero's food offerings just don't succeed and are consistently flat. Unfortunately, the prices are very high and the service is very poor unless you're a regular. Nero's is an imposter restaurant charading as a Michelin star establishment but the only thing it has in common with a Michelin restaurant is the price. I recommend avoiding it! read more

I don't think I have visited Nero since the 70s but still going strong food was great. Service was excellent.

Nero's has been around forever, but it had been years since we last dined there -- and now I remember why we stopped going. Same shortcomings, only worse. In a nutshell: very good service, very mediocre food. Crowded and noisy on a Wednesday night. I'm not sure what keeps people coming here after 40+ years, but they continue to have a very loyal following, despite all the above issues. The bar scene is a big part of it, I would guess. The "autumn salad" was very good, but expensive. The rigatoni was appropriately al dente, but otherwise unremarkable. The tuna entree was a small amount of tuna on top of a heavy Asian noodle preparation. The servers were very polite and efficient -- but the food just isn't good enough to justify the premium prices charged. Five stars for the service, one for the food -- averages out to 3. read more

Came to have dinner with the family tonight. Addison was our server and she was unbelievably fantastic. She was very attentive and had an answer for question we had about the menu. A manager came to our table to make sure that we were OK and that is always a plus! Our dinner was absolutely amazing... We had the sticky chicken and the garlic shrimp and let me tell you... we were not disappointed. If you ever find yourself in Livingston, NJ... you have to go to Neros Grille. read more

Had dinner here with a couple friends. I pass Nero's daily going around Livingston checking up on my projects. Can't believe I never stopped in before. The food is top notch and the service is on point. The brisket scallion pancakes were off the charts and the special burger literally had nothing but a bun and patty but was one of the juiciest and flavorful burgers I've ever had. I was looking at some of the items other tables got and the food looked amazing. I'll be stopping by here more frequently as I want to try more of the items. read more

I don't get it. Went for the 4th time last night. This for a co-worker's birthday. The bar area is great and the service always good. The food? Other than a few very good dishes the rest is just blah. I had the eggplant special last time and it was burnt and fairly clearly microwaved. Pasta was bland. I'm not sure if it's an Italian place, steak, or raw bar but the burger is the only standout. If I have to go back, I'll get that. Always crowded, I suspect patrons love the local feel and don't care much about the food. read more

It was my wife and my first time here and we'll definitely be back. Great service and atmosphere and tasty food too! I had a steak, creamed spinach and massive loaded baked potato and my wife had an amazing looking cheeseburger read more

Nero's Grille - Steak, Loaded Baked Potato, and Creamed Spinach - Seafood Near Me - Livingston, New Jersey

I've heard the food is nice but when the third table who was seated after us got served before us and were all clearly regulars, we left. It's nice to acknowledge people who come often but you're not endearing yourself to new customers to ignore their table for over 40 minutes. read more

Apparently the Waitress did not hear me say Decaf Coffee ! Two of Us said Decaf Coffee to the Waitress. What was given to Us regular coffee . I know this because I am extremely sensitive to caffeine.... Now I am sick and unable to sleep . That Waitress needs to pay attention and listen instead of running to the next table . read more

Maybe we just didn't order the right items. The place has been around forever and is always packed, but I find the food to be just ok for the price. Maybe next time we just stick to a burger, steak or lobster. read more

See all

The food was good not great but good. Drink order was gotten wrong. We were rushed out and no one appeared to be waiting for our table. It was loud. We couldn't hear table conversation amongst the four of us. It felt very claustrophobic as they've squeezed more tables into the dining room. I'm assuming to boost revenue. At one point a door must have been opened which made the dining room freezing. The food also took a long time to come to the table. There are much better Italian restaurants. The place is like a Denny's with an obnoxious, loud meet-market bar. read more

After reading many reviews of places in Livingston, I wonder where these people are used to eating because so few ever have anything positive to say. Why so hypercritical? Nero's is a perfect example. I have eaten there numerous times over the years and it has yet to disappoint. Food is and drinks are consistently good. Service is attentive and professional. Restaurant is aesthetically pleasing and spacious. They even have a valet so you don't have to fetch your car if it's raining, snowing or the zombie apocalypse. One thing to point out is the variety of their menu. If you're not in the mood for a gigunda meal they have wraps and small plates that they offer all day and night, not just during lunchtime. They also have a nice outside area complete with a huge sectional couch that never seems to get much use. I actually prefer sitting there, especially if we are just going for drinks and a snack or appetizers. Bar area is lively and generally crowded but getting a drink is easy as the bar staff is as efficient as their waiters. The tall Brigette Nielson looking woman runs the place quite well and always makes us feel welcome and comfortable. Nero's has been a fixture, sitting proudly on top of the upper echelon of the Livingston dining scene for the better part of since I can remember. They are always busy and always a great place to enjoy a delicious meal and some top notch drinks. Show them some love, people. C'mon. read more

Nero's Grille - Seafood Near Me - Livingston, New Jersey

Having just arrived from Florida to visit, my mother in law suggested we came to Nero's for dinner. We arrived at 5:35. Menus were delivered which included the Early Bird Menu which we selected our meals from. The waitress came, took the drink order and said she would be right back. She returned at 5:55,15 minutes later. We were giving our order when the horn sounded and she said she could no longer turn in an Early Bird Order! We told her that wasn't right! She checked and said no she still could not submit it. Lobster Roll was just okay. Steak Sandwich very salty and hardly any meat in the sandwich. It was ordered without hot peppers and they left off ALL the peppers. Impossible Burger which is the perfect name for it. It was plant based and awful! It was burnt and crusty on the outside and soggy on the inside. I ordered cooked onions on it which never came. We rarely saw our waitress, Michelle, who couldn't get our order right! She also should of said to us that she had to enter our order on the computer by 6:00. No other restaurants do this! If you are there and still ordering at six, your order should be honored! Customers arriving at 6 is a different story. This place certainly does not offer good service or care about their customers. read more

Nero's Grille - Seafood Near Me - Livingston, New Jersey

See all

Terrible food, great service. Don't sit at a table in the bar section. The drunk bar patrons will harass and scare you. They hold a special place in management's heart too, she will not apologize for the terror you felt. Instead she will assure you, "their just being friendly", even after you tell her they were hostile and you were so afraid you couldn't wait for your check at the table. read more

Last time I was in Nero's, it was the late sixties or early seventies. We used to meet Dad there for dinner at the end of a long work day. So, when old colleagues gave me a choice of Panevino's or Nero's for lunch the other day, I chose the latter wondering how the old place was doing so many years later. Nero's certainly isn't hurting for business. Large lunch crowd. We had a nice table in a very bright and lively room. Prompt, friendly service. One salad, one rare burger with well done shoestring fries and a special mahi mahi sandwich with well done shoestrings. A couple of Stellas. No complaints with our lunch. Everything was well prepared and delicious. Be aware that the noise level is loud as several reviewers have pointed out. Turn your hearing aides up..... That's a joke son. Nice to visit a restaurant from my youth. We'll be back for dinner one of these days. read more

So amazing and wonderful how the staff made my bff's wedding reception a hit. The customer service was top notch : from cocktails to dinner. Truly superior. Thank you to all the helpful staff.. Mary Grace, Bridgette and Chris! read more

Went there for a party with about 19 people Had our own room on the side very nice quiet They had a 3 course dinner started with nice salad then choices if 3 entrees I had the chicken it was really nice It ended with some cake If you are looking for a good place to have a private party then a good place read more

Nero's in Livingston is just around the corner from my home, within extremely easy walking distance. I've patronized the warm and charming bar at Nero's for over five years - and for very good reasons! Not only is the bar convenient, but they feature an extraordinarily FANTASTIC happy hour 3:30 - 6pm, Monday through Friday. Drinks are deeply-discounted and the food fare (particularly the oysters) is outstanding! On the whole, the place is very well-run, with certain bartenders truly exceptional. Eloy particularly stands out as an always-friendly, honest, attentive and superbly professional bartender. Regrettably, a service issue surfaced just before Christmas that management refused to address for me. In the grand scheme of things my grievance was relatively minor - but nevertheless, it was an annoyingly distasteful problem that has repeatedly occurred with the same server. (Moreover, in my five years of Nero's visits and my interactions with many dozens of the restaurant's different bartending team staff, this problem has ONLY occurred with this one person.) In the end, I found the third repeated episode of the same problem so glaringly hurtful that I felt obliged to vote with my feet and so I won't be back. My heartfelt suggestion to the Yelp community is that patrons should meticulously examine how their bill is handled. Although I believe most everyone would enjoy this wonderfully classic and cozy bar, I can't help but caution that if you consider yourself a principled person and hope to rely on Nero's management for help addressing a problem the way that I did, you may (sadly) find yourself out of luck. read more

This review is for a brisk shower I attended at Neros Grille. The restaurant is a great location with ample parking. We had the restaurant to ourselves on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The menu was prefixed with a tomato basil mozzarella app and calamari. Very standard. Entrees were a selection of a salmon dish, Cobb salad, pasta dish and a meat option. I ordered the Cobb salad. It honestly looked like something I would pick up at an airport kiosk. Dessert was assorted cookies which actually looked pretty decent and a cake from an outside bakery. Nero's just didn't deliver for me that day, but it maybe a great place to go to for dinner and not an event. read more

Gotta say, I rarely write reviews but after my experience and then seeing someone else's comment about a nice happy hour at this place but lousy management, I just had to. Here's a photo showing a pretty happening scene. Unfortunately, there weren't enough bartenders for the crowd and service wasn't good. Then to make matters worse I ordered a final round for myself and four guests a full five minutes before happy hour ended at 6pm and my bartender didn't put the order into the register at the time I placed the order! That "mistake" cost me double the price of five cocktails! I asked the manager (forgot her name but a tall blonde lady) to make an adjustment for us but she didn't. WTF!! Despite some nice HH choices, I wouldn't recommend this place, at least not with what I perceive as a server goosing the bill in their favor & then management allowing it to go unchecked. read more

Nero's Grille - Seafood Near Me - Livingston, New Jersey

First time here and it was fantastic. Def a local spot and I can see why it's so popular. Had a drink at the bar before dinner with friends and was so lucky to meet Danielle the bartender. My GF didn't know what she wanted and Danielle recommended the cucumber martini, And it was delicious. But this is not on the menu as it's one of Danielle's own creations. If you're really nice to her she will tell you the secret ingredients! On to dinner....luckily we were there on a Friday night and short rib was the special. This is one of my favorite meals and the meat did not disappoint. If I had one slight complaint it would be the portion size. Would have loved a few more bites of Something this delicious. Korean chicken bowl, another special, was fantastic as well. Full of flavor and spiced just right. Kudos Nero's - local spot, great quality of food and service. read more

Grew up going to neros like, literally once a week. As a little girl, I thought it was the epitome of fine dining. We made a reservation for my grandmothers birthday a few weeks ago, and the entire night was basically a mess. It started by the fact that the outdoor seating area isn't very nice. Most of it is in the parking lot. Additionally they had music blasting so loud we asked it to be turned down multiple times. They also had heaters on turned up so high on a night that wasn't very cold. In terms of food and service- the service was rough, and I only attribute that to the fact they were so severely understaffed. Additionally when we got there, they told us we had to sit at 2 different tables (for our reservation of 8 people). They certainly didn't mention that when we made the reservation. It ended up being resolved but was a bit frustrating. I ordered a petite filet mignon, and the first thing that came out was a turkey burger- obviously I sent that back because I didn't order it. The next time it came back, it was a filet mignon, but it was raw in the middle. Like not even medium rare like pink, raw meat. I sent it back again and literally ended up not having a meal. The real kicker ? Before our food even came out, we were advised our 90 minutes were almost up. Wasn't really sure what to do about that since we hadn't gotten our food yet.. ended up being a rushed dinner with quite frankly, bad food. Definitely not the Nero's I grew up with, and won't be returning soon. read more

Not much to say besides the food and service were both amazing. The firecracker shrimp was the best I've ever had. The Burger was delicious as well. Must try place if you live in the area. read more

Had a wonderful lunch today! The chicken franchise was excellent. My friends really enjoyed the lobster roll.

I have been here twice in the past few weeks. The food is outstanding and service has been great. This should be a go-to place for a nice dinner out. The carrot cake dessert is huge and serves several people. read more

Before we even got a chance to sit down there was a roach. So as we were on our way out the door they offered us to sit outside. We ordered the crab cake and it was Burnt on the bottom. Hubby had the fish (Halibut). which was dry! I had the Lobster Bucatini (Failed!). I would not suggest you even try this place! No taste at all! However the service was good and so was the wine!! read more