Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Pauline's Restaurant

    3.7 (82 reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Order Pauline's Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

    Pauline's Restaurant Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Pauline's Restaurant

    Recommended Reviews - Pauline's Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Stuffed Filet mignon special
    Mario A.

    Great authentic Italian food. The pistachio gelato was amazing and fresh made. Pasta was also fresh. Wonderful meal and will return soon

    Stuffed Pork Chops
    Mark S.

    It's a family affair... We were a group of 15 for our bimonthly supper club. Pauline's is an Italian BYOB that's been around since the mid 70's. Initially we were going to try them over the summer. But they were on vacation that week. Two rooms in this restaurant. A smaller one off on your right. Our's was the main room with about 15 tables. Our server Paula, couldn't have been nicer. Believe she's the daughter of the original owner. With a group that size we shared several appetizers. Outside of those antipasto for 2 apps our favorite were those fried zucchini flowers. Sorry no photos cause they went real quick. :) At our end on the table, most entrees were off the daily specials. She had the stuffed Pork chops. I in turn couldn't resist the beef braciole (small piece) over penne pasta. That braciole is something that you don't find at Italian restaurants much anymore. I thought it was pretty good. Two or three of us ordered this and we were all in agreement. Dessert, no chance. Just cappuccinos & coffee for our table. Cost per person with a tip $62. USC#17

    Red snapper oreganato

    Once again dinner did not disappoint. Even though there was a special holiday menu...there were so many dishes to choose from. Everyone is so nice. Great dinner with my family.

    Filet mignon with shrimp

    See all

    Photo of Matt P.
    0
    20
    20

    13 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Excellent Italian cuisine. Food is great and so is the chef Rocco and Serg. Service is great.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Simply the best by far. Great service, great ambiance and above all, great food! Highly recommend this intimate Italian restaurant

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark S.
    586
    1012
    1808

    3 years ago

    Helpful 15
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rj C.
    1
    23
    6

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Deb M.
    0
    32
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K W.
    1
    30
    0

    2 years ago

    Best Italian food on the east coast. Delicious food, great service- make a reservation they get busy.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob M.
    29
    20
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of jeff t.
    2
    29
    20

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tom V.
    51
    8
    0

    4 years ago

    Great place. Excellent food &service. My first there definitely going back. Fantastic menus and extensive chef specials.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Scott Y.
    247
    11
    4

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Audrey L.
    226
    165
    1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of GT M.
    0
    59
    0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jill W.
    124
    33
    27

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan F.
    62
    17
    5

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim S.
    0
    45
    0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bob M.
    0
    54
    11

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Pauline's Restaurant

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Italian 17,864 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Patrizia's Of Matawan

    Patrizia's Of Matawan

    3.8
    (46 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Really enjoyed the evening here the other night! Was celebrating a wedding here and the spread of…read moreItalian classics & pizza was delicious! Live entertained was an unexpected plus! Staff service was as good as the food.

    We stopped in for a delicious Italian dinner, and we were absolutely not disappointed. The…read morerestaurant was beautifully decorated for the holiday season, creating such a warm and inviting atmosphere. They also have a pizzeria conveniently located right next door, which is a nice bonus. The service was outstanding--Alessandro was the best! He recommended his signature cocktail, the Orange Cosmopolitan, and all I can say is WOW. Perfectly made and dangerously good--they definitely sneak up on you! He checked in on us throughout the evening, always friendly and engaging, which truly elevated the experience. The food was just as impressive: Pollo Milanese - a perfectly cooked chicken cutlet topped with fresh mozzarella, arugula, cherry tomatoes, onions, shaved Parmesan, and a bright lemon vinaigrette. Pollo Carbonara - topped with prosciutto, spinach, peppers, and fontina cheese, served over penne pasta. Alaska Chicken (special) - stuffed chicken with shrimp, roasted tomatoes, spinach, and cheese in a rich cream sauce, served with saffron risotto. Absolutely delicious. For dessert, we shared a toasted almond cake and a caramel cheesecake cone--paired with cappuccinos, of course. The perfect ending to a great meal. It was a wonderful evening shared with wonderful people, made even better by Alessandro's exceptional service. Highly recommend this restaurant, and we will definitely be back to try more dishes!

    Photos
    Patrizia's Of Matawan
    Linguine with Clams
    Linguine with Clams
    Dining room

    See all

    Dining room
    Assaggini Di Roma

    Assaggini Di Roma

    3.7
    (196 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    We came back for another Father's Day early dinner. Service was gracious since they accommodated…read moreour group to a more comfortable area of the restaurant. Food was good overall. Appetizer Artichoke Meatballs Eggplant rollatini Fried calamari Caesar salad Entrees Salmon Dijon Chicken Milanese Osso Bucco Cheese ravioli w Vodka sauce- they had a miss by adding Mozzerella on top n then briefly putting in the broiler. Dessert NY Cheesecake Ricotta cheesecake Ice cream Desserts are not made in house n just ok. Assagini is a good spot for Italian at reasonable prices. BYOB

    I was in the area and found Assaggini using the restaurant feature on my gps. It is located inside…read moreof a shopping plaza and there is adequate parking. From the outside it looks like a simple storefront but on the inside, it was a beautifully decorated restaurant. We were welcomed and seated promptly. The server came over and greeted us and asked if we had a bottle for her to open, which we didn't. Unbeknownst to us the restaurant is BYOB. When we shared that it was our first time there she gave us some time to look at the menu. I ended up ordering shrimp parm with linguini, and I asked for the linguini to have white sauce as opposed to the red sauce. She brought over water, a bread basket and bruschetta for the table. I usually prefer lime with my water. They didn't have lime, but she did bring over lemon wedges. While waiting for our meal my company had to step out and by the time the food arrived they weren't back. I asked the sever if I could get a plate to cover their food and she was super accommodating. Upon my companies return the server, even offered to reheat the food for them, which I thought was a nice touch. We declined, but we were still appreciative of the option. My food was very delicious. The white sauce for the linguini was amazing. One of the better Alfredo sauces I've had in this lifetime. The shrimp Parmesan was so so. I felt like it could've used maybe a little bit more seasoning but honestly paired with the pasta. I had no complaints. The restaurant definitely has a family feel and I got the impression that a lot of the patrons are regulars. I don't live in the area, but if I'm ever there again, I would certainly return.

    Photos
    Assaggini Di Roma
    Cannolis
    Cannolis
    Party favor table

    See all

    Party favor table
    Il Leone

    Il Leone

    4.3
    (45 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    @il_leone_nj completely blew me away. You can feel the intentionality the second you walk in!!…read more The space is warm, stylish, & the vibes are truly impeccable. It does not feel like a strip mall spot at all... it feels like a hidden date-night gem. The owners, B & Izzy, are so welcoming, and their hospitality really sets the tone for the whole experience. The staff was just as friendly and made us feel taken care of all night. Now let's talk FOOD...We started with the garlic shrimp appetizer and I'm still thinking about that sauce it was so flavorful, garlicky & perfectly cooked. The spicy rigatoni had the perfect kick and was one of those dishes you don't want to stop eating. Honestly, everything we had was incredible. Obsessed is an under statement for their pizza. So DELISH! I also love our chicken entree, the pollo martini. It was such a delicious sauce and I loved that they served this with a sautéed garlic spinach! For dessert we had a warm banana bread pudding served with vanilla ice cream and it legit brought me back to life. Quite literally obsessed! I will be thinking about this dessert for a while! It's BYOB, the prices are reasonable for the quality, and the whole experience just hits. Definitely a spot we'll be coming back to!

    First I would say the staff was welcoming and friendly. The food was good although some dishes were…read morenot as expected (which can be a good thing). The rice balls were made with black rice-quite a surprise when we cut into them! The pulpo was tender and excellent. Both appetizers were very good. If you are looking for spicy Fra Diavolo, I would suggest mentioning to the waiter you want some heat. The Shrimp Fra Diavolo was very good but not at all spicy. The mushroom risotto was very good as well. One of the specials was chicken cutlets with fresh tomatoes, olives, with a light sauce and topped with shaved mozzarella. This was served with roasted potatoes on the side, and it was excellent. The chicken was so flavorful and so tender you could cut it with a fork. Two of us had this special and it did not disappoint. We ended the night with coffee and two desserts. The creme brulee had a coffee flavor and was good. We also ordered a chocolate souffle, which definitely did not resemble anything close to a souffle. The flavor was fine but it flat, almost like a pancake. It was closer to a flatter molten lava cake. (Guess we should have been suspicious when we didn't have to wait extra time for the souffle.) Now for our main gripe. When one of us asked if the special chicken could be made without garlic (due to an allergy), the server said 'of course - nothing is impossible'. This was a lovely response to the request. However, when we received the check, there was a $4.00 charge for 'no garlic'. Really? We eat out in all sorts of restaurants from casual to very high end, and never have we ever seen this. This very small charge left a bad taste in my mouth (no pun intended). For this reason we gave only three stars - nice ambiance inside and outdoor seating under a gazebo, pleasant, friendly service, and good food, but the extra charge for omitting an ingredient was very disappointing.

    Photos
    Beautiful
    Beautiful
    Il Leone
    Il Leone

    See all

    Il Nido

    Il Nido

    4.4
    (268 reviews)
    5.7 mi
    $$$$

    I've had Il Nido on my radar for a bit and finally went on a Saturday evening. The restaurant is…read moredimly lit and tastefully done. It's divided into 2 dining areas. Service was good overall and we were not rushed. Appetizers Caesar salad Octopus Entrees Branzino served with gritty polenta ( they accommodated our request for the polenta) Veal Osso Buco Dessert Budino Zeppoles Good experience overall. We were surprised that it wasn't more busy for a weekend night. Hopefully they will remain for many more years to come.

    This hidden gem in a shopping center blew all of my expectations and was definitely on top of my…read morelist for my go to's now for Italian cuisine. We came to this spot after learning it from Joe Rogans podcast. Thank goodness I listened and actually took this into consideration this time. The ambiance and decor is definitely something you wouldn't expect. You walk in and it feels like a restaurant in the Italian countryside. Rustic and classy at the time. Great spot for formal occasions and dates. Thanks to our amazing waitress (Carmen) recommendations and service for our meal were top tier. For our appetizers it was recommended that we split the Wagyu Meatballs, Caesar salad and prosciutto with burrata. For the second round, we split 2 pasta dishes. Red wine parpadelle with short braised short rib and spicy rigatoni. Both dishes were amazing, however I can whole heartedly say that the spicy rigatoni was the favorite. Only bad thing I can say is that I wish there was more. Even though we had more than enough food, we foolishly ordered. A third round for entree which comprised of Ribeye with complimentary roasted bone marrow, filet mignon, seared tuna steak and Pork chops. All the entrees were exceptional and cooked to perfection. Owner (Anthony) and manager Norman were gracious enough to check in on us, making sure everything was to our liking. The staff here were very hospitable and really made our first time experience a memorable one. Will definitely be coming back with the rest of my friends and family.

    Photos
    Steak 4 two
    Steak 4 two
    Small antipasto
    Small antipasto
    Pistachio desert

    See all

    Pistachio desert
    Patricia's Of Holmdel

    Patricia's Of Holmdel

    4.1
    (504 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$$

    I can't believe I've never left a review here! I've probably been too busy eating all the delicious…read morefood over the years. Well, today is the day I'll leave one ... on my birthday! I did however leave some photos from the past ... the food here is consistently good, every single time we visit. And not only is the food good, but the service is top notch. Today we had Katie as our server and she helped make my birthday celebration special. I wanted to try a new entree but I was really craving my favorite penne à la vodka with breaded chicken, yum. It lived up to my expectations too. Oh and we started off with sharing a caesar salad which was plenty for two people. My husband had the veal parmesan, which he loved. He was ready to take home half of it, as portions are generous. He ate the whole thing ! We were so stuffed there was no room for dessert but Katie was so sweet and brought out this delish little cannoli plate with a fun "fireworks" candle. It really helped make my day special. She's a great server. Thanks, Patricia's of Holmdel for helping make my birthday a special one ! You never disappoint. The restaurant was pretty busy for a rainy Saturday lunch. I always recommend making a reservation, especially for dinner. There were two separate big parties going on in their party rooms. Such a great place for a celebration!

    So my wife and I have eaten here for a number of different events so we decided it would be the…read moreperfect place to host our 1 year old daughter's birthday party. This place is fantastic. I wish I remembered our hostess name but she was the best. She ensured all the food came out in a timely matter, any request we had she was on top of it. Truly exceptional service. As far as the food and their party package it's an amazing value. People drank and definitely left full, which all you could ask for. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Veal Parmigiano
    Veal Parmigiano
    Interior

    See all

    Interior

    Pauline's Restaurant - italian - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...