Last night there were three of us that went in for a meal and were seated on a Monday night within seconds. We started our meal with Fried Calamari that was a potion that the three of us could not finish. The calamari was fried just enough and on the side was enough tomato sauce for all that we were given. This was middle of the road with no spice intended. For my meal I had seafood risotto that was fantastic. It came w small pieces of lobster, clams, shrimp and I believe scallops. This came in a nice amount of risotto and a sauce that was the best. There was plenty of fish to pair with risotto. Nobody could claim they skimped on the fish as there was plenty. A second meal was off the daily specials. This was cubed eggplant and pasta. The pasta was rigatoni in a very nice tomato sauce. And again this was another great tasing meal. The final meal was eggplant parm that came with spaghetti. The eggplant and cheese balance was really good and my wife loved the dish. Overall everyone loved their meals and all of us took home enough for another lunch or dinner. This is not our first time here and plan on returning again. They offer a dinner section, seating at the bar and some high top tables to fit your liking. Waitress service was top shelf and revisited the table on a frequent basis. If you want great meals at a fair price this is a place for you to at least try. Our bill plus soda and ice tea was barely $100. My only callout is the noise in the room is a bit loud. There is little draping to deaden the sound and if you are looking for a quiet meal this might not be your place. Especially Friday through Sunday. read more

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Excellent food..not so much about the bartenders. We always try and sit at a bar when dining at restaurants. At Rellas,,we got the last two seats. Ordered our drinks within minutes. But then both bartenders paid no attention to most people at the bar, they even avoided eye contact. They only catered to the locals who were probably 25% of the patrons. to sit there and have dinner..and only have 2 drinks over 2 hours is crazy. They would avoid you..tried to get another drink or dessert menu..forget it. I finally kinda yelled to get my check..and we exited. I took my business to another well known local bar for one drink and dessert..gave those folks a tip larger than the tab..excellent service. read more

The bar staff were extremely friendly and very attentive. We ordered serval appetizers and cocktails. The Cosmos were Fantastic! We enjoyed the artichokes and calamari the most. The soup y shrimp and meatballs were good, it we enjoyed the other apps more! The French Dip sandwich might be the BEST French Dip I've ever had. I highly recommend it! read more

Rella's an Italian Tavern - Italian Near Me - Brielle, New Jersey

Beautifully decorated, drinks were good. Unfortunately, for me, that's where it ended. We were a seated next to 5 unsupervised and unruly children. I moved my seat so the kids could smash their chairs around and act up uninterrupted (which was clearly ok with their adults). Appetizers came (uncooked Brussels sprouts and chlorinated tasting rice balls). Osso Buco was dry (think white meat turkey), the mushroom risotto was good. The Italian cutlet was dry too (and salty) and otherwise tasteless. Fries were good. I really wanted to like the place but midway through I thought it's probably best suited for adults with kids who can depend an assortment of fried appetizers to keep them occupied. I'll stick with Tre in Freehold and similar "established" restaurants. read more

So a lot of the mood for a restaurant is set by the mood of your server. Marissa is the total key to this 5 star review. Amazing, fun, accommodating personality. Food? Very good. Meatballs & artichokes for apps, Chicken Parm & Chicken Scarpiello for dinner. Perfect presentation, good quality. Will def be back! read more

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Went for Happy Hour today. Menu said "Premium wines $10". They all are normally $15. Had two each along with some awful Mac-n-cheese bites. Billed $60 for the wine. Questioned it and got into a dialogue about what constitutes a "premium" wine. Again, ALL of their wines other than house are $15/glass. We pointed that out and were told to "calm down ". We were going to go back for dinner and will not be doing that now. Really don't appreciate the attitude or the overcharging. read more

Great food, just like the old Rellas. Had the Calamari appetizer, which were tender and cooked perfect and a large portion. Some of the best Calamari I ever had. Followed it up with meat lasagna and orecchiette pasta which my wife and I split. Both were very good as well. It's a casual place, lots of local families and kids. I'll definitely be back again. read more

Went there for dinner tonight with my wife. Place was not crowded at all. Waiter took our drink order. We overheard the waitress at next table ask if they wanted bread and that she would put in the oven. Ours did not ask. So we asked him for some when he bought over the drinks. He bought us a basket immediately with what tasted like last weeks bread. We ordered chopped salad. Shortly after we got the salad our main dish came out. No way it was prepared fresh in that short amount of time. Looked and tasted like it was old food just reheated. If I wanted leftovers I would have stayed home. This place is not cheap so we were very dissatisfied with the quality of the food. Probably will not return. read more

Rella's gets 2 stars from me. They overcharged on the drinks advertised at $8.00 charged $10.00, and I even asked before I ordered. They charged an extra $2.00 on my entree and my son get the runs for 2 days on his Seafood dinner. Would never go back. read more

Thank you Rellas for being our weekly date night spot! The best staff- especially Glenn & Jill! All the dishes are delicious, highly recommended whether it's a date night or family night out! read more

I have been here before with mixed results. I would give 2 1/2 stars if I was able The pizza is good, and is a big favorite for many patrons. I ordered the chicken BLT. I asked if there was garlic in it. (I just do not like it. It stinks, it makes you stink ). Good cooks do not cook with garlic. Only the essence of garlic in some sauces. Garlic is an American thing. If you have ever been to Italy, you found that it is difficult if not impossible to find dishes that are overpowered by the bitter stink. I was told no, but the server did not know what she was talking about. The ciabatta bun was coated with garlic. Also, the chicken is marinaded in garlic.. It came out and it went right back. I went to a burger because that is a safe bet. The sirloin burger is good. It was cooked to the correct temperature for me and the French fries are also good. They tasted fresh and were crisp on outside and moist on the inside. The fish tacos are lousy. They look nice, but are like cruise food, bland and flavorless. The drinks are over priced. I paid $16.00 for only a fair pour of Johnny Walker Black. Other establishments are $10 to $12. The environment is very pleasant and comfortable. Other than the waitress not knowing what is in a menu item, she was very nice and efficient. read more

Was there tonight with 10 people to celebrate an anniversary. The manager gave us the private room which was so appreciated, made the evening extra special. The food and the service was above excellent, will be back there again without hesitation. read more

Rella's Italian Tavern is the ultimate destination for pizza and Italian comfort food aficionados. With its inviting bar vibes and mouthwatering menu offerings, it's the perfect spot to indulge in classic favorites while soaking in the lively atmosphere. read more

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Rella's Italian Tavern in Brielle, NJ! Stay tuned for some comforting Italian tavern cocktails, appies, entrees, and a bomb dessert you won't want to miss! Are you looking for a cozy spot at the Jersey Shore where the rustic charm meets delectable Italian flavors, whether it's a lively bar scene with TVs or a more intimate dining area? Well we found it for you! At Rella's, the deals are seriously something else, and they're happening every single day! Picture this: you can snag half portions of pasta or salads every night - practically a two-for-one pasta paradise! Tuesday's also Tavern Night, and let me tell you, $12 sandwiches are the name of the game! We couldn't resist the French Dip, and man, it did not disappoint! Cheesey, toasted on garlic bread with the perfect aus jus for dipping! We began with a Lemon Martini boasting a perfectly sweet touch and a delightful sugar rim! The Strawberry Fields, a harmonious blend of tequila, strawberry puree, and lemonade, unfolded like a symphony of flavors reminiscent of a margarita! We can never not have appies! Homemade meatballs with sauce and whipped ricotta was the perfect start! And to wipe up that sauce and ricotta with that bread was just amazing! We also just had to try the chopped antipasto because you can't get a better deal than a 1/2 portion salad!l for half the price of a regular! So delicious and so much better chopped! Vodka Penne was so bomb and of course I had to try two pastas! The rigatoni bolognese was another great choice and to soak up that meat sauce with the bread was a delight read more

Fantastic Service and good pours of great brown liquors. Not the best Italian food we've ever had. Six of us went for my son's birthday- his burger was good, my chicken saltimbocca was delicious!!! Wife and daughter had eggplant parm and pasta bolenaise and the sauce was plain and flavorless. My other son and SIL got Cowboy steaks and they didn't think they were good - not much flavor. I'll say again the service was great and my food was awesome. read more

Delicious food and great restaurant appearance. My parents said this is their go to spot so we had a family dinner here. Our server was very nice. The blackened salmon on the risotto was amazing! They have a full bar and TVs around it if you are looking to watch sports. I definitely will go back here in the future. read more

Casual, extremely friendly and prompt service. Accomodating- treats the customers great - going the extra yard to be professional and personable. The appetizers were fresh and good, had fried calamari. Good drinks at very reasonable prices. You can bring kids of any age and be comfortable. They have high chairs. I loved the decor, nice light fixtures, everything looks new. Bartenders are nice and make good drinks. Clean bathrooms. Nice civilized clientele - upbeat atmosphere. read more

So happy to have Rella's back! Artichoke Francese was exactly like I remember, same recipe and soo good! Antipasto appy was also amazing and more then enough for 4 people. We ordered two orecchiette pasta dishes (pasta, sausage. Broccoli rabe with peppadews), Beet salad (arugula, feta cheese and strawberries) and lasagna (a classic) Pizzas, calamari and salads that we saw coming out of the kitchen also looked great! Cocktails were also fantastic & happy to see some great wines on the menu. Bread on the table is homemade and hot. 20/10 in that category Highly recommend, we will be back! read more

Rella's an Italian Tavern - Beet salad & orecchiette pasta - Italian Near Me - Brielle, New Jersey

Its literally an Italian tavern! Rustic wood cabin vibes, with a comprehensive classic Italian menu. Upscale casual. Staff works hard, food prices are fair for 2024. They have tons of weeknight specials too, and have a vibrant bar scene for sports. Solid cocktail and wine list. Only knock is the food itself is above average, but not a full fledged 'great'. A few items were bland and not well seasoned. Portion size is hit or miss depending on what you order. Seems like a very dependable place in the Manasquan-Sea Girt-Spring Lake area - especially if you take advantage of their specials and promotions. read more

Took the kids here for dinner, absolutely dope interior. The service was no short of perfection, all employees happy to be doing their job. The pizza was the best in the shore, best sauce I have ever had. highly recommend. -Tom Kim 5/5 read more

My wife and I went to Rella's for the first time tonight. A friend had told us that it was good, so we decided to make reservations there for the whole family for Christmas Eve. We wanted to go check it out to see what it was like before we took the family there. Well, we quickly realized that we made the right choice for Christmas Eve dinner. We loved it! We got the clams in andoullie sauce for an appetizer, which was a special, and it was unbelievable! Excellent start for dinner. We both ordered another special, swordfish in scampi sauce served over lobster risotto. Again...unbelievable! So, so good! The portions were large where we both had to take doggie bags. About the service...our server Jill was great!! By the end of the night, we felt like we knew her for years! All in all, we loved it! We will now be regulars at Rella's! I highly recommend! read more

Rella's an Italian Tavern - Swordfish Scampi...delicious! - Italian Near Me - Brielle, New Jersey

Great food!! Service was exceptional. The only problem was that the restaurant was packed and it was loud. That's not a bad thing. I can't wait to go back. read more

Here we are. It must be the 15th time I'm here....mostly under different names. It has been Rellas for a few years now. We went during happy hour 3 to 6 PM. Drinks prices are cheaper and the food is very good. Food prices are between $6 & $7 for appys and well drinks up to $7. We ate alfresco since I feel the interior is a tad dark for me. Zack, a young buck, was our server. At 5:55 PM we quickly ordered, artichokes, veal Parmesan sliders, (artesian rolls w/sliders) chicken wings in garlic sauce and calamari with two IPAs. Food was excellent. We didn't order any entrées so we really cannot critique them. Then again another time. The staff was very cordial, adequate parking, restrooms presentable. It was a very relaxing dinner. read more

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This place was amazing .. we had osso Bucco pork , eggplant parmigiana, mussels , artichoke francaise, grandmas pizza , and calamari.. everything was fantastic . Calamari melted in your mouth , eggplant nice and thin, pizza was crispy nice and light, love their tomato sauce !!! Highly recommend this place !!! read more

Delicious every time. Very casual. Notables Berkshire pork chop Soooo tasty Chicken w/ escarole. Like eating Italian soul food. The Greek salad with feta ! We share it. Meatballs w/ a dollop of ricotta appetizer !! read more

Veal Parmesan for 35 dollars, two small medaliions burnt and crispy. I Sent it back, server was matter of fact and didn't care. I never heard from the manager. read more

One of my go to spots in the area! Always solid food and service. A nice and cozy bar. Love it

Went to the new, highly anticipated new Rellas with some friends, as I was a big fan of the original and boy was I in for a disappointing show. To preface, the food was great, the apps and entrees were so very good. Our server, a kind young gentleman was very tentative and took very good care of us. ** What brought me to come here to review Rellas with a 1 star was the way I witnessed employees being treated. For starters, seeing management barely wearing a face covering during a global pandemic (had a face shield that was on probably 25% of our duration) was very off-putting and uncomforting. As we are finishing up getting ready to leave, I hear and see this same "manager" screaming at employees at the top of his lungs threatening their jobs. As a business owner I was mortified that a business "leader" would speak this way. That is no way for anyone to speak to their hard working employees. There is a big difference between being a manager, leading employees and putting them down. It also reflects on ownership that they would allow someone like that to be running their business. Would love to return, if we would have a more comfortable experience read more

Food is decent. Let's put it this way: when they were across the street, salt and outdated saucy heavy dishes were the bane of their menu. The move was a good one. The place now is okay, (watch for the decaying ramp if you're disabled, btw), much better atmosphere and ambiance, but some of the staff frankly, are miserable. Yes, honey, the blonde bartender who lays it on thick for dudes and had the nerve to say to my friend WHAT DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND when asked for clarification on the happy hour menu and then told another friend she could not customize her martini- I'm looking at you, kid!!!. The adjacent bartender agreed - the blonde is, frankly, a b}%^. So then go get a job working in a warehouse where tips are not part of your livelihood. It does not matter how good the food is or is not. No excuse to treat customers like that. Seriously. And Rellas, fix your ramp before you get sued. Xoxo read more

We decided to try Rella's out tonight and to our surprise we were able to call ahead and get in without any wait time. Our entire experience was top notch and filled with great food and great service. We started off with the burrata appetizer and a side of meatballs. The burrata was super fresh and the accompaniments were perfect. Then we shared the nonnas pizza which was absolutely delicious. Flavor, freshness and portion sizes were all great. Finally we finished off with the italian cheesecake and some cannolis for the perfect ending. Everything we ate was delicious and super fresh and the staff was above superior from the hosts to the bus boys everyone was friendly and attentive. That's what I call GREAT SERVICE! We will definitely be coming back very soon and we can't wait to try out the rest of the menu. read more

We had a birthday party at Rella's on Sunday and had a fantastic experience!  Joe at Rella's was on the ball with every aspect of planning the event.  The party room had plenty of space to accommodate our party of 45 people and was partitioned off so we weren't a bother to other patrons.  The wait staff was very accommodating and attentive to our needs.  The food was absolutely delicious and all the guests I spoke with raved about it.  Our food selections were: Caesar salad (which for a salad, was much better than average), penne with vodka sauce, eggplant rollatini, and chicken marsala. Each item surpassed my expectations. I couldn't be happier in my choice of Rella's! read more

Terrific margarita pizza, and other very well prepared Entrées. Cocktails are subpar, but the bar is a great meaning place. Certainly a go to for great Italian takeout. read more

So, I've been driving past this place for two years. I came here the other night with family and friends. It did not disappoint. They had a band playing in the bar area. They were very good and the place was packed. On the dining side, which was a lot quieter, the place was packed too. Service was exceptional. Our waiter was attentive and pleasant and just downright helpful. We navigated the menu just fine. Trying items from the chicken francese to the spaghetti & meatballs to pizza and wings. All of it was terrific. There's a lot of good Italian around Brielle/Squan, and this place held up. I'd recommend trying it without hesitation. Desserts were solid too. Cheesecake and ice cream. Solid options for kids and adults. read more

Very good food and service. Reasonable prices. Nice amount of gf options too. Osso bucco was very good and came with warm bread and salad too. Would definitely return again. read more

The curse of this building may finally be broken! Since Charlie Brown's shut down many years ago this place seems to change names every other year. We were so happy to see Rella's re-open here. When it was across the street it was a good place for happy hour, but after getting takeout twice this month from the new location, the food has moved up a couple of notches. The pork chop was seared perfectly and the burger, although it was a smash burger was still medium rare and juicy. Everything was seasoned well. We haven't eaten inside yet but from what we can see from picking up our orders it looks cute and casual inside. Most of these reviews are old. I think their ratings will go up. Very happy they are here and wish this local business success. read more

Dinner was great. We started with the anti-pasta appetizer which was amazing. I had the salmon and my husband had the pork Osso bucco which was extremely tender and full of flavor. For dessert we're bringing home the chocolate mousse and a cannoli. We will be back. read more

I'm almost ashamed to say I've never been here before after living in the area for 25 years. Not to say Rellas has been here that long but I guess I should have checked it out before; but I'll be back. Rellas has a large bar where the four of us we would normally sit except the other night was beautiful, not too hot, and low humidity, so a great opportunity to dine al fresco. Tina was our waitress who greeted us with a warm smile and asked for drink orders. It was difficult making a decision but eventually we ordered. The table split the oysters rockerfeller, and a seared asian scallop appy. Both were superb. Three out of four of us decided on a special that night; mako tuna cooked to the desired temperature with tomatoes and capers in a white wine sauce over risotto. Not only was this delicious, the tuna was super fresh. The service is warm and attentive and the food is good. Next time here I want to try their happy hour and maybe a bar pie. That menu sure looked inviting. read more

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My wife and I are addicted to MamaRellas Rigatoni and that's not the only dish we like. Eggplant parmigean is like homemade and thier eggplant rollitini is superb. Have never been disappointed at Rellas. We make a visit to Rellas at least once a week. BTW their Pizza is delicious and their take out menu always meets our appetite. Mmmmm Great dining, Paul & JoAnn Cutrino read more

Sat at the bar for appetizers and a drink I did not enjoy any of the four appetizers or the drink . I eat out often and have never disliked everything I had . everyone has a opinion this place is not for me I expected much better walking in . read more

I'm yawning just thinking about writing this review...ugh...Ok here goes. Came here Saturday night for dinner - from the outside it looks like a cute intimate place - WRONG! Inside is a complete circus and super loud (louder than a TGI Fridays on a weekend evening) - the dining room is oddly shaped and it kinda sucks if you're against the wall b/c it's like a communal bench seat, so if your neighboring diner plops down or moves the slightest way, you feel it too. Brown construction paper on the tables on top of the tablecloth which tells you they're too cheap and too lazy to give you fresh linens after each dining party. Wine list stunk (not alot of affordable choices and thats a shame) but the menu was decent. One thing that really pissed me off was that the bread was rubbery and not fresh at all. It truthfully tasted exactly like reheated italian bread in the microwave after it's gone stale (we've all done it!) Anyway, we decided not to order an appetizer or salads since we were starved and service was very slow, plus our server assured us that the portions were huge - WRONG again! I got the pasta with beans, escarole and sausage (which was pretty tasty) but the portion was very small and they were super stingy with the sausage (i averaged 1 sausage link sliced). I was actually still hungry after eating the entire plate. Lame. Husband got the seafood pasta which he said tasted "alright" and like my entree, his portion was small as well. We would not go back to Rella's. read more