Outstanding experience at Sola Italian Restaurant. The food was exceptional. The Branzino Skewers were truly out of this world--perfectly cooked, fresh, and incredibly flavorful. The pastas were amazing as well, authentic, perfectly prepared, and full of flavor. Great atmosphere, excellent service, and a meal to remember. Highly recommend! read more

Sola Osteria - Italian Near Me - Ridgewood, New Jersey

We had a reservation and the table was ready when we arrived. The waiter was very friendly. We wanted to place our appetizer order and asked for more time to deciding the entree and we were told he would have to wait to put the whole order in at the same time. The food was tasty but portions were small. Appetizers were not meant to be shared. The ambience was lively and bright with some interesting art on the walls. Overall, a pleasant evening but I doubt I'd be back with all the great options in Ridgewood. read more

This BYOB is a hidden gem. The food, service, ambiance were great! The flavors of every dish melded so well together. All the dishes were authentic Italian dishes with a flair. By authentic I mean you are not going to find chicken parm and heavy red sauces here but you will find great food. The chef/owner tries to come out of the kitchen but on a busy Saturday night you may not see him until late. Our table of 4 had the Zucchini flan, veal/tuna app)yes,sounds strange but you won't be disappointed ), meatballs, cacio de Pepe, fettuccine bolognese, black ink pasta with shrimp, pork chop and 4 different desserts! All the dishes were light and not too big, Just the perfect portion size. Don't be afraid the try anything on their menu and be sure to make a reservation. We can't wait to go back. read more

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If you're expecting a red sauce extravaganza straight out of your grandmother's kitchen, this isn't the place--but that's exactly what makes it so special! Think of it as if an Italian chef went to culinary school and then returned to their roots, blending tradition with refined technique. This new Italian spot is like the cool, sophisticated cousin of your favorite local joint, and let me tell you, it delivers. First, the portions--yes, they're on the smaller side, especially for us Jersey Italians who are used to mounds of pasta that can feed the whole block. But honestly? It's refreshing. I'm not lugging around a doggy bag (as much as I love one), and I actually leave feeling *just* right, without the dreaded food coma. Each dish is thoughtfully plated, with layers of flavors that make you savor every bite. It's a bit more complex than your standard spaghetti and meatballs, but it retains that cozy, homey essence that makes you feel like you're dining in an Italian villa. Speaking of ambiance, our server even had a delightful accent that instantly transports you straight to Italy. They're friendly, professional, and just charming enough to make you feel like you're part of the family without the heavy hand of an overzealous nonna. Each dish feels like a perfectly balanced masterpiece--complex, yes, but never so fancy that it loses its soul. The flavors are vibrant and nuanced, making every bite an experience rather than just a meal. It's that perfect marriage of high-end technique and the kind of comforting flavors that make you feel like you're at home, but with a serious upgrade. I can already tell this place is going to become a regular in my rotation--just not every weekend, because my Jersey Italian stomach needs a little time to adjust to the elegance. But next time I'm in the mood for Italian that's both refined and comforting, this spot will be at the top of my list! read more

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Visited 06/07/2025 This one is a tough call... The service was friendly and attentive... and Sola is a BYO, but our opinion of the food was mixed. We started off with the Gauzetto which we enjoyed very much. We'd never seen 'mussels' listed as Gauzetto before. (We learn something new every day!) The only difference might be that there were little neck clams added to the mussels. Both clams and mussels were very tender and tasty... as was the brothy sauce. The portion was good too, if a little bit pricey. My wife ordered the Branzino (filleted and skewered on a Confit/Tomatoe/Cabbage "Ripassato"). Perhaps a bit pricey at $43, the fish was bland, I mean it didn't even seem to have been salted. The 'Ripassato" was pretty much the same... with perhaps some seasoning added. I opted for a special... the Osso Bucco on a bed of creamy risotto. While this meal was very tasty, to me, it is ridiculously overpriced. There could not have been more than a half cup of risotto... along with 8 pieces of deboned osso bucco. (see pic). I'm sorry, but for $51 for this en·trée, I don't want to leave still feeling hungry. The taste was terrific and I would order this meal again if the was just... 'more'. We did read several of the reviews beforehand, also mentioning the small portions. They were telling the truth. read more

Sola Osteria - Osso Bucco special on creamy risotto. ($51) - Italian Near Me - Ridgewood, New Jersey

The Osteria is an overdressed Caesar with a buffalo mozzarella on top, meh The zucchini is a few thin strips of zucchini stuffed with ricotta $33 and overly cheesy. Bucatini Cacio Pepe, saltier than the Atlantic. Taglioni Neri black squid pasta with seafood was okay. Had to review this, because the other reviews were not accurate. read more

Food and service were both excellent! Our waiter was very attentive and friendly and guided us through the menu. The owner came out several times to speak with us and catered to different food allergies at the table. Will definitely be back! read more

Coming 15 min early for my 8:45pm. But didn't get seating until 9ish. As you see people are enjoying the atmosphere under Ridgewood Italian charm 4/5 The manager is extremely professional keep us the update but not to offend the couple just take their time and not paying the bill. They upgrade us a table of six to accommodate three of us. The service 6/5 Mozzarella with bruschetta free accommodations 3/5 its good but it lukewarm Fettuccine with shredded pork &vegetables 5/5 Squid ink Pasta need Dante 4/5 Lamb pop chop in medium rare over cook & too salty 2/5 Chocolate Lava cake with gelato 4/5 Food overall is good but maybe the time & delivery between the kitchen to the table is impact the texture of fine dine At the end, the executive chef making the time to communicate and accommodate with each table customers with little dessert shots on the house & all singing happy birthday to one of the party 6/5 read more

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Really good dining option in Ridgewood service was great very attentive and friendly and the food was great- chef came out to see how everything was. A tad on pricey side but was byob so helped. Would definitely go back read more

This restaurant is one of my favorites! Its a treat to have authentic Italian food so close by. We were hoping for authentic Italian and we weren't disappointed! The service is great and the chef is very friendly! We will be back again in a few weeks! read more

Busy on Saturday night. Staff was attentive. Very loud when room is filled, bad acoustics. Appetizers of meatballs were good. Disappointed that lasagna was burnt . read more

Sola Osteria - Italian Near Me - Ridgewood, New Jersey

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Enjoyed a nice dinner here with some friends. Service was really nice - attentive and friendly. Food was high quality, enjoyed everything we ordered. Ambiance is cute - felt a little crowded with tables and ours was in the corner right by the door. read more

We enjoyed the Cacio e Pepe, Merluzzo Codfish, Veal Ossobuco over Risotto, and the Fettuccine St. Remo. All four of us loved our dishes. The flavors were delicate yet complex, as expertly prepared by the Milanese chef. We will definitely return and highly recommend this excellent restaurant. read more

Food was very good but small portions for the price you're paying As far as the noise level very hard to hear yourself, even think it was so noisy they need to do something about the sound in that place read more

Cute spot in Ridgewood. Food was interesting. Service was ok. Everything kind of felt like it was missing something. read more

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BYOB food was delicious and service was great for a newer restaurant! Would definitely go back again!

I have not eaten such amazing food since Italy. Everything was delicious. The dishes are original and even the simple red sauce is the best I've ever had. By far my favorite restaurant in the NY metropolitan area. read more

This place is a gem. I felt welcome from the moment we arrived. The food was clean, traditional Italian with creativity. The branzino dish I had was of the simplest most delicious light fish entrees I have ever had. The chef brought us a gazpacho that was the essence of summer tomato on a plate. I felt like I was biting into a tomato in my grandfathers garden on a hot summer day. Bravo. We had a wonderful relaxing Friday night here and will be back. read more

Eaten here multiple times. Food is phenomenal. For apps the oysters and meatballs are standouts. For entrees- lasagna is unlike most in the area (using bechamel instead of ricotta), most of the entrees are seasonal. Service provided by Fabrizio and massimo make me feel like family at every visit read more

We visited last week for an engagement party and was very impressed with every aspect of the restaurant. Ridgewood is a very competitive market for good restaurants and this one surely shines. The interior is chic yet cozy and the service staff is attentive and well trained. It's a bring- your-own, but the owner provides excellent quality glassware. As for the dishes, because it was a party everything was family style and so we had multiple tapas size courses. All the dishes were expertly prepared, and according to the chef, all homemade in-house with the freshest of ingredients. This isn't a neighborhood pizza & pasta joint, it's fine dining. The eggplant Parmesan was the best I've ever had while the lasagna with béchamel sauce and the cacio de pepe were also phenomenal. For entrées we had the airline chicken and the pork belly, both were succulent, tender, and tasty. Massimo. The owner and is a Michelin star recognized chef. He brought out 4 desserts, including house made gelato, tiramisu and crème brûlée. Looking forward to going back for dinner. read more

Came today - Yelp hours shows open as does their web site. Place is closed. Called them and the recording says they will reopen Sept 4 which was yesterday. Still closed. Seems like some problems .. read more

I've been to Sola many times and last night was as wonderful as ever. I sat in the front window with a girlfriend. The staff was friendly and efficient. The chef Massimo was great and came out and checked on us a few times. The pasta was delicious. Everything came out piping, hot and into perfect perfection. The ambience is simple and lovely. I'll even have to mention that their glassware is exquisite. Felt like family by time we left. Looking forward to my return. read more

The portions were extremely small. My friends beef was way overcooked and almost impossible to cut. The service was very good, attentive, however. read more

The food looks delicious and the prices are great and we love new restaurant and we love the food

Excellent food and service. Everything was great. If you want authentic dishes that are presented beautifully and are equally fresh and delicious come here. If you want an oversized portion of mediocre American Italian food maybe this is not the place for you. Owner is wonderful as is his staff. read more

.Update. We were back in Sola Osteria for a fifth time after a few months after our last visit. We were with a friend from abroad and all of us enjoyed the food. The vitello tonnato and the beet salad were delicious. We tried a pork belly special that was outstanding, the duck breast that was perfectly cooked and tasty and the spaghetti al Pomodoro. The Napoleon and the crostata were a great choice for dessert. Chef Massimo was the perfect host, requesting our feedback on the food, especially on the new additions to the menu. As always, I very pleasant experience at Sola Osteria. Grazie mille Massimo! read more

Pasta dishes were great. Pasta tasted house made and came out piping hot. Waitress and manager were attentive and friendly. My only issue is the price. Quality food is expensive. The serving sizes are fine, but not for the price. $30 small bowl of pasta and $29 for a small beet salad with some goat cheese is just too much in my opinion. read more

We went here twice recently. The first time it was great. Excellent pasta. The next time the pasta was good, not great. It was a Saturday night and it was very busy. We didn't order an appetizer ( they are all $29 and up-even for a salad). The pastas came out in about 5-10 minutes. Too quickly if it was made to order. read more

Simply amazing experience as always! The lasagna never disappoints and is the best we have ever had. And the team is very professional and welcoming. From our first visit we felt like family! read more

Wonderful gem of an authentic Northern Italian restaurant. We happened here by chance and are certainly glad we did. My wife and I were with our two granddaughters, aged 12 and 9. They have dined out enough that their opinions count and they both loved their pasta dishes. My wife and I each thoroughly enjoyed our entrees and will certainly be back. Our server, Nicole, was friendly and professional and the owner, Massimo, couldn't be more gracious and accommodating. We were told he earned a Michelin Star while he was in Milan and I can certainly see why. With so many great choices in Ridgewood this has to be one of the top ones. read more

An all round excellent dining experience. Warm welcome, attentive service, and a bright upbeat ambiance contributed to a good time for 3 generations - kid to grandparents. And the food was well prepared, presentation and taste was outstanding. A winner. read more

My husband and I dined at this wonderful authentic Italian restaurant last night. Massimo, the chef is amazing and the rest of the staff incredible amicable and very professional. The food is delicious especially the pasta dishes. We will definitely go back with our friends as well. A BYOB place to visit in the beautiful town of Ridgewood read more

Service was great. Very nice ambiance. Nice wine glasses and cutlery. We went as group of 12 and got the appetizer tasting the waiter told us about. Very meh. Feels like we got whatever the kitchen didn't sell that night or had extra of - we shoulda ordered a la carte and it woulda been cheaper and better selection. I got the cod, which was good but not spectacular. Not a generous portion and was expensive. My buddy got the duck - he loved it. Others got the pastas which were overcooked and the branzino which looked meager and I'm told was so so. Overall, pretty mediocre and poor value. Not rushing back. read more

Awful restaurant!- we are foodies and have been to a few high end restaurants inn YC and Europe! This is worst meal I have ever had- Fettuccine with artichoke and ground beef-$37.00 -small portions and tasteless!!!! Ridgewood is a great place to eat-this restaurant will NOT SURVIVE!!!! read more

This has become our favorite Italian restaurant.. Every time we go to Sola, the food manages to be better than the time before. The variety, the amazing flavor, always perfectly prepared. We always leave planning for our next time to return. The owners are attentive and always a delight. read more

Staff was friendly and attentive, food was sub-par. After ordering our first course, which was confusing and not enjoyable, we ordered a simple pasta dish to share, we had debated closing the bill and moving on since we did not expect the main dishes to be any better, but felt bad so ordered the pasta to share. Again, did not impress. For what we got, I would considered the prices not aligned. A lot of show and nothing really of substance. We would not return based on the food, service was good. read more

Will start off by saying the food overall was very good for most part We had issues with everything else... We dined Valentines Day and were called a few days before to put a card down.No problem but were sternly told"be timely, its a busy night" but even placing a please in there would be appreciated. Came 5 min early-seated immediately with menus. Hadnt completed taking off our jackets when we were asked to put in appetizers...we had not even looked at the menu yet! The prices were vastly higher** than the online menu---branzino online 39 ,was now 49! .Bucatini from 28 to 34$ , ...everything was up significantly from the menu on line-NOT ACCEPTABLE! That needs to be updated..if its a few bucks per item fine but it was 10 in the case of the branzino ! Our dinner for 2 cost 30$ more than would be expected based on website proces In any case, the waiter came back fairly immediately to take our order .They brought over a complementary small bowl gazpacho ,which was quite good(one spoon for 2 people?) and bread -mediocre. As the waiter took the apps away he mumbled something about desserts..And next thing you know he brought us the dessert menu(we had sat there about 15 minutes in total and YOU just cleared the app plates!). Never in a half century of eating out has that happened. Mains came immediately thereafter and were good..We didnt dare put the utensil down though bc people were hovering to take dishes away. We ordered dessert -not bc we really wanted to but bc we were there only about 40 minutes at this point (and already 200$ in) and couldnt believe the pace or the service.I will say many people were waiting by front door at this point.Ordered the creme brulee with blackberries(no blackberries were in or on and was espresso flavored but was good ). Got bill immediately and at this point people were waiting everywhere(actually was hard to leave restaurant it was so crowded-and cold- at door ) WIll certainly not be back and we eat out several times/week. The food was good the experience was not and more $$$$ than most places in the city. read more

Great food and great service! Massimo is a wonderful chef and host. We will go back again soon.

Second time dining at this new spot and again I am underwhelmed. Aside from the lovely Italian accents and the variety of homemade pastas, the positive vibes are void. The pastas are light and tasty. The food is presented nicely, as it should for the price they charge. We had a reservation and when we arrived we were told that they were running behind & they would contact us when we should return. The space is so small and the door opens right onto the dining room so we had to face the cold & camp out somewhere to kill time. AFTER AN HOUR, we still had not heard from them so we headed over on our own. We're were greeted with apologies & smiles & offered a complimentary app, but it just was so inconsiderate and poor management to allow this delay and expect the patrons to just accept such poor standard I think the food is quite nice, but pricey. Make sure you are seated in the main di no g area because the door to the street opens right into the other room and you have every one squeezing through & hovering over you. read more

My husband and I eat out all over the state of New Jersey. This was an exceptional meal different than your heavy Italian so if you're looking for a heavy Italian, do not go there this is wonderful passionate cooking from an Italian chef, who shows his passion in his clean tasting food !!Simple yet comforting surroundings, BYOB, which we love because we like to choose our own wine and enjoy it with our delicious meal. If you haven't been there, get your butt in gear and go you will not regret it. Enjoy bon appétit!!!! read more