Located at 5401 Atlantic Ave, Wildwood, NJ 08260, United States, Little Italy Restaurant stands as a welcoming destination for those seeking a genuine taste of traditional culinary craftsmanship. Nestled in the heart of the vibrant Wildwood community, this establishment has built a reputation centered on the values of hospitality, consistency, and the appreciation of classic recipes. Whether you are a local resident looking for a reliable spot for a weeknight meal or a visitor exploring the coastal charm of New Jersey, the restaurant offers an atmosphere that prioritizes comfort and the enjoyment of a well-prepared plate.
The philosophy behind the kitchen is rooted in the belief that great food begins with the selection of quality ingredients and a respect for time-honored techniques. The environment is designed to be approachable, making it an ideal setting for families, friends, and anyone who values a relaxed dining experience. By focusing on the fundamentals of flavor and texture, the team at Little Italy Restaurant strives to create a memorable visit for every guest who walks through their doors, ensuring that the essence of Italian-inspired cooking is reflected in every aspect of their service.
Why Guests Choose Little Italy Restaurant
Commitment to Quality Ingredients: The kitchen places a high priority on sourcing components that form the foundation of their dishes. By focusing on freshness and flavor, the culinary team ensures that each meal meets a standard of excellence that keeps patrons returning.
A Welcoming Atmosphere: The interior design and service style are crafted to foster a sense of belonging. It is a space where the pace of life seems to slow down, allowing guests to focus on the company they keep and the food they are enjoying.
Convenient Location: Situated on Atlantic Avenue, the restaurant is easily accessible for those spending time in Wildwood. Its central position makes it a convenient stop after a day at the beach or while exploring the local attractions that define this coastal town.
Consistent Culinary Standards: Reliability is at the core of the dining experience. Guests can expect a level of consistency in preparation and presentation that reflects the dedication of the staff to their craft and their respect for the dining traditions they uphold.
Beyond the menu and the physical space, Little Italy Restaurant is defined by its connection to the Wildwood community. The staff understands that dining out is not just about sustenance; it is about the social experience and the memories created around the table. By maintaining a focus on attentive service and a warm, inviting environment, the restaurant continues to be a staple for those who appreciate the simple pleasure of a good meal served with care. The team remains dedicated to upholding these values, ensuring that every guest feels like a part of the extended family that has helped shape the identity of this local establishment over the years.
As you plan your next outing in Wildwood, consider the experience offered at 5401 Atlantic Ave. It is a place where tradition meets the present, providing a backdrop for meaningful conversations and satisfying meals. Whether you are planning a casual dinner or a special gathering, the doors are open to those who appreciate the dedication required to deliver a quality dining experience. We invite you to visit and discover the character and charm that make Little Italy Restaurant a notable part of the local culinary landscape, where the focus remains steadfast on providing a welcoming environment for all who visit.
Amenities and More
Menus
Photos
Reviews Little Italy Restaurant
Paul Hirsch
30-04-2026
This place has been a very special stop for me during my Wildwood-Cape May trips since 2008. While the staff may change over time the food remains top notch. I can not say enough about it. It is truly one of the best restaurants in the area.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
C. Atkinson-Rementer
19-04-2026
Food was delicious nice atmosphere approximately $143 for 3. Large portions salad & bread included. Would definitely go back. We had shrimp scampi, lasagna & chicken parm. More
Jacqueline Lisella
15-04-2026
Wow, So i've actually been here before, long before i started writing reviews. Little Italy is a nice italian restaurant, with amazing decor, and plays italian music from italy. They have both tables and booths, and one can also order takeout from them and pick it up there. Every time we been here, everyone has been polite. I also think that this place does have better italian food in wildwood, besides another place i won't name. They are a bring your own booze place, so if you want alcohol, you'd have to get it yourself.
Went here recently on Wednesday August 7th 2024 with my parents as part of our Cape May/Wildwood Trip. After stopping at nearby Green's Liquor to get some vodkas, we then came here to eat. We came here for their early bird special where they open at 4/5PM and have special priced food. Which is essentially a little less expensive than when dinner comes around at 5. We did wait until the doors were unlocked and opened up- and there were a few people who also came for the early bird special. We were greeted with a smile by a host, who sat us. We sat in the front near a window at a table, which was comfortable. Our server greeted us right away. At first we ordered waters, and decided to look over the menu first. We also ordered a pitcher of sprite to mix with our alcohol. We then started with an appetizer order of Fried Zuccini Sticks, which were very good, as one could taste the vegetable. Enjoyed them! For entrees, my dad ordered the early bird special shrimp scampi, my mom ordered the early bird special veal parm, and i ordered Penne ala Vodka with Meatball. First, all Early bird meals come with salad or soup, My mom and dad got salad, and i ate the onions. Then before you know it our food came! I enjoyed the penne pasta, and my parents both enjoyed their meals as well. The only con was, I didn't like the meatball, as it tasted bland. My mom tasted it and didn't like it either. Funny thing is i also liked it on my first bite. Also the waitress should have checked on us more, i mean for the most part we were all good, and i ate my pasta and enjoyed it so. I believe my dad took his food home, and got a box. We got the check and paid with a credit card and left a cash tip. Hope to be back here next year!
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
USD 10–20
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Lou
29-03-2026
Going for 5 stars here. Was kind of turned off by some of the recent negative reviews. However we had an amazing experience. Food was fresh, early bird deal is still a great bargain. Tried the rack of BBQ ribs on their special which were … More
Shukhrat Maks
11-02-2026
Fine Italian restaurant in Wildwood. The portions are big enough to share. The wait can be long though, was about 20 minutes for us. Downside there is no outdoor seating available and due to it being packed, the service felt very rushed. Pricey but it's expected from a casual Italian dinner. More
Lauren S
02-02-2026
Come to Little Italy for the early bird special (Sunday to Thursday from 4-5PM). Special comes with bread, house salad, an entree from their select menu, and a cannoli (forgot to take a picture). Food was tasty and service was fantastic! Meatballs are made with beef and pork (only mentioning because I don’t eat pork). Recommend coming here for dinner.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
USD 10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
House Salad, Cannoli, Eggplant Parmigiana
Vegetarian options
Eggplant parm and manicotti
Kathryn Tharp
06-01-2026
We were staying locally and passed this restaurant going to and from the beach. After reading some great reviews we decided to give it a try…..best cheesy garlic bread ever! We also enjoyed the calamari. My swordfish was not only perfect that night, it was perfect when I finished it the next night. I’m sure their desserts are equally delicious, but we were too full to try.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
USD 30–50
charles dibartolo
06-01-2026
Coming for years. Never a bad meal. Best garlic bread ever!!! Prime rib night on Thursdays. Mine was outstanding! Opened at 4. Go early. Or you will wait forever. It’s that good
Soraya Rave
22-12-2025
Absolutely delicious! Great service 👏 We were seated quickly with only a five minute wait for 8. The drinks & bread came out in record time. The food was done well, so good and large portions. We ate so well that we forgot to ask about … More
Omar
20-12-2025
Best Italian food in wildwood. A little pricey but they give huge portions. Giant meatballs that have a great mixture of flavors. My wife love the chicken cutlets and my son's shrimp scampi was amazing. The pasta sauce was ok. A little too tangy for my taste but overall everything was good. More
Giovanna Conforti (Joanne)
18-12-2025
As an Italian with a lot of cooking experience, I was extremely disappointed with Little Italy in Wildwood Crest. The only positives were the charming atmosphere and the BYOB option—we brought our own wine, and that was easily the best part of our dinner. The food was awful! My husband’s manicotti looked like soup, drowned in cheese, my gnocchi in bolognese sauce was pasty, and the antipasto cold cuts seemed old. The oven was broken, so we didn't get the homemade bread instead, we got old bread that tasted like it was in the freezer for a while! The service made it worse, with rushed waitstaff making the whole experience feel like a factory line. Honestly, some of the worst Italian food I’ve ever had.l! Olive Garden does a better job than this place.
Price per person
USD 100+
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 4
Reservation
Not sure
Noise level
Very loud, hard to hear
Special events
No special event
Dan Perez
03-12-2025
Great Italian food down the shore. Wait times can vary from 20 minutes to an hour at this restaurant. The restaurant decor is very nice and houses two large rooms for indoor seating. The service was excellent and recommended a flounder special which we tried. We ordered the stuffed flounder grated special which included melted mozzarella, a sauce with stuffed crab meat. The special was excellent! We also ordered a spaghetti with meatballs (excellent too) and the shrimp scampi which was good too. The shrimp scampi and the flounder special was large enough where either plate could have been shared with two people ($3 additional sharing fee added if you share). Overall we left very very full and very please with our meal. Would highly recommend this place when visiting Wildwood. 😉 Tip: this place is a BYOB so don’t forget your wine before visiting. Several liquor stores are located just blocks from the location.
Chris Ricci
28-11-2025
WOW, I can't believe ive been going to Wildwood 30 years and never been to this great restaurant. An off-season visit. I think you can trade in the 5 stars I gave you for at least 1 Michelin star. I had Veal Scaloppini, my wife had the Aglio e Olio Broccoli & Chicken. I have been cooking and eating veal for over 40 years and never has it been this good. No knife needed perfect tender beef flavor. And lovely wine and butter sauce. Both our meals were too large to eat in one sitting, what a joy as leftovers
Thanks Little Italy and our server Eric for a once in a lifetime meal. ( Well, we'll be back next year).
Price per person
USD 30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Moderate noise
Special events
No special event
fairy
30-10-2025
Penne vodka was super overpriced & flavorless. As an Italian im dissatisfied and disappointed. If you want real italian food go somewhere else please! Our waiter was great though and i have to say it was 10/10 service! More
Kim Garrison
23-10-2025
We just had a family dinner here on Saturday night. There was 9 of us and the service was amazing even with the waitress having 2 other larger parties. The food was fantastic. We ate here for many years when we did our family vacations in Wildwood growing up and nothing has changed as far as the quality of food. More
Jamie Hurley
07-10-2025
Always make it a point to go to Little Italy when on vacation. They have the BEST chicken parm and their home made noodles and sauce are amazing. I tried the tortellini with my parm this time and OMG soo good! Prime rib was on special so … More
Tricia M
19-08-2025
Absolutely amazing food, service, and atmosphere. We stop here every year we are in Wildwood, and they have never disappointed. All the staff are friendly and provide exceptional service. The food is delicious. Highly recommend. We had the same waiter, Steve, several times and he is always friendly. He provides quick and attentive service.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
USD 10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
House Salad, Veal Parmigiana w Spaghetti and Homemade Meatballs, Cannoli, Penne Al Forno
Parking options
Free parking lot
Andrew Smith
17-06-2025
The place looks so beautiful and clean. The atmosphere and service is so inviting. The food was great and melted in your mouth. I felt like I was eating from the king's table. I will return for another plate! More
Yachai Reilly
08-06-2025
I would go back to Wildwood just for this restaurant. The food is delicious & portions are huge! The table next to us had eaten here 3 nights in a row. If you like Italian food, definitely try to get to this restaurant. Will be busy during the summer months, but well worth it if you need to wait. More
dan polin
14-05-2025
We have dined here in other years. This time we enjoyed it as always. Michell our server was fantastic and fun. I enjoyed the Tour of Italy pasta, which included the bread and salad. I read the reviews prior and saw some negative reviews, … More
Reviews Little Italy Restaurant