5 Stars What a fantastic experience at Apulia Risto Pizza in Franklin, NJ! I visited for dinner around 6:30 PM and ordered the Chicken Piccata with extra vegetables. The portion size was enormous--more than enough food, and as you can see from the pictures, the plate was packed with perfectly cooked pasta, tender chicken, and fresh vegetables. Everything was absolutely delicious. The vegetables were cooked al dente, the pasta was cooked perfectly, and the chicken was soft, flavorful, and prepared just right. You could tell the food was made fresh because it took a little time to come out, but it arrived hot and was well worth the wait. The service was exceptional. The ladies who took care of me were friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. They made the entire experience even better. For the price, I felt like I received five-star service and outstanding value. It's rare to find a restaurant that delivers both quality and generous portions at a reasonable price. Franklin may not be the first place people think of when choosing a restaurant, but Apulia Risto Pizza is truly a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much that I would gladly make the drive again, even if it's an hour from my home. Highly recommended, and I will definitely be back! read more

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My nephew and his fiancé came to visit. I took them to Apulia to celebrate their engagement. We had the best meal. We were seated as soon as we came in the door. We ordered appetizers of the focaccia, meatballs, and cauliflower. His fiancé is gluten free. They had appropriate selections for her to have a great meal. I had the stuffed pork loin special with spinach and mozzarella in a Demi glace. OMGoodness!!! So good. A must have going back. So good read more

Apulia Risto-Pizza - The happy engaged couple. - Italian Near Me - Franklin, New Jersey

We recently moved to Sussex County and discovered Apulia as we traveled back and forth between our previous home in Bergen county and our new place. Everything we've had at Apulia so far has been fantastic - and we LOVE that it's also BYOB. So far, we've had some great pizzas, really good chicken parm, wonderful salmon and also delicious sandwich's and slices for lunch. Highly recommend Apulia - great restaurant. read more

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I stopped into this restaurant for dinner! When I arrived I parked in their lot. I walked into a super cute BYOB restaurant! I was served by Shannon and she was great! I ordered: Cozze Marinara (Spicy mussels) Polpette al Sugo (Meatballs) Ruota di Focaccia Barese Gamberi Classici (Shrimp scampi linguini) Pollo alla Barese (Grilled chicken) The food was delicious but the meatballs were my favorite! This place was great all in all! read more

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We have been there a few times and it was a great experience but tonight was a bit of bullshit and I feel the need to share! We order the zucchini blossoms (or flowers) whatever they called them- I'm lucky enough to have had them many times in Italy and Italian restaurants. They are usually light and filled was ricotta cheese. The chef/owner came out to ask what was wrong - which I thought was nice until she said that she wasn't going to pay for the blossoms because that's the way they do it in itay! read more

Apulia is a fantastic place. A BYO but don't let that deter you from going here. Lunch & Dinner (and any pick up orders) are all amazing. We have gone here a couple times and every time we are greeted with super helpful staff with smiles & friendly faces. This visit, we decided to start with Stuffed Squash Flowers (super flavorful with ooey-gooey cheese), and Polpette al Sugo (amazingly light meatballs packed with flavor). Next up, we had the Chicken Sandwich Special and Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. The sandwich was ALL homemade and HUGE (soooooo good). The pasta was delicious. I am going to dream about it forever. Everything (and I mean everything) is fresh and homemade at Apulia. Love, care, and attention to detail go into all aspects of every dish - you can tell they love what they do!! As far as the location goes - they have a small take out section for those wanting grab-and-go, as well as a dining room off to the side (first come, first served, and no reservations). They also have a private dining space that you can reserve for parties, etc. We will keep coming back to Apulia -- even for repeat take orders -- their Pollo alla Parmigiana e Stracciatella is FREAKING amazing ... it puts ALL other chicken parms in the area to shame. read more

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A fantastic place to grab lunch or have a meal. They have a nice sit-down area and a take-out counter available. The pizza was to die for! You can tell they only use the freshest ingredients. My MIL and I had a great lunch here. The staff were very accommodating and we did not feel rushed. They have high chairs available for little ones and the dining area has sufficient space (though i wouldn't necessarily come in with a stroller). I can't wait to come back with my husband! read more

Apulia Risto-Pizza - GF eggplant parm - Italian Near Me - Franklin, New Jersey

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If you want a traditional, authentic Italian dining experience- this family- run restaurant is your spot. Apulia, Italy is known for focaccia and this place makes it the right way. They flew all the way to Italy, bought their focaccia pans there, went to their family's hometown and had the pans burned the traditional way. It's incredible. We tried both the red and white focaccia and loved them both. We also tried numerous other dishes that we loved. They make a lot of their own cheese and pastas in house. Service was great- fast, attentive, kind. The owner came out and talked to us, made us feel like family. read more

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We were very disappointed in our recent visit to Apulia. The seats by the front window are uncomfortably cold. When the hostess was seating us we asked not to be seated by the windows and she refused, and said she couldn't seat us anywhere else. The restaurant wasn't even 1/2 full. When we left the restaurant was still half empty. The pizza is just okay, the dough is chewy if that's what you like. We would've liked it with a little bit of a crisp. The Cacio e Pepe is pretty good, no complaints there. The waitresses are more interested in socializing behind the counter instead of waiting on their tables. Not worth the drive. read more

This dish, this place is AMAZING. The food is delicious and the atmosphere so delightful. What a wonderful experience. I can't say enough about this establishment. Don't walk just run to eat and Mangia. read more

Apulia Risto-Pizza - Antipasto al Forno this place this dish was amazing. The energy the people everything about this wonderful establishment is top notch. - Italian Near Me - Franklin, New Jersey

Focaccia is to die for!!! You need to order it. Wait staff was very nice. Nice dining room. Loved the eggplant rollatini and Cacio Pepe. Food was great, will definitely be back if I'm in the area. read more

Apulia Risto-Pizza - Chicken Francese - Italian Near Me - Franklin, New Jersey

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Excellent. The chicken special was outstanding. The shrimp parmigiana is excellent. Highly recommend

I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am that this place exists! Top notch quality food. Super yummy. Blows ALL the other restaurants out of the water! It's a little out of my way. But the food is just outstanding. Sometimes I go closer to home and the food is OK at the restaurant. And then I stopped back in this place and my taste buds are singing. My tummy is happy. Love this place. read more

Apulia Risto-Pizza - Antipasto Al Forno I ordered several yummy appetizers and meal. I also ordered the Taranto pizza OMG SOOOOO GOOOOD - Italian Near Me - Franklin, New Jersey

Nice place. Staff very nice and attentive. We got Clams for an appetizer which were a : at best. Too much bread crumbs and lemon,more garlic needed here. We both got Shrimp Scampi which had a good taste, but a mediocre serving amount. Small amount of linguini and 5 shrimp with tails still on. The scampi sauce was thick but was tasty with a little salt added. Overall we gave the meal a solid 5. Suggestion : bring the bread with olive oil and/or more butter if sauce. Make the appetizer appealing Work on the Scampi Sauce and make the meals larger. This way customers will have it to go home and come back with more people. read more

I had Apulia cater my husbands 50th birthday. I had not eaten here before, but it was highly recommended by one of our friends. One of the owners, Daniella, had helped me place my order, she let me know when she felt that I was ordering too much food. One of her recommendations was the focaccia and it definitely was a fan favorite. The food did not disappoint! The customer service and the friendliness of the staff and the owners was outstanding. It was probably the best vodka sauce that we had ever had. Everyone raved about the chicken Parm! As well as a fried calamari. We came here for dinner tonight. We were a group of 11 and our waitress Janell was fantastic! The food was extremely good. And I have to say the dessert was outrageously good. I got the Lemoncello ice cream and I would definitely get it again! I cannot wait to visit again soon. read more

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Delicious! Stopped here while traveling based on other reviews. We tried pasta and pizza. Everything was perfect. The ambiance in the restaurant is also nice for the location. We will definitely visit again if in the area! Service was wonderful - thank you! read more

The best Italian food in the area by far. Haven't had anything that I didn't absolutely love. Their pizza is the best around here by a long shot. The only complaint I have is that it took me too long to discover this place. Will be regulars for sure now. Can't recommend it enough. read more

I have ordered here a few times, we love their pizza. It's actually the only pizza I have ever eaten the crust. It's soft and flavorful. We love trying different pizzas from Apulia Risto. Staff are nice and patient. Service in the restaurant is pleasant. It's a welcomed restaurant to our area. Very happy to have them here and will continue to try the rest of their menu! read more

Great place! My family loved the food. More than ample portions. The staff was friendly and I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with the owner. Highly recommended. read more

We have nothing but amazing things to say about Apulia! We've eaten here 4 times so far and here's our honest review: -Absolutely delicious food, truly authentic Italian -Incredible service -Warm, inviting owners & staff -Beautiful space -BYOB (which we love) -Beautiful plates, very "instagram-worthy" Only downside we can think of is sometimes there's a wait because it gets so busy, especially on weekends... but that's just a testament to how truly delicious & amazing this place is! We'll keep coming back again & again! read more

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If you haven't tried this new local restaurant, you are missing out. The family run restaurant is clean and bright. The staff is helpful, welcoming and friendly. The menu has plenty of options for vegetarian diets and delicious focaccia bread made in an authentic Italian oven. The bread is crunchy and light and the serving is huge. The spicy chicken dish was outstanding. I wish I had more room in my stomach to eat more of it but it made for a wonderful lunch the next day. The salmon dish is presented like a work of art and was extremely flavorful. The staff answered questions and could offer recommendations. If you haven't tried it yet- add it to your must do list. read more

delicious food like Grandma used to make! Go, enjoy, we recommend this restaurant! Service is good...too. read more

By far the best Italian restaurant in Sussex area All home made pasta The service was great. I had homemade raviolis which were incredible. The limoncello dessert was out of this world. Don't forget to get the focaccia bread for apps and the calamari in lemon sauce. Nicest owners make you feel so welcomed. Brought my brother in law and sister who are not big foodies at all unlike me. They cannot wait to go back!! Cannot wait to go again!!! read more

Fabulous every time! BYOB. We always start with either the red or white focaccia. Both so good! I either get a chicken dish or the salmon. My son likes the pizza. My husband usually gets a seafood combo or pasta. Their food is fresh, always consistent, and they give nice portions! They don't take reservations for dinner and it gets packed early. They will put your name on a list. The staff is super friendly as well. Highly recommend this place. read more

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Very beautiful and modern restaurant with a great vibe and even better food! The service was great and super friendly with servers checking in frequently. They just opened so there was a bit of a wait but well worth it. I hope to continue to see them so busy that there is always a wait! :) It was a wonderful date night for my fiancé and I and we absolutely will be back. A very welcome addition to the area! read more

Apulia Risto-Pizza - Salmone Apulia & Lecce Pizza (zucchini, cheeses, breadcrumbs) - Italian Near Me - Franklin, New Jersey

Amazing food !! True authentic italian. Beautiful atmosphere, homemade pasta. & the staff is wonderful -- especially Janelle! read more

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People are incredibly nice. Ordered a large pepperoni ready in 20 minutes in. Saturday night. Pizza is amazing. Everything is fresh and homemade. Amazing place. I'm hooked read more

The food is authentic Italian and very delicious. The service is quick and ambience is a book of Italy, uncomfortable chairs. Homemade iced tea you pay for each place that you drink no free refills. read more

Food is amazing. Service is okay. Prices are a bit astronomical. $3.50 for a 6 oz (mostly ice) glass of soda? Yikes! Stick to water.

Apulia Risto-Pizza is what has been missing for years in our area. From the minute you walk in to the sparkling clean welcoming space, with perfect colors and details you know you have arrived at a special place. The staff is professional, and happy to explain the details of the menu items with pride. Rightfully so, because the food is made with sourced ingredients that are unmatched - imported exclusive olive oil brings the focaccia to a superior taste level. Mozzarella is made on site by one of the owners and elevates the flavor profile of everything it touches. We opted to share and try many different dishes, and each item we tried was spectacular. They are first come first served, and as the word is getting out it is busy on nights and weekends but they also do carry out. We will make a point to go days during the week to be sure to get a table. I can't wait to go again. read more

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Best Italian in Sussex County hands down. The focaccia is so good! It's cooked perfectly with a little crisp, fresh tomatoes, it's so light and refreshing. Had to eat a couple slices on the way home just because it's that good. I've had many pasta dishes here and they blow any other Italian spot around here out of the water. Fresh ingredients and a true chef make all the difference. The restaurant is a really pleasant spot to eat at too. The owner is a great guy and the staff are on point. Love this place. read more

Apulia Risto-Pizza - Focaccia - Italian Near Me - Franklin, New Jersey

I just can't see how going to place and literally spending $21 on 3 ice teas and then charging you for a refill. Give me a break, this is far from industry standard. Good bye! read more

I have found that the portions are like French restaurants-small, and I'm not a big eater. They had a "special" of rigatoni in a bread bowl for $29. The "bowl" was the size of a round roll with about a cup of rigatoni in it with some mozzarella and sauce. Ridiculous for the price. read more

In a state saturated with Italian food this place is a stand out ! The chef /owner appeared to be out everywhere. Greeting guests, clearing tables and then hidden cooking in the back. The staff were all attentive. The restaurant is clean and organized. It's a casual spot. But has a feeling that you could also have a romantic date night dinner too. Not sure what took me to long to try this place. It was busy ! But we only had to wait 15 mins. (Posted on Google too) read more

I can't pass Apulia without stopping in to eat something Even for a slice of pizza or a full meal It's the best food for 35 miles The service and ambiance are just as good read more

Went for the first time last fall. Excellent experience. Service was exceptional, food was great and prices reasonable. Had a nice atmosphere. Ample parking read more

We ordered take out for a group of 15 one of which has a serious peanut/tree nut allergy. Everyone we spoke with were genuinely engaged in making sure we were comfortable with the pizza and other food ordered. When we picked up, staffed helped bring the food to the car and pointed out the one item (pesto) that might have pine nuts. They used a red sharpie on that bag. Totally awesome. Oh, the food is really good too. read more

Tried dinner here for the second time. My hubs got meat lasagna and I got eggplant rollatini with vodka sauce. We hade 2 appetizers burrata and whipped ricotta. Food was good but lacked flavor and was served only lukewarm. I was charged an up charge for requesting vodka sauce instead of marinara. We were also charged for drink refills. Mine total was $7 for 2 seltzers. Our bill was close to $100 and portions were pretty small. Glorified pizzeria. read more

O U T S T A N D I N G ! ! Don't be fooled by the small strip shop location, Apulia Risto-Pizza serves the best/fresh, well-prepared Italiano in the area! The Zuppa Di Pesche was piping hot & delizioso, the Cavatelle was flavorful and perfectly al dente, and the Bari specialty small pizza was perfetto! Lastly, the service was attentive, friendly & swift!! This place is only open for a few weeks, and doesn't accept reservations, so... if you have to wait for a table, just know it's well worth it!! read more

Apulia is one of the best Italian restaurants in NJ! We were greeted with a warm welcome and while it was a little busy, we were seated as soon as they had a table. Once the food came out, it was warm, fresh, and so delicious! We also ordered desert, which not to mention was incredible. From the atmosphere, amazing service, or the excellent food, I definitely plan on returning to Apulia soon! read more