On business travel to NJ, looked for a place to grab dinner after checking into our hotel, Navona shows up on Yelp with good reviews...Never steered me wrong yet! Very nice upscale atmosphere without being "stuffy", the owner/manager stopped by our table before we'd ordered our main course and asked how things were going and did we have any questions. One of the guys in our group asked about a menu item "broccoli rabbe", well we got the explanation that it was a local specialty and like broccoli with more leaves and bitter flavor, then he offers to bring some out to try! So off he goes, and returns with a plate full of sautéed broccoli rabbe(butter/garlic), and it was fabulous, he said "my treat"! We had 2 appetizers, the ravioli and the baratta, both were very good and hard to share (although my table-mates didn't seem as crazy for the baratta as I was) It's made with 2 different kinds of roasted beets (red and golden) and topped with mozzarella and balsalmic vinegar. A hint of sweetness from the beets added to the overall dish. Very good. For dinner everyone was very happy with their meals (2 pasta dishes, a seafood (grouper), and I had the veal saltimbocca. Everything was exquisitely prepared and full of flavor. The service was very attentive and cheerful. I would go back for sure! read more

Caffe Navona - Roasted beets (red/golden) smothered in Buratta cheese with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Appetizer from the nightly specials insert. - Italian Near Me - Rockaway, New Jersey

Great Italian food with a nice atmosphere. They have takeout. Service was a bit whe eating in.

We tried place for my future daughter-in-law's Birthday. Bigger than you think. The 5 of us had an incessant dinner. Give you bread and Bruschetta to start.Appetizers, entrees and dessert were all excellent. Service as very good. Didn't rush us to order or eat. We will definitely be back! read more

We met good friends at this wonderful Italian restaurant. It's location is right on art 46 Beautiful decor and was gracious welcome by owner. Drinks were great and nice size. Everyone had different entrees and all were great. Desserts were also awesome. Will definitely return! read more

This is a wonderful restaurant with a lovely ambiance. The food and service are excellent. I highly recommend this establishment.

Had a great meal. Grilled sausage was excellent, chicken wrapped in prosciutto, lightly breaded in a lemon butter sauce was excellent. The owner was very pleasant, took our coats, seated us and checked on our table. My wife had the tuna special and she liked it a lot. All in all, a nice night. read more

Very good Italian food. Enjoyed my dinner there. Great for private parties. It was very reasonable and the bar area is very nice.

Our office has a going away lunch here today. Food and service was absolutely first rate. My chicken parm was beautiful and scrumptious. A big portion with superb red sauce. Can't wait to come back. read more

This place came recommend to me so I decided I would come out to see what the hype was about ! It was a Monday night which I thought would be quite but the patio area was full !! There was a musician playing some music (not to loud) which created the perfect ambiance for the evening. The Staff greeted us with big friendly smiles and brought us to a beautiful table at the outside patio. There was outdoor heaters if it got chilly but they weren't need last night. The portion size was generous and food and wine was delicious ! Highly recommend!! read more

Great as always. Drinks were very good pasta fresh. Never a wait for your table. And piano music as well!!

Outstanding restaurant inside & out! The ambiance is relaxed & fun feeling that makes you want to stay awhile & enjoy yourself. The owner Marco & his staff are attentive to your needs & so friendly. The extension Italian menu will not disappoint. Complimentary bread & bruschetta was a nice touch. Live piano playing to listen to. The meal was delicious! We enjoyed glasses of wine, I didn't take pictures of the food because we were having so much fun! We ate Burrata Caprese, a shrimp dish I forgot the name, Veal Saltimbocca, tuna over salad & finished with lemoncello cake & coffees. Can't wait to go back! read more

Fabulous restaurant for couples and groups. Food is great and Marco is a great host. Best Selection of fine dishes in the area. We had a bridal shower there and everyone enjoyed the food and ambiance! Also has a great outdoor patio area. read more

Excellent service, delicious food, pleasant atmosphere, and the owner, Marco is a gracious host. We are three retired educators, one from Pennsylvania, one from Rockland County, and one from New Jersey, every year we meet for lunch and we intend to continue this tradition! read more

Fantastic!!! Always a memorable dinner. The staff is superb! I'm always delighted to make plans to visit!

Bad food. Poorly prepared entries that could only consciously be made by persons that do not know what Italian food is supposed to look and taste like. If you dare to test my hypothesis, sample the Three Bears shrimp risotto. It has to be made by someone that thinks risotto is Italian for porridge; I'm guessing baby bear. Even Goldi Locks would have said this isn't al dente that's for sure. It was like left over mashed potatoes completely hidden in a mystery sauce. What is completely not understandable is that the place is crowded. I've been there twice and all four entries were uneatable. Need to send ufologist to investigate this unexplained phenomena. read more

A great Ambiance! People were friendly and nice.The bar had some good wines and overall a great place. I will certainly visit again.

This by far the best Italian restaurant within 25 miles. Top class food in a lovely setting. The ambience and atmosphere makes you feel good. The staff is attentive and Marco the owner is so nice. I have tried many restaurants but now I just say why bother? This is the gold standard. I have never had a bad meal but the Veal Cordon Bleu, often a special, is my all time favorite. The mushroom risotto is the best I have ever had. Everything is great and there are always good choices. I would be a miss if I did not mention the beautiful bar and outside patio on a nice night with nightly entertainment. Caffe Navona is a dining destination. You will not be disappointed. read more

This place was silky amazing. Live music. Incredible food. Wonderful atmosphere. Quality staff and bartenders. Couldn't believe how good the Osso Buco was. You must go here. Prices were insanely affordable and had a great wine list. read more

Excellent food and ambiance. There was live guitar music which was a huge plus. Great place for "good eats" and for a great atmosphere. Good place for a date! read more

I've been coming to this restaurant for years, even had my bridal shower there. Because of COVID-19, they're doing just takeout and I've been impressed with the customer service as well as the food. Even taking it in stride with a social media presence. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of my previous experiences (When you're ravenous, you forget) but I can def show you all how my takeout was prepared for perfection, from even taking it out of its box and putting it on a plate. Thank you for staying open as I will always support you guys and thank you for supporting healthcare workers and all essential workers as well. read more

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I would've given a better rating, but there is one major issue with this place that I thought was a fluke the first time I experienced it, but it seems to be a constant. I want to start off by saying, the food is always consistently tasty and I've never had a bad meal, hence the 3 stars, however the last two times I've been (both a Friday night), the Bartender has been HORRENDOUS. The first time my fiancé and I sat at the bar to eat. The bartender, an older woman maybe in her mid 40's, greets us, we order beers, she does not offer us food menus. It wasn't particularly busy at the time, but the restaurant was at 80% capacity I'd say, and after some time of trying to get her attention we ask for a menu. We decide on what to eat, and are ready to order. After a few minutes of waiting to place our food order, we can see the bartender hanging out at the end of the bar chatting with a server, and then we see them taking shots.. all the while a different server is behind the bar cleaning HER dishes. We finally order our food and as time goes on we witness her consuming more and more alcohol, and she has become visibly intoxicated. It was pretty uncomfortable. I would also like to add she was dressed like she had just come from the gym (athletic tank top, yoga pants, and sneakers). For a restaurant that charges $30+ per entree, you'd expect a bit of professionalism from the staff, or for them to at least have their armpits covered, ick. Our next experience with this bartender was this past Friday night. We are with another couple so there were four of us. There was a bit of a wait (20 minutes) so we decide to order a drink in the meantime. We approach the bar, she is in the middle of making drinks for service bar, but she says hello and tells us she'll be right with us.. after she finishes her service bar ticket, she pulls another off the machine, makes that ticket, and then another, and another, and another. We were waiting 10 minutes at this point while she continues to make service bar tickets even though the servers aren't even there to retrieve all of these drinks she pumping out.. I've worked in the restaurant industry for 10 years, and a bartender for 6 of those. And as a bartender, you should always make sure the guests that are standing in front of you are being taken care of first. It's CLEAR she is unable to prioritize tasks, and handle the volume of covers the restaurant does on a busy night. It doesn't help that she was most likely intoxicated as well. After being ignored for 15 minutes, I tell my Fiancé to walk away because I am PISSED at this point and I don't want to have to tip this woman. Luckily, we are seated within 2 minutes. Out of frustration with the atrocious service I had just experienced, I suggest to everyone at the table they should order the most complicated cocktail they can think of, LOL. Petty I know, but hilarious. So I order an espresso martini, everyone else orders some type of martini or cocktail from the menu. Mind you, before this happened we were all going to get beer and wine. Anyway, I digress. Well, joke was on me because my espresso martini didn't even have espresso in it.. and it was 60% Baileys.. Gross. Tasted like a Yoohoo. My fiancé wouldn't let me send it back, ugh. Food was great though, server was a sweetheart. Moral of the story is, I will not be going to Cafe NaVonna on a Friday night ever again and neither should you. Hopefully this lady gets fired because she is BAD for business. Ciao read more

Great Food, You Can Taste The Homemade Love In Every Bite. The Service Was Impeccable. Just A Great Experience. Make A Reservation As Others Are Aware Of This Gem Of A Location. read more

My husband and I stopped in the night before Easter. We just happened to be in town and it was close. We were asked if we made reservations which we had not. The owner came by and explained that he was completely booked. After hearing we weren't local, he decided to accommodate us because we didn't know where else to go. OMG, we were so lucky! The food was incredibly delicious. We started with the eggplant fritters, they looked like nice sized meatballs! We loved them. My husband had the pork chop with peppers, onions, and potatoes. He said it was probably the best tasting pork chop he ever had. It was cooked perfectly. I had the shrimp risotto which I loved. Risotto cooked right on point and the shrimp were as well. I forgot the mention they provide you with complementary bruschetta before the meal! The ambiance was lovely, we sat by the bar and even though it was loud, they had a guitarist playing some great music. It is about 45 minutes away, but we are already planning to return-with reservations!! Thank you, Juan Carlos and Marco!! read more

Delicious food! Your escape from the daily grind and relax on the piazza or in the romantic indoor restaurant. Piano player everyday. Hidden gem of Rockaway. read more

The best restaurant in Morris County! The owner, Marco is a wonderful person. The staff is fantastic! The food is delicious abd the desserts are decadent! Can't go wrong experiencing Caffe Navona!! read more

We came as strangers but left feeling like family! Food, service and ambiance were perfect. Marco, the owner, leads a great team. Marco, Allison, Evan and Jill treated us like we had been regular customers for years. The short ribs were best I've ever had and the veal saltimboca was delicious. Great music rounded out a great date night. Thank you! read more

Food is excellent ! Service is also . Having my daughters bridal shower here in April !

Service was terrible, drinks piled up, calamari was pure rubber, veal franchise was ok at best, pizza was mediocre, desert they messed up, forgot 2 out of 4 coffees and could not get anyone's attention. We won't be back. read more

Moved to Rockaway during the pandemic and had been eagerly awaiting return to one of our favorite pastimes; going out to eat. We heard such positive reviews of Caffe Navona we knew this would be our first outing. The glowing reviews were spot on! This restaurant is a gem!!! We opted to sit outside on their lovely deck which let us hear the wonderful live music. Fresh air, twinkling lights, flowers, fellow diners nicely spread out just made us feel happy. Food was excellent!!! Great presentation and very generous portions. Crab cakes were flavorful and meaty over delicious risotto. Had to take half home. Montebianco steak was amazing. Splurged on tiramisu and took half home too. Sammy was delightful and took great care of us. Marco, the owner stopped by to greet us and checked back later to bring us dessert and make sure our visit was a good one. While it's clear there are many regular patrons (always a great sign) these newcomers felt very welcome and included in the festive atmosphere. We can't wait to return! read more

Charming place good food and service! I always enjoy going there, especially when they have lobster rolls.

one word....amazing! best food ever! I recommend this to anyone who wants to have a nice dinner!

Yelp- You need to allow us to give additional 1/2 star ratings. Sometimes deciding between 3-4 starts can be difficult, so having this option would be beneficial. Thanks. Anyway, first time at Caffe Navona last night, and the positive reviews are warranted. Some crafty and creative dishes (eggplant fritter appetizer for example is fabulous), as well as the calamari with Mango Thai sauce. I believe that may have been a special, and if so, should become a menu staple. The sauce was so flavorful with a nice touch of heat, and the calamari was cooked to perfection! What I really loved though was the ambience. The staff is very attentive and friendly, yet Caffe Navona is really inviting. There was a very talented guitarist playing in the bar area as well, which was a nice site to see (and hear) while stepping outside for a break from the meal. I've heard mixed reviews from others about Caffe Navona, however I give them a solid 3 1/2 stars. Their menu is enjoyable to review, the dishes we had were all favorably received, and the wait time for service was on point. Would absolutely return! Thanks Caffe Navona. read more

I love Caffe Navona. The staff is super friendly and family run which I like. On Saturdays they have piano player which is a nice touch. Seriously if you close your eyes, make a wish, and think of a great N.J. Italian restaurant and then open them, you'll be seated at Caffe Navona. This night we have Spiedinni which was like a delicious grilled cheese and prosciutto sandwich in a light tomato broth. I had the Sunday gravy which is on the menu and very tasty and filling . My daughter had the chicken special which was a bone in chicken breast , chicken Marsala style. We finished with their home made cannoli which is to die for. Also their homemade bruschetta is delicious so you'll end up with two servings of bread just to get an extra serving of bruschetta I'd give it 4.5 if Yelp let me. If you are in the area and looking for a great classic Italian , make sure to visit Caffe Navona. read more

Food and service is fabulous. Best Italian restaurant I've found since moving to Rockaway.

Husband had the meatball hero and I had chicken parmigiana. Both were incredible. It took a long time and there is no lunch menu. No salad is served with the entree. But again the food was absolutely delicious. Great atmosphere. But no one even acknowledged us on our way out read more

Every single member of the staff was attentive and friendly. They were accommodating to my dad seating him nearest to the entrance and restrooms because he uses a walker. The food was wonderful, but it was the caring staff that really made it such a pleasant dining experience. read more

It just never comes up short. Continued great food and service, yes you should make a reservation~but with these mild days in Oct they still have outside eating. 2021 and holding tight w being a great place to eat, meet friends and relax. read more

Excellent food, great service. Parking can be a challenge on busy nights. Fantastic owner. Love sitting outside. Wish beer list was better.

Nice little hidden gem, first time here and it's amazing. The staff is extremely friendly especially Jill the bartender. The food was top notch!!! I highly recommend it ! read more

A friend of mine went here for lunch and just raved and raved about it. So, of course, I had to try it out. I met a girlfriend for a night out during the dine outdoor only Covid time. The tables were well spaced, the cleanliness was noticeable. The best was that they have live music every night they are open and the French Fig martinis. They are soooooo good. Yes, that good. They have so many delicious sounding menu items. We went with the balsamic calamari which was the best I have ever eaten. For my main course, I had crab cakes on risotto. Perfection! The dinner was so good, I had to take the hubs 2 weeks later. Everything was as perfect as the first visit. But, I have an issue. My first meal there was so good, I can't imagine eating anything different! So yes, it was repeated. The only add on was the limoncello cake, omg. As you can read, this place is awesome. I do recommend a reservation. Also, they have a very large outdoor area that feels secluded versus Morristown spots or a wide open parking lot. read more