Absolutely fantastic food, wonderful service, and just a great overall experience. There are both inside and outside areas to sit (including a really cool back yard seating area as well). Wife was looking for a new local spot to try and she came upon Popolari. We live in Nutley and hadn't heard of this place yet (granted, there are a ton of great Italian spots in the area). Menu looked great so we made the short trip over. Super glad we did, now! To start, we had some delicious vegetarian arancini (cheese and mushrooms) with a delicious truffle butter sauce. Absolutely superb! So rare to find anyone doing vegetarian arancini (my wife is vegetarian). I'd get this again next time for sure. For our meals, we split a Margherita pizza and the Popolari Gnocci. The pizza was delicious. Great sauce, the fresh mozz was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the crust. The Gnocci was also wonderful. The fresh burrata wasn't skimpy and I really enjoyed the pistachio pesto. They also have a number of fresh sangrias and a small wine list, but we didn't partake this time. Would love to do a pitcher next time! Highly recommended and we can't wait to go back! read more

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No clue what happened to this place. I used to really enjoy their food but the last two times I went have been a disappointment. I went for dinner last week, and from start to finish it was a rough experience. First, their AC was out during a heatwave, and I didn't see any clear signage about this, nor did the staff mention anything. My party and I discussed leaving, but we all really wanted pasta and decided to stay. But man was it HOT. The waiter who took our order was really lovely! We started with a pitcher of red sangria, meatballs, and a seafood platter to start. The sangria was extremely bitter, and the seafood was under-seasoned and the calamari overcooked. The meatballs were tasty, so that was a plus For my main, I ordered the carbonara, which I have had in the past and enjoyed. The waiter noted that instead of the egg (as indicated on the menu) they use heavy cream. I didn't see an issue with it as I thought it would just be used to thicken up the sauce. I was not expecting the pasta to be drenched in heavy cream sauce like a soup. It was just too milky and too heavy. I figured I could take it home and make some adjustments for lunch the next day. But the pasta actually made me sick that night, so I threw away the leftovers. As for the other entrees in our group (Spaghetti Alle Vongole and Chicken Francese) they were given an "it's okay" reaction. Sad to say I have to take Popolari off my list of places to get dinner in Bloomfield. read more

This is such a cute place! The restaurant is small, but it has a lovely outdoor seating area. We visited on a beautiful, breezy day, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The menu is extensive, in the best way possible. Everything sounded delicious, and it was hard not to want to order one of everything! We were a party of 12, and they accommodated us immediately. The service was excellent and very attentive throughout our visit. Every dish we ordered tasted homemade and was packed with flavor. The kids' pizza is actually a full-sized pizza, making it perfect for sharing if you have toddlers. They also had a projector showing the World Cup game, which added to the fun atmosphere. We will definitely be coming back! read more

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Love love Popolari! Been here countless times. This chef doesn't miss. The carbonara is incredible. The vibe is like you're in soho NYC. Service is good Food amazing & consistent & love the atmosphere. read more

Absolutely incredible Italian food. Probably #1 in New York and New Jersey. Great location in Bloomfield, lots to eat near by. The interior makes you feel like you're in Italy. Decor is rustic and cozy. They started us off with bruschetta which was delicious, garlicky and fresh. The Caesar salad was delicious, the dressing was umami with tons of crispy clean lettuce and shaved Parmesan. For the main course we ordered the fungi (assorted mushroom) and truffle pizza. All sorts of mushrooms from cremini to Woodward. The truffle sauce was to die for. The dough is beautifully made and light. The vodka pasta with chicken was amazing as well, which fresh grilled chicken. For dessert we ordered the tiramisu, which was unreal. Top to bottom, phenomenal service, incredible flavors. read more

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Very good traditional Italian. Service was meh, but will def go back again! Had Caesar ( creamy/lemony), Chicken Parm, and a pasta dish.

Absolutely incredible experience at Popolari. I am gluten-free and was absolutely overjoyed when I heard they make HOMEMADE gluten-free pasta. The food is absolutely incredible. I haven't stopped thinking about the Nonna pasta and I've been raving to all my friends. They offer a wide array of options and there's something for everyone. FRESH ingredients are used here, everything was light and simple. You can taste the quality! The service is fantastic as well, very attentive and kind wait staff. The atmosphere is so cute, it's a very cozy spot. This place is perfect for a celebration or a romantic date spot! Any time of day would be a lovely option as they have ample outdoor seating and large windows. Cannot wait to visit again, this will definitely become a regular spot!! This is a MUST VISIT for anyone gluten intolerant. Thank you so much Popolari! read more

The vibe really matches family run restaurants in Italy. It is on the cramped side and I wouldn't go here without a reservation or with a large group. It's "city cramped" inside. Service can be hit or a miss, but the food never does. The pasta, small plates, and mains are excellent. Really excellent pasta. So good I haven't been able to bring myself to order the pizza to try, and I rarely order pasta when I'm out. read more

Penne Vodka was 9/10 well made. Very flavorful and was the highlight of the meal. Caeser Salad was soggy The pizza looked and tasted great but needed a little more cook time to give a nice crisp. Avoiding ordering an Iced Tea because I don't know what I received and it tasted horrible. read more

Popolari - The iced Tea in question. I did taste it and it was nasty. It was definitely Tea but wayyy to concentrated. - Italian Near Me - Bloomfield, New Jersey

This place is underrated in my opinion. I'm very surprised it's not packed when I go. They're spicy vodka sauce with chicken cutlet, and fresh Parm grated on top is delicious! I believe I've been here three times and once the pasta was unsalted, which is why I knocked off a star, but overall a really solid spot and I recommend you check it out. The staff is also very friendly. The place gives very cozy vibes and is a great date night spot. read more

Popolari - Fried Burrata - Italian Near Me - Bloomfield, New Jersey

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I was thoroughly impressed with Popolari. The restaurant is not large, but they've done a fabulous job with clever decor, eye catching wall art, exemplary service, and delicious food. I can't give enough kudos to our Server, Peter. He welcomed us with open arms and treated us like family, from start to finish. We started with the Meatballs and they were very good. They were served in a small cast iron pan and it contained enough sauce to cover all three meatballs with every forkful. The Gnocci, with pesto....I was told... was the best they've had. We shared a Margherita Pizza and it was amazing. The sauce was sweet and they graciously added a good amount of basil. Even the bill was presented in an Italian passport holder.....a nice touch. During the warm months, you'll be able to dine in their front patio or at the other outdoor area, at the rear of the restaurant. I look forward to more memorable meals at Popolari and highly recommend it to every Yelper. read more

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This place was just not great. The bolognese tasted strange and they were blasting loud music. There was some sort of movie playing with captions on and there was a lot profanity. Waiter was very nice through. Overall would not recommend. read more

The food was decent, but nothing memorable enough to make me want to return, especially considering the service experience. I understand it was Mother's Day and naturally a busy occasion, but the restaurant itself is fairly small, and we were actually the only table seated outside. We had requested indoor seating since it had started raining when we arrived, though thankfully it only ended up drizzling. Overall, we were there for about two hours, and the pacing of the meal was extremely slow. There was a long wait between the first course and the main course, and by the end of the meal, dessert was taking so long that we eventually asked for it to be packed to go. During the entire two-hour visit, our waitress only checked on us about two or three times. Unfortunately, mediocre food combined with slow and inattentive service doesn't leave much reason for me to come back. read more

One of the best Italian restaurants my friends and I have been to, and we live in nyc. First off the restaurant itself is not too large but the ambiance is dark and romantic neutral. We were seated quickly and were given bruschetta to munch on before our entrees. We got the calamari which was delicious as well as the Margherita pizza. I ordered the truffle pasta with grilled salmon, the truffle pasta was nothing short of truffle pasta and the salmon was grilled perfectly. We also got the gnocchi, carbonara and spicy rigatoni, they were all delicious and cooked perfectly. The portions were also generous. Our server Kristen was the best, super sweet and quick!! Also shoutout to the guy with the scorpion tattoo, he was very friendly! We were celebrating a friend's birthday and their celebration was absolutely exciting! Bella Ciao! read more

Popolari - Mafaldine E Fungi Truffel - Italian Near Me - Bloomfield, New Jersey

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Italian restaurant with an interior design like a bar. A unique layout that is casual cool and differs from most Italian restaurants. The spicy vodka is phenomenal. Pasta was aldenre and the crispy chicken cutlet was just that, perfectly crispy. Missed a tad bit of salt but overall a great meal. Special shoutout as well to the fried burrata, as well, a special for the day that was particularly good. Service could be better though which led to 4 stars. read more

Popolari - Fried Burrata - Italian Near Me - Bloomfield, New Jersey

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An amazing hidden gem, in the heart of Bloomfield, which is now serving up brunch every day! But the meatballs are by far still my favorite thing here as well as the fresh made pasta! read more

Popolari - Italian Near Me - Bloomfield, New Jersey

We always have the best experience at Popolari. One night, the owner walked around offering everyone sangria on the house and was talking and getting to know his customers. The food is always incredible and the servers are always so friendly and helpful when it comes to making decisions on what to eat. My favorite local spot! read more

Love this new find in Bloomfield. Delish food in a lovely and bright setting with outdoor eating options, as well. Portions were great, pricing good. How have I not ever noticed this darling gem. BYOB is always a plus...... read more

Popolari - Menu - Italian Near Me - Bloomfield, New Jersey

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The place, service , food 11/10 Completely retro vibe and prices are reasonable Every corner is curated thoughtfully Such a great spot in NJ A TRUE hidden gem Best Italian spot read more

Popolari is my favorite Italian restaurant in the area. The food is top tier, everything that I've tried there has exceeded my expectations. The vodka pasta was my favorite, with the fried rice ball with cheese inside coming in as a close second. I have not tried the pizza yet but I'm sure I will soon, as it looks amazing. The decor is beautiful, and they have a gorgeous outdoor seating area for when the weather is nice. read more

Popolari - Outside - Italian Near Me - Bloomfield, New Jersey

So far have been here twice within a week ! Their lamb pop appetizers are so good. We ordered a personal cheese pizza & a personal Bianca (white pie). I also ordered their fried burrata. SO GOOD. It's pesto injected, and comes with two crostinis. I used the left over sauce on the plate to dip my pizza crust in! They have an exclusive drink called Egyptian Hibiscus. You must order this. By the late afternoon, it's gone! We chose their vanilla crème brûlée to end dinner. Perfect tap/crack through of the torched sugar on top. Chef's kiss. The atmosphere gives real Italy vibes (although I never been to Italy. Yet !). The decor and all. The long window opens to the outside for the brunch feel. The parking is either street parking or a small parking lot located in the rear of the businesses. It is BYOB, there is a liquor store two stores down! They also offer their own set of wines as well. Great place to bring family & friends, or even a date night! read more

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Cute little Italian restaurant! The food is DELICIOUS and service impeccable! The pizza! The bread! The pasta! The seafood!! All so yummy! read more

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This place is so good and so much fun, even the Montclair crowd crosses over the border. Always a bit of a crowd, this place is, well fun! If you're really lucky, you may be treated to special effects which may just include a fog machine. Now while the pizza looks utterly amazing, dig into the just right calamari and nibble on an amazing garlic knot. But the star of the night was....Chicken Parmesan like none other! Not only is the cutlet breaded to perfection, it's marinated in the most delectable spices that tickles the taste buds. read more

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Nice people. Good service. But I have to say, terrible food. It's not easy to run a restaurant. I'm not trying to trash anybody. But the linguini was overcooked and stuck together in a lump. Odd flavors. Expensive. Unpleasant. I've eaten here before. And I said, "I don't need to go back." I should've listened to myself. read more

Ordered a pizza and calamari as takeout. Pizza was just okay and the calamari was under-seasoned and a bit soggy. Really disappointing considering some of the rave reviews. read more

I love spicy Vodka, i recommend Popolari 100%. Great food, professional service. The owner was very helpful and the team of workers were excellent. read more

This place definitely earned their 5 stars from me! My friend wanted to have dinner and found this spot, I'm so glad she did! The ambience is nice, the music is just perfect for the place and the food! THE FOOD! we ordered mushroom truffle pizza and I think it's the best thing I've ever had! The owner is such a wonderful person, he took the time to greet us and make us feel at home. The staff is amazing, they're kind, efficient, fast and they don't come to your table every 5 minutes to interrupt our meals. That for me, is a bonus! I guess I couldn't get enough, I brought my dad as well. He loved every second of it. He got the chef's special which was pasta and other meats, and I ordered a salmon with mashed potatoes. Get the Egyptian hibiscus lemonade btw, it's delicious! Thank you for your hospitality and delicious food! read more

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This is the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to. The food is absolutely delicious, the ambience is warm and cozy and the staff keeps us coming back every single time. Our server Karina, is always attentive to making sure we have the best experience. I can't say enough good things about this place! read more

Each and every visit to Popolari is incredible. The staff is attentive and wonderful. Armando goes above and beyond to ensure that all customers always have a perfect dining experience. I have dined here dozens of times, placed countless catering orders and have even thrown private events in the Bloomfield location. Doesn't get better than Popolari! read more

I have mixed feelings about this place. Cute ambiance, great decor, and food is okay. Nothing out of this world spectacular. The service is lack luster, new people in and out. Eggplant parm is nothing but cheese and the spicy rigatoni isn't consistent at all. It tastes different every time you go and it's def not spicy. Pizza is so cheesy the cheese falls off when eating. Great meat balls and calamari, parpadelle bolognese is good but nothing to rave about. It's just okay, so I give it three stars! The vibe is just off sometimes, especially when you hear workers and owners arguing with one another. Fanny's down the street has better food and their service is great! read more

It was my first time here. I really enjoyed my experience. We ordered the meatballs, carbonara, eggplant rolotini, the the lamb. The food was really good, the service was also pretty good. The servers were coming around often to ask us if we were okay. The music was a bit loud but the decor is super cute. Very Summery read more

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I'm honestly surprised at the low ratings here. This was my second time visiting and had a great experience both times. I will say the wait staff is young so maybe they don't have as much experience, but I didn't have any problems with them. I got the spicy vodka pasta and added a meatball. The meatball was really good, super moist and flavorful. The calamari and mussels were as expected as well. The outdoor seating felt very tropical, didn't feel like we were in Bloomfield :) Restaurant is BYOB so before we went in we walked down the street to a liquor store that was super close by. read more

Popolari - Spicy Vodka Pasta & Meatball - Italian Near Me - Bloomfield, New Jersey

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I give this place a 3.5. It's a super cute place they did a great job with esthetics makes you feel like you left the city. The staff are all very nice you can tell they knew or in training but still super nice. Food overall was good. I tried the caprese salad, ask for more balsamic vinaigrette bc it's only on the top. The truffle mushroom aracini was soooo good def recommend (the rice has a Spanish flavor to it). I also had the picky rigatoni pasta with breaded chicken. The pasta wasn't really spicy at all and the chicken was cooked well but needed more flavor. The place is byob so don't forget to bring some wine. read more

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Very nice neighborhood restaurant my son and I came for Monday afternoon lunch. The service was very good. The food was great. We had small arugula salad, which was delicious with blue cheese dressing. I had the eggplant Parmesan sandwich and he had a meatball sandwich. Both were excellent and delicious. read more

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Shortages aside, there's was only one waitress for the entire place and the manager just told people where to sit just standing around the entire time not helping his one waitress. He was overly not inviting or friendly and kind of tainted this review. The waitress was nice and friendly clearly overworked but that's not her fault. I don't know if she was new but she had some opportunities to improve but I'm not holding that against her. The food was mediocre. My family ordered the pappardelle bolognese, penne vodka with chicken and I had the lasagna. Everything was just OK nothing special and everything lacked salt and that extra something. The lasagna's only saving grace was this layer of crunchy cheese but other then that was fairly bland and ordinary. The penne vodka was just missing inspiration and just tasted like run of the mill pizzeria penne vodka. The pappardelle was the best thing and even that was just eh. Food wise there are way better choices in the immediate area, Montclair and Nutley are far better choices. The decor is great though they nailed the theme and the music was great but that a great meal does not make. Cheers. read more

Popolari - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Bloomfield, New Jersey

Love this place ask for Victor B amazing food and cozy atmosphere . Feels like I'm really in Italy read more

Popolari - Italian Near Me - Bloomfield, New Jersey

Wondered in here on a sleepy Sunday afternoon after having walked a bit too far in Brookdale park with 3 kiddos from Upper Montclair. Was pleasantly surprised by both cuisine, atmosphere and prices. Pizza: Whenever I'm in a new place I usually order Margherita since it's the simplest thing to judge and fairly easy to screw up. Margherita here was fantastic with great balance of sauce, cheese and basil. Crust was puffy but not explosive with great texture. Definitely worthy of "Napolitano" label. Choice of sauce for dipping the crust is a great addition that I've never seen anywhere before. Creative, and my kids loved it. Pasta: My kids split a Pappardelle Bolognese which tasted great and the pasta felt proper Al Dente. First time I've ever seen them finish the whole plate of pasta and leave a clean plate. Beverages: this place stocks a good selection of wine by the half bottle at extremely reasonable prices, i.e. less than what some places charge by the glass. For once, it's nice not to worry about BYOB hassle. To summarize I'll end with a quote from my kids: "This is the best Italian I've ever had". "But, Damien, I make Napolitano pies too? - Yes, this one is better" read more

Good food with nice ambiance! Would recommend to friends. Highly recommend Karina as a server. Myself and Mike Otto had a great time.

Guys the mushroom truffle pasta is SO GOOD and the portion is massive!! (Which is great because it was $26 but the leftovers the next day was awesome). The place is very small but we were there on a Monday night so we were able to get seated for 5 of us. Our waiter Victor was also so sweet! read more

Popolari is a little hidden gem in Bloomfield, NJ nestled in between several other eateries on Broad St. I've eaten at them all and can tell you that Popolari left quite the impression on me. I can not wait to go back! There are so many mouth watering items on their menu and I must try them all! My take on this very fresh, made to order cuisine was Italian with touches of Middle Eastern & Mediterranean flair. It's a BYO and they also sell home made bottles of their own wines. I will be trying their wine next time I go. It's quaint and cozy with a well traveled, old world feel and decor. The lighting is perfect for the space and creates an intimate and most comfortable atmosphere for a table of 2 or 10. Every thing my husband and I ordered was off the charts delicious starting with the Americano salad which was super fresh and refreshing. The very simple yet depth of flavor of the EVOO, fresh lemon juice and fresh parsely dressing was so dip-able! The lollipop lamb chops with tahini dipping sauce were to die for! Our entree's were specials that evening; pork osso bucco over risotto and 8oz lobster tail over fresh fettuccine w/ charred lemon in scampi sauce. Both dishes were ridiculously delicious. For dessert we had the zeppole fondu for 2 w/ melted hazelnut chocolate and 2 tasty cappuccino's. Perfect ending to an already perfect meal! Our waiter knew the menu inside out, how all the food was prepared and what ingredients were used. He was down to earth, polite and very helpful. We met the chef/owner before leaving so we could compliment him on his amazing cooking. He was also very friendly and down to earth. Really nice to talk to. The check at the end of the meal was in a passport. It was adorable and went with the whole theme of the restaurant. Nice touch! This is the cleanest and most organized restaurant I have ever been in. If you haven't heard of Popolari or eaten here yet, you need to!!!! You are missing out on an exceptional culinary experience. Your taste buds will thank you. read more

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