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    Verana

    4.3 (199 reviews)
    PriceyItalian
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Verana Photos

    VERANA ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Verana

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    Reviews With Photos

    Bar area
    Janine W.

    The experience at Verana was amazing. From the greeting at the door to the service at the bar where we enjoyed our meal. Our server Malcom was attentive but not overly aggressive. Starting with their homemade bread and cheesey spread, to the fabulous gem salad that was dressed perfectly. The star of the show though was the chicken parm that was thin and crispy and not too saucy. This might possibly be THE BEST chicken parm ever! Wine list was amazing along with the after dinner drink. This deserves more than five stars for sure!

    Duck
    Michaela P.

    The first thing you notice when stepping into this restaurant is how it is decorated with impeccable attention to detail. Even the outside courtyard is perfection. Enjoyed a fantastic meal. Out of our group, the most well liked choices were the Bolognese, duck cooked medium and the chicken Parmesan. Evidently it is rated number 3 in the state. It is the largest piece of chicken breast pounded thin I've ever seen. Even though it was so thin, it was not dry, and the sauce was not too heavy. We did not order any appetizers as we knew they would be bringing out complementary bread. Two huge pieces of crispy loaves soft on the inside and this amazing crust. It is also served with what I believe is a whipped ricotta salted to perfection. They had 4 desserts on the menu that night and we tried 3 of them. All amazing and something for every palette- warm open faced apple tart, chocolate molten cake and blueberry napoleon. There's also a lavish cocktail menu with carefully crafted drinks. They put a unique spin on something familiar. And even with the food and the beverages if there's something that you wish to substitute or change out, they are more than accommodating. Now the prices are not for the faint of heart so be prepared to pay. Our waiter was very thorough and kept checking on us with his delightful Italian accent. Fantastic restaurant and delicious food.

    Veal chop *special*
    lauren v.

    This restaurant was one of the ones that we couldn't wait to get to once we found it. The outside of the building is so pretty. It has a nice little patio for summer nights or warm days. Inside was on the darker side, but when we sat down not sure if it was intentional but it got even darker, which made it incredibly difficult to see the menu and see what you're eating (and I'm not even being dramatic). The service was top tier. Our waitress knew all the ins and out of the menu. She had Italian accent which really made everything feel authentic like we were in Italy. The water service was a little lacking felt like we had to hunt them down for more water. The food was incredible! I don't think I've ever loved a places food. Everything tasted amazing. Literally speechless. But if you're a later diner and use uber be very patient because it was incredibly difficult to find an uber at 1030pm & once we did it was over $100 to get back to Nutley.

    Jessie A.

    Third time here and still amazing! We all ordered the chicken parm with added spaghetti bc we are obsessed. We shared TAGLIATELLE ALLA PAPALINA (proscuitto, egg, cream, parmigiano) and the side dish MELANZANE FRITTE (Italian spiced fried eggplant, mozzarella fonduta). Desserts: Tiramisu and warm Apple pastry w gelato. Had the reposada tequila drink and Cabernet wine! Service was great and ambience nice. It was a Tuesday so not loud or crowded! I am def going back when they mark down the Parms to $25 (which we missed by 1 day, dammit!) All good. Fun Yum times! And the Foccacio bread is FREE! So good with the ricotta whip!

    Verana
    Jeff M.

    Verana 530 Livingston St. Norwood, NJ 07648 Bread Oysters East Coast Insalata Romanella Pollo Allá Parmigiana Cappelletti Al Funghi Gelato Sundae As soon as I stepped inside and saw their beautiful interior, my instincts told me I was going to be in for a treat! The bread was definitely on the top tier. Freshly made in house, this starter was lightly toasted on the outside and warm & spongy on the inside. The burrata cream with olive oil was an excellent spread. One of the happy hour specials are $1 oysters. I was initially hesitant to try them as I never really had chilled seafood before. All it took was one sample and I was hooked! I ordered an entire plate and slurped them down! They especially tasted excellent with the cocktail, horse radish, and mignonette sauces! The pollo allá parmigiana was gigantic as it covered the entire plate. The chicken had a thin texture with the perfect amount of breading. The only minor drawback was the upcharge for the spaghetti al pomodoro because this main course does not include a side dish. But as soon as the plate arrived, it won't even matter because the pasta and sauce was freshly made and it sent my taste buds to heaven! Don't be fooled by any pasta containing the name "funghi." All you will find in this succulent cappelletti al funghi are braised mushroom filled ravioli smothered in creamy mushroom truffle sauce. If you are yearning for Italian ice cream, the gelato sundae will fulfill your needs. The chocolate ice cream was covered with hazelnut pieces, caramel syrup, whipped cream with a large wafer cookie in the middle. The sight alone was so beautiful I could have stared at that dessert all night! It was a perfect dining experience. The food is top quality and the servers and management are very cordial. You won't regret it and you'll probably return in a heartbeat. #verana #norwoodnj #italiancuisine #oysterseastcoast #insalataromanella #polloparmigiana #chickenparmesan #funghi #gelato #gelatosundae

    Eggplant
    Oi W.

    2/14/25 Fine dining without the pretentiousness. Everyone was so friendly and greeted us with warm welcoming smiles. The outside is simple modern, the inside is warm, classic but not old fashion. Flowers/plants hanging from the ceiling makes it feel like we are dining near a vineyard, so cute. Taina was attentive. She went through the specials of the day and asked about allergies. She patiently and knowledgeably explained what had dairy and help determine what dishes could be adjusted. Amore Milo has mezcal, it was very smoky Cocomero so good without and with the bourbon Calamari from the specials was delicious, the marinara was amazing Chilean Seabass from the specials was melt in your mouth goodness Veal Chop from the specials was so tender and flavorful Melanzane Fritte (Eggplant) accommodated me by putting the cheese on the side so hubby can enjoy it the way it was meant to be eaten, while I had no dairy experience which was still absolutely delicious, I could have eaten this as a main entree Blueberry Neapolitan was crispy had a light and airy filling with a perfectly balanced sweet and tart blueberry compote (I will never give up dairy in desserts! I'll suffer the consequences later for a good dessert. Lol) All in all we had a lovely meal. Definitely a must visit, special occasion or not.

    Cappelletti Ai Funghi
    Alvin M.

    Came here for an anniversary dinner. Upscale elegant, traditional Italian restaurant vibe. As soon as we walked in the host wished us a happy anniversary and gave us a special menu that had "happy anniversary" written across the top. Our waiter was friendly, very knowledgeable about the menu, and explained all the options in great detail. Food was excellently prepared and delicious. The pasta was fresh, made in house, and came with a delectable truffle sauce. The duck was cooked perfectly to medium rare and came with accompaniment of delicious seared mushrooms. The tiramisu was expensive at $22 but was HUGE - can easily be shared between 2 or more people. Overall we had a great evening here and would recommend for a special occasion.

    Marian A.

    My favorite Italian restaurant in NJ!!! I can't wait to go back, it's a beautiful place.

    Cocomero
    Felix R.

    2/14/25 Fine dining without the pretentiousness. Everyone was so friendly and greeted us with warm welcoming smiles. The outside is simple modern, the inside is warm, classic but not old fashion. Flowers/plants hanging from the ceiling makes it feel like we are dining near a vineyard, so cute. Tiana was attentive. She went through the specials of the day and asked about allergies. She patiently and knowledgeably explained what had dairy and help determine what dishes could be adjusted. Freddy, José & Anthony were super helpful in accommodating us. Amore Milo has mezcal, it was very smoky. Cocomero so good without and with the bourbon. Calamari from the specials was delicious, the marinara was amazing. Chilean Seabass from the specials was melt in your mouth goodness. Veal Chops from the specials was so tender and flavorful. Melanzane Fritte (Eggplant) accommodated my wife by putting the cheese on the side so she can enjoy it without the cheese on top (my wife is lactose intolerant), this appetizer was absolutely delicious, we could have eaten this as a main entree. Blueberry Neapolitan was crispy had a light and airy filling with a perfectly balanced sweet and tart blueberry compote. All in all we had a lovely meal. Definitely a must visit, special occasion or not.

    Carpaccio di Manzo
    Stella P.

    Absolutely enjoyed all the dishes we ordered but my favorites were the duck secondi entree, the rigatoni with sausage, carpaccio di manzo, and the beet salad. Desserts were delicious too (fresh, light, and flavorful). Chris, our waiter, was an absolute delight. A contemporary style ambiance. The restaurant gets booked pretty quick so make sure to make a reservation.

    Great bar seats for drinking and dining!
    Joanne D.

    Not that this amazing restaurant needs any more great reviews or even a second review from me but I couldn't resist! We ate here last night on a Wednesday at 7pm and you would have thought it was a Friday or Saturday night! We got here early to have a few drinks at the bar before dinner. Boy did we get lucky only 2 spots open just for us. When you walk in from the parking lot and step inside you are transported to an elegant but yet lively Italian restaurant! All the cocktails are carefully made by very friendly, professional, and attentive bartenders! I started with the Mambo Italiano - Hendricks Gin, St Germain, Cucumber, Lemon Absolutely delish! My husband had a Tito's and club Now for the dinner! We started with the Insalata Romanella and the Calamari. Both we excellent in their own way. The sauce for the calamari was very tasty but the presentation of the lettuce for the salad was a work of art! Ps the bread and ricotta is superb Main course Cappelletti Ai Funghi - absolute perfection in every way, cooked perfect, just the right amount of sauce and truffle! The chicken parm was enormous but yet it wasn't overwhelming. It made you want to keep coming back for more and more. - must try We opted to get the side of pasta that was nothing short lick the bowl good! We did not save room for dessert but it looked amazing! We had rose and Cabernet with dinner that were the perfect pairing for us! The cosmo and espresso martini were both a great night cap after and amazing meal. Can't wait to come back and try more!

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    6 months ago

    Exellent food miss entertainment opera singer more less the ambience is great food exellent

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    Verana Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Verana

    Is this place byob?

    No they have a full bar.

    Would like to order Christmas Eve dinner for 14 in advance of course . ? Is this something you would entertain?

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    Dimora Restaurant - Calamari Fritti Burrata Fried Mozzarella en Carozza Dinner

    Dimora Restaurant

    4.1(262 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$$

    This is my second time coming and enjoyed it just as much as the first time! Feels like a family…read morerestaurant and food is top notch. What we ordered: beef carpaccio over an arugula salad, eggplant rollatini, lamb entree and halibut special. It came with sundried tomatoes, capers, artichoke and cherry peppers in a cognac spicy sauce. Both entrees had a sign of greens that were sooooo good. Dessert: warm choc cake with choc sauce & van ice cream! Had lychee martini and decoy wine. Glad they have wine by the glass with familiar names! The first time I went I had the stuffed shrimp dish which was also amazing! Everything was great and they are underrated. Great service. Inside is very nice, too. Great ambiance!

    Dimora offers a solid dining experience, but there are a few things to keep in mind before booking…read morea table. The Food & Atmosphere If you are looking for a good meal, the food here is delicious. However, if you are a purist seeking a truly authentic Italian culinary experience, this likely won't hit the mark for you. The menu leans more toward standard Italian-American fare rather than regional specialties. Additionally, the decor feels a bit tired and could definitely use a modern refresh to match the price point. Service & Logistics The highlight of the evening was easily the service. The wait staff is incredibly courteous, professional, and attentive. A special shout-out to Jimmy, who went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. Another major plus for this North Jersey location is the parking; there is plenty of space, making the arrival and departure completely stress-free.

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    Dimora Restaurant
    Dimora Restaurant
    Dimora Restaurant - Aperol Spritz

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    Aperol Spritz

    Lanni’s Cucina Verace - This was a tasting of Squid ink pasta with crab, Carbonara, and Mushroom risotto with shaved truffles.

    Lanni’s Cucina Verace

    4.4(60 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    Solid dinner experience at Lanni's!…read more My friend and I had tickets for a local play at 8:00 PM so we made a 5:30 PM reservation at Lanni's. To my surprise, by 6:00, this place was hopping! Classic and inspired cocktail list. Very Italian-forward. We pretty much ordered our appetizers and entrees off the specials menu, because why not? The prosciutto and melon was by far the best we've ever had. The beef carpaccio was melt-in-your-mouth amazing. The bolognese was heavenly, and the lava cake was sinfully delicious. Our server was a riot. Personable, efficient, and funny. He truly elevated our experience! The decor is beautiful. I love the wallpaper. Home run!

    Four of us went Saturday night. First time there, but I'll definitely go back…read more We started with a cocktail at the bar, Kenny a true mixologist. He makes a real martini, not one of the junior ones that I see all the time. Super frigid with little pieces of ice, yum and three olives There were people eating at the bar, and the wife and I will definitely be doing that. We saw this beautiful appetizer, and we had to order it 2 large shrimp and some lump crab with huge pieces of crab, served with a nice cocktail sauce and a horseradish sauce. The apps and salads are huge, so you'll need to share. For mains we had the crab cake, eggplant parmigiana, pasta with sausage and I had the soft shell crabs, my favorites. The place is charming and the service superb. Loved all except the crab cake.

    Photos
    Lanni’s Cucina Verace - Wine area

    Wine area

    Lanni’s Cucina Verace - Lava Cake

    Lava Cake

    Lanni’s Cucina Verace - Bar area

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    Bar area

    Cousins Pizza

    Cousins Pizza

    3.8(141 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Cousins Pizza 450 Livingston St…read more Norwood, NJ 07648 Caprese Slice Drunk Angry Nonna Slice I decided to stop by for a couple of specialty pizza slices. There was a large variety of slices offered. I only problem I had was choosing because I wanted to explore them all. Caprese Slice: This slice is smothered in pesto sauce and topped with feta and chunks of tomato. You will definitely need a fork and knife to finish this wedge. Drink Angry Nonna Slice: This slice is cooked in vodka sauce, topped with pepperoni cups, and drizzled in hot chili oil. While the other slices have an appearance identical to an isosceles triangle, the nonna looks like a scalene triangle. Regardless, it is the taste, not the shape, that matters. Both slices were a home run! They had excellent undercarriage and no flop, which is why they were very crispy. The ratio of sauce was proportioned perfectly and they were loaded with toppings. I was also pleased they each slice was served on a glass plate. The interior has a nice ambiance. A small casual style dining area is off to the left of the pizzeria. The main dining room is located on the right side, where customers can order three course dinners and bring their own bottle of alcohol. Owner Andrew made me feel right at home. He welcomed me into the restaurant and I am really looking forward to returning for a nice dinner in the main dining area. #cousinspizza #cousinspizzanorwood #drunkangrynonnaslice #drunkangrynonna #capreseslice

    Classic NY style pizza shop that serves Italian pasta classics too. I remember coming here when I…read morewas a teen, and 25+ years, it's still open. Great service and tasty pies.

    Photos
    Cousins Pizza - Pizza counter

    Pizza counter

    Cousins Pizza - Drunk Angry Nonna Slice

    Drunk Angry Nonna Slice

    Cousins Pizza - Cousins Pizza

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    Cousins Pizza

    Lucio's - Burrata salad

    Lucio's

    3.4(239 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$$

    I saw an Instagram flyer (and later a Facebook ad) mentioning that they have a DJ in the evenings,…read moreso we decided to check it out! We were able to make a reservation for the same week--a Saturday evening--for a group of 10. We arrived around 6:30, and while it was quiet at first, the space was bigger than I expected yet still felt cozy and intimate. The crowd wasn't particularly young, but everyone was warm and welcoming. We had our table from early evening through the night until the DJ wrapped up after 1 AM. We brought a cake for our celebration, and the staff kindly stored it for us, then sliced and served it beautifully. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere made the whole night special. We'll definitely be back!

    I made a reservation for Saturday noon lunch here. Upon arrival the restaurant was totally empty,…read morewe were the only ones for about an hour before another group came in. Loved the interior of the place, cozy setup, nice bar area and also closed outdoor seating area. We started with bunch of appetizers. The mussels were good, soaked in tasty marinara sauce, but the bread pieces were hard like rock. The grilled octopus was decent, but should been cooked further. Same with the calamari, the outer layer seemed undercooked, would have preferred it to be more crispy. For entree I had the mazon burger. It came with burrata cheese and roasted peppers, two ingredients that do not go well in a burger together, in my opinion. The patty was also extra large and lacked flavor. I was very disappointed. The staff were super nice. They constantly checked on us. Since we were the only ones in the restaurant, the dishes came out quickly. Though the vibe and the service was outstanding, I wasn't impressed with the food here.

    Photos
    Lucio's - Bar area

    Bar area

    Lucio's
    Lucio's

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    Verana - italian - Updated May 2026

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