"It's the best Italian food in Jersey!" I was sitting in a Chinese restaurant next to a nice looking Italian family when I overhead them talking about Volares. I figured they ought to know, so tonight I'm at Volares trying the food. It turns out, they were right. The food here is incredible. I live in Manhattan, so I don't know if this is the best in Jersey... but it's got to be near the top. I loved everything I had, and the whole restaurant from the person who greeted and seated me to the waiter--everything was an experience that I appreciated and enjoyed. Volares is definitely the best Italian place I've been in Jersey. You've got to try the veal. Incredible! Bravo. read more

Volare's Italian Restaurant 7 Station Square Rutherford, NJ 07470 Eggplant Rollatini Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina Cheesecake Appearance: 10/10 Taste: 10/10 Located in downtown Rutherford directly across the street from the Rutherford train station is a locally owned Italian specialty restaurant. Owner Andy introduced me to a fine three-course meal. Eggplant Rollatini: This appetizer was stuffed with ricotta cheese and smothered in a San Marzano tomato sauce. Each bite was pure bliss and it sent my taste buds to heaven. Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina: These bite-size homemade Italian dumplings are also mixed in San Marzano tomato sauce and topped with fresh mozzarella. It was soft and smooth on the outside with a pillowy potato on the inside. Cheesecake: To close out the meal, I explored the heavenly cheesecake. It was sprinkled with powdered sugar with a side of freshly made whipped cream. The raspberry drizzle added a nice touch. This dessert has one of the smoothest and creamiest textures. It's no question the pie and whipped topping go together hand in hand. While you dine, admire the arrangement of beautiful wall art along with a set of Satsuma vases. If you do not wish to dine inside, outdoor seating is also an option during the warmer months. Be sure to bring your favorite bottle of wine or beer because this restaurant is BYOB. As a bonus, Volare's has an enclosed indoor hallway which effectively keeps the cold air out during the chillier months. This was a flawless culinary experience. Thank you Owner Andy and servers Daniel and Jennifer for your top notch service. #volaresitalianrestaurant #volares #volaresrutherford #rutherfordnj #downtownrutherford #cheesecake #eggplantrollatini #gnocci #gnocciallasorrentina #volare #BYOBVibes #bringyourownbottle read more

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Went there on a Saturday with another couple. It was so loud we could not even hear the waiter telling us the specials even when he leaned over our table. It never got quiet throughout the whole time we were There. The food-cesear salad, branzino and chicken. Murphy was very tasty. However all the portions were incredibly small. We all Left hungry! Do not plan to return. read more

I so wanted to love Volares based on the Yelp reviews and that I had chosen it for our Mother's Day lunch. It was not to be had. Service was definitely off- I will chuck that one up to the holiday. It was a limited menu and a bit disappointing. We started with my appetizer coming out very late (seafood salad) due to the waiter's error. He then proceeded to insist it was our mistake. Subsequently, our entrees suffered a delay as well. Appetizers Seafood salad - lots of arugula and room temperature seafood Stuffed artichoke- very good Clams - both the Oreganata & Casino missed the mark Burrata- good Entrees Pork Osso Bucco w risotto Did not fall off the bone ( needed more cooking) and was not served hot. Risotto was mushy Branzino- good Chicken dish- not liked Spaghetti & meatballs- acceptable for our 4 year old- not a stellar dish Black linguini w seafood- good Desserts Chocolate cake - good Tartufo- good Needless to say I was very disappointed as was the rest of my family. Dining out is a choice as is a restaurant's prices. The prices charged for the quality of food served that day were both underwhelming and inflated. So I choose to not return to Volares. read more

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I came here for a company holiday luncheon and we got to pick from a pre fixe four-course dinner menu. The service was alright. I think our server was a bit new/inexperienced and there was also a slight language barrier. One of the people in my group asked about vegetarian options, and the server thought she meant 'options with vegetables' so she kept recommending the meat dishes as only those come with a side of vegetables. Speaking of which, there are only a few vegetarian options and unfortunately substitutions/changes were not allowed for the pre fixe menu. Also I got water spilled on me while the server was refilling my glass :/ it's ok though, I know it was an accident I ordered the mozzarella in carozza as an app (like a deep fried mozzarella stick but triangular instead of stick shaped; covered in marinara sauce), caesar salad, and rigatoni alla bolognese. Dessert was tiramisu. Everything was delicious and I cleaned all 4 of my plates lol. Then again I was quite hungry. Several of my coworkers took home their leftovers. The place is BYOB and I think I saw a liquor store right next door. Parking can be a challenge. There is metered street parking (you can pay with the Park Smarter app), and apparently there is a municipal lot not too far away but I was unfamiliar with the roads here so I couldn't find it easily. There is a private lot at the back but it looked to me like all the spots were reserved for other establishments so I ended up not parking there just in case. read more

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The specials were very good. The salmon, reds napped filet and bronzino were delicious. Service was good. The only thing was , they could have added some pasta with the main meal, like other Italian restuarants. read more

Visiting from CA and we heard so many good things we had to make sure we ate here. We were not disappointed! Volares was amazing and the cheesecake is unlike anything I've ever had! The service was amazing! Before we could ask they were there to meet our needs. We will definitely be back! read more

So wanted to try Volares based on the reviews. Unfortunately for us it didn't live up to some of the Yelp reviews. Have been to restaurants in Rutherford before and very familiar with their dining scene which is good. My wife and I along with her cousin and her husband went there this Saturday. A bit noisy, small place with a private area that's not really private. We had two salads, the Fried Calamari and clams oreganato as our appetizers. My wife said the cesar salad was good. Calamari was very good. The clams though good were very small and you received 6 of them and overpriced for what you received.. Our entrees included chicken Murphy which was delicious, homemade pasta for me was good nothing great , linguine with clams was good and my wife had chicken parm.which she said was just okay. She was a disappointed with her diner. Not enough sauce, cheese not melted again overpriced for what you received. All Portions were small and I believe overpriced for what you received. Service was good, staff friendly but still not enough to overcome the short comings. Left hungry. Again just okay nothing to make you say " Can't wait to go back" Sorry. read more

A classic old school restaurant. The owner and the entire staff are welcoming and attentive. They have a sizeable menu of traditional Italian dishes along with excellent and well-prepared specials that I sample each time I visit. I have never been disappointed. A very welcoming and relaxing experience. read more

Need a table for 12? Volares got you! Had a friend's birthday dinner party here and they definitely delivered. Ambiance: Small and intimate, Volares offers a warm and friendly atmosphere, suited for repeat patrons or newcomers. In our case, we were all newcomers but felt at home with the service we received. Service: For a large party, the staff was extremely accommodating in allowing us to wait for our party to show, but still being attentive to those who were there. They offered to open wine bottles (BYOB) and water while waiting. When everyone arrived and was ready to order, they took orders immediately, ensuring everyone's order was correct. I have to say-when places offer their specials, I tend to zone out halfway through, but their specials had me hooked. From their risotto to their seafood linguini to their soup special, everything sounded mouthwatering. I can't say enough good things about the service- our waters were consistently being filled and wine bottles were being popped. Fast and efficient! Food: on to the good stuff.. I got the chicken Francese which came with two large chicken breast mixed in a non overpowering lemon sauce with a side of roasted potatoes that were literally, roasted to perfection; with the right amount of crunch on the skin but maintaining the tenderness of the inside, and a side of grilled vegetables- this dish did not disappoint. The lemon sauce wasn't too lemony or overbearing and the chicken wasn't drenched in the sauce, making it too soggy. My husband got the linguini with white wine sauce and clams, which to my surprise, was very light for a pasta dish. They offered a decent amount of clams and again, the pasta wasn't drenched in sauce, taking away your appreciation for their homemade pasta. Their fried calamari and zucchini sticks is a must order appetizer as well! Other dishes ordered were the seafood linguini, risotto special with this massive fall-off-the-bone short rib (maybe it was short rib? Idk, it looked amazing), their cheesecake, and tiramisu, the food definitely met my expectations. I highly recommend this place for a nice intimate dinner and for their awesome service! read more

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ordered the family meal for 3 and it was large enough for the second day as well. The veggies were fresh and crisp, the chicken was fresh not the frozen type and the bolognese was tasty. You can't beat the price either! I would ask if the chicken is split in two containers next time so the sauce and cheese can be spread evenly read more

Volares - Chicken Parmigiana Package - Italian Near Me - Rutherford, New Jersey

I have heard positive things about this local traditional Italian establishment. So we are coming in high expectation.The interior is warm & family friendly 4/5. We order 3 dinner entry with zero salad accommodation. Special seafood & salmon pasta 2/5 there's sand on the unclean clams. Furthermore the salmon is only chopped & spread around. Chicken Francesca, meat is dry not tender & over power by lemon sour 3/5. Veal tenderloin with asparagus & top cheese mid 3/5 Dinner room is very warm temperature & loud. read more

Under new management. Meet up with some girls and we all enjoyed our meal! It was delicious! Our waitress was very sweet and food was bought out quickly. They didn't rush us out. I definitely recommend going. Oh and It's a BYOB read more

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Try this place. I'm not kidding. We ordered take out and I was so impressed. The chicken parm was excellent as was the pasta and!! they even give you potatoes, veggies, salad and bread for an amazing price! Trust me....Just try it...It's so good!! Ps: it was my mom's birthday she turned 85 but didn't want to go out to a restaurant for dinner. The meal from Volares made her feel like she was at the restaurant. Thank you!! read more

Terrible customer service. Servers need to study the menu before giving incorrect descriptions. No one spoke English, they all spoke Spanish and could not understand me. read more

You can skip my review and go straight to the restaurant, you won't be disappointed. But if you did wanted to learn more... You're here for Italian food, I'm talking Italian Italian, not American Italian. The flavors very much remind me of my trip to Italy in its discreet differences on how the food is prepared. Let's get it out of the way, the pasta is cooked perfectly, exactly how it should be. I had the Rigatoni Bolognese and each bite was heaven. The sauce coated each piece perfectly and added to a great mouth feel with complex flavors. Octopus was the special that night and it was so tender, paired with the cherry tomatoes, it was simple yet so right. I also tried their Veal Satimbocca together with my pasta which made for a complete meal, taking bites of pasta and switching to the veal, while sipping on some wine. At the tail end, I was already satisfied with my night, but said oh what the hell, may as well try some desert. They had some homemade cheese cake and it was heavenly. Such a significant difference eating New York cheesecakes from a fridge vs one that's homemade. Each bite melted in your mouth and was not overly sweet. I recommend trying out whatever special they have for the night. Most of which, if pasta is on will be homemade. The decor is your classic white tablecloth setting with some large pieces of art to enjoy. It was clean and tidy. Tony and the team took care of us and although some of the staff was on the newer side, it didn't impact the experience. I'm sure as the front of house gain more experience, it'll even be better. If you haven't been here yet, definitely check it out. I'll probably make it my monthly staple. Bonus: it's byob. read more

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Wow, an unbelievable place. Excellent location, great ambiance, amazing food and the best service you could ask for or expect - friendly, knowledgeable and respectful! Asked about specials and shared three dishes that were recommended, all were delicious . Thought I couldn't do dessert but had the homemade tiramisu and a double espresso; both were wonderful! Now, stop reading and get to the restaurant (seriously, I was in Italy last year and this food and service reminded me of a couple of small places in Rome and Florence). Say hi and thanks to Daniel and Cannon who served us , and Monica the Host. read more

Absolutely Delicious from beginning to end! Amazing atmosphere with Italian music and the Cheesecake is the Best Dessert! Very friendly and respectful waiters and everything made fresh to order! Definitely a number one in my book! Visit this restaurant soon! read more

Two business colleagues of mine and I stopped into Volares for dinner while we were on a business trip. What a delightful experience we had! The food was outstanding, between bruschetta and artichoke appetizers, and pasta and salad entrees. The tiramisu and cheesecake were through the roof good, but the best part was the service. We felt not like customers, but like family. I would go back in a heartbeat! read more

The locals here love it, but we werent all that impressed. The service wasn't great, but we understood that some of the waiters were very young, or just busy with all of the people in the restaurant (its a small space but they packed a lot of chairs inside!) We asked them what are some of the best things to get on the menu, and all of the employees didn't really have an answer for us. I ended up getting a fettucinni with shrimp, bacon and mushrooms in a white vodka sauce, because it sounded very enticing (i love pink vidka sauce!). My friend got the tortellinni in the white vodka sauce as well, and we agreed it was just alfredo sauce. My pasta was overcooked, to the point where it kept falling apart, which made it very difficult to eat. My friend who got the chicken parm was very happy with her meal, and the zuchinni sticks appetizer was delicious! read more

Volares - Italian Near Me - Rutherford, New Jersey

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My family of 5 just had a wonderful dinner last night! Service was fast efficient and friendly. All of the food was delicious! We had appetizer, salad, mains and desert. The pasta is homemade with delicious sauce, branzino was cooked to perfection and seasoned well. A must try is the homemade cheesecake - light and fluffy ! Highly recommended - thanks to staff for a wonderful night out!! read more

This hidden gem of a restaurant was absolutely fabulous! We started with the Greek salad that may have been the best we ever had! There were 5 or 6 specials (one sounded better than the next!) We chose the ravioli because that was the choice we had imagined going in. Now we're planning when we can return to work our way down the menu. The servers were also worth a huge shout out~friendly, well versed on the menu, and we were not rushed! You can't go wrong if you have a chance to enjoy a meal! alice read more

Food is always good, small cool place with good service cheap prices, and their dinner takeouts are unbeatable.

Came by for quick lunch , my waitress was a very nice young lady Anna , she was very helpful and the food was amazing we had calamari, chicken franchisees, penne ala vodka and it was all amazing we will Be back it was my first time but won't be my last read more

My friends just had their Anniversary dinner here last night. Told me there is a new Owner, his name is Andy. She was very impressed with the food, she had swordfish with mashed potatoes and he had a pork saltumbuca. She was so pleased she asked me to write a 5 star review for them. She sent me pics which I will post later (had trouble downloading them) In any case good luck to the new owner and we will also come by soon and check it out! read more

This restaurant comes highly recommended by myself and my group of friends. The food is wonderful and the service is excellent. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the owner does whatever he can to accommodate his clientele. He has gluten free items and even prepares vegan dishes for another of my friends. A must try!!! read more

What a find! In town for business and looking for local Italian, and could not have been happier with the food, atmosphere and experience at Volares. We arrived just at opening (5p on Tuesdays) and Mary walked us through the menu, specials and some recommendations. A++ across the board. It is BYOB, but there's a liquor/wine store a couple doors down to solve that problem. We used on street parking, and stuffing a few quarters in the meter was well worth it (free after 7p). Portions were huge, so I'm pretty sure previous reviews were talking about somewhere else as we were too full to try the desserts but will definitely be back, so will save room next time. Service was fantastic and authentic. read more

The food was so delicious and the staff are very nice. The place is small and cozy. I love Italian food and the ingredients used here taste fresh and well cooked. I got the tortellini in white vodka sauce and my fiance got the geneviese which was penne with basil sauce. We also got dessert and cappuccinos. They were amazing! We had almond cake with whip cream. The prices are reasonable. It can take a bit to get your food but it's really worth the wait. Yummy! Hope to return here. Just a side note* because of covid they're not at full capacity so they cannot accept coupons, but we hope to return anyway. read more

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A friend recommended this place and we dragged our feet there because let's face it, "another Italian restaurant in North Jersey." Oh boy, how wrong I was. Volares is a top-notch Italian experience that distances itself from all other restaurants in the area through it's fresh and bold flavor's. A great ambiance in a cozy neighborhood. My wife's favorite dish is Chicken Franchise and she has had it in every restaurant she has been able to find it in North Jersey. Well, she was blown away by Volares Chicken Franchise which incredibly practically melts in your mouth. The flavor was exquisite. I had the Chicken Parm and it's one of the best I ever had. We also shared a dish of their pasta with Vodka Sauce and I implore you, don't pass on this dish! They have a unique take on the Vodka sauce which is creamier and tastier than any other one in the area. We had cortados (yes, our wonderful waiter made them for us) and their succulent tiramisu for dessert. And listen, I could continue talking about their food for hours, but I would be amiss if I didn't mention Volares amazing and SUPER friendly staff. The hosts, the waiters, everyone was going out of their way to make sure we had a superb dining experience. And the place is BYOB! I will certainly be returning to this place, many, many times. And you should stop by too! read more

Great food! Service is excellent. BYOB is just a plus! If you love Italian food, this is a must.

Excellent food, the best fish in town. The service just+ Andy makes you feel like home. Love it.

Had an even last sunday with friends and family. The service was great, food was outstanding and the ambience was excellent. Thank you for providing us with such a great time. read more

My boyfriend and I went here and it was a nice date spot :)! The food was good and the service was really nice! Everyone was attentive and it made the afternoon very pleasant read more

Volares and Denise the owner made my 60th birthday party outstanding. I enjoyed every minute of it. The food was so tasty. The guets enjoyed it so much some ordered to take home. From the appetizer to desert, I enjoyed every bite. Thank you for making it special. I have also enjoyed various dinners at Volares, including taking home family meals. Thank you for making my experience wonderful Volares and Denise! We will see you again real soon! read more

My husband and I took our 10 year old and 5 year old little girls here while we were on spring break! One of the best meals we have had in a long time!! And we are definitely Italian foodies! This place has such a wonderful, welcoming atmosphere. You feel like you're eating at a beautiful restaurant and Italy! The owner was so kind! our waitress was wonderful!! DON'T look any further for AMAZING Italian food!!! read more

Volares - a car parked in front of a restaurant - Italian Near Me - Rutherford, New Jersey

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The service is amazing treat you like family and food is amazing can't wait to go back

Let me say, the parking is terrible, and you have to pay for it!! The food was good but the portions on the apps were greedy, clams you got 7 why not 12, 2 slices of bread, the salad was chinchy just lettuce and a few carrot shreds, and 1 cherry tomato sliced in half LOL .... The chicken was good but very greedy on the veggies and 1/2 potato cut in 4 pieces. Then they messed up and charged my friend CC twice instead of half on each of ours.. The place is NOT worth the money we paid. read more

Very friendly staff, nice atmosphere and great food at a reasonable price. Tried the ginger calamari, spaghetti, and rigatoni bolognese. All 3 are worth a try read more

The best and thank you! I hardly ever leave reviews unless it's really great or just awful and tonight me and my family ordered dinner the family special (chx parm and penne vodka) see their menu. The food was delicious, the service was excellent. They were nice enough to throw in a great desert for free! Right now, more then ever we need to support our local restaurants and businesses; so do yourself and the community a favor and order from Volares. You won't be disappointed, you can thank me later. P.S. They give you so much food - we have half of everything left for another delicious meal. read more

Always great food and fantastic service. The portions are huge and the prices very fair.