
Upscale Italian restaurant with authentic Brooklyn – Italian fare served in a cozy dining room with two fireplaces & a lively bar in New Brunswick, NJ. Our knowledgeable and attentive staff can craft delicious classic cocktails and help you select the ideal wine from our extensive wine list. Perfect for date night, business gathering, private party or wedding. Awards: Best Italian, Best Desserts, Most Romantic, Best Bar Scene; Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence.
Upscale Italian restaurant with homey fare & 2 fireplaces plus a cozy red interior & lively bar.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 3 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: (732) 296-9463
Website: http://www.catherinelombardi.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: catherinelombardi.comtripleseat.com
Order: Order online
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Menus | Catherine Lombardi in New Brunswick, NJ
Catherine Lombardi | Italian Restaurant in New Brunswick, NJ
Hours + Location | Italian Restaurant in New Brunswick, NJ
Reviews
The service was exceptional — the staff truly made us feel cared for and went out of their way to make the evening memorable. The food was incredible, especially the wagyu seared on the Himalayan salt block, which was the highlight of the meal! Every dish and cocktail was crafted perfectly.
Thank you to the entire team at Catherine Lombardi’s for creating such a wonderful experience. We’ll be talking about this celebration for years to come!
My first time there and was definitely taken back by this delightful, unsuspecting restaurant. The ambiance was top notch, Marcus our waiter was so attentive, the food was outstanding and of course Francis and Mark the owners were so genuine and welcoming.
Can’t wait to return again when in the area.
We came the year prior after my wife’s alumnae event at Douglass College and we planned the whole year to return. What an absolutely pleasant surprise when we came back and Chris at the bar and the GM both recognized us and welcomed us back – that is phenomenal service (and great memories).
The atmosphere is so festive and involved, while maintaining elegance and a classic dining feeling. The room itself (upstairs) is both open so you can see everything (including the 2 fireplaces) but it also is setup to let you feel cozy and uncrowded.
The service – as already noted – is top-notch. We never waited long for anything, the staff was cheerful, helpful, and attentive and never felt pushy. They even ask ahead of time if you have any time constraints (given that it is next door to the State Theatre).
The food is excellent. The flatiron steak was juicy and tender, and the heated Himalayan salt block allowed us to adjust the temperature to our desire. I literally waited an entire year for the roast beef sandwich and it was even better the second time around – I don’t think I can wait another year to get it again!
Overall it was the quintessential Christmas dinner. Festive, lively, elegant, and opulent without being “stuffy” or pretentious. We were relaxed, happy, and filled with the Christmas spirit as well as with wonderful food and drink.
We most certainly will be back!
The holiday decorations were absolutely adorable, with enough festive flair to make you feel like you’re dining in a cozy winter wonderland. But the real magic? The food, of course.
Let’s talk drinks first. Fun, delicious, and a little bit fancy—just the way I like them. You could almost taste the joy in each sip, and let me tell you, the happiness wasn’t just from the alcohol (but that definitely helped).
Now, onto the seafood salad. If you’ve ever had a seafood salad that made you want to call your mom and say, “Forget everything you know, this is the new benchmark for delicious,” then you understand the vibe. Best. Seafood. Salad. Ever. No contest.
For the main course, you get to choose between steak or Italian. We were feeling extra adventurous and went with the Italian side. My husband ordered the truffle mushroom pasta special, which looked like something you’d see in a food magazine (and he was basically in a state of pure bliss while eating it). I went for the six-cheese cannelloni, and let’s just say I briefly considered ordering another round, but I didn’t want to embarrass myself (didn’t stop me from almost doing it, though).
Then, of course, came the desserts. Oh. My. Goodness. The dessert menu was a literal dream. Tiramisu? Yes, please. Brownie? Why not? But we went with the berries zabaglione and Cookies & Cream Gelato (because, who are we kidding, we’re not made of stone). Both were nothing short of heavenly, and I’m pretty sure I floated out of the restaurant after that.
Bonus: The chocolate chip cookies on the menu were practically screaming my name, and if I didn’t have some self-control, I might have tried to sneak one. (I didn’t… but I really wanted to.)
Lastly, let’s talk about the venue. Yes, we had to eat upstairs (because we’re fancy like that), but don’t worry—there’s an elevator! So, no matter how much pasta you’ve consumed, you can easily get back up the stairs in the most graceful way possible (or, you know, shoot yourself up like a rubber band and pretend you meant to do that).
In conclusion: If you haven’t been to Catherine Lombardi’s, what are you waiting for? The service was impeccable, the food was beyond delicious, and it felt like dining with family (the fun, super-talented, always-there-for-you family). Will we be back? Absolutely. If I could give it 6 stars, I would. 10/10, highly recommend.