081 Café in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ offers what many consider the best Italian cuisine in Bergen County. This elegant restaurant blends traditional Italian recipes with refined presentation, featuring homemade pasta, fresh seafood, and classics like cacio e pepe, branzino, and chicken parmigiana. With a warm, sophisticated atmosphere and carefully crafted dishes, 081 Café delivers an authentic Italian dining experience perfect for date nights, celebrations, and memorable evenings.
Theresa Gallucci
Went on a Friday night. Service was attentive and food came out in a timely manner. We loved the meatball appetizer-very tender and flavorful. I was a big fan of the chicken parm vodka entree and my husband enjoyed his mussels fra diavola. The tiramisu was heavenly. Atmosphere was nice. Will definitely be back.
… moreErika Schinasi
I used to love going to this place a lot. The service is always amazing and welcoming, don’t get me wrong. But after celebrating my 5-year anniversary at this restuarant we were sadly disappointed in the quality of food. We went on a Friday night, and the place wasn’t packed, so we expected the night to go well. This place used to be our go-to for pizza and their Vodka Pasta. They got rid of their pizza, which was a hit on their menu. And the vodka pasta that we ordered was overwhelmed with Pepper Flakes. It almost tasted like they dumped a whole can of red pepper seasoning into the sauce. It was too spicy and unenjoyable that I could only take three bites and had to cut our meal short. The pasta was overcooked and falling apart. On top of that, the bread we started our meal with was cold and hard. Overall, our dining experience was very disappointing. This place is decorated beautifully, and the energy is amazing. I spent around $80 for a disappointing meal. We ordered one appetizer, which came out cold (the eggplant parm), and the Vodka pasta, and it amounted to $80. It felt like such a waste of money. I’m sad to say that this place truly isn’t what it used to be. And to be fair, I was a good customer and tipped well for the service, but I am sad because this used to be my favorite restaurant.
… moreAlex Saavedra
We had a truly delightful meal. The food was amazing and well portioned. There is a no rush atmosphere and a very casual and welcoming staff. The menu had something for everyone. The salad was fresh and a good mix of greens. We should have had the dressing on the side for our preference but that was a mistake us. Lamb was out of this world. I can’t wait to return.
… moreBrandon Su
Honestly not a horrible restaurant, besides being incredibly overpriced. Although, two people including myself ordered the skirt steak off the menu for an entree with no one else ordering steaks and we both received ribeyes. Mine was not cooked right and had no seasoning on it. If we’re being honest here the steak was comparable to the $9 thin one from your local grocery store. Not a $42 skirt steak let alone the $54 ribeye featured on the menu. Staff was fine but young an inattentive.
… moreChloe Rose
My friend and I came here for dinner tonight. This is my second time dining here, first was last year and both times the food did not disappoint. They are definitely on the more expensive side but you can taste how fresh their homemade pasta is, absolutely delicious. I had their Pennone short rib pasta dish and would 100% order again. They are BYOB, my friend and I brought a bottle of prosecco to share and their atmosphere is beautiful in the back room. It is a small space so it does get a little noisy and hard to hear when they are busy.
The servers were friendly and came numerous times to check on us to make sure we had everything we needed. We are definitely looking forward to coming back, I can’t wait to try their Truffle Pappardelle dish next time!
… moredaniella saigh
This is the perfect dinner spot to spend at with family and friends. The atmosphere is beautiful, and our waiter was very helpful and kind. For dinner I had the homemade Penne Vodka Pasta with Chicken, it was truly delicious and I really enjoyed it. They have a wide variety of deserts as well, each one worth a taste! We felt very welcomed here and had a great time. Definitely a spot you need to try if you haven’t already!!!
… moreIvy colon
If you want to feel like you’re being transported to Italy, without hopping on a plane, this is your place! From the flower trees to the amazing murals on the walls. This place is beautiful and totally such a vibe.
I started out with the homemade meatballs smothered in ricotta, just the way I like them, and I also tried the zucchini flowers, which were both crispy and delicious!
For my entrée, Chef suggested the special so I had seared ahi tuna over chard broccoli, and mashed potatoes with sauce two ways, all I can say is WOW! Incredible. Then being super gluttonous, Chef brought out a spicy rigatoni vodka, which was a total game changer for me! The best I’ve had.
If you have not been to this little hidden gem, yet you must!
… moreMike
I can’t comment on the service or atmosphere (we had take-out). What I have to mention is that I have never had worse tomato sauce. Incredibly acidic, incredibly salty. I managed to make it halfway through the chicken parm before having to give up, and the pasta included with it was absolutely out of the question.
Hopefully this was just an “off” batch for them, but i’ll be avoiding in the future.
… moreMICHAEL BRAUN
Drove past saw it appeared nice. Looked at menu in truck saw soup went in. Well apparently it’s not an updated menu. No soup… ok fine got three appetizers.. shrimp, meatballs, and calamari. Calamari was worse than eating rubber bands. Shrimp was only 6 small pieces and tasted like it sat in the stomach of a fish for months. Meatballs had no flavor and the texture was terrible. The bread came out toasted which didn’t work well soaking up the oil they def mixed with vegable oil to cut it. I asked the waitress if they have a bar she said no it’s being your own. I said oh wow ok… after ten minutes I look across the street and see a liquor store… why didn’t she just tell me that? The table we sat at rocked more than my grandmothers chair. Tables were filthy. If not for the beer I bought this place was a complete disaster. No clue how it’s still open.
… moreTheresa Marciano
Reservations aren’t reliable+ restaurant is packed and loud. I called a month in advance to reserve a table for a party of 6 to take my friends out to ask them to be in my wedding party and told whoever picked up the phone that I’m having them come at 8p but would like to setup the table at 745pm would that be possible and she said yes. I called the day prior to the reservation to confirm the plan and also asked for champagne glasses to be set on the table since I was placing the gifts on the table and wanted champagne ready for them, she said yes to that too. I arrive at 730p just letting them know I was early but I was outside once the table would be ready. 750p rolls around and they didn’t seat me yet. They tried not to seat me until the entire party arrived. I completely understand restaurants who have that policy but I called in advance to confirm they’d seat me earlier. I told them I’d immediately order food for everyone too. I get to the table and the restaurant is very jampacked, you feel very close to the other tables and it’s loud. Table service was nice and food was great. For me there won’t be a next time, just maybe takeout.
… more