Johnny Piancone's — Restaurant in Long Branch

Johnny Piancone’s is more than just a restaurant—it’s a timeless escape, a portal to old-world charm nestled along the Jersey Shore. From Long Branch to Bradley Beach and Brielle, this beloved establishment has long been a beacon of warmth, flavor, and tradition.

Step through the unassuming entrance from the rear parking lot, and you are instantly transported to a world where the past lingers in the air—a world of intimate ambiance, flickering candlelight, and the irresistible scent of simmering sauces. The atmosphere is welcoming, the kind that invites you to linger over a meal, to savor each bite as if it were a love letter to Italian cuisine.

I arrived during happy hour, the perfect time to indulge, and accompanied my crisp, ice-cold Peroni with a selection of small plates. The meatball appetizer arrived first—immense, tender, and drenched in a luscious, authentic sauce that whispered of generations past. Next came the wings, golden and glistening, each bite bursting with rich, perfectly balanced flavor. But the crown jewel of my meal? The Wagyu burger—an indulgence beyond words, juicy and decadent, arguably the best in the area.

Service at Johnny Piancone’s is as exceptional as the fare. Our waitress, Jessica, exuded warmth and enthusiasm, guiding us through the menu with genuine passion and ensuring that every recommendation was spot on. She urged us to return, promising even more treasures to discover on the menu—a promise I fully intend to keep.

If you find yourself in Long Branch, do yourself a favor: step into Johnny Piancone’s, order a drink, and let the flavors transport you. This isn’t just a meal—it’s an experience, a memory in the making. I cannot...

My family and I have been to Johnny Piancone’s several times, and it’s a wonderful place, whether it’s a big celebration or an intimate dinner. The staff are friendly and attentive. For our most recent visit, which was to celebrate my son’s graduation from Monmouth University, the meal was perfect!

Nicole was our stellar server! We had a couple of stragglers in our party, and Nicole was very patient and on point with our orders. Some of us were just having our first bite of the day at 4pm, so our appetizers of crispy golden calamari and caesar salad (lots of parmiggiano reggiano…yes!) came out very quickly. Just what we needed. Delicious!

For entrees, the majority of our party had the short ribs, which were fork tender. The Sunday Sauce is hearty and scrumptious! The pasta vodka with the addition of chicken was filling and satisfied all cravings!

Decadent desserts of tiramisu made in house, Italian cheesecake, cannoli, pistachio tartufo, and coffee gelato was a nice ending to our well paced dinner. All decadent!

Food and service were impeccable! Water glasses were always filled by our busser, and Nicole had the other servers support. Dishes were brought out simultaneously and no one was left waiting, even the stragglers. It’s as if we had a meal in someone’s home, friendly and convivial atmosphere.

The friendly owner thanked us as we were leaving, a gesture that’s missing in some establishments. What a class act!

Thank you to Nicole and the rest of the staff at Johnny Piancone’s for an amazing time! We’ll make sure to...

Had dinner this evening with my wife and our guests. It was very busy. Service was terrible. The manager needs to refresh his customer service skills. He was very short when asked a question or two. My glass of water had more of a personality. During these most difficult times, it should be appreciated that we dined at the restaurant.

To make matters worse and unknown to all of us at the table, my daughter called the restaurant earlier in the afternoon and spoke with a female employee. She arranged to pre-pay appetizers as a surprise to all of us dining. My daughter gave the employee the name of the reservation and furnished her credit card inormation. It was all set up for a message to be sent to the table when the appetizers were served. It never happened. Inexcusable! Such a simple and thoughtful gesture. Prearranged and confirmed.

I will be sure to share this evenings experience with family and friends. Additionally, I will make it a point to be a voice of negative comments for Piancones to anyone that will listen. I spent in excess of $200 this evening.

Had I known this would have been our experience, I would have donated the $200 plus to a food bank instead of the register of Piancones.

In order to make this post I was required to give at least one star. If that wasnt the case, I wouldn't give any...