Apulia Risto-Pizza is a pizza restaurant in West Milford, NJ. Open: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM; Tue Closed; Sun 12:00 – 8:00 PM. Phone: (862) 364-4071. Address: 398-400 NJ-23, Franklin, NJ 07416. Average rating is 4.7 stars from 333 reviews. Website: https://apuliaristopizza.com/home/.
Apulia Risto-Pizza
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A plate of pasta with pesto and cheese on a marble table. — Apulia Risto-Pizza
4.7 333 reviews Today 12:00 – 8:00 PM

Southern Italy, Fired Fresh in Franklin

Authentic Apulian cuisine from a family with 60 years of culinary heritage, serving Sussex County one brick-oven pie at a time.

About Us

A delicious pizza topped with tuna and mushrooms on a table. — Apulia Risto-Pizza
A delicious pizza topped with tuna and mushrooms on a table.

The Lesina family brought something rare to Route 23: a brick oven imported from Italy, daily-made mozzarella and stracciatella, and ingredients sourced directly from Corato, Italy, a city in the Puglia region that gives this restaurant its name. That kind of specificity is not an accident. It is sixty years of culinary tradition translated into every plate that leaves the kitchen.

Apulia Risto-Pizza earned the title of Voted Best New Restaurant in Sussex County, and the 4.7-star rating across hundreds of diners reflects something that awards alone cannot fully capture: consistency. The menu runs deep into Southern Italian cooking, from housemade pastas to wood-fired pies with charred crusts and molten, fresh-pulled cheese. Nothing here reads like it came from a commissary.

This is a BYOB restaurant, which means you bring the bottle and the kitchen handles everything else. The room is warm, the service is attentive, and the food arrives the way it should: made that day, from ingredients that traveled a long way to get here.

What We Offer

Dine-in at Apulia is the full experience: a table, a proper Italian meal, and the kind of unhurried pace that Southern cuisine was built for. But the kitchen's reach extends well beyond the dining room.

Catering and private events bring Apulia's housemade quality to your occasion, whether that is an intimate gathering or a larger celebration. The team also operates a food truck at Mountain Creek Resort during the winter season, which means the brick-oven tradition travels to the slopes. And for those who want to go deeper, culinary experiences offer a hands-on way to connect with the techniques and ingredients behind the food.

Apulia serves Sussex County and the surrounding area, open six days a week. Closed Tuesdays.

Gallery

Take a look at our space and what we have to offer

What Our Customers Say

Don't just take our word for it - hear from our satisfied customers

Click to Rate & Review This Business ✍️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3 months ago
"Love the place. Everything feels fresh and thoughtfully made — especially the homemade pastas. The ravioli was one of my favorites, really soft and full of flavor. The salads were super fresh, and both the pasta and pizza were honestly excellent. But what really stood out to me was the focaccia wheel with tomatoes — that alone is worth coming back for. The space is modern, clean, and just feels good to be in. And the owners are genuinely kind and welcoming — you can tell they really care about what they’re doing. I’ve also had their catering, and it was just as impressive. Everything arrived fresh, well-prepared, and was a big hit with everyone. It made hosting so much easier. It’s the kind of place you try once and then keep thinking about after."
— Erzsebet M
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
a month ago
"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars What a fantastic experience at Apulia Risto Pizza in Franklin, NJ! I visited for dinner around 6:30 PM and ordered the Chicken Piccata with extra vegetables. The portion size was enormous—more than enough food, and as you can see from the pictures, the plate was packed with perfectly cooked pasta, tender chicken, and fresh vegetables. Everything was absolutely delicious. The vegetables were cooked al dente, the pasta was cooked perfectly, and the chicken was soft, flavorful, and prepared just right. You could tell the food was made fresh because it took a little time to come out, but it arrived hot and was well worth the wait. The service was exceptional. The ladies who took care of me were friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. They made the entire experience even better. For the price, I felt like I received five-star service and outstanding value. It’s rare to find a restaurant that delivers both quality and generous portions at a reasonable price. Franklin may not be the first place people think of when choosing a restaurant, but Apulia Risto Pizza is truly a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much that I would gladly make the drive again, even if it’s an hour from my home. Highly recommended, and I will definitely be back!"
— Tatiana Torres
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
8 months ago
"I stopped into this restaurant for dinner! When I arrived I parked in their lot. I walked into a super cute BYOB restaurant! I was served by Shannon and she was great! I ordered: Cozze Marinara (Spicy mussels) Polpette al Sugo (Meatballs) Ruota di Focaccia Barese Gamberi Classici (Shrimp scampi linguini) Pollo alla Barese (Grilled chicken) The food was delicious but the meatballs were my favorite! This place was great all in all!"
— Des KF
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7 months ago
"Owners from Italy and extremely friendly. Ambiance beautiful, there specialty sandwich is INSANE DELICIOUS, their dipping oil imported from Italy. Homemade pastas. Catering for Christmas from here this year, beyond thrilled I won't have to cook. They made it super easy to order. So happy we have a wonderful place like this in our area and wish them so much success! BYOB how much more could you ask for. MANGIA!"
— Joani Zaccaro
4 months ago
"Unfortunately I would give zero stars if I could. We decided to try this restaurant and we were sadly disappointed. My daughter wanted calamari. The cost was $17. She literally got 10 little pieces. We also ordered a calzone that was pretty much hallow in the middle. Which they forgot so I had to go back into the restaurant to get it. You couldn’t even see the ricotta inside and the mozzarella was scarce as well and was like rubber. We ordered chicken parm which was ok but I have had much better elsewhere. Needless to say we spent $100 and would have gotten a better meal at a fast food establishment. My husband did call to complain about the very small calamari dish and the manager said to ask for him next time and he will take care of us. Unfortunately there will never be a next time."
— Deanna Napolitano

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Apulia Risto-Pizza located?

Apulia Risto-Pizza is at 398-400 NJ-23, Franklin, NJ 07416, with on-site parking available.

What are your hours?

Open Monday, Wednesday through Friday 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM, Saturday 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM, and Sunday 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Closed Tuesdays.

Is Apulia a BYOB restaurant?

Yes. Apulia Risto-Pizza is a BYOB establishment. Bring your own wine or beer and enjoy it alongside your meal.

Does Apulia offer catering or private events?

Yes. The restaurant offers both catering services and private event hosting. Reach out through the website at apuliaristopizza.com to discuss your event needs.

What makes Apulia different from other Italian restaurants in the area?

Apulia uses a brick oven imported from Italy, makes mozzarella and stracciatella fresh daily, and sources ingredients from Corato, Italy. The Lesina family brings 60 years of Southern Italian culinary tradition to every service.

Do you have a food truck?

Yes. Apulia operates a food truck at Mountain Creek Resort during the winter season, bringing the same kitchen quality to the slopes.

Can I book a culinary experience at Apulia?

Yes. Apulia offers culinary experiences for guests who want to engage more closely with Southern Italian cooking techniques and ingredients. Visit apuliaristopizza.com for details.

Hours of Operation

Closed · Opens Monday at 11:30 AM
Monday 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Thursday 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Friday 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Saturday 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Sunday Today 12:00 – 8:00 PM
66° Clear 398-400 NJ-23
Sun 79° 66°
Mon 75° 60°
Tue 73° 58°
Wed 81° 54°
Thu 82° 63°
Fri 84° 62°
Sat 82° 61°

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