PASTA & LASAGNA FLIGHT NIGHT IS EVERY TUESDAY AT 4:30PM!

AWARDS & PRESS

With a variety of menus, Il Vecchio Café offers a selection of delicious Italian meals no matter the size of your party or dietary restrictions. Choose from our selections of homemade pastas, entrees, salads, pizzas, and more! We also offer a family-style menu for large parties or groups, bringing a more authentic Italian feel to your dining experience.

Visit us for one of our special offers, events, or simply stop by for lunch or dinner. We assure you will experience the best service while you enjoy a delicious Italian meal. We have been recognized by several major publications for our award winning food, our service, and our atmosphere. Learn more about the awards we have won below:

Awards our restaurant has won

Here at Calandra’s, we are dedicated to our customers. Both our first time customers as well as our loyal ones receive the finest service paired with truly delicious dishes. We are honored and humbled for any sort of recognition from our visitors and highly encourage feedback.

Located within Calandra’s Italian Village, both Il Vecchio Café and the Village as a whole have won numerous awards. Many of these awards are decided by NJ residents, which make them even more valuable to us. Some of the more recent awards we have won are highlighted below:

2024

Restaurant Guru – Recommended 
Il Vecchio Cafe

OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award 
Calandras Italian Village

 

2023

Suburban Essex Magazine “Best of Essex”
GOLD MEDALS
Best Brunch/ Breakfast  — Il Vecchio Café 
Best Outdoor Dining  — Il Vecchio Café 

NJBIZ Business of the Year

Family Business of the Year (101 + employees) – Calandra Enterprises

NJ Monthly Magazine Jersey Choice Awards
Bar Scene  North Jersey – Calandra’s Italian Village 
Lunch North Jersey – Calandra’s Il Vecchio Cafe
Soup/Salad/Sandwich North Jersey – Calandra’s Il Vecchio Cafe

NJBIZ ICON Honors 
Anthony Calandra, CEO
Calandra Enterprises
 

2022

Suburban Essex Magazine “Best of Essex”
Gold Medal

Best Outdoor Dining – Il Vecchio Cafe
Best Brunch – Il Vecchio Cafe

NJ Monthly Magazine Jersey Choice Awards
Bar Scene  North Jersey – Calandra’s Italian Village 
Lunch North Jersey – Calandra’s Il Vecchio Cafe
Soup/Salad/Sandwich North Jersey – Calandra’s Il Vecchio Cafe

2021

Suburban Essex Magazine “Best of Essex”
Gold Medal
     Best Outdoor Dining – Il Vecchio

NJ Monthly Magazine Jersey Choice Awards
Best Lunch Spot – Il Vecchio Café

NJBIZ Reader’s Rankings:
1st place – Best Business Lunch (North Jersey) – Calandra’s Italian Village

2020

NJ Monthly Magazine Jersey Choice Awards
Best Lunch Spot – Il Vecchio Café 

2019

Suburban Essex Magazine “Best of Essex”
Gold medal

     Best Outdoor Dining – Il Vecchio Café 

2017

OpenTable Diners’ Choice 
Calandra’s Italian Village

Zagat Award of Excellence
Calandra’s Italian Village

2016

Suburban Essex Magazine “Best of Essex”
Best Outdoor Dining – Il Vecchio Cafe

2015

Morris Essex Health & Life Magazine
Italian Deli: Calandra’s Italian Village (3rd place)

2014

Suburban Essex Magazine Best of Essex Contest
Outdoor Dining – Il Vecchio Cafe

Morris Essex Health & Life Magazine

OpenTable Diners’ Choice 
Calandra’s Italian Village

2012

NJ Monthly Magazine Jersey Choice Awards
Best Lunch Spot – Il Vecchio Café 

Zagat Award of Excellence
Calandra’s Il Vecchio Café 

2011

Zagat Award of Excellence
Calandra’s Il Vecchio Café 

2009

Star Ledger Munch Mobile
Best Italian Fare (Il Vecchio Café)

Awards & BADGES