Max's Market & Eatery

What a delightful surprise Max's Market & Eatery in Califon, NJ, turned out to be! We spent the morning apple picking and, by sheer amazing coincidence, stopped here for lunch—best decision ever! The burger was a standout, with fresh lettuce, tomato, red onion, and a juicy patty, served with perfectly crispy fries and a side of ketchup that hit all the right notes. We also savored the linguine and shrimp, which was cooked to perfection with a rich, flavorful sauce, and the fried calamari, light and crispy with a fantastic dip. The variety and quality of the food were impressive, and the warm, inviting atmosphere made it even better. The staff was friendly, and the portions were generous—perfect after a morning outdoors. We can’t wait to come back. A real unexpected gem!

Good food, but disappointing service. Stopped in with my family on a Friday night. As newcomers, we didn’t realize reservations were needed. The host’s attitude and comment about it were unnecessary and made us feel unwelcome. We got our food to go, and while the food was good, the customer service wasn’t. Based on that first impression, we’ll choose other local spots.

Excellent food and service. Came here from ny after visiting a farm nearby. Some of the freshest calamari and seafood I have ever tasted. All the food was fresh and delicious. Very nice ambiance for family dinner or a date. byob and there’s a liquor store literally next door, perfect. If your thinking of coming here think no more, you won’t regret it.

Max's was recommended to us by a family member and we are glad we went to check it out for a recent dinner. The market and restaurant were very busy which is always a good sign. We ordered the Thai calamari for an appetizer and it was absolutely delicious. Our entrees were good too. Service was top notch and of course we always love the BYO option. Will definitely come back to try more of the menu.

The food at Max’s is so delicious. A must try is the eggplant lasagna. Scrumptious. It’s literally the best I’ve had next to my bff homemade version. The food is fresh. They also have a sit down and eat in section that looks like fine dining. And on top of it all the people are polite. That’s seems to be hard to find today in the services.

Great Sandwiches, the pasta is amazing but the best part about Max’s was their catering, I grabbed 5 different pieces of chicken out of the 5 tubs of catering I did for a party and they were all cooked the same and to perfection. I was truly impressed. Have you ever had their fresh out of the oven bread for their Italian subs? If you haven’t, then you honestly haven’t lived. 5 stars!

Came here after apple picking..... Everything we ordered was delicious. I really enjoyed the Chicken Milanese.

Have to say that I LOVE this place. They handle my daughters food allergies well. Staff is excellent, love the small restaurant feel. Bourbon Liquors is right next door to serve you BYOB needs. Excellent food. GF options are yummy as well. A must stop in to eat if you are in the area.

We have been going to Max's for years (at least 6) and have always enjoyed their food and service. We usually get take out from there at least two or three times a month and when family comes to visit from out of state they always request we eat here. This Saturday was the first time I had ever ordered catering from them for my husband's 50th birthday party. The process to order was super easy and it was ready when I arrived and they carried it to my car for me. It was excellent as I had expected but the guests at the party raved about it and there was not a lot left as folks wanted to take home left overs. Also so very reasonably priced! If you are looking for a place with tasty food and a great atmosphere for yourself or for a party this is the place to go!

Stopped by for an impromptu lunch on a Friday. The restaurant wasn't very busy at that time. You enter the building into the market/catering side of the business. It really is a feast for the eyes and it's easy to get distracted there! There's an enormous amount of good looking food on display. You definitely should check it out and plan on what you're going to take home for dinner or lunch the next day! We opted not to do that since we were on our way to somewhere else but next time, I'm going to seriously consider it. We sat ourselves in the clean dining room that had linen table cloths, thank god. Even though the place is casual overall, that just makes the whole experience more enjoyable for me. I ordered the Chicken Milanese. It's such a basic simple dish which is why it's important for every ingredient to be high quality. You'll definitely get that here. The cutlet was seasoned well and fried to crisp perfection. It was not dry either. The mozzarella on top was very fresh tasting. It was the perfect light lunch. My husband got the Buffalo chicken salad and it was decent but nothing exceptional or noteworthy to report for that dish. We also shared a few cheesecake cones and they were out of this world! They look like cannolis but they definitely are not. They are hard to describe so you should just try them for yourself! Our waiter wasn't overly friendly but he was the right amount of attentive and that's fine with me. Can't wait to go back for dinner!

Best pizza ever The service is above and beyond Such an amazing place to go in and grab a pizza

I've been eating at Max's for many years. Most of the food is delicious, but don't order the penne vodka. It is NOT penne vodka! It's basically penne with red sauce and peas. Penne vodka is made with prosciutto, peas and a light pink sauce. Max's doesn't even come close. In my opinion the penne is absolutely terrible.

Delicious food and great pizza!!! You can dine in (byob) or takeout. I do takeout and one serving is enough for dinner for two nights.

Love the food. Good service. Delicious ravioli. Never felt rushed. Lovely dining area. Very clean and well cared for

Great find out in Western NJ! Food was awesome, service was great. Have never had a bad meal. The grab and go is outstanding value and the desserts are amazing!

Fresh Italian Favorites; Very Good Quality Grab & Go surpasses typical Fast Food Ample Seating for small parties Frozen Specialties for at-home enjoyment

Highly recommended eatery with delicious dishes. You can eat in or take out. Great menu. Dress is casual and they can get busy on the weekends.

I will say the eggplant rolletini was really good but the rest of our order not so much. Slice of pizza was pretty bland, chicken panini was okay but not great, mozzarella sticks felt over breaded almost like they came out of a bag

The food here is delicious! When in Califon area, please check this place out. The roast beef & other sandwiches are absolutely delicious.

Food is amazing, pizza is the best pizza around. Owner and staff are extremely friendly we always have a good experience. Highly recommend their Chicken Parm entree and lemon bars for dessert.

Grandmas Pizza to go is the best! I bring it on road trips out of state when visiting friends in Central PA. Market case is brimming with a good variety go food by h the pound. Service is really good and Everything is freshly made in house.

Max's Market and Eatery has excellent service and great food! We order pizza from them just about every other week. Thier pizza with cherry hot peppers is our favorite! I would highly recommend this restuarant and defintely try their pizza!

First class! Definitely recommend Max's if you're in the area! Great dinner options, grab and go's and quality ingredients from an awesome staff!

Ooo my goodness such a delicious meal tonight! Short ribs were tender, tasty and very enjoyable. The mashed potatoes perfection! But the best was the dessert we brought home, cannoli cheesecake! Tasty tasty! The cannoli crumbs add a really good flavor! Our first time but we will be back!

I rarely give 5 star reviews on a single visit but some restaurants impress and give me a reason to vary from my norm. My friend has a shop down the road and suggested we have lunch at a good Italian place in Califon. Califon? I expected Chef Boy Ardee (spelling?) but my friend's name ends in a vowel so we went. On first impression, it looked like a deli with glass cases of cold cuts and salads. But off to the side we saw a large dining area. Clean and inviting for sure. The menu was a mix of classic Italian fare - think red sauce dishes - and some American dishes. I has their Chicken Milanese, my friend the penne ala vodka. My dish had a generous, thin, moist and breaded piece of perfectly cooked white meat chicken smothered in a mound of salad. The salad greens were crisp with a very delicate olive oil and vinegar dressing. In a word, it was delish! My friend, a regular, looked at my dish and said he knew what to try next time. Service was excellent. Our waiter kept our drinks refreshed without asking. Very cool! Actually, he was professional and friendly - a tough ballet! Good Italian food in Califon? Well, I'm a believer and will be back soon with my wife. Recommended.

Take out here is always A+. The food is fresh and made to order. Sandwiches, pizza and sides always a hit. Definitely a regular go to for us.

First time trying their pizza and my picky family LOVED! Sauce is wonderful. Seasoned perfect. Not too cheesy. Crust was perfect. It was a Monday night so I took advantage of $7.99 Cash and Carry. What a deal. The only problem was no leftovers and it was incredibly hard to resist leaving the store with only the pizza. The pastries. The fresh cooked meals to go. The frozen homemade pasta and soups! Nothing can hold me back. Thanks Max

Best pizza around. The counter girls are very helpful in choosing grab and go items. Garlic k it's are not greasy. Byob from bourbon street next door!

Nice place. Everything was tasty beyond our expectations. The place is happy to make you any Italian dish as long as they have the ingredients. These guys are masters of what they do. My family can't wait to go back for more. BYOB. Excellent liquor store next door. Mangia!

Great food, atmosphere and service. There are plenty of choices on the menu, and make sure you take a look at the food in the front before you sit down. It may not be on the menu, but they will gladly make your meal using it. They are BYOB and next door to a liquor store. I highly recommend Max's.

Hands down some of the best Italian food ever. Go starving and you'll still end up with a doggy bag. The antipasto was incredible as was all the other food the 5 of us ate.

We love Max's. My 92 year father goes there a lot too. The food is excellent and the servers are professional and friendly. They have nightly specials and accommodate special requests, like substituting a salad for a pasta side dish. They are starting to get a little busy on weekends so the word is getting out that they are a great restaurant. The market is also always busy with walk in customers and they have special pizza night once a week. I highly recommend Max's.

We drove past and saw it was open, on a Monday, which is amazing in of itself. We often get takeout here but I never noticed that it is also a restaurant. We ordered the Rib Eye smothered in mushrooms and onion with broccoli rabe and mash potato. Cooked to perfection and the best steak/meal I have had in ages. Do yourself a favor and pay them a visit. Friendly relaxed no and accommodating. Past takeout worth getting are the pork chops and lamb shanks. If there was a six star rating they would get it.

Occasionally I'll pick up lunch at Max's, but I always order trays of food when we're having company. I'm never disappointed and our guests always rave about how delicious it is, too!

This place is delicious. Best cavatelli and broccoli I've had in years. Chicken salad is amazing with lil cranberries. I've bought the cannolis a bunch and the dessert never disappoints. I would give 5 stars BUT there is only one tiny issue in this place that could be easily remedied. Yes, folks, the issue of no designated ORDER HERE and PICK UP HERE areas. So you're left either being a dick and cutting by accident or asking 12 people if they are next. This place is delicious. It gets crowded as it should because it's delicious but please do not put it on your customers to discern where to stand or go to order, pick up and pay. I will def keep coming here because their bread is so good but the above "line" issue will always annoy me.

Great Italian food. Sandwiches, hot Italian dishes, PIZZA!, and Italian deli. How could you go wrong. This place is authentic Bronx/Brooklyn Italian. It is their own sauce, dough, and many ingredients, and you can taste that. All perfectly seasoned. Take advantage of their daily specials, especially the family specials. Presently for $25 you get a large one topping pizza pie, a large container of baked Ziti, a huge container of Italian house salad, their own italian salad dressing that is a pink color, and their own Italian bread rolls. They say it is a feast for a family of 4, I say 6 ! with leftovers. For me, the container of salad dressing is worth $25 alone, it is THAT good! They are presently take out only due to the virus conditions. I HIGHLY recommend this friendly place, well worth the effort of getting there. Besides, you'll be a favorite at home for bringing this home.

Dining in is an elegant experience. Gourmet selections and attentive service Grad and go take home has big and varying selection. Entree and 2 sides $10. Big portions BYOB. Liquor store next door has chilled wines. We're regulars

I have been going to Max's for about 4 years and getting take out... the grab and go meals they do are great!! But this summer was the first time I sat in the dining room and had dinner and It was so AMAZING! Its BYOB but conveniently there is a liquor store right next to it. I had the burrata and the blackened swordfish special and I cant wait to go back

i stopped in for a plain turkey sub.. had never been there before. what a nice surprise! fresh warm high quality bread! really delicious sub at a reasonable price. and very welcoming and friendly service. will go there again every time i am in the area!

Solid, solid, solid. They opened up without warning and have been a disruptor to local businesses. Food is very good and very consistent. They stole us away form our former pizza joint, and their dine in service is very good. Its location may keep some people away, because you think it is a pizza place with some seating for basic 'Italian', but their food is full-service restaurant good. If you are down for a really good, consistent dinner hit this place up. 4 stars for not being full service, but given the fact that they are next door to a liquor store its not the worst thing in the world. Also; they have a ton of good 'market' items that you can just pick up and take. I'm just waiting for the Ajvar...

Love this place! Lasagna excellent, veggies to die for. Not inexpensive but good food. Stop by, check it out.

One of the best meals we ever had. I had the Pollo Pera, my husband had the short rib ravioli and my daughter had the rigatoni with meatballs. Amazing taste, all natural ingredients and a pleasant atmosphere. We will be shopping at the market soon. Remember to bring your own wine, as the place has no bar.

Love Max's.great portions. Everyone's always nice there, and BYOB. Takeout is quick and amazing everytime. Our top spot when we want take out!

It gets busy here and if you have to wait you have to stand in the area in front. They can run a bit late even if you have a reservation which is recommended because it's small and there's not that many tables. That's the only downside I have. Once seated the service is good and the Food is fantastic. Been here about 6 times and have had takeout. Always excellent.

I love this place! there is great food to eat in or take out. Its small but mighty! the food is delicious, they have good sized portions and have even made me a specialty vegetarian rice ball while I waited. The staff is attentive but not annoying. upon first entering it seems like an italian store with food being a glass case, which it partially is, but they also have a restaurant section to dine in. Max's will deliver good food at a good price point, bring your own or pick up a bottle at the liquor store next door, you will leave satisfied.

The last attendance we had an unfortunate seating arrangement where our party was eye to eye with, what may be called 'friends 'n family' of Vincent D'Onofrio's character from "Men in Black." We informed hostess when leaving. Haven't been able to courage back since. :(

After reading all of the positive reviews I was sure this place would be great. My husband and I were truly disappointed with not only the service but the food as well. Nothing we ordered was good. Their lasagna looked so good that I couldn't resist. It was tasteless and smothered in watered down sauce. The guys behind the counter were so standoffish. My husband who is talker and gets along with everyone said he would never go back. Sad.

Fantastic local Italian eatery. Good variety of food that is all delicious. They even make fantastic pizza. It has become our go to place for takeout. Friday nights are very busy for takeout so you might have a hard time calling in. Stay persistent, worth it.

There may be a lot of Italian food in our neck of the woods, but it's all very forgettable. So, the addition of Max's is a big "Hooray!" in my book. We dined late on a Sunday night, about 45 minutes before they close -- staff was gracious and never made us feel rushed. The service was really excellent; these guys really know what they are doing. Food was excellent. So beyond the Italian we've had lately, we were both a little giddy. Bread was a little crisp on the outside and warm on the inside, with a delectable pesto olive oil dipping sauce. From my husband, "I could have made a meal out of just that!". The stuffed mushrooms on special reminded me very much of those my family makes every year for Thanksgiving. I had the Gamberi Cucina - giant shrimp, with the most delicate alfredo sauce and perfectly cooked pappardelle. My husband went with the Calamari Bellisimo -- really unique flavors and tender calamari. We finished up with the ricotta cake, moist and flavorful, and a walnut caramel tart, with a chocolate drizzle that I just wanted more of. Yum. We will be back.

this place is pretty solid. I grabbed a half sausage parm for lunch and this thing was massive., a little light on the quantity of sausage in my hogie, but respectable. I also grabbed a side of brussel sprouts, which was seaasoned but not overly dry, but the real kicker was my mini cheescake-in-a-cone thing. this was novel, and tasty, and a little overpriced but whatever it was novel. The staff were friendly, and i liked the ambience. Unfortunately, Max's is well off the beaten path, but i'd take my girlfriend here for a date, or some coworkers for a lunch. Max's eatery, worth it.

Love this place. From their grandmas pie to their sandwiches lol it's fresh homemade bread set them apart. Never had a meal here that wasn't 5 stars. Plus the people who work here are very nice and accommodating.

We hosted a Baby Shower at Max's and the staff and service was great. We created a small menu for our guest. The food we ordered was great ( fresh and tasty- love their coconut shrimp appetizer). I would recommend this place for a gathering or just a dinner night out. Oh, did I forget to mention- great cappuccino and desserts!

This place is outstanding, food is alway great! The service from the owners, counter help to the wait staff always make ya feel welcome!!

Visited Max's tonight (Wednesday night) and was extremely satisfied with the food. I took our waitress's recommendation and was very happy. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the service. There was only one waitress working for the whole restaurant and she was less than attentive. I had to ask her to clear our appetizer plates when our dinner same and we sat for a very long time waiting to have our food wrapped up. Finally a young man took our food and prepared it to take home and she appeared with our check. The music was a bit loud but we were sitting right under the speaker. The selections they were playing were good. I would definitely go back because the food was extremely delicious. But it was disappointing after several friends recommended Max's that the service was not good.

You simply cannot get better Italian food in Hunterdon County! Walking into Max's brings back great memories of having meals (a meal is whole-day event when you are Italian) with the family off the boat in Jersey City. It is authentic, traditional, put your whole heart and soul into it type of food. The Market is frequented at least every other day by us now. Like a kid in a candy store, escarole pie fresh from the oven--to die for. Best eggplant parmesan this side of Jersey. We are so spoiled and delighted to be able to head over to Max's to see what he has been cooking today. There is no need to leave the county when Little Italy is just down the street!

What truly makes a restaurant or business stand out for me is exceptional service. When you enter Max's, there is always someone to help you with a genuine smile on their face. And help they will! They give recommendations and go out of their way to help you find what you are looking for. I was once sold goat cheese out of their refrigerator because I walked in looking for it, and I was accommodated. I have not had the opportunity to eat in at their restaurant, though judging by the take out food, I would not be disappointed. The take out is solid. Pasta entrees for $12? Comes with salad and fresh bread. I'm sold. I can barely get a cold cut sub for that price. BYOB and they are next door to a Bourbon Street liquor store. How convenient! This is such a pleasant treat for our neighborhood and I am happy they are here. I will make it a point to join them for more meals in the future. Thank you Max's for the incredibly friendly and warm service to accompany your delicious Italian food!

We love Max's!!! They have so much fresh amazing food, great selection, everything is delicious and the staff is awesome!!