Welcome to Padrino’s Bistro & Italian Steakhouse, authentic Southern and Coastal Italian cuisine in Hamilton, New Jersey. We’re moments from Routes 130, 195 and the turnpike.

Daily Lunch and Dinner Specials - Take Out – Pizza
Delivery – Catering – Private Parties

It’s comforting to know my nonna’s recipes
and love made it to this century. Some
dishes go back over 100 years.” Says Chef
Coppola. “The same food she shared
with her friends, I’m sharing with
mine. Does it get any better?

Our Story

“It’s comforting to know my nonna’s recipes and love made it to this century. Some dishes go back over 100 years.” Says Chef Coppola. “The same food she shared with her friends, I’m sharing with mine. Does it get any better?”

There’s Italian cooking and then there’s authentic Italian cooking. If you say Italian is Italian, we say you’re wrong. So will our Executive Chef, Leonardo Coppola. His authentic recipes handed down from generation to generation back him up. Every dish tells a story as old as the hills in Italy, you just have to listen with each savory bite. Interpreter not needed.

Native Italian food is a part of Chef Coppola who was born and raised in Monte di Procida, Napoli Italia. He spent his very early years in his Nonna’s kitchen, sitting on the counter watching and “helping.”That’s how it started. In that country kitchen filled with fresh tomatoes, basil, and olive oil picked from the families land, she taught him how to prepare the family’s homemade secrets. He learned you can’t rush a good sauce and fresh herbs and good olive oil make all the difference. The most important lesson Nonna taught: cook from the heart and the soul is rewarded.

At 14 moved to New Jersey with his family. This is where his passion for cooking took off.  His family openned Pasta Blitz which changed its name to Lambert’s Cucina in Lawrenceville. That’s where his mother reinforced the family’s traditional dishes…when he mastered them, he was encouraged to transform them; infuse them with contemporary influences. Judging by the menu, he’s been having a wonderful time creating new classics for a new generation.

In 2005, he and his wife started several restaurants including Leonardo’s Mediterranean Grill & Pizza, Leonardo’s II Italian Restaurant, and Limoncello’s Café & Pizza. Due to a growing family and a commitment to his wife to not be a part-time dad, they sold their restaurants. He is now the Executive Chef at Padrino’s and a full-time, hands-on dad.

From our family’s table to yours. Mangia.