Northern New Jersey is known to have some of the best and most authentic restaurants in the Northeast of the United States. Between delicious Italian cafés to savory Mexican eateries and yummy Japanese restaurants to American gastro pubs, New Jersey offers everything to suit everyone’s appetite!

As some of you may know, I was born and raised in Northern Jersey, just outside of the Big Apple. I am also an Italian American who was bred on good food and I enjoy not only savoring delicious cuisines when I am traveling, I also LOVE exploring the foodie scene in my very own backyard!

I have been to some AMAZING restaurants in the world and could easily differentiate authentic food from non authentic food. I am so excited to put together a list of the BEST restaurants in Northern New Jersey (mainly in Bergen and a few in Hudson, Passaic, Essex and Morris County), including Southern Rockland County, New York!

I get asked all the time by good friends and family, what I recommend for a family dinner, date night, take out and a friends’ get together in Northern New Jersey. Below are the top 60 best restaurants in Northern New Jersey from my personal experiences: 

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BEST Restaurants in Northern New Jersey:

Pizzerias:

If you are going to indulge in pizza when you are traveling in the United States, you’re going to find the best in the Tri-State area, which is in Northern New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Below are a list of my favorite New York and Neapolitan pizza joints in New Jersey:

Best New York Pizza: Vincent’s, Cliffside Park, NJ

Best New York Pizza 2: Casa D Pizza, Denville, NJ

Best Neopolitan Pizza: S. Egidio, Ridgewood, NJ

Best Neopolitan Pizza 2: Razza, Jersey City, NJ

Best Detroit Style Pizza: Blue Steel Pizza Co., Bloomfield, NJ

Italian Restaurants:

A lot of residents living in Northern New Jersey are of Italian descent. Italians started coming over to the Tri-State area in the 1800s, but immigration peaked between 1900 and 1914. Throughout the years, Italian recipes have been passed down in family traditions, which is why you could find the best Italian restaurants in Northern New Jersey/New York. Below are my personal favorites:

Best Italian Restaurant: Tutto A Modo Mio, Ridgefield, NJ

Best Italian Restaurant 2: Trovato’s Due II, Oakland, NJ

Best Italian Restaurant 3: Otto Strada, Hoboken, NJ

Best Italian Restaurant 4: Villa Amalfi, Cliffside Park, NJ

Best Italian Restaurant 5: Arturo’s Restaurant, Midland Park, NJ

Best Italian Restaurant 6: Di Palma Brothers Restaurant, North Bergen, NJ

Click here to read my blog posts from Italy.

Italian Pastry Shops:

Who doesn’t love cannoli, right?! Although you could find plenty of wonderful Italian pastry shops here in North Jersey, there is one that is an ultimate favorite in my family.

Best Italian Pastry Shop: Rispoli Pastry Shop & Café, Ridgefield & Emerson, NJ

Spanish Restaurants:

I am so excited because New Jersey is FINALLY getting some amazing Spanish restaurants. Spanish cuisine is one of my top 5 favorites. Ever since I studied abroad in Spain, I have been hooked! Discover the best Spanish restaurants in Northern New Jersey:

Best Spanish Restaurant: Sangria Tapas Restaurant, Mahwah, NJ

Best Spanish Restaurant 2: El Cid, Paramus, NJ

Best Spanish Restaurant 3: Pintxo y Tapas, Englewood, NJ

Best Small Plates/Tapas Restaurant: Finca, Ridgewood, NJ

Click here to read my blog posts from Spain.

Irish Pubs:

Just like Italian Americans, a lot of Irish immigrated to the United States during the same time period. Because there are so many Irish Americans living in the Tri-State area as well, there are a plethora of different Irish pubs to eat at in North Jersey. Even though there are many great pubs in New Jersey, I have one ultimate favorite! Below is the best Irish pub and restaurant in Northern New Jersey:

Best Irish Pub: Hearth & Tap Co., Montvale, NJ

Click here to read my blog posts from Ireland.

Asian Restaurants:

Ah I love Asian food so much! My second favorite cuisine behind Italian is definitely Japanese and I also love Thai cuisine along with Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese and Mongolian food. Below are the best Asian restaurants in Northern North Jersey and Southern New York:

Best Japanese Sushi Restaurant: Bada Sushi, Suffern, NY

Best Japanese Hibachi Restaurant: Kiku, Paramus, NJ

Best Japanese Hibachi & Sushi Restaurant: Ayame Hibachi & Sushi, Hoboken, NJ

Best Thai Restaurant: Jay’s Thai Kitchen, Suffern, NY

Best Thai Restaurant 2: Green Papaya, River Edge, NJ

Best Chinese Restaurant: Look See, Ramsey, NJ

Click here to read my blog posts from Asia.

Mexican Restaurants:

Even though most could argue that the Northeast isn’t the ultimate best place to get Mexican food, compared to Texas and the Southwest, you could still always find a great eatery in North Jersey/Southern New York. Even though there are a few great Mexican restaurants in Northern New Jersey, I have one ultimate favorite (in addition to a great taco joint):

Best Mexican Restaurant: Hacienda de Don Manuel, Suffern, NY

Best Taco Restaurant: Gringo’s, Jersey City, NJ

Click here to read my blog from Tulum, Mexico.

Mediterranean Restaurants:

Mediterranean cuisine is one of the healthiest and also tastiest in the world. Throughout North Jersey are a variety of Mediterranean inspired restaurants that are renowned for their authenticity and fresh flavors. Below are the best Mediterranean restaurants in Northern New Jersey:

Best Turkish Food: Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine, Ridgewood, NJ

Best Greek Food: Varka Estiatorio, Ramsey, NJ

Best Israeli Food: Art Café, Nyack, NY

Best Mediterranean Food: Zeugma Mediterranean Grill, Montclair, NJ

Click here to read my blogs from Greece.

Cuban Restaurants:

Cuban food is absolutely delicious and you could find so many gems here in North Jersey. I have one ultimate favorite Cuban restaurant and it is below:

Best Cuban Food: Rumba Cubana, Guttenberg, North Bergen, Clifton and Rochelle Park, NJ

French Restaurants:

I definitely don’t have it enough, but French cuisine is so delicious! Whenever I have the opportunity to go to a French restaurant, I always take full advantage of all the amazing goodies. One of the best French restaurants I’ve been to in Northern New Jersey is below:

Best French Restaurant: Madeleine’s Petit Paris, Northvale, NJ

Click here to read my blogs from France.

American Restaurants:

Even though I am not a burger and wings type of girl, I do enjoy savoring some delicious meals alongside a delicious craft beer at an all American restaurant. There are obviously numerous American restaurants you could find here in North Jersey, but there is one that is my favorite. In addition, I LOVE craft beer! Discover my favorite places to grab a delicious brew as well:

Best American Food: Park West Tavern, Ridgewood, NJ

Best New American Food: Skopós Hospitality Group (Cowan’s Public in Nutley, NJ; The Barrow House in Clifton, NJ & The Vanguard in Harrison, NJ)

Best Craft Beer: The Shepherd and the Knucklehead Pub, Hoboken, NJ

Best Craft Beer 2: Ambulance Brew House, Nanuet, NY

Best Craft Beer 3: Defiant Brewing Co., Pearl River, NY

Best Craft Beer 4: Montclair Brewery, Montclair, NJ

Best Craft Beer 5: Hackensack Brewing, Hackensack, NJ

Best Craft Beer 6: Gentle Giant Brewing Company, Pearl River, NJ

Best Local Bar (& Best Italian Bar Food): Rudy’s Seafood Restaurant, Cliffside Park, NJ

Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants:

There are plenty of wonderful vegetarian and vegan restaurants in North Jersey, but my ultimate favorite is actually in Southern New York. It is super cute, quaint and delicious!

Best Vegetarian Café: Mia’s Kitchen, Suffern, NY

Special Events Restaurants:

Whether you are hosting a wedding, sweet 16, retirement party, birthday party, bar/bat mitzvah, etc., there are a few great reception halls that offer delicious food, but there is one that really stands out in North Jersey if you’re looking to cater an event.

Best Catering/Reception Food: Il Villaggio, Carlstadt, NJ

Breakfast, Brunch and Diners:

New Jersey is definitely known for diners. Whether you are grabbing breakfast in the morning or are craving late night munchies, you could find great diners all throughout the state. In addition, North Jersey has a lot of awesome brunch spots to choose from. Discover my favorite’s below:

Best Diner: Brownstone Pancake Factory, Edgewater & Jersey City, NJ

Best Breakfast: Strawberry Place, Nyack, NY

Best Breakfast 2: Café Dolma, Jersey City, NJ

Best Brunch: 14 and Hudson, Piermont, NY

Best Brunch 2: D’Vine Bar, Sparkill, NY

Best Brunch 3: Fresco, Montclair, NJ

Best Brunch 4: Sofia, Englewood, NJ

Bakeries:

If you are close with me, then you definitely know that I LOVE desserts and baked goods. All throughout North Jersey are amazing bakeries, donut shops, pastry cafés and more. Below are the best bakeries and restaurants in Northern New Jersey:

Best Italian Bakery: Lotito’s Deli & Bakery, Ramsey, NJ

Best American Bakery: Rockland Bakery, Nanuet, NY

Best Donuts: Glaze Donuts, New Milford, West Caldwell & Fort Lee, NJ

Best Cakes: Kara Kakes, Franklin Lakes, NJ

Farms:

Another wonderful aspect to North Jersey are the beautiful farms that offer pumpkin and apple picking in the fall, Christmas trees and decorations in the winter and flowers in the spring and summer months. In addition to all of the fun seasonal activities, a lot of these NJ farms offer delicious seasonal baked goods such as pies, donuts, fresh produce and more. Below are my three favorites:

Best Farm: Demarest Farms, Hillsdale, NJ

Best Farm 2: Secor Farms, Mahwah, NJ

Best Farm 3: Abma’s Farm, Wyckoff, NJ

Waterfront Fun:

Because New Jersey is located right across the Hudson River from New York City, there are so many ways to enjoy the dreamy city views and great outdoors while also having fun and savoring delicious local foods. Below are the best places to hang out and restaurants to enjoy on the water:

Best Place to Enjoy on the Water: Pier 13, Hoboken, NJ

Best Place to Enjoy on the Water 2: Lutze Biergarten, Jersey City, NJ

Best Place to Enjoy on the Water 3: Pier 115 Bar & Grill, Edgewater, NJ

Best Place to Enjoy on the Water 4: Pier 701 Restaurant & Bar, Piermont, NY

Runner Ups:

Like I mention above, there are so many great restaurants in Northern New Jersey that it is difficult to go wrong when choosing the best place to eat. Below are other awesome restaurants and eateries I enjoy going to:

• The Sicilian Sun (Italian): Ho Ho Kus, NJ
• Andrea’s (Italian): Waldwick, NJ
• Ragazzi (Italian): Norwood, NJ
• Matsu Japanese Restaurant (Japanese): Hillsdale, NJ
• Tawara Japanese Restaurant (Japanese): Ramsey, NJ
• Greek City (Greek): Ramsey, NJ
• La Gondola (New York Pizza): Ramsey, NJ
• Fiona’s Ristorante (Italian): Midland Park, NJ
• Roberto’s II Ristorante (Italian): Edgewater, NJ
• Mount Fuji Japanese Steakhouse (Japanese): Hillburn, NY
• Mezza Luna Bistro (Italian): Allendale, NJ
• da Nina Italian Restaurant (Italian): Suffern, NY
• Segovia Steakhouse (Spanish): Moonachie & Little Ferry, NJ
• Wasabi (Japanese): Ridgewood, NJ
• Miller’s Bakery (Bakery): Cliffside Park & Tenafly, NJ
• Stone and Rail (Gastropub): Glen Rock, NJ

I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best restaurants and eateries in Northern New Jersey. If you have any questions, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com or leave a comment below on your favorite places to eat in North Jersey.

Click here to booking a cooking class in New York City from New Jersey.

Basic Facts of the United States:

Currency: United States Dollar, Capital: Washington D.C., NJ State Capital: Trenton, Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time

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