If your parents or parental figures come into town — or even if they live in the area — they deserve to be treated to the best New Jersey can offer. Across the state, restaurants offer unparalleled service, high-quality food, and unique experiences that are sure to impress. We know it can get overwhelming to choose with so many great places to eat all around Northern New Jersey, so we’ve rounded up some awesome spots to wow your parents. Read on for a list of great family restaurants in Northern New Jersey for an unforgettable night.
1776 by David Burke | 67 E Park Place, Morristown
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The new, upscale location in Morristown has a Topgolf swing suite, so a family dinner can turn into a friendly family competition. The experience features a meal option for every part of the day, from happy hour to power lunch. The menu is a modern play on American classics, played up on the Sunday brunch menu. With pasta and pizza, the signature Himalayan salt-aged beef cuts, and even sushi, there’s something for everyone here.
Anthony David’s | 953 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken
With mouthwatering eats for both daily brunch and dinner, Anthony David’s is a nice spot to enjoy your parents’ company. Located in uptown Hoboken, it’s nestled off of the main strip and has a large, wraparound patio. The interior dining room is simple and elegant, and the Italian food and drink selection boasts something for everyone. Make sure your folks know that Anthony David’s accepts only cashless payments and allows BYOB for wine + bubbles.
Battello | 502 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City
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Battello is an elegant and rustic spot, serving up Italian fare and a lengthy cocktail list, which are as pretty as the NYC views on display here. Guests can go for a fancier dinner with the menu items, like a seafood tower, or keep it simple for a weekend brunch with avocado toast. Either way, the cocktails are diverse and satisfy all types of alcohol preferences — plus, what’s better than a family dinner with a view?
Benares | 327 Franklin Avenue #4, Wyckoff
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Modern Indian cuisine is on the menu at Benares, which opened in New Jersey after years of success in Manhattan. The diverse menu includes a wide variety of flavorful dishes and an array of perfectly spiced vegetarian options. The flavors at Benares highlight the cuisine of the northern Indian state of Utter Pradesh, which is where the city of Benares is located, so you and your parents can take a culinary trip without leaving NJ. And it’s all served in a contemporary modern space.
Blue Morel Restaurant + Wine Bar | 2 Whippany Road, Morristown
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Upscale gets next level at Blue Morel. Through the leadership of Chef Thomas Ciszak, the restaurant’s focus is farm-to-table cuisine alongside elegant service. Private dining is also available for an even more unforgettable experience. Blue Morel serves what it calls ‘New American Cuisine’ along with sushi and a seafood raw bar. It was even named one of the top 10 new restaurants in the U.S by Gayot back in 2012.
Read More: These Restaurants + Bars in Montclair Will Wow Your Visitors
Casa d’Paco | 73 Warwick Street, Newark
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Share a few locally-sourced tapas dishes with mom and dad at this Newark gem. The menu changes weekly, so you can bring your parents back time and again for a new experience each time. It combines classic and modern cuisines with a one-of-a-kind flair. There’s also a once-a-month flamenco night and a flurry of other events for a post-meal treat with the folks.
Chart House | 1700 Harbor Boulevard, Weehawken
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Chart House is another spot that is ideal for parents, boasting glass windows and impeccable skyline views. Though Chart House is a high-end chain eatery, it still brings a unique, local feel. Chart House serves both seafood and steakhouse fare in a classy setting. It’s tucked away in quaint Weehawken, which is a better fit if your parents prefer a quieter area.
Dino & Harry’s | 163 14th Street, Hoboken
One of Hoboken’s most iconic eateries, Dino & Harry’s is sure to impress. There’s the potential to spot a celebrity, which is fun for the whole family, but the guarantee is that you’ll enjoy your meal. Though it is known for the steaks, Dino & Harry’s also has seafood and vegetarian options. The decor doesn’t hurt, either, with vintage details such as the 150-year-old clock, the stained glass designs that crown expansive windows and meet a tiled floor, and the tin ceiling take guests back in time.
Gioia Mia | 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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The team behind Gioia Mia is no stranger to Montclair or the restaurant business. In fact, they’ve been behind the scenes at Fascino all along. The Gioia Mia concept was created by Mary Cumella (General Manager) and Logan Ramirez (Chef De Cuisine) of Fascino. This new American spot draws influence from all types of cuisines. All pastas are made in-house using the flours imported from Italy. There are also some Asian-inspired dishes, as well as a huancaina (Peruvian) sauce on our chicken dish.
Felina Restaurant | 18 Prospect Street, Ridgewood
Set in a former iconic bank space, marble columns, huge windows, and a giant wraparound mezzanine dot the restaurant. The iconic bank vault door and floating chandelier are a nod to the building’s former life. And the decor complements dinner and brunch menus that are full of Italian flavor and seasonal ingredients.
Halcyon | 114 Walnut Street, Montclair
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This modern, upscale-casual restaurant boasts a seasonal, seafood-focused menu and an upstairs lounge space. There’s also a full-service raw bar and a cool, calm atmosphere. It aims to be a neighborhood bar, and it’s definitely a calm hangout space to spend quality time with parents. The Montclair Girl’s readers voted this spot the Best Seafood in Montclair in 2021.
Il Capriccio | 633 Route 10 East, Whippany
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For music-loving parents, Il Capriccio offers live piano music in a cool, Italian-influenced space. The family-run restaurant knows how to treat a family, serving up delicious eats and sweet desserts crafted by executive chef and owner Tony Grande’s family, who also hold significant roles in the restaurant. Il Capriccio serves ingredients grown on Grande’s own farm.
Kim’s Sushi | 456 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange
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People travel from far and wide to enjoy the out-of-this-world rolls at Kim’s Sushi. The unassuming space has tons of space for families, and nothing is better than bonding over truly good eats. The interior is set up in a way where a lot of areas feel private, too, adding to the intimacy. Order one of the platters for the ultimate family-style meal: each one has an assortment of different rolls, so diners can get a little taste of everything.
Luigino’s Parmigiana | 173 Glenridge Avenue
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Luigino’s Parmigiana is a “funky traditional” Italian spot drawing influence from Luigi’s Southern Italian roots. With big open windows, faux fruits hanging from the ceiling, and olive wood furnishing, the space is light and organic. This fusion of the old + new is present on the restaurant’s menu, too. There’s a choice selection of traditional Italian dishes (including an entire section dedicated to the namesake, Parmigiana) to more explorative Roman-style pizzas + paninis. Perhaps the most exciting, though, is the “Dalla Dispensa” portion of the menu, which includes an array of specialty meat and cheese boards.
McLoone’s Boathouse | 9 Cherry Lane, West Orange
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Located within the South Mountain Recreation Complex, McLoone’s Boathouse sits on the banks of the reservoir, offering diners spectacular views of the water. It’s no wonder its slogan is ‘sea for yourself.’ Keeping with the tradition of owner Tim McLoone’s other locations, the menu offers tried and true American cuisine that has great choices for the entire family.
Ninety Acres at Natirar | 200 Natirar Drive, Peapack + Gladstone
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Step into the good life at this one-of-a-kind experience at the self-proclaimed ‘table at the farm’ restaurant. The upscale New American cuisine on the menu is as fresh as it gets. It’s sourced from the palatial estate’s on-site farm and pairs perfectly with the massive wine list. Diners get the experience of the farm-to-table meal without the gardening and outdoor work necessary to make it happen.
See More: Restaurants With the Coolest Interiors in Hoboken + Jersey City
Oceanos Oyster Bar + Seafood Grill | 2-27 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn
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This Fair Lawn restaurant offers, arguably, one of the best outdoor dining opportunities in the state. The greenery-adorned venue hosts some of the best seafood around and an extensive wine list that’s sure to impress. It’s family-run, too, so they know how to make sure families have a good time.
Peking Pavilion | 110 NJ-33, Manalapan
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Inspired by 5,000 years of culture, the original Peking Pavilion Chinese Restaurant opened in 1975 in Richmond, Virginia. Founders Mike and Corrina Kuo relocated to New Jersey in 1983 and brought their concept with them. Now, it offers traditional fare (including, obviously, Peking duck) to the state. Leading with the premise of following pride, tradition, and honor, this is a great spot to go with your parents.
Rails Steakhouse | 10 Whitehall Road, Towaco
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Complete with a smart casual dress code, this upscale American steakhouse offers only the finest aged cuts that are all cured in-house. The 20,000-square-foot space is designed like a lodge, with earth and water elements abound. Three levels offer three different vibes, allowing parents to choose their own dining adventure.
Ventanas at the Modern | 200 Park Avenue, Fort Lee
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Restaurateur Alexander Duran of Son Cubano and Chef David Burke joined forces to sweep Fort Lee off its feet with modern American-Asian-Latin fusion fare. Signature dishes include the Lobster Dumplings, “K-Town” Wings and Calamari Rings, Clothesline Bacon, Tuna Tartare Tacos, Chef Burke’s Patented Salt-Aged Beef, and the VENTANAS Sushi Roll. Ventanas is a full restaurant, bar, and lounge, so this is a great spot if your folks prefer the vibrant lounge-style vibe.
Water + Wine | 141 Sterling Road, Watchung
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Lakeside dining meets Italian and American cuisine at Water + Wine. There’s delicious food and a huge wine selection, meaning you and your parents are sure to enjoy an upscale afternoon or evening in an unforgettable place. It even features a heated tent to allow for comfortable outdoor dining, so long as weather permits. Water + Wine encourages diners to make a reservation ahead of time.
