Home Food + Drink The Barrow House: A Colonial Era Farmhouse-Turned-Restaurant in Clifton

The Barrow House: A Colonial Era Farmhouse-Turned-Restaurant in Clifton

by Gabriela Lachapel O'Brien
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The Barrow House is a 19th-century farmhouse turned restaurant and bar located at 1296 Van Houten Avenue in Clifton that specializes in rustic American cuisine, unique cocktails, and craft beers. It has become a staple in the local dining and bar scene, and rightfully so. The Barrow House does a wonderful job of transporting you to a different time and place all while wowing the taste buds. During COVID-19, the restaurant’s outdoor dining series premiered with Stranded in Paradise, a tropical oasis filled with palm trees, cocktail umbrellas, and serious tiki vibes, and it has been keeping guests coming back for more ever since. Read on to learn more about The Barrow House in Clifton and all it has to offer. 

Setting The Scene

The Barrow House

(Photo credit: @thebarrownj)

The concept for The Barrow House came from brothers Thomas & Dean Maroulakos, who have a passion for creating spaces that send guests on a time-traveling adventure while delivering an elevated dining experience. 

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The house, which is styled after a colonial-era home and made up of seven different rooms, sits on land that formerly operated as a farm. When diners enter, they are immediately transported to a cozy farmhouse fully equipped with fireplaces and oversized lounge chairs.

The Barrow House

(Photo credit: @thebarrownj)

The Barrow House also has a private event space located in the rear of the house and an outdoor seating area, which features different themes throughout the year. 

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The most recent theme this spring, Through the Looking Glass, was based on Alice in Wonderland and featured specialty food and drink items like Down the Rabbit Hole, a cocktail with Rabbit Hole Gin, aloe liqueur, coconut, and honeydew. Camp Barrow, which debuted just a few days ago, promises to deliver all the warm and fuzzy memories from summer camp. 

The Food

The Barrow House

(Photo credit: @thebarrownj)

The seasonal menu is focused on American classics with a country twist. The Low-Country Cornbread appetizer is perfectly sweet yet light, and the classic cheeseburger always hits the spot.

The Barrow House

(Photo credit: @thebarrownj)

The Beyond Burger is such a fan favorite amongst vegetarians and carnivores alike, it’s almost always on the menu. The chicken Milanese gets the crispiness just right and the Caprese-style topping is the ideal accompaniment. 

The Barrow House

(Photo credit: @thebarrownj)

The Barrow House also serves brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 11AM to 3PM. The stars here include the short rib grilled cheese; steak and eggs, and the Carolina-meets-Jersey benedict – a heaven-made pairing of biscuits and Taylor Ham (no pork roll here). 

The Drinks

The Barrow House

(Photo credit: @thebarrownj)

The cocktails, all priced at $13, are carefully crafted to complement the menu and ambiance. The Steel Magnolia is smokey and spicy, while Mother’s Little Helper is smooth and tart.

Some of the cocktails are even available to-go, which may sweeten the takeout argument with a particular partner or roommate – just saying!

The Barrow House

(Photo credit: @thebarrownj)

The beer list is made up of about ten selections that are always on the menu, including a special brew made in collaboration with a local brewery, and ten more seasonal selections.

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Don’t forget about the wine list, which is filled with unique offerings by the glass and by the bottle. 

The Barrow House

(Photo credit: @thebarrownj)

The Barrow House offers happy hour Monday through Friday at the wood-paneled bar, where from 3PM to 6PM patrons can enjoy $5 well drinks, $2 off wines by the glass and draft beers, plus a few specialty cocktails every day. 

Follow The Barrow House on Instagram @thebarrownj to stay informed on all the happenings and events. 

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