Regardless of the weather, sometimes it’s nice to just get outside. Verona is a smaller town in Essex County. It has so much to do in so little space: 2.82 miles to be exact. Sunny days can be spent around the park or sitting outside with a cup of coffee. Rainy days can be enjoyed as many of Verona’s spots are close together in distance — limiting time spent in the rain. Regardless of the weather, Verona, NJ has places to eat and shop, and things to do for just about everyone. Keep reading to hear more about how to spend a Day in Verona, New Jersey.
Verona’s History
Like many cities + towns in Essex County, Verona was once part of Newark. After the town left Newark, it was also considered a borough of Caldwell Township, before formally becoming a town in 1907.
One of its most striking features, Verona Park, was designed by the Olmstead Brothers, which many know of for their contributions to other landmarks such as Central Park in Manhattan and Branch Brook Park in Essex County. Verona Park holds two lakes, a bridge, and in recent years includes a boathouse. In addition to the park, Verona also has quite a few historical sites. At 16 Grove Avenue sits a house built around 1870 with an Italianate design. It was home to Hiram Cook who moved to Verona after the Civil War. He also turned a lake in the town into a recreation center.
The building located at 110 Claremont Avenue is considered to be architecturally significant because of its alterations + additions. The Pease House, located on 66 Lakeside Avenue, was built by Captain Gilbert Pease in 1893. Captain Pease lived in the home until he was 90 years old. What makes this historical home interesting is the maintained features including the original seven ceilings with different patterns, tin trimming, original old hinges + door knobs, and more.
In addition to the homes and the famous Verona Park, the Verona Public Library is yet another piece of the town’s history. It was constructed in 1923 and is one of the 25,000 libraries nationally funded through the Carnegie Corporation between 1883 and 1929. Although the lot of land was purchased on an $11,000 grant, the construction halted during World War I. Construction later commenced in 1922.
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Places to Eat
Avenue Bistro | 558 Bloomfield Avenue
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Avenue Bistro serves “exceptional casual food, drinks + a relaxed vibe” on Bloomfield Avenue. The bistro has menus available for main dishes + appetizers, seasonal cocktails, and brunch. Avenue Bistro hosts events in its space such as a Mardi Gras Party and a Sweetheart Brunch. There is also the opportunity to host an event in the space. In addition to special events, there’s something to celebrate here most nights of the week such as Taco Tuesday, Wine Down Wednesday, and Happy Hour every Tuesday – Friday. MG suggests the Bavarian Pretzel with Brown Mustard + Beer Cheese Sauce, or the wings.
Blue Hippo Coffee Co. | 662 Bloomfield Avenue
Blue Hippo Coffee Co. is a cute little place to stop by for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. The space has a counter where patrons can order when first walking inside the restaurant. The left side of the restaurant has tables and chairs that continue to the back of the space. There is also a small section in the back of Blue Hippo providing a great photo opp with big bright yellow chairs, a grass wall, + neon lights. Some menu options to consider are the Powertrip (mashed avocado, heirloom cherry tomato, aged provolone, + pesto egg whites on multigrain toast) or the TikTok Wrap (grilled chicken, red onion, arugula, tomato, provolone + cheddar cheese, sriracha aioli on a pressed flour tortilla). There are also coffee options to try such as the Iced Cafe Mocha, Flat White, or Nitro Cold Brew (on tap).
Frank Anthony’s Gourmet Italian | 667 Bloomfield Avenue
Frank Anthony’s is open seven days a week and has menus available for pizza, dinner/entrees, sandwiches, + catering. There are also private dining options available. Try the Veal Saltimbocca (veal with prosciutto di parma, sauteed spinach, homemade mozzarella, marsala wine demi, parmigiana risotto) or the Tuscan Lemon Chicken (Herb grilled chicken parmesan risotto, + seasonal vegetables).
Green Point Juicery | 532 Bloomfield Avenue
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GreenPoint Juicery serves freshly pressed juices and nutritious snacks. In addition to its Verona location GreenPoint has two more locations in Maplewood + Morristown. Juices include green juices, freshly squeezed fruit juices, + dessert juices. There are also juice cleanses available for one day to ten days. Juicing aside, GreenPoint also serves acai bowls, oatmeal, smoothies, vegan desserts, + more. For a green juice, MG suggests the Green Colada (wheatgrass, cucumber, pineapple, kale, mint, + lemon). For solid foods try the Key Lime “Cheesecake” (cashews, dates, raw agave, coconut, coconut oil, flax + sunflower seeds, lime juice + zest, + Himalayan salt). Juice + dessert lovers can unite with GreenPoint’s delicious Choco-Cashew Milk (raw cacao, cashews, dates, vanilla, Himalayan salt, + filtered water) — it is a must-try.
Jack’s Cafe | 684 Bloomfield Avenue
This cafe was founded by Jack + Marianne in 1997. Jack always wanted a restaurant and Marianne helped that dream become a reality. This cafe serves breakfast + lunch with options like eggs benedict, flapjacks, paninis, burgers, salads, and more. MG suggests the Cinnamon Raisin Flapjacks for breakfast or Michelle’s Fries (buffalo crispy chicken, shredded cheddar cheese on fries topped with ranch or bleu cheese dressing) for lunch. All visits here should include ending the meal with an order of fried Oreos.
Lakeside Deli | 542 Bloomfield Avenue
This family-owned + operated deli has been in business for over 50 years and is a staple on Verona’s Bloomfield Avenue. The deli menu has options like Spice It Up specialty grilled cheese (Pepper Jack Cheese, capicola, soppressata, + hot peppers on your choice of bread), Eggplant Wrap (breaded eggplant with roasted peppers, mozzarella, romaine lettuce, + balsamic vinaigrette), or the Milano Salad (grilled chicken breast, romaine lettuce, fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, + sun-dried tomatoes). In addition to sandwiches, wraps, and salads, Lakeside Deli also has breakfast options, quesadillas, soups, and burgers.
The Parkside Social | 706 Bloomfield Avenue
The Parkside Social opened in 2022 and has an atmosphere of vintage meets industrial. The wooden bar with brass stools sits in the bar area. The ceiling has exposed vent pipes bringing a touch of industrialism. Patrons can enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert in this space. There is also room available for private dining options. For brunch try the Crispy Tacos (Berkshire belly, pico de gallo, sunny egg, lime crema, + crispy potato). For dinner try the Salmon with sun-dried orzo, asparagus, dill velouté, + herb oil. The owner of the Parkside Social is looking toward ever newer beginnings as it considers opening a taco and tequila spot next door.
The Towne Scoop | 542B Bloomfield Avenue
Ice cream lovers can feel at ease at The Towne Scoop. The menu has hard-dipped flavors like Confetti Cake Batter, Vanilla Fudge, + Black Raspberry, Soft Serve flavors like Vanilla, Chocolate, + a Twist, and Italian Ice in Lemon + Cherry. There are also ice cream cakes available for any occasion.
Verona American Grill | 676 Bloomfield Avenue
Established in 2022, Verona American Grill has comfort food available from brunch + dinner. Booking is also available for occasions like showers, holiday parties, birthdays, and more. For brunch try the Eggs Benedict Waffle (waffle, poached eggs, Hollandaise sauce, + Canadian bacon), or the Challah French Toast. For dinner try the Beef Stroganoff Gnocchi (white truffle gnocchi, slow-cooked beef, mushrooms, + sour cream sauce), or the Stuffed Shrimp (jumbo shrimp stuffed with crab meat, served with roasted vegetable orzo).
Verona Inn | 624 Bloomfield Avenue
Established in 1947, the Verona Inn has been serving lunch and dinner to the Verona area for 77 years. Its beer menu is extensive with nearly 30 brews plus classic draughts + classic domestic bottles/cans. The Inn also has specials such as Taco Tuesdays, Wine Wednesdays, Ladies Night Thursdays, + Lazy Sundays each with its own drink or food specials. MG suggests starting off with the Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos (stuffed with a blend of cream cheese + cheddar cheese, Cajun seasoning, wrapped in Applewood smoked bacon) or the Spinach Artichoke Dip (served with tortilla chips). Then, move into the Roasted Beef Salad (Mixed greens, roasted beets, goat cheese, candied walnuts, orange, sweet pickled red onions, + orange vinaigrette) or the V.I. Burger (with cheddar, bacon, + an onion ring).
Places to Shop
The Collective Bookstore | 460 Bloomfield Avenue
Independently owned + operated The Collective has all kinds of genres of books. Community is a big belief for The Collective. To bring this belief to the community it offers various events like book clubs for fiction and nonfiction books and programs. There is also a section of the website that leads to Audiobooks available from The Collective through Libro.fm.
Main Street Cottage | 678 Bloomfield Avenue
This tiny storefront is home to big options for unique gifts and home decor. Some options at Main Street Cottage are throw pillows, small signage, ornaments, photos frames, + more. For those not sure where to start, try purchasing a curated gift basket. Main Street Cottage also hosts events like a Sip + Shop.
Say I Do Bridal Boutique | 569 Bloomfield Avenue
Say I Do Bridal may have bridal in the name, but its special occasion wear gives customers a lot to talk about. With designers like Jade Couture, Adrianna Papell, and Mon Cheri, there are plenty of stunning options for customers to try on. Accessories are also available in the store.
Suite Snob | 707 Bloomfield Avenue
Currently, in its eighth year of business, Suite Snob has fashion-forward options for those surrounding and visiting the Verona area. Buyer Ella Meola mentioned that she’s had some celebrity appearances in her space from The Real Housewives of New Jersey + New York in her store. She also mentioned that connection was a huge help during the pandemic. From bright pink dresses with charming gold buttons to one-shoulder silhouettes, Suite Snob has options for women in their day-to-day lives, special occasions, + more. The store also sells accessories, because no outfit is complete with clothes alone. For those unsure of where to start, try booking a personal styling appointment. Suite Snob has also done pop-up shop collaborations with local businesses in the Verona area.
True Believers Gaming + Collectibles | 713 Bloomfield Avenue
For the collector, True Believers can be a shopper’s haven. True Believers buy and sell collectible items. Some items that are available in the store are trading cards, plushies, comic books, action figures, and wall-to-wall displays on Funko Pops. In addition to the Verona location, there are also two more in Edison, New Jersey + Nyack, New York.
Vintage Alley | 730 Bloomfield Avenue
Vintage Alley has inspired new fashion with old for the past decade. The curated collection ranges in years from the 1920s-1990s. The shop has clothing pieces as well as purses, shoes, brooches, jewelry, and more. Some designers that have been featured on the store’s Instagram page are Gucci, Prada, Jimmy Choo, Moschino, and more.
Voltaire Cycles | 400 Bloomfield Avenue
Those looking to purchase or learn more about electric bikes should stop by Voltaire on Bloomfield Avenue. This bike shop has options for customers to purchase electric bikes + scooters. Some may not be sure about their purchase, but that’s no problem at Voltaire Cycles, because the store offers options to rent e-bikes ranging from one hour to one week. Buyers can ride their bikes stress-free as Voltaire offers free tune-ups to those who purchase their bikes in-store. The space is open Tuesday through Saturday, and on Sunday by appointment only.
Things to Do
Bar Academy 101 | 450 Bloomfield Avenue
Bar Academy opened its doors in 2010 and is a go-to spot for the Verona area with alcoholic events and classes. Patrons can visit for events like a wine + cheese pairing, a champagne + chocolate tasting, or a two-hour bourbon tasting. If hooked after one event, try registering for a class like Martini Making, Wine + Pasta Tasting, or a Shot Making Class. Bar Academy also has bartending certification courses available as a four-hour, one-day, + two-day course.
The Compound | 271 Grove Avenue Building C
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The best way to describe the Compound is through its logo: training studio meets coffee shop meets community. The Compound was established in Verona in 2020. The training studio offers small group classes as well as private lessons. Some classes available are Yoga/HIIT Fusion, General Physical Strengths + Movement, and Wind Down Wednesday Flow. Drop-in classes are available for $25. Before or after that workout, it may be time for a cup of coffee. The Compound Coffee Co. is a cute space with hip decor and neon lighting. There’s also some cozy space outside to curl up and enjoy a cup of coffee. Some menu items to try are Hot Hall + Oates (fresh brewed drip coffee + organic steamed oat milk with a drizzle of honey + dash of cinnamon), Tiramisu Latte Hot (Double shot of espresso with dulce de leche, caramel, + a dash of mocha with choice of steamed milk). The team’s favorite is the Pound Pancakes, which are made with organic, gluten-free rolled oats, organic bananas, cage-free organic eggs, Vital Proteins protein powder, a dash of vanilla, and a sprinkle of sea salt cooked to perfection in coconut oil.
Flor da Vida Women’s Wellness | 21 Grove Avenue, 2nd Floor
Flor da Vida prides itself on providing a welcoming space to all women. For shopping purposes, check out the Apothecary for items like body oils, body creams, and bath soaks. Patrons can also take courses available at Flor da Vida like the four-week Astrology Conscious Parenting Course or stop by for an event like the Feminine Awakening Circle.
Goddess in Eden | 282 Bloomfield Avenue
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For those looking to unlock their magical potential, look no further than Goddess in Eden. Now in its 15th year of service, Goddess in Eden has classes, psychic readings, and more for the inner Goddess in each person that walks through its door. Some classes + events to consider are the Tarot Club + the Goddess Circle. Psychic Readings + Healing Sessions are available. Goddess in Eden also has a shop with products available like jewelry, candles, stones, and more.
Kip’s Castle Park | 22 Crestmont Road
The 9,000 square feet replica of a medieval castle has an estate on 11 acres of land and was created between 1902 and 1905. Admission is free and the castle is available for touring from dawn to dusk seven days a week. Enjoy the beautiful scenic overlook of New York City the castle has to offer, or join a guided tour to capture the most out of this stunning building.
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Verona Park | Bloomfield Avenue + Lakeside Avenue
A beautiful day in Verona cannot be complete without stopping by one of the most action-packed places in town: Verona Park. At 54.32 acres of land, there is something for everyone to do in this lovely outdoor space. Some things to keep park-goers busy are enjoying a game of tennis on its courts, letting the little ones play in the Children’s Garden, taking a walk on the walking paths, or playing a game of bocce ball to name a few. Fishing + boating options are also available in the park.
Verona Yoga | 569 Bloomfield Avenue
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Verona Yoga creates a sense of community for yogis of all levels. Some classes to consider taking are Beginners Yoga, Open Level Yoga (Intermediate), + Gentle/Restorative Yoga. There are also options available for outdoor + virtual classes. In addition to classes, yogis can also join workshops and events in the studio like a Belly Dance Pop-Up Class.
