Home Food + DrinkBars Tops Diner — An East Newark Staple Since 1942

Tops Diner — An East Newark Staple Since 1942

by Samantha Impaglia
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

We all know that New Jersey is known for its selection of top-notch diners. Essex County alone is full of them — Montclair Diner, Raymond’s, Tick Tock Diner — the list goes on. Another spot that stands out is Tops Diner, located at 500 Passaic Avenue in East Newark. It’s been in business since the 1940s and recently underwent a fresh remodel that makes this delicious diner locale stand out just as much as the food. Read on to learn more about Tops and what makes it a North Jersey gem.

tops diner east newark nj

(Photo credit: @thetopsdiner)

Read More: These North Jersey Diners Are What Makes New Jersey, New Jersey

About the Diner + Its Look

Tops Diner was established in 1942 and is known as “America’s premier family-owned diner, serving over 15,000 hungry customers exactly what they want each week”, as stated on the website. It’s true — this spot is always packed but the food for sure outweighs the wait.

tops diner newark

(Photo credit: @thetopsdiner)

When walking into Tops present day, customers are greeted by a brand new atmosphere. The diner recently underwent a major renovation, replacing its old-school blue and grey diner look with a neutral post-modern look. The new vibes here still encompass a classic NJ diner, but with a fresh twist that includes wood-paneled walls, black leather diner booths, and contemporary-style lighting. There’s also an area lined with historic photographs to browse near the back.

See More: How to Spend a Day in Newark, New Jersey

The Drinks + Eats

This staple of the Newark and Harrison area delivers a high-quality diner experience from 8AM – 11PM seven days a week. As for the menu, one can find all of the classic diner options and a variety of fun dishes with unique twists.

tops diner newark

Breakfast lovers are in luck — this spot has an all-day breakfast menu complete with classics like steak and eggs, benedicts, and breakfast platters. If you’re looking for something more out of the box, the Jambalaya Hash + Eggs is a great pick — complete with Spicy cajun andouille sausage, sautéed tomatoes, peppers, onions, and breakfast potatoes served over Spanish rice and topped with scrambled or sunny-side-up eggs. There’s also a fun variety of pancakes like chocolate chips and cream, brioche french toast including churro-style, waffles, omelets, coffees, smoothies, milkshakes, and more.

tops diner newark breakfast

As for the main menu, which includes brunch, lunch, dinner, and late-night meals, it would take forever to list all of the yummy options. There’s all kinds of sandwiches: an Italian Spiced Chicken Burger; a Dry Aged Tavern Burger; a Jersey Cuban with Swiss, ham, pastrami, mustard, mayo, and pickles; as well as Beyond Burger and Veggie Burger. The pasta dishes here are a must-try if you’re an Italian food lover — from Baked Rigatoni and Burrata Ravioli to Chicken Francese over spaghetti. On the endless list of main courses, you’ll find house favorites like Lobster Mac + Cheese Casserole, a Shanghai Steak Bowl, and Barbecue Baby Back Ribs. There’s also a selection of salads, along with vegetarian options in each section. Odds are if you’re craving something, Tops will have it. Browse all of the dishes here.

tops diner newark dinner

Tops also has a full bar complete with cocktail offerings such as the American Trilogy with Sagamore rye, laird’s straight applejack, bourbon maple, and orange/chocolate bitter; the Tiger Woods Mule with Figenza fig vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice; a Tops Margarita that includes agave syrup and orange liqueur; and two kinds of fruity sangrias. There’s also frozen drinks and a large selection of beer and wine.

tops diner newark bar

(Photo credit: @thetopsdiner)

Reservations are highly recommended if you’re dining in, and the spot also has pickup and delivery. Customers can also pre-order select pies, cheesecakes, layer cakes, and more online.

Stay in the know with @themontclairgirl on Instagram and TikTok.

read more button

also appears in

0 comment