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.

(Photo credit: @thetopsdiner)

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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.

(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.

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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.

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.

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 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.

(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.

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