Colder, shorter days mean less sunshine, and more time curled up trying to stay warm. During the winter months, you might turn to familiar meals that bring about a sense of cozy — or comfort, if you will. Hearty soups, decadent chocolate, juicy meats, anything with potatoes and cheese — just talking about these winter staples is comforting. But, Essex County area restaurants have taken these standards and added their own flairs to some dishes. Read on for our list of interesting twists on comfort food in the Essex County area.
Anthony’s Cheesecake | 1 Washington Street, Bloomfield
When it comes to comfort food, it is hard to beat a plate of meatballs or a crunchy egg roll. You can find them twisted together in the meatball parm egg roll, which is filled with housemade meatballs.
Read More: The Must-Try Mac + Cheese Spots in Essex County
Cloverleaf Tavern | 395 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
(Photo credit: @cloverleaftavern)
When the temperature dips, a cup of hot cocoa can take off the chill. The version served here is for adults only. The Skrewdgeball Hot Chocolate is topped with boozy peanut butter, whipped cream, Reese’s chocolate crumble, and mini marshmallows.
The Fox + Falcon | 19 Valley Street, South Orange
(Photo credit: @thefoxandfalconnj)
The menu at this trendy American restaurant features elevated interpretations of classic dishes like a chopped iceberg salad made with pickled peppers, house-cured and smoked duroc bacon; and a chicken pot pie made with roti. Finish your meal with a mini ice cream sundae served with homemade cookies.
Good Chicken | 114 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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Fried chicken is a classic comfort food, and at Good Chicken, you can get Korean chicken prepared in classic, soy garlic, or sweet and spicy style. While you are there, order a potato dog stuffed with mozzarella cheese, rolled in sugar, and served with CG secret sauce.
Michael’s Roscommon House | 531 Joralemon Street, Belleville
(Photo credit: @michaels_rosscommon)
Sometimes nothing but a burger will do, and you can find everything from a simple cheeseburger to a Jersey burger topped with Taylor ham, mozzarella, and Jersey sauce.
The Parkside Social | 706 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
(Photo credit: @theparksidesocial)
Deviled eggs are considered by many to be a perfect mouthful of comfort food. You can find them here made with hazelnut, lemon zest, and pink salt. Even better, they are vegetarian and gluten-free. For dessert, try the sugar donuts for two, filled with dark chocolate mousse.
Ray’s Luncheonette | 99 Walnut Street, Montclair
This local restaurant has been a neighborhood staple for 40 years. Its specialty is breakfast, and if you can’t decide between sweet and savory, you can have both in the french toast melt, which is bacon, eggs, and cheese griddled between two slices of french toast.
Sweet T’s Southern Eatery | 387 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
(Photo credit: @sweettssoutherneatery)
When many people think of comfort food, they think of Southern cooking. You’ll find many classic dishes at Sweet T’s but if you are in the mood for something different, try the beef short rib grilled cheese served with potato wedges or the turkey sausage mac and cheese.
See More: Meatball Spots Worth Trying in Hoboken + Jersey City
With a Touch of Love | 324B Orange Road, Montclair
(Photo credit: @withatouchoflovenj)
A bowl of pasta is warm, comforting, and full of carbohydrates — the perfect combination for raising your serotonin levels. The pasta served here is made with jerk seasoning and colorful peppers, and you can add in oxtails for protein. Order the banana pudding for dessert.
27 Montclair + Essex County Spots That Have NYC Vibes
We have to admit it: as Jersey natives, we are spoiled with having New York City within sight of our hometown. Once in a while, we have the added luxury of a city experience right here in New Jersey. From the most vibrant restaurants to dynamic shopping ventures, it’s arguable that the Garden State may be on par with New York-sized adventures. Read on to find out more about which Essex County spots feel like NYC.
Allegory Restaurant and Bar + Alto Rooftop | 690 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
A floral accent wall and modern decor make for a restaurant + bar straight out of Manhattan at Allegory Restaurant and Bar. Guests can enjoy cocktails at the bar for a happy hour, weekend brunch, or a sophisticated dinner in the dining room. It even hosts Montclair’s only rooftop bar, Alto, if the good times want to keep rollin’.
Read More: 42 Restaurants for a Fun Night Out With Friends in Northern New Jersey
Ani Ramen | 511 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Photo Credit: Isabella DiPisa
The bustling energy and epic interior design at Ani Ramen brings Chinatown right to New Jersey. From Ramen and bao buns to healthy bowls and cocktails, the complete Asian dining experience is hard to beat here. Indulge in its ‘sip, slurp, and repeat’ slogan, and enjoy all that Ani Ramen has to offer any day of the week.
Bloom Chicken | 648 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
With a spot already open in Manhattan, Bloom Chicken has made itself a staple with its ambiance and well-known smashburgers. Its mission is to serve delicious, healthy, and affordable food to all, and it surely accomplishes that. Its specialties include soups, rice bowls, drumsticks, and delicious sides while lunch specials from 11AM-3PM run up to $12.
Bloomfield Steak + Seafood House | 409 Franklin Street, Bloomfield
Although Bloomfield Steak + Seafood House is in a colonial home, the inside boasts a surf-and-turf-like menu of Big Apple proportions. This restaurant adopts New York City’s element of historical preservation as this restaurant is the oldest and most historic dwelling of the Pre-Revolutionary War homes in Essex County. Patrons can avoid the city prices, too, with the restaurant’s “Stay Happy” hours from 3PM-6PM from Tuesday to Friday where Well Cocktails are $10 each, appetizers are $10 each, and more.
Blue Steel Pizza Company | 285U, 285 Glenwood Avenue, Bloomfield
Photo Credit: @bluesteelpizzacompany
Blue Steel Pizza Company in Bloomfield is sure to satisfy that ‘hidden-gem’ checkbox NYC always offers. From having craft cocktails to Detroit-style pizza with three-day cold fermented dough, this establishment isn’t playing around. The restaurant’s cocktail lounge, The Rab*bit Hole, requires guests to wear specific attire that does not include athleisure — a prerequisite fit for New York City standards.
Church Street Shopping | Montclair
Church Street in Montclair can make any passerby feel like the main character. There’s plenty to check out on this short street in the heart of Montclair right off of Bloomfield Avenue: browse some jewelry at Noellery; grab an iced latte to-go from Java Love; sit and paint pottery at Doin’ Dishes; and try on trendy finds at Oasis. This doesn’t even cover the food: from sweet treats to fine dining, exploring Church Street can take up a fun-filled day all on its own (we even wrote an article about it).
da Pepo | 54 Fairfield Street, Montclair
If the whimsical, romantic vibes of You’ve Got Mail were transformed into a restaurant, da Pepo would definitely fit the bill. Located inside of Watchung Booksellers, this restaurant serves up delicious dishes while the aromas of paperback books and Italian cuisine fill the air. It also sits right by the Watchung Avenue train station, so the sound of a nearby train whistle adds to the atmosphere.
Fanny’s | 1109 Broad Street, Bloomfield
This modern bar + restaurant brings old-school Italian recipes to the table. Owned by the same people at the helm of The Brookdale and Ladyfingers Bakery + Bar, Fanny’s serves up scrumptious apps and plates of handmade pastas made fresh daily. The menu even has a ‘Fanny’s Feast’ option, where guests can eat selections like rigatoni, short rib, Fanny’s Chopped Salad, and more family-style options at an affordable, fixed-price per person on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
Fairchilds Marketplace | 71 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland
Sometimes the grocery store run needs a bit of a mix-up, and a city-like specialty market is just the ticket. Fairchilds Marketplace is a great Essex County spot for deli + prepared foods, fine wine, craft beers + ales, gift baskets, and more. Its two-page daily menu is filled with sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more creations to satisfy any mid-shopping snack craving.
Faubourg Restaurant + Bar | 544 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Hospitality veterans straight from NYC, Dominique Paulin and Chef Olivier Muller, have contributed their expertise to the Montclair scene with this modern French brasserie. As the menus change seasonally and a mid-day menu is on display at the bar from 3PM-5PM, quality is at the forefront of what Faubourg Restaurant and Bar stands for. Be sure to eat in its patio filled with luscious greenery at least once.
The Grove Grill | 143 Grove Street, Bloomfield
The space inside The Grove Grill is reminiscent of a New York City-style bodega as it serves up authentic Jamaican dishes. From Jamaican patties to its iconic oxtail cheesesteak, this establishment has a robust menu fit for any craving. It’s important to note that The Grove Grill is also an equally great place for the customer familiar with the food or a Jersey girl looking to try a new cuisine.
The Hudson Rose | 238 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
The Hudson Rose is actually named after the owner's grandchildren — Rosie Harlow and Hudson Maxwell — and pays tribute to “cherished connections” and draws its culinary inspiration from iconic New York City eateries. Whether it be a girls’ night out or family brunch, this restaurant is a great backdrop for any occasion. Try visiting during its “Happiest Hour” from 3PM-6PM Monday through Friday, which features $7 drinks (including Tito’s cocktails) and $7 food from everything focaccia to THR burger sliders.
Kinya Ramen | 495 Prospect Avenue, Suite #20, West Orange
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Kinya Ramen, a ramen and sushi bar spot named after the word for ‘gold’ in Japanese, markets itself as the house of golden ramen both literally and figuratively. Kinya Ramen hopes to provide an elevated, one-of-a-kind ‘golden’ experience to every customer. Patrons can find a drink with 24K gold flecks on the menu.
La Cucina Piccola | 178 Eagle Rock Avenue, #1341, Roseland
La Cucina Piccola is a restaurant that serves up authentic Italian cuisine reminiscent of Arthur Avenue. It even has an early dinner special — in classic Italian-American fashion — Tuesday through Friday from 4PM-6PM for $27.95 per person plus tax and gratuity. Each dish is garnished with care.
Ladyfingers Bakery + Bar | 1109 Broad Street, Bloomfield
This elevated, modern bakery is on par with the sweet shops one would find in any of the five boroughs, but this one is right in Bloomfield. Ladyfingers Bakery + Bar offers all kinds of delectable treats including pastries, savory bites, coffee, and boozy creations. The house-made brownies and doughnuts are a few of our favorite treats, but you can’t go wrong as everything looks so delicious.
La Rocca Osteria | 21 Midland Avenue, Montclair
Nothing screams ‘New York City’ like a restaurant named after a medieval castle in the heart of Imola, Italy. The decor of La Rocca Osteria is rooted in “simplicity and comfort,” along with its iconic Italian dishes. Guests can enjoy a delicious four-course meal right in Jersey in this modern take on an old-style Italian restaurant.
MEAL | 522 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
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From the finest quality steaks, chops, fresh raw bar, and seafood to inventive salads and decadent desserts, this restaurant is a must-try spot. MEAL provides Happy Hour Tuesday through Saturday from 4PM to 6:30PM and Sunday from 11:30AM to 4PM. The MG team recommends the drunken garlic bread and whipped ricotta for $9.36 each.
Millburn Standard | 42 Main Street, Millburn
The Millburn Standard is known for its tasty takes on familiar dishes and cozy dining room. Its extensive drink list includes mocktails, making it accessible to all guests. Do be warned, however, that they do not take reservations, just like some establishments in the city, but the experience is surely worth the wait.
Napoli | 9 Park Street, Montclair
Serving up delicious Italian fare runs in this family, and Napoli Trattoria is no exception. Tucked away adjacent from the iconic Bloomfield Avenue, this restaurant is a secret favorite by many. Patrons can enjoy a Sicilian pizza, along with an array of other Italian specials like a complete charcuterie board to start. Choices are plentiful here — similar to those of “the concrete jungle.”
Nostrana Ristorante | 91 Elcock Avenue, Boonton
Photo Credit: Nostrana Ristorante
Nostrana is the sister restaurant of Hoboken’s Sorellina and Sirenetta, opened its doors in November 2024 and is already proving to be a favorite. Creator Gabi Lombardi specializes in a seasonally inspired menu featuring local ingredients, homemade pasta, and a curated selection of fine Italian wines + cocktails.
The Parkside Social | 706 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
With features like a custom oak bar with a lounge feel in the back dining room, and a seasonal outdoor garden space, The Parkside Social has the name and look of a New York City restaurant + bar. The restaurant has a sophisticated feel while serving affordable and familiar yet elevated bar food.
pastaRAMEN | 6 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
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This culture-fusion restaurant is reminiscent of those found in none other than New York City. Some Italian ramen dishes worth trying out are the Tonkotsu Porchetta (pork parmigiano, fennel, arugula, yuzu, + ajitama) and the Chicken Katsu (chicken parmigiano shoyu broth, caper, kikurage, burro, + ajitama). People from all over are attracted to its speakeasy vibe, specifically the tinted windows that give way to privacy inside for that Gossip Girl-level status kind of feel.
Pink Moon Coffee | 258 Montgomery Street, Bloomfield
Pink Moon Coffee is exceptional in its service to its customers as well as standing out from the Jersey coffee scene by offering an international selection of pastries, snacks and coffees. From crepes and desserts to Cuban and bistec sandwiches, it also serves up some delicious yet diverse food options along with coffee.
Popolari | 1047 Broad Street, Bloomfield
This restaurant is great for patrons looking for a place to enjoy a handcrafted pizza or a classic Italian pasta dish. Popolari is a “retro-chic” pizzeria and restaurant worthy of the New York seal of approval. Its interior features an open-concept kitchen with bar-top seating, and a colorful display of handcrafted vintage posters displaying different Italian icons. Popolari also expands its menu a bit by serving not just American-style pizza but Neopolitan-style, as well.
Queen Margherita Trattoria | 246 Washington Avenue, Nutley
This Naples-inspired restaurant is city-like in that it is a hidden gem in Essex County. From classic Italian dishes to unique dessert delicacies, the restaurant has many delicious plates to offer any Instagram foodie or Italian cuisine connoisseur. Some of MG’s favorites are the tapenade and the linguini in clam sauce as these dishes are just scratching the surface of how unforgettable its recipes really are.
Sayola Restaurant | 38 Valley Road, Montclair
This fine dining establishment serves authentic Spanish cuisine any New Yorker would be impressed by. Sayola Restaurant has a variety of appetizers like the Tabla Iberica (serrano ham, chorizo, salchichon, and olives). It’s also known for delicious chorizo dishes like the Chicken Extremeña and the Grand Parrillada de Carne.
See More: The Best Jersey City Restaurants to Take Your Parents to Eat
Turtle + The Wolf | 622 Valley Road, Upper Montclair
Turtle + the Wolf is an industrial-chic eatery that has a Brooklyn feel to it. The restaurant serves family-style meals as well as individual dishes. Family-style choices include whole roasted suckling pig or Lo’s famous fried chicken, while the other meals include dishes like Spanish octopus, local burrata, and “brick” chicken with Parisian gnocchi, creamed Swiss chard, and more.
