Location: Newark
Top Restaurants in Newark
Newark Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Newark
Newark has been welcoming guests since its first hotel opened in 1670. From the largest number of cherry blossoms in the U.S. to one of the country's highest grossing arenas, from Shaquille O'Neal's supersized cinema to the biggest collection of Tibetan art outside Southeast Asia, it's all still happening in Newark. Just eight miles from New York City, Newark offers travelers quick access and easy connections. Jump in and discover pro sports, fine arts, urban retail and outdoor adventure.
Things to do in Newark
1. Hobby's Delicatessen & Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
Reviewed By lone6star - New Jersey
Came here for business lunch and was pleasantly surprised. It was like eating at Ben's or Katz's deli in in NYC. We were pleasantly greeted and shown to a table. Inside needs some decorating! Complimentary pickles were provided. Mushroom Barley soup was amazing! Corned beef was lean and potato salad was excellent. Will be back!
2. Tops Diner
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 427 reviews
Tops Diner serves some of the freshest and most delicious food in East Newark, NJ! Come in for an amazing meal and some gracious hospitality!
Reviewed By Kevin B - Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Living in NJ for 3 years, you learn where the best diners are supposed to be, so when I was moving out of North Jersey, I had to stop in at Tops Diner to try it before I left. I came here mid-week and I only waited 5-10 minutes for a table. The service was prompt and the servers were quite courteous. I ordered a classic Turkey club and it came out quick and was cooked well. I enjoyed the meal and my service, but it's the prices that left me with a bad taste as my club was $15, which is just insane.
3. La Fiamma
Overall Ratings
5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By kpslas - New Jersey
We were searching for someplace close to Red Bull Arena to have dinner before a soccer game. Found La Fiamma on TripAdvisor and made a reservation. So glad we did because they wound up being fully booked. My husband and I both chose options from the nightly specials We began with an appetizer of fresh mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. I chose a homemade pasta dish and my husband had lamb. The pasta was delicious and my husband loved the lamb. We failed to pay attention to the prices of the specials so were pleasantly surprised when the check arrived and the total was not astronomical compared to what you may have paid in nearby Newark or Manhattan. We would absolutely recommend La Fiamma and will most certainly visit again when back in the area.
4. Spanish Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 421 reviews
Reviewed By sharlet2 - South Bend, Indiana
Quiet atmosphere, delicious food, impeccable service, and remarkably reasonable prices. The restaurant isn't cheap, but I would have expected higher prices considering the atmosphere, the service, and the quality. The basket of bread on the table was normal and to be expected (though the quality was definitely above normal), but the soup was a surprise. I don't remember having been to a restaurant where soup was included in the same way that as the bread basket. I was with four people, we each ordered something different, and each was very pleased with her entrée. I didn't order an appetizer, but the others I was with raved about their calamari appetizer. The menu leans toward seafood, but did have other fine looking options. True Spanish cuisine.
5. Spanish Pavillion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Walking distance from the Hampton Inn. On-site catering in Private room that holds up to 80 people. A tapas menu with over 20 tapas $5.95 Or under Full Bar On-site Parking Concession Style Patio
Reviewed By Frank H
We are visiting from Portland, Oregon for two nights, waiting to board a ship, and discovered this gem a short walk from the Hampton Inn. Had dinner here our first night, back again our second night and will have lunch today before we depart. We come from a city famous for its restaurants and wish we could take Spanish Pavillion home with us. Tapas are great. Had a whole fish special the first night and it was perfect. The martinis are outstanding.
6. Forno's of Spain Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 622 reviews
SpainFornos of Spain is an award winning Spanish restaurant located in Newark. For an authentic taste of fine Spanish dining, we welcome you to Fornos! **We now provide pickup and return shuttle services to all hotel guests in the Newark area. All guests have to do is call the restaurant. Monday-Thursday, 5pm - 11pm.
Reviewed By Dario M
This is absolutely the best Spaniard restaurant in the Tri-state area. The seafood delights are simply delicious and the old world fare on the menu is plentiful to satisfy the most demanding connoisseurs. There is even a patio for summer delights outdoors. And a great...MoreDario, thank you for the wonderful review on our food and wine menu! We appreciate you patiently waiting for a table, and we hope the wait is a bit shorter during your next visit. All the best, Andres, Manager
7. Casa Vasca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
Reviewed By Edith G - Haifa, Israel
A family favorite, always a pleasure to return there when in the Newark area. A relatively small restaurant, but with many tables. Almost always crowded, attesting to its consistent popularity.
The menu is varied, prices in the moderate range. The food is prepared with care and excellent know how -
your tastebuds’ delight! The service is always friendly and helpful. A wonderful bowl of soup is included with every meal.
There is a private parking lot just before the restaurant, solving what would otherwise be a considerable problem to find a space.
We recommend wholeheartedly and shall continue to return!
8. Seabra's Marisqueira
Overall Ratings
4 based on 280 reviews
Reviewed By malb465 - Jersey City, New Jersey
A place where the lingua franca remains Portuguese, Seabras Marisqueira has been in business for at least 25 years. Go for the fresh seafood--especially shellfish.
Classic dishes include--
sopa de mariscos ( a hearty and very flavorful soup with shellfish, noodles, tomato--so good I've eaten this hot soup even on steamy, humid summer days in August! )
cold octopus salad
arroz de mariscos ( rice and shellfish cooked in a pot; rice is "al dente" as it should be )
simply grilled, whole sardines (frequently not on the menu but ask, as they typically have them)
cockles or clams "Bulhao Pato" style (garlic, white wine, cilantro, pepper, other ingredients)
shrimp with garlic
bacalhau prepared various ways.
As for the bacalhau ( codfish , they have classic preparations that are always on the menu. But have a look at the inner left-hand flap of the menu, as they alternate "special" preparations of bacalhau frequently. If you're lucky, you will be there on a day they're making bacalhau a braz or bacalhau Gomes de Sa'. Note that bacalhau is the salt-cod ( in classic Portuguese style ).
Reasonable wine selection. A bottle of Muralhas (white wine from Northern Portugal) make a great accompaniment to any of their dishes above.
Frequently very crowded, and not the place for a quiet meal, but the convivial atmosphere, especially in the bar area at the front, makes it a local, authentic, neighborhood experience. Avoid peak times where getting a table is impossible. Call ahead for reservations.
9. Mompou
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By CarreraPorsche - New York City, New York
Visited with my clients had several Tapas, Chorizo, Calamari Shrimp Mushrooms Egg Plant Chiken and Pork..all were excellent besides full..i was happy Sangria fantastic, (white better than Red) and the service great. Give it a try over the traditional Iron Bound Resturants , they are all alike, good but alike. Ie: Fish Shrimp Rice, & Lots of garlic. This is different , good different
10. Fernandes 2 Steak House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Reviewed By i_love_europe_35 - North Bergen, New Jersey
From start to finish I'd give this place average to below average. It's nice that they have valet parking and at the time we arrived it wasn't too crowded. The restaurant hallway seems a bit old and smelly, but once we arrived into the restaurant it was much nicer. We arrived earlier than our reservation time but it didn't seem to be a problem, they just told us to go upstairs. The room upstairs was quite lovely.
Our server promptly asked us if we'd like drinks and we ordered a pitcher of (red wine) Sangria. It was tasty, but no fruit which was somewhat odd to me. Our party of 4 decided to share three dishes - Bacalhau (24oz) à Casa “Fernandes”, “Fraldinha” de Vaca Grelhada (flank steak) and Paelha “Valenciana”, c/ 1 Lagosta de 1 Lb. It was nice that everything came with the salad bar included. The salad bar was small but had everything could want and was delicious! I almost wish i went back for a second serving.
The food came out and everything looked pretty good. The first annoyance was that the Paelha that I ordered was not what was brought to us. We wanted the one that came with chicken, sausage and pork and received the seafood only one. The waiter should have offered to either bring over the meats or change our dish, but he did not. It also seemed like he was going to charge us for the one with the meats until we mentioned it. The food was fine, but nothing great. The Paelha didn't seem very fresh to me and not a lot of flavor. The cod was also fine but had bones in it, just making it a little difficult to eat. I very much enjoyed the flank steak. It was nicely seasoned and plenty for us and even some to take home. After we finished dinner they cleared the plates and brought dessert menus. At this point it seemed like the waiter disappeared. It took quite a long time for him to come back to take our dessert order and then even longer to bring the check and THEN take our credit card. I understand it gets busy but there were a lot of people working and helping, so i'm not sure why someone else couldn't have helped him out when they saw us sitting there with empty plates and just looking around.
The end to the night was where my real frustration was. Obviously when one valet parks you have to get your car. It did not make sense that no one was "manning" the exit of the restaurant. There were 3 valet guys and two of them were just sitting in chairs waiting for cars. There was no info on where to go to pick up the car, was i supposed to go to the valet booth? Was someone coming to the restaurant exit? This is something that needs to be fixed. When I finally got my car, it was difficult to get out because by then a bunch of cars had pulled up and had a hard time dropping off their cars.
I'm not sure i'd hurry to this place again. Seems like there are a lot of similar restaurants in Newark, so maybe one would have better all around service.
