Location: Cedar Grove
Top Restaurants in Cedar Grove
Top Things to do in Cedar Grove
Top 10 restaurants in Cedar Grove, United States
Cedar Grove is a township in north central Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 12,411, reflecting an increase of 111 (+0.9%) from the 12,300 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 247 (+2.0%) from the 12,053 counted in the 1990 Census.
Things to do in Cedar Grove
1. Cloverleaf Tavern
Overall Ratings
4 based on 248 reviews
Reviewed By TonyK300 - New Jersey
A permanent fixture in the area, this place has been featured on TV as well as earning a great reputation for good food and reasonable prices. Although it's an essentially Irish Pub the menu options are more robust and very tasty.
I've never been able to get past the burger selections they have because they are huge as savory - try the triple Double if offered - then go to the gym.
Lively at night and weekends and parking is sometimes difficult, it's worth the effort especially in the warm season when their delightful rear outdoor seating area is open.
Clientele and staff are friendly and the atmosphere is casual. Always a great place to go in the area.
2. Highlawn Pavilion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 330 reviews
Reviewed By ninip0st - Bernardsville, New Jersey
We chose to celebrate a special brithday at Highlawn and now regret our choice. Having eaten here over the years we looked forward to sharing lunch with loved ones enjoying what is an undeniably spectacular setting and view of NYC. But, the food today fell so far short of acceptable that not only are we embarassed for inviting our guests here but are saddened that this day was wasted at Highlawn Pavilion. Perhaps the place is irrelevant now, past its prime, and out of touch. My choice of entree was served completely undercooked, I was afraid to eat it, and when I politely informed our server, he returned it to the kitchen where the chef challenged my opinion. The dish was run through the broiler after which it was returned to me in utter disarray. The appropriate, professional, and courteous solution, at a restaurant that purports to be fine dining, would have been to start from scratch and prepare a new dish. My husband's risotto was served cold and inedible and the shrimp component of our appetizer tasted just awful. In the end, our server wished to satisfy and the cost of the my entree was removed from the check - which was fair - but I, in turn, sat without eating. It seems that Highlawn has some catching up to do. The customer, the paying customer, has a right to determine that, if their meal is undercooked or unnacceptable to them it should be remedied, no questions asked - without a dispute from the kitchem.
3. Matthew's Italian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By reenie532 - Passaic Park, New Jersey
Short version: Matthew's deserves all the five-star reviews it has received.
Long version: I'm not from Jersey, but have grown to love it here. Well, North Jersey to be clear. Part of it is the southern European enthusiasm for food - Italian, Portuguese, not foodie stuff - although plenty of that - but the ability to take a concrete block of a nondescript building next to a state highway with a sorry excuse for parking and turned it into a fabulous place to have a meal through energy, enthusiasm, great cooking and a desire to do good for people by feeding them well. The night a friend and I arrived for a late dinner on a lousy weather, mid-week evening in early February, Matthew's, a smallish restaurant, located in a nondescript building next to a major interchange off Route 3 in Clifton was filled to the brim. We waited a cheerful 15 minutes as a hostess brought us each a glass of wine as we sat in the cramped wait area, accompanied by a passed hors d'oeuvre, and updated us about the wait, swung by to chat with us and other patrons who were waiting - in short, even though we weren't yet seated, we were welcome and included. At the table, the owner, Matthew, who I was told is there almost all the time, stopped by to say hello and welcomes us as new patrons - obvious since so many of the other ones addressed him by name, including the two cute kids with their father sitting at the table next to us who told us openly that when mother has to work late, they love coming to Matthew's. Don't misunderstand, this isn't a diner - this is white-tablecloth, candle-in-the-center restaurant, but it still has the feel of a happy, family, good China, Sunday dinner kind of place. The place is intimate, but alive - people eating, conversations happening, wait staff helpfully serving and advising. And the food was great. Well-known Italian, but good Italian. Not fancy, but the pasta fresh, light, not sticky or starchy - the veal marsala - or as the menu lists it - vitello marsala - so easy to mess up - was excellent. Eggplant rollatini - another one of my favorites, fortunately was soft, but not soggy and the ricotta smooth and creamy, the eggplant not bitter (yea for that extra step!!). Some people may think that writing vitello and pesce and zuppa on the menu is a bit over the top - why the fancy/shmancy names? - but it reminded me of the way that so many immigrant families (including mine which is not italian) tie their family heritages together here in north jersey - nonna says zuppa, tony jr says soup and whether it's polish or hungarian or portuguese - you blend the home country with the jersey suburbs and whether here or there, it's about comfort, about home, about family, friends, fun and great food. Matthew's Italian Restaurant nails it.
4. Dairy Swirl
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Unbelievable homemade ice cream!!
Reviewed By BMWTravler - Vernon, New Jersey
This is a great local place for ice cream, Try the hand dipped ice creams, they are delicious! The soft ice cream is also very good. My wife and I go there at least once a week in the summers
5. LuNello's Resturant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
LuNello Restaurant believes the enjoyment of fine food is among the finer things in life. Since 1990, Chef Seger's use of out-of-the ordinary ingredients, homemade pastas, and innovative specials has created a loyal following. His modern flair mixed with traditional culinary skills has created a whirlwind of praise. The menu has Italian classics as well as contemporary specials featuring the finest ingredients. LuNello has gone right to the source when purchasing ingredients. Each dish reflects the attention placed into its preparation. Chef Seger believes buying local ingredients ensures the ultimate freshness of a dish. Enticing presentation and courteous and professional staff are integral to LuNello's success. The elegant setting is the perfect complement to the menu. Whether dining in the Dining Room or enjoying wine and cocktails in the handsome bar, we work to create the ultimate experience.
Reviewed By P B - Cedar Grove, New Jersey
A NJ CLASSIC. Food is respected and prepared well. Quintessential NJ Italian, which arrivals the homeland. I've traveled a lot throughout Italy and the food here is delicious and reminiscent of classic meals. Make a reservation, it's worth it. You will not be disappointed.
6. Ariane Kitchen & Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Seasonal, savory, delicious, comfort food, tantillizing cocktails
Reviewed By Onthebacknine - Wayne, New Jersey
This place is a real treat. To start, it's a very inviting space that is both chic and casual. The staff are extremely personable and the service is excellent. Nice menu with great choices for everyone. We started with the octopus, nicely cooked and very...MoreWe are very happy that you enjoyed your dinner and time at AKB, and look forward to your next visit.
7. Mishmish Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
Reviewed By M3659GGsarahs - Montclair, New Jersey
When I want absolutely reliably, traditional, delicious Middle Eastern food, I eat at Falafel Hut, also in Montclair. When I want delicious Middle Eastern food with a twist, I eat at Mishmish or its new sibling, which is even more convenient to my house, Marcel's -- same chef. Marcel's isn't yet on TripAdvisor, but it has a Moroccan chicken soup that makes me want to have a cold, though it's also luscious when I'm not ill. I bought it the first time when I was, though, and it hit the spot. Marcel's is my favorite of the two.
8. The Manor Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 311 reviews
Reviewed By TRAVELNOW585 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We returned to the Manor for our 35th wedding anniversary A La Carte (not buffet) dinner. We live out of state so it was our first time back. The decor was beautiful, staff were very nice, the service was very fine, the ambience was excellent with live music!!! The food was perfect and delicious! Most all of the people in the restaurant were celebrating something and therefore the staff did not treat our celebratory after 35 yreas return as special! I think they should "fake" it or find joy and rejoice in all celebrations!!! After all if 80% of the restaurant is celebrating, their jobs are in finding joy in celebration!!!
9. Sandwich Theory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By RebeccaMinNJ - NJ
Great panini sandwiches and salads, but what really made me smile was when we opened our to-go bag and saw a few cookies with the message "bonus points for nerd swag". My son was wearing an artsy Star Wars t-shirt that the cashier asked about, which led to our happy surprise. The cookies were delicious, the pressed sandwiches were crispy, salad was fresh, and the prices were fair. There's a sign that they accept Montclair University meal plan dollars. There's a few tables, but we took our food to go. There was a bit of a crowd, but we didn't have to wait long. Nice place -- we'll be back, wearing more nerd swag!
10. Avenue Bistro Pub
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By nanag1 - Maplewood,
Enjoyed our first dinner there and the food was excellent. They take and honor reservations and the waitstaff was excellent. There is ample parking in back with a rear entrance if you can't find street parking. The onion soup was hot and delicious. The caesar salad was crispy and good and the burgers were well prepared and delicious. The fish taco was fresh and the steak sandwich prepared deliciously. We will definitely return
