Location: Mahwah
Top Restaurants in Mahwah
Where to Eat in Mahwah: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Mahwah is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 25,890. The population increased by 1,828 (+7.6%) from the 24,062 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 6,157 (+34.4%) from the 17,905 counted in the 1990 Census. The name "Mahwah" is derived from the Lenape word "mawewi" which means "Meeting Place" or "Place Where Paths Meet".
Things to do in Mahwah
1. Sonny & Tony's Pizza and Italian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By Patti C - Ramsey, United States
This is a place where the locals eat. Primarily Italian cuisine, but lots to choose from. All of their specials are great. They also have great salads, too. Just add chicken or shrimp and the Capri salad is good enough for a meal. Delicious!
The service is fantastic in this place. The owner has a veteran staff and for good reason. He treats them with dignity and it is reflected back upon the customers.
I eat here at least twice a month and the food is always fresh... especially the fish. If you order something more traditional, the sauce is fresh and delicious, too.
This restaurant is kid and family friendly. A casual, warm atmosphere, with great food that is reasonably priced!
2. Varka Estiatorio
Overall Ratings
4 based on 241 reviews
Reviewed By MomGB1 - Boston, Massachusetts
Incredible menu selections especially for pescatarians. Wished we could have ordered one of everything! The bass, halibut and tuna entrees were 5 star! Roasted vegetables outstanding. The biggest surprise was the tomato and feat salad.....tomatoes from heaven! Nice wine selection. Our server Niko was just the best!!!!!!
This was a midway travel stop for dinner with friends. Wish we lived closer to come again!
3. Marcello's Ristorante
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Upscale Italian Restaurant with full bar and Wine Spectator award wine list chef and cookbook author cooking studio on premise for all private events Wine dinner,Cooking class,Corporate team cooking class,Hand on cooking class
Reviewed By CelticCail - New Jersey
We reserved a table early on a Saturday evening and were seating immediately upon arrival. The place was out of fashion and kind of dark; another reviewer commented on the tired, old-fashioned decor and the establishment replied that they're just trying to keep it sort of old-school Italian - well, I call nonsense on that. The decor needs an update badly and could still look authentic or traditional Italian - probably moreso - with a designer. You could just tell the place has looked the same for probably 20+ years. We additionally had this weird creepy clown painting hovering next to our table; very odd.
The service was adequate though we were served by literally 5 different people throughout the course of our meal, from who I think may have been the owner to various waiters to a young girl. We really had no idea who "our" waiter was, though two of the people were overly familiar with us and kind of rude, making comments about nearly everything we asked for or didn't eat (for example, "What, you don't like mushrooms" when I left some mushrooms on my appetizer plate" or being clearly annoyed when asking for olives to be kept out of another dish.) Overall, they were fine and attentive but it was just kind of strange.
The food was average-to-good which is the only reason I'm not giving a 2-star review. There were some dishes that were rarer such as a polenta appetizer, an octopus appetizer, and gorgonzola gnocchi. The polenta was tasty but was served to me luke-warm and had previously been just heated up. The gnocchi was nice but nothing amazing and for the prices at this place, the food needed to be amazing to justify it. As the food was only as good as you'd get at any Italian restaurant, the price was pretty hilarious. We paid $110 without tip for two glasses of wine, two appetizers, and two entrees (one was pasta). That's just not acceptable without the food and overall experience being excellent, and it just wasn't. If the bill had been $6 (like it would have been at other similar restaurants), I'd have added a star to the rating but definitely one star off for discrepancy between high prices and middling food. We went somewhere else for dessert, having no desire to spend more time there.
Another odd thing: plenty of people were coming in and being seated in another section of the restaurant on a Saturday night without a reservation and dressed in literally like tank tops and shorts. With waiters in full suits and again, $110 dinners, there should be some sort of dress code at the very least. Why am I paying that much when I may as well be at a diner or on the beach?
Ah well. A lot of the customers seemed like regulars based on conversations they were having with staff so that probably accounts for many of these reviews. Also, it's Suffern, which isn't exactly a *happening scene* so this very well might be one of the better places around but I'm used to eating in Montclair, Ridgewood, etc. and this place doesn't hold a candle to comparably-priced restaurants like Cravings or Finca.
Oh, also, our leftovers weren't delivered directly to us but were stashed somewhere for us to get on our way out with a playing card voucher of sorts. I didn't really get that. And the credit card machine was broken so it took us about 8 minutes and 3 staff members to get out of there.
I would recommend finding a much less expensive place, or an expensive place with a better overall experience. I would have no reason to return here and would say others can skip it.
4. Lotitos Deli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Crimms - Ramsey N.j
If you are in Ramsey, Lotitos is worth the stop. Part deli, part bakery you get the best of both worlds. No sandwich is complete without a great roll and Lotitos has it. Oversized sandwiches that crush the competition. Hot foods and great salads. You wont be disapointed.
Crimms
5. Savini's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By MariaPaps - Wayne, New Jersey
Some people choose restaurants for the food, other people "eat the atmosphere." Savini's offers both--tasty food and lovely atmosphere. I just came home from a work-related holiday dinner and felt compelled to write a review. Our group met up at the bar prior to our 6 pm reservation. I ordered an espresso martini which was served quickly and with a smile. It was delicious. When we were seated for dinner, we started with a variety of appetizers--oysters Rockefeller, eggplant rollatini, calamari, grandma's meatballs, mozzorella caprese, and tortellini in brodo. All the appetizers were delicious, sharing was okay, and service was expediant. A variety of entrees were ordered by the group, including sausage cavatelli, veal parm, ziti bolognese, seafood genovese, rack of lamb, veal milanese and chicken picata. Some entrees looked more appealing than others (a bit too "old school" in the plating, but all were tasty). For example, the sausage was oddly cut into cubes, the picata was plated rather simply with mashed potatoes and green beans/carrots, and the veal milanese did not include the arugula salad; the veal parmesan looked like it had been plated by the local dinner cook, and the seafood although fresh and delicious was also served on plates that looked like they belong on the Jersey boardwalk with a pale blue & coral pink shell motif. If anything should be improved, it would be the plating--something more visually appealing and contemporary would up the overall dining experience, especially with the prices being what they are. Some finesse would elevate the food and complement the atmosphere. Even the bread is basic --something that anyone can buy at the supermarket.
6. Ernie's Ice Cream
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Andrew D - Suffern, New York
Love the feel of the old style outdoor ice cream establishments. Great selection and friendly service. Soft serve and hard ice cream. When the doors open we know spring is here.
7. Sangria Tapas Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
Sangria Tapas Restaurant specializes in authentic cuisine from Spain and signature sangrias, wines and spirits. Set up as a rustic bistro, Sangria is located at Ramapo Centre, 1033 MacArthur Blvd in Mahwah, New Jersey. Sangria highlights an assortment of tapas, montaditos, mariscadas, charcuterie and cheese platters, churrasco steak, paella and weekly specials. The name Sangria is symbolic of the fun and richness of the Spain culture and culinary experience. Sangria pulls together centuries of tradition by adding a modern twist to its cuisine and spirits.
Reviewed By Michael Z - Glen Rock, New Jersey
We visited this establishment last evening for dinner. We went because of rave recommendations from our brother in-law. The restaurant is basically cut in half, one half is the bar area and the other is the dinning area.
We shared 4 tapas which were larger than most tapa establishments. We had the Churasco Gitano (Excellent); Empanadas de Carne (Ordinary); Albondigas (Favorable); Bacalao Croquettes (Mash potato balls, at least that what it tasted like).
The main course was the Seafood Paella, I wouldn't recommend it. It had some seafood with rice in what appeared to be a red sauce. No real paella flavor and very dry. I would recommend Spain Restaurant in Newark if you want a real PAELLA EXPERIENCE.
Overall it was an OK experience but we weren't "IMPRESSED" .
8. La Gondola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By MS_DREAMVAKAY - New York City, New York
Every bite is good , so many to choose from so you need to keep coming back to try all your favorites ! Chicken bacon ranch or even just thin cheese ... every bite every slice is delicious !! We always bring back a pie when we are in the area. Great pizza , possibly the best ever
9. Bagel Train
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By L S - Suffern, New York
I have tried them all. Bagel train has the best bagel's in Suffern...Period. The staff are friendly and always get the order as i like it. There is a large selection of hot and cold bagel sandwiches as well as tasty delights for breakfast or lunch. Platters are available. GREAT COFFEE. Make your next trip on the bagel train.
10. State Line Diner
Overall Ratings
4 based on 348 reviews
Reviewed By ProffesionalReviewNJ - Asbury Park, New Jersey
The food was really good and the diner was packed. The service was underwhelming. Our server never smiled, never said thank you and was essentially impolite. A second server rolled her eyes at me when I asked her for a to go box. We needed to get back on the road and our server disappeared from the floor.
The food was worth the stop, and the location is super convenient. One doesn’t go to a diner for 5 star service, but a little smile and a thank you go a long way.
