Location: South Orange
Top Restaurants in South Orange
Where to Eat in South Orange: The Best Restaurants and Bars
South Orange, officially the Township of South Orange Village, is a suburban township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the village's population was 16,198, reflecting a decline of 766 (-4.5%) from the 16,964 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 574 (+3.5%) from the 16,390 counted in the 1990 Census. Seton Hall University is located in the township.
Things to do in South Orange
1. Arturos Osteria & Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 173 reviews
Reviewed By PhilipNewJersey - New Jersey
All the food here is heavenly. We try to go in "off peak" hours, to avoid long waits for a table. (BYOB). Everything is wonderful -- pastas, pizzas, salads and sandwiches. Among our favorites are the wild mushroom ravioli with garlic, rosemary sauce, all the pizzas (fresh ingredients and a "lightness" which is uncharacteristic of NJ pizzas which are overloaded with cheese), all the salads (our favorites are the beet salad and the kale Caesar), and the mortadella and mozzarella sandwich. A small restaurant in the popular downtown area of Maplewood, so plan your arrival strategically.
2. Boccone South
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By Kim K - Davidson, North Carolina, United States
Very reasonable lunch special. We shared the perfectly cooked calamari and the house special chicken dish. Fresh bread arrived first with olive oil and preserved garlic. Then we each had a light and fresh Caesar before the calamari arrived hot from the pan. Second course was timed right and was also fresh and hot. We did not order desert but a small serving of their famous bread pudding was served for us to sample. It was amazing! The server was very friendly and we felt so welcomed.
3. The Able Baker
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
The Able Baker specializes in cakes, cookies, pies, and breakfast sweets. Custom cakes and custom cookies are made based on a customer's requests and needs. We brew La Colombe coffee and pull La Colombe espresso drinks from a beautiful La Marzocco GB/5. And we steep Steven Smith Teamaker's excellent teas and tisanes.
Reviewed By Peg165 - South Orange, NJ
Great scones, muffins, cookies, and breakfast breads - and more! Not too long after it opened, the Able Baker quickly became an important part of the community when it opened up its doors - and outlets - to residents to charge their devices after Super Storm Sandy. Crowds have returned ever since for coffee and a variety of baked goodies and the business has become a gathering place. Highly recommended for both the quality of their food and their support of the community.
4. Millburn Delicatessen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By Runnerny2244 - South Orange, New Jersey
This place is awesome. It's busy and fun! The food was amazing. I had the "godfatha" sandwich and it was so good! I will definitely come here again.
5. Grid Iron Waffle Shop
Overall Ratings
4 based on 45 reviews
Home of the Original Stuffed Waffle Stuffing Waffles since 2007 Delicious Breakfast, Brunch &Lunch We specialize in Liege Sugar Waffles and our recipes are Southern and European inspired. All of our menu items are born from the highest quality ingredients. From our superior fair trade specialty coffee to our made to order breakfasts, lunches and brunches.
Reviewed By Gaggy1 - Brooklyn, NY
We've been here for 95 minutes and have yet to be served our breakfast. Oh wait...it's now lunch time. I had to leave 3 times to feed the meter. Never again wasting my time at this restaurant. The dining area was smoky (fix the kitchen exhaust!) and some of our food was cold when it arrived at the table.
6. Sonny's Bagels
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Alicesolomon - South Orange, New Jersey
As someone who was raised on authentic Brooklyn bagels, I can attest with authority that Sonny's Bagel bakery makes the very best bagel in New Jersey. They use the old fashioned method, boiled then baked to produce delicious tasty bagels with chewy insides and a hard crust, and offer a choice of poppy, sesame, salty everything onion, whole wheat, raisin, sticks and sometimes bread.
If you are pre-ordering a large quantity for a party, take advantage of their offer to slice the bagels for an extra dollar per dozen.
This is not a restaurant, it's only a bagel bakery.
7. Star Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By buffylane - Long Valley, New Jersey
Famous for its pizza, you must try their thin crust pizza. There are unique toppings, but we stayed with the usual meatball and mushrooms. The fried calamari is awesome and the salads are enormous. The eggplant and portabella mushroom appetizer is outstanding. Nice bar with tv's and people were watching basketball while we were there. Lots of families, very comfortable place.
8. Lorena's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
Local Ingredients Deeply Rooted in French Technique
Reviewed By PALABL - Cedar Knolls, New Jersey
After years of reading reviews and hearing about this restaurant, we finally made reservations so we could judge for ourselves. Well, all we can say is exceptional! Every bite, every server met every expectation. The only tiny criticism would be the size of our table for two. We would have been a little more comfortable with a few extra inches. We will certainly be back to enjoy each seasonal menu.
9. Walia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By Skych8ser - New York City, New York
We went for lunch during the week. I was the only one who had experienced Ethiopian cuisine, and we all loved it! I've been to many such restuarants and this is one of the best. The space is open, light and clean, and the service was quick and friendly. Highly recommend!
10. Libretti's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By Carolyn B - Bloomingdale, NJ
We've been going to this restaurant for many many years because it's a convenient meeting place with friends and has good parking. It's still a very good restaurant, but the food has changed somewhat over the years. For one thing the portions have shrunk as the prices have, naturally, gone up. Your entree comes with either a salad or a tiny dish of pasta. We had a special delicious chicken, which two of us shared. There was nothing else on that plate. But it was plenty for the two of us after eating the ample, complimentary tomato bread and the salad. Service is ok, but I truly despise the fact that the minute the first diner finishes, his plate is whisked away. This continued one by one until one poor person was just sitting there, all by herself eating, at a completely emptied table. This is a pet peeve of mine and there's simply no excuse for it. For that reason alone I gave it only 3 stars.
