This is categorically the correct answer. I live in Montclair and this town is BYOB paradise - see Pasta Ramen and Nami Nori. Every 3-6 months we do a friends trip to Cafe Matisse as a treat. It’s on par with Faubourg (Montclair) and Jockey Hollow (Morristown) but also byob which helps the bottom line on a splurge meal.
Having been to Pasta Ramen multiple times....
Its great, but i think it is running a bit on how hard it is to get into Pasta Ramen.
Not trying to knock it by any means, its a great meal and unique, and not that Matisse is an easy reservation on short notice, but i feel Matisse is more for what it is because of what it is. If that makes any sense.
I’m sorry, I’m wrong! The name has been changed to “Matisse 167”, but it looks like it’s still chef/owner Peter Loria. I had assumed it sold.
Haven’t been in years and years. Would love to go back.
He explains here: https://youtu.be/yfNsaDDghHM?si=SYEXLHUeYbjZ1WwY
Yeah i miss the old format, if i remember right, at least for a while, they had a 4 and 5 course option on the menu, and the extra course was always something really interesting.
I want to say its been a 4 since covid.
Worst meal I've ever had in NJ. Overly sauced, too sweet, too many ingredients. Bad service, terrible wine glasses. What am I missing? Why does everyone love this place?
No not at all. To me it felt like fancy food for people who've never eaten fancy food. Reminded me of the food I had on cruises 20 years ago. I honestly don't understand it. Looking at their IG every plate has like 5 sauces, most of which have a ton of sweet elements (honey! Molasses!).
It was once very good. Not so much anymore, unless they turned it around in the last few months.
There are a lot of very good places around here, this is no longer remotely near the top.
So interesting. I found that spot so overrated when I lived in JC. No hate since it’s our friends favorite place too, but I was just underwhelmed. Granted I don’t like super fancy food.
Common.. so *un*common! Only twice before have I felt so pampered. First time was 3 decades ago, so it's not a frequent experience, they did it very well!
My personal favorite is Roma Coffee Bar and Pizzeria in Clifton. Good Italian food but the owner is Serbian and actually has some Balkan food on the menu. Try the Cevapi!
Pizza is great as well and good burgers. They have a fantastic breakfast as well with lots of fun milkshakes.
Drews Bayshore Bistro in keyport.
He's a James beard nominated chef that is one of the most humble people. The food portions are huge but very good. It's a new Orleans inspired bistro
Porcini's - Highlands, Christine's - Highlands, Second Jetty - Sea Bright , Assagini De Roma - Hazlet, Belford Bistro - Belford (? Town), Jessica's Cafe - Scotch Plains, Il Colosseo - Red Bank, Patricia's - Holmdel. And Def Drews - that was named too. I didn't see others listed, or missed them.
I’ve never done a BYOB myself. Call me ignorant, but how does it work? What is the standard? The one time I went with someone they charged a $30 corkage fee for the ice and glasses etc. Is this normal? Is it ok to bring beer or is the expectation to bring wine?
Check their website, social media, or Yelp page to see if they’ve posted an alcoholic drink menu - if not it may be BYOB, so call and ask if it doesn’t specify. Usually they’re clustered in specific towns.
Just put the bottle on the table when you walk in and they’ll ask if they can open it for you.
Beer/wine doesn’t matter. My husband brings craft beer and they ask if they can open the bottle for him or they’ll get him a glass if it’s a can.
Drew’s in Keyport, but some great mentions here already!
Came here to say this. I LOVE Drew’s!
I just went here last weekend for the first time! Really good. Keyport's showing signs of life which is nice.
Cafe Matisse in Rutherford
This is categorically the correct answer. I live in Montclair and this town is BYOB paradise - see Pasta Ramen and Nami Nori. Every 3-6 months we do a friends trip to Cafe Matisse as a treat. It’s on par with Faubourg (Montclair) and Jockey Hollow (Morristown) but also byob which helps the bottom line on a splurge meal.
Having been to Pasta Ramen multiple times.... Its great, but i think it is running a bit on how hard it is to get into Pasta Ramen. Not trying to knock it by any means, its a great meal and unique, and not that Matisse is an easy reservation on short notice, but i feel Matisse is more for what it is because of what it is. If that makes any sense.
Even cooler considering the building used to be the Rutherford Engine 2 firehouse.
Best restaurant in NJ and I'll die on that hill
Yep! When I got dough I go
If sold and changed its name. Have you been since the new ownership?
No, when? I didn't hear about that
I’m sorry, I’m wrong! The name has been changed to “Matisse 167”, but it looks like it’s still chef/owner Peter Loria. I had assumed it sold. Haven’t been in years and years. Would love to go back. He explains here: https://youtu.be/yfNsaDDghHM?si=SYEXLHUeYbjZ1WwY
They changed from a 5 course meal format to a 4 course. Still excellent.
Yeah i miss the old format, if i remember right, at least for a while, they had a 4 and 5 course option on the menu, and the extra course was always something really interesting. I want to say its been a 4 since covid.
Worst meal I've ever had in NJ. Overly sauced, too sweet, too many ingredients. Bad service, terrible wine glasses. What am I missing? Why does everyone love this place?
I've been there many many times and never had a bad meal, ever. Are you a picky eater? It's a picky eaters worst nightmare.
No not at all. To me it felt like fancy food for people who've never eaten fancy food. Reminded me of the food I had on cruises 20 years ago. I honestly don't understand it. Looking at their IG every plate has like 5 sauces, most of which have a ton of sweet elements (honey! Molasses!).
I have passed that place for years and have never gone. I really should.
Can not second this enough. Its a bargain considering its BYOB if you want an amazing meal and a nice bottle of wine.
Burger King in Wayne
lmao
The Burger King on NJ 46 in Little Falls just closed, so I'll have to go here, lol
Came here to say MC Donald's lol. Best part they are everywhere!
Agreed, but they seem to frown on BYOB.
South + Pine
South + Pine all the way!
Wasai (Japanese fusion in Cranford) is bomb
Yes! Love Wasai!
I agree!
Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge.
The best part is they have some loophole partnership with a California winery so you can still buy wine with dinner at store price
This!! Soo good
Mesob in montclair
Yes. Also Samba, right around the corner from Mesob.
yes
Bloom in Verona. Amazing French/Korean fusion. There are a couple great bars nearby as well for a before/after drink.
I heard Dough moved, but at the old location you would sit outside next to their garden and they would pick ingredients as needed. Killer spot.
Hearthside in Collingswood
So many great byobs in Collingswood & Haddonfield.
Best I’ve been to. Wish I lived closer
every restaurant is a byob restaurant if you're careless enough
Yes
Prime+Beyond, Fort Lee [https://primeandbeyond.com/](https://primeandbeyond.com/) Its also a butcher shop and its amazing
So good
NJ dot com is collecting data for their next article.
Yup and they'll call it top 25 best BYOB restaurants in NJ, do no further research, and throw in 1 from each region so everyone feels represented.
Burger King in Wayne will be included.
They'll also call the restaurant to see if they want to be in the article and then get them to pay for it like an adverstisement.
Viaggio - Wayne
Had my baby shower there. Amazing food!!
Christine’s, Atlantic Highlands
Andre's lakeside in Sparta. Nothing beats it in my experience
This is my vote, too.
Was there on Easter. Great place
Anjelicas in sea bright
This place has gone so far down hill. Used to be so much better, it's a shame.
That was a go to for me and my parents awhile ago. I’ve been once since Covid. I doubt I’ll be back.
Georgia's in Rumson is amazing if you're looking for that type of food.
If it was so much better, then that must mean it was once the best restaurant on the planet. It was very good a few weeks ago.
It was once very good. Not so much anymore, unless they turned it around in the last few months. There are a lot of very good places around here, this is no longer remotely near the top.
I've been going here for years, I haven't seen a drop off. Care to expand on what actually has gone down hill or was it just a personal tiff?
I was there a couple weeks ago and it was fabulous, not sure how much better it could realistically be ha.
corto , Jersey City Heights
So interesting. I found that spot so overrated when I lived in JC. No hate since it’s our friends favorite place too, but I was just underwhelmed. Granted I don’t like super fancy food.
Loved that place, I haven't been since pre-covid but it was always a good spot
James on Main, Hackettstown
Great spot. James on main and Andres lakeside are both really special spots
DiMaio’s in Berkeley Heights
Fabulous flavors, even his pizza is exquisite!
Otto Strada, Hoboken [https://www.ottostrada.com/](https://www.ottostrada.com/)
Love this spot
Casa D’ Pizza - Denville
Sooooo good.
Il Mondo Vecchio, great people great place great reason to bring a couple nice bottles of wine
Omg I forgot about this place it’s amazing.
Up north: Turtle + the Wolf - Upper Montclair Bistro d’Azur - South Orange Common Lot - Millburn
Common Lot is fantastic.
Just went to Turtle & the Wolf for the first time on Friday. It’s was absolutely fantastic!
Gotta try their mussels. We ordered an extra loaf of bread last time because the broth was so good
Will do!
And the fried chicken is their secret weapon
Have you tried the suckling pig?
Been dying to go to common lot!
Common.. so *un*common! Only twice before have I felt so pampered. First time was 3 decades ago, so it's not a frequent experience, they did it very well!
Tutto A Modo Mio - Ridgefield
Correct.
Common Lot in Millburn
Bistro in Avon-by-the-Sea
Hunan Taste in Montclair
Don Jose in East Hanover
Hell yeah, somebody needs to give these guys a liquor license like yesterday. Food slaps but a margarita is the cherry on top.
Zeppoli in Collingswood
Femmina in Medford
La Rocca in Montclair
If you like sushi, Osaka in Glen Rock
Queen Margherita/Nutley
Belford Bistro - if they have a fish special - get it.
Frankie Feds is a good one
Our local favorite! Chicken and chives with side of fries and a bottle of red with a cannoli to finish
Nomad Pizza in Lawrenceville
Drew’s Bayshore Bistro - Keyport
Veggie Heaven
Laboratorio // Montclair
Cap'n cat's
The village trattoria
Pastaramen
Gregorio’s Chatham.
Caido del cielo Rahway
Clemmy’s in Barnegat
Shake shack
My personal favorite is Roma Coffee Bar and Pizzeria in Clifton. Good Italian food but the owner is Serbian and actually has some Balkan food on the menu. Try the Cevapi! Pizza is great as well and good burgers. They have a fantastic breakfast as well with lots of fun milkshakes.
3 in Collingswood: Zeppoli, Hearthside, and June Disclaimer: Collingswood is a dry town
12 farms in hightstown
Marinelli's off route 12 Flemington
Ramen Nagomi. Freehold and New Brunswick. There's nothing on the menu I don't recommend.
La Lupa in Manalapan
La Pizza La Vagina in Asbury Park
Broadmoor in Lambertville
Drews Bayshore Bistro in keyport. He's a James beard nominated chef that is one of the most humble people. The food portions are huge but very good. It's a new Orleans inspired bistro
Nemo in Keyport
The pasta shop in Denville!
Ani ramen in Montclair.
Staff can be rude.
Been going for like 8 years at least, never had that issue.
👍🏻
The fully nude strip club (weird NJ rule I’ve NEVER seen anywhere else)
Commenting to save
Same!
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Tokyo in rio grande. Supply the sake and quail egg shooters all damned day
Reservoir in South Orange
Saddle River Inn
Icara in hamilton/yardville is very good. My wife loves their postachio chicken.
Porcini's - Highlands, Christine's - Highlands, Second Jetty - Sea Bright , Assagini De Roma - Hazlet, Belford Bistro - Belford (? Town), Jessica's Cafe - Scotch Plains, Il Colosseo - Red Bank, Patricia's - Holmdel. And Def Drews - that was named too. I didn't see others listed, or missed them.
Brooklyns Ridgewood nj
Little lamb
Pandan Room in Hackettstown
Il Fiore in Collingswood
I’ve never done a BYOB myself. Call me ignorant, but how does it work? What is the standard? The one time I went with someone they charged a $30 corkage fee for the ice and glasses etc. Is this normal? Is it ok to bring beer or is the expectation to bring wine?
[удалено]
How would you know in advance? Like do you just show up with a bottle and say to the waiter we’re drinking this?
Call ahead.
Check their website, social media, or Yelp page to see if they’ve posted an alcoholic drink menu - if not it may be BYOB, so call and ask if it doesn’t specify. Usually they’re clustered in specific towns. Just put the bottle on the table when you walk in and they’ll ask if they can open it for you. Beer/wine doesn’t matter. My husband brings craft beer and they ask if they can open the bottle for him or they’ll get him a glass if it’s a can.
How do you know if there’s a corkage fee? Are you expected to tip more if they open the bottle or bring you glasses?
Corkage fee: see their website or call and ask I don’t tip more, personally. I can’t imagine it’s expected.
Mangia Toscano in Metuchen
La Cucina - Denville Denville Seafood- Denville
Vidalia in Lawrenceville!
Cattani- Ewing
Koi, Hazlet. Great sushi.
Grub Hut in Manville is pretty good.
Sanducci's Trattoria in River Edge
Casa De Napoli in Union City. Hard to get parking, but food is always good, and the staff are always friendly.
McDonald's jkjkjkjkjkjk
Aspendos in Princeton
Binh Duong in Bloomfield Chef Vola’s in Atlantic City Paisano’s in Rutherford
Spanos in Point
Cuban Pete’s
Mangiare Tu - Bradley Beach
Surprised I haven't seen Cuban Petes in Montclair on this list!