Los Barbaros Birria
The original stop in the year-round borough sandwiched between the Atlantic and the Shark River for the Mexican classic still reigns as the premier place for the marquee beefy stew and its complex consommé. Its secret: Family ties – and know-how.
Samba
By cooking not only to a Brazilian beat but to strict gluten-free standards, chef Ilson Goncalves keeps locals loyal to the charms of his side-street storefront that marries rustic with arty in atmosphere and classics with curiosities on the plates.
Zaffron Bloom
It’s stew season, now and always at this Persian hub in Bergen County steered by a chef-owner who aims to educate on the particulars of one of the premier ancient cuisines of the Eastern Mediterranean. To be sure, there’s much more than stews of another stripe here. But grab this moment in time and feast.
Pao da Casa
The eyes and ayes may be synced into the baked goods at this downtown bakery-cum-café, but if you read the fine print on the non-sandwich menu you’ll find Portugal’s national dish: Bacalhau com natas. There’s lots that’s lovely here, but the cod-and-cream savory specialty satisfies the soul in ways sweet stuff can’t.
Denville Seafood & Codmother’s Café
A vibrant downtown in Central Morris County is home to eateries new and sporty as well as those that’ve been around for decades. One such elder statesman is this popular fish market/full-service café that’s earned loyalty from locals and destination diners, all drawn by a traditional menu and sincere service. N.B.: A post-meal stop at neighboring Denville Dairy provides the appropriate finale in a one-two meal punch.
Brunch by De Martino
A switch from night to daytime dining is proving such a hit in the county seat of Somerset that Chef Martino Linares will be bringing a sibling of this Latin-leaning hotspot north to Denville, where his carefully syncopated dishes will continue to embellish and upgrade classics.
Bom Dia Churrascaria
A Brazilian eatery takes its cues from a Costa Rica-born chef adept at fashioning high-toned classics from the canon of the larger country. While not solely focused on big meats, it is about respect for craft and a love of cooking for others.
Fig Italian Rustic Kitchen
Problems in cooking and communication plague a newcomer to Long Valley that aims to serve hand-crafted Italian cuisine in a scene that’s “always vibing.” Rather than counting on vibes and branding to impress, old-fashioned focus is needed to bring thoughtfulness and care to the entire process.
Manila Café
Today a Filipino house of foods divided into a restaurant and a market located in the same shopping center, Arlyn Baker’s little empire flourishes with emphasis on authentic preparations that do its multicultural soul proud.
Shahzad’s Halal
A Middle Eastern counter-service take on city-style street-cart fare hums along astride the Garden State Parkway in Parlin, serving forth fat-and-happy gyros and many-layered rice bowls built on the principles of good, hearty home-cooking.
Tamada
At a swanky Georgian newcomer, dinner is a built-in show of well-prepared classics and the occasional riff on something routine that doesn’t wholly reinvent a dish, but reimagines it in sunnier form. With standouts that showcase its homeland at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, it’s ready for a close-up on date night.
Pho Viet Express
A Vietnamese family whose skilled kitchen team turns out well-crafted versions of classics that never stint on authenticity has developed a strong diner base in a locale not known for hosting culinary adventures. They come for a surfeit of fresh rolls and uncommonly robust pho.