Restaurants near East Newark

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Must-Visit Gem—Years of Great Memories and Consistency

I’ve been coming to Tops Diner since 2011, back when it was still in the old building. Over the years, it’s grown and evolved, but the heart of what makes it special has always remained the same. Tonight, I returned again with my family to celebrate a birthday dinner and once again, it did not disappoint.

Right from the moment we walked in, I felt that familiar buzz of energy. Tops Diner is always alive and moving, yet warm and inviting. It truly earns its title as the No. 1 diner in New Jersey.

As usual, I ordered Cuban coffee—a personal favorite. Being part Cuban myself, I appreciate the richness and quality of it here. It’s something I treat myself to every time I visit. And of course, I couldn’t pass up my go-to dish: the Pasta Bolognese. This meal has become a tradition for me—comforting, flavorful and always perfectly prepared.

What stood out this visit was the beautiful presentation of all the dishes. My relatives ordered a mix of different entrees and I took a moment to really admire the design and artistry that went into each plate. As someone who appreciates the small details—especially from a diner—this matters. It’s rare and refreshing to see a place care this much about aesthetics without losing the generous, down-to-earth portions diners are known for.

The bathrooms were spotless, which I always take as a reflection of a place’s deeper standards. The wait staff was professional, respectful and very present. Not once did I see anyone on their phones or distracted—every staff member was alert, attentive and working with each other to keep things flowing smoothly. That kind of team energy is rare and deserves serious credit.

Now, I always give honest feedback and my only very minor critique was that I noticed the manager (who was incredibly sweet and attentive, I must say) had his shirt untucked and pants riding a little low, which felt slightly unprofessional for a place of such high standard. That said, it didn’t take away from the overall excellence of the evening—just something to note as a small room-for-improvement detail.

The appetizers were delicious, the energy was vibrant and as always, the food spoke for itself. Tops Diner is one of those must-visit spots—not just for locals, but for anyone coming in from out of state. It’s absolutely on my list of “Hot Spots” to hit when I’m back in NJ.

There may not have been birthday singing (which was totally fine by us!), but there was a shared sense of joy, celebration and satisfaction from every table around us.

With that, I stand by this review with pride: a full 5 stars. The service, food, environment and consistency through the years continue to earn it.

Can’t wait to return again.
Much love and gratitude to the Tops Diner team!”

“Great atmosphere, great service, great prices.”

“a good store for wine and spirits, a good kitchen for empanadas and special orders, a clean if a bit spartan deli, lots of refrigerated goods, frozen and canned food. The staff is great. The lottery machine has to pay off sometime. The best place to get a paper in four languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, English) in Harrison. Decent produce. Prices aren't cheap, but the convenience makes up for it.”

“The best coffee ☕️ good morning everyone ☔️”

“Delicious Peruvian food, anyone can cook but no one like the cooks at this restaurant! It's delicious! The lomo truck has the combinations and a nice family atmosphere 100% recommended”

“todo es bueno y el servicio exelente”

“Fusionista is a fantastic spot to indulge in authentic Peruvian cuisine. I recently visited and was thoroughly impressed by the experience. The highlight of my meal was the Lomo Saltado, which exceeded all my expectations with its rich flavors and tender beef.
The service was equally commendable. My server, Justin, was incredibly helpful and attentive, ensuring that we had everything we needed. The service was not only fast but also friendly, adding to the overall pleasant dining experience.
The ambiance of Fusionista is another standout feature. The modern yet cozy environment makes it a perfect place for both casual dining and special occasions. The decor is tasteful, and the atmosphere is vibrant yet relaxed.
Overall, Fusionista Modern Peruvian Cuisine is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy delicious Peruvian food in a welcoming setting. I can't wait to return and try more dishes from their menu!”

“Craft cocktails in a cozy colorful outdoor patio. The perfect place to relax after a long week!”

“I am sick of reading all these negative ratings that people are leaving this amazing restaurant.All of these people have never eaten here and are just making ridiculous political nonsensical comments. People of all types are welcome here. There are many local Jews that eat here. the food is phenomenal! Chef Rawia always comes out to check on the clients to say hello and make small talk. So many racists just throwing out lies. They need to get a life! I recommend Tanoreen and looking forward to having marinated lamb shank, Califlower steak and some Knafeh. I will be back soon and bring my friends. ❤️”

“Mauricio, From the moment we sat down, he was all smiles—happy, upbeat, and full of energy that made our whole table feel welcome. He wasn’t just friendly; he was genuinely fun, cracking jokes, keeping the mood light, and making sure everyone (especially the kids!) felt special.

He knew the menu inside and out and gave amazing recommendations—especially for the appetizers. You could tell he really cared about making sure we enjoyed the best of what the place had to offer.

It’s rare to find someone who’s not just doing their job but clearly loves it. Our meal was great, but the service truly made it memorable. If you get the chance, ask for him—you’ll be glad you did!”

“Great time with my family for lunch, great food and great atmosphere but our waitress Abby gets the 5 Stars for service (Awesome Abby 🤩)”

“One of the Best Deli's in Hoboken/New Jersey
Upon walking in, we were greeted by the very nice people working there, they made us giant sandwhiches loaded with meat and cheese.

The Sandwhiches
I had a Turkey Mutz Mayo and Sundried Tomatoes, the sandwhich was LOADED and I absolutely could not finish the second half (right away). I appreciated the softness of the bread for such a large sandwhich, as it was easier to eat and easier on the unhinging of the jaw to take a bite of the giant sandwhich.

The Mozzarella
The Fresh Mozzarella was excellent and definetly stands up to spots like La Bella and Fiore's, and Vinny's Mootz. Perfectly seasoned, not too salted, not under salted. Good moisture.

The Staff
The staff were very friendly and we felt very welcome in the deli. They made our sandwhiches with much love.

Overall, 9/10, would and will come again.”

“Steven and keeron were very polite and do their jobs extremely well !! They made sure my order was correct and went out of their way to make sure I was satisfied with my order. Really appreciate those guys and the work they’re doing. 10/10 service !!”

“This place is a treat! We got a recommendation to try out Corto by a Jono Pandolfi Ceramics staff and it was worth it!!

Hands down the best Rigatoni I’ve ever had. It always hits the spot for me. We tried almost all items on their menu, but there is always new dish to try since their menu changes based on the season. The whole sea bream and pork shoulder are delightful as well.

Being so popular, you have to make a reservation in advance. Again, it’s worth it!!
Corto is byob, so you can pick up a bottle of wine at a cute wineshop around the corner.

Dietary restrictions: They take note of any allergy or dietary restriction

Wheelchair accessibility: Not sure”

“Can I please give it 6 stars? I recently went there with a group of five family members while visiting New Jersey and we had a truly extraordinary night! As an investor in restaurants I'm very critical when visiting any restaurant and not often impressed even with well known critically acclaimed restaurants. It's very rare when a place has truly incredible food with every appetizer and entree as well as first class VIP vibes for service. You could literally taste the passion and care put into every plate with beautifully prepared flavorful abundant meals. In fact, it was the first time in almost a decade I brought home leftovers as the meal was delicious and easily sufficient for two people. Our entire table raved about their meals and the attentive but not obtrusive service was always there to refill our wine and assist without any of us having to look up for service. The food alone would have made for a great night but what truly made it memorable besides the great waitstaff was the manager, Eli. When was the last time a manager, GM or owner greated you at your table to share a polite, interesting and passionate conversation about the food and why they love sharing this experience with their valued customers? He made our entire table feel like VIPs and made perfect recommendations for wine and dessert. It felt more like we were in someone's home as we were there for close to 3-1/2 hours talking, eating, drinking and laughing. The ambiance is warm and unpretentious and the memories of a great experience will certainly bring us back again.”

“Amazing experience. Ordered Aalo Tikki Burger, Anda Shaami, Guppa Chat, Roll Paratha, etc. All things were amazing. In the end, Doodh Patti was superb along with Naan Khatai and Jalebi. Too good Food Street Team ?”

“Everything was beautiful , service food & decor !”

“The food is delicious and cocktails are amazing. Christian was out waitress and he’s so nice, gentle and the dessert was delicious, all the time he was pending about our table. Definitely I will be back soon.”

“We had a great meal wit tasty cocktails here.”

“Excellent food, warm, inviting decor, friendly staff.”

“Food was excellent!!!!! Service was awesome a 10/10!!!”

“Tasty food, reasonable prices, large selection of different meals, clean, warm atmosphere, great service. Highly recommended!”

“Desde Puerto Rico cosa buena la comida. y las meseras Elizabeth e Melissa son muy diligentes. Gracias chicos por su buen trato y sentirnos en familia.”

“The atmosphere is AMAZING. Accompanied by great for and drinks. The wait staff and hostess are Super Sweet.”

“The most amazing food ever. It is best home made, top quality, and authentic Palestinian food you will ever try. It is the BEST food I have ever tried. I am not exaggerating for those reading. please do yourself a favor and come support this restaurant. everything is imported and quality ingredients. This is far from fast food!”

“The best macaroons. The crème brûlée and Ferrero rocher were my favs!”

“Wow! Had an outstanding night at the Roxy and I think it’s been my best bite in JC.

Service was incredible, friendly, and attentive. We did go at an off peak time, so we got extra special service. However, I think at any time the service would be top notch.

The cocktails were excellent. Extremely balanced, delicious and amazingly seasonal.

The food was soooo good. I had the short rib special and I highly recommend it while it’s available. Absolutely delicious and the best short rib dish I’ve had.

I can’t wait to return!”

“I am a frequent guest, west village manhattan I love Georgian cuisine and a pleasant environment, they have very good service, I noticed a new employee who served me very well.❤️🙏”

“Stellar service! Will definitely be back.”

“Kawana and Natorie provided outstanding service and was very welcoming when entering the restaurant. Kawana made sure that my food was fresh. I would come here again.”