Oscar's Gourmet Café (Califon)

Very cute diner like place but with totally homemade delicious food. My husband had the crab cakes and you get three big ones, made from scratch. He said they were delicious. I had the capellini with scampi sauce but subbed salmon instead of shrimp and they added spinach for me. It was so good with huge chunks of garlic and a craveable lemony sauce. There must have been a pound of salmon in the filet, it was so big. The service is incredible too. Vicky is a doll and Oscar the cook is super sweet as well. Will definitely go back when we are in the area either camping or dropping off or picking up kids at camp.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Lovely

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing place!! Found this lovely place on my way home the other day and throughly enjoyed the food and the folks working!! We had a great conversation and the food was amazing!!! Love the rice pudding!! Thank you Oscar!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Turkey sandwich a Gatorade and a chocolate milk costs 23 dollars, the deli is so dark inside you need a flashlight to see anything.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 3

We've been going to Oscar's since we moved to the area around 6 years ago. Not only is the food fantastic, Oscar and staff make us feel like we're over at a friend's house for a family meal. Our son can't get enough of the marinara sauce with pasta or lasagna (Oscar's grandma's recipe, with tomatoes and herbs from his own garden). I love the Portuguese pasta dishes & salmon lemoncello(sp?). My husband gets the meatloaf almost every time (huge portion, with delicious grilled fresh vegetables and mashed potatoes). Our daughter's favorite is the homemade chicken soup. Prices are more than reasonable, not just for the area. You can get your typical diner fare, but do yourself a favor and try one of his specials. You're welcome. :)

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The best breakfast that I have had out in a long time. The food was 💯% tasty, everything was very good, and the service was great.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

My wife and I stopped here for lunch on a Saturday. Only one other table was occupied.

The dining room was dim with no special decor, but clean and not unpleasant. The rear area, with access to the rest room, was timeworn and cramped.

The table across the aisle from us was unoccupied but covered with plates of leftover food; no one cleared it for the duration of our visit.

My wife ordered a tuna wrap, which tasted okay and came with potato chips.

I ordered a Greek salad. The lettuce was iceberg, and the salad was drowned in oily dressing.

We each ordered iced tea. It came in a medium-sized cup, for $3, with no free refills.

Upon finishing our meal, we waited a while, but no one checked on us. I got up and found the hostess/server to request our check.

Overall, the food and experience weren't awful, but with tax, credit card fee and tip, it was about $45 for a wrap, a salad, and two iced teas -- not worth the price.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 2

Great diner with homely service, great food, and large portions. Everything a real diner should be!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Oscar, the owner and chef, is the real deal! Don't be put off by the diner atmosphere, the food elevates this place to a proper gourmet restaurant; he is a fantastic chef. Oscar obviously takes great care in his selection of ingredients and that makes a huge difference. Even the side salad is a fresh mix of romane, mesclun and crispy veg. My family, owned a very successful catering hall in Brooklyn, NY for over 35 years and later a much loved Italian restaurant in Staten Island. I grew up with old school Italian, grandma cooks, so I am hard to impress. I'm telling you, you wont be disappointed! His pasta and fish dishes are perfect. This is the best food in the area. And keep in mind you will get two full meals from the giant portions. Try this place and you will be coming back for more!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

A local recommended Oscars for lunch So glad they did Ordered steak and eggs and the California cheeseburger The food looked fantastic tasted fantastic and was at a fair price The location as well put together and clean Our server was also fantastic. She initiated bringing over a table top toy for our three year-old companion. So glad we found this place. I highly recommend going to Oscar‘s gourmet Deli.

Oscar's is a gem. My family's favorite place. We live 35 minutes away, but it's worth the drive. Amazing food, friendly staff, and great value. Each entree comes with a salad. The salad is huge and really really good. They have so many items on the menu and the portions are HUGE. Add that Oscar can cook and everything tastes incredible. Try it out. You will love it.
FYI its BYO if you want a drink drink.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My family and I love Oscar's. The food is incredible, and so is the staff. Each entree comes with a salad. The salads are huge and unbelievable. The menu has so many items that everyone can find a favorite dish. Everything tastes unbelievable (it's the best word for the place), portions are HUGE, and the prices are great. We drive 35 each way to eat here. Pass 100 other places just to eat in this gem of a place. Check it out, you will love it,.

Absolutely recommend Oscar’s because of the fresh, made to order, clean, friendly atmosphere and hidden 💎 gem!

Good place to have a good food and super atmosphere. Highly recommend.

My brother and I had dinner tonight at Oscar’s Gourmet Café in Califon, and we’re still talking about it — because that ribeye was unforgettable.

From the moment the plate hit the table, we knew we were in for something special. A generous portion of perfectly cooked ribeye, juicy and tender with a flawless sear — easily one of the best steaks I’ve had not just in New Jersey, but anywhere.

The mashed potatoes were rich and buttery, smooth with just the right texture, and the vegetables were vibrant and fresh - like they came straight from a local farm that morning.

Everything on that plate was done with care, heart, and serious culinary skill. You don’t just taste the ingredients - you taste the pride.

We’ve eaten at plenty of steakhouses across the state, but this? This was next level. Oscar’s isn’t just a café — it’s a hidden gem that deserves way more attention.

We'll absolutely be back. Massive respect to the team behind that kitchen — you made our night

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5