Tapas Restaurants near Cliffside Park, NJ

“This place offers truly authentic Turkish food that is absolutely delicious. The owners and waiters are Turkish, adding to the authenticity of the experience. Some may not speak English fluently, so just be patient—the food is well worth it!

If you visit on the weekends, you'll be treated to a surprise performance that makes the experience even more special. To make ordering easier, I recommend looking at photos on Google. The atmosphere is vibrant, the flavors are amazing, and the entertainment adds a unique touch. Trust me—just come and enjoy an unforgettable meal!“

“friendly, clean, delicious lunch!“

“Nut allergy friendly: Nothing we had had any concerns. I don't think anything they use has nuts.

Wow. This probably ranks into my top 3 Korean restaurants in the US. It's a quaint shop from the outside that I almost walked by despite following directions, but it's packed with flavor.

We made a reservation two weeks ahead when they opened up and were promptly seated.

Order-to-Dishes: Roughly 13-19 mins for appetizers, 23 mins for sharable entrees.

For three people, we ordered:
-Kimchi (complimentary): Excellent. Great balance, not too acidic.
-Seafood Butter-Gui (5/5): An interesting Mediterranean feeling dish with the pita, but it blends the butter with delicious seafood and the perfect accompaniments to balance out each bite.
-Seafood Pancake (5/5): They manage to get squid or shrimp or mussels into each bite of the pancake. Stellar texture. Delicious balance with the chive and basil.
-Fried Soft Shell Crab (6/5): Holy smokes. Must order. Not sure how they fry this but it is excellently crispy and still fresh tasting at the same time.
-Fried Chicken (4.5/5): I give this a good rating for excellent portions. It's fried in a similar way as the soft shell crab. I think it was a bit weaker in texture but overall, still very good.
-Duck Bulgogi (4/5): While this was the weakest dish in my opinion, the duck was still very tender and flavorful. I think it should have been served with some rice or something other than beansprouts.
-Spicy Fish Stew (4/5): Went very well with rice, very tender fish and clams but not enough to share with 3 people.
-Seafood Japchae (5/5): The heck did they do to make this Japchae so good? The octopus perfectly balanced the Japchae texture and it's a great level of spice.

The quality of seafood was overall excellent.

With two drinks it came out to roughly $75/pp.
I'd definitely come back if only for the soft shell crab, and highly recommend.“

“Honestly- this place is great! Almost everything I have eaten or drank here has been delicious. Recommend the hush puppies and green tomato martini, but everything is good. I don’t normally do reviews but I think this place really deserves it (as someone who grew up in the south)“

“I was exploring the neighborhood and this was no "the list". I was not disappointed! (other than they were out of the Haricots Verts Lyonnaise! I have to com back for them...)

The food was great and the service was so friendly and welcoming. I sent pics to a friend in California and he wants to visit!

Only "complaint": the Brussels sprouts were too sweet sitting in a pool of syrup. Less is more...“

“Great mimosas and food . Good atmosphere.“

“Here's the review Spencer wrote for you: My family and I just visited to celebrate my grandsons birthday- we like to get a bunch of plates and share family style and this menu was perfect for that. You have to get mezze and extra bread (must try the kubane). We also ended up getting three orders of the shishbarak for the six of us, it is way too good! I got the salmon for my entree which was cooked to perfection and beautifully seasoned. Spencer our server recommended the silan and the cheesecake for dessert so we shared those and boy were they something special- I can’t pick a favorite! He brought us a candle and we got some great pictures. I can’t recommend this restaurant enough.“

“My boyfriend and I went here last Sunday night, and I just had to write a great review, as we LOVED it. Great romantic atmosphere, loved the music.. our server Jess, who I think owns the restaurant made me an amazing mocktail. The croquettes were to die for, as was the chorizo in wine, and the spanish tortilla was literally the best one I have ever had, even in Spain! We are looking forward to going back soon. ❤️“

“The food here is amazing! Everything seasoned to perfection! We had the braissed beef noodles and omg! Matza soup dumplings were unbelivable and the Roti canai another hit! 10/10
Dont leave without trying the vegan thai tea! So creamy and flavorfull, the best one i’ve had.“

“Nice restaurant, friendly employees. Brunch hours were from 12-5 pm. I didn’t want brunch food bc I heard from others that it was just OK. I ordered the tiny special roll and was informed couldn’t get it until 5 pm due to the brunch menu times. The waitress took our order around 4:20 pm. Then she came back later to take it again-not sure why. The sushi roll was good. I also enjoyed an expressing martini. My friend ordered chicken wings , they were super super tiny. She didn’t complain about the taste though. Only street parking available. Gratuity included for a table for 2.“

“Came her with my parents to celebrate my mom’s birthday. We had a fantastic experience.

Bazaar did a great job acknowledging my mom’s special day. They brought out complimentary drinks and had a nice surprise for us when we ordered dessert. My mom doesn’t drink, so they even brought her non alcoholic wine.

The food consist of a mix of very light, small dishes to pretty substantial mains. We had:

Jamon - freshly sliced off a leg, served with yummy tomato bread
Bao con lechon - steamed buns with pork belly. These were fine, not my favorite
Dragon fruit ceviche - very interesting presentation and the flavors mixed surprisingly well. It was super light and refreshing
Not your everyday caprese - a creative take on a caprese salad
Brussel sprouts - this was another light dish, but very enjoyable
Spanish octopus - one of our favorite dishes. Loved the cheese sauce and the crispy potatoes mixed in with the octopus
Rosseijat Negra - a big plate of squid ink paella. My parents loved this
Pollo al ajillo - chicken thighs. It was pretty tender and the presentation was nice
Steak and piquillo - we are not usually big fans of steak, but we really liked this dish
Carrot cake - a beautifully presented carrot cake

We were incredibly full by the end.

Service was very attentive - our waters were always refilled and our waitress was lovely.

My parents are picky eaters but they were both impressed by the meal. The nice ambience and setting in the Waldorf certainly didn’t hurt either!“

“This is my second visit. a good place to eat quietly, with good taste and good atmosphere. Thank Juan & Daniel for helping us to have an excellent time.
This is my second visit. a good place to eat quietly, with good taste and good atmosphere. Thank you Daniel & Juan for helping me have a wonderful time with your service.“

“Grilled Branzino, Mushroom Pad Cha, Seafood sous Padang, Crying Tiger, Tom Yum fried rice

All absolutely delicious, each authentic and rich in flavor, literally could not put my utensils down; the depth and variety of flavor between each dish was immaculately prepared“

““The bartenders Steven and John at Salinas are phenomenal! From the moment you sit at the bar, you’re greeted with warmth and professionalism. Their knowledge of cocktails is unmatched – whether you’re in the mood for a classic drink or something creative, they’ll craft it to perfection.

Not only are they skilled, but their friendly demeanor and attention to detail elevate the entire dining experience. They manage to balance the hustle of a busy bar while making every guest feel special.

The atmosphere they create is vibrant yet relaxed, making it the perfect spot for a night out or a casual drink. Highly recommend stopping by for a perfectly crafted cocktail and top-notch service. Cheers to the incredible team behind the bar!”“

“Best Persian food in Brooklyn. Perhaps the best Persian food in all of New York or beyond. Thanks — we will be back!
——————
You know a restaurant is excellent when all you’ve had is their artisanal bread served with homemade butter, homemade yogurt turned into a dip, and homemade mortadella—yes, mortadella— and you’re thinking, “wow, I could eat just this, served with a bottle of wine…. I’d be more than satisfied.” And, also at this point thinking “when am I going to come back?”

Not your typical kebab affair. It’s better. I promise. I was introduced to a world of Persian food I’ve never had at a restaurant before at a level of quality that is reserved for fine dining establishments.

This is an elevated dining experience that is meant to be shared. And yes, there is a vibe too. Attention to detail with every dish that the chef explained to me is painstakingly made from scratch —yogurts, marinades, preparation taking days, with ingredients sourced locally. Warm, knowledgeable staff to boot, too.

The drink menu is legit. Think Persian twists on classic drinks—-but executed well, where other twists often fail. The best espresso martini in Williamsburg. Perhaps the city. My wife said the best she’s ever had.“

“A cute date night spot located inside the made hotel. I stopped in for tapas and the lovely gentleman with the amazing curly hair and glasses served us. 1 star removed because of the poor energy from the manager who did not acknowledge us until the second time she passed us entering and then seemed to interrupt our waiter while he was closing us out to rush him to close o it another customer. If it were not for the amazing service from others, I would give this place even less stars.“

“Great food and very friendly staff!“

“delicious food and drinks menu. service was attentive too.“

“Delightful and cozy. Not only is the ambiance very nice but the food os a total delight 😋“

“This is a bit of an upscale tapas bar, knowledge staff, not obtrusive. It did remind me of some upscale places in Spain. Go eat tapas the Manhattans with chocolate rim omg! Food was good too!“

“87 Ludlow is a hidden treasure, serving incredibly tasty Filipino dishes. The atmosphere is equally impressive, with welcoming decor enhancing the dining experience. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone eager to savor the rich flavors and warm hospitality of Filipino culture!“

“Superb experience , great food, prompt service, moderate prices...very enjoyable and well worth the money“

“Stopped by for a few drinks and I loved it! I had the orange wine and it was very good. Fantastic food (get the bacalao croquetas!) and even better service, Cortina our server was very attentive and friendly! Great service!! We’ll be back!“

“Accueil est cordial, le personnel professionnel , la nourriture est très bonne. Un petit coin de Provence à New York. Ambiance sympa 👍🏻“

“I went to Plado for the first time last night with a couple of friends who had already been there several times and raved about it. They were not wrong to rave! The food was simply superb. Every dish was an experience to savor. It actually made me stop and slow down so I could enjoy what was happening in my mouth. Everything had various levels of flavor that made the experience worthwhile. I can’t wait to go back and try more. Standouts for me were hard to choose but if I had to, the taro gnocchi, duck confit, and roasted carrots were my favorite. Desserts were out of this world delicious and unique so I encourage everyone to save room. The ambiance is lovely and the chef and his wife are warm and welcoming. I wish them a long and successful stay in Glen Cove!“

“Overall, an enjoyable meal, but not somewhere I'd feel the need to come back to.

The service was the highlight, our waitress was friendly and efficient and the (owner? manager?) was willing to swoop in whenever we needed something. Plates were replaced when my companions requested and wine and water were consistently refilled.

The food was hit or miss. Some dishes, like the tomatoes with consommé gelée, were lovely - light, fresh, and interesting. Also very enjoyable were the ravioli, the scallop crudo, and the carrots. The rest of the dishes were a bit of a disappointment. The serving of truffled portobello was too large and heavy to finish. The sea bass toast had too much toast and not enough bass. The cod was blah, overly creamy and not enough dimension.

Wine list was nice, if short, and seemingly lacking any Spanish whites. We had a very enjoyable orange bottle from France. Didn't try any cocktails.

The real hit for me was the noise level: you couldn't hear your companions talking whatsoever. There was no music playing, but the room had no batting whatsoever and the amount of noise was unbearable at times. Not what I would expect from a more intimate sit-down place like that.“

“My friend and I made a reservation for Gurumé at 7pm on a Saturday. I would recommend making a reservation if you are dining around this time, as it was packed! However, the crowd had dissipated by 8:30pm, so if you're looking for a later evening bite, it's definitely slower. I would also recommend not dining at peak hours because it was so loud. Decor is your average, upscale vibes, but the tables are really close together to maximize the amount of people in the space.

We ordered crispy corn and cheese ($14), oyster mushroom taco ($17), berkshire kimchi fried rice ($19), scallop crudo ($19), and pork & radish "bossam" ($19). We also ordered the black sesame bread pudding for dessert ($11). Overall, the food was flavored well and tasty. You're paying entree prices for appetizer portions, but it makes sense for the location. If I came back, I would skip the kimchi fried rice and scallop crudo. The fried rice was nothing special, and I have had better experiences with simpler ingredients; the scallop crudo was overpowered by the other flavors, losing the taste of the scallop. The bossam was so moist and juicy, with fantastic natural flavoring, though the other components did enhance the flavor. I would only recommend the corn if you are a corn lover and none of the other appetizers appeal to you. The mushroom taco had a great combination of flavors and the spice kick was mild. If you're a dessert person, the bread pudding was delectable, great black sesame flavor and the bread was also moist.

Service was outstanding. We were originally seated next to a large party, and they later moved us to a table further away where it was quieter. There were many checkbacks throughout the evening, and they definitely make you feel like you are valued as a customer. I would recommend Gurumé for a fancy night out and people in your party can talk loudly.“

“Come visit you won't be sorry ☺️“

“Excellent service and food“

“Had the chef's tasting menu dinner with two friends. It was consensus 5 ⭐ for the food afaict. One of the friends, who typically won't visit the same restaurant twice, indicated it was so good they would consider returning. They also added onto their list the sister's restaurant of Traif.

My favorite was probably the scallop risotto, closely followed by the caprese salad.“

“Endroit magnifique, décoré avec beaucoup de goût ! Les plats sont aussi beaux que bons, une cuisine travaillée et raffinée.. Le personnel accueillant et très professionnel ! Nous recommandons largement ! Allez-y les yeux fermés et les papilles ouvertes! 🌺“

“Nice place food uffff recomendado“

“We dined in. Three people. Ordered two main items, soda, and a cocktail. $100+tip. Food took one hour to arrive.Food was OK. There was only one server, very friendly but it was very hard to get their attention before or after food arrived.
I love neighborhood places and would support them fully but I am not sure how pricey they should be and how much service should I expect, with or without this pricetag.“

“Fabulous dinner we sat outside in the beautiful outdoor seating, Great service delicious food“

“I would give the service here 10 stars if I could. The bartender was so sweet. He made me a drink based on what I liked and it really hit the spot. All the drinks were quite nice. The menu was very interesting and the spot was very intimate.“

“Delicious! Friendly service.“

“2024-10-31
This place has A.C. amazing after walking around all day sightseeing.
Food was delicious especially the Szechuan spicy chicken, fyi doesn't come in a sauce. Scallion pancake was very tasty, as was the chicken soup dumplings. Definitely recommend this place.“

“The care and creative that’s put into each dish is superb. The pre-fix is an excellent deal. And it’s fam friendly even though the food is avant-garde in style. Nice service.“

“It was not crowded, the service was quick & the people were extremely friendly. The food was delicious and drinks, of course, on point and quick to the table. It's a great stop along your journey if you're either parched & or hungry.??“

“Excellent Tapas! Wonderful Flamenco show on Flamenco Tuesdays!“

“This is a great lunch spot and the sandwiches are fantastic! It’s quite authentic Spanish tapas. They also serve dinner but surprisingly the menu is different. I’d recommend going there for brunch/lunch over dinner. Everything we tried from the lunch menu was superb!“

“The pork chop was succulent and had the most amazing spice combination. The barbacoa was the best I have ever had. Not a fan of the mezcal, but I gave it a try. Other more common drinks looked great with a good pour. Good vibe and open late with a super friendly staff!“

“A truly delightful dining experience with small plates that don’t disappoint. We particularly loved the tartare, with finely diced tomato and a well balanced ginger sesame dressing. It’s hard to believe that the words “great beet hummus” but trust me! Also the persimmon salad with yuzu yogurt - wow. We also really enjoyed the play on a bagel and cream cheese for dessert - very fun and a great punch of flavors with the homemade strawberry jam. Will def return!

Pro tip: the bathroom is a must visit.“

“We had a great time sitting at the bar (drinks and tapas). we'd like to thank Max so much. Brilliant barman. He made our last day in NY very special (love Mrs. Doubtfire) 🤣“

“Great times and great ambience!“

“What a wonderful restaurant great mix of foods and service was so friendly. Highly recommend butternut fries to start!“

“An absolute must! Such a tucked away gem. I Came in on a whim for dinner on my own, and was lucky enough to grab the only seat available at the bar. The host and manager were incredibly accommodating.

I started with the Broccolini Borani, which was absolutely fantastic. I had it with the Komaj bread, a pair I highly recommend. The citrus date and cabbage salad was also beyond unique. The dates are served warm, and the combination of ingredients makes for a start that beautifully combines what we think of as a salad, with everything we look for in a comfort food. Please Get this!
I also had the grilled Ahi tuna. The eclectic use of mint, pomegranate, walnuts, and chili oil made this dish as beautiful as it was superb (be sure to get this too)

I opted for the octopus kebab as my entree, which was perfectly tender and served with a delicious pepper tahini and pickled cucumbers. It has a little kick to it, which I loved, and served as the perfect finish.

Don’t skip on dessert. The saffron Ice cream sandwich was everything I saw depicted online and more, but the couple next to me enjoyed the rose cake, and the reviews sounded incredible as well. So be sure to leave room for either one.

The service was above and beyond from start to finish. The bartenders were also incredibly welcoming and walked me through the menu and their recommendations step by step.
On that note, definitely get the Saffron Martini!

This place is 10/10 will definitely be back.“

“a good tapas experience in a casual setting. The chorizo mussels were tasty, with smoky chorizo and tender mussels. The chicken was well-cooked, juicy, and crispy on the outside. The mushroom croquettes were crispy and creamy, and the churros were light, with a rich dulce de leche sauce for dipping.

Overall, Boqueria is a solid choice for a relaxed meal with flavorful tapas.“

“I had a great time at the Shoe Bar the other day. I was the only customer sitting at the bar and Ross the bartender was so engaging and attentive. Those are star qualities for anyone to have that works in the hospitality industry. I will be returning soon.“

“Bottom line: Enjoy eating and drinking your way through Seoul BAP's menu!!

The food was flavorful and had a nice twist on some Korean classics. Beautifully plated, too. Our favorites were...
* corn cheese
* galbi jjim
* bulgogi bibimbap
* bulgogi japchae
Go hungry because the portions sneak up on you!

Service was considerate, prompt and super respectful. From the hostess to all the waitstaff, everyone was great with our group.

Ambiance was chill-sexy. Would be great for a group with the back area perfect for a happy hour/cocktail hour party--or even an intimate date!

Looking forward to going again soon!“