50 Best American Restaurants near Elmwood Park

“I absolutely love coming to this location.
Tricia, Crystal, and Jackie are ALWAYS hospitable and respectful every time I dine in with Friendly’s!
Tricia and Chrystal always greet me with a HUGE SMILE and are always SO SWEET to me- BRAVO!
#♥️friendly’sgarfield“

“Great service! You wouldn’t know they were short staffed.“

“Drove here with a buddy from Woodbridge nj and I’m really happy I did . They have 180 choices of wing flavors from sauces to dry rubs. Wings meaty and crispy the way wings should be ! The lip smackers were the star of the show !! Our server joe was on point , top tier service 💯 . I will definitely be coming back 😎“

“Classic for pre-or post Broadway fare!“

“Had a great late breakfast complete with Mimosas and Alfie’s Amber Ale- all served by our awesome bartender Niamh from Ireland!!!“

“Great time! Food was delish!“

“Great vibe, outstanding food and excellent service. What a top NYC restaurant should be.“

“Fabulous and gluten free. great selection, service, atmosphere and very close to MSG!“

“Cosy atmosphere, great food and friendly people.“

“Incredible food and cool vibe🎼🍷😎“

“Wonderful experience! Amazing Apps & Steak / Side. Great cocktails. Beautifully put together & appointed cozy bar & restaurant. Most importantly - the staff is amazing. Mike A was an outstanding server. It all started with a warm welcome by the Maitre D, a great conversation with the Hostess, and then an amazing experience by Mike & the serving staff. The soft shell crab & shrimp cocktail appetizers were exceptional. And we had the 30 oz porterhouse steak to share. Cooked to perfection. Finally, the steak sauce that is prepared at your table is epic. Highly, highly recommend!! Be informed - it does get loud in there when full of customers. Still can't wait to to go back!“

“We lived in nyc for 30 years. Recently moved to DE. God only knows how much we miss the nyc culture. Nothing holds a candle to it. Thank you Aaron for such a delightful lunch today at your restaurant. Best Manhattan I’ve had in a long long time! You were so attentive and accommodating. Service the best! Thank the kitchen for the great food also! Will be back soon with our nephew and his spouse!“

“Went 1st time today for my Birthday - it was GREAT!💙👍“

“Had the chicken sandwich - absolutely phenomenal. Cant wait to come back for an entree. My girlfriend liked her burger, home made fries were soft and crunchy with bits of coarse salt. So good. Ed the owner was so hospitable and Victoria our server was very sweet. Highly recommend for casual date night with big flavor. Will be back - definitely recommend.“

“Finally able to visit and so happy I did. My drink, Dutch Revival, is my new favorite cocktail. The winter flatbread was delicious. Loved the vibe and hospitality.“

“Amazing food, service, and atmosphere. 5/5“

“Great spot for daily specials ranging from drink deals, brunch, and food deals!

I came on Thursday for the $1 jumbo wings deal. Unfortunately the wings were mediocre at best with soft skin and a bland sauce. The blue cheese tasted nice and fresh however. I coincidentally came during the US Open and they were serving the famous Honey Deuce! This was delicious and even came in the branded cup.

I find The Wolfe to be a nice spot to come for some classic American Food and to get a drink with your coworkers or friends. The vibe was definitely chill after work hang out and catching a game on the many TVs. This also seems like a nice spot to get brunch if you’re in the area.“

“Crystal was an amazing server. Was efficient and engaging. I enjoy having servers like Crystal because they create a great dinning experience.“

“Great experience with great friends we are from Puerto Rico and Boston . In loving with the Turkey dinner offer“

“Fabulous place to eat. Service was excellent and patient even tho busy. Food amazing and cheesecake to die for. 100% recommend“

“Beautiful, historic restaurant nestled in Central Park. Made reservations... was our Anniversary and they gave us a beautiful card and a small box of chocolate truffles for the occasion, which was very nice. Service and food was top notch! They also have a small gift shop you can visit to purchase souvenirs. Highly recommend visiting if you're in the area!“

“Calos Restaurant never disappoints! My absolute favorite is the linguine garlic with chicken and broccoli (yes, a custom order and they always get it perfect 🙌). The calamari is hands down the best, and they even offer a gluten-free option! And let’s talk about the drinks… Omg amazing. The mango lemonade and mango tea are my go-to favorites. 🥭✨ The arugula salad is to die for, and if you’re looking for a weekend treat, their brunch menu is pretty great too! Fresh, flavorful, and always made with love. A must-visit spot in North Arlington!“

“I’ve had the pleasure of having Kim as my bartender and she’s the absolute best there is. Very personable , knowledgeable of what to have to eat or drink and just the best at what she does . Her experience behind the bar should never go unnoticed. I’ve been coming here for over a decade and she’s always stood out among anyone else back there.“

“Very chic city atmosphere with a beautiful bar & dining area indoors. The food and service was outstanding.“

“Great spot for drinks and a drink 🥃 what a great time and place, we well be coming back“

“food was excellent Raven our server was top rate even though we were there for RW everything and everyone was on top of their game“

“It's a shop that you can easily walk into by yourself, and the staff are very nice. I stopped by late at night, so a bowl of Mexican chicken and a glass of red wine cost $42.44. I expected a 10% tip, but was surprised to see an 18% appreciation fee listed on the receipt.“

“Great experience. Service was very friendly and attentive. Really loved the atmosphere. Food was fantastic. Cornbread was amazing! Probably one of the best pork chops I've had at a restaurant. Perfectly prepared. Halibut was delicious too. Looking forward to coming back and bringing friends.“

“Fantastic, fast, paleo-friendly food!“

“Great place to stop for a brunch when in the city to see a show“

“Seasonal dishes fresh and beautifully presented! Friendly and helpful team with excellent dish recommendations :)“

“Quality place, great food and good service.“

“From our first steps to our departure, everything was AMAZING. This saturday evening was out last in NYC before returning to Montreal and The Smith Midtown made it PERFECT. The food was more than we could even expect. The seafood tower is quite an experience, treat yourself! Thank you to everyone at the front desk, including the managers, because they made us laughed a lot and were so nice to us. Big thanks to our server too. A must in NYC!“

“The service was outstanding and the food amazing! The best crab cake I’ve ever had and the butter service was to die for! Can’t wait to go back.“

“Always good and you call relax and have a conversation. Love seeing the pride crowd enjoying themselves !“

“A wonderful high-class restaurant with a sophisticated ambiance. The food earns a solid 4-star rating for its taste, offering fair prices for the quality provided. Their crafted beer is exceptional, boasting a great taste that complements the dining experience perfectly.“

“Came here on a hot September afternoon and got a table right away. Our waitress was so friendly! We shared the Santa Fe chicken wrap in a spinach tortilla — absolutely delicious. The sweet potato fries were crisp and perfect with honey mustard for dipping. I had a mule, and it was the ideal refreshing drink. Such a great spot for a light, tasty midday lunch!“

“We had an overall excellent experience!“

“Thanks for a wonderful birthday celebration! Food was great, staff was wonderful!“

“The staff was friendly and knowledgeable“

“I love this place. The owner and employees couldn't be nicer. The food is good and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.

Parking: Parking right next to the building.

Wheelchair accessibility: Handicapped ♿️ parking in both the lot and the street. Handicapped entrance and the side of the building.“

“Had a fantastic experience at Haswell Green’s. Fun drinks, great service …will absolutely be back for happy hour!“

“This is my favorite spot for good fresh food and great drinks 🍸
Sal and Joe ,Patty are the best bartenders.
The staff is always pleasantly nice.
Sandy the owner goes above and beyond .
She is so nice all the time.
Im a regularly here and I continue to bring my friends and they like Bask46.
Keep up the good vibe Bask family ❤️“

“One of our favorite restaurants in the area, and that’s including Montclair. The atmosphere is elevated, modern, and has a beautiful ambiance. Something you might come across in the city. I’ve had the Chicken parm here several times and it never disappoints. Great red sauce, generous portion, and reasonably priced. My friends had the bronzino and chicken milanese which they both loved, and they are food critics! The staff is always friendly and attentive. We feel lucky to have such a gem in our neighborhood. Also be sure to try the amazing pastries and desserts from their sister bakery at Lady Fingers!“

“Have gone here many times and have not been disappointed. The food is excellent as well as the Service and drinks. Bring your friends and family for a great time and great food!!!“

“This is the second time we’ve had Samar as our server, and he’s just wonderful! He’s so attentive, friendly, and always has a big smile on his face. We came in for the Triple Chocolate Meltdown (which is always a favorite!), but having Samar take care of us made it even better. The service here is always great. Our food comes out quickly, our orders are always right, and even the manager stopped by to check on us. This place really has that cozy, hometown restaurant vibe that makes you want to come back again and again!“

“I recently visited the Pancake Factory and had the pleasure of being served by J. From the moment I walked in, J's warm and welcoming demeanor made me feel right at home. They were incredibly attentive, ensuring my experience was smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. J's knowledge of the menu was impressive—they provided excellent recommendations, which turned out to be absolutely delicious. The pancakes were fantastic, but it was J's exceptional service that truly made my visit memorable. Their professionalism, friendliness, and ability to anticipate needs were outstanding. If you're looking for top-notch service and a great dining experience, ask for J—you won't be disappointed!🥰“

“Ten of us arrived at Waterside Restaurant and Caterers to celebrate Nina’s birthday. Located at 7800 B River Rd, North Bergen NJ 07047, we pulled up in front and valet parking made everything simple and stress-free. Right from the outside, the restaurant gave off an upscale and elegant vibe.

Our dining experience. The décor was modern and stylish, some tables with linen-draped and low lighting that created a warm, inviting atmosphere. Some seating was indoors or outdoors, and the outdoor seating offered a beautiful waterfront view that made the evening feel even more special. One of the best surprises was the DJ. who played some of my favorite jazzy house tracks, which gave our dinner great energy.

The service was excellent — attentive without being overbearing. Our server knew the menu well and gave spot-on recommendations for appetizers and dinner.

Menu Highlights For our appetizer, it was fresh Gulf Shrimp “Al Ajillo” which is roasted garlic and chili infused olive oil. When brought to the table it was bubbling hot in a small cast iron pan which Lauro and I shared. The other people with us had a variety of choices.

Greek style brick chicken with Baby zucchini, fingerling potatoes, infused olive oil, candied lemon. I thought it would have been half chicken but didn’t realize it was Cornish hens. It was good, but slightly overcooked. The fingerling potatoes were perfect as well as the infused olive oil with roasted garlic and baby carrots.

Homemade Lasagna Alla Bolognese was Beef Bolognese, bechamel, fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano. Lauro said he enjoyed it very much because it had flavor and cooked perfectly. The pasta and mozzarella along with the bechamel sauce was delicious.

Filet Mignon à la Carte Shannel’s choice of the filet mignon proved to be a highlight of the evening. Expertly prepared and elegantly plated, the dish was both a culinary and visual triumph. Each bite delivered rich, tender flavor that she thoroughly enjoyed, while the presentation elevated the experience—transforming the plate into a work of art. However, she noted that the mashed potatoes had no flavor at all and seasoning seemed to be forgotten.

The birthday girl, Nina Pan Roasted Salmon. A beautifully executed dish that balances elegance with comfort. The salmon was perfectly pan-roasted—crisp on the outside, tender and flaky within. It rested atop a bed of crushed cannellini beans and escarole, which added a creamy, earthy depth. A thoughtful composition that delivers both flavor and finesse.

Overall Impression and rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5. Waterside Restaurant and Caterers nail the balance of fine dining and a vibrant nightlife vibe. Between the valet, the elegant setting, the creative menu, and the music, everything came together for a truly memorable night. It’s a little pricey, and not worth what they charge therefore, check their website first. It’s the perfect spot for a date, a celebration, or even just treating yourself. Stop by either by yourself or a date and enjoy your evening. The general consensuses of the food was prepared well but lacked seasoning.“

“Food was fantastic! We went for lunch and had the fried calamari, shrimp scampi and penne alfredo. Staff was attentive and friendly and brought us fresh bread with dipping oil and fritters after we were seated. Will definitely visit again. Highly recommend!“

“Been wanting to go here since I was a kid and I finally got to go.

I was not disappointed in the slightest with my experience. The staff was super awesome and friendly. The show and servers were extremely organized and helpful. The experience is most definitely all there and I would go back again.

The merch there is also very very cool.

I would highly recommend this for all families and groups, you will not be disappointed.“