Tapas Restaurants near Englewood, NJ

“First rate service! Very nice wine selection! The food...! I ordered the filet mignon and I could cut it with the wrong side of the knife! Cooked to perfection! Creme Brulee was very good! The atmosphere was cozy! Five out of Five!!“

“El mejor lugar de Manhattan donde puedes encontrar un ambiente acogedor y moderno, con comida deliciosa y la mejor atención“

“I’m visiting my mom from Los Angeles, and as we planned a night out together, I wanted to support a local spot. There’s always something new whenever I return home, and this time it was Chez Messy, just around the corner from the 157th Street train station. Perched up upon a small staircase, this two-floor restaurant is intimate, cozy, and deeply sultry.

Nestled in the heart of Uptown New York City, a neighborhood known for its Dominican roots and growing diversity, Chez Messy shines as a Spanish Caribbean infused gem that took my breath away. The space feels both refined and familiar, elegant yet soulful. As I sat waiting for my mother, I opened the menu, and immediately everything called my name.

Our server Joshua was an absolute delight, attentive, kind, and confident in every recommendation. Antonio, the owner and floor manager, greeted us with charm and poise. Dressed in a sharp suit, he exuded pride and grace, the embodiment of someone who deeply loves what he has created. What touched me most was realizing that this Spanish Caribbean dream of a restaurant is owned and operated by Dominicans. As someone who has traveled the world and eaten in countless hidden gems tucked along cobblestone streets, I can say this place holds its own among the best.

We started with a crisp glass of Albariño and dove into the pulpo and mofonguitos filled with ropa vieja. Let me start by saying I’m not typically a red meat superfan, but that evening I was completely transformed. The ropa vieja was tender, savory, juicy, and full of flavor. The plantain cups that held it were subtly sweet, creating a beautiful harmony between bold and delicate notes.

The pulpo was perfection, tender octopus paired with a light touch of vinegar and oil, thinly sliced onions, capers, and cherry tomatoes that burst like little jewels of freshness. It was bright, balanced, and refreshing, a perfect prelude to what would become an unforgettable meal.

Then came a surprise from Antonio, the avocado salad and batatas bravas, further inviting us into the full Chez Messy experience. I’ve had batatas bravas in Spain and beyond, but these were divine. Perfectly crisp on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside, with seasoning that danced on the palate. The avocado salad was heaven itself, silky avocado paired with slivers of almonds and a hint of citrus, perhaps grapefruit, creating a beautifully layered bite that was both rich and refreshing.

By the time our entrée arrived, filet mignon and shrimp in cream sauce, medium rare, we were already swept away. The filet was tender and bursting with flavor, the shrimp perfectly cooked, and the cream sauce was so delicious that I found myself tempted to lick the plate.

Everything about our experience at Chez Messy was divine, from the impeccable service to the romantic, dark, and dreamy ambiance, the vibrant music that moved through the air, and the drinks that sparkled as much as the conversation.

Chez Messy is where you go when you want great food in a wonderful location, when you want to feel inspired, seen, and transported. It is a love letter to Spanish Caribbean flavor and Dominican pride, wrapped in elegance and joy.

This place deserves to be full every night, though a part of me secretly wants to keep it all to myself.“

“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.“

“We held our 63rd reunion here and it was perfect. Food and service perfect. Those who live in the area will be back. Grazie Frank!!!“

“If you appreciate fusion sushi, I highly recommend giving this establishment a try. Their all-you-can-eat sushi on Mondays is an excellent option for a refined dining experience. The ambiance was truly wonderful. I visited on a Monday evening with my family, including children, and everything was impeccable. Our server, Patria, provided exceptional service. I requested the Knicks game to be displayed on the television, and she promptly accommodated my request. My personal favorites among the sushi selections were the Volcano roll and the Mar Y Tierra.“

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

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

“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.“

“The food is delicious and the service remarkably and memorably friendly and attentive without being overbearing. We started with the brussels, which have a sweet vinaigrette dressing and are cooked perfectly. The ribs were meaty, not fatty, with flavorful spicing. The corn and cheese is a surprise --- on the cob, but with chili powder. But the highlight was the kimchi fried rice, a uniquely delicious and satisfying dish topped by a perfectly poached egg. We closed the main courses with seafood kalguksu, a slightly spicy noodle soup with all kinds of seafood. Best seafood broth ever. Period Every other table had the black sesame bread pudding, so we decided to try it. They were right. Don't think about the huge volume of butter involved. All in all, small plates with huge flavors served by a wonderful wait team. Thanks Gurumé.“

“Just what it says on the label - literally a bar in the shoe department in the basement of Nordstrom. Drinks are great, service is above and beyond what you’d expect from something that was presumably an afterthought when designing a department store, and you sure can’t beat the people watching as the shoe shoppers clamor around you. The constant PA announcements can be a bit much after a while, particularly when it seems like a pretty straightforward take a number system for shoe assistance yet they have to keep explaining how numbers work, but this isn’t really a place for quiet conversation anyway. But you can’t beat the price and entertainment if you’ve got some time to kill.“

“Delicious! Friendly service.“

“An outstanding burger and salad, tucked away on the 5th floor of Nordstrom. primarily a shopping floor with no break between it and the restaurant. Department store ambience. Although service was slow, waitstaff were attentive. The restaurant was completely out of beer on a Friday night at 6 pm.“

“Great location; close to Metro North. Quality Food, Service and Friendly Staff😀“

“You get what you pay for in the best possible way. The meal quality was high and priced fairly for the serving size. Their cooking reflected true expertise. The meal and staff exceeded expectations. We plan to come back at our first opportunity!“

“Excellent Thanksgiving Dinner! Excellent Serice by Issac. Terrific Food. Highly Recommend“

“El restaurante es hermoso, excelente atencion, comida deliciosa y buena musica. El lugar es muy armonioso“

“The menu features food that seems simple but tastes wonderfully complex. The Lexington Social delivers excellence in every aspect. The staff has a level of beauty that's noticeable. The food here deserves high praise. This spot offers apparent skill.“

“💥💥💥💥💥 Just discovered a gem! Can’t wait to return. Tucked in on Columbus Av. betw 106/107. Best Mexican food I’ve yet to find in the city. I had the fish tacos! Excellente! Also the best sangria. Our server, Carol, was wonderful. And she gave me a delicious flan desert and everyone sang happy birthday. Thank you Carol and everyone! See you soon!“

“Amazing and interesting menu. Each dish was exciting and fun. We realized after our meal that we accidentally ordered and ate all vegetarian. Get the cheezits and the squash rings! The schnitzel was delicious as was the carrot hummus. Whatever that chocolate caramel dessert with marshmallow on top is… GET IT! Maybe get two.“

“Great food, well priced happy hour and great service!“

“The restaurant was dark and extremely loud. My friend and I could barely hear each other from across the table. The server was very friendly. There was a Wednesday happy hour deal on drinks so the meal was very affordable. I'd go again.“

“Excelente local admiración por la rica comida y la dedicación de los meseros la chica es excepcional me quedo con este local para cuando vuelva a nyc“

“Love their food. Everything I've had there is so tasty. I'm disappointed that they changed their fried potatoes. They are more like a bag of chips now, otherwise no complaints.“

“Great service and a wonderful frose“

“The BEST place - I always order the 4 options of amazing tapas dips/ spreads with pita. Perfect when having people over, and always a hit at a potluck party. (And surprisingly affordable!!!) The atmosphere is romantic/ fun and yet still easy and casual.“

“I have been to Bistro Taino several times including for a special birthday dinner and it never disappoints. Tonight I went with some coworkers and as always everything was so good. We shared the crabmeat empanadas and each had the bifongo as entrees with chicken, steak, and seafood. We also shared the coconut tembleque for dessert. Special shout out to our server, Arianni, she was amazing! Friendly, attentive, and personable. Great service, food and ambiance, can’t ask for more. Thank you Bistro Taino for always making it a great experience.“

“Completely surprised and intrigued with the menu. This is NOT a Mexican food restaurant as the name might fool you. The shrimp taco wrapped in seaweed paper was so fresh tasting,crunchy and absolutely delish. Fried rice served in your own skillet and you mix the egg in was the best! The smores waffle with homemade custard ice-cream was to die for. Bartender Robbie is a pro mixologist with really new style drinks. This place was a treat and I cant wait to go back. Also the service was perfect!“

“Friendly, efficient, professional service from (Marlon) and owner (Alex). Delicious tapas included Albondigas, Camarones en Salsa De Mango, and Tortilla Española (that potato/cheese/onion treat ) Oh - and the ginormous Land and Sea Paella was superb. Add a coupla glasses of their Lovely Logos Cab, and — just WOW!“

“One of the of absolute best places we visit in Manhattan, super cute and charming. Incredibly friendly staff and very delicious drinks. The decor is super cute and my whole experience there was great 💜💜💜💜“

“😊La Giaconda is a friendly restaurant with authentic Italian cuisine. We had a small family Christmas Dinner there and were treated like family. They have an extensive wine list and delicious food.“

“Amazing food and very friendly! Our waiter was a hoot and made the atmosphere even more entertaining and inviting. Thanks for showing this Tennessee gal- your Mediterranean ways 🤤😄“

“Went there for dinner with friends. The place is cozy and homey. The foods were delish. I really like spicy cucumber. It’s tasty and refreshing. Service was awesome. The servers are very attentive. I definitely come back to try others menu.“

“Addictive Wine & Tapas is a great place to go for an after-work drink, or for a light meal with great tapas. The wine selection is extensive, the service is great, and the personal attention from the owners makes everyone feel special.“

“This is my favorite place in the entire neighborhood! The service is wonderful, it’s small and intimate, feels like a real gem. It’s got a relaxed non-pretentious atmosphere. I come here on a whim OFTEN. Their signature drink Canelazo is the BEST cocktail i think i’ve ever tasted from anywhere, I crave it frequently, there’s just nothing like it. It’s unique and sexy, ugh, this place is a HIT HIT HIT.“

“The food is good and service is excellent. We had the price fixe“

“The decor at Victors Cafe was absolutely stunning! I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful and classy it felt, with a wonderful tropical vibe. Our waiter was truly phenomenal, constantly checking in on us and being incredibly attentive. And the food and desserts were simply amazing. I highly recommend paying a visit to Victors Cafe for an all-around fantastic experience!“

“Wow place was amazing, food was delicious , service was excellent. Place is a must come back to for all occasions. music and dancing is also an extra.“

“Fillmore Deli and Backroom is a pretty solid neighborhood spot with a surprising mix of options. The Korean fried chicken is actually really good crispy, flavorful, and definitely worth trying. They also have a large variety of sandwiches, so there’s something for whatever mood you’re in.

One thing that always throws me off though is they tend to run out of the tuna pretty often, which is strange for a deli. But besides that, everything else seems to be okay. It’s a reliable place to grab a quick bite and the food usually hits the spot.“

“This place is truly a hidden gem! Maria served us. such an amazing friendly attitude. She explained all the specials let us sample of variety of wines before we finally chose what we wanted. Was so personable, and made us feel truly welcome. Their food is fresh and came out steaming hot.“

“Second time within a week returning this evening for a birthday celebration. Not disappointed and highly recommend. First time our server Sydney was stellar.“

“We've walked by Cello many times so happy to finally had a chance to go for dinner. The host and hostess took great care of us, letting us sample wines until we picked just the right bottle. The cheese plate was generous and delicious and we highly recommend the flatbreads which were amazing. The atmosphere and vibe was warm and inviting. A great spot to catch up with friends over drinks or date night for dinner. We highly recommend it and we will be going back very soon!“

“Loved the food and cocktail menu. You can tell that the establishment knows their food, wine, etc and it comes off in the drinks and food!“

“Reminds me of my grandmother’s cooking“

“This place is authentic Brazilian rodizio with great meat selection insane salad bar with seafood and salad and Fejoada .we loved it excellent staff and the owners are hands on we dined on Friday and it was very busy but drinks came right away tasty caipirinia .We loved espresso martinis and my friend ordered chocolate martini yummm .Highly recommending .we took our time and we werent chased away from table .Very accommodating staff .Thank You and good luck“

“Wife and I flew into JFK late one Friday. We were famished , it was 1030 by the time we got to Arthur Ave.. We parked and walked , came upon people eating alfresco. We asked if any place was still serving. The "MAN" Vic asked what we would like, from one of the tables. In no time we had a bottle of Vino Tinto in front of us and people were making us try food they were dining on. I felt like I was at my friends ,' THE PIAZZAS " house. The food was excellent and the people better. Can not wait to go back !“

“Great place for ramen and sushi! The broth is very rich and creamy. Everything was flavorful and the sushi chefs were very generous with the fish.

Portion of ramen is HUGE. We went as two folks and ended up having a hard time finishing a ramen and a sushi“

“Excelente. Comida rica y bebidas 🍷 buenas.“

“So delicious! Great people, great service! 😋🤤“