Tapas Restaurants near Hackensack, NJ

“This past August, I had my daughter’s bridal shower at Sidebar. I made all my arrangements with Danny. It was a pleasure to work with him. Everything turned out great. The food was delicious, the drinks were great, the waiters and waitresses were very accommodating. Everyone had a great time. Don’t hesitate to have an event here!“

“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.“

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

“My taste buds were surprised in the best possible way. The restaurant is small with busy lunches, yet delivers on taste and customer care. The kitchen delivers surprising quality. These workers deliver great service because they trust their product. Amazingly tasty!!!“

“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.“

“Your bill will be higher here but the experience makes it fair. The menu won't break the bank and tastes good. The kitchen maintains high standards. Service quality equals their excellent menu offerings. This spot warrants your immediate attention.“

“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.“

“We enjoyed the ambiance, the service and especially the food. But we felt like lost tourists (and, really, we're not!) just trying to get upstairs to the restaurant and, believe it or not, trying to pay the bill. We were not by any means the oldest folks there, but felt like the proverbial boomer dummies. You shouldn't skip the experience, but don't be surprised if it takes a few tries to crack the code on the elevators and the QR symbols hiding the bill.“

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

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

“Come visit you won't be sorry ☺️“

“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.“

“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.“

“Excellent service and food“

“Delicious! Friendly service.“

“Enjoyed the many different Tapas we tried out 😋“

“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.“

“I was happy to give this new ghost kitchen a try. The concept of the restaurant is it's mainly a delivery spot with an option to pick up and take out. When I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I walked in and saw the area where you could go to the screen and order or order ahead and scan, and the locker will pop open or order through one of the delivery places like Uber eats. I ordered a bunch of things, including the chicken platter and the chicken dumplings. Everything was done in about 15 minutes. I dug in when I got home. Everything looked tasty! My favorite dishes were the loaded fries and the chicken dumplings. I really enjoyed this unique experience.“

“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.“

“Super nice. We have fun! Good food“

“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.“

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

“Great times and great ambience!“

“💥💥💥💥💥 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!“

“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“

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

“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) 🤣“

“Absolutely exceeded our expectations. We went on a whim. Greeted with lots of warm affection when we came in and they kept bringing amazing food to the table with great explanations on what everything was. Literally everything they served was fantastic.“

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

“Great service and a wonderful frose“

“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.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ One of My Favorite Korean Restaurants! Seoul BAP is not just another Korean restaurant — the food is absolutely amazing! Every dish is full of rich, authentic Korean flavors with a modern twist. It’s truly one of the best Korean dining spots in the city. The cocktail menu is just as exciting — featuring creative drinks that perfectly match the vibe and flavor of the food. 🍹 Spicy Passionfruit Margarita – bold and vibrant with a Korean-inspired kick. 🥃 Bourbon Bee Hive – smooth, rich, and full of depth. 💜 Lavender Skies – crafted with premium gin infused with butterfly pea flower and lavender, finished with a touch of Amaro — simply elegant. And the newest favorite everyone’s asking for: 🌺 Midnight Hibiscus – a hibiscus-infused vodka cocktail with elderflower and gentle sweetness. It’s beautifully balanced and pairs perfectly with Seoul BAP’s contemporary Korean cuisine. Best enjoyed with Taylor Swift’s Opalite playing in the background! 🎶✨ Come check out Seoul BAP — where Seoul meets style, flavor, and good vibes all in one place.“

“a great Basque tapas restaurant. i wonderful gem in Chelsea!“

“They've paired stylish surroundings with flavor-packed food. The workers' attention to customers is the key attraction. This place offers an attractive dining environment. Their cooking impresses in an enjoyable atmosphere. I've been to this place dozens of times and I've never had a negative experience.“

“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.“

“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!“

“😊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 🤤😄“

“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 💜💜💜💜“

“the wings were fire and they even gave us free shot“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“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.“

“Consistently excellent food - the quality of the ingredients used is unfailing and far higher than what I’ve come to expect from a sandwich shop. My favorite place to get sandwiches/wraps in the neighborhood.

I have been meaning to stop in for a drink and try their korean food in the speakeasy (so I can’t review to that portion of the menu but would expect greatness).“

“Went here for Saturday brunch.
Not so busy unlike diner cross the street. Few outdoor table as well. Bars in front. Seated indoor right behind high table.

Super tapas. Sangria and cerveza to pair. Jamon triangle, my wife not as keen on Manchester, I didn't mind.
Brunch has sunny-side egg, chorizo, and potato generous portion. Ordered extra pan along. We liked pan con tomato with much generous layer of tomatoes better than Nacional or Little Spain at Hudson Yards. Rice with squid in black ink most exquisite. Not so salty, perfect. Finished with postre a la mode. Nice coffee.

Next time looking forward to order jamon y queso, croqueta and flan, pair with oloroso.“