Where to Eat in Elizabeth: The Best Restaurants and Bars

April 14, 2018 Matilde Konrad

Elizabeth is both the largest city and the county seat of Union County, in New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city (by population). The population increased by 4,401 (3.7%) from the 120,568 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 10,566 (+9.6%) from the 110,002 counted in the 1990 Census. For 2015, the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program calculated a population of 129,007, an increase of 3.2% from the 2010 enumeration, ranking the city the 210th largest in the nation.
Things to do in Elizabeth

1. Valenca

665 Monroe Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07201-1638 Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Seafood, European, Portuguese, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night SGD 20 - SGD 33 +1 908-354-4024
Excellent
64%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 413 reviews

Valenca

Reviewed By BigMS - Staten Island, New York

We have been to this restaurant on numerous occasions, most recently last night (01/13/18) and we have always had a terrific experience. Excellent service, food quality and quantity.

2. Hobby's Delicatessen & Restaurant

32 Branford Pl, Newark, NJ 07102-2723 Delivery, Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible American, Delicatessen Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, Dinner +1 973-623-0410
Excellent
74%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 170 reviews

Hobby's Delicatessen & Restaurant

Reviewed By lone6star - New Jersey

Came here for business lunch and was pleasantly surprised. It was like eating at Ben's or Katz's deli in in NYC. We were pleasantly greeted and shown to a table. Inside needs some decorating! Complimentary pickles were provided. Mushroom Barley soup was amazing! Corned beef was lean and potato salad was excellent. Will be back!

3. Michelino's Restaurant

169 Washington Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07202-3419 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Television, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Delivery, Reservations, Private Dining, Wheelchair Accessible Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner SGD 14 - SGD 39 +1 908-355-8393
Excellent
83%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 134 reviews

Michelino's Restaurant

Michelino's Restaurant and Pizzeria offers Italian, casual dining as it should be. Whether you join us for a casual dinner in our restaurant, enjoy watching sports at the bar or need pizza and wings delivered to your home - you can count on Michelino's!

Reviewed By McGregor4 - Ontario

While in the area for my daughters soccer tournament we decided to have a good dinner since we were all tired of eating out. I had pulled up restaurants in the area on trip advisor and this one stood out so we figured we would give it a try and I'm so glad we did.
The restaurant was cute and very clean. Servers working were all very friendly and attentive. Our waitress Elienna was fantastic always checking in to ensure we had everything we needed.
We started with the calamari which was great and they also provided us fresh warm bread and two types of fresh dips made with fresh tomatoes, onions and olives.
I had the ravioli, my daughter had the fettuccini and my husband had a chicken dish with pasta on the side. Everything was amazing, fresh and tasted. Portions were huge and we savoured each bite.
We declined dessert simply because we were so stuffed but since it was our first visit and we were from out of town they gave us all a complementary dessert to end our meal.
I would highly recommend this restaurant for fresh authentic Italian food.

4. Urban Griddle

460 Maple Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07202-3510 Serves Alcohol, Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Television, Accepts Credit Cards American, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch SGD 7 - SGD 14 +1 908-289-2465
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 75 reviews

Urban Griddle

Located in the heart of New Jersey's earliest urban community, Urban Griddle features fresh, homemade American fare in a casual urban-rustic setting, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch every day. The restaurant is appointed with rustic inspired 150 year old reclaimed middle America barn wood, and an urban inspired corrugated tin ceiling. Inspired by our love of food and service we offer our guests an array of American comfort food favorites, fresh cracked egg omelets, delectable variations of pancakes, ooey gooey challah french toast, sweet and savory belgian waffles, fresh seasonal salads, paninis, burritos, and burgers including an array of vegetarian options. We also feature local craft bottled beers, brunch style cocktails, and an array of coffees prepared by our trained baristas. Allow us to share with you our craft.

Reviewed By Sharon B - North Brunswick, New Jersey

We were taken to Urban Griddle by friends. . . .Oh.My.Goodness. What a great place to eat.

I had the Jerzy Eggrolls and while it looked like a small portion compared to the plates of everyone else they were so filling that I was more than satisfied. It was great to eat something that was fried without it dripping with grease. . . or having that "fried in grease" taste in my mouth. The sauce/relish that they were served with should be bottled. . . .it was so tasty.

My husband had the gyro and could not stop raving about it.

We split a slice of the French toast. . . . while I am sure that our sugar counts went through the roof that 1/4 of a slice of French toast was the best bite I have ever had.

This place is so popular that there must always be a wait. . . . but the food is so good, and the servers are so friendly and fun that it is worth it.

Can't wait to go back again!

5. Johnny Rockets

651 Kapkowski Rd, Elizabeth, NJ 07201-4901 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible American, Fast Food, Diner Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +1 908-994-0110
Excellent
48%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 209 reviews

Johnny Rockets

Reviewed By Frank M - Reinach, Switzerland

Situated on the upper level of The Mills at Jersey Gardens mall. Staff are too rushed off their feet to pay attention to things like not delivering a starter and manicure at the same time. Food dumped carelessly onto plates with no consideration of appearance. My bowl of chilli cheese & onion came at the same time as my Philly cheese steak. The amounts are reasonable & the prices low but really could do with some more seasoning. I expect my chilli to have something of a kick. This disappointed.

6. IHOP

650-672 Kapkowski Rd, Elizabeth, NJ 07201-3028 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +1 908-353-7600
Excellent
35%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
1%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 238 reviews

IHOP

Reviewed By izziebon - carlisle

Thought we'd get decent breakfast here, better than Marriott & Country Inns which are truly awful. No way. Poached eggs came incredibly runny; the 2nd attempt almost as bad. Toast is so small and skimpy. A totally bad experience.

7. Denino's Pizzeria & Tavern

524 Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10302-1721 Parking Available, Takeout, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly Lunch, Dinner, Late Night SGD 26 +1 718-442-9401
Excellent
69%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 706 reviews

Denino's Pizzeria & Tavern

Reviewed By SuzieQ044 - New York

What a treat! Every slice of pizza is nostalgic for us.....thinking about the times we visited Denino's over the years. Their pizza hasn't changed one bit and it's as delicious as ever. It's still a fun place, with delicious pizza (lots of varieties).

8. Manolo's Restaurant

91 Elizabeth Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07206-1632 Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Spanish, Gluten Free Options Dinner, Lunch, Late Night SGD 39 - SGD 39 +1 908-353-7674
Excellent
74%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 96 reviews

Manolo's Restaurant

Reviewed By Paris F

Manolo's restaurant has an excellent atmosphere and amazing service. We found this location off of TripAdvisor, and didn't know what to expect when we came in. It turned out they have a wide variety of delicious Continental cuisine. The restaurant would be perfect for business meetings a quiet lunch, or even a romantic dinner. We had the salmon and it was delicious.

9. Al Santillo's Brick Oven Pizza

639 S Broad St, Elizabeth, NJ 07202-2601 Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Wheelchair Accessible, Digital Payments, Parking Available Italian, Pizza Lunch, Dinner +1 908-354-1887
Excellent
80%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 80 reviews

Al Santillo's Brick Oven Pizza

Since 1918 we've been baking bread and making Pizza in our Brick Oven. Our Famous Pizza is Voted Best Pizza by the Media every year. (for years and years) We've been Voted best Sicilian Pie in America, Best Sicilian Pepperoni Pie in AMerica. Every year we rank either #1 or #2 in NJ by all the top Cuisine Media Companies. I've learned there are two types of people, those that never tried our Pizza and those that have been here countless times. Thanks for patronizing our establishment. Regards, Al "the baker" Santillo

Reviewed By Michael G - Linden, New Jersey

Have been getting Al's Pizza since I was a little boy in the neighborhood! LOVE the Sicilian Pizza. And the Sausage is INCREDIBLE!

10. Spirito's Restaurant

714 3rd Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07202-3806 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol Italian, Pizza Dinner +1 908-351-5414
Excellent
53%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 108 reviews

Spirito's Restaurant

Reviewed By Glenna R - Scotch Plains, New Jersey

I have never written a negative review and I am not generally a picky person. I also rely on these reviews when I go somewhere new. That this restaurant gets 4.5 stars is frankly alarming. We were duped for 120$!!!!
Dirty and old.
Cold, tasteless bread served first with only oil and red vinegar on the side. Then the antipasto..... sadly awful. The 3 'italian' entrees had dark red, burnt sauce. Two of the 6 people wanted chicken cacciatore and they were out of it. The pizza came almost 15 minutes later than the other entrees. Nondescript but edible.
The service was not good either. Not awful but not good.
We brought relatives visiting from Europe and wanted the authentic experience. Won't make that mistake again.
No desserts offered, wine comes in a juice glass. No drinks for kids other than cranberry juice. Overpriced as well given the poor quality.

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