Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Matawan

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodChineseSpanish

Regions

MiddlesexMonmouth

Neighborhoods

East BrunswickEnglishtownHazletHolmdelManalapanMarlboro

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

18 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Cafe Luna of Old Bridge restaurant

1. Cafe Luna of Old Bridge

4.7

Exceptional(548)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Old Bridge

Booked 13 times today

After over 20 years of serving fine Italian cuisine in New York City, we are proud to announce our newest location in Old Bridge New Jersey. Join us under the stars in our romantic dining area, lounge or upscale bar, serving our authentic Sicilian Cuisine, delectable desserts and extensive wine list. We pride ourselves on serving the finest ingredients in every dish. Whether you’re having an intimate dinner or seeking to host a special event, happy hour, or other occasion, Café Luna of Oldbridge will provide a dining experience that is out of this world!

A photo of Assaggini di Roma - Hazlet restaurant

2. Assaggini di Roma - Hazlet

4.9

Exceptional(565)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Hazlet

Booked 10 times today

Located in Hazlet NJ. Serving fresh Italian favorites with our own signature dishes. Make a reservation today to try the best Italian in the area!

A photo of Houlihan's - Holmdel restaurant

3. Houlihan's - Holmdel

4.8

Exceptional(604)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Holmdel

Booked 4 times today

Houlihan's in Holmdel is a true gem. Reviews rave about the 'consistently good' food and 'friendly' service. Customers love their signature Long Island Iced Tea and their 'good prices'. One reviewer even called it a 'neighborhood gem' and praised its 'current' style. The staff's welcoming nature and the great atmosphere make it a hit among locals.

A photo of Nicholas Barrel & Roost restaurant

4. Nicholas Barrel & Roost

4.7

Exceptional(4740)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Comfort Food • Red Bank

Booked 73 times today

Since the opening of their acclaimed Restaurant Nicholas in 2000, Chef Nicholas Harary and his wife, Melissa, modernized the concept of fine dining. This mainstay of Red Bank garnered some of the industry’s highest praise, including 15 straight years as Zagat’s highest-rated restaurant in New Jersey, a 4-star review in the New York Times, and a position on several national “best restaurant” lists.Now, with Barrel & Roost, the couple strips off the white tablecloths and serves up a bold new menu: made-from-scratch food that’s crazy-delicious, yet entirely accessible any night of the week. Set in a newly redesigned modern farmhouse interior, Barrel & Roost is just the place to enjoy Chef Driven Comfort Food with family, old friends, or a grab a drink at the bar for date night!

A photo of Char Steakhouse - Red Bank restaurant

5. Char Steakhouse - Red Bank

4.7

Exceptional(3040)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Red Bank

Booked 28 times today

Finally, a New York style atmosphere and experience crosses the Hudson to Central Jersey. Char Steakhouse's innovative cuisine features only the finest cuts of Dry Aged and Prime Beef with fish delivered fresh daily. Guests will dine by landscaped views revealed by towering windows. Mahogany wood walls and ceiling treatments create an authentic steakhouse environment rivaled by none in the New Jersey dining scene. Unique features include four modern fireplaces that are the first of their kind, a curved wall of water that rains serenity in the aptly named Rain Room. Guests can enjoy 7 cuts of the finest quality dry aged beef or snack on oysters and colossal blue crab from our premier raw bar. Seating in the lounge is offered on a first come first serve basis or party goers can reserve arched custom booths for up to twelve. Our highly trained and experienced staff exhibit warmth and hospitality in welcoming Char's guests home. All of this at a prices you never thought possible.

6. Cuzin's Clam Bar

4.8

Exceptional(278)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Marlboro

Booked 49 times today

You know what you’re missing around here?A really great seafood place — and a cool place to kick back and enjoy the good life with family and friends.Enter: Cuzin’s Seafood – Clam Bar.Cuzin's Seafood Clam BarOur casual-chic seafood eatery serves up a fresh take on all your favorite fare.Savor the flavor of summer all year round, complete with top service and gorgeous décor that’s part Miami sizzle, part NYC style and all Jersey Shore chill.Whether you’re dining inside or eating al fresco on our outdoor patio, like our name promises, when you’re at Cuzin’s, you’re family.

7. Buona Sera

4.7

Exceptional(1734)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Red Bank

Booked 25 times today

(Online reservations for 5 or more, please call us)** 2 hour min required for Pre Count Basie show reservations. The classy and elegant Buona Sera is located in Red Bank area of New Jersey. The dining room is gorgeous with carefully planned details and decorations that add a sense of refinement to the restaurant. You can also host an event or party in the Wine Cellar or Tuscan Room. Catering services can be ordered for in-house reservations as well as for outside events. Buona Sera is a full service bar and restaurant, and our menu is quite extensive, giving you a lot of lunch and dinner options to choose from. Start off with one of the large and flavorful appetizers, then continue to the main course. Entrées at Buona Sera include pasta, veal, choice steaks, chicken, pork chops, various types of ravioli and seafood. Veal chops from this restaurant are some of the most popular dishes on the menu and are worth trying.

8. Pazzo Restaurant

4.5

Awesome(4661)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Red Bank

Booked 51 times today

Pazzo is an Italian restaurant in Red Bank serving a variety of traditional menu items, along with several unique family recipes and other creative fare. Our Italian cuisine is made with the freshest ingredients from local farms and importers direct from Italy. Wines, craft beers and exclusive cocktails are paired with our dishes to enhance your dining experience. We also offer Gluten Free pizzas and pastas!

A photo of Nonna's Citi Cucina restaurant

9. Nonna's Citi Cucina

4.7

Exceptional(1251)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Englishtown

Booked 15 times today

Nonna's Citi Cucina is a gem of a restaurant in the Englishtown neighborhood. With its innovative concept of individual and family style Italian dishes, it's a go-to spot for special occasions. The reviews are consistently high, praising the food, service, and atmosphere. One reviewer said, 'The food is consistently delicious here. Specialty cocktails are a lot of fun. This is our go-to for special occasions. Service is quick and accurate.' It's a place that's loved by the community for its delicious food, attentive service, and warm atmosphere.

A photo of The Robinson Ale House - Red Bank restaurant

10. The Robinson Ale House - Red Bank

4.8

Exceptional(1518)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Red Bank

Booked 24 times today

Please join us this Holiday season.The Robinson Ale House features the design of an ale house from the 1930s and 1940s but with a modern twist and menu, which features craft beers and inventive burgers.Thank you for making your reservation at The Robinson Ale House in Red Bank. Please note that Outdoor Reservations and Indoor (Standard) Reservations are not interchangeable. Please be aware of the specific dining area when booking your table.We look forward to seeing you!

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

L
LeeVIP
New York City •311 reviews
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
Food and service were great. Was so noisy that we could not hear each other talk at the table. Spent lunch saying”what?” And “huh?” And leaning into the middle of the table to talk to one another. Really took away from the experience for sure.
More info
Nicholas Barrel & RoostPrice: Expensive• Comfort Food• Red Bank
•
4.7
R
RobertVIP
New Jersey •9 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Although it was a holiday, the food was excellent !!! What a gem !!!
More info
Assaggini di Roma - HazletPrice: Moderate• Italian• Hazlet
•
4.9
B
Barbara
Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore •4 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
Sat us at a table by the kitchen. Not very romantic for a Valentines dinner. Service was very fast. Waitress was very sweet and efficient.
More info
Houlihan's - HolmdelPrice: Moderate• American• Holmdel
•
4.8
K
Kevin
Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The food and service is always outstanding. It’s definitely one of our favorite places.
More info
Cafe Luna of Old BridgePrice: Moderate• Italian• Old Bridge
•
4.7
P
Peter
Yorkshire •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The food is amazing, the view spectacular and the service attentive a courteous. Bob the Sommelier was extremley knowledgeable and considerate of our requirements. Alex, our host, was courteous with the right touch of humour. All of the staff professional and hosted us exceptionally well. An expensive but a priceless experience.
More info
The River CafePrice: Very Expensive• American• DUMBO
•
4.9

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