Best Restaurants in South Orange, NJ
South Orange Village packs an impressive restaurant scene into a walkable downtown. Here’s where locals eat.
Top-Rated Spots
Bistro d’Azur 4.7 stars
14 Academy St — bistrodazur.com
South Orange’s most celebrated table. French-Mediterranean cooking in a charming Academy Street setting — perfect for date night or weekend brunch. Reservations recommended.
Giorgio’s Restaurant 4.3 stars
52 Vose Ave — giorgiosristorante.com
A neighborhood Italian staple. Solid red-sauce classics and a warm, old-school atmosphere that keeps regulars coming back year after year.
Harusame Japanese Cuisine 4.2 stars
63 Academy St — harusamesushinj.com
The go-to for sushi in South Orange. Fresh rolls, nigiri, and Japanese staples in a relaxed setting. Great lunch specials too.
Village Trattoria 4.1 stars
21 S Orange Ave — villagetrattoria.com
Right on the main drag — Italian comfort food, thin-crust pizza, and classic antipasti. A reliable go-to for casual family dinners.
Reservoir 3.9 stars
106 W South Orange Ave — soreservoir.com
Italian-American fare and cocktails in a lively neighborhood spot. The bar gets busy on weekends — good for groups.
Toro Loco 3.8 stars
23 Valley St — toroloco.net
Affordable Mexican on Valley Street — tacos, burritos, and margaritas without a wait. A solid casual pick.
More Local Favorites
Papillon 25
25 Valley St — bar and restaurant
Valley Street’s best cocktail bar with Italian small plates. Creative drink menu, intimate vibe, genuinely lively on Friday and Saturday nights.
Felina Steak South Orange
101 S Orange Ave — bylandmark.com
South Orange’s upscale splurge. Prime cuts, handcrafted cocktails, and white-tablecloth service from the Landmark Hospitality group.
Miti Miti
10 Sloan St — mitimitinj.com
Lively Latin-fusion with strong margaritas and shareable plates. One of the best happy hour deals in the Village (typically 4–7pm weekdays).
Village Diner
1 Sloan St — thevillagedinerso.com
Classic NJ diner open early every day. Generous portions, no wait, and a menu that runs from eggs Benedict to late-night burgers.
Jackie & Sons
134 S Orange Ave — jackieandsons.com
Casual American comfort food and weekend brunch. The burger and weekend egg dishes get strong local reviews.
mozzarella
396 Valley St — mozzarellaso.com
Fresh pasta and excellent mozzarella. A newer Italian concept further down Valley Street worth seeking out.
Jus’ Tacos
6 Village Plaza — jus-tacos.com
Simple, fresh tacos at Village Plaza. The al pastor and fish tacos are crowd pleasers.
Ariyoshi
56 S Orange Ave — ariyoshisushi.com
Solid sushi right on South Orange Ave with a cozy neighborhood feel.
Gaslight Brewery & Restaurant
15 S Orange Ave — gaslightbreweryrestaurant.com
South Orange’s only brewery. House-brewed beers, pub fare, trivia nights, and live music in a large casual space.
Quick Bites & Pizza
- Village Pizzeria — 319 S Orange Ave — classic slice shop
- El Greco Pizza — 404 Irvington Ave — Greek-style pizza
- La Villa Mexican and Salvadoran Food — 261 Irvington Ave — authentic Latin homestyle cooking
- Sakura Teriyaki — 127 S Orange Ave — quick Japanese teriyaki and rolls
- J & J Caribbean Restaurant — 390 Valley St — Caribbean homestyle cooking
- Guanaticos — 261-A Irvington Ave — Salvadoran and Central American specialties
Getting Here
Almost every restaurant listed is within a 10-minute walk of the South Orange NJ Transit station on the Morris & Essex line. Street parking is generally available on Vose Ave, Valley St, and Sloan St, especially on weeknights.