The Top Restaurants In Paterson, New Jersey

Said to be one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the western hemisphere, Al-Basha Restaurant is renowned for its Al-Basha Platter. Comprising of a selection of the restaurant’s signature dishes, the platter is a mix of shish kebab, kofta kebab, chicken kebab, shawarma and lamb chops. Al-Basha is family-run and the menu is based on the types of dishes that the father grew up with as a child. Walls are adorned with authentic artwork and Middle Eastern lamps, transporting diners to a completely different world. All the dishes are cooked using the freshest ingredients and the salads are loved just as much as the tender meat dishes. Offering such excellent service Al-Basha has more than its fair share of regular returning customers all of whom will advise new visitors not to leave without trying the chef’s special hummus.

Owned by Italian Chef Giuseppe Staiano, the menu at Giuseppe Restaurant showcases perfectly his absolute passion for beautiful food and exquisite wines. In a celebration of authentic Italian cuisine and the contemporary cooking techniques Giuseppe has mastered in the 25 years he has been working as a chef, the dishes on offer are all mouth-watering examples of true finesse. Begin with the fried calamari or Panko wild shrimp appetizer, order either the grilled octopus, the monkfish with clams or the veal scallop with porcini mushrooms for main course and cleanse your palette between courses with an innovative frisee salad of strawberries and almonds. A separate private room that can seat between six and eight people is available for reservation for special celebratory meals complete with a specifically designed three course gourmet tasting menu.

Serving fine foods in the restaurant, top end liquors by the bottle in the lounge and Brick Oven pizzas on the terrace, the Riverside Manor is a great dining option whatever the occasion. There are a range of promotional offers on throughout the week to attract new customers and cater for all budgets. Head there for a meal for two between Wednesday and Sunday and pick from a special three course set menu including dishes such as arancini, broiled cod with bacon and mussels and chocolate brioche pudding. On warm summer evenings the outdoor terrace is a beautiful spot for supper and live bands will often entertain you on weekend nights.

Run by the same set of brothers for 46 years E&V Restaurant is an Italian restaurant that has successfully stood the test of time. With a menu brimming with fine, home-style Italian classics and beautiful seafood dishes, the restaurant’s atmosphere is casual and family-orientated. The Chef’s favourite dish is the fish soup, but the aubergine parmigiana and broiled lobster tails are well worth a taste too. The brothers pride themselves on offering exceptional service and serving up food of the highest quality at good value. Credit cards aren’t accepted but there is an ATM on site.

For a restaurant with all the atmosphere of a bustling Mexican local, head to La Hacienda. The wood panelling, brightly coloured table cloths and mural wall paintings immediately transport diners away from North America and straight into the heart of Central America. For a real feast opt for the Todo Mexicano appetizer consisting of a chicken quesadilla, grilled shrimp, empanadas, fried calamari and wings, and follow with the Hacienda Combo entree of a cheese enchilada, beef taco and chicken tostada served with sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo. On weekends the adjoining bar is open until 1am and shows all the major sports events and puts on live Mariachis performances every Sunday. The mojito made with fresh sugar cane juice is not to be missed.

Hidden away in Downtown Paterson, Griselda’s Restaurant serves truly authentic Peruvian food. The menu is written completely in Spanish and the staff speak little English so be prepared to practice your Spanish or simply point to a random dish on the menu and hope for the best, chances are it will be delicious. This is a family run restaurant serving up huge portions of food to a primarily local crowd but tourists are welcomed in with open arms and made to feel right at home too. Go for the seafood soup or the paella with a pisco sour or for a cheaper alternative ask for the menu of the day, just like they do in Peru. For those who can fit anything else in after one of these giant meals, the chocolate cake and alfajores are great too. Credit cards aren’t accepted.

For fresh and full of flavour Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine head to Toros Restaurant. Succulent meat skewers, spicy vegetables, crisp salads and homemade hummus are just a few of the tasty treats on offer here. Start with the sampler of appetizers to share and dine like a true Turkish family would. The dishes are very reasonably priced and there is a special three course lunch special too that works out even cheaper. Turkish bread is freshly baked in the bakery across the road and complimentary Turkish tea or coffee makes for the perfect end to the meal.