Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in New Jersey

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in New Jersey? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Versi Vino

4.9

4.9 (652)

$31 to $50

Wine Bar

Maple Shade

About the restaurant

**2022 New Jersey Monthly's Jersey Choice Restaurant Poll Winner**
Best of the Best
Best Wine List

Situated in Maple Shade, NJ, Versi Vino is a wine bar and restaurant focused on modernizing the way you drink and experience wine.

The menu captures your favorite wine pairings - small plate snacks, sharable appetizers and customizable cheese & charcuterie boards. Thoughtfully prepared salads, flatbreads and entrees round out the menu.

Our wine program includes a mindfully chosen, frequently-changing selection of wines from around the globe. At the heart of our wine experience, you’ll find our state-of-the-art wine dispensing machines. Guests can comfortably taste and explore wines, regions and varietals before committing to a glass or bottle.

Beyond wine, we offer a selection of speciality cocktails & local craft beer.

**DINING TIMES**
Groups of 4 and under - 2 hours
Group of 5 or more - 2.5 hours
Private Room Events (10+ people) - call to discuss

Top review

Babs

Dined 4 days ago

The service & food were wonderful. The holiday peppermint espresso martini was delicious. First time here, but definitely won’t be the last!

Mission Spirits

4.9

4.9 (200)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Millville

About the restaurant

Mission Spirits is an artisan, small-batch spirits distillery. We produce & bottle hand crafted spirits made from our proprietary fermentation, distillation and aging processes. Using a practice we call 'technique blending', we modify and employ a variety of different techniques, new and old, to create original flavors. We take bold risks and learn from trial & error - all in the name of good spirits. Join us in drinking our successes and let our spirits elevate yours for whatever Mission you may be on.

Top review

kelly

Dined on 8 Dec 2024

Great experience! Only 1 star on food as I don't think they are allowed and the review made me pick something. Excellent drinks, Excellent atmosphere!

Mompou Tapas Bar - Newark

4.9

4.9 (187)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Newark

About the restaurant

Inspired by the creative and energetic essence of the tapas culture of Spain, Mompou endeavors to introduce our guests to the beauty of our vibrant homeland through a combination of modern interpretations of traditional Spanish cuisine, innovative cocktails, and small vintner wine selections. Our thoughtful and heartfelt approach to menu development, flavor combinations, and plating, take center stage. This is complemented by our focus on extraordinary service and our guest’s overall experience.

Mompou: redefining the Ironbound experience since 2005.

Top review

Stephen

Dined 6 days ago

Good selection of tapas and the food is first class! The red sangria was perfect and the service friendly and attentive. Both food and service was more than worth the moderate price.

Bellemara Distillery

4.9

4.9 (77)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Hillsborough

About the restaurant

Join us for a tasting or cocktail made with our grain to glass spirits. We do not have a kitchen, but you can bring your own food or order in. Enjoy a cocktail outdoors on our sunny patio (weather dependent, cold after sundown, must request in notes), watch the bartenders at work in our tasting room bar area, or relax in the upstairs cocktail lounge overlooking the distillery.

Table assignements are made soley based on group size and availability. We are unable to accomodate small groups at larger tables due to our limited seating capacity. You may request specific seating in your booking but we cannot guarantee availability. We will not combine multiple reservations. No standing room. Groups of >10 MUST call/text 609-578-9874 to book.

For first floor or ADA seating please write a note when making your reservation. The second floor is only accessible via stairs.

Last call 30 minutes before close. Later reservations may have limited time.

Top review

Michael

Dined on 30 Nov 2024

Awesome and chill ambiance to the space. We felt a very hygee vibe and relaxed. I would highly recommend a visit. The complementary tastings before 5:00 was an awesome feature too!

The Shannon Rose Irish Pub - Ramsey

4.8

4.8 (485)

$31 to $50

Irish

Ramsey

About the restaurant

Before you even step foot into The Shannon Rose Irish Pub - Ramsey, the pub-shop exterior architecture and Gaelic phrases will make you feel like you’ve been transported to Dublin. Inside you'll find four bars, large dining rooms, and a friendly staff. In our traditional pub atmosphere, you’ll feel continents away from America!
The Shannon Rose features an abundance of mouthwatering appetizers and traditional Irish fare, including corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, and Guinness beef stew. You'll want to try them all! The pub is open daily for lunch and dinner. Each pub features over 20 beers on tap, including Guinness, craft beers and your favorite domestics, along with great great scotch malts, Irish whiskeys, signature cocktails & wine.

Top review

Maureen

Dined 1 day ago

We made a reservation for a late dinner before Christmas mass. Had a larger party and they gave a a cozy round table out of the way. We were even able to exchange presents! The food was great, the service was great, and the Guinness was great!

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Experience

New Year's Eve Party - Dinner Service & Open Bar

Experience

Return of the Mac

Orale Mexican Kitchen - Morristown

4.8

4.8 (20)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Morristown

About the restaurant

ORALE MEXICAN KITCHEN IN MORRISTOWN
Located in Morristown, Orale is the perfect spot for Happy Hour, Taco Tuesday, Boozy Brunch, or Mexican-themed events. Join us in for a unique dining and cocktail experience.
e you looking for an authentic Mexican experience with excellent restaurant service in Morristown? At Orale Mexican Kitchen, we’re proud to offer a fantastic menu filled with your Mexican favorites, all in the convenience of a local restaurant. We pride ourselves on using high-quality ingredients to create delicious dishes that keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re looking for taco tuesday or happy hour specials, or just an authentic Mexican meal with a twist, you can count on our Mexican restaurant to give you the experience you deserve. You’ll quickly see why we’re a local favorite.

Top review

Nancy

Dined on 18 Dec 2024

Always excellent! Loud but everyone is enjoying the dining experience!

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Experience

Brunch: Large Party Reservations 9+

Experience

Happy Hour (Bar Only)

Experience

Large Party Reservations 9+

Baseline Social

4.8

4.8 (27)

$30 and under

American

Eatontown

About the restaurant

Enjoy our diverse food menu, delicious cocktails and our one-of-a-kind immersive dining and entertainment experience featuring an expansive LED viewing wall for watching sports, a mezzanine to enjoy all of the sights and sounds, 3 full bars and a 3,700 square foot entertainment section containing five virtual golf bays with full-swing technology.

We are offering multiple unique Lounge Experiences for the upcoming NFL and College Football seasons. Please check out the Experiences listed below for more details. Otherwise, we have plenty of bar and dining seats that are first come- first serve - so come first!

Top review

StephanieVIP

Dined on 17 Dec 2024

The hostess at the front I think her name was Katie was amazing! Julie, our waitress needs a little bit more help. First off the table was dirty. When people are asking for bottled water if you don’t have bottled water, but you have filtered water that needs to be explained. When people are asking for a straw. Please put straw in a napkin, not with your bare hands. Other than that, Julie was very nice. Just some things she needs to work on. I hope this place does really well cause it’s a great concept. Good luck!

Orale Mexican Kitchen - Hoboken

4.8

4.8 (11)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Hoboken

About the restaurant

ORALE MEXICAN KITCHEN
Located in Hoboken, Orale is the perfect spot for Happy Hour, Taco Tuesday, Boozy Brunch, or Mexican-themed events. Join us in “The Dead Room” for a unique cocktail experience.

Find Authentic Cuisine at Our Mexican Restaurant in Hoboken
Are you looking for an authentic Mexican experience with excellent restaurant service in Hoboken? At Orale Mexican Kitchen, we’re proud to offer a fantastic menu filled with your Mexican favorites, all in the convenience of a local restaurant. We pride ourselves on using high-quality ingredients to create delicious dishes that keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re looking for brunch, happy hour specials, or just an authentic Mexican meal, you can count on our Mexican restaurant to give you the experience you deserve. You’ll quickly see why we’re a local favorite.

Top review

Vanessa

Dined 6 days ago

Always a good time! Edson was amazing and took care of out crazy party of 18! He helped us decide good orders and the staff was fabulous catering to us. Such a great place to host large parties!

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Experience

Happy Hour (Bar Only)

Experience

Large Party Reservations 9+

Experience

Taco Tuesday

Orale Mexican Kitchen - Jersey City

4.7

4.7 (744)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Jersey City

About the restaurant

ORALE MEXICAN KITCHEN IN JERSEY CITY
Located in the heart of Downtown Jersey City, Orale is the perfect spot for Happy Hour, Taco Tuesday, Boozy Brunch, or an eventful Cinco de Mayo.

Enjoy Authentic Food with a Twist at Our Mexican Restaurant in Jersey City
When you’re looking for a Modern Mexican food experience, you can get what you’re looking for at Orale Mexican Kitchen. We are proud to be one of the best Mexican restaurants in Jersey City, providing our customers with authentic food with a unique twist. Rather than limiting the menu at our local restaurant to traditional meals for dinner like tacos, burritos, and other options, we also offer a fantastic Mexican brunch that will keep you coming back for more. You’ll come for the food and stay for the fun atmosphere our Mexican kitchen provides, giving you the high-quality restaurant service you deserve.

Top review

Chris

Dined 5 days ago

The service was stellar, food was amazing, and the ambiance was just right. We didn’t catch our server’s name, but he went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. We would most certainly eat here again when we find ourselves back in the area.

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Experience

New Years Eve - PLAYBOY

Experience

Brunch: Large Party Reservations 9+

Experience

Happy Hour (Bar Only)

Feast Italian Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (394)

$30 and under

Italian

Old Bridge

About the restaurant

We begin with the freshest ingredients, meat, fish and produce, all prepared to order using a combination of family recipes, as well as, recipes learned from some of Brooklyn’s oldest and well-known restaurants. Many of these lessons learned growing up are evident in all our restaurants. Brando’s Citi Cucina, Osteria Cucina Rustica and now in Feast Italian Kitchen.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Our first time trying this restaurant but had read the many positive reviews. It didn't disappoint. It is a large standard menu with many options in each category of appetizers, pasta, chicken, fish, etc. Portions are sizeable. A large salad satisfied 4 people, and the stuffed artichoke (on the specials menu) was tasty. With the appetizers and large portions there was no room left to try dessert. Service was excellent as well.

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