A cozy town that is home to multiple generations, Westfield boasts a wide array of locally-owned restaurants, cafes, and eateries mere blocks from the train station. The downtown area is both intimate and lively, with incredible variety all within walking distance, and this sense of making you feel more and more welcome with each visit.
Westfield is commonly called “a classic town for modern families,” and hosts “Dine Out” restaurant weeks a couple times a year, which is an exciting way to visit and support these local establishments. From Elm Street to the heart of the downtown area, you will find a decades-old French restaurant, a coffee roaster, Tex-Mex cuisine, and even a chocolatier that’s family-owned since 1904. We crafted our Central Jersey local’s guide to Westfield restaurants and eateries so that others can plan their own experience in this must-visit Central Jersey town full of places to explore and delicious dishes.
A Central Jersey Local’s Guide to Westfield Restaurants:
Receiving endless accolades from The Star Ledger, New Jersey Monthly, and excellent ratings courtesy of The New York Times, Chez Catherine creates classic French cuisine with a sense of authenticity for the past 37 years. Sourcing from local New Jersey farms, signature dishes thrive like the bouillabaisse, mushroom crepe, and duck confit, but be sure to visit on a weekday to take advantage of their prix fixe dinner menu offerings! 431 N Ave W, Westfield (908) 654-4011 http://www.chezcatherine.com
Craving something a little more lively and spicy? This spot isn’t your average Mexican restaurant – think grilled pork belly tacos and chicken chorizo empanadas! Our Westfield restaurants list wouldn’t be complete without these guys. Mojave Grille offers a unique Southwestern-inspired menu with a New American twist, and we love that it’s a BYOB spot in the heart of downtown Westfield. 35 Elm Street, Westfield (908) 233-7772 http://www.mojavegrille.com
16 Prospect Wine Bar and Bistro
This bistro has the best of both worlds: choose from dining al fresco on one of the calmest streets in Westfield, or listen to live music inside by local jazz, rock, and blues musicians. 16 Prospect Wine Bar and Bistro, owned by two brothers, whips up bright dishes like their seasonal salads and fresh, local seafood, specifically the Tuckerton crab dip! 16 Prospect Street, Westfield (908) 232- 7320 http://www.16prospect.com
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”661″]Who wouldn’t want to have tea in an early 1900’s Victorian home with housemade scones and jams, sandwiches, and other lovely lunch fare? With a few separate dining rooms and a second floor, Mulberry House Restaurant is run by a Swedish Chef that strongly believes in simple, farm to table cuisine, where the quality of the ingredients speaks for itself! A weekly changing menu with brunch on the weekends makes this a repeat favorite of ours to relax with friends and family. 415 Westfield Avenue, Westfield (908) 233- 3562 http://www.mulberryhouserestaurant.com
Named after the term ‘seaport’ or ‘harbor’ in Greek, George, the owner of Limani desires to serve the freshest seafood that focuses on both quality and simplicity, allowing ingredients to speak for themselves. A BYO spot that prepares authentic Greek-inspired cuisine, like the Thalasomezes with shrimp, octopus, and calamari or the Psari, whole fish preparations, will immediately transport you to the Mediterranean, minus the jetlag! 235 North Avenue West, Westfield (908) 233-0052 http://www.limaniseafood.com
This comfort food spot owned by a Brazilian born Chef started as a dessert and coffee shop, hence being named after the Mayan word for chocolate! Recognized by The Star Ledger and NJ Monthly Magazine, Xocolatz consists of fun-loving, hard-working people that want you to sit back and have a great meal. From sweet potato perogies to their Neptune risotto with shrimp and scallops, no doubt you will find a favorite dish to conquer your craving. 235 Elmer Street, Westfield (908) 232-3962 http://xocolatznj.com
Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall, locals call this their go-to sushi restaurant, especially for their special rolls. Nagoya Japanese Restaurant prepares standard bento boxes during lunch, but dinner is all about the lavish display of sushi and sashimi! Still dreaming about their towering volcano roll. It’s a bring your own with a liquor store conveniently located next door, and the staff is kind enough to even heat up your sake for dinner! 278 North Avenue East, Westfield (908) 389-1131 http://www.nagoyawestfield.com
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Who doesn’t get that craving for a 20oz. bone-in ribeye from time to time? Distinguishing themselves as the signature upscale steakhouse of Westfield, Sweet Waters Steakhouse is celebrating 15 years of high quality steaks and seafood, all cooked to order. Perfect impress-your-date dinner spot, we’re still longing for another bowl of French onion soup and their signature shrimp appetizer with chorizo. 43 Elm St, Westfield (908) 317-2599 http://sweetwatersnj.com
Everyone has their favorite local deli that makes their favorite breakfast bagels and sub sandwiches. Locals rave that decades-old Bagel Chateau is a top favorite for over 30 years, baking all their bagels in house! Weekends can be bustling, and deciding amongst 10 homemade cream cheese offerings is tough, but all we’re reminiscing about is the lox spread. Don’t forget about their catering platters, and the fact that they’re open every day of the year! 223 South Avenue E, Westfield (908) 232-1921 http://www.bagelchateau.com
Photo Credit: Carl Gerber
New Jersey is home to countless, old-fashioned diners that serve breakfast all day and have piles of Taylor ham griddling away! The sleekly gilded retro exterior of Vicki’s Diner is the spot to indulge in the diner classics or seasonal favorites like the pumpkin pancakes and homemade soups. Roomy booths to fit your whole family and enjoy the bustling atmosphere. 110 E Broad Street 908-233-6887 Vicki’s Diner
When you think about dining out for an Italian meal, one person might want pizza, another is craving pasta, seafood, chicken parmigiana, and it can be tricky to find the right restaurant. Well, thankfully the menu at Brick Oven delivers on that quality since 1993. They have a daily changing specials list, but standout offerings are the ricotta stuffed meatballs and pork braciole, housemade mozzarella and sausages, just like your Italian nonna used to make! 117 Quimby Street, Westfield 908-317-9500 http://www.thebrickovenwestfield.com
One of the newer gourmet-casual spots to open downtown, Butcher Burgers comes from award winning Chef C.J. Reycraft Jr., owner of the restaurant originally known as Amuse. Not your average burger joint, the menu features specialty milkshakes in Ball jars, s’mores topped with torched marshmallows, and elevated burgers made with high quality ingredients like Kobe beef, lamb, and even foie gras! We see this burger bar around for years to come and can’t wait to visit again. 39 Elm Street, Westfield 908-317-2640 http://butcherburgers.net
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”399″]Roastmaster Ahrre fell into the coffee industry by simply being a lover of freshly-roasted coffee beans. Providing the neighborhood with almost 30 types of coffee since 1990, Ahrre’s Coffee Roastery offers coffee of the month subscriptions, gift certificates, and gift baskets too, basically everything you’d ever need to please the caffeine addict in your life. 104 Elm Street, Westfield 908-232-7977 http://www.ahrre.com
How many bakeries can say they’ve been in business for over half a century and open 365 days a year? Not many come to mind, but Bovella’s Pastry Shoppe bakes fresh Italian and French inspired pastries daily. Custom birthday cakes are incredibly creative and ornate, just ask The Boss, who had his 63rd birthday cake courtesy of Bovella’s! The aroma of powdered sugar easily lures you in, but the pignoli cookies and cannoli will keep bringing you back. 101 East Broad Street, Westfield 908-232-4149 http://bovellas.com
Is it possible that under one roof there are formally trained chocolatiers also making seasonal flavors of gelato from scratch where you can sip on a cappuccino? Surprisingly we are not in Italy, but at The Chocolate Bar downtown, where everything is made by hand and covered in chocolate. Stock up on the truffles and do not leave without having a scoop of creamy gelato, especially the seasonal flavors like pumpkin pie and cinnamon! 112 Quimby Street, Westfield 908-389-9000 http://www.thechocolatebarwestfield.com
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