Last updated: 2025-05-06
Clifton’s dining scene offers a delectable journey through global cuisines, where Mediterranean flavors dance alongside classic Italian traditions. From intimate wine bars to elegant dining rooms, local restaurants showcase culinary craftsmanship that transforms every meal into an extraordinary experience.
Discover hidden gastronomic gems like Matthew’s Italian Restaurant and The Barrow House, where chefs blend local ingredients with international techniques. Each restaurant tells a unique story through carefully curated menus that reflect Clifton’s diverse culinary landscape.
Explore Clifton’s finest dining destinations right here!
Featured Fine Dining Spots in Clifton
- Matthew's Italian Restaurant
- The Bosphorus
- Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas
- The Roosevelt
- Taste of Tuscany
- J. Alexander's
- The Barrow House
- Istanbul Cafe Restaurant
- Portuguese Tavern
Istanbul Cafe Restaurant
What to Expect
Locally sourced Turkish brick oven specialties
Description
A spacious Turkish restaurant offering authentic cuisine in a colorful, warm setting. Specializes in traditional dishes like brick oven pide, kebabs, and Turkish breakfast featuring locally sourced ingredients. Serves fresh, made-to-order meals with a focus on classic Turkish culinary traditions and generous portion sizes.
Where: Clifton | More Info: Istanbul Cafe Restaurant
J. Alexander's
What to Expect
Business casual dining with expansive menu variety
Description
This upscale American restaurant offers a refined dining experience with business casual dress code and an inviting atmosphere. J. Alexander's features hearty entrées and crisp salads in a polished setting, with attentive service and a menu emphasizing quality ingredients. Their flexible dining options include table service, online ordering, and a welcoming environment for groups.
Where: Clifton | More Info: J. Alexander's
Matthew's Italian Restaurant
What to Expect
Owner-operated Italian restaurant with hands-on hospitality
Description
Matthew's Italian Restaurant offers classic Italian cuisine in a contemporary, welcoming dining room. Featuring a full bar with fine wines and a menu of traditional Italian specialties, the restaurant provides an intimate dining experience with personalized service and attention to culinary details.
Where: Clifton | More Info: Matthew's Italian Restaurant
Portuguese Tavern
What to Expect
Tomahawk with lobster tail and coastal Portuguese fusion cuisine
Description
Portuguese Tavern offers an authentic dining experience featuring traditional Portuguese cuisine with a contemporary twist. The restaurant showcases signature dishes like Tomahawk with lobster tail and Seafood Mariscada, highlighting fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Guests can enjoy an extensive wine and cocktail selection in a warm, inviting atmosphere that celebrates Iberian culinary heritage.
Where: Clifton | More Info: Portuguese Tavern
Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas
What to Expect
Authentic Italian tapas with extensive wine pairing options
Description
An intimate Italian wine bar featuring artfully crafted small plates and an extensive wine selection. The sophisticated space offers a contemporary approach to traditional Italian dining, with an inviting bar area and carefully curated tapas-style menu that encourages shared dining experiences.
Where: Clifton | More Info: Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas
Taste of Tuscany
What to Expect
Generational family recipes from Italian culinary tradition
Description
An authentic Italian restaurant featuring traditional family recipes passed down through generations, Taste of Tuscany offers a warm dining experience in Clifton. Their menu showcases fresh ingredients and classic Italian dishes prepared with generational culinary expertise, creating an inviting atmosphere for families and couples seeking genuine Italian cuisine.
Where: Clifton | More Info: Taste of Tuscany
The Barrow House
What to Expect
Colonial-era farmhouse restaurant with seven distinctive dining rooms
Description
A Colonial-era farmhouse restaurant featuring seven unique dining rooms with a rustic American farm-to-table menu. Guests can explore carefully curated spaces including a historic Hall & Parlor layout, complemented by an extensive 100-bottle wine list, handcrafted cocktails, and a robust selection of craft beers.
Where: Clifton | More Info: The Barrow House
The Bosphorus
What to Expect
Authentic Turkish culinary techniques and Mediterranean flavor profiles
Description
An intimate Mediterranean restaurant featuring authentic Turkish cuisine in an elegant setting. The Bosphorus offers a carefully curated menu of traditional kebabs, seafood specialties, and vegetarian dishes, prepared with bold, expert techniques. Candlelit dining rooms and attentive service create an immersive culinary experience highlighting the rich flavors of Mediterranean gastronomy.
Where: Clifton | More Info: The Bosphorus
The Roosevelt
What to Expect
Prohibition-era themed multi-room dining concept with private speakeasy
Description
An art deco-inspired restaurant and speakeasy nestled in East Rutherford, The Roosevelt offers a multi-room dining experience that channels the Roaring Twenties. Guests can explore distinctive spaces including a vintage-styled Saloon with a mahogany bar, a formal Dining Room with chandeliers and skylights, an intimate Chef's Hideout offering exclusive tasting experiences, and Lucy's Parlor speakeasy tucked away for cocktail enthusiasts.
Where: Clifton | More Info: The Roosevelt
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