If we had to choose just one thing that we love about summer, it's that the season is the ideal time to leave our caves (aka home), and explore all that Bergen County has to offer. And since few suburbs do dining like BC does, we've kept our eye on some of the most exciting restaurant openings that are making our mouths water just thinking about them.
Since the earliest days of spring into summer, there have been plenty of new restos serving up flavorful eats, shaking up delicious cocktails, and getting bonus points for baked goods that demand we save room for more. We rounded up some new top spots that are worth a visit — or two — during the dog days of summer and well beyond.
Da Mimmo The Dumont brick-oven pizza place is the brainchild of TikTok stars the Gigante brothers, and while the restaurant opened back in November 2022, it recently got an overhaul thanks to none other than Gordon Ramsey for Kitchen Nightmares. Its "New Us" motto that started on June 13 (post-filming and set to air in September), brought a fresh Tuscan feel with a modern touch and a revamp of its tasty traditional Italian menu that includes pasta dishes like reginetti with pork & 'nduja ragu, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, and more dishes curated by Ramsey himself.
The Oak House The highly anticipated sister to Montvale's Fire & Oak, this new Oradell go-to opened June 23 with an exposed brick interior that incorporates casual elegance. Its dinner menu includes fresh ingredients whipped up into delicious dishes like BBQ fall off the bone ribs, organic chicken parmesan, and a B.L.T wedge salad. You can also enjoy its raw bar and steak frites menu options. The kid-friendly spot has two dining rooms and an expansive bar if you choose to go just for cocktails like the Oak House Negroni or Chipotle Pineapple Margarita.
Six23 Social Just over the Bergen County border, the Rockland County town of Sparkill is quickly become a must-visit for its booming dining scene. Its latest can't-miss spot that opened July 15 is Six23 Social, a new speakeasy with a bar opened until 2 am on weekends, and also serving up dinner and Sunday brunch. Its dinner menu features sharable tapas like lollipop chicken wings, grilled octopus, and cheese fondue for two, along with an extensive cocktail and wine list created by expert mixologists that includes a Sparkill Sidecar, The Risky Whisky with Pinhook bourbon, lemon juice, and egg white, and so much more.
The Gyro Project Opened July 5, this new Mediterranean spot offers an ultra-casual BYOB dining experience with flavorful foods when you're looking for a relaxed and satisfying night out. Its menu is filled with design-your-own pitas and platters, greek salad options, and entrees like a mixed grill platter, moussaka (baked layers of eggplant), and more. Or, grab your favorites to go for those times when you just don't want to pull out the pots and pans.
Le Carre Not to worry, we haven't forgotten about the chef's kiss of the dining experience: dessert. A new addition to the Bergen County bakery scene is Le Carre, which started serving up fresh baked goods and more in Hillsdale starting late June. Its specialty is French macarons, with delicious flavors like salted caramel, rose lychee, nutella, passion fruit mango, cookies and cream, and so many more. While you're there, you can also grab a drink from the coffee bar, or enjoy a sandwhich on its freshly baked bread, like the ham & cheese croissant, between 10:30 am and 2 pm.
