New Restaurant Bareburger Opens in Ridgewood

OK Mamas, start your engines, or more realistically pack your diaper bags. We’ve got your new favorite spot to take your kids to eat AND enjoy a little adult time (i.e. a glass or two of wine or better, a cocktail!) new restaurant Bareburger has opened in Ridgewood and it’s a game changer for the local restaurant scene. Yeah right, how special could it be? We were skeptical too but it turns out that Bareburger was way more than we bargained for. 

Visiting on a Monday, yes a Monday night, just two days after the grand opening, we were pleasantly surprised by the bustle at Bareburger. The décor is fun and loud enough to drown out or at least merge with the kids who only speak in outside voices, without being deafening. We loved the 80s/90s music pumping and the rustic farmhouse décor is perfect, both chic and indestructible at the hands of little ones. Yes, they have high chairs, yes they have a good value-added children’s menu, yes you can bring your strollers to the table and YES they have a FULL bar. Plus, the USB charging outlets at many of the tables are a big win for those of us who belong to the low battery club.

For our foodie moms, Bareburger prides itself as a company on locally sourced and organic ingredients. You can find not only beef burgers, but turkey, bison as well as multiple vegan and vegetarian and gluten free patty options. We’ve heard that the buzzy Impossible Burger, made with plant proteins and featured on menus at top restaurants, is really delicious and tastes just like a meat burger. 

There are two sides to the adult menu; one that features the chef’s creations – salads, entrees (other then burgers) and their innovative burger concoctions. On the other side challenge yourself to build the burger of your dreams, from patty to bread (or GF option) and multiple toppings.

No need to dress up. Bareburger is super casual and most likely you will be in and out within an hour (if need be.), but if it's anything like their Closter location, we warn you to get their on the early side for weekend evenings. On a warm day they open the front windows and you can enjoy people watching in the fresh air of downtown Ridgewood. With a place this perfect, you might even forget you are in the suburbs, as long as you ignore the stroller parked next to your table.

Carla Sullivan is the food editor for Bergen Mama and the founder of minimunchers.com a foodie website for NYC Families. She lives in Ridgewood with her three kids and husband.