Indoor Cranford NJ Dining Experiences You Won’t Want to Miss!
If you have cabin fever and are feeling ready to experience the best of indoor dining in Cranford, NJ, then we have some top restaurant picks for you! I’ve interviewed so many new homeowners after move-in day and asked them what’s their favorite thing about their new town. Those who just settled in Cranford tell me that they love the variety of different cuisines and family-owned restaurants so close to home. With the pandemic lasting longer anticipated, so many of us may have been out of touch with our local restaurants.
If you are ready to experience indoor dining again, we’d like to introduce you to some restaurants that are doing exactly the right thing to make you feel safe, while still enjoying the full dining experience. Each one offers unparalleled customer service. They are committed to providing you with unique cuisines, a variety of dishes to please the entire family, a romantic spot for a date night, and the comfort of space during this pandemic.
We hope you like our Top Six Cranford NJ restaurant picks for Spring 2022 and will eventually try them all! And, of course, each restaurant on our Top Six list offers takeout/delivery options as well! Please note that restaurant hours, as well as menu options, are frequently updated. Please make sure to check their website, social media, or call to confirm before visiting! Bon Appetit!
Cranford NJ Restaurant Agave MX
Mexican
BYOB
117A North Union Avenue, Cranford NJ 07016
Monday-Sunday hours
Brunch/Lunch & Dinner
Delivery & Pick Up available
908.989.3381
Agave Mexican Restaurant is owned by restaurateur Jose Villanueva. He was born in Mexico City and his mission is to bring authentic Mexican dishes to the area and introduce cuisine from the Northern and Southern parts of Mexico. This is a lively restaurant with colorful wall murals, traditional music, and upbeat ambiance. Just stepping inside this lovely Cranford NJ restaurant makes you feel like you are on vacation!
Agave MX is perfect for a shared meal with family or a group of friends. Bring your own bottle of tequila and Agave MX can make you the most amazing margaritas ever! It’s a true delight to experience anything on this contemporary Mexican menu!
Start with the Braised Short Rib Nachos, Agave Guacamole with Homemade Tortilla Chips, and Elotes (grilled corn on the cob)
You MUST try the Tacos Gobernador, Arrachera a la Parrilla, or the Camarones al Mojo de Ajo
End with anything on the dessert menu!
Pairs well with beer, margaritas, Pinot Grigio, or agua frescas
For the kids… you can’t go wrong with endless chips and salsa and a plate of cheese quesadillas!
The kitchen is 100% gluten free
Café Paris Cranford NJ
French
BYOB
106 Walnut Avenue, Cranford NJ 07016
Monday-Sunday hours
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Delivery & Pick Up available
908.276.8030
This Cranford NJ favorite has been around since 2001 and the owners’ sole desire is to serve food from their French homeland. The ingredients are fresh and hand-picked directly from the market each day. Step inside and you will instantly feel like you are in a French café! Enjoy a meal with friends or family or tuck into a corner for a more romantic or cozy ambiance. In the warmer months, the al fresco dining is perfection! Everyone loves to head to Café Paris for a truly amazing dining experience and to taste cuisine that you won’t find anywhere else in town! Any of their quiches, sandwiches, savory buckwheat galettes, and crepes are absolutely delicious!
Start with Paris French Onion Soup, French Asparagus Crab Soup, Salade Nicoise, Plateau De Fromages Du Jour, Beignets De Crevettes
You MUST try for breakfast a homemade butter croissant or any of the quiche or omelette selections! For lunch, a treat is one of their savory buckwheat galettes. For dinner we suggest the Boeuf Bourguignon or the Saumon Farcie.
End with one of each! Café Paris offers a separate dessert menu and the most scrumptious selection of French pastries and homemade treats. You can’t go wrong with a sweet crepe, profiterole, homemade mousse, or a sample of macarons! (gluten free crepes now available)
Pairs well with one of their house specialty cappuccinos, a homemade smoothie, French hot chocolate, or sparkling wine!
For the kids, the menu offers pasta with butter, scrambled eggs with fresh fruit, chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, and macaroni & cheese
The Cranford Hotel Restaurant & Pub
American
Full Bar Menu
1 South Union Avenue
Lunch Saturday & Sunday
Dinner Wednesday-Sunday
Pick Up available
908.276.2121
The list wouldn’t be complete without the beloved “Hotel”! The Cranford Hotel Restaurant & Pub is our town’s connection from the past to the present. Bearing strong resemblance to its earliest days, “The Hotel” was built in 1893 by the Hess Family. Its ambiance endures today in the form of one of Cranford, NJ’s favorite restaurants and meeting places that offers something for everyone. You can cozy up to the bar, tuck in for a date night, or gather at a large table for family dinner night!
We are loving their latest remodeling where one can find black and white pictures depicting Cranford history. You can’t go wrong heading back to this local favorite where dining indoors or outdoors always offers the best seat in town near the train tracks and the bustle of Downtown Cranford!
Start with the Hotel Nachos, Garlic Shrimp, and Taverne Board
You MUST try “The” Cheeseburger, Pot Roast Sandwich, and the Farmer’s Daughter Pizza
End with the Brownie Sundae!
Pairs well with the Hotel Old Fashioned, Cranford Mule, any of the local beer on draft, or a glass of wine!
For the kid try the Chicken Fingers and Pasta Marinara! Each kids meal comes with a small drink and scoop of ice cream!
Il Gabbiano Italian Bistro Cranford NJ Restaurant
Italian
BYOB
Cranford Square Mall
10 South Ave West
Tuesday-Sunday hours
Lunch & Dinner
Pick Up available
908.497.1990
Who doesn’t love a classic Italian meal, especially when in New Jersey! Look no further than Il Gabbiano Italian Bistro! This restaurant has it all for any occasion- complete with live music, lively atmosphere, and excellent hospitality. The outdoor dining year-round is perfect with patio lights and space heaters everywhere! This has been a favorite destination for many family gatherings, weekend evenings, and occasions to share special memories!
Start with the Shrimp Cocktail Martini, Spicy Sweet Calamari, and a Caesar Salad. If you’re craving more – the Homemade Meatballs!
You MUST try their Lobster Ravioli, Flounder Francaise, Shrimp Scampi, Chicken Picatta, and Vitello tre Funghi
End with the homemade Tiramisu!
Pairs well with… a full-bodied red wine of your choice!
For the kids… who doesn’t love pasta, but you can’t go wrong with their delicious chicken fingers!
Oasis Restaurant Cranford NJ
Moroccan
BYOB
21 North Union Avenue
Tuesday-Sunday hours
Lunch & Dinner
Delivery & Pick Up available
908.967.6161
Cranford is honored to welcome owner Adam Mesbahi and his authentic Moroccan cuisine to town! What a treat to experience dining in this “oasis”! The décor is simply stunning with traditional architecture, fabrics, paintings, and Moroccan relics.
Oasis brings tantalizing and delicious flavors plus a unique blend of spices to all their dishes. Couscous is one of the most known Moroccan dishes around the world and can be either salty or sweet and salty. Tagines are a slow-cooked stew made with aromatic spices, meat, vegetables, and dried or fresh fruits. The slow cooking results in a heavenly delicious sauce and tender meat that melts in the mouth. They are originally cooked in tagine clay pots. Harira is a traditional soup in Moroccan cuisine and is made of chickpeas, lentils, tomato, broth, onion, ginger, and other spices. If you are new to this cuisine…
Start with the Lentil soup or the Harira Soup (both simply amazing), the Fattoush Salad, Brewat, Kibbeh Balls, and the Hummus
You MUST try the Chicken Shawarma Platter, Tagine of Chicken, Lemon & Olives, Couscous w/Lamb & vegetables, Beef Kababs, or Falafel Platter
End with the Baklava or Tiramisu
Pairs well with a dry Riesling or a spicy Zinfandel – but you have to try their Lemonade with Mint and Mango Shake!
For the kids… the word on the street is the kids love the chicken and rice on the adult menu…but the Kids Chicken Wings and Hamburger with Fries are also a hit!
Wasai Bistro Cranford NJ Restaurant
French-Japanese
BYOB
232 Centennial Avenue
Monday-Saturday
Lunch is first come, first serve
Dinner service will be accommodated in two timeframes: 6-8pm & 8-10pm
Pick Up available
908.276.6600
This corner bistro location has been a favorite dining spot for quite some time. Lucky for us another fantastic restaurant settled in, and we couldn’t be more excited! Wasai Bistro offers a cozy indoor vibe all year and perfect al fresco dining in the warmer months!
Head chef and owner, Nelson Yip, brings unique French/Japanese fusion dishes to the table and restaurant-goers have been raving since his opening! Wasai Bistro offers a wide assortment of sushi, sashimi, unique appetizers and a little something for everyone. “Seasonal, local, and imported ingredients are combined with traditional Japanese and French techniques and flavor profiles to create a truly contemporary dining experience.”
Start with the Grilled Japanese Squid, any of the dumplings, Smoked Duck Breast with Truffle Butter, Tuna Taco, and the Truffle Fries (save some for the steak on the stone!)
You MUST try anything off their Specials menu, Lemon Relish Salmon with Sauté Mushrooms, Uni & Bone Marrow Ramen, Premium Aged Angus Steak on Stone (a fan favorite as it is cooked table-side). The signature item is the Omakase tasting. This is the best items available in the restaurant for that particular day.
End with their Mousse and Crème Brulee of the day (usually tropical flavors)
Pairs well with hot tea, sake, Japanese beer
For the kids… Popular selections are the Truffle fries, Chicken Fried Rice, Peanut Butter dumplings,
11:30 am – 3 pm
DINNER:
4 PM – 10 PM, 6 Days a week(Temporarily Closed Mondays)
In an effort to control crowds and maintain safe social distancing, we strongly suggest making a reservation.
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