Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in Essex

OpenTable

Updated 05 August 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience in Essex? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Vette Dining at Calabria

5.0

5 (295)

$31 to $50

Italian

Livingston

About the restaurant

A new chapter in Northern New Jersey dining was launched with the debut of Vette Ristorante at Calabria, a fine-Italian dining experience located at 588 S Livingston Ave, in Livingston, NJ. Nestled within the well-known Calabria restaurant building, Vette Ristorante elevates the traditional trattoria with a refined menu, thoughtfully selected wine pairings, and the culinary vision of chef and sommelier Maurizio de Rosa.

Top review

Rachel

Dined 3 days ago

The service and food were absolutely perfect. We chose the tasting menu, and it was a real delight. The zucchini flowers and the meatballs were the best we have ever had. Truly an elegant and understated restaurant.

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Sapori Ristorante - Montclair

5.0

5 (3170)

$31 to $50

Italian

Montclair

About the restaurant

Sapori Montclair brings a fresh and contemporary approach to Italian dining in the heart of Montclair. The restaurant blends a warm and inviting atmosphere with a modern aesthetic that makes every visit feel memorable whether you are enjoying a relaxed dinner a date night or a gathering with family and friends. The menu highlights the creativity of modern Italian cuisine with house made pastas seasonal ingredients and dishes crafted with care and personality. Guests especially enjoy our signature tableside Cacio e Pepe prepared in a pecorino cheese wheel which adds excitement and a touch of tradition to the experience. At Sapori we believe that dining is about connection comfort and genuine hospitality. As a BYOB restaurant guests are welcome to bring a favorite wine to personalize their meal. Sapori Montclair is a place to enjoy vibrant flavors warm service and a modern expression of Italian cooking that feels both comforting and new.

Top review

Margarete

Dined on 28 Jul 2026

Everything was excellent. Service, food, atmosphere. Food presentation was also lovely! Servers took exception care of us and were very attentive.

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Bivio Pizza Napoletana

5.0

5 (328)

$31 to $50

Pizzeria

Montclair

About the restaurant

At Bivio our passion is authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Napoli... our love of the city, its cuisine, and in particular, its pizza is where our story began. We heard time and time again “It’s all about the dough.” True to Neapolitan tradition, and the passion of the pizzaioli, we construct our pizza using “00” flour from Naples, San Marzano DOP tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil, fior di latte or bufala mozzarella, and sea salt. Our dough is gently mixed using a 28 year old “lieveto madre” (natural yeast culture) then with intense heat is baked in our wood burning il forno. At Bivio all of our dishes are made with the freshest and highest quality ingredients.

Top review

Ron

Dined on 30 Jul 2026

Like always. Great experience!!! Love love your pizza !!!

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4.9

4.9 (1091)

$30 and under

Brazilian

Montclair

About the restaurant

Homestyle Brazilian fare served in a stylish, rustic space with antique pots & vintage tableware.

Samba is now the only restaurant certified as a gluten-free restaurant in New Jersey from the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). @glutendotorg . We are not conforming to a trend. Due to personal experience, gluten
sensitivity is a very serious matter. For the safety of others who are gluten-free, no outside food or cakes will be allowed in the restaurant.

Top review

Andre

Dined on 28 Jul 2026

Excellent food & warm service. It’s a must! Have to love the full Gluten Free menu. The Picanha was so good, we will be back!

Giorgio's Ristorante - South Orange

5.0

5 (600)

$31 to $50

Italian

South Orange

About the restaurant

Giorgio's of South Orange has always been one of the landmarks in the area. Specializing in fine Italian cuisine and catering, we have a wide range of signature soups, salads and of course, our special, main-course, all-time favorite items.

Top review

Grant

Dined 4 days ago

Anthony and the rest of his staff is phenomenal. Great meal, great experience will absolutely be going back!

Calandra's Mediterranean Grill

4.7

4.7 (644)

$31 to $50

Italian

Fairfield, New Jersey

About the restaurant

We are a family friendly restaurant featuring an open kitchen with a wood burning stone pizza deck oven. Our Dining room is a attached to Outdoor Mediterranean style dining patio plus a fully stocked lobby bar with beautiful fireplace. We are famous for our pasta, seafood and fish dishes.
Enjoy !!

Top review

SuzanneGold

Dined on 20 Jul 2026

Went for a birthday dinner with friends. Food never disappoints. Never feel rushed.

Adega Grill

4.6

4.6 (1263)

$31 to $50

Portuguese

Newark

About the restaurant

From the moment you enter, tones of old world yellows, stone fireplaces, wrought iron cellar gates and sconces, soft candlelight, coves with upholstered sofa seating and friendly staff, it's an undeniable inviting space, nothing short of extraordinary. Two special occasion tables with antique throne chairs and live piano music add to the intimacy. Two romantic dining rooms cater to an elegant crowd, while the long narrow bar gathers a friendly and fun bunch nightly.

The cuisine truly upholds the name of Fine Portuguese/Spanish Dining, seafood and fish, organic meats, the freshest ingredients and to maintain the tradition, huge portions are to be expected. The menu is seasonal and in addition to a varied selection of delectable dishes to satisfy any palette, daily specials are always featured. The wine list with over 180 selections is an ambitious one that keeps growing, but sure not to disappoint the discriminating connoisseur.

Top review

Chabely

Dined on 22 Jul 2026

Great service and the food was so delicious! My wife had the best birthday dinner

LuNello Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1228)

$31 to $50

Italian

Cedar Grove

About the restaurant

Since 1990, Chef Seger's use of unique ingredients, homemade pastas, and innovative specials has created a loyal following. His modern flair mixed with traditional culinary skills has created a whirlwind of praise. You will not see seafood options on the regular menu for one reason; All our Seafood is wild not farm raised and we carry ONLY what is available and offer them as our daily specials.
General Manager Stephanie Voulgaris
Floor Manager Henry Calderon
Sommelier Stephanie Voulgaris
LuNello has gone right to the source when purchasing ingredients and each dish reflects the attention placed into its preparation. All our meats in our menu have grown and purchased from meat purveyors that there is no use of antibiotics or hormones. Enticing presentation and courteous and professional staff are integral to LuNello's success. We are also excited to offer Wine Dinners and special events hosted in our private event spaces. We look forward to making your experience with us a special one!

Top review

Father JohnGold

Dined on 31 Jul 2026

Absolutely fantastic. Superb service and exquisite cuisine. Friendly waiters and staff. Highly recommend the fillet of sole. Outstanding. Hen egg ravioli as appetizer.

Halcyon Brasserie

4.7

4.7 (2088)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Montclair

About the restaurant

Halcyon is a fine seafood brasserie, specializing in the freshest local catches, boasting a full service raw bar, upstairs lounge, and tranquil atmosphere. At this time we are offering indoor dining and take-out Tuesday-Sunday. In order to ensure proper sanitation between reservations, we have a strict time limit per table. Thank you for your understanding as we adapt to these challenging times.

Top review

Yoselin

Dined on 26 Jul 2026

Always a great time here! Can never go wrong with a brunch here, food down to service is amazing

Dervish Turkish Restaurant - Cedar Grove

4.7

4.7 (127)

$30 and under

Turkish

Cedar Grove

About the restaurant

Welcome to our Turkish haven! Discover the heart of Turkey through our restaurant, where authentic flavors and cultural richness come together. From savory kebabs to sweet delights, our menu reflects the essence of Turkish cuisine. Immerse yourself in a warm, inviting atmosphere that captures the spirit of our business.

Top review

MichaelGold

Dined on 26 Jun 2026

Amazing food. 100% quality and service. We had a little of everything with appetizer platters and dinners. Chicken gyro amazing! Mocktails amazing! We will definitely will be going again.

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