When scanning NJ for culinary hot spots, Manville, NJ, is rarely on someone’s radar. Even in Somerset County—where Manville is located—it is often passed up for more popular towns like Somerville, Bound Brook, etc. However, Manville has much more to it than one might expect with its growing fabric of neighborhood restaurants, mom-and-pop delis, breweries and bars—including a variety of different Latin-American cuisines to try. We rounded up some of our favorites so you don’t have to. Whether just passing through or staying a while, these are some of the best spots to grab a bite in Manville, NJ.
Brooks Brewery at the Northside Lounge
100 Brooks Blvd, Manville, NJ 08835
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Northside Lounge doubles as Downtown Manville’s local pub and brewery. The bar features a rotating tap list of craft beers from Brooks Brewery—brewed on-premise, of course—as well as a food menu consisting of bar staples like thin-crust pizzas, wings, fish and chips, soft pretzels, among others. Northside has the perfect mix of old-school dive and modern hang-out with its vintage decor, pool table and cozy patio.
The Grub Hut
307 N Main St, Manville, NJ 0883
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Owners Melanie and Mike Johnston combine two of their favorite foods at The Grub Hut: Texas-style barbecue and Mexican taqueria staples. This Manville BYO has a diverse menu, including several must-try options. Smoked duck and spare ribs, chorizo tacos, brisket and the gargantuan O.M.G. burrito, containing rice, beans, shredded lettuce, pico and chicken—which the restaurant describes as “the mother of all burritos.”
Sahara Restaurant
337 N Main St, Manville, NJ 08835
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Sahara Restaurant serves a variety of Mediterranean dishes, including many of which come out of their wood-burning oven. Enjoy authentic kebab, beef and couscous stew and an array of vegetarian and vegan options. Finish your meal with keşkül—a Turkish vanilla custard with pistachios—and a classic Turkish coffee, which is as much a spectacle as it is delicious.
Norkys Peruvian Restaurant
244 S Main St, Manville, NJ 08835
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Fans of Peruvian food must head to Norkys—a neighborhood Peruvian joint serving all of the classics. Start your meal with any of the authentic appetizers like salchipapas, ceviche and papa a la huancaina. For entree, go with the famous Peruvian stir fry—lomo saltado, which is a mix of Peruvian and Japanese flavors in a cuisine known as “nikkei.” Rotisserie chicken, fish chicharrons and more dot the menu at this must-try Manville joint.
Soles Restaurant
404 S Main St, Manville, NJ 08835
Have you ever tried Costa Rican food? Well, what are you waiting for? Soles Restaurant serves diners tons of Costa Rican staples and other Latin American classics. Give the Gallo Pinto a try—which is a classic Costa Rican rice and bean dish served with salsa de carne on the side. Beyond Costa Rican cuisine are birria tacos, birria ramen, Cuban-style empanadas and more. With its humble setup and checkered tables, Soles is the epitome of a small, neighborhood business that needs to be on your list.
Manville Pizza & Restaurant
31 S Main St, Manville, NJ 08835
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Since 1969, this pizzeria has been serving Manville high-quality slices and pies. Manville Pizza carries a variety of pizza styles, but it is their thin-crust, pan-cooked pizza that wins awards. What’s more is a lengthy menu of specialty pies, sandwiches, appetizers and dinners. You can never go wrong with pizza and Manville Pizza is THE stop when passing through the Somerset County town.
La Rivera Maya Mexican Restaurant
16 S Main St, Manville, NJ 08835
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What’s not to like about hand-made tortillas stuffed with freshly grilled meat, mole, tortas, queso fundido (Mexican chorizo and fondue) and steaming hot churros? Have it all at La Rivera where authentic Mexican dishes are the name of the game. The ingredients are fresh, the portions are plentiful and the vibe is immaculate with it’s traditional decor, colorful tabletops and painted plateware.
Sabores Mexicanos
210 S Main St, Manville, NJ 08835
photo via Sabores Mexicanos
Here is your quintessential Mexican deli. Enjoy chilaquiles, fried pork chops with rice and beans, steak tortas, burgers, tres leches cake, flan and more. Don’t skip the breakfast either, which includes authentic yema bread (sweet buns with custard) and huevos rancheros. Sabores Mexicanos is your prime example of no-frills food that will make you feel like you’re dining at Chef/Owner Eleuterio Villanueva’s home.
About the Author/s
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
1 comment
Thanks for this great article alerting people to the various eateries (and brewery) in Manville. Please note that Grub Hut now has a liquor license. They offer a small but really good selection of craft beer and a full bar. The food is awesome and now you don’t have to worry about bringing your own cocktails/beer 🙂