Eight matches. Millions of visitors. One stadium. The World Cup is here in New Jersey.
Before you figure out how you’re getting to the stadium, you should plan out where you’re eating. This is our guide to the best restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and quick eats within 10 minutes of MetLife Stadium. Look beyond the Google results—these are the spots that fuel locals year-round.
Restaurants
Sit-down spots worth building your pre-match (or post-match) plans around. Everything from BYOBs dishing out hand-made pasta to Omakase-style sushi and lively Latin fare.
Fiorentini – Rutherford
Farm-to-table cooking, top restaurant in NJ, fresh pasta, open kitchen, outdoor dining, BYOB.
The Union – East Rutherford
French dip, great burger, wings, cocktails, sleek space.
Sonoma Bistro – Rutherford
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Latin specialties, cocktails, attentive service.
Butterfish – Rutherford
Omakase-style sushi, top-grade fish, takeout or dine-in.
Angelo’s – Lyndhurst
Classic Jersey red sauce joint, veal cutlets, homemade manicotti, vintage digs.
Elia – East Rutherford
Mediterranean fare, fresh seafood, big space, outdoor dining.
Steve’s Sizzling Steaks – Carlstadt
Steaks served on sizzling platters, cold beer, French onion soup, 90-year institution.
Costillas Colombian Grill – Hasbrouck Heights
BBQ meats, arepas, plantains, fresh juices/drinks.
Eros Cafe – East Rutherford
Greek bites, outdoor TV, walkable area, hookah.
Biggie’s – Carlstadt
Raw bar, steaks, sandwiches, expansive menu, cold beer, cocktails.
Paisano’s – Rutherford
Italian and Italian-American staples, pasta, large entrees, sidewalk dining.
Fortaleza – Carlstadt
Mexican cantina, margaritas, colorful vibe.
Song e Napule – Rutherford
Authentic Neapolitan pizza, fresh gnocchi, salads, burrata, outdoor dining.
Panebianco – Rutherford
Fresh pasta, cocktails, great appetizers and salads, kids menu, outdoor dining.
Bars + Breweries
Where to watch if you’re not at the game. Plus: where to grab a drink before or after. Dive bars, Irish pubs, craft cocktails, and more.
Blarney Station Pub – East Rutherford
Irish pub, excellent Guinness, friendly bartenders, curry fries, sheperd’s pie.
The New Park Tavern – East Rutherford
Cold beer, sports bar, pizzas, famous mussels.
The Ridge House – Wood-Ridge
Craft cocktails, beer, good wine list, globe-spanning fare.
Heights Bar – Hasbrouck Heights
Great bar food, stiff drinks, friendly staff.
The Dublin Yard – Secaucus
Irish pub, good Guinness, impressive food menu, wings.
Rockafellas – East Rutherford
Games on TV, great food, neighborhood dive.
The Roosevelt – East Rutherford
Craft cocktails, cool vibe, great food.
Karol’s Pub – Wallington
Dive bar, cheap drinks, pool table, Polish beer.
Bolero Snort Brewery – Carlstadt
Local brewery, right near stadium.
Silk City Distillery – Clifton
House-distilled whiskey, craft cocktails, cool vibe.
Ghost Hawk Brewing – Clifton
Top-rated brewery, expansive tap list.
Takeout + Quick Eats
Fast, good, and built for dining on-the-go. Legendary hot dog joints, Korean fried chicken, hand-made dumplings, and top NJ pizza.
Casano’s – Rutherford
Top NJ pizza, multiple styles, chicken parm, great vibe.
Chef Chan – East Rutherford
Cash-only Chinese takeout, spare ribs, homemade dumplings, no frills.
Annamaria’s – East Rutherford
Quality deli, imported meats and cheeses, daily delivered bread, Italian sodas, imported goods.
Rutt’s Hut – Clifton
Century-old institution, deep-fried hot dogs, onion rings, gravy fries, cold beer, cash-only.
Mr. Bruno’s – Lyndhurst
Pizza, excellent Sicilian slice, Italian-American dishes.
Vinnie Mootz – Lyndhurst
Daily-made mozzarella, sandwiches, pizza, quality-first approach.
Burgerstrasse – East Rutherford
Smash burgers, fries, shakes, great chicken sandwich.
Nizi Sushi – East Rutherford
Quality sushi, fun drinks, Japanese and Korean plates, dine-in or take-out.
Mitho Nepali Restaurant – Lyndhurst
Authentic Nepali food, dumplings, hidden gem.
Buffalo’s – Wood-Ridge
Chicken and waffles, great buffalo wings, cornbread, burgers.
Samurai Sushi – East Rutherford
Fresh fish, sashimi, good drink menu, dine-in or takeout.
Taqueria Nacho Libre – Rutherford
Authentic tacos and quesadillas, Mexican plates, fun vibe.
Mambo Latin Kitchen – Rutherford
Hand-made empanadas, rotisserie chicken, Peruvian and Cuban plates.
Greek Town Gyros – Rutherford
Authentic gyro, fries, fresh salads, Greek platters.
Bun Buddies – Wood-Ridge
Smash burgers, fries, great lunch deal.
Pastrami Grill Bistro – Garfield
Authentic pastrami, reuben sandwiches, brisket, Jewish and Polish specialties.
The Hot Dog House – Carlstadt
Chili dogs, creative hot dogs, cheese fries, roadside stand, old-school.
Dumpling Dojo – Rutherford
Noodles, hand-made dumplings, Asian and Asian-American plates.
Boom Boom Chicken – Rutherford
Korean fried chicken, fries, rice.
Suprema – Rutherford
Artisan sandwiches, pasta, Italian dishes, dine-in or takeout.
Bobby Wong Tao House – Rutherford
Build-your-own tao chicken bowls, udon noodles, fried rice, cheesecake wontons.
Wallington Deli
Chicken vodka parm, Italian subs, cheesesteaks, homemade bread.
Handroll House – East Rutherford
Fresh fish handrolls, lunch, excellent value.
Thai Mex Station – East Rutherford
Thai and Mexican fusion, husband and wife-owned, tacos, curries.
Natoli’s – Secaucus
Sandwiches, pizza, Italian specialties, imported goods, classic Jersey deli.
Bratek Deli – Garfield
Imported Polish groceries, hand-made pierogi, kielbasa, hung sausages, pączki, buffet-style lunch.
Giovanni’s – Secaucus
Huge sandwiches, hand-made mozzarella, old-school neighborhood deli, outdoor tables.
Annabella’s House of Mozzarella – East Rutherford
Fresh mozzarella, large sandwiches, Italian plates, imported goods, full bar.
Sabor Del Fuego – Rutherford
Peruvian takeout, arroz chaufa, ceviche, tallarines, great value.
Coffee + Bakery
Fuel up before kickoff. The area around MetLife has a great coffee culture—here’s how to make the best of it.
Erie – Rutherford
Middle Eastern sweets, savory pastries, chocolate chip cookies, sandwiches, coffee, 100% homemade.
Caffè Barbaro – Rutherford
Italian espresso, cappuccino, pastries, sandwiches.
Rutherford Coffee Co.
Colombian sweets, coffee drinks, savory pastries, toasts, arepas.
Ara Coffee – Rutherford
House-roasted coffee, Matcha, cake, Japanese candies and other imported treats.
Caffe Roma – East Rutherford
Espresso, pastries, sidewalk seating, Sopranos-like.
Red Kettle – East Rutherford
Fun coffee drinks, non-coffee options, pastries, hidden gem.
Veriella’s Bakery & Cafe – Carlstadt
Italian pastries, breakfast sandwiches, crumb cake, wide selection.
Lyndhurst Pastry Shop
Fresh-filled cannoli, sfogliatella, assorted Italian cookies, homemade Italian ice.
Cafe Hasbrouck Heights
Fresh scones, coffee drinks, waffle desserts, mochi donuts.
Breakfast
Early matches call for early starts. Everything from thin, lacy pancakes and sausage to classic Taylor Ham, egg, and cheese on a fresh Jersey bagel.
Steve & Andrea’s – Rutherford
Thin pancakes, eggs, unlimited coffee, sidewalk dining available.
Colonial Diner – Lyndhurst
Classic Jersey diner, art-deco design, French toast, Taylor Ham, disco fries.
Candlewyck Diner – East Rutherford
Waffles, many pancake options, huge menu.
Knead a Bagel – Rutherford
Fresh-baked bagels, large menu, iced coffee.
Rutherford Pancake House
Create-your-own pancakes, gluten-free options, French Toast, waffles, eggs.
Garfield Hot Bagels
Fresh bagels, cash-only, Taylor Ham.
DB Breakfast – Rutherford
Breakfast sandwiches, wraps, coffee, good value.
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.
