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Lita

4.3 (165 reviews)
Ultra High-EndPortuguese, Iberian, Cocktail Bars
Closed • 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

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LITA ATMOSPHERE

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Recommended Reviews - Lita

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Was just ok.
Brad A.

Just be warned this is about to get expensive, but it will be delicious. Food was outstanding. Some of the best fish I've ever had. I ordered the chef special which is a mix of the favorites.

Chai brûlée espresso martini
Maria V.

My friend put me on to this place and made reservations as I had not heard of it before and not usually the area I frequent None the less .... I enjoyed myself throughly. We went on a weekday which is my preference for going to most places . Our waitress was lovely- I forgot her name but it was her 1st day serving and she is also one of the chefs there. She did a great job . Actually everyone there was pleasant and friendly. Menu is mostly prefix ( about $90) but amazing . You get three courses. This is a place that is pricey but you get top notch service and quality food and experience. Some people this might not be the place but for people like me - I love it . We added on the sourdough with the garlic butter which is delicious . But we did get full and had to take majority of the entree home which I didn't mind eating it for lunch the next day :) We started with the Rissois de Camarao which is a shrimp turnover . Looks small but wow soooooo good . 10/10 2nd course we had the macarrao de anchova. Basically like a spaghetti Mac and cheese with Manchego . Could hardly taste the anchovies. Very delicious but also on the heavy side especially with the bread . It's ok - I'm allowed a cheat day :) 3rd course - me and my friend shared one of the three paella for two. We opted for the octopus and pork belly/bacon and it was delicious . Again - we only had room for a few bites and ate it the next day for lunch . So delicious . Drinks I had the white lotus and the chai brûlée espresso martini . Pretty good We had no room for dessert unfortunately 10/10 experience. Can't wait to go back and try other things

Octopus
Idania D.

I wanted to add an update to our most recent visit from early July. I received a very gracious call from Danny, one of the owners of Lita. He expressed his desire to clarify the bill and wanted to go over my experience in an effort to make it right for us. As it turned out, the extra charge in the bill was not for the mint. Their system charges for cocktails in a different manner and hence the $4 charge. I really appreciated his imitative to reach out, Kudos to Lita and their owners for taking the time to care about their diner's experience.

Clams white wine
John B.

I still dream about the paella I had here. It was cooked perfectly, with a deliciously crispy burnt crust on the rice and a massive, shareable portion. It's probably the best paella I've ever had. Lita is not only the best Portuguese restaurant I've been to, but also my favorite restaurant overall. The service is always excellent. They have a unique system where front-of-house staff and chefs switch roles, with everyone trained to work both in the kitchen and serving. This seamless rotation creates a dynamic and engaging experience.

Sebastian B.

I have mixed feelings about Lita, Certainly this is a very nice restaurant. The staff was amazing the house is sleek open and modern and the food is elegant. Lita is an upscale dining event. They have a wonderful rustic Portuguese menu with a variety of small plate offerings. We sat at the bar to avoid the Prix Fixed dinner option and tried several plates. Each dish was excellent altogether the portions were very small with the exception of a bread plate that we mistakenly ordered. I must note, I ordered the wrong thing, they comped the first bread plate for the bruschetta item. Very nice touch, that said their bread and butter although exceptional was also pricey. I'm not a big fan of the Prix Fixe concept. This style and the price point is a turn off and almost pretentious. The location, small portions, high prices, and pricey cocktails along with a mandatory dining option doesn't raise the experience especially for a restaurant on 34 in Matawan. Don't mistake my review as negative. Lita provides an upscale dining experience and they pulled it off with style and class. Nothing on the menu or from the bar is drawing me back.

Pao El Tucan La Playa
Lianne Melissa O.

There is nothing I didn't love about this restaurant. Service was exceptional, everyone was so friendly, took their time to explain the menu to us and even make recommendations since it was our first time here. All of the food was phenomenal. High quality ingredients and meats. They left me absolutely speechless. We came for my husbands birthday and it was such a treat. Great place for date night. They also have a prix fixe menu option as well as a 5 course meal. Looking forward to trying more of their food!

Rissóis de Camarão (garlic shrimp).
Brenda C.

It was our wedding anniversary, and we celebrated at Lita. Since it was our first time, we didn't know exactly what to expect, aside from hearing that it's a modern Iberian restaurant and a 2023 James Beard Semi-finalist. The menu is mostly prepared in an open kitchen, featuring a fire hearth oven at the sides, so you can watch the chefs in action. All the servers are also chefs, which means they know the menu inside and out and are great sources of information about how everything is made. It's also worth mentioning that they offer a prix fixe menu with three courses. For the first course, we chose Rissóis de Camarão (garlic shrimp) and Spanish Duck Confit Croquettes. Both were crispy and delicious, and the duck confit croquettes came with a perfectly paired aioli sauce that didn't overpower the crunch. The centers were warm, and we were encouraged to eat them with our hands, which added a fun touch to the experience. For the second course, we had Albondigas (Spanish meatballs) and Caldeirada de Vieiras (Portuguese fish stew). My husband raved about the meatballs, calling them exceptionally tender and full of flavor. My fish stew also had great flavors but was a bit too salty for my personal taste. That said, it was still an excellent dish, and the saltiness was just a matter of preference. The main courses were the highlight of the evening. We had Carne Guisada (short ribs) and Robalinho na Brasa (branzino) with a side salad. My husband couldn't stop praising the short ribs for being incredibly tender and succulent. As for me, I tend to eat salads with chopsticks, so I asked Rob, our server, if they had any. He wasn't able to find a pair at first, but a few minutes later, the managing director himself brought me a set! That level of attentiveness really stood out. The branzino was cooked perfectly, with charred skin and expertly filleted with no bones. The warm spices they used complemented the delicate fish without overpowering it. Both were truly outstanding. For dessert, our wonderful server Rob asked if we wanted anything sweet. We ordered the Baked Madeira for Two, and I was blown away when it was served flambéed. It was a dramatic and delightful touch, especially since I'd never had Baked Alaska before. The combination of ice creams, sorbets, cookies, and a bit of chocolate cake inside was flawlessly executed. It was definitely a showstopper. Overall, our experience at Lita was exceptional. From the impeccable service to the amazing food and the modern, open atmosphere, everything was top-notch. Not once did I see any table piled with dirty dishes. It was clear they take pride in keeping things pristine. It was truly a memorable celebration.

Meatballs $19
Anna D.

I am so torn over how to rate our experience. We were told great things about Lita from friends and had heard amazing things about the chef. I was very excited to try their take on Portuguese/Spanish food. I found the service to be hit or miss. The food unfortunately didn't hit the mark for me on nearly every dish we ordered. Patatas bravas were a bit mushy and drowning in sauce and was $15 for a few small pieces of potato. 3 scallops in very salty soup were $33. The meatballs were fairly bland and dry. The shrimp were nice and garlicky but too salty again. I did like my NA cocktail -El Tucan, the tuna salad and the fried shrimp turnover though. Romantic and trendy interior design but I couldn't quite forget that I was in a strip mall with a view of the parking lot. Maybe we came on an off night for the kitchen but I was super disappointed in the food.

Inside
Marina S.

Came back here and tried everything on the menu. This place is fantastic! Loved the food, loved the service, would highly recommend this restaurant. The best in the area!

Lawrence C.

I had a very pleasurable experience with Lita in Aberdeen overall, the service and food absolutely is top tier, my only small gripe (a suggestion rather and reason for 4 stars) is the Martini de Español "Spanish Martini" has a main base alcohol of "Citadelle Gin". Citadelle Gin is from France(Not Iberian), and it is not a bad spirit by any means, and it compliments the cocktail quite fairly, however everything else about the drink is through and through Spaniard/Iberian. My solution is recommending a more exotic and premium Gin from Spain such as "Gin Mare", to have as the main base for this cocktail. The flavor profile of the drink may change slightly, but I believe it would make it more authentically "Spanish", and perhaps even set the drink OVER THE TOP! Other than that, I highly recommend Lita and would certainly go again!!!

Nitasha K.

Really great vibe and ambiance for a restaurant near my hometown. Almost like a taste of NYC in the burbs. Nothing like it in the area. Prices are a little steep for sure but the flavors and presentation of the dishes was superb. The cocktails were extremely well made. I recommend sitting at the bar if you don't want to commit to the pre fixe because you can sample more of what you want to. I did feel our bartender was trying to get us to order more than we wanted/needed but ultimately we left happy and with leftovers. The steak and seafood paella were phenomenal! They take a while for them to make it though so factor that in. Definitely recommend.

Stephy S.

Five star service and five star food. It is located in an unassuming strip mall area in Aberdeen. They take reservations online. Book early! My husband and I came for our 12 year anniversary dinner. We had the prix fixe menu. There were many options! The drinks were delicious also. Each food item was amazing. Service was attentive but not hovering. Book your rsvp!

Menu
David H.

Tucked away in a pothole'd parking lot, that is shared with a laundromat, bowling alley and a craft beer brewery is LITA. A very hip, loud, interesting restaurant with a fresh vibe to boot. Their "unique team structure" where every member is cross trained and rotates from back of the house, (kitchen), to front of house (floor), is so smart and beneficiary to all. Our server Marcus, nicknamed "jolly giant" , reminded me of Judah Freidlander (sans hair) in "The Wrestler". His big smile protruding from his Paul Bunyan beard, showed general happiness that we were there to eat, drink and be merry. So many choices on the PreFix was easier navigated thanks to Marcus. Suggestions like "When are you going to have Rabbit next" and "you must try the Paella" We started with a Bread Basket that was worth the extra charge and was devoured instantly. Shrimp Turnovers and Rabbit with Scallion Emulsion & Pepper Dust appetizers were both winners. The 2nd course of Spaghetti was amazing and The Gem Salad helped break up the carbs, and prepare us for the Octopus & Pork Belly Paella. Which arrived in a huge black pan. Big chunks of Octopus and Pork, with regions of crispy rice and a flavorful sauce fell short. A lot of char throughout, incredibly salty and a more is too much" was disappointing. Limiting me to only a few spoon fulls. The Basque Cheesecake was something that needs to be patented. Matcha and Strawberry with a mousse texture but yet, so light. I could have eaten the whole thing ! Marcus put a candle on it, for my wife's birthday. But how did he know ?!?!! I didn't mention it or specify in the reservation. Hmmmmmm.... Oh Marcus !!!!!

Mocktail

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3BR Distillery - Storefront

3BR Distillery

4.7(87 reviews)
2.8 mi
•$$

Love this little hidden gem in the beach town of Keyport. My husband brought me here once before,…read morethis was our second visit, and we will definitely be back for an upcoming recurring event we learned about. When you drive past, you might not exactly know it's there- almost looks like a warehouse or closed shop when passing by. It is dark and gives speak-easy vibes. When you enter, it looks like you time traveled into the old USSR with Soviet decor. We had the horseradish shots (spicy to the perfect level- not the kind that makes your nose burn), my husband had some kind of hibiscus or fruity drink, and I had the extra dirty martini. LOVED the pickle stuffed olives that came with my drink. I selected the gin, but would opt for the vodka version next time to see if I could taste more olives. Our server was incredibly friendly, and when we asked about bloody Mary's, he mentioned that on certain weekends for $25 you can pay to get in and drink bloody Mary's and have Oysters. We will certainly be coming by to try! Overall, such a unique, off the beaten path experience. 10/10 recommend.

I rarely update reviews, but figured since I was having a new experience here. It was worth the…read moreupdate. I've been coming to three of you for a while, and I've always really loved the experience. The complexity of the drinks and the thought that goes into them is really appealing to me, and I think it's worth the price of the drinks, given all that goes into them. The staff here is all super friendly, and the environment is incredibly chic. They recently added more couches, and it truly has a lounge feel, which I think is really lovely. Recently, I needed to host a private event, and I knew they had experience hosting events, so I reached out to Maks to book my celebration. The planning part of this process was extremely smooth. Max was very responsive, making it very easy, and they were flexible with the details. As for the price, I thought it was very reasonable, and I rented the entire space, which I considered a good deal. The start of the day of the party was invaluable; they arrived early to set up, which allowed me to set up what I needed as well. My guest had really great interactions with the staff, and they truly loved the environment, the drinks, and I know they had fun talking with the bartenders, which made the experience worthwhile in my opinion. Thank you, 3 BR, for helping me celebrate some tremendous milestones in my life. If you need to book a private event, I would recommend checking out this place first and speaking with the staff. I don't think you would regret booking a private event with them, as I would not hesitate to do it again. .

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3BR Distillery - Beautiful bar with distillery in back

Beautiful bar with distillery in back

3BR Distillery - Great changing art wall.

Great changing art wall.

3BR Distillery - Inside near bar

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Inside near bar

Patrizia's Of Matawan - Best Money Bags in NJ

Patrizia's Of Matawan

3.8(47 reviews)
2.1 mi

What an amazing night we had celebrating my son's Confirmation. There were at least 3 other…read morefamilies doing the same thing and the Restaurant and staff recognized each kid individually, playing Hallelujah, and setting off sparklers. The food was amazing! Everyone cleaned their plates and it was some of the best veal parmesan I've ever had. We all felt really at home. The staff could not have been friendlier and more attentive. We will definitely be back and I'm so grateful for Patrizia's making my son's celebration so special.

We stopped in for a delicious Italian dinner, and we were absolutely not disappointed. The…read morerestaurant was beautifully decorated for the holiday season, creating such a warm and inviting atmosphere. They also have a pizzeria conveniently located right next door, which is a nice bonus. The service was outstanding--Alessandro was the best! He recommended his signature cocktail, the Orange Cosmopolitan, and all I can say is WOW. Perfectly made and dangerously good--they definitely sneak up on you! He checked in on us throughout the evening, always friendly and engaging, which truly elevated the experience. The food was just as impressive: Pollo Milanese - a perfectly cooked chicken cutlet topped with fresh mozzarella, arugula, cherry tomatoes, onions, shaved Parmesan, and a bright lemon vinaigrette. Pollo Carbonara - topped with prosciutto, spinach, peppers, and fontina cheese, served over penne pasta. Alaska Chicken (special) - stuffed chicken with shrimp, roasted tomatoes, spinach, and cheese in a rich cream sauce, served with saffron risotto. Absolutely delicious. For dessert, we shared a toasted almond cake and a caramel cheesecake cone--paired with cappuccinos, of course. The perfect ending to a great meal. It was a wonderful evening shared with wonderful people, made even better by Alessandro's exceptional service. Highly recommend this restaurant, and we will definitely be back to try more dishes!

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Patrizia's Of Matawan
Patrizia's Of Matawan - Linguine with Clams

Linguine with Clams

Patrizia's Of Matawan - Dining room

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Dining room

Up the Creek Tavern - Up the creek tavern off deck

Up the Creek Tavern

3.5(39 reviews)
2.4 mi
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Why the hate for this spot?…read more Is it fancy? Hell no, but that's the point. Up the creek is a no-frills hybrid sports-dive-bayside bar that serves up cheap food, cheap drinks, and cheap company, in the best possible way. You're not coming here to be fancy, you're coming to watch the Mets, Yankees, Giants, or Jets on one of the huge TVs they have everywhere, while sucking down 3$ beers, and when the time calls for it, a porkroll* with cheese on a roll and an order fries. You can choose the bar, a high top, or the outdoor bar when the weather is nice enough (you'll always find me at the bar). There are some stairs to get up here, but you'll be rewarded with a view of the marina...and route 35....and if you look hard enough the parkway....ok there are stairs that lead up to a bar, that's all you gotta know. It's the perfect spot to catch the game and hang with the locals. Come in, say hey to Linda, and drink enough that you need some greasy food to make everything feel better. Doesn't get much better in my humblest of opinions. _____________________ *Call it "Taylor ham" and you're dead to me.

KEYPORT: Up The Creek Tavern is a great local spot with gorgeous views of the Matawan Creek and…read moremarina. Leashed and friendly dogs are allowed on their second story outdoor deck and there is a staircase to the left of the building to go up. Depending on the season, there could be wait service or you have to go inside to order. The food menu is American-style comfort food and a full bar of drink options.

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Up the Creek Tavern
Up the Creek Tavern
Up the Creek Tavern

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Lita - portuguese - Updated May 2026

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