Oriental Express

In a world where corporate-owned and franchised seafood restaurants are multiplying like.. guppies,…read moreit's getting harder to find a good, independently-owned seafood restaurant in the area. Denville Seafood / Codmother's Cafe on Broadway in downtown Denville stands out for all the right reasons -- with incredibly fresh and tasty locally-sourced fish, a welcoming midscale atmosphere, and staff that actually cares about the customers and food they're serving. Denville Seafood / Codmother's Cafe operates as a seafood market and restaurant. The market offers a variety of fresh seafood all of which is locally-sourced from the New Fulton Fish Market in NYC as well as seafood-based soups and salads prepared on-site to enjoy elsewhere. The other side of the shop offers a sit-down restaurant where the chef can prepare anything sold in the market in a variety of ways for diners to enjoy in the indoor or outdoor dining areas or to go. The menu is extensive and any of the fresh fish -- from bass to tuna -- or shellfish sold in the market are available in the restaurant in a wide variety of preparation styles -- baked, broiled, and fried with white wine-butter sauce, rosemary, lemon-caper, scampi, or teriyaki sauces. Dinner platters (which range from $28 to $45 as of December 2025) include coleslaw, steamed vegetables, and your choice of fries, rice, potatoes, pasta, or extra steamed vegetables. Your imagination is the only thing limiting the number of iterations available. For diners who don't enjoy seafood, Codmother's Cafe offers linguine with or without broccoli, chicken tenders, and the New Jersey-staple Chicken Parmigiana. The atmosphere in the dining room hits that perfect "midscale" sweet spot where it feels special enough for a nice night out, but still relaxed and welcoming for a casual meal with friends and family. The high-energy servers are clearly on top of their game and make the whole experience fun. We'll definitely be back. PRO TIP #1: Be flexible with your order. With all of the seafood sourced daily based on what's available at the New Fulton Fish Market and sold in both the market and restaurant, there's a real risk they might run out of something on the menu so make sure you have a back-up in case your initial craving is 86-ed for the day when you order. PRO TIP #2: Free street parking is available on Broadway and 1st Avenue as well as in the Denville municipal parking lots located on 1st Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue.

This is a great place to come if you want some fresh fish! Very cute and homey, with plenty of…read moretables and booths. Part of the restaraunt is a fish counter where you can buy uncooked fish and the other part is a restaraunt. We split the Manhattan clam chowder and the sword fish special. I'm not a clam chowder person but my husband is and he likes it, warning it has bacon in it. The sword fish was excellent, huge big piece of succulent fish cooked to perfection on a bed of mixed root vegetables. The sauce was light and bright and a perfect pairing. The coleslaw was crispy and fresh and not too much mayo. Wait service was excellent and super friendly. Would definitely come back.

Manhattan Clam Chowder

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Lunch fried scallops & garlic butter haddock with linguini

Suppa's Ristorante & Pizzeria

4.5(19 reviews)

1.1 mi

Every few months our neighborhood group chooses a local place to have a big group dinner. After a…read morecouple of solid thumbs up we decided to try Suppa's. I have to say, I was sad that this was only the first time I'd been here because the food and the service were outstanding. To be fair, I'm only going to review my meal and the shared appetizers because after a few glasses of wine (it's BYOB) and a couple of sips of Sambuca that I snuck in...I don't remember what everyone else had. Our very fun and friendly server, Daniella (the owner's daughter), started us off with a few baskets of homemade rolls that were absolutely delicious. Since there were 14 of us we got a bunch of appetizers to share and pass around the table. We had 2 orders of Calamari and two of the Suppa's Thinny pizzas and one each of the Stuffed mushrooms, Mussels with white sauce, and Rice balls. I don't think there was a crumb left. The stuffed mushrooms might have been the best I've had and I practically licked the sauce off the plate - some kind of cream sauce made with a touch of love. The pizza was delicious, but I do with it had been left in for about 90 more seconds as I was looking for it to be a little crispier. Otherwise the appetizers were all excellent. For my entree I ordered the Vodka chicken parm over penne. Three big chicken breasts over a good sized portion of penne and slathered in a very creamy vodka sauce. I'm a big fan of vodka sauce and this one was richer than I've had before...it was really tasty. And, because of the appetizers, I actually got two smaller portioned lunches out of this. (To be fair, I would have preferred linguini, but the chicken and sauce were the heroes of the meal so the pasta wasn't THAT important.) I finish up the meal with an espresso and a cannoli (they had run out of tiramisu). I should've gotten a double espresso because the cannoli was huge and I ran out of espresso halfway through the dessert. The cannoli shell was fresh and crispy (so it wasn't pre-filled) and less sweet than most Italian places here in the US. Reminded me of the cannoli in Rome. Not only will I be back, but I've already sent people here who have loved it. Sorry for the lack of photos...

We stopped for late lunch.. excellent choice! Rigatoni…read morew/veal parm, chicken Rosanna.. lunch portions were plentiful, nice presentation, really nice server( college student with fantastic personality!) Prices very reasonable.. We sat in the front dining room-clean , nice Christmas decorations.. there is a more formal dining room in the back. We will definitely be back.

Cannoli

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The Pasta Shop

4.6(828 reviews)

Is it some of the best Italian food I've ever had? It's certainly in the conversation and arguable…read more Been wanting to try this place for years and finally ordered takeout with some friends. Ordered online for dinner and was ready in about 35-40 minutes for pickup. The mozzarella sticks weee amazing, unlike any I've had before. Pasta that's homemade and chicken parm this good is why this place is always busy. I just wished they were open on Sundays.

Was rly excited to try this place after hearing the hype. I came at 6pm on Saturday and waited a…read morebit and was able to get a seat. Totally fine. The food was SO salty - the rigatoni, mozzarella sticks, linguine, carbonara. All beyond salty. Honestly that's ok but the service was horrendous. They were rushing us so much. Cleaning our table, asking us if we need a box mid-meal, it was beyond rude. I feel bad but I will not be coming back. Felt a bit racist tbh.

Seats more or less 25 people

Fettuccine with Mushrooms and Garlic Cream

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Wood oven meatballs

Barka

4.2(317 reviews)

1.4 mi

•$$$

The moment you arrive at Barka, you immediately get a sense of old-world elegance and charm…read more Parking is easy, the staff is incredibly welcoming, and the atmosphere sets the stage for a special evening. We came here to celebrate my husband's 52nd birthday, and the experience did not disappoint. I had called ahead and was pleased that they allowed me to bring a custom cake. I also appreciated the simple yet elegant touches, like the beautifully folded table napkins and a selection of champagne options (bonus points!) Starting off, the grilled octopus with capers, onions, and red peppers was the best I've ever had--simply amazing. It was light, fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. This is an absolute must-order appetizer. For my entrée, I ordered the Diver scallops with grilled asparagus risotto, crab meat, and crispy prosciutto. It was very good--rich, flavorful, and beautifully presented. My husband chose the Halibut with grilled asparagus and butternut squash risotto, and he enjoyed every bite as well. To top off the evening, the staff came out to sing happy birthday, which added another nice touch to the night. The service, ambiance, and food all came together to create an exceptional experience. I would highly recommend Barka for anyone looking for excellent seafood, elegant ambiance, and attentive service. "Because dining is more than food - it's flavor, style and elegance that should be savored one bite at a time." - AMC

Liked this place so much, my wife and I went twice in one week. Stopped by during the week without…read morea res and ended up having a great meal. Had no plans on a Saturday evening and said to my wife, "want to go back to Barka?" Glad we did. This time we order the grilled octopus and it was excellent. Very flavorful with the right amount of char while not being over cooked. The restuarant is very nicely decorated and the staff is very attentive both times we went. Looking forward to going back real soon.

Elegant dining room

Seafood Pappardelle Saffron, scallops, calamari, clams, shrimp, lobster in a light tomato cream

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Lamb Chops Rack (with squash risotto)

Thonglor Thai Bistro

4.3(91 reviews)

My second time dining at Thonglor Thai Bistro and it still has the cute inviting vibe…read more Great service as always - the team was friendly, helpful with recommendations, and quick to bring each course. We ordered a couple of appetizers and entrees to share. Everything tasted great but the crab meat fried rice and calamari were our favorites. Will be going back again.

We rely on this relatively new Thai for appetizers and soup. It's a beautiful place inside but so…read morefar, we only get take out. Their curry puffs are great. Their spring rolls are our must haves. I get their shrimp soup ... not too spicy and a good supply of tasty shrimp too. Prices are on par with other Thai placed. Recommended

Super Bowl Noodle Soup w Shrimp

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Mango sticky rice

Station Restaurant At Mountain

4.1(201 reviews)

2.3 mi

•$$$

Cute and cozy for Valentine's Day…read more They aren't normally open Sundays, but they were for valentines weekend. It was a perfect chance for us to try it. My husband, a history teacher, loved the old train station vibes and I enjoyed all the food. Our drinks and food were delicious. I wish they had told us the tuna dish was sold out before we looked through the menu and tried to order, but we adapted. Our server kind of forgot about us as the night went on, but luckily we are easy people and didn't mind too much. Not sure if I'll come back, but it was great for the occasion.

A group of us met for dinner at The Station this week. The atmosphere of this restaurant is off the…read morecharts. The building was the actual station for the train stop in Mountain Lakes. The walls are all stone which gives this place a very cool vibe. When you first walk in there's a small bar, with dining downstairs. We shared the cold antipasto appetizer, then I ordered the Stuffed Salmon as an entree. The meal was very good with crabmeat inside the salmon. The rice and veggies it was served with were also delicious. I ordered the Grandma's chocolate cake for dessert. This was pretty dense, like a flourless cake, but still good! If you've never been here, I suggest you check it out. It's a very unique place!

Inside

Prince Edward Island Mussels

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Casa Bella

3.9(265 reviews)

0.5 mi

This establishment consistently exceeds expectations and remains a reliable favorite after many…read moreyears in the area. The food is consistently delicious, the service is exemplary and attentive, and the recent renovation introduces a sophisticated modern aesthetic while preserving the venue's characteristic warmth and coziness. A true classic.

Came here for my mother's birthday, and had a great experience, although with a few exceptions…read more Ambiance: A calm and relaxed atmosphere Service: Phenomenal, waiters are always attentive Food: This is where some notations need to be made. Food is priced quite high for what it truly is. Not only that, but each dish we ordered (party of 3) was extremely lacking in seasoning. So lacking to the point that we had to salt and pepper our food numerous times while eating. What truly saved our night was the impeccable service and attention to detail. We did not send our food back, though I'm sure if we did it would have been corrected. That's why I believe 4 stars is appropriate.

Artichoke appetizer.

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Yes please!!!

Caffe Navona

4.4(306 reviews)

1.6 mi

•$$$

Oh boy, so I'm from out of town...we'll call it Texas. Anyway I was snookered the first night here,…read morewent to a nice Italian restaurant that was BYOB...well I didn't have a B so couldn't really do the BYO....to wrap up the B. So I had pasta, desert, and ice water. Well....not to be tricked again, went to the Shop Rite, and got myself 4 bottles for car inventory! The nice ladies commented on my purchases, and upon explaining my planned next stop to the next BYOB I'd found...they said OH-NO honey you need to go yo Caffe Navona, they'll get you a bottle of wine and they're the best Italian around. So.....here I go, walked in to the nicest bar and bartender (Florida) first thing made sure I could get a bottle of wine and then the rest was awesome. Some sort of Caprese with a little different cheese and maybe better than the usual....spaghetti Bolognese (OMG) and a Limoncello desert. All around just GREAT!!!

Another Review from a poor man. This was a place I wanted…read moreto try for a long while. Finally went for my birthday. The food was good and the service was excellent. My only two gripes are that it is a bit pricier than I would have liked to have spent and the chicken parm was average, to me, for the money spent. Everyone else's dish was fantastic!

Inside

Sunday sauce with meatball, sausage, (one other meat I have forgotten)

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Outside dining

Uncle Momo

3.7(12 reviews)

0.0 mi

Stopped into Uncle Momo's on the 1st rainy/snowy night if the season, and was pleasantly surprised…read moreby the warm inviting atmosphere of this recent addition to the Denville downtown. Inside was an eclectic little mix of memorabilia in a cozy atmosphere with a warm greeting from the owner. We tried the Babaganoush and Moutabal Beets served with pita that were warm, light, and still full of air fresh from the oven. The Babaganoush was very good with fresh pomegranate and olives. The Beets were packed full of flavor and perfectly balanced with lemon juice and pomegranate molasses. For Dinner we tried the chicken Ouzi, with fresh vegetables and just the right balance of spice inside a flakey phyllo crust. Hubby had the Beef Shawarma and also enjoyed every bite. So nice to have a Mediterranean option in town, and we will definitely be back to try more of the menu options. Price wise rate as 'OK', pretty average but some portions small for cost, but we certainly didn't leave hungry.

what drew us in was the store front itself was very a warm and inviting atmosphere. Very well…read moredecorated. where the restaurant lacked was quality of food for the price point. I ordered the eggs benedict which came out nice and quick. downside was the hollandaise sauce was foamy, watery, and had no taste instead of a rich and creamy sauce. i had to add salt to this which is abnormal for me when going out to eat. also the english muffin itself was stale and not toasted enough. the dish came with potato's which weren't anything special but oddly enough the side salad was the best part of meal. highlight of the restaurant was the fun funky tunes

Cafe Metro

3.7(198 reviews)

Cafe Metro in Denville is a place I've had bookmarked for quite a while as somewhere I need to get…read moreto. I've also had friends recommend it, so I was very happy that my wife and I had an opportunity to have dinner there last night. This is a relatively small restaurant right in the heart of Denville with indoor and outdoor seating. On a Wednesday night it was relatively quiet and we didn't need a reservation. The menu is really varied with lots of different options, many on the healthy side. We started off by sharing an appetizer of Chicken Lemongrass Dumplings. These were delicious with a nice spice to them. For entrees, my wife had the chicken and eggplant and I had almond encrusted salmon. Both were very good, if I had to order again, I would have chosen my wife's dish instead. That said, the salmon served with mashed potatoes and spinach was still very good. Prices are very reasonable. Parking is easy with a lot nearby. Denville is one of my favorite towns and Cafe Metro will be a place I'll be coming back to!

Super slow service. And forgot several items. Never brought us bread. Had to remind her to bring…read moresparkling water.