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    The Caves

    4.0 (745 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

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    THE CAVES ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Intimate
    Classy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - The Caves

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    Cilantro Chicken Quesadilla
    Yuna C.

    It's been 9 years since I came to Cafe Archetypus (former name) and it was and still is popular for their indulgent desserts, but I was pleasantly surprised by the savory/main dish options. The portions are large, so definitely leave room for dessert! As the theme is caves, the interior will be dark but each table has some candles to help with the lighting.

    Briana F.

    We were traveling from out of town and were running late. The owner was able to accommodate us close to closing time and that's the reason I love this place!! Every time I come to visit NJ I always try to make it out to the caves. The food is great and the service is wonderful.

    She A.

    Came here on a late Friday night with a friend for dessert and some vibes. We didn't have a reservation so we had to wait twenty minutes or so for a table for 2. We had the option to wait by door or the first room which had tables and chair. There is metered parking on the street. This place is very unique. Its dimly lighted with some nice vibey music. So it would be perfect for a date night. We got seated at a booth-like table that had a had sculpture in the front of the table while the table faced the towards the front of the restaurant. All the tables were very private and you can definitely hold conversations without being drowned out by the music. We only came here for dessert and coffee, We tried to ordered the Scarlet Witch but they ran out, So instead w3e opted for the Dark Desire and cappuccino. OMG.... This desert is so delicious and decadent. it was soo good, The ice cream and cake were both tasty. The service was wonderful and the ambiance was out of this world. Would definitely come back for more.

    Dessert and beverage menu as of 06.23.2023
    David Y.

    Came here on a Sunday night, pretty late too. This is the first time I been here since it was formally Archetypus. Same vibes with great dessert and coffee options. Got the zelorella sundae ($15.95) which had Kit Kat in it and was good. Also got the tiramisu delight ($19.95) which comes with ice cream and it was really good. I highly recommend the tiramisu delight. If you want late/date night with good dessert and coffee, I highly recommend this spot. * Open late for dessert * Street parking

    Chicken Gyro Platter
    Shurida L.

    You can bring your own bottle which I love. The hummus was sooo good. I ordered the gyro platter with chicken, very delicious. The service was amazing, the waiter was very attentive. This place is perfect for a date night, lots of privacy, low lights. I would definitely come back.

    Cheesecake
    Bea R.

    Cute concept, poor execution. 1.) It's called Cafe Archetypus, but it's not a traditional cafe environment. This is not the type of place you come to for a coffee or to do work. It operates like a full restaurant. 2.) The romantic, dim, cave-like ambiance realllllllllly carries most of the weight here. It's the main attraction. Honestly? It is too damn dark in there... They have candles on the table, but you're most likely going to have to use the flashlight on your iPhone to even see the menu. 3.) The food is comically overpriced for what they serve you. How can I describe the quality of the food here? It's like high school cafeteria food. Mass produced and most likely bought at your local grocery store to be reheated later... They have Mexican and Mediterranean dishes on their menu, but they lack any type of flavor... Premium prices for poor quality food? Be forreal LOL. $18-$20 for a "deluxe" brownie dessert... $14 for a "truffled potato chips appetizer".... that are actually RUFFLES Original... STOPPPP LOL $7-$10 for non-alcoholic drinks... (it's BYOB) Not even sure if it's worth coming here just for the cave experience. If anything, SKIP the food and just go for drinks. Not worth the $$$ and calories.

    Lava Chocolate
    Maria C.

    The food is always amazing. I've been here a couple of times and can say that the food is always great. The service is good. The ambiance is nice to go on a date, with friends or just to try something different. Love the setup of the place.

    Late night cravings.
    Jose P.

    Cafe Archetypus was, once again, outstanding. Their unique cave sitting areas are amazing.  The service is very good, every item comes in large portions, and all....delicious..... especially the desserts. We ordered Chicken Quesadillas, The Mediterranean Platter, and the Orion Sundae. The Chai Latte and Mixed Berry Smoothie were just as good as the entrees. If you've never been here.....VISIT, SOON.  You will enjoy their unique environment and great service.

    Cave rules
    Caterina V.

    Very romantic, clean, low lighting, smooth music, and good food and service. Have been going to this place for years!

    Santo Jordan wrap

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    10 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Kind of cheesy decor, forgettable food but it's convenient place to meet friends. eh.

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    13 years ago

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    9 years ago

    The ambience is amazing as are the desserts but the food itself was like a three when it comes to flavor

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    12 years ago

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    7 years ago

    The food was ok but dessert was amazing. Service however was quite atrocious and gratuity was included for our large party.

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    17 years ago

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    10 years ago

    This place looks like the set from legends of the hidden temple lmao. Good deserts though

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    Page 14 of 19

    Ask the Community - The Caves

    Do I jusy show up with a small cooler with beer and wine or no small cooler allowed?

    Would you say this is a place one could do some work on a laptop on a friday evening?

    I wouldn't suggest working on a laptop here. The lighting is super dim - it's not your typical cafe.

    Do they have vegan desserts?

    I dont remember seeing any vegan dessert on the menu but you can always call and make sure because i could be wrong

    Where is parking? is it free?

    Theres a parking lot across the st and you can park there for free its probably like a block away or so from the restaurant

    Maybe 25 years ago I went to a place called Cafe Enigma? Is this the same place or location?

    I think the old name was The Cave

    BYOB?? Do they sell alcohol?

    It is a BYOB, wines. No hard liquor like vodka, or tequila.

    Hi I would like to take my girlfriend out tonight? Do you have any openings for a 7 or 730 reservation?

    I dont think they do reservations

    Can someone please help me out , 1st can i get my own champagne , 2nd will the worker in cafe help…

    Yes and yes

    Is this BYOB?

    Hello Deanna, Yes, we are BYOB... NJ recognizes Wine & Beer as acceptable bottle, no hard liquor...

    Do I need to call to make reservations for a party of 4? For tonight like 830pm?

    I don't think they do reservations. It's first come first serve is what u was told

    Do they serve any halal meat here?

    I dont remember seeing that on the menu but you can always call and ask i could be wrong

    How is the food here if I take my 15 year old daughter and a couple of friends for her birthday?

    The food is great for teens. I recommend the quesadilla and their desserts.

    Hi, I'm trying to plan a birthday night out with some of my friends. I was thinking about coming here right when it opens to avoid waiting. I was wondering if this place would be ok for a group of 7 or 8? Thank you in advance for answers. :)

    Probably not, unless they have a separate area for parties! The whole place is meant more for dates I would say. Everyone is quiet and the ambience isn't exactly friendly for people to talk across the table or be super loud at all. The lighting is… Read more

    View All 14 Questions

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    Maison Pickle - 24 Layer Vanilla Confetti Cake

    Maison Pickle

    4.2(2.2k reviews)
    1.7 miUpper West Side
    $$$

    First time trying this restaurant and overall 10/10. We walked in with no reservations and were…read morepromptly greeted, as well as accommodated. Garlic Parmesan pull apart bread was awesome, buttery and fresh. My steak was cooked just right along with fresh frites. My date ordered the fried chicken Caesar salad and it was a hefty serving, good enough for two to split. Nice spot for a date night (also located across the street from AMC) and saw plenty of big groups of up to eight people.

    Been eager to visit this place after seeing a video of their pull apart break. It is VERY busy and…read morea reservation IS necessary. We visited with a party of 7 at 9pm on a Friday which just so happened to be their first night doing a burlesque show. What a fun watch! I was, however, wondering the whole time if the people outside could see. Is that allowed?? Even though we did have a resy, it still took a hot minute to get our table (whole party does have to be present before you're seated, but even then it took a while). I will say it seems like the staff is overstretched. Service was slow and so by the time we got most of our food, it was unfortunately a little too cool. Additionally, one member of my party ordered their vodka pasta, which besides being almost flavorless and cold, there was also a random potato in there (?). I wasn't too impressed with their garlic & parm bread, there could've been more garlic and it would have benefitted from them cutting it in half and adding more butter in the middle. The honey butter was good though, but that's because they plop it on top so you can control how much or how little you'd like. I do think they have a pretty decent Caesar salad. The dressing didn't scream homemade (which I didn't like) but it was overall a respectable offering. The steak frites was perfectly cooked to medium rare for me and the fries were delicious and plentiful (I didn't finish them). Like I mentioned earlier, because everything took so long to come out, it was a little cooler than I would've preferred, but I was happy with my choice. I would've loved to try their chocolate cake, but I was pretty full and the speed of service had left a bad taste in my mouth. I wouldn't completely disqualify this place, but I would recommend trying to find a less busier time to visit.

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    Maison Pickle - Pull Apart Honey and Butter Bread was the Beyoncé at the table.

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    Pull Apart Honey and Butter Bread was the Beyoncé at the table.

    The Caves - coffee - Updated May 2026

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