2020 has been a tough year for everyone. With the global pandemic, life has changed so much and practices like wearing a mask, frequent hand-washing and social distancing have become the new norm. Along with all of that, the way we dine at restaurants has changed too. Outdoor dining is the new way to dine at your favorite restaurants and eateries while social distancing is still in effect.

After four long months of quarantine, my husband and I went out for our first (much needed!) outdoor dining experience and we had such an amazing time! It felt so good to get out of the house and enjoy some alone time (kid-free!) We have made sure to plan at least 1 or 2 outdoor date nights a month and we have found some gems along the way. Here are some of our favorite outdoor dining restaurants in northeast New Jersey.

Mama Juana

Mama Juana is one of my favorite restaurants, even pre-pandemic. It’s a Latin Restaurant and Lounge. There are several locations in NJ but my favorite is in Paterson. I just prefer the menu and ambiance at this location over the others.
The food is mainly Latin cuisine and every dish I have tried is delicious. I’m obsessed with their Latin infused sushi rolls, specifically “El Ninja.” It consists of shrimp tempura, fried cheese, sweet plantain, topped with sweet chili shrimp & guacamole. Need I say more?!

Hookah is also available upon request and the drinks are amazing too. I recommend anything in mango or passionfruit flavor!

Son Cubano

Son Cubano was the restaurant we went to for our first date night post-quarantine. The outdoor dining experience is so beautiful with scenic views of the Hudson River and NYC skyline. The food is just as amazing as well. I must warn you though, portions are very small so if you like to eat until you’re stuffed, this is probably not the right place for you. Even after enjoying appetizers and an entree, I wasn’t quite satisfied. But being that it was our first time outside in months, we were enjoying every second. The great service and amazing views made up for their super small dishes.

I would definitely go there again, even if only for their guacamole. It’s phenomenal!

Ventanas

Ventanas offers an extraordinary dining experience! Their outdoor area was beautiful and reminded me of a garden with a lot of greenery all around. The food is a bit pricey but everything was of the best quality, delicious and very appealing to the eye with vibrantly colored garnishes and elegant displays.

The service was exceptional as the staff was very friendly and accommodating and our server went above and beyond to ensure we were happy with everything. I highly recommend this restaurant for a romantic dinner date or even a night out with the girls. You won’t be disappointed!

Hudson and Co.

Hudson and Co. is not as upscale as Son Cubano and Ventanas but the views are just as amazing being right on the Hudson River. We enjoyed a romantic sunset dinner which lit up the skyline so beautifully. It was a sight I’ll never forget.

The food selection is great. From brick oven pizza to sushi to appetizers like truffle tator tots and bacon mac and cheese, you’ll be sure to find the perfect comfort food. If you have a sweet tooth, I suggest you order Bella’s warm cookie skillet served with Tahitian vanilla gelato, fresh whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. It’s as good as it sounds!

The service was amazing as well and our tummies were very satisfied upon leaving. I highly recommend this place!

Battello

Battello is another restaurant right on the Hudson with breathtaking views of the skyline. It offers a contemporary Italian, seafood-influenced menu. The pasta dishes are served in either small portion or large portion and although pricey, the food is absolutely delicious.

They also offer an exquisite selection of wines from reds to whites, rosé and sparkling. As for dessert, they don’t offer the traditional Italian tiramisu but they do have zeppoles which immediately caught my attention. They were served warm, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and accompanied with three delicious dipping sauces.

I highly recommend this restaurant for great food and wine!

Blue Eyes

Blue Eyes is a restaurant located in Hoboken, NJ which honors Hoboken’s very own, Frank Sinatra. It offers an authentic Italian cuisine and brick oven pizza experience. In addition to amazing food, the views of New York City are spectacular.

My husband ordered Tagliolini All’ Amalfitana and I ordered Penne Allá Vodka, both exceptionally delicious. Upon first bite we both were instantly reminded of our honeymoon trip to Paris where we had the best pasta dishes ever.

The pizza menu is quite extensive, with options of red or white pizza. We didn’t order pizza this time but will definitely be back to try it out. The website states their “wood burning oven is made out of bricks that have been flown from Naples, Italy, to offer the most authentic pizza Napoletana.” I’m pretty sure it’s out if this world!

For dessert, they offer traditional Italian sweets like tiramisu and gelato in a variety of flavors. They even make Nutella pizza! There’s definitely something for every sweet tooth. I highly recommend this restaurant if you’re ever in the area.

If you visit any of these restaurants, please be sure to tag me in photos on social media at @curlsnpearlsss. Also, subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss a thing! Xo