ThreeBestRated.com
BEST RATED NEWARK, NJ AMERICAN RESTAURANTS

3 Best American Restaurants in Newark, NJ

Expert-recommended Top 3 American Restaurants in Newark, New Jersey. All of our american cuisines actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

NICO Kitchen + Bar - Newark, NJ American Restaurants - Dish Image
NICO Kitchen + Bar - Newark, NJ American Restaurants - Restaurant Entrance Image
NICO Kitchen + Bar - Newark, NJ American Restaurants - Service Highlights
Best American Restaurants in Newark NJ - NICO Kitchen + Bar video
7+ YEARS IN TBR
CALL EMAIL

NICO KITCHEN + BAR

(5.0 Score)
1 Center Street,
Newark, NJ 07102 Directions

Since 2012

Specialty:

✓ Chicken Pot Pie ✓ Wild Mushroom Risotto ✓ Shrimp Scampi ✓ Grilled Atlantic Salmon ✓ New York Strip Steak ✓ Pan Seared Arctic Char ✓ Grass Fed Burger ✓ Maryland Fish Cake ✓ Short Rib ✓ Soup Du Jour ✓ Classic Caesar ✓ Asian Cabbage Salad ✓ Watercress Salad ✓ Hot Honey Wings ✓ Warm Buttermilk Biscuits ✓ Margherita Pizza ✓ Shrimp Bruschetta ✓ Hummus + Crudite ✓ Baked Feta + Tomato Dip ✓ Crispy Brussels Sprouts ✓ Grass Fed Burger ✓ Buttermilk Fried Chicken ✓ Nico Blt

"NICO Kitchen + Bar offers a special set menu at a good price, made to quickly serve guests attending events at NJPAC. The service is smooth and timely, so everyone gets their meal without delay. The head chef Andrew Watterson trained at the Culinary Institute of America and gained hands-on experience working in many kitchens. Their award-winning team is always ready to give you a great time, with good music, tasty food, and a fun, welcoming atmosphere. NICO Kitchen + Bar is great for special events, with private rooms that can host groups from 20 to 200 people. The restaurant is kid-friendly and offers free parking. They also serve great cocktails and vegan dishes. NICO Kitchen + Bar accepts AMEX, Discover, Mastercard and Visa for payments.

2026 Update: NICO Kitchen + Bar offers gift cards and table reservations. The restaurant is located in New Jersey Performing Arts Center."

Reviews | Play Video | Write a Review
License #0400198922

Price:

Mains
Chicken Pot Pie: $35.00
Wild Mushroom Risotto: $31.00
Shrimp Scampi: $33.00
Grilled Atlantic Salmon: $39.00
New York Strip Steak: $52.00
Pan Seared Arctic Char: $39.00
Grass Fed Burger: $29.00
Maryland Fish Cake: $31.00
Short Rib: $45.00
Soup, Salads + Appetizers
Soup Du Jour: $14.00
Classic Caesar: $18.00
Asian Cabbage Salad: $19.00
Watercress Salad: $21.00
Hot Honey Wings: $19.00
Warm Buttermilk Biscuits: $12.00
Margherita Pizza: $18.00
Shrimp Bruschetta: $17.00
Hummus + Crudite: $15.00
Baked Feta + Tomato Dip: $20.00
Crispy Brussels Sprouts: $15.00
Sandwiches
Grass Fed Burger: $29.00
Buttermilk Fried Chicken: $26.00
Nico Blt: $24.00

Contact:

(973) 297-5855 (888) 696-5722

Tue-Fri: 11:30am - 8pm
Sat: 3pm - 8pm
Sun & Mon: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

Central Restaurant - Newark, NJ American Restaurants - Dish Image
Central Restaurant - Newark, NJ American Restaurants - Restaurant Entrance Image
Central Restaurant - Newark, NJ American Restaurants - Service Highlights
Best American Restaurants in Newark NJ - Central Restaurant video
5+ YEARS IN TBR
CALL EMAIL

CENTRAL RESTAURANT

(4.9 Score)
30 Central Avenue,
Newark, NJ 07102 Directions

Since 1977

Specialty:

✓ Greek Omelette ✓ Spinach and Feta Omelette ✓ Mushroom Omelette and Swiss ✓ Veggie Omelette ✓ Western Omelette ✓ Super Omelette ✓ Pastrami Swiss Omelette ✓ Broccoli Swiss Omelette ✓ Italian Omelette ✓ Protein Omelette ✓ Spanish Omelette ✓ Corned Beef Omelette ✓ Bagel and Butter ✓ Bagel and Cream-cheese ✓ Bagel Peanut Butter ✓ Muffins ✓ Danish ✓ Apple Turnover ✓ Donuts ✓ Pastrami or Corned Beef ✓ Big Boy ✓ Egg Sandwich ✓ Tuna Melt ✓ Cheeseburger ✓ Bacon Cheeseburger ✓ Hamburger ✓ Mozzarella Burger ✓ Swiss Burger ✓ Supreme Burger ✓ Turkey Burger ✓ Texas Burger

"Central Restaurant is a family-run diner that serves classic American comfort food like club sandwiches, pork chops, and meatloaf. This is a cozy, old-school spot known for its homestyle cooking and friendly service. The chefs use a special secret ingredient to make the food taste extra good. One of the top recommended dishes is Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, and Grits. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They offer take-out, delivery, and have wheelchair access. You can also order your favorite dishes from home. They also serve vegetarian dishes. Their Central Special is served with bacon, sausage and ham.

2026 Update: Central Restaurant provides a weekend brunch and Catering services."

Reviews | Play Video | Write a Review
License #0450150839

Price:

OMELETTE:
Greek Omelette: $11.95
Spinach & Feta Omelette: $11.95
Mushroom Omelette & Swiss: $11.95
Veggie Omelette: $11.95
Western Omelette: $13.95
Super Omelette: $14.95
Pastrami Swiss Omelette: $12.95
Broccoli Swiss Omelette: $11.95
Italian Omelette: $13.95
Protein Omelette: $14.95
Spanish Omelette: $12.95
Corned Beef Omelette: $13.95
BAGEL AND MUFFINS:
Bagel & Butter: $2.50
Bagel & Cream-Cheese: $3.00
Bagel Peanut Butter: $3.00
Muffins: $3.50
Danish: $3.95
Apple Turnover: $3.25
Donuts: $2.25
HOT SANDWICHES:
Tuna Melt: $9.95
Potato & Egg: $5.25
Bacon & Egg: $6.50
Taylor Ham & Egg: $6.50
Ham & Egg: $6.50
Sausage & Egg: $6.50
Western Sandwich: $7.50
Turkey Bacon & Egg: $7.00
Turkey Sausage & Egg: $7.00
Big Boy: $8.95
Egg Sandwich: $2.95
Egg & Cheese: $3.95

Contact:

(973) 623-8137

Mon-Fri: 6am - 4pm
Sat: 6am - 3pm
Sun: 7am - 3pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

The Yard - Newark, NJ American Restaurants - Dish Image
The Yard - Newark, NJ American Restaurants - Restaurant Entrance Image
The Yard - Newark, NJ American Restaurants - Service Highlights
Best American Restaurants in Newark NJ - The Yard video
CALL EMAIL

THE YARD

(4.8 Score)
55 Park Place,
Newark, NJ 07102 Directions

Since 2020

Specialty:

✓ The Oxtail ✓ The Shrimp ✓ The Walla Lamb ✓ The Walla Chicken ✓ The Beyond ✓ Paratha Patty Melt ✓ The Fried Breast ✓ The Chopped Thigh ✓ The Fish Filay ✓ Seoul Sista Fried Rice ✓ Zanzi Fries ✓ Rasta Pasta Salad ✓ The Fade ✓ The Black Joy ✓ Like Brutus ✓ Chicken Wings ✓ Cauli Bombs ✓ Chicken Tenders ✓ Best Hot Dog ✓ Unity Chicken Sausage ✓ Hand-cut Fries ✓ Sweet Potato Tots ✓ Side Salad ✓ Georgia Pound Cake

"The Yard serves delicious comfort food with flavors from the African diaspora, including the American South, the Caribbean, and Coastal Africa. The restaurant is located in Military Park. This is a warm, welcoming place for people to come together, share ideas, and celebrate culture. The Yard brings people together through food, music, and culture, all made with love. High chairs are available for kids. The Oxtail Combo features a 5-oz patty made from tender, slow-cooked oxtail and premium beef, grilled just right. It’s topped with gruyère cheese, tomato, dill pickles, and crispy shallots, finished with a Masala Sauce glaze, and served on a toasted brioche bun. Online orders and takeout are also available.

2026 Update: The Yard offers catering service. For a private party, they can seat up to about 30 people, and also accommodate 50 guests standing."

Reviews | Play Video | Write a Review

Price:

Burgers
The Oxtail $16.00
The Shrimp $16.00
The Walla Lamb $15.00
The Walla Chicken $11.00
The Beyond $14.00
Paratha Patty Melt
Sandwiches
The Fried Breast $12.00
The Chopped Thigh $11.00
The Fish Filayyyyyyy $12.00
Pass That
Seoul Sista Fried Rice $17.00
Zanzi Fries $10.00
Rasta Pasta Salad $10.00
Salad
The Fade $15.00
The Black Joy $15.00
Like Brutus $15.00
Wings
Chicken Wings $10.00
Cauli Bombs $10.00
Chicken Tenders $7.00
Handheld
Best Hot Dog $6.00
Unity Chicken Sausage $8.00
Sides
Hand-Cut Fries $5.00
Sweet Potato Tots $6.00
Side Salad $5.00
Desserts
Georgia Pound Cake $6.00

Contact:

(973) 273-0033

Tue-Sat: 12pm - 9pm
Sun & Mon: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

Video

Write a Review for The Yard

Our Review Process:

  • All reviews matter:We publish both positive and negative reviews to provide a balanced perspective.
  • No censorship: Businesses cannot pay to remove or modify negative reviews.
  • Verification process: All reviews are checked for authenticity and compliance with our community guidelines before publication.
  • Fair representation: We display reviews of all ratings (1–5 stars) to help users make informed decisions.
  • Independence: We are not affiliated with the businesses we review and receive no compensation for favorable ratings.

Your honest opinion helps others make better choices. Whether your experience was excellent, average, or disappointing, we want to hear from you. For more details, check Community Review Guidelines.

Contact Business

NICO KITCHEN + BAR REVIEWS

Nico was surprisingly good for a restaurant in an event space. The prices are very reasonable, food was great and the service was prompt, friendly (& funny) and we really enjoyed it. We went to a concert and made reservations before the show. It was a great way to start the evening, enjoy the company and the food. We will be nack.

The food was delicious Chef Courtney made a great presentation of the food and service was outstanding. The food came at a timely manner and the drinks also was served with courtesy from friendly bartenders. And also the waiters was amazing.

Atmosphere was very calm and smooth .Nirah was an excellent host and made sure all are needs were met.Very pleasant.Ray the bartender was great loved every single drink.

These reviews are provided for information purposes and to help you make informed decisions.

To share your experience, click here or send it to reviews@threebestrated.com.

We will display both positive and negative reviews. All submitted reviews are published after verification for authenticity and compliance with our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Community Review Guidelines.

CENTRAL RESTAURANT REVIEWS

I come here all of the time. This establishment gives me more of a family diner feel. The food is very good and very well cooked. The resturant stays clean no matter what day I come in. The staff is very professional. If you are not staying my advice is order your food ahead of time because parking is street parking only unless you park in the paid lot next to them.

I had an early breakfast here after taking a red-eye to EWR. From the moment you walk in, you can tell you’re in for a great, no-fuss meal. I ordered an omelette and grits—the food was delicious, and the service was warm and genuine. I highly recommend stopping by if you're in town. Places like this deserve our support so they can stick around for years to come.

The staff is very attending and sweet! They give you a lot of food. Everything is cooked to perfection. I'm a repeat offender with them every other week. A place, cozy, on the corner in a big city! It's literally a gem.

THE YARD REVIEWS

Our waitress was Aniyah and she was amazing. She convinced me to go with the Oxtail Burger. I am glad I did! Seasoned well, lots of flavor and cooked perfect. My colleague ordered the lamb burger and he really enjoyed it too. We both got the sweet potato tater tots. I got mine dusted with brown sugar. I’m definitely going back.

The food was fabulous I strongly recommend the Lamb Burger but honestly everything was great, the customer service was amazing(thank you Aniyah). Definitely a hidden gem in Newark, my daughter and I will be back VERY SOON love it here.

Cute spot serving great food and customer service. I had the lamb burger and it was delicious. Our waiter was very patient with all of our questions.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

NICO KITCHEN + BAR Total Inspection Points: 119/120
Reviews Accuracy of : 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Hours: 10
Menu Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Online Order: 10
Pricing: 10
Extensive Menu: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

CENTRAL RESTAURANT Total Inspection Points: 118/120
Pricing: 9
Reviews Accuracy of : 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Hours: 10
Menu Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Online Order: 10
Extensive Menu: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

THE YARD Total Inspection Points: 116/120
Pricing: 9
Reviews Accuracy of : 9
Social Media: 9
Extensive Menu: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Hours: 10
Menu Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10