Any old-timers out there remember when this was The Nutley Pub? (As one Yelper wrote, "Not the…read moreclassiest bar but..." - which perfectly summed up the last place.) Now going strong for well over a decade (?!) - Cowan's is classy and cool and leans into its strengths. Easily the hippest and most-happening spot in Nutley (and the surrounding towns) for the 'mature crowd' that's probably more interested in mash and hops and wort than getting hammered and making bad decisions at last call. The (ever rotating) beers on tap are stellar. The selection of bottles (of the harder stuff) on the picturesque back bar are eye-catching (even if I never heard of half of them). (After a few visits I still haven't tried the food. One of these days I'll get around to that, I promise.) Recommended, for sure.

Came for happy hour! LOVED the truffle fries -- we couldn't stop eating them. They have a great…read morehappy hour special & have week day specials depending on the day. We ordered the Tuesday $25 appetizer sampler - the fried pickles & wings were my fav. The restaurant itself was very cute & had a cozy vibe. Service was very friendly. Definitely would come back - great spot to catch up with friends. It was street parking also!

Went on a Sunday around brunch time but if you're in the mood for brunch food items, they don't…read morehave that. Lol so this more lunch/ earlier dinner if you're going at 11am. They do have coffee so that's a plus. And the coffee is made with a French press. Very tasty. They have a good menu. Something for everyone. We started off with the guacamole app and clam chowder. The guacamole is plentiful and tasty. Also the salsa was delish too. My table patrons didn't like the clam chowder. They said it was too salty. For the mains we ordered the roasted chicken, hot chicken sandwich and the Cajun seafood alfredo The Hot chicken was divine and huge. You won't be disappointed with that one. Good amount of spice. The roasted chicken was lemon rosemary jus was delicious as well. I ordered the pasta which was supposed to come with jumbo shrimp and andouille sausage. As soon as I received my dish I asked the waitress where the sausage was, she couldn't answer but went to get her manager. The manager said normally it's under the pasta. Still, no sausage in the pasta. They apologized and made the sausage and added it to the pasta. I wish that was the only issue. The menu states that it's a cajun Alfredo sauce and hate to say but this was just bland. Not flavorful at all. 2 waiters recommended it but I'm not sure why. I'd give it a 2.5 out of 5. The portion size was good but again no real taste. Overall this was a nice place. I just need to study the menu and read more reviews about what to order here.

Came here on a Friday with my boyfriend. We got Angelina as our server. She was my server the last…read moretime I ate at the restaurant. Angelina is very nice, friendly and courteous. If you get her as your server, it's a start to a pleasant and great meal. Angelina knows what she's talking about! One feedback would be to learn how to better time the serving of the foods. We got our soup and shrimp cocktail as starters but literally 3 minutes later, our entrees were served to the table. Our entrees got cold while we tried to finish our starters. Please look to have the servers better time the serving of entrees AFTER the starters are finished. I had the New England Clam Chowder and the Prime rib. The clam chowder was tasty but lacked clams. They added andouille sausage to the chowder to give it a nice tasty twist but this should not have taken away from the amount of clams expected in a clam chowder. Prime rib was a good thick cut. But served warm and almost at room temperature. Not exactly how I would like my prime rib. Shoe string fries were tasty. My boyfriend ordered the Clam Chowder and Shrimp Cocktail as starters, followed by Cajun Sea Pasta and a bunch of side dishes - southern Coke slaw, black beans and rice and the loaded baked potato. Shrimps in the shrimp cocktail was good sized shrimp topped with old bay seasoning. The pasta was seasoned just right, very tasty and delicious. Cole slaw was crunchy which meant the Cole slaw was freshly made and not sitting in the sauce for too long. Loaded baked potato was of good size and baked to the right softness. Black beans and rice was the only side dish that was a bit too salty but went great when mixed with the baked potato. Overall, we were impressed with Angelina's services, friendliness of the staff and quality of the foods.

Stopped by for their happy hour specials which were delicious!…read moreDrink specials were fantastic but the food was even better. Mussels, wings and an espresso martini? Where can you go wrong. My husband and I went early and the bartender was great. Super attentive and quick with everything. The mussels were honestly delicious, the sauce was super flavorful. I'd get them everytime!

This place stands out thanks to the bartender Christy ! She is Super personable, attentive, and…read moreskilled at making great drinks. It made the whole experience feel special. We always come here for the happy hour Oysters deals. This time we ordered mussels and potato skin. They were all delicious! We love this place!

5/17/26: Always had a wonderful experience at Sonoma Bistro Bar & Grill…read more Today was the first time ever for Brunch. Overall, it was an excellent experience. They have indoor and outdoor seating. The place always has a cool indoor and outdoor vibe! The patio seating has colorful umbrellas on the ceiling. Please check out my video. It was such a beautiful day we had wanted to eat outside. Outside seating was packed. However, the manager brought a table out to the patio for us. Talk about excellent customer service! We had a delicious meal: Banana French Toast and a Pernil Benedict along with a Coconut Mojito and Cosmo. During our visit, the server kept coming around filling everyone's glasses with water. Besides HH & Dinner, Sonoma Bistro & Grill is great for brunch!

First time at Sonoma Bistro Bar and it did not disappoint! The atmosphere is super inviting -- they…read morehad a DJ playing live music which gave the place such great energy. The patio is definitely a highlight, spacious and cozy at the same time . Our food came out quickly and everything was delicious. Drinks were on point and the service was friendly and attentive. It's also a cool spot to watch the game while having dinner. I'll definitely be coming back -- Sonoma is a gem in the area!

We love this place. We recently found out about it because we saw a few social media videos talking…read moreabout their daily specials and new management which enticed us because we didn't know much about what they offered before. They have great happy hour specials and staff who are there to honor the deals and give you a fun experience. Nothing worse than walking into a bar because of an advertised deal and the bartender charging you full price because they didn't know anything about the deal. That doesn't happen here which is huge!!! They have multiple TVs and seating areas, which make it perfect for watching sports. Drinks are great and food is delicious. We love the chicken quesadilla and wings. The espresso martini was surprisingly good. We love their drink pitchers as well. Overall you can tell they care about the community, and want to offer a reliable and fun experience in an area that doesn't have too many bars like this. We have returned multiple times since the first time because we love the consistency, fun events, and friendly staff. The only thing they could improve on is the music. When there's a DJ, it's a great night, but when it's up to Touch Tunes there's room for improvement. We still will return whenever we are looking for a good time!

Food & drinks was good when me and my friends went on the weekdays. We tried to go on UFC night…read morebut the experience was meh. They had a DJ play music the whole fight card except for the last main match. I mean, they should just have him play between rounds or something. The pork sliders were cold too but the server was good and consistent throughout the night with cold beers.

Arrived early at 5:00 and was treated to something you rarely find in a great restaurant -- peace…read moreand quiet. What a way to start the evening. The arch-roofed dining room is absolutely charming, with whimsical colorful chandeliers and a warmth that pulls you right in. There's also a gorgeous globe-lit back patio that looks like it's seen some unforgettable evenings. BYOB at a restaurant this good? Yes. Take advantage of it. The menu is fixed-price, four courses with three options each -- simple, elegant, and unpretentious. Cash discount in March is a nice bonus too. Now the food -- where do I start. The **Roasted Candied Beets Carpaccio** was visually stunning and tasted even better. Blood Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette, Burrata, Prosciutto -- every flavor had its own moment. The **Crab Cake** was loaded with fresh, quality crab -- the chive oil pairing was spot on. But the showstopper? **Venison Wellington.** Tender, perfectly seasoned, and not something you see on many menus. I would order it again without hesitation. Finished with a peanut butter, chocolate and banana dessert paired with an espresso -- an absolutely perfect ending. The staff was warm, attentive, and somehow never made you feel rushed or hovered over. That's a gift. Easily one of the best dining experiences I've had. Highly recommend -- just bring your favorite bottle and your appetite.

This charming little café is truly a hidden gem, especially if you're looking for a unique dining…read moreexperience. The outdoor garden patio is absolutely beautiful, filled with flowers, lush greenery, and tranquil water fountains that create an enchanting atmosphere. It's also BYOB, which is a nice touch. The menu changes seasonally and offers a prix fixe option: two savory courses plus dessert for $95, or three savory courses plus dessert for $125. The staff was exceptional, polite, attentive, and very accommodating throughout our meal. A few things to keep in mind if you choose to dine outdoors: since you're eating in a garden, you may encounter a few ants or mosquitoes. It wasn't overwhelming, but it's something to expect. Also, the portion sizes are on the smaller side. As for the food, I thought it was good, but I didn't love it, especially considering the price. We ordered the crab cake, burger, crème brûlée, and venison. The crab cake and crème brûlée were both beautifully presented and delicious. However, the burger was undercooked, and my date found the venison to be quite dry. Overall, this is a wonderful spot for the ambiance and experience. The setting is romantic, peaceful, and unlike many other restaurants. While I personally didn't find the food memorable enough to justify the cost, I'd still recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful evening in a truly magical garden setting.

The service was super fast and our waitress was friendly. The food came out pretty quickly and it…read moretasted amazing. The prices are also very reasonable. We will definitely be going back again.

Mixed reviews here. Salmon dinner average. Beet salad good & very generous. Bread and margarita…read morenot good. Portions looked very big at other tables. Nice casual atmosphere, family friendly, lots of TVs for sports

I really like this place. I ordered delivery and everything was good. I brought a friend and sat…read moreinside and the service was good. The guy was really nice and smiled a lot and happy we were there. Not a grumpy grouch. My friend is a big guy and got a chicken pasta meal and brought some home for later. It was a lot of food. I got a burger and it was very good. I will definitely go back.

Brand new establishment on River Rd. A good variety on the menu, so there's something for…read moreeveryone. We ordered online and everything went smooth. Once I arrived, the interior was clean and inviting. The woman there was very nice and best of all, our order was ready when I got there. My son and I shared the Mac and cheese balls. These were surprisingly good. They weren't your blasé typical appetizer. They taste in house made and came with a hot side cup of dipping cheese. Really a good start. For dinner my son got the rib eye cheese steak sandwich with no onions and peppers. He gave me a thumbs up. The bread was nice and soft. I only know this because I moved it to take a picture. I got the half Chicken with rice and beans. Skin on the chicken was crispy and the chicken was juicy. Came with a side of green sauce to dip. Price was very affordable. I hope they get a good jump start and keep the quality right where it is because this has a ton of potential. You can dine in as well if you wanted to.

Ordered double burger and crispy chicken sandwich. Juicy burger, chicken is perfect, loved the herb…read moresauce, much better than Dave's. This place is a gem!

The name implies German style food! It's just a gimmick to market the restaurant! ambience was not…read moregreat!

A solid spot for drinks and atmosphere, but the food was a mixed bag on this visit…read more The ambiance is lively and inviting, making it a great space to unwind, and our server was attentive and friendly throughout the night. The bar program is definitely the highlight--both the Mediterranean Mule and the Pretty in Pink were well-crafted, balanced, and delicious. Unfortunately, the kitchen didn't quite hit the mark. We ordered the Old Bay chips, but they arrived noticeably overcooked and burnt, leaving a harsh, bitter aftertaste that made them tough to finish. It's a great place to drop in for a cocktail and enjoy the vibe, but tighter quality control coming out of the kitchen would easily take this from an average visit to a great one.

Stopped in here for a nightcap after dinner with friends and I was thoroughly entertained by…read morekaraoke! We were only here for an hour or so we didn't eat but they made a surprisingly good espresso martini. I always enjoy when bars make their espresso martinis with Mr Black - it makes a difference! Next time I stop in, it'll be for dinner!