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The Expat

3.9 (181 reviews)
Open 11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Updated 3 weeks ago

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Sabrina H.

I love the Thai Sweet Chili wings here. You are also given the option to customize your wings so you can do half of one flavor and half of another flavor. I've tried all the flavors and have decided that I like the Thai Sweet Chili sauce the best. They also have the coolest drinks, so I love coming to the expat to try new drinks. The only downside is that service is a bit slow. If you are on a time crunch because of your lunch break or you have to head to class soon, I would not recommend coming here unless it is during a time that is not as busy. The interior looks amazing and even the bathrooms have such cool decorations and wallpaper.

Bar area
Alyson W.

Have been to the expat a few times for group events. Food I find surprisingly good, especially the buffalo cauliflower! Drinks are ok. Guinness does not have a very dense head. I find that sometimes they are understaffed so it's hard to get the attention of the bartender who may be distracted. There is limited outdoor seating.

Chris C.

Strong drinks. Normal food. Cozy place. Not much more to say so I'm going to copy paste this twice. Strong drinks. Normal food. Cozy place.

Thai Basil Stir Fry
Janvi G.

I absolutely love the expat and end up going here a couple of times every month. I especially love the lunch specials because you get a lot of food at a reasonable price. The drinks are also really nice but service is a little slow. It takes some time to get the server's attention especially when the restaurant is busy. I've had the Thai basil stir fry with rice and that's my favorite. You have an option to add a fried egg on top too. I've also had the fried rice which was nice but we asked for some spicy sauce and the Thai curry is also really yum. The best part is that they ask you for your spice preference and are able to make the food super spicy if that's what you prefer.

Jai Y.

Rating is only for the food. The food lacked flavor. It was very bland. I liked the drinks though except for the Thai iced tea which wasn't sweet at all. Ask for their hot sauce or bring your own so that the food has some kind of kick to it. If you can't do spicy, ask for more salt. The food needed more seasoning. The other weird thing was the lime that came with the dishes was hot like it was just boiled. A lot of the dishes had pork and I wished they had other options like beef or duck. On the plus side, the staff was courteous when I asked for spoons. I like there is an option for you to request that the bar tender can custom make a drink for you. I wished they had dessert spoons or gave us new spoons for dessert. The lychee rose crème brûlée didn't taste like crème brûlée because of the texture. It's the first lychee dish I don't like and the first crème brûlée I dislike. I usually love crème brûlée. The texture is more like a gelatin dessert than crème brûlée. It has this thin film like texture under the brûlée I really dislike.

Scallion Pancake
Kortnee L.

Since Fairway closed down, the Westside has been a bit bleak, and Expat has come to revive the neighborhood. Went on a Sunday night. Heads up when you enter the space, you're walking down a few steps to the entry. Lovely hostess to your right, cheerful attitude. We sat at the bar, which is central to the place. The open style design allows you to see the entire space, and all its' intimate nooks. There is even a projector screen showing hilarious *silent and closed captioned* cinema. In regards to the food menu- tasty and delicious. Hints to the pan-Asian theme, as I had the Chicken Pad Thai. Also tried the scallion pancake appetizer, sauce is BOMB. In regards to the cocktail menu- pretty decent selection. They carry Roku which is rarely seen; also attributing to the theme. Bartender was sweet and knowledgeable. Would definitely come back, love the ambiance and the aesthetic. It's giving rustic cottagecore with an Uptown twist.

Lychee Creme Brulee
Janice H.

Servers were super friendly and ambiance was fun. Dimly lit place with a 1900s theme. Satay chicken nachos were huge and delicious, loved the peanut sauce on it and the crispy tortillas. Curry was also tasty. Taking off a star for desserts. The creme brulee was not a creme brulee. The top had no crust at all, just a soggy thin film of slightly browned sugar. The lychee rose flavor was off in the dish too. It was also a really tiny portion for how much it cost (the dish looks wide, but it's really shallow). The other dessert (brownie and ice cream) was also a pretty small portion :(

Roti W/ Chicken Curry

Great for dine in but online ordering always seems to be a problem. Last time we were sent someone else's food. This time we ordered the roti and chicken dip and it's just criminally small. I guess we will stick to the delicious fried rice

Chicken Wings
Andreanna N.

This place was amazing! When you walk in you can be a little deceived. The music was r&b/hiphop, the walls look like some other century then the tables are like farm house maybe- a lot going on and I guess perfect example of expat! Everything was great and fresh. I would come here a million times over. The table seating isn't the best but the food is so good you make due. I would order it all again besides the chicken wings they weren't cooked enough for me and I asked for well done (other drawback was that they couldn't do all flats). They even had GF soy sauce and I was amazed and so happy for that. The food didn't come out all together but still was great. They didn't have many servers but they were still quite attentive. Also the table we sat at was very wobbly and we kept trying to put napkins under it but it eventually worked. I recommend and hope when I come back it's just as good as this time.

Expat Mochi Churros
S B.

Everything was tasty, the Thai Mule cocktail especially would recommend, very refreshing. Food a solid 3.5-4/5, held back from being 4/4.5 for being a bit overpriced. Good place to hang out with friends, though may be a bit loud on a crowded day. Service lovely.

Ashley D.

Such a cute and unique place. Stopped here for brunch with my coworkers and was glad we went. The dishes are so interested that I shared two with my buddy just because we wanted to sample it all. Also, you can't go wrong with a bottomless mimosa situation..just putting that out there.

George A.

What the hell happened to this place, the Pad Thai used to be my go to here but the last two times it's been basically an inedible pile of soggy slop where all the noodles are overcooked and chopped into little pieces on arrival. My girlfriend had the Singapore noodle which was also an inedible gloopy mess. I noticed we weren't the only ones that barely touched our food looking around. Such a bummer how much this place has slipped.

Chicken & Waffles

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6 months ago

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6 months ago

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10 months ago

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3 days ago

Lots of vegan options and they can customize orders that aren't explicitly vegan to make it vegan.

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9 months ago

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

Cozy bar, great for happy hour or post work drinks. Food is excellent as well. Will be back!

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3 years ago

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9 months ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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10 months ago

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11 months ago

They have excellent service, lots of nice drink options, and good, tasty food! It's a fun place for drinks and food outdoors.

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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8 months ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

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6 years ago

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

I love this place. Consistent food and service. Great first date spot. A menu that changes just enough. Chill atmosphere.

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Ask the Community - The Expat

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Obao

Obao

4.0
(4.5k reviews)
4.1 mi
$$$

Wow, every dish so good. Thought it would be less specialized bc they serve both Thai and…read moreVietnamese dishes but flavors were very clean and strong. - Drunken noodles: not too greasy, might be the best drunken noodles I've had. Medium spice was not spicy at all for us. - Duck curry: a bit small on the portions but the curry is magical. Was scraping this plate clean. - Bo luc lac: star dish for sure. Beef melts on your tongue and the marinade is slightly sweet and smoky. - Summer rolls: small portions but the flavor is there. Super refreshing and special bc they pickle the vegetables inside. - Crispy pork belly: reminds me of the crispy pork I had in Vietnam. Really well done, pairs well with the lettuce and herbs. That green sauce is so addicting. - Papaya salad: super refreshing, nice fish sauce. - Crab fried rice: reminds me of the din tai fung fried rice bc of how clean the flavor is. Great dim ambiance for a date or dinner out. Definitely coming back soon.

So yum!!!! Top 3 thai spots for me…read more Food- Classic order of Pad Thai & Drunken Noodles. The pad thai noodles are a big thinner than i've had before but that didn't bother me, it has such great flavor too. I recommend ordering it spicy, it's the perfect heat if you're looking for that kick but don't add it if you can't handle spice. The drunken noodles are not spicy in my opinion but i can handle a bit of heat. Loved the flavor and the noodles had the right texture, could've done without the huge chunks of tomato but great otherwise. The summer rolls were good, hard to mess those up. We also got a free mango salad with the order and that was so fresh and delicious. We just popped in for pick up but the hostess was really nice and attentive as soon as we walked in. It looked to be a nice casual spot, could be good for dinner with friends or date night.

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Obao
Obao
Obao

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Haka

Haka

3.9
(64 reviews)
24.2 mi

I went to HAKA a few weeks ago, as I was visiting family on Long Island and wanted to get…read moreIndo-Chinese food. The restaurant is medium sized, lots of booths, and was decorated for Valentine's Day. They take reservations and were pretty busy. Service was good, although a little slow at the beginning. I tried the following dishes: Cauliflower Manchurian (3/5): This dish was pretty good, but not amazing. I did enjoy it. Garlic Chili Noodles (3.5/5): Pretty good noodles, not very spicy but good flavor and consistency. Hakka Chili Chicken (4/5): I liked this chicken, but my dining partner did not. The chicken was boneless dark meat, which I really like. You can get it with no, light, or full gravy. We did full and had it with rice. I did enjoy this dish. Overall, I had a pretty good experience at HAKA. No dishes were real standouts, but they were all decent. It is not a bad option for Indo-Chinese in the area.

Service was friendly and fast. The waitr wore gloves when bringing our food to the table. The…read morerestaurant is spacious and decorated with hanging leaves. It is simple and pretty. The menu has both indian and chinese dishes. It's not fusion just two different cuisines being sold. We ordered a roll that came with shrimp tempura, mango and salmon. It was very good, a warm grill that felt like a sandwich. The side galore noodles we ordered were dry and not very flavourful. We ordered shrimp with then and they came with fried/tempura shrimp, which we found odd. There was also egg on the dish but it did nothing for the noodles. We ordered the noodles regular so they should have had some sauce but there was none. The chicken dishes were both really good. The chicken wasn't overly fried or breaded. It tasted fresh and had a good bite to it. I like the spicy garlic chicken a bit more because of the spice. The haka chicken was more of a sweet and salty flavor. Both were tasty. If I'm in the area I'll come back here.

Photos
Tables at the rear of the restaurant.
Tables at the rear of the restaurant.
Haka
Haka

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Buddakan

Buddakan

4.1
(4.9k reviews)
5.6 mi
$$$$

Dinner for one at Buddakan turned into one of those rare experiences where the setting is nearly as…read morememorable as the food. Located within the historic Chelsea Market building--a former Nabisco factory where Oreo cookies were first produced--the restaurant feels theatrical in the best possible way. The soaring ceilings, dramatic lighting, and energetic atmosphere create a sense of occasion from the moment you walk in. It feels less like simply going out to dinner and more like stepping into a beautifully staged production. I started with a Botanist Gin Martini with a twist, which paired wonderfully with the meal. The surprise star of the evening was the new Cucumber Tiger Salad. The balance of flavors was exceptional: bright acidity, a pleasant touch of heat, and just enough mint to make each bite feel fresh and exciting. Every so often the mint would come through and suddenly all the flavors would click together in a way that made me immediately want another bite. This is a dish I would happily order again. Next came the Edamame Dumplings. They were delicate and comforting, especially when enjoyed with the accompanying broth. The broth adds depth and richness that elevates the entire dish. My only suggestion would be the slightest touch more salt, perhaps even a finishing sprinkle of black volcanic salt for both flavor and presentation. I also found myself wishing there were a bit more of that delicious broth because it contributes so much to the overall experience. For my entrée, I ordered the Glazed Alaskan Black Cod, and it absolutely lived up to its reputation. The fish was rich, buttery, and perfectly prepared. What impressed me most was how thoughtfully the accompaniments were composed. The pickled cucumbers brought brightness, acidity, and crunch, while the black bean and eggplant relish delivered deep savory notes and unexpected complexity. I'm generally not an eggplant fan, but this relish was outstanding. The cucumbers and relish sit at opposite ends of the flavor spectrum, yet both somehow make the cod even better. Looking back, I think a glass of Sauvignon Blanc alongside the cod would have been the perfect pairing. I finished with the Miso Caramel Milk Bar, which was spectacular. Decadent, sweet, salty, and touched with just enough umami to keep every bite interesting. The chocolate crumble underneath added a wonderful crunch that contrasted beautifully with the creamy ice cream and luscious caramel sauce. Every component worked together perfectly, creating a dessert that was both indulgent and sophisticated. From start to finish, the meal felt polished, thoughtful, and memorable. Thank you!

Dinner at Buddakan was a wonderful experience! I will say that, although the food is good, you're…read moredefinitely paying for the aesthetic... my boyfriend was paying though so I didn't care! The interior is absolutely chic and maximalist--I felt transported into a different world once I walked down the gigantic staircase into the main dining area. The lights were low, and the walls in the room we were seated in were covered with bookshelves lined by golden books. We ordered the dim sum tasting, the short rib, the lobster fried rice, and the brussels sprouts. The dim sum was a true standout for me--especially the egg roll, which was full of shrimp, meat, and veggies and paired with a delicious creamy sauce. The short rib was also amazing. The bed of mushrooms and noodles it was served on was flavorful and the meat was so tender it melted in your mouth. The drinks were good as well, specifically the lychee martini (I forget its name). Overall, I am glad to have had this dining experience, and recommend it.

Photos
Cocktail dinning
Cocktail dinning
Ambiance
Ambiance
Communal food hall

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Communal food hall
TAO Uptown

TAO Uptown

3.6
(3.2k reviews)
3.7 mi
$$$

Ambiance (5/5): The establishment is extremely ornate and decorated in theme from top to bottom. I…read morelove how much detail and elegance they put to each room (not to mention the 16-foot buddha statue in the main dining room!) Be aware that the lighting is dim and the background noise is loud! The front bar room is so loud that you have to shout with your guest. Our party of 6 was seated in a tiny booth which we had to ask for an additional chair to accommodate us. Service (5/5): We were able to get someone's attention to order and we were refilled on water often. The food was organized by appetizers and entrees that arrive all at the same time. The wait between ordering and food felt reasonable to short. The waiter also specified that certain dishes quantity (i.e. potstickers) could be increased to accommodate our party size for an extra cost. Food (5/5): TLDR; every dish was honestly SO good; I was surprised and will rank the items by 'must get' to skippable: Short Rib Bao Bun (3 pc): The short rib was so tender and flavorful. The bao bun was soft. The sauce was thick and worked well with the short rib. Pork Potstickers (5 pc): I preferred this over the lobster and scallion dumplings. The exterior skin is pan-fried with a nice glaze, hint of truffle. The bite was umami from the creaminess of the Parmigiano Reggiano. Chicken Satay (3 pc): The 3 pieces of chicken were relatively large, very tender, seasoned well. They were well complemented with the peanut sauce that is worth keeping to dip into other things! Don't sleep on the side of spicy cucumber salad, which was so well balanced in tartness and flavor. Pad Thai: This is one of the best Pad Thai I've ever had! The flavors are bursting, with a balance of sweetness, nuttiness from the peanuts, and tartness from a squeeze of lime. Peking Duck for 2: This dish is definitely more than enough for our party of 6 and appeared to be a half serving of the whole duck. The duck pieces are pre-cut for us to self-assemble into the wraps (not the usual bao bun but like thin tortilla wraps). I think I counted 8 wraps? Triple Pork Fried Rice: The rice has a lot of depth and generous chunks of pork. The rice is thicker than regular jasmine with a more chew which I liked. Dragon Tail Spare Ribs: Although this has a nice flavor, handling with your fingers makes them super sticky for your whole dining experience. The restaurant should give out wet towelettes if this dish is ordered!! Meat was tender and easy to chomp off the bone. Tuna Tartare: A small quarter-sized tartare dollop is served atop a small cube bread. The fish was fresh, presentation was beautiful. Was hoping for more tartare for the price point but it was very good. Overall, the dish was not filling so would skip if the party is hungry. Lobster and Scallop Dumplings: Great flavor with reasonable chunks of meat inside. Just preferred the potstickers a lot more! Bok Choy: Pieces were chopped in half and cooked with a nice crunch. Topped with something that gave it more texture. The garlicy taste was forward (in a good way). Rainbow Roll: While it was fresh and the individual pieces were large in portion, this felt like any other sushi roll. Skip this! Side of White Rice is $9?! That's theft and is skippable The amount of food ordered was probably a little more than what we needed but glad we ordered as many as we did.

This restaurant has such a beautiful atmosphere. I was truly amazed by the giant Buddha altar and…read morefelt very peaceful paying my respects. I especially loved how it was placed elevated above the floor -- it gave such a calming and respectful feeling. Even with the hustle and bustle, the place still felt relaxing and serene. As for the food, it was decent. We ordered a few different chicken dishes since we don't eat pork or fish, so our options were a bit limited. One thing that did make me feel uncomfortable was the hallway near the downstairs bathroom where a picture of a Buddhist monk in saffron robes was displayed. Personally, I felt it was not the most respectful placement. Overall, I still enjoyed the experience and would love to come back again to see the beautiful giant Buddha.

Photos
TAO Uptown
TAO Uptown
TAO Uptown

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Tasty Junction

Tasty Junction

4.6
(52 reviews)
13.6 mi
$$

My girlfriend and I visited Tasty Junction for an early dinner one Saturday. They weren't too busy…read moreso it was easy to find a table for 2. Once you sit down you scan a QR Code to order your food and drinks. I was pretty hungry that day so we ended up ordering a ton of food. The drinks were pretty good and they were served in Le Creuset mugs. Not the biggest deal, but I can appreciate some nice drinkware. The bowl of Kimchi Fried rice came out first. It was a generous portion and the rice was cooked well, but I feel like it could've used some more kimchi. The eggs on top were cooked perfectly and added good texture to the dish. The next dish to come out was the HK French toast. The bread was nice and fluffy which paired well with a nice generous drizzle of condensed milk. I enjoyed this a lot. We also ordered scallion pancake, pork barbecue, and bossam baos. These were ok, I would probably pass on a return visit. I felt like the meat in the baos was a little tough though they did have decent flavor. The last entree was the smoked salmon and avocado croissant; I really enjoyed this. It had a generous helping of smoked salmon and avocado as well. The saltiness of the salmon paired well with the creamy and fatty avocado. The croissant was also nice and flaky. It was also served with a house salad which had a nice drizzle of dressing on it too. For dessert we ordered a Black Sesame Souffle Pancake. This was SO good. A few months ago I visited a place in Princeton that specialized in these Japanese-style pancakes and Tasty Junction's version was so much more enjoyable. I loved that it was served with a healthy scoop of ice cream. The pancake was airy and had a bounce to it. Each bite was so good and made even better with the ice cream. I'd definitely come back just for the pancakes. All in all Tasty Junction is a great spot tucked away in Glen Rock

This is the only place I know of in North New Jersey that serves Japanese soufflé pancakes, which…read morealready makes it worth checking out. One thing I really liked is how customizable the menu is. You can choose different creams and ice cream flavors on top - they have a great variety, including strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, taro, ube, and more. The service was great. Everyone was very kind and welcoming, and they let us know that the Japanese soufflé pancakes take about 15 minutes to prepare, which I was completely fine with since they're made fresh. The ambiance is chill and quiet. The café is tucked away on the side of the street - I actually missed it the first time and had to circle back. We were lucky to find street parking right in front, though there aren't many spots available. As for the pancakes themselves, I thought they were just okay. They're made with four eggs, and you can definitely taste them. That said, my daughter absolutely loved them, so it may just come down to personal preference.

Photos
Cozy seating
Cozy seating
Beef bulgogi
Beef bulgogi
Black sesame whipped topping with black sesame ice cream and red bean on top of soufflet pancakes.

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Black sesame whipped topping with black sesame ice cream and red bean on top of soufflet pancakes.

The Expat - gastropubs - Updated July 2026

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