What are the best waterfront restaurants in North Jersey? Here are seven of our favorites

It's Memorial Day week — which means all of our local lake clubs and pools are officially reopening.

From the gently rippling waters of Montville's Lake Valhalla to the surprisingly impressive aquatic amenities at Florham Park's Life Time Fitness, the summer-centric fun zones are soon to be unlatching their gates and donning lifeguards once again.

But, here's the thing; if you're like me? You have just about zero interest in jumping in them.

That's right — as the food reporter, I'm really not bursting with excitement over the prospect of 12 laps and a sunburn. Honestly, I hate swimming.

That doesn't mean, however, that I'm not going be in those aforementioned locations all summer long. I'll just be dining alongside them, rather than shivering within them.

Here are seven waterfront restaurants on my agenda to visit this season.

Battello, Jersey City

All too often we see Yelp critiques that say waterfront restaurants sacrifice food quality for the sake of the views, but, at Ryan DePersio's Battello? That is certainly not the case.

In fact, the dishes at Italian culinary hotspot are probably even better than the views — and the views are amazing.

Situated alongside the Hudson River, the industrial-chic restaurant offers diners a chance to indulge in top-notch fare under the glow of the Manhattan skyline. Menu highlights range from tuna tartare to sheep's milk cappelletti; each as delicious as the last.

Go: 502 Washington Blvd., Jersey City; 201-798-1798, battellojc.com.

Haven, Edgewater

Steakhouses, gastropubs, taverns and sports bars; Edgewater is home to many riverfront restaurants.

Like, really — I've never seen a town where so many business's Google descriptions excitedly report "breathtaking views of the New York City skyline." Evidently the marketers don't understand that something ceases to be a distinctive competency once literally everyone has it.

That being said, allow me to cut through the clutter for you: Haven is the best of the bunch.

Featuring a seasonal menu of New American dishes (with locally sourced ingredients), the beautifully-designed spot is classy-yet-affordable, notably consistent and boasts a team committed to excellence in food quality. Dishes are upscale, but accessible, and include pretzel-crusted calamari, lobster risotto croquettes and short rib bruschetta, to name a few.

Go: 2 Main St., Edgewater; 201-943-1900, havenedgewater.com.

The Windlass, Lake Hopatcong

I recently wrote about The Windlass in my 2024 outdoor dining guide, but, seeing as the Hopatcong spot has some of the most spectacular lakeside views in the state, I figured it would be worth mentioning in this guide, too.

Located on the pristine shores of Lake Hopatcong, the restaurant offers an outdoor dining patio, along with while a few coveted “glider” tables that let folks sip cocktails directly on the dock. For the romantics of the region, the restaurant is the perfect destination for a fairytale-reminiscent date; complete with cotton candy sunsets and entrées under the stars

Go: 45 Nolans Point Park Road, Lake Hopatcong; 973-663-3190, thewindlass.com.

Andre's Lakeside Dining, Sparta

Deep within the mountains and far behind the trees lies Andres Lakeside Dining; a waterfront oasis of a restaurant that its owners call "a little piece of heaven." Open since 1998, the Sussex County staple has been serving "uniquely elevated" fare — against a picturesque, painting-like backdrop — to local residents for the past 25 years.

Grab a spot on the patio and savor goat cheese tarts or various crudos on white linen-covered tables. Opt for an indoor seat (air conditioning can be nice in the summer), and relax behind massive windows that still have great views. Wherever you sit in the charming Sparta space, you're sure to have a memorable meal.

Go: 112 Tomahawk Trail, Sparta; 973-726-6000, andreslakeside.com.

Halifax, Hoboken

If you're looking for a bougie meal in an even bougier building, look no further than Halifax in Hoboken.

Located on the ground floor of the four-star W Hotel, the farm-to-table American restaurant offers upscale eats (from seafood towers to dry aged duck) against a back drop of high-end furniture, trendy artwork and sweeping city views. Osetra caviar is on the evening menu, while a truffle ricotta and gruyere flatbread exemplifies some of the top-notch dishes diners can indulge in at lunch.

On the weekends, the team even serves a $49 "Bubbles Brunch" in which guests receive unlimited small plates and an entire bottle of sparkling wine (each).

Go: 225 River St., Hoboken; 201-253-2500, halifaxhoboken.com.

Lola's Waterfront Tex-Mex Restaurant, Hopatcong

Want to enjoy waterside dining, but with entrées other than seared scallops and crispy-skin branzino? Lola's Tex-Mex is the lakefront restaurant for you.

A lively Mexican cantina with a colorful atmosphere and oversized comfort meals, the hidden gem spot is certainly one-of-a-kind when compared to the upscale, seafood-centric competitors in its genre.

But, to be honest? I'm totally here for it.

Because — nine times out of ten — I'm choosing cheese enchiladas over hamachi crudo, anyways.

Go: 300 Lakeside Ave., Hopatcong; 973-264-4231, eatlolasnow.com.

RoofTop at Exchange Place, Jersey City

So, I've covered restaurants with Manhattan views already, but to really elevate (literally) your outdoor dining experience, I recommend heading to RoofTop at Exchange Place, as the al-fresco eats space is situated 13 stories in the sky.

Soaring high above the trees — and Jersey City's other buildings — the swanky terrace has full visibility of the Hudson River, Statue of Liberty and beyond. For years, locals have turned to it for picture-perfect weddings, picture-perfect date nights and, well, picture-perfect pictures.

And, as for the eats? Expect garlic parmesan fries, crispy "lollipop" wings and other Millennial/Gen Z favorites; because that's exactly the kind of crowd the spirited concept attracts.

Go: 1 Exchange Pl., Jersey City; 551-256-7850, rooftopxp.com.

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Best waterfront restaurants in North Jersey