Seven places to go for stunning outdoor dining in North Jersey

If April showers bring May flowers, then May flowers bring outdoor dining — because, at this time of year, "al fresco" is the phrase on everyone's lips.

Whether it be quiche on a patio, oysters on a luxury dock or Hostess hand pies on the curb in front of 7-Eleven, food simply seems to taste better under the warm glow of the spring sun.

Especially after six months of your only vitamin D source being the "heavy pulp" flavor of Tropicana.

Or being cooped up with a sibling who watches Call the Midwife.

Long story short; the best months of Jersey life lie ahead of us, and such, to help you celebrate the warmth, I've compiled a guide to the top outdoor dining spots in the state.

Because, if you go through spring without eating a ramp caesar salad on the sidewalk of an affluent town's bougie Main Street, did you even do spring at all?

Make that North Jersey American dream a reality this year.

Here are seven local restaurants with stellar outdoor seating.

The Windlass, Lake Hopatcong

Located on the pristine shores of Lake Hopatcong, The Windlass offers one of the most aesthetic outdoor dining experiences in the state. A waterfront patio allows guests a chance to enjoy clams with a view, while a few coveted “glider” tables let folks eat 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 drinks under the stars.

This spring and summer, join the spot's loyal regulars for a meal to remember. As you sit in the marina — glancing down at the fish beneath the gentle currents — you'll feel like you're in an impressionist painting.

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

Blu on the Hudson, Weehawken

Though I love lakeside dining, nothing — in my opinion — beats city skyline views.

Especially when that city is New York, and those views are reflected in a sparkling river that lies beneath them.

Such is the reality at Blu on the Hudson; a fine-dining restaurant nestled on Weehawken's stunning waterfront. At the trendy hotspot, nightly guests enjoy high-quality eats (such as bluefin tuna crudo and truffle cacio e pepe) while basking in the glow of Manhattan's cosmopolitan bustle.

And, in the summertime? They do it completely al fresco.

Go: 1200 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken; 201-636-1200, bluonthehudson.com.

The Station at Mountain Lakes, Mountain Lakes

In the winter, The Station at Mountain Lakes boasts one of the most cozy interiors of any North Jersey restaurant, as it's housed in an old, cobblestone train station. In the summer, however, the local-favorite spot opens its gorgeous outdoor patio and transforms into a concept that — aesthetically — is totally different.

Featuring intimate tables under towering trees (and between manicured bushes), a meal in the al fresco space feels like dining in a meadow.

Indulge in a crispy leek-topped lobster roll or fish tacos with avocado salsa in those pleasant digs, and you'll understand why the hidden gem concept is pretty much always reserved to capacity.

Go: 99 Midvale Rd., Mountain Lakes; 973-335-5330, thestationatmountainlakes.com.

Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, Morristown

If dinner in a mansion is fun, dinner outside a mansion is even more fun — because you get to look at the mansion.

If you like slurping down fresh oysters in Jockey Hollow's elegant interior, chances are you'll like it even more under the restaurant's soaring, lavish facade.

For the warm months, the highly-decorated culinary destination opens its outdoor patio for fresh air fine dining. Upon it, guests savor mouthwatering dishes — from local black bass to short rib piramidali — while surrounded by ornate architecture and the glistening lights of downtown Morristown.

Go: 110 South St., Morristown; 973-644-3180, jockeyhollowbarandkitchen.com.

Baskets and Bubbly Luxury Picnics, Mobile

Ok, so this isn't a restaurant, per se, but Baskets and Bubbly's luxury picnics have to be one of the coolest al fresco dining experiences in the state (trust me, I had one last month).

Including a beautiful set-up in a picturesque location, three courses of gourmet food and vibrantly colored mocktails, the carefully orchestrated meals are as memorable as they come.

At my personal picnic — which was held under the cherry blossoms of Branch Brook Park — I was provided with honey brie and crackers, waldorf chicken salad croissants and whipped strawberry mousse. Alternative meal options, however, range from caprese flatbreads to smoked salmon toasts, while other locations may include beaches, gardens or Liberty State Park.

Go: Mobile throughout New Jersey; she comes to you. Learn more at basketsandbubbly.com.

Matisse 167, Rutherford

Matisse 167 may be known for its outstanding French fare, but its al fresco dining space — which looks like a hybrid between a fictional fairy's garden and the Frelinghuysen Arboretum — is equally special. From the spring to the fall, Bergen County diners flock to its charming tables; eager to delight in four-courses amongst the flowers.

This season, visit the acclaimed restaurant for top-notch eats (like creamy burrata with crispy fried artichokes), endless photo-ops or simply to relax in a calm, dreamy environment.

Throughout the evening, I guarantee, you'll forget you're in a New Jersey suburb.

Go: 167 Park Ave., Rutherford; 201-935-2995, matisse167.com.

Cuban Pete's, Montclair

When you're a sophomore in high school, Cuban Pete's is where you go for your sweet 16, to show you have better taste than Applebee's or to take pictures with a non-alcoholic piña colada (Snapchat, you figure, will never know the difference).

When you're literally any other age, though? It's where you go to have one of the most fun outdoor meals around.

On the terrace — which is probably even bigger than the indoor dining space — strings of decorative lightbulbs hang overhead, while vintage lampposts and wooden signage stand between island-inspired wooden furniture. The entire area is surrounded by 1950s-themed pastel buildings, which makes diners feel as if they've stepped out of Montclair and into the lively nightlife of Latin America.

Pair that unique atmosphere with an order of the restaurant's melty goat cheese fritters, and you'll never want to leave.

Go: 428 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair; 973-746-1100, cubanpetesrestaurant.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 outdoor restaurants in North Jersey for spring 2024