Matthew's Introduce
## Matthew's: A Taste of Authentic Italian Cuisine in Clifton, NJ
For residents across New Jersey, the search for truly authentic, high-quality Italian dining often leads straight to Matthew's in Clifton, NJ. More than just a place to eat, Matthew's is an experience—a local institution where the warmth of family hospitality meets the refinement of classic Italian cooking. In a state saturated with dining options, Matthew's stands out by delivering BIG TIME FLAVOR, as one loyal patron noted, creating a culinary destination that feels both cozy and upscale.
Matthew's commitment to the Italian tradition is evident in every detail, from their extensive, deeply traditional menu to the welcoming atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where locals know dinner reservations are recommended, and where first-time guests quickly understand why families have been eating here for years. Whether you are seeking a robust plate of Lasagna, a tender cut of Veal Parmigiana, or an elegant Filet Mignon, this Italian restaurant delivers the perfect blend of comfort food and refined cuisine, making it a staple for any New Jersey foodie.
The restaurant prides itself on being a perfect setting for various occasions. It’s equally popular for a casual, relaxing lunch, an important dinner gathering with groups, or a peaceful solo dining experience. The unique combination of traditional Italian recipes, exceptional service, and an environment that is at once Casual, Cozy, Romantic, Trendy, and Upscale ensures that Matthew's holds a special place in the hearts and palettes of the northern New Jersey community.
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## Location and Accessibility in Clifton, NJ
Conveniently situated in a prime location, Matthew's Italian Restaurant makes it easy for residents from Clifton and surrounding New Jersey towns to visit. The restaurant is located at 1131 Bloomfield Ave, Clifton, NJ 07012, USA. This address places it along a key roadway, ensuring high visibility and straightforward access for local patrons.
For the comfort and ease of all guests, Matthew’s provides excellent parking options, a crucial feature in a busy area of New Jersey. Patrons can take advantage of a Free parking lot as well as Free street parking, removing the stress of finding a spot before a relaxing meal.
Furthermore, the restaurant is committed to full accessibility, ensuring a welcoming experience for everyone in the community. The premises feature a Wheelchair accessible parking lot and a Wheelchair accessible restroom. This dedication to accommodating all guests highlights Matthew's desire to be a true community dining hub. Its location and accessibility profile make it an easy and practical choice for any lunch or dinner outing in the region.
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## Services Offered
Matthew's understands the diverse needs of the modern New Jersey diner and offers a comprehensive range of services designed for maximum flexibility, quality, and convenience.
- Dine-in with Table Service: Offering a full, traditional dining experience with attentive table service in a beautifully atmospheric setting.
- Outdoor Seating: Provides a charming option for those who prefer to enjoy their authentic Italian meal alfresco, especially during pleasant New Jersey weather.
- Takeout and Curbside Pickup: Perfect for busy families or individuals who want to enjoy Matthew's high-quality cuisine at home without sacrificing precious time.
- Dinner Reservations Recommended/Accepted: To ensure a table during peak hours, particularly for dinner, reservations are available and highly recommended, minimizing the potential for a wait.
- Catering: Matthew's extends its culinary expertise to events outside the restaurant, providing high-quality Italian catering for gatherings and parties.
- Full Bar Service: Features a well-stocked Bar onsite, serving a great selection of Beer, Cocktails, Hard liquor, and Wine to perfectly complement any meal.
- Lunch and Dinner Service: Open to serve patrons throughout the day, providing full menu options for both midday and evening dining.
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## Features / Highlights
The key features and highlights of Matthew's are what set it apart in the competitive New Jersey dining scene, appealing to both locals and visitors alike. These details contribute to its reputation as a premier Italian dining spot.
- Outstanding Beverage Program: Recognized for a Great beer selection, Great cocktails, and a Great wine list, ensuring the perfect pairing for every dish, from the classic Veal Saltimbocca to a tender New York Strip.
- Exceptional Service and Hospitality: Highlighted by customer reviews, the service is described as being "above and beyond," with staff being knowledgeable, friendly, and hospitable. The owner, Matthew himself, frequently interacts with guests, creating a feeling of being treated like Family.
- Signature Dishes and Varied Offerings: The menu features traditional Italian favorites, including specialty pasta dishes like Linguini Frutti Di Mare and decadent entrees like Chicken Concetta and Veal Pizzaiola. The menu also includes Healthy options and Vegetarian options.
- All-Star Desserts and Coffee: Acclaimed for Great dessert (including specials like the Warm Cherry Cobbler or the traditional Tartufo mentioned in reviews) and Great coffee, providing a perfect finish to the meal.
- Diverse and Welcoming Atmosphere: The restaurant manages to be Casual, Cozy, Romantic, Trendy, and Upscale, making it suitable for a wide variety of New Jersey guests, from Family-friendly gatherings (with High chairs available) to date nights.
- Focus on Fresh and Special Items: The menu consistently features Specials like Lobster Bisque and Burrata Ravioli, alongside a rotating Wine Of The Week and Reserve Wine Of The Week, indicating a commitment to variety and quality.
- Convenient Payment Methods: Accepting all major Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments for a hassle-free checkout experience.
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## Contact Information
To experience this celebrated Italian restaurant in person or to make a reservation, New Jersey residents can use the following contact details:
- Address: 1131 Bloomfield Ave, Clifton, NJ 07012, USA
- Phone: (973) 928-4300
- Mobile Phone: +1 973-928-4300
- Type: Italian restaurant
Given that Dinner reservations are recommended and the establishment often has Usually a wait, making a quick call to secure your table is highly advisable for the best experience.
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## What is Worth Choosing Matthew's
For any New Jersey local seeking an exceptional dining experience, Matthew's is well worth choosing for several compelling reasons that extend beyond simply serving excellent food. This is a destination where the sum of its parts creates a truly unforgettable experience.
The primary reason to choose Matthew's is the unmatched blend of authentic Italian cuisine and genuine, personalized hospitality. Unlike larger, impersonal chain restaurants, Matthew's retains a "small town restaurant" charm with "BIG TIME FLAVOR." The fact that the owner, Matthew, is known to personally greet guests and ensure they feel "like Family" transforms a simple dinner into a memorable event, one that has kept families returning for years. This level of personal touch is a rarity in the modern New Jersey dining scene.
Second, the breadth and quality of the menu are outstanding. The cuisine spans the entire spectrum of classic Italian favorites, from comforting Pasta Fagioli and creamy Fettuccini Alfredo to premium entrees like Chateaubriand and the vast Zuppa Di Pesce. The presence of an extensive Veal section (including Saltimbocca and Milanese) and high-quality Steak (such as Filet Mignon and New York Strip) caters to diverse tastes and highlights their dedication to using quality ingredients across the board. The inclusion of Great dessert and specialty drinks ensures a complete, satisfying meal from start to finish.
Finally, the dining atmosphere and overall convenience make it a premier choice. Matthew's strikes a difficult balance, achieving a vibe that is simultaneously Romantic for a date night and Family-friendly for a larger gathering. With the availability of Outdoor seating, free and easy parking, and fully accessible amenities, Matthew's removes common logistical hurdles. For New Jersey residents who value classic food, excellent service, and a beautiful, cozy setting, choosing Matthew's for your next lunch or dinner is choosing the perfect, authentic Italian experience.
Matthew's Menu
Appetizers
- Shrimp Cocktail $14.00
Four jumbos, spicy cocktail sauce & lemon
- Little Neck Clams
Spicy cocktail sauce & lemon
- Crispy Calamari $14.00
With tomato sauce
- Clams Oreganata
- Meatballs $10.00
With tomato sauce
- Stuffed Artichoke $10.00
Garlic butter, herbs, parmesan, bread crumb
- Zuppa Di Clams Or Di Mussels
- Stuffed Mushrooms $9.00
Smoked bacon, peppers, onions, fresh bread crumbs
- Mozzarella Carozza $9.00
Ham, mozzarella, tomato sauce
- Eggplant Rollatini $9.00
Ricotta, basil, tomato sauce
Antipasto
"A little bit of this....A little bit of that"
- Hot $14.00
Stuffed shrimp, stuffed mushrooms,zucchini friti, eggplant rollatini, clams & mussels
- Cold $14.00
Fesh mozzarella, provolone, roasted red peppers, oil cured olives, dry salami, proscuitto
Soups
- Tortellini In Brodo $7.00
- Stracciatella Romano $7.00
- Pasta Fagioli $7.00
- Escarole & Bean $7.00
Salads
- Seafood Salad $15.00
Shrimp, calamari, mussels, scungilli, lemon vinaigrette
- Caprese $10.00
Fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, house vinaigrette
- Arugula $8.00
Tomato, onion, lemon, vinaigrette
- House $6.00
Baby mixed greens, grape tomatoes, shredded carrots, cucumbers, red onion, house vinaigrette
Chicken
- Parmigiana $18.00
Mozzarella, tomato sauce
- Concetta $20.00
Potatoes, lemon herb sauce
- Concetta / Bone In $21.00
Potatoes, lemon herb sauce
- Cacciatore $20.00
Pepper, onion, tomato
- Cacciatore / Bone In $21.00
Pepper, onion, tomato
- Giambotta $20.00
Mushroom, sausage, peppers, potatoes
- Giambotta / Bone In $21.00
Mushroom, sausage, peppers, potatoes
- Francese $18.00
Egg batter, lemon sauce
- Scampi $18.00
Lemon, white wine, garlic
- Oreganata $18.00
Broiled with seasoned bread crumbs and lemon
- Marsala $18.00
Mushrooms, brown sauce
Veal
- Parmigiana $24.00
Mozzarella, tomato sauce
- Saltimbocca $26.00
Spinach, proscuitto, salami
- Milanese $24.00
Lightly breaded pan fried over mix green
- Cordon Bleu $24.00
Ham, swiss cheese
- Sorrento $24.00
Eggplant, mushrooms, mozzarella
- Pizzaiola $24.00
Peppers, onion, basil, marinara
- Picatta $24.00
Capers, lemon butter sauce
- Capricciosa $24.00
Provolone, tomato, onion
- Rollatini $24.00
Mozzarella, salami, ham, usage, mushrooms
- Marsala $24.00
Mushrooms, brown rice
- Francese $24.00
Egg batter, lemon sauce
- Valentino $26.00
Ham, swiss, mushrooms
Steak
- Filet Mignon $36.00
Roasted potatoes, string beans, red wine sauce
- New York Strip $32.00
Wilted spinach, house cut fries, herb butter
- Hanger Steak $28.00
Broccoli rube, italian long hot peppers and potatoes
Sides
- Italian Long Hots & Potatoes $8.00
- Broccoli Rabe $7.00
- Saute Mushrooms $7.00
- Escarole & Beans $7.00
- Saute Spinach $7.00
- Broccoli Oreganata $7.00
- String Beans Oreganata $7.00
- Risotto $7.00
Dessert Special
- Warm Cherry Cobbler $10.00
With vanilla gelato & fresh mint
Wine Of The Week
- The Stag
North coast, california cabernet sauvignon
Reserve Wine Of The Week
- Tenute
Silvio nardi rosso di montalcino napa valley, california cabernet blend
Specials
- Lobster Bisque $12.00
- Artichoke Salad $14.00
Marinated artichoke hearts over arugula with avocado, grape tomatoes and toasted pine nuts in a lemon zest vinaigrette
- Burrata Ravioli $22.00
Tomato basil sauce
- Lemon Sole Piccata $32.00
Lemon caper sauce with a vegetable risotto
- Chateaubriand $42.00
Maderia wine sauce, with duchess potatoes and a stuffed tomato with spinach
Pasta
- Lasagna $18.00
- Manicotti $18.00
- Spaghetti $18.00
With puttanesca
- Linguini $20.00
With red or white clam sauce
- Rigatoni & Vodka $18.00
Fresh pasta, peas, pancetta, onion
- Tortellini Alla Panna $18.00
Fresh cheese tortellini pasta, pancetta, peas, mushroom, cream sauce
- Ravioli $18.00
With ricotta cheese
- Penne $16.00
With tomato sauce
- Linguini $18.00
With creamy meat sauce
- Cavatelli & Broccoli $18.00
Fresh pasta, broccoli, garlic cream sauce
- Fettuccini Alfredo $18.00
Fresh pasta, butter cheese sauce *whole wheat pasta also are available upon request
Fish
- Sole $24.00
Broiled, franchese, almondine
- Stuffed Shrimp $24.00
Seafood stuffing
- Shrimp Parmigiana $24.00
Mozzarella, marinara
- Fried Shrimp $24.00
Spicy cocktail sauce, lemon
- Calamari $22.00
Marinara or fra diavlo
- Scallops $26.00
Lemon white-wine sauce
- Snapper Marichiara $26.00
Little neck clams, mussels, light red sauce
- Broiled Seafood Plate $36.00
Shrimp, scallops, sole, clams, calamari, lobster tail, light seafood broth
- Snapper -O- Tilapia
Broiled or oreganata, lemon butter sauce
- Zuppa Di Pesce $36.00
Shrimp, scallops, sole, smapper, scungilli, calarmari, clams, mussels, lobster tail
- Linguini Frutti Di Mare $26.00
Calamari, clams, mussels, shrimp, scungilli
- Stuffed Sole $24.00
Seafood stuffing
- Shrimp Francese $24.00
Egg batter, lemon sauce
- Shrimp Scampi $24.00
Lemon, garlic, white wine
- Saute Shrimp $24.00
Marinara or fra diavolo (fra diavolo is garnished with clams and mussels)
- Scungilli $22.00
Marinara or fra diavolo
- Lobster Tails $36.00
Lemon, white-wine sauce
- Spaghetti Mala Femimina $28.00
Lobster, clams, shrimp, white wine sauce
Lunch Menu - Paninis & Sandwiches
Choice of mixed greens or house cut fries
- Pollo Pronto $12.00
Chicken, provolone, arugula, onion, sundried tomato with pesto
- Vegetarian $12.00
Grilled mixed vegetables, mozzarella, basil mayo
- Capri $14.00
Prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato, mixed greens, basil olive oil
- Bistecca Verde $14.00
Filet mignon, fresh mozarella & broccoli rabe
- Americano $12.00
Smoked turkey, bacon, tomato & herb mayo
- Chicken Parm $12.00
Breaded chicken cutlet, mozzarella and tomato sauce
- Meatball Parm $12.00
Italian style meatballs with tomato sauce and mozarella
- Eggplant Parm $12.00
Sliced eggplant, mozzarella and tomato sauce
- Sausage And Peppers $12.00
Sliced sausage and peppers sauteed to perfection
Others
- Butternut Squash Bisque $9.00
Topped with roasted pumpkin seeds
- Classic Wedge $14.00
Iceberg wedge, applewood smoked bacon, garlic croutons, creamy gorgonzola
- Fresh Rigatoni $22.00
With crispy eggplant & pancetta in our tomato sauce finished with fresh basil
- Lemon Sole $32.00
Prepared in a piccata sauce with a sweet corn & cherry tomato risotto, garnished with sauteed broccoli
- Sinatra's Favorite $36.00
Sauteed veal scallopini in a port wine & thyme demi-glaze with wild mushrooms & artichoke hearts, served with broccoli rabe & roasted potatoes
Matthew's Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Curbside pickup
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
- Usually a wait
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- High chairs
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
Matthew's Photos










Matthew's Location
Matthew's
1131 Bloomfield Ave, Clifton, NJ 07012, USA
Matthew's Reviews
chicken parmintimatecannolicateringstuffed artichokesunday sauceveal parmesanfrank sinatrashrimp scampirollatini
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1My First trip to Jersey and my Fiancée and her family picked Matthew’s as our 1 Italian restaurant for the trip. They have been eating there for years and couldn’t wait to take me in for a family dining experience. Let me tell you, small town restaurant, BIG TIME FLAVOR. Everything we ordered from apps to dessert was amazing. Best Italian food I’ve had in years. Our service was above and beyond, Marisa was a terrific server and really very knowledgeable, friendly, and hospitable. I had the Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken Oregenata. The chicken was tender and juicy, the pasta was cooked perfect and the sauce with rich and creamy. Everything from the Rolls, to the Calamari, to Veal Parm(which fiancée ordered) and the Tartufo was Perfect. I will be back and will tell everyone I know that when they visit Clifton, Nj or anywhere nearby, they should RUN, don’t walk to Matthew’s for a 1 of a kind experience where Matthew himself shows up to your table and treats you like Family. Everything about our night was the Perfect Italian Experience, like I was back in Rome!!
August 04 · Jeremie GrattonThis was our 1st time at Matthew's but it definitely won't be the last. The food was excellent, the service came with a smile and the ambiance was relaxing. The owner came by to say hello and ask if he can do anything else for us. He was very friendly and welcoming.
September 13 · Diane CivitelloI recently visited Matthews Restaurant for dinner with my wife, and we had a wonderful experience. It was our first time dining here, and everything was truly up to the mark. We ordered Eggplant Rollatini, Cavatelli & Broccoli, and Manicotti — each dish was flavorful, delicious, and served in generous portions. The service was excellent as well, making the evening even more enjoyable. Highly recommend!
September 15 · Hardik MistryAbsolutely incredible food. Went there for a friend's birthday and everything we got was delicious from the cocktails and bread to our individual dishes was fantastic. I would recommend going here for any occasion but if you can get a reservation cuz they are packed.
July 27 · Phillip LearyMatthew’s has been one of our favorite go-to restaurants for years! Matthew is always there, making sure every guest feels like family with his warm and attentive service. The food and drinks are consistently delicious—we have never been disappointed. If you’re looking for a guaranteed amazing meal with exceptional service, Matthew’s is a must-visit!
March 30 · Tatiana Jarrell
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