The Happy Belly Cafe in Clifton, NJ: Your Local Spot for Great Coffee & Comfort Food

The Happy Belly Cafe Introduce

## Welcome to The Happy Belly Cafe: A Local Gem in Clifton, NJ

For residents of **New Jersey**, finding that perfect local spot that combines great food, a cozy atmosphere, and genuinely friendly service is a real treat. Allow us to introduce you to **The Happy Belly Cafe** in **Clifton, NJ**. More than just a traditional cafe, this establishment blends the best features of a coffee shop and a full-service restaurant, making it a truly versatile destination for any time of the day. It’s the kind of place you can grab a quick bite, settle in for a relaxed lunch, or fuel up with a delicious breakfast to start your day right.

The Happy Belly Cafe isn't just known for its delicious offerings; it also stands out as a vibrant community establishment. It proudly identifies as **Asian-owned**, **LGBTQ+ owned**, and **women-owned**, fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone, including those in the **LGBTQ+ friendly** community and locals with families. They’ve cultivated an atmosphere that is at once **casual**, **cozy**, and **trendy**, providing the perfect backdrop for solo dining, a family outing, or a casual meeting with friends. This commitment to both quality food and community spirit is what makes it a must-visit destination in the Northern New Jersey area.

Their menu is a delightful fusion, spanning from classic comfort foods and generous sandwiches to more unique, flavorful Asian-inspired rice bowls and snacks, ensuring there is something to satisfy every craving. Patrons consistently rave about their specialty drinks and the high quality of their main dishes, which is a testament to the care put into every item served.

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## Location and Accessibility

Conveniently situated for Clifton residents and those traveling through the area, The Happy Belly Cafe is located at **616 Van Houten Ave, Clifton, NJ 07013, USA**. This address places it in a straightforward spot, making it easy to find whether you’re running errands or specifically seeking out a fantastic new dining experience. Its location offers excellent access for a wide range of visitors.

The establishment prioritizes **accessibility**, ensuring a welcoming experience for all patrons. They offer a **wheelchair accessible entrance**, a dedicated **wheelchair accessible parking lot**, a **wheelchair accessible restroom**, and **wheelchair accessible seating**. Furthermore, for drivers, they provide both a **free parking lot** and **free street parking**, which is a significant convenience in the New Jersey area.

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## Services Offered

The Happy Belly Cafe offers a comprehensive range of services and dining options tailored to fit the busy New Jersey lifestyle, whether you have time to sit and relax or need something on the go:

**Dine-in:** Enjoy the casual, cozy, and trendy atmosphere with seating available.
**Takeout:** Perfect for grabbing your favorites quickly and enjoying them at home or on the job.
**Delivery:** The convenience of having your meal brought right to your door.
**Catering:** Excellent options for events, office meetings, or larger gatherings.
**Reservations:** The cafe accepts reservations, which is helpful for planning group lunches or ensuring a spot during peak hours.
**Dining Options:** Available for **Breakfast**, **Brunch**, **Lunch**, and **Dinner**, as well as **Dessert**.
**Payments:** Accepts various forms of payment including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**.

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## Features and Highlights

What truly sets The Happy Belly Cafe apart is its distinct offerings and commitment to a welcoming experience:

**Great Coffee and Specialty Drinks:** A highlight for many customers, the cafe is highly regarded for its coffee. Their menu features an array of options from a Classic Brewed Coffee to a Caffe Mocha, a creamy Caramel Macchiato, and specialty drinks like the **NEW! Iced UBE Latte**.
**Diverse Menu with Comfort and Unique Options:** The food offerings include classic **comfort food**, **healthy options**, and **vegetarian options**. Unique items include the **Pork Katsu Rice Bowl**, **Soup Dumplings**, and the customer-favorite **flavored fries**.
**Serves Local Specialty:** The cafe often features items that cater to local tastes or offer unique twists on beloved regional dishes. For example, their menu features items like **Lumpia** and a **Pork Katsu Bowl with Adobo Drizzle**, which adds a delicious Filipino kick, as noted by enthusiastic customers.
**Inclusive and Welcoming Atmosphere:** As an LGBTQ+ friendly and women-owned business, it is a **Transgender safespace** and is also **Family-friendly**, offering **High chairs** for the little ones. It includes a **Gender-neutral restroom**.
**Amenities:** Free Wi-Fi is available, and the cleanliness is top-notch, with one customer specifically praising the exceptionally clean **restroom**.
**Popular For:** It’s a popular choice for **Breakfast**, **Lunch**, and **Solo dining**, making it a versatile spot for your everyday dining needs. Their breakfast menu includes options like the **Power PLUS Breakfast Sandwich** and the classic **Sausage, 2 Egg Pattie & Cheese**.

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## What is Worth Choosing: Menu Highlights and Value

The variety and quality of the menu are excellent reasons why this cafe is a beloved **Clifton** destination. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty meal or a light snack, The Happy Belly Cafe has you covered. The value is clear when you look at the quality and selection available, from their generously sized sandwiches to their unique dessert selection.

For a unique lunch experience, you might explore the **Rice Bowls** like the **Asian Beef Teriyaki** or the **Char Siu Pork Rice Bowl**. Sandwich lovers have a huge variety to choose from, including the **Roasted Turkey Avocado**, the classic **Turkey Club**, or the more adventurous **Soft Shell Crab Sandwich** ($16.25). Their Paninis, like the **Chicken Caprese**, are perfect for a warm, savory meal. And you absolutely must save room for dessert—the menu is extensive, featuring items like **Tiramisu**, **NY Cheesecake Slice**, **Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate Cake**, and even specialty treats like the **UBE Rice Krispie Treats**.

The cafe also offers a fantastic selection of light bites and appetizers, making it great for sharing or a quick snack. Customer favorites like the **Crispy Calamari**, **Jumbo Shrimp Fry Basket**, and the much-praised **Crispy Fried Spring Rolls** are a delight. The focus on fresh, house-made quality, such as their claim for the best **Lumpia** a customer has had in the entire USA, speaks volumes about the dedication to their food.

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## Contact Information

The Happy Belly Cafe is ready to welcome you! For inquiries, reservations, or placing an order, here is the necessary information:

Address: 616 Van Houten Ave, Clifton, NJ 07013, USA

Phone: (973) 594-8888

Mobile Phone: +1 973-594-8888

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If you're a New Jersey local looking for a welcoming spot with a diverse, quality menu and excellent coffee, make sure to put The Happy Belly Cafe on your list. It’s a place that truly lives up to its name, promising a happy belly and a great experience.

The Happy Belly Cafe Menu

Soups
Chicken And Wild Rice $6.00
Cream Of Mushroom Soup (12 Oz) $6.25
Fresh soup made daily.
Pasta Fagioli $5.00
Chicken Noodle Soup (12 Oz) $6.25
Try a bowl of our hearty, home-made chicken noodle soup. Always hits the spot.
Crab And Corn Chowder $5.00

Sandwiches
Roasted Turkey Avocado $11.00
Sliced roasted turkey, avocado, crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes, lemon aioli on toasted ciabatta.
NEW! Soft Shell Crab Sandwich $16.25
Crab Cake Sandwich $13.75
Flavorful Homemade Crab Cakes, Fresh Tomatoes and Crisp Romaine Lettuce with Special Aioli Dressing on a Toasted French Hero
Grilled Chicken $10.00
Char-grilled chicken, crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes, horseradish honey mustard and mayo on toasted French bread.
Grilled Chicken Avocado $11.00
Char-grilled chicken, crispy bacon strips, avocado, crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes, horseradish honey mustard and blue cheese dressing on toasted French bread.
Shrimp Po’Boy $10.50
Crispy Fried Breaded Shrimp, Shredded Cabbage, Fresh Tomatoes & Cucumber Slices, Served with Sriracha Aioli on Soft French Bread
Chipotle Chicken $11.00
Char-grilled chicken, avocado, crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes, chipotle mayo on toasted ciabatta.
Pot Roast $13.50
Perfectly seasoned, tender, slow roasted beef, pepperjack cheese, served au jus on toasted French bread.
Boxed Lunch-Minimum Of 6 $0.00
Choice of a Sandwich/Panini/Wrap, a cookie and chips
The Italian $10.50
Premium sliced ham and salami, provolone cheese, crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes, reduced balsamic vinaigrette on French bread.
Turkey Club $10.50
Sliced roasted turkey, crispy bacon strips, crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes, cheddar cheese slices, jalapeno mayo on toasted French bread.
Tuna Melt $10.00
Homemade tuna salad and swiss cheese, jalapeno mayo on toasted whole wheat bread.
Pork Katsu Sandwich $10.50
Panko breaded deep fried pork loin, with shredded cabbage, tomatoes with drizzles Japanese mayo and teriyaki sauce on a toasted sweet bun
Fillet O’Flounder Sandwich $10.50
Crispy-Fried Breaded Flounder Fillet, Romaine Lettuce, Sliced Tomatoes, Pickles and Red Onions, with Ranch Dressing on a Toasted French Bread
Black Bean Burger $10.75
Black bean burger pattie, avocado, crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes and caramelized onions, chipotle mayo on a toasted sweet bun.
NEW! Lobster Salad Sandwich $19.00
Fresh and Light! Flavorful Lobster Salad, Fresh Lettuce and Tomatoes on a Soft Bun.
Ham & Swiss $10.00
Premium sliced ham, swiss cheese, crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes, horseradish honey mustard and mayo on French bread.
NEW! Mortadella Sandwich $10.75
Mortadella Slices, Provolone Cheese, Fresh Lettuce and Tomatoes with a Creamy Seasoned Aioli Dressing on Toasted Ciabatta Bread
NEW! Hickory BBQ Pork Belly Sandwich $13.00
Hickory BBQ Pork Belly, Shredded Cabbage, Pickles and Fried Onions, BBQ Sauce on French Bread
1/4 Pounder Salmon Burger $10.00
Quarter pounder salmon burger pattie, fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce and crispy fried onions, lemon aioli dressing on a toasted sweet bun.
Tuna Salad $10.00
Homemade tuna salad, crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes, jalapeno mayo on toasted whole wheat bread.
5 BLT $9.50
Five crispy slices of bacon, fresh lettuce and tomatoes on a roll.

Paninis
Meatball Parm $10.75
Homemade, savory meatballs, melted asiago cheese and classic marinara on ciabatta bread.
Chicken Parm $10.75
Crispy-fried chicken cutlet, melted shredded mozzarella and classic marinara.
Cuban $10.75
Flavorful roast pork, premium sliced ham, swiss cheese slices and tangy pickles, horseradish honey mustard dressing on ciabatta bread.
Chicken Caprese $10.75
Traditional caprese panini with char-grilled chicken on ciabatta bread.
Caprese $9.50
Simple and classici slices of fresh mozzarella and fresh tomatoes, basil pesto dressing on ciabatta bread.
Chicken Cutlet $10.75
Crispy-fried chicken cutlet, roasted peppers, melted shredded mozzarella, reduced balsamic vinaigrette dressing on ciabatta bread.

Desserts
Steakhouse Cheesecake $5.75
Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake $5.25
VDay Rice Krispie Heart $3.25
NY Cheesecake Slice $4.25
Toasted Almond Cake $5.25
Choco Covered Strawberries (4 Pcs) $9.00
Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate Cake $6.75
* Please note that although we offer gluten-free cake, we are not an allergen-free facility and exposure to allergens is possible.
Triple Choco Cake $6.75
Mango Mousse Slice $5.00
NEW! Dulce De Leche Cake $6.75
Vanilla Cake Sponge, Dulce de Leche Mousse Filling and Marble Chocolate Shavings
UBE Rice Krispie Treats $3.50
Choco Mousse Slice $5.00
Tiramisu $5.75
White Choco Lemon Cake Slice $5.25
Choco Hazelnut Ganache Cake $6.75
Choco Covered Strawberries $2.25
Oreo Cake Slice $5.00
Snickers Cake Slice $4.75
Coconut Macaroons (6 Pcs) $5.75
6pack
Carrot Cake Slice $5.25
BTS CUPCAKE $3.50
Brownie $4.25
Chocolate chip, cheesecake. Rocky road.
Lemon Bar $4.50
Choco Fudge Slice $6.75
Red Velvet Cake Slice $5.25

Snacks
Crispy Calamari $16.50
Crispy fried choice cut calamari served with classic marinara sauce.
NEW! Soup Dumplings $9.50
Chicken And Waffle $11.00
Classic Belgian Waffles made with Pearl Sugar for that Pop of sweetness with every bite. Served with Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders and Drizzled with Regular Honey or kick it up a notch with Mike’s Hot Honey
Chicken Wings $9.50
Crispy fried chicken wings served with your choice of sauce.
Jumbo Shrimp Fry Basket $11.75
Panko-Crusted Jumbo Shrimps Fried to Perfection, Served with a Half and Half Dip of Sriracha and Lemon Aioli and Seafood Chips
Belgian Waffle $6.75
Classic and true to tradition. Belgian Waffles made with Pearl Sugar that adds a pop of sweetness with every bite. Choice of Chocolate or Caramel Drizzle
Crispy Fried Spring Rolls $10.00
Savory and flavorful pork and vegetable spring rolls, served with a sweet and sour chili dip.
Shrimp Spring Rolls (4ps) $8.00
Flavored Fries $4.75
Choice of Classic Salt Ed & Smokey Bbq, Cheesy Cheddar, or Sour Cream & Onion for An Additional Charges.
Dumplings (6 Pcs) $7.25
Lobster Or Squid Balls (2 Sticks) $0.00
Crispy Fried Lobster or Squid Balls, Served on a Stick and Drizzled with a Sweet and Spicy Sauce.
Cheesy Lump Crab Dip $11.25
Piping Hot Cheesy Lump Crab Dip Served with Crispy Seafood Chips
Bag Of Chips $2.75
Chicken Tenders $8.25
Five pieces of crispy fried chicken tenders served with horseradish honey mustard dressing.
Empanada $10.00
Savory Crescent-Shaped Turnovers with Flavorful Fillings
Mozzarella Sticks $5.75
Six pieces of cheesy mozzarella sticks served with classic marinara sauce.
Choco-Filled Churros $8.00
4 Chocolate-Filled Churros

Specialty Drinks
Soda In Can $2.50
Hot Tea $3.75
Hot Chocolate (16 Oz) $4.75
Chocolate Milk $5.75
Caffe Mocha (16 Oz) $5.50
Bottled Water $2.00
Cappuccino (16 Oz) $4.75
Iced Coffee (24 Oz) $4.25
Caramel Macchiato (16 Oz) $5.75
Caffe Americano (16 Oz) $4.00
Espresso $3.75
Matcha Latte (16 Oz) $5.50
Iced Tea (24 Oz) $4.25
Smoothies (24 Oz) $8.25
Lemonade (24 Oz) $4.25
NEW! Watermelon Slush $6.00
Caffe Latte (16 Oz) $5.25
Classic Brewed Coffee $3.75
Regular or decaf.
NEW! Iced UBE Latte $6.75

Seasonal Specials
Vegetable Spring Rolls (2) $4.00
Mix of Vegetables and Chicken, Rolled in a Light, Crispy Wrapper and Served with a Sweet and Sour Vinegar Dip.
Lobster Or Squid Balls (2 Sticks) $0.00
Crispy Fried Lobster or Squid Balls, Served on a Stick and Drizzled with a Sweet and Spicy Sauce.
St. Peter’s Haven Donation $1.00
Donate to Clifton NJ’s Only Food Pantry and Share the Love
The Happy Wings Rice Bowl $13.00
Crispy Marinated Chicken Wings, Served with Pickled Atchara and a Hard-Boiled Egg, Drizzled with Adobo Glaze.
Bottle Of Crispy Garlic $13.50

Rice Bowls
Pork Katsu Rice Bowl $14.50
Crispy- fried Panko breaded deep fried pork loin, on top of bowl of steamed white rice served with cabbage and tomatoes drizzled with Japanese mayo and teriyaki sauce
Shrimp Katsu Rice Bowl $15.75
Crispy-Fried Panko-Crusted Shrimps Over Hot Steaming Rice, Served with a Shredded Cabbage and Fresh Tomato Salad, Drizzled with Japanese Mayo and Teriyaki Sauce
Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowl $15.50
Sweet and savory tender pieces of chicken on top of a bowl of steamed white rice, topped with flash fried garlic and egg, served with pickled slaw.
The Happy Belly $15.00
Crispy-fried thick bacon on top of a bowl of steamed white rice, drizzled with adobo glaze and topped with homemade pickled slaw.
BBQ Skewer $15.00
Asian-inspired chicken or pork BBQ skewer on top of a bowl of steamed white rice, topped with homemade pickled slaw.
Asian Beef Teriyaki $16.75
Sweet and savory tender pieces of beef on top of a bowl of steamed white rice, topped with flash fried garlic and egg.
NEW! Char Siu Pork Rice Bowl $15.50
Sweet and savory tender pieces of pork on top of a bowl of steamed white rice, topped with flash fried garlic and egg, served with pickled slaw.
The Happy Wings Rice Bowl $13.50
Crispy Marinated Chicken Wings, Served with pickled slaw and a Hard-Boiled Egg, Drizzled with Adobo Glaze.

Breakfast Sandwiches
Sausage, 2 Egg Pattie & Cheese $7.00
Salami, 2 Egg Patie & Cheese $7.00
Bacon, 2 Egg Pattie & Cheese $7.00
Turkey Bacon, 2Egg Pattie & Cheese $8.75
Bagel With Cream Cheese $4.00
Power PLUS Breakfast Sandwich $9.25
Crispy Bacon, Avocado Slices, 2 Egg Pattie, Cheddar Cheese, Onions & Tomatoes
Ham, 2 Egg Pattie & Cheese $7.00
Power Breakfast Sandwich $7.75
Avocado slices, two egg pattie, cheddar cheese, onions and tomatoes.
2 Egg Pattie & Cheese $6.00
Hearty Breakfast Wrap $8.76

Wraps
Chicken Arugula Wrap $9.50
Grilled Chicken, Fresh Arugula, Tomato and Cucumber Slices and Aji Verde Dressing
Southwest Tuna Wrap $10.25
Tuna salad, mixed greens, fresh tomato slices and pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayo.
Thai Chicken Wrap $10.50
Char-grilled chicken, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato and cucumber slices, shredded carrots and crispy wonton, thai satay dressing.
Mediterranean Wrap $9.50
Hummus, mixed greens, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, sliced onions, feta cheese and roasted peppers.
Chicken Caesar Wrap $10.25
Char-grilled chicken, crisp lettuce, asiago cheese and crispy bacon strips, Caesar dressing.
Grilled Chicken Wrap $10.50
Char-grilled chicken, crispy bacon strips, fresh tomatoes and crisp lettuce, cheddar cheese, horseradish honey mustard.
Crispy Chicken Wrap $10.25
Crispy Chicken Tenders, Thinly Shredded Cabbage, Fresh Sliced Tomatoes and Cucumbers and Sriracha Aioli Dressing

Salads
Farmhouse Salad $9.25
Mixed greens, fresh tomatoes and cucumber, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, sliced hard boiled egg, feta cheese.
Thai Wonton Salad $9.25
Crisp lettuce, shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, fresh tomatoes and crispy wonton, thai satay dressing.
Summer Berry Salad $9.25
Mixed greens, summer berries, walnuts, dried cranberries, goat cheese, raspberry vinaigrette.
Caesar Salad $8.25
Crisp lettuce, sharp shredded asiago and crunchy croutons.

The Happy Belly Cafe Details

From the business
Identifies as Asian-owned
Identifies as LGBTQ+ owned
Identifies as women-owned

Service options
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Great coffee
Serves local specialty

Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Healthy options
Prepared foods
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegetarian options

Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating

Amenities
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
Family-friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safespace

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
Parking

The Happy Belly Cafe Photos

The Happy Belly Cafe Location

The Happy Belly Cafe

New Jersey Passaic County Clifton Van Houten Avenue

616 Van Houten Ave, Clifton, NJ 07013, USA

The Happy Belly Cafe Reviews

An average rating of ★4.7 from 286 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

The Best Cafe ever in New Jersey!Everything came out fresh. The best lumpia I’ve ever ordered in the all of USA, you can defenitely tell that it is made in-house unlike other filipino resto out there that just deep fry frozen lumpia from the asian markets. Their flavored fries is a must try! We got the pork katsu bowl with the adobo drizzle to give it a filipino kick and it works 100% well with it. We ordered empanada to-go and it is the best snack that we had during our road trip. Last but not the least, the restroom is the cleanest restroom I’ve been in during our east coast trip. I even saw them checking the restroom during a busy time showing their dedication serving their customers.
March 17 · Francisco Rones
Great space, awesome staff 🙏🏼 I love coming here definitely a regular. Today I had a peach smoothie, mozzarella sticks, and power PLUS breakfast sandwich on a bagel. I will always continue coming back for the smoothies. I rave about it the most to anyone, and have already told me they love it 😊.
August 29 · Haslyn Almonte
Walked in to a warm welcoming ambiance, Makes you feel like home with the cushions & the nice gray paint (fav color). Snacks desserts & much more to dine in … Clean & organized. Burger was good… tried the bbq flavored fries… ehhhh
May 16 · Noah Bethelmie
10/10 bread is crispy, chicken is properly seasoned, I love the amount of cheese they add. I only tried 2 sandwiches because I just love this one and the pork one
July 28 · Estefany Almonte
Had a great lunch here I had the Chipotle black bean burger with BBQ flavored fries and a cheesecake brownie and everything was delicious. Good customer service I called ahead and my dine in order was ready when I got there 10 minutes later. Highly recommend Happy Belly as my belly was indeed happy.😊
August 11 · Kimbilee The Voice
Was recommended to come here and was surprised to see they were Filipino American!Got the bbq skewer which was okay but the portions aren’t even enough to feed my dog.One scoop of rice and maybe half a teaspoon of atchara.For 15 bucks you’d expect to not be hungry after a meal.
September 30 · Ken Cebedo