Skip the popcorn — eat at one of these North Jersey restaurants near movie theaters instead (2024)

Chicken fingers, French fries and a drink at an AMC movie theater costs $18.79. An Angus hot dog costs $5.25 at a Cinemark. Pretzel bites go for $6.59 at a Regal Cinemas.

If overpriced, reheated food is your thing, by all means, save your appetite for movie theater snacks. But, if you'd prefer to spend your money on a meal made by actual chefs before or after your movie, keep reading.

AMC Wayne 14 & Cinemark

Chengdu 23

Skip the popcorn — eat at one of these North Jersey restaurants near movie theaters instead (1)

One of the best Chinese restaurants in North Jersey is snuggled near the AMC in Wayne and a short drive away from the Cinemark. Chendu 23 looks like a typical Chinese restaurant, but the food is authentic and tantalizing. Try the juicy xiao long boa ($8), or the Ants Climbing a Tree with glass noodles flecked with ground pork ($13), or the dan dan noodles with sautéed green veggies and minced pork. Every one is a winner.

Go: 6 Willowbrook Blvd., Wayne;973-812-2800,chengdu23.com.

Viaggio

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Though not right around the corner from the theaters, Viaggio is worth the 7-mile drive. Lauded chef Robbie Felice helms this BYO Italian restaurant that touts a menu of traditional Italian dishes. If you’re in the mood for fried calamari and marinara sauce – this is not the place for you.

Go:1055 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne;973-706-7277,viaggioristorante.com.

AMC East Hanover 12

145 NJ-10, East Hanover;973-515-1160

Penang Malaysian and Thai Cuisine

Start off your mealwith the ever-popular dish roti canai – a crispy Malaysian pancake served with curry chicken as a dipping sauce ($4.99) – and the sataychicken and beef skewers, charcoal grilled and served with a peanut sauce. After apps, choose your entrée among an array of curries, chicken roasts and rice and noodle dishes.

Go:200 NJ-10, East Hanover;973-887-6989,penangcuisine.com.

Bow Tie Caldwell Cinemas 4

317 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell;973-226-9059

Nori Sushi

Not to be confused with Nori in Wayne (the one that was in an episode of “The Sopranos”), Nori Sushi in Caldwell offers dozens of sushi rolls – everything from the Winter Pearl Roll (scallop, asparagus, cucumber, avocado, tobiko and salmon roe, $10) to a classic Spider Roll (soft shell crab tempura, cucumber, avocado, $7.50). Bento boxes, teriyaki-flavored proteins and other pan-Asian dishes are available, as well.

Go:406 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell;973-403-2400,norisushicaldwell.com.

Sabor Peru

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This bright and colorful Peruvian joint used to be located in Rutherford but later moved to a larger space in Caldwell, right near the movie theater. We recommend the ceviche mixto (a cold mix of seafood in leche de tigre, $12), the arroz chaufa de carne o pollo ($7.99) and a dessert course of irresistible Tres Leche ($6).

Bow Tie Cinemas South Orange

1 SOPAC Way, South Orange;973-761-0292

Tito’s Burritos

Skip the popcorn — eat at one of these North Jersey restaurants near movie theaters instead (4)

Tito’s Burritos is a local chain that has become a favorite in North Jersey for its winning combo of Mexican food and wings. The wings are crispy and come covered in sauces like Aloha (a sweet Hawaiian teriyaki barbecue and pineapple sauce) and Wango Tango (made with roasted shallots and oyster sauce, $6.50 to $21.95). The quesadillas are cheesy, crunchy and big enough for two ($8.95 to $12.75). Bring friends.

Go:6 W. South Orange Ave., South Orange;973-821-5750,titosburritos.com.

Ariyoshi

The back door of this Japanese restaurant exits into the parking lot of the movie theater – doesn’t get much closer than that. Slurp down some udon ($13.50) and gobble rolls of sushi and strips of tonkatsu ($14.95) before or after your movie.

Go:56 S. Orange Ave., South Orange;973-378-8818,ariyoshijapanese.com.

Hawthorne Theaters

300 Lafayette Ave., Hawthorne; 973-427-2524

Celtic Corner

This spacious, classic Irish pub with a hand-hewn bar and traditional Irish woodwork, is just a few steps away from Hawthorne Theaters. Irish specials such as shepherd’s pie ($18), bangers and mash with grilled Irish sausage ($16) and Yuengling-battered fish and chips ($17) are served, as well as crowd-pleasers like burgers, cheesesteaks and nachos.

Go:312 Lafayette Ave., Hawthorne;973-949-3767,celticcornernj.com.

Bogie’s Hoagies

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A bit further down the street is a Hawthorne favorite – Bogie's Hoagies. Of course, traditional deli subs are served, but owner Paul Beaugard, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, also offers hand-made pasta and Neapolitan pizza

Go:421 Lafayette Ave., Hawthorne; 973-423-2221,bogieshoagies.com.

Teaneck Cinemas

503 Cedar Lane, Teaneck;201-530-7409

Veggie Heaven

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Veggie heaven has been a neighborhood treasurefor vegetarians and vegans in North Jersey for years. Its Asian dishes are made with vegan and kosher meat substitutesof soy, tempeh and wheat gluten. Though the menu lists dishes like General Tso’s Chicken ($11.25), chicken with broccoli ($11.25) and chicken lo mein ($7.50), rest assured that no animals were harmed in the making of that "chicken."

Go:473 Cedar Lane, Teaneck;201-836-0887,veggieheaventeaneck.com.

Butterflake Bakeshop

You won’t find a full meal at this Kosher bakery, but you will find plenty of tempting sweet treats. Coffee cake, babka, pies, cookies, slices of layered cakes and fresh-baked bread are available to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Go:448 Cedar Lane, Teaneck;201-836-3516,butterflake.com.

AMC Garden State 16

4000 Garden State Plaza;201-291-8524

H-Mart food court

Forget Garden State Plaza’s food court. Cross Route 17 and visit the Market Eatery at H-Mart. Browse through the booths and make the tough choice of what to eat among ramen, barbecue ribs, dumplings, bulgogi and more.

Go: 60 State Route 17 North, Paramus;201-708-2820,hmart.com.

Ted’s North Delicatessens

Soup, subs, sandwiches and some crazy good fries are available at Ted’s North, one of the most popular delis in North Jersey.

Go:432 Rochelle Ave., Rochelle Park;201-368-8616,tedsdelirochellepark.com.

Allwood Theater

96 Market St., Clifton;973-778-9774

Lamoon’s Thai

Headed to a matinée? Lamoon’s Thai has some excellent lunch specials. Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., mixed vegetables in brown sauce, pad thai, pad see ew, drunken noodles, basil fried rice, green curry and more are available for $8.95. The hearty servings come with a soup or salad.

Go:64 Market St., Clifton;973-928-6777,lamoonsthairestaurant.com.

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Burgerstrasse

For a simple, satisfying burger, head to Burgerstrasse. Antibiotic- and hormone-free meat is used to make its Haus Burger ($6) and crispy chicken sandwich with herb ailoi ($6). The hand-cut fries are always crispy and the custard milkshakes are always thick.

Go:14 Market St., Clifton;973-928-4859,burgerstrasse.com.

AMC Clifton Commons 16

405 NJ-3, Clifton;973-614-0966

Ralph’s Pizza

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Ralph’s Pizza has been a North Jersey staple for decades – it opened in 1961. Ralph’s has been celebrated far and wide for its thin-crust pizza, double-baked so it’s extra crispy and covered in a thin layer of cheese that runs to the edge of the pizza.

Go:564 Franklin Ave., Nutley;973-235-1130,ralphspizzeria.com.

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

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Spuntino is connected to the Clifton AMC by a long and winding parking lot – so you don’t have far to go. Options include house-made pasta such as funghirisotto ($12) and short rib cassarecce ($14), bronzino ($14) and Tuscan strip steak ($38). An extensive wine selection is also available.

Go:70 Kingsland Road, Clifton;973-661-2435,spuntinowinebar.com.

Bow Tie Cinemas Warner Theater

Felina

Skip the popcorn — eat at one of these North Jersey restaurants near movie theaters instead (9)

For a pricier, more refined dinner post- or pre-movie, try Felina, the Italian restaurant helmed by revered chef Anthony Bucco. You can’t miss it – it’s housed in the former bank building on Ridgewood Avenue. Dishes include black pepper bucatini ($22), fusilli with smoked pork belly ($25) and duck breast with charred broccoli ($35).

Go:54 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood;551-276-5454,felinarestaurant.com.

Raymond’s

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If you’re looking for something a little more casual, you can’t go wrong with Raymond’s. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Raymond’s serves everything from fluffy pancakes (all day, $12) to turkey clubs ($16) to pan-roasted organic salmon ($23).

Go:101 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood;201-445-5125,raymondsnj.com.

Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, pleasesubscribe todayand sign up forourNorth Jersey Eats newsletter.

Email:kingr@northjersey.comTwitter:@rebeccakingnj Instagram: @northjerseyeats