North Jersey restaurants, from sweet eats to beachy vibes, to cure your seasonal depression
Living in New Jersey in December is magical: carols ring through the air, candy canes decorate trees and sparkling lights illuminate the darkness.
But in January? It's just dark.
(At 4:30 p.m.)
That's right folks; we agree with you. Living in the Garden State from Christmas to March 21 kind of sucks. But it doesn't have to.
Sunshine aside, there are other ways to get your endorphins going — namely through carbohydrates, tryptophan and social interactions. AKA, restaurants can help cure your seasonal depression.
Imagine warm, parmesan-topped bowls of pasta, or melty chocolate dripping over sugar-crusted Belgian waffles. From sweet eats to beachy vibes, these seven Jersey hotspots have what it takes to crush your winter blues.
Mike's Pasta and Sandwich Shoppe, Nutley
Carbs are colloquially known for making you feel happy (according to science, they release endorphins in the brain), so what better way to boost your mood then to eat them two ways at once?
At Mike's Pasta & Sandwich Shoppe, you can do just that.
Run by multiple dudes named Mike, the Nutley lunch spot is locally famous for being the place to go to devour a massive sandwich alongside a heaping pile of pasta. Picture a fried eggplant sammie with a scoop of truffle macaroni salad, or a spicy grilled cheese next to some Italian meat-filled antipasto mac, and you've got a basic idea of what the team serves.
In the past, we have always enjoyed the Mikes' chorizo and chipotle mayo creations, but, if you're looking for a quick pick-me-up? You really can't go wrong with any gluten-loaded item on the menu.
Go: 95 Harrison St., Nutley; 973-542-8822, mikespastasandwichshoppe.com.
Cap't Loui, Montclair
If you're feeling depressed in the winter, chances are it's because you miss the summer.
And, if you miss the summer, chances are Cap't Loui in Montclair can help with that.
Themed as a nautical, shorefront escape, the bustling eatery will transport you from the blistering cold of Essex County to the sunny boardwalk of Point Pleasant in August. Grab a seat at one of its long, wooden tables, and be wowed by towering buckets of crab legs, beachy decor and more peel-and-eat shrimp than a Fourth of July barbecue in Cape Cod.
As you sink your teeth into a juicy corn on the cob — or crack lobster with very minimal expertise — you'll forget (for a moment) that we've still got twelve more weeks of winter.
Go: 10 Park St., Montclair; 973-337-5227, captloui.com.
Chocolate House, Paterson
Similar to bread and pasta, chocolate is another food chemically capable of creating happiness. Bite into a Hershey's Bar or Reese's Cup, and the tryptophan in each will trigger the brain to make serotonin; a neurotransmitter that makes people feel good.
So, in other words? If you want to beat the winter blues, it's probably time to take a trip to Passaic County's Chocolate House.
Located on Paterson's energetic Main Street, the real-life Willy Wonka factory serves all sorts of chocolate treats, from Chocolate Chip Cookie Lava Cake to Chocolate-Dipped Belgian Waffle Sticks.
When we go, we like to indulge in the gooey brownies or fudge-topped crepes — both with ice cream, of course.
Go: 1131 Main St., Paterson; 973-782-4559, chocolate-house-dessert-shop.business.site.
La Bella Princess Cafe, Verona
Disney World is known as the most magical place on earth, so what could be happier than a whimsical, local cafe dedicated entirely to its princesses?
La Bella Cafe in Verona is a new coffee shop and small-bite cafe themed around Disney's most celebrated leading ladies. Adorned with luscious pink flowers and beautiful, gold-lined furniture, the place is a gorgeous, fairytale-like escape from the outside world. On certain nights, you'll even catch the princesses themselves in the spot.
A special occasion place for kids, or a luxury morning breakfast stop for adults, North Jersey's first "Princess Cafe" is destined to make you smile. Savor its croissant waffle with Oreos and cream, or tear into its gooey rainbow grilled cheese, and enjoy an hour or two in a world of pure imagination.
Go: 555 Bloomfield Ave., Verona; 973-429-2300, bellaprincess.com.
Boots & Bones, Jersey City
In Nashville, the parties never die.
Like, ever.
It makes sense, then, that Boots and Bones — a Southern bar and restaurant in Jersey City that calls itself "Nashville up North" — be a must-hit destination for those feeling down. Lively, loud and colorful, the vivacious spot makes sure that the good times (and good food, and good drinks) never stop.
Upon entering the rustic space, guests are overwhelmed with neon decor, bright uplighting and a warm, barn-like atmosphere. Eat a rack of St. Louis ribs in those wooden and tin digs, and the Southern soul of the place will run through your body like antifreeze.
Go: 116 Newark Ave., Jersey City; 201-706-3237, bootsandbonesjc.com.
Belmont Tavern, Belleville
The Belmont Tavern in Belleville is one of Jersey's most iconic, old-school red sauce joints. At the nostalgic, checkered tablecloth spot, time seems to stand still.
Founded in 1967, the cozy restaurant is known for serving traditional Italian eats like your mother (or grandmother) used to make. On Sundays, it's not uncommon to see every table in the space full of parents, grandparents and children; all enjoying large, family-style meals.
Cut into a steamy piece of Chicken Savoy and be reminded of the welcoming dinner tables of your youth. Devour a few Shrimp "Beeps" (if you know, you know), and have your heart warmed by the saucy, parmesan-topped flavors of Nonna's kitchen.
In the homey restaurant gem, food "cooked with love" makes it nearly impossible to be sad.
Go: 12 Bloomfield Ave., Belleville; 973-759-9609, belmont-tavern.business.site.
Rumba Cubana, Rochelle Park & Clifton
What do islands and seasonal depression have in common?
Absolutely nothing.
On tropical islands, people live in paradise every day. Mornings are characterized by smoothies on the beach, and afternoons fade to evenings with salsa music and cotton candy sunsets. In the middle of the ocean, sunshine and smiles are the name of the game.
Such is the vibe at Rumba Cubana. A small, North Bergen-based chain, every restaurant in the franchise is famous for its lively atmosphere, summer feel and bright Latin American fare.
Order a crispy Pargo Relleno (fried whole fish) with a fruity cocktail, and kiss your Jersey worries goodbye.
Go: Various locations (closest in Rochelle Park & Clifton); rumbacubana.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: North Jersey restaurants near me to cure seasonal depression