NORTH
Alice’s Restaurant
Lake Hopatcong
View: A mahogany bar runs the length of the outdoor deck, offering a lakefront panorama. Food: Comfort food, featuring local produce. Drink: Full bar, signature cocktails. Arrive by boat or car. 24 Nolans Point Park Road; 973-663-9600—Dana Inez
Battello
Jersey City
View: Situated on the Newport Yacht Pier on the Hudson, the former Michael Anthony’s is bookended by boats. The setting sun casts a glow on the water and into the dining room. Food: Executive chef Ryan DePersio (still in that capacity at his family flagship, Fascino in Montclair), brings his “Italian without borders” approach. Expect pastas and a Mediterranean flair with seafood. Drink: Creative, seasonal cocktails and a sophisticated wine list. 502 Washington Boulevard; 201-798-1798—LB
Black River Barn
Randolph
View: Black River Pond from the two-tiered, wood-and-stone patio. The lower level kneels at the water’s edge. Food: Pizza, seafood, pasta, burgers and other pub favorites. Drink: Domestic and imported beers on tap or in bottles, wines by glass or bottle, signature martinis. 1178 Route 10 West; 973-598-9988—Maryrose Mullen
Chart House
Weehawken
View: The restaurant juts into the Hudson River, with the Empire State Building looming across the way. Food: Classic steak house, with local seafood fresh daily. Drink: Lengthy wine list, full bar, happy hour. 1700 Harbor Boulevard, Pier D-T, 201-348-6628—LB
Crab House
Edgewater
View: You’ll see the Hudson from every table in the large first-floor dining room. Food: Lots of shrimp and crab dishes on a casual, seafood-shack menu. Drink: Full bar, happy hour, special summer cocktails. 541 River Road; 201-840-9311—LB
Haven
Edgewater
View: Halfway between the George Washington Bridge and the Lincoln Tunnel, Haven offers an Upper Manhattan panorama from every seat in the dining room and on the patio, just 20 feet from the water’s edge. Food: New American from executive chef Peter Larsen, formerly of NYC’s the Goodwin and Artisanal. Drink: Craft beers, cocktails, deep wine list. 2 Main Street (GPS : 45 River Road); 201-943-1900—LB
Jefferson House
Lake Hopatcong
View: Kick back on the patio and gaze at the lake. Food: Soup, sandwiches, seafood. Drink: Full bar plus outdoor tiki bar. Arrive by boat or car. 139 Nolans Point Road, 973-663-3063—DI
Komegashi Too
Jersey City
View: The Manhattan skyline from the dining room (no view from the sushi bar/lounge). Food: Modern Japanese. Drink: Full bar, featuring Japanese beers and high-end sakes. Its wine list won a 2013 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award. 99 Town Square Place; 201-533-8888—LB
Le Jardin
Edgewater
View: From a hillside perch, diners gaze at the George Washington Bridge and Upper Manhattan. Particularly stunning at sunset from the outdoor terrace. Food: French. Drink: Full bar. In summer, Tuesday is Martini Night, with live jazz. 1257 River Road; 201-224-9898—LB
Liberty House
Jersey City
View: Positioned at the mouth of Liberty Landing Marina in Liberty State Park, the restaurant affords jaw-dropping panoramas of Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. In warm weather, stroll the outdoor terraces and lush garden out to the water. Food: New American, with raw bar and sushi bar in warmer months. Drink: Full bar, 120 wines by the bottle (many American), 25 by the glass, seasonal cocktails. 76 Audrey Zapp Drive; 201-395-0300—LB
Maritime Parc
Jersey City
View: Liberty Landing Marina from the ground floor dining room, the Lower Manhattan skyline from the patio and (for catered events) the upstairs balcony. Food: Creative New American seafood from executive chef Christopher Siversen. Drink: Crisp summer cocktails. Wine list features interesting, lesser-known varietals. 84 Audrey Zapp Drive; 201-413-0050—LB
McLoone’s Boathouse
West Orange
View: Watch the swan-shaped paddle boats on Orange Reservoir from the stone patio of this rustic-looking modern restaurant in South Mountain Reservation. Live music indoors. Food: New American, plus sushi. Drink: Full bar, international wine list, many Scotches. 9 Cherry Lane, 872-252-7108—MM
Pavinci Italian Grill
Hopatcong
View: Tucked in a cove, the restaurant offers lake views from most tables. Deck opens in warm weather. Live music weekends year-round and every third Tuesday. Food: Italian-American. Sunday brunch buffet runs the gamut from waffles to veal Francese. Drink: Full bar, wines by bottle and glass. Arrive by boat or car. 453 River Styx Road; 973-770-4300—DI
Robongi
Weehawken
View: From the Port Imperial ferry terminal, tables look out at the Hudson and the New York skyline. Food: Mainly Japanese, some Chinese. Drink: Full bar. 4800 Port Imperial Boulevard, 201-558-1818—LB
Son Cubano
West New York
View: From the Havana Room, gaze at Lower Manhattan up to Midtown. From the adjacent Vista room, take in the Upper West Side. Outdoor waterfront seating available. Food: Traditional and modern Cuban. Drink: The Passion Mojito is the best seller, with many other Mojito flavors and rum concoctions available. 40-4 Riverwalk Place; 201-399-2020—LB
Surf City
Jersey City
View: Situated on the Morris Canal near Liberty Island, Surf City has four decks (one with a man-made beach). Food: Party hearty with burgers, ribs, seafood. Drink: Full bar with 75 beers on tap, plus a bar just for frozen drinks. 1 Marin Boulevard; 201-516-9000—LB
Vu
Jersey City
View: From the third floor of the Hyatt, floor-to-ceiling windows take in everything from the Empire State Building to the Statue of Liberty. Food: Locally focused New American. Honey comes from the chef’s 400,000-bee apiary on the hotel roof. Drink: Gastronomic cocktails, 15 red and 12 white wines by the glass. 2 Exchange Place; 201-469-4650—LB
Waterside
North Bergen
View: Renovated in 2012 to give every table the Manhattan panorama. Glass doors open for patio dining in warm weather. Food: Chef Karlo Dobric (formerly of New York’s Cipriani and Le Cirque) introduced a tapas-inspired menu in February. Drink: If you order bottle service, you’re guaranteed a prime table outdoors. Wines by half bottle available. 7800 River Road; 201-861-7767—LB
Wicked Wolf
Hoboken
View: Lower Manhattan from an outdoor patio. Food: Hearty pub grub, plus children’s menu and daily specials. Drink: Full bar with more than 20 beers on tap. 120 Sinatra Drive, 201-659-7500—LB
The Windlass
Lake Hopatcong
View: Keep cool under colorful umbrellas as you watch boats from the lakefront patio. Food: Italian-American, plus seafood, steaks and chops. Drink: Full bar. Arrive by boat or car. 45 Nolans Point Park Road; 973-663-3190—DI
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