Nestled in a renovated circa 1898 firehouse, Café Matisse’s elegant dining room is adorned with Matisse silhouettes and bejeweled chandeliers. Our European courtyard, complete with romantic water features, is open each summer season from May 15th through October 15th.
Café Matisse’s mission is to provide our patrons with a fine dining experience in an elegant yet casual, convivial atmosphere. We strive to address every detail and exceed expectations to create an experience that is truly a departure from the ordinary.
Chef Owner Peter Loria’s hand crafted dishes are presented in either a three or a four course grazing menu option. We look forward to providing you and your guests with a special evening to remember!
"Never disappoints. Cafe Matisse always has such a great menu. The flavors in each dish are amazing. If you want to experience the best restaurant in northern NJ, try out Cafe Matisse."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The food is very good, but not outstanding. The service is very friendly and attentive. The scallop, sea bass, banana creme pie were excellent. The beet salad, burger, tuna, and chocolate tart were good but not out of this world."
Dined on 5/09/2013
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"On our sixth trip to Café Matisse we were as delighted as our first. The staff is wonderful and the food a superb combination of unexpected combinations that delight. This is a small gem of a place where we've had romantic dinners and delightful family occasions. Highly recommended."
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"I have dined at Cafe' Matisse numerous times over the years and each and every time I leave loving it even more. As soon as you walk in you are greeted and treated as an honored guest(this has never changed). The wait staff is exceptional without being intrusive. As far as the food........as a foodie, I am not sure I can articulate properly the accolades this chef deserves! This is THE WAY to dine out...to do the grazing menu (which should not be misinterpreted as not enough food). The fact that this is a BYOB is the icing on the cake. I am looking forward to going back soon to dine in their beautiful little garden. I am so happy they have never expanded into a bigger restaurant, big is not always better certainly holds true."
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Cafe Matisse is our restaurant of choice for every special occasion, and for evenings we just want to make special. It lacks for nothing, with an incredibly inventive chef-owner whose every dish is delectable, a professional, savvy, warm staff, a beautiful dining room surpassed only by the wildly romantic garden. There is a wine shop up front where you can purchase from a relatively small but quite wonderful selection of wines for the evening at a fair price. And this place doesn't get old, as the chef continues to innovate, and the entire experience gets better each time."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, scenic view, hot spot, special occasion
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"A unique restaurant! This was our second visit. The first time we went, we couldn't stop talking about it and couldn't wait to return. The second time was almost as good. My husband is an extremely picky eater, so I was worried about whether he would like (or appreciate) the food, but he was equally enthusiastic. The crab cakes were amazing (they were spicer the second visit--may be too spicy for some people). It's hard to imagine how all of the ingredients descibed on the menu will come together in one dish, but they do! We both said we would have licked our plates if we were home. Too bad it's so expensive, or we'd come more often."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"My favorite restaurant for years & years for a reason. Every element is AMAZING: food, service, atmosphere. Their attention to detail is impeccable. Could not ask for more...."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Enjoyed the dining experience however it was VERY annoying to have a wait staff constantly doing laps around the dining room past our table. The service is a little too overpowering. They need to dial it done a little. The food was good however there was too many flavors going on in some of the plates. Less is more."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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"We chose the 3 course grazing menu for my 2 year anniversary with my girlfriend. She is a big seafood fan so she chose the scallops, tuna and crabcake. While I went the turf route and got the duck, burger and chicken wings. The wings were my favorite, the layers of flavor make my salivate thinking about it now. Although we always share, my girlfriend would not part with her scallops. The way all the flavors intermingle is an art which is the theme at Cafe Matisse. Just look around at the decor and you know this is not the usual boring night out, add the incredible personable service and you have an event. You will NEVER feel unwelcome at Cafe Matisse. Thank you Cafe Matisse for providing the best anniversary meal I have ever had !!"
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Café Matisse. I particularly liked the way the menu is presented, so detailed - and the offerings were so luscious, just the right size to savor the serving. We were not rushed at all, and enjoyed the experience immensely. My husband, who is usually a bit finicky, was pleasantly surprised with the service, and the taste and texture of the menu offerings. Yet, around 8 p.m. when the restaurant was almost filled up (Wednesday evening) the noise level got rather high, that is why it was rated moderate; earlier it was just right. Will definitely be back again, for the next special occasion."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2008
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I finally made it here for an anniversary after hearing about it for years. The menu is prix fixe only (i.e. you can't just drop in for dessert - which is phenomenal). The options are varied enough for different palates and tastes and all are delicious. Between my husband and I we tried the sea bass, tuna "sushi", Matisse burger (we each ordered one b/c it sounded so good), short ribs, and crab cake. Everything was meticulously plated and presented and "lick the plate clean" good. For dessert he got an amaretto chocolate cake and I got the famous cheesecake. Everything was perfect. Service is top notch. The owner actually came and checked to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and you do no see that often so we both appreciated it!"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"From the moment we walked into the restaurant, we felt welcomed and knew we would enjoy the evening. As we entered the formal dining room, it was beautifully decorated with paintings by Matisse, along with tasteful decor throughout the room. The service was impeccable. From the moment we sat down we were attended to as if we were the only guests in the restaurant. The dining experience is unique so they were very helpful in explaining the menu. The menu isn't overwhelming and the variety of tasteful dishes is very satisfying. The food is delicious; mouthwatering. And finishing off with outstanding desserts. We were never rushed. By the end of the evening, we felt part of the family. Perfect choice for a perfect evening."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"From the warm way you are greeted at the door, the entire experience is simply amazing. I have been to many restaurants that are "special occaision" types of places and none match the service and amazing food that you will have at Cafe Matisse. You have the sense you are the most important table in the place with the interaction of the seasoned wait staff. The chef is simply incredible. Read through the menu on their website and you will wonder "how do those ingredients go together?" The answer will be "magically." We have been to Cafe Matisse several times and each time try to order something different. We are NEVER disappointed. Generally we go with 2 other couples and everyone insists their meal was the best. Worth every penny."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Cafe Matisse is my wife's favorite restaurant. We came for her birthday dinner, after a hiatus of about 9 years. We were far from diappointed. Everything was as we remembered. In fact, it was a step up. The service was polite, attentive, and friendly, and not to the point of intrusion. They help create the warm and accommodating atmosphere. My wife is a definate foody, and although she critiqued a few points, she was thrilled. I enjoyed myself immensely. I am more captivated by the ambiance, the visuals, as much as the food. I love the place. We both came away happy and extraordinarily well fed."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Our experience at Cafe Matisse was nothing less than magical. From the friendly greeting at the front door, to the wine tasting, to our experience with the waiter...and not to mention, the food! Delicious and the perfect portion...with all sorts of flavors that I couldn't, at first, picture working together...The decor was really lovely and the ambiance very cozy. We can't wait to dine in the courtyard when the weather gets better. Everything was simply delightful and we will definitely dine here again."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"The setting is quiet and very cozy. While we haven't eaten out on the patio area yet it looks extremely romantic. I cannot say enough about the food. The menu is an original like the artist. Everything is delicious! The staff make you feel as though you are the only ones there."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Cafe Matisse is relatively small and understated, with a small outside area that we couldn't take advantage of due to the weather, however the dining room was very comfortable and the lighting was just right. We had a quick wine tasting before we dined, though we had brought our own bottle of wine with us. The host and wait staff were extremely attentive but were otherwise inconspicuous. The food was outstanding; we had the beet salad, sea bass, chicken wings and tuna tartar. Each one was a work of art and each one engaged all of our senses. I can't say enough good things about the meal we had there. Cafe Matisse has become an instant favorite for me."
Dined on 02/27/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"My 3rd time to Cafe Matisse; just fantastic. The many different flavors of ech dish are intense yetcome together perfectly. Everything was wonderful. A true eclectic experience!"
Dined on 01/30/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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"Loved the food but the decor could use some updating. It was pretty dimly lit which in this case was good. I would still go again as the food is good enough to overlook the decor. The wait staff was VERY attentive -- almost too much -- but very friendly, nice people."
Dined on 12/30/2012
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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