Even the coolest customers among us can't help but feel a little rush of excitement when we see a celebrity out in the wild. And when they're dining at our favorite local restaurants, it can feel like dinner came with a show.
But maybe we're use to it by now. It's fairly common in North Jersey to spot celebrities and famous athletes at local restaurants, after all. In the last few years, folks have caught glimpses of superstar actors like Sydney Sweeney and Adam Sandler, athletes like Eli Manning and Mariano Rivera and plenty of reality TV personalities.
Just remember that if you do see a famous person out at a local eatery, don't ogle and don't shove a camera in their face while they're eating. And save the comments on their height until after you leave.
Here are a baker's dozen of spots where folks have spotted celebrities grabbing a bite to eat in North Jersey.
Where celebrities eat in North Jersey
Augustino's, Hoboken
This classic Italian spot in Hoboken -- now approaching 30 years in business -- is a regular spot for celebrities to dine. Stop in and you might find yourself rubbing elbows with Adrien Brody, players from the New Jersey Devils, or superstars Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck.
The restaurant, which opened in 1997, is no stranger to celebrities. It used to host Hoboken's most famous native, Frank Sinatra.
Go: 1104 Washington St., Hoboken; 201-420-0104, instagram.com/augustinosrestaurant.
Chef Fredy's Table, Morristown
Members of "The Housemaid" cast and crew, including Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, dined at Chef Fredy's Table on Speedwell Avenue in Morristown in 2025, the restaurant announced on Instagram.
Luis Bedoya, general manager and partner of the restaurant, with Sweeney, shared photos with Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar and director Paul Feig. The table of nine ordered some specific menu items, but most of their food was recommended by the Chef Fredy's staff. Filming on "Housemaid" included a scene Rutt's Hut.
Go: 78 Speedwell Ave, Morristown; 973-538-3330, cheffredystable.com.
Eccola, Parsippany
Singer and television personality Paula Abdul paid a visit to this Italian bistro in 2026 while visiting Morris County for Chill Out, an autograph expo at the Hanover Marriott.
Eccola is known for its homemade pasta and innovated takes on Italian American classics. Abdul posed for a photo with owner Jeff DiBlasi on her visit.
Go: 1082 Route 46, Parsippany; 973-334-8211, eccolarestaurantnj.com.
Eggty 8, Fort Lee
Rapper and actor Ice-T along with his wife, Coco, and daughter made a recent stop at Eggty 8, a cafe in downtown Fort Lee, drawing attention from local fans and customers. The trio posed for photos with staff during the February 2026 visit.
Eggty 8 is known locally for its egg-based brunch dishes and coffee offerings.
Go: 140 Main St, Fort Lee; 201-947-6699, ordereggty8.com.
Lassoni, North Arlington
Lassoni is an understated, local's-favorite Italian spot, so it makes sense that some of the world's biggest stars would stop in for a bite.
Samuel L. Jackson stopped in while filming in Jersey City back in 2022; the restaurant staff apparently didn't know it was the "Pulp Fiction" star until he stood up to leave.
Go: 602 Ridge Rd, North Arlington; 201-998-0911, lassonirestaurant.com.
Lido, Hackensack
This old school pizzeria, bar and grill -- in business for 70 years this year -- makes many of our readers' favorite slice of North Jersey. Maybe add Ben Stiller to the list of fans.
The restaurant posted on social media a few years back that the actor/director stopped in for a pie. Commenters, predictably, lauded Stiller's taste in pizza.
Go: 701 Main St., Hackensack; 201-487-8721, thelidorestaurant.com.
LOKL Cafe, Morristown
What's better than a celebrity visiting your restaurant? When he returns the next day.
Lokl Cafe posted a photo on Instagram of mega-star Adam Sandler flashing a peace sign in an employee's selfie while waiting in line at the shop on South Street back in 2024. The actor, comedian and director then returned to Lokl again the next day, the shop said in a comment on the post.
Sandler was spotted around North Jersey while filming "Happy Gilmore 2."
Go: 80 South St., Morristown; 973-500-3634, myloklcafe.com.
LuNello, Cedar Grove
LuNello is an elegant Northern Italian spot known for its exceptional service and homemade pasta and seafood dishes. As such, it brings in some celebrities from time to time, who may or may not flip tables; indeed, it's the site of Teresa Giudice's iconic table-flip.
Recently, though, LuNello welcomed celebrity duo Ciara and Russell Wilson; Ciara is a Grammy-winning singer and entrepreneur and Wilson is a former New York Giant.
Go: 182 Stevens Ave., Cedar Grove; 973-837-1660, lunellonj.com.
Rails Steakhouse, Towaco
Sylvester Stallone, Nick Jonas, Nick Cannon and plenty of local professional athletes have stopped into this award-winning steakhouse for a meal.
Rails offers a raw bar, dry-aged steaks, and a large menu of refined seafood and Italian-inspired entrees, and its wine program is top-notch.
Go: 10 Whitehall Road, Towaco; 973-335-0006, railssteakhouse.com.
Raymond's, Montclair
This casual restaurant -- with sandwiches, burgers and comfort entrees like fish tacos, brick chicken and turkey meatloaf -- is a favorite of Montclair resident Stephen Colbert.
Whether you spot the comedian and (for a short time longer) late night host or not, we recommend checking out its awesome brunch menu on the weekends.
Go: 28 Church St., Montclair; 973-744-9263, raymondsnj.com.
Ristorante MV, Bernardsville
This upscale Italian restaurant is a magnet for celebrity sightings. The eatery has welcomed Giants great Eli Manning (who loves the veal chop here), Mike Tyson, a Jonas brother or two and plenty of politicians.
It's no wonder this place brings in a-listers: chefs make everything from scratch here, minding every detail for guests in this 10,000-square-foot restaurant located in a 200-year-old stone building.
Go: 1 Mill St., Bernardsville; 908-766-7979, ristorantemv.com.
Sugar Tree Cafe, Nutley
This gorgeous coffee and brunch spot is anchored by a huge tree that sprouts from the center of the room, branching off into purple flowers that drip from the ceiling. But the adornments of the space aren't the only thing that might catch your eye on a visit.
Famous folks like Fetty Wap, Teresa Giudice and Margaret Josephs of "Real Housewives of New Jersey," DJ Envy and professional boxer Edgar Berlanga have all paid a visit to this unique eatery.
Go: 358 Passaic Ave., Nutley; 971-437-2300, sugartreecafe.com.
Vesta Wood Fired, East Rutherford
Enter Sandman. No not Adam, we're talking Yankee great Mariano Rivera. Vesta, a popular and casual Italian eatery, welcomed arguably the greatest closer in baseball history in 2022.
It wasn't the first time famous athletes stopped into the spot, just minutes away from MetLife Stadium. Former Jets great Darrelle Revis and Jason Pierre-Paul, once a Giant, also came to dine.
Go: 64 Hoboken Road, East Rutherford; 201-939-6012, vestawoodfired.com.
Matt Cortina is a food reporter for NorthJersey.com/The Record. Reach him at mcortina@usatodayco.com.
