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  5. West Orange
The Highlawn, West Orange, NJ

The Highlawn

4.6
4.6
1182 Reviews
$31 to $50
American
Nestled atop the picturesque Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange, NJ, The Highlawn is regarded throughout the region for fine dining and its dedication to making each celebration memorable and unique. It has been the trusted venue of many private groups, Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, local community associations, and many more, and is a recipient of OpenTable's Diners' Choice Awards for the Top 100 Scenic View Restaurants.

The landmark has been revitalized to provide patrons with a premier fine dining experience and world-class site for weddings and special events. With world class Culinary Director and Executive Chef William Prunty now at the helm, diners can expect an out-of-this-world meal.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 46 times today
Experiences are available.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Steakhouse, Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (973) 731-3463
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Catering
    Built into the Watchung Mountain Ridge of West Orange’s Eagle Rock Reservation, the Wine Cellar is a venue like no other for private events, corporate functions, tastings, and celebrations. The event space hosts 15-65 guests and is the ideal setting for any gathering.
  • Private party facilities
    The Skyline Ballroom features the most iconic panoramic views of New York City—anywhere. The event space hosts up to 200 guests and is the perfect setting for receptions of any kind
  • Neighborhood
    West Orange
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Chef's Table, Entertainment, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View

Experiences

  • Annual Highlawn Santa Brunch

    $65.00 per person

    Dec 2 - Dec 24, 2023
    You're invited to our Annual Santa Brunch at New Jersey's Premier Dining Experience, The Highlawn! Please join us every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of December, beginning at 11am. What a time to share with family and friends, while savoring delicious food from one of NJ's top 30 restaurants with unforgettable views. Enjoy the afternoon with Santa, sweet treats and even complementary face painting for the kids. Please note that we will only be offering a Prefix Menu for both $65 adults and $25 children (10 and under). Visit us on social media for more information; book reservations today via phone (973)731-3462 or online on OpenTable. *Taxes, Gratuity and Beverage NOT Included in Price Per Person*

What 1,182 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • New Jersey - North

    Great for scenic views

  • New Jersey - North

    Most Booked 1000-Point Tables

1,182 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My husband and I went there for his birthday . The food , the ambiance and customer services was fantastic. We just can’t wait to go back

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  2. mslovelyleah1

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderul service. Beautiful ambiance including the view of the park. The drinks are luscious. And the food, well the food was delicious and a pleasent surprise as I had randomly picked the place for my bff’s birthday.

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  3. JoanP

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    “Outstanding” is a good word to describe the Highlawn. It was the perfect combination of excellent food great service and amazing view with good friends. Would highly recommend the Highlawn for any special occasion or celebration, family dining, or a romantic night out. The owner and staff are very welcoming. Special live entertainment. Had a wonderful time!

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  4. MaluS

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    It was an extremely long wait between the different food options. The food was delicious but there was a great amount of time in between each meal. Price was too expensive as well.

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  5. JCR6

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience4
    Seated 30 mins after reservation time. Service was slow, especially drinks. Attempted to slip in two dessert charges that were never ordered or received and server didn’t even apologize for his error. Menu prices are inflated to begin with (clearly accounting for credit card fees) then they add an additional credit card fee to entire check. Food was mostly good but not exceptional to warrant prices or to overcome aforementioned negatives.

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  6. DaphneM

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A truly wonderful evening celebrating our son’s birthday.

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  7. MichaelG

    Caribbean

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a professional client dinner in an atmosphere that was quiet, beautiful, and elegant. Our service provider gave us plenty of time to order at our pace, allowing for time to speak with our guests, and not rush or dinner. Food was fabulous as always. We greatly enjoyed the experience and will definitely be back for other events and for dinner with family and friends as well. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

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  8. MikeY

    New York Area

    69 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    69 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    great views, excellent steaks - was out of the Cakebread which was dissappointing.

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  9. ManguStyle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent restaurant. The staff, location and food was great. Love it

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  10. ShannonB

    New York Area

    15 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Great food, great atmosphere. Waitstaff had too many tables that disallowed for personalized attention

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  11. VincentC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very nice atmosphere, very fancy.Food was very good.

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  12. JimG

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic. My go to place for birthdays. Great view of NYC.

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  13. lowvision

    Atlantic City

    32 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    First and foremost our server Charles was excellent. Food was delicious but kitchen didn’t follow order as submitted. Medium Rare and over easy steak and eggs came out as well done and fried hard. Beets Appetizer was perfect. Salmon on salad was tender and tasty although a little too rare. Absolutely will return.

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  14. SBRenie

    New York Area

    106 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    106 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The new Highlawn has really come a long way in 3 years. I am so happy to give it an excellent rating and it is well deserved. The new owners are doing a great job. This is such a special place, it looks great, the menu was perfect, and our service could not have been better. Such a great evening celebrating our anniversary!

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  15. OrestesU

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The service was impeccable, from the maitre d who sat us, to the wait staff. All very professional, dressed professionally and very courteous. Our waiter was very attentive to our needs. The view from our table was phenomenal. I would recommend although it was a bit pricey but well worth it.

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food and atmosphere. The stuff is great

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  17. Lalo

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Another wonderful experience, Nick took great care of us as we were with a special guest. 10 out of 5 stars. Highly recommend the Highlawn for lunch or dinner.

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  18. HarryS

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Phenomenal opulent dining the standards practiced are above and beyond very elegant place.

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  19. RichardS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My wife and I went for our wedding anniversary. The host sat us at the window with an amazing view. The server was attentive to my food allergies. The food was hot and fresh. The bar made amazing Sinatra drinks. Top notch hospitality. Well worth the money

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  20. HenrikK

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Dinner at Highlawn was a great overall experience. The food was cooked well, and the service was excellent. The main issue for a Saturday evening in the main restaurant room was the noise level. It's common in many restaurants, Highlawn has a great opportunity with the high ceiling to improve noise reduction, and likewise, the floor plan can very easily be divided into some more cosy areas, with vertical dividers. The noise level was around 80-85db - which is not healthy for guests or personnel. A great opportunity exists to make Highlawn an even more unique restaurant. Good luck ahead.

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  21. LindaM

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Love the Ambience/Views. Second time there since new ownership & change from Highlawn Pavillion. This time 8 of us instead of 2. Saturday eves extremely crowded. Despite a group of talented servers, service slows down significantly when crowded like that. Food was enjoyed by all except one person that ordered beef medium. Came out rare. Sent it back to cook more, took awhile & came back rare again. After our many requests, our server worked with management & removed it from bill. Kudos for that. Other enjoyed their veal, fish and vegetarian entrees plus apps & desserts very much, (Just a word of caution with beef if you go, was it was not a favorite when just 2 of us were there.)

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  22. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    69 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    69 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I have been really enjoying the soups at lunch very tasty !

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  23. MadelineC

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Main meal needed side dishes. Great attention to detail. more than accommodating.

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  24. Holly

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 24, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience3
    Very disappointing! Turkey club looked like turkey was pre-chewed, not sliced! Chef’s salad only had frisée lettuce, I thought it would be a mixture. Asked for dressing on side, never got it, although didn’t really need it because I couldn’t eat all that frisée! A real let down!!

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  25. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Overall it was a very pleasant experience. Food was very good. Service was excellent. We were seated promptly. The view is great. Wine was overpriced. It was very loud.

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience2
    Pleasant Experience with Room for Improvement Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The restaurant's premise is beautiful with NY city view, but the lobby entrance could have been cleaner or mopped before dinner service. The food and staff were great, and the overall experience was better than last year. Kudos to the new owners and a new menu. Thumbs up!

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  27. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food, excellent service and the kitchen is very accommodating with food allergies so everyone can enjoy a meal.

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  28. JackieD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our wait person was incredible. He made our birthday celebration the best. I wish I could remember his name. He was the absolute best.

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  29. Eastcoast

    Dallas

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Although the atmosphere, service and food is good, I always have to wait at least a half hour to sit down at the table. This is usually between 7 and 8 (I have not gone outside those times). I don’t mind waiting a little but last night was 40min after my reservation time and prior times were at least a half hr as well.

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  30. Tara

    New Orleans

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful evening at the Highlawn! Impeccable service & food

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  31. TiffanieB

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Breathtaking views. Delicious food. Wonderful attentive staff.

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  32. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall2food3service4ambience3
    WAY overpriced from what you get. You’re paying for the ambience.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    69 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    69 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Still the best in class for Essex county dining. We all enjoyed our meals immensely.

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  34. DannyP

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on October 19, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The overall experience was outstanding. Two old friends with their wife and soul mate all getting together for the first time. The service was spot on, attentive while not encumbering, the food was very good with a few minor faux pas. Our waiter Joseph, was warm and engaging. We had a 7:00 reservation and stayed until about 11: 00. A wonderful environment lending itself to great camaraderie and dialogue! It would be difficult to raise the bar much higher...............

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  35. BenjaminR

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 13, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience5
    We had a group of 8, arrived at 6:53, but didnt start eating until nearly 9 oclock. All of our food was a little cold. Flavor was good, but no steam coming off anything. Kind of tasted like it had been sitting out for an hour waiting to be brought to us. Our waiter was great, and the other staff was friendly as well. It was a busy night, but we all enjoyed our evening with pleasant company. Maybe smaller groups would be better, or on a less busy night when staff can bring your food out hot off the grill.

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  36. Dinnarren

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on October 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service and setting was superb. We have lived in the area forever, and never taken advantage of going to The Highlawn. Now, we will be regulars! Highly recommend!

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  37. Barb

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience3
    I have had good experiences at the Highlawn and expected the same quality, but our meal this time was dismal. Our wine never arrived, our empty plate sat in front of us for 30 minutes, and we weren’t offered dessert. The service was just non-existent. I was left frustrated and disappointed. I will likely not return.

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  38. DavidF

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience4
    Veal parm and calamari were fantastic. Octopus was slightly chewy and fishy, but totally decent. Prime rib was good, but a bit lacking in flavor, I think because the crust/surface was so separated from the inside meat. Sinatra drink was great but they could do better on the wine by the glass menu. All staff members were wonderful.

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  39. herb

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Food & svs very good. My daughter married at Highlawn in 1995

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I was thrilled to return to the new Highlawn. Beautifully renovated with gorgeous views. The food and service was excellent. A lovely spot for any occasion.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Screening

    • Diner temperature check required
    • Staff temperature check required

FAQs

The Highlawn is rated 4.6 stars by 1182 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 46 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Highlawn

1 Crest Dr, West Orange, NJ 07052

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    West Orange
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Steakhouse, Italian
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Chef's Table, Entertainment, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View
  • Phone number
    (973) 731-3463
  • Catering
    Built into the Watchung Mountain Ridge of West Orange’s Eagle Rock Reservation, the Wine Cellar is a venue like no other for private events, corporate functions, tastings, and celebrations. The event space hosts 15-65 guests and is the ideal setting for any gathering.
  • Private party facilities
    The Skyline Ballroom features the most iconic panoramic views of New York City—anywhere. The event space hosts up to 200 guests and is the perfect setting for receptions of any kind
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