No. 12 in Ridgewood the Best New Restaurant You’ve Never Heard Of

Ridgewood, New Jersey is the quintessential Bergen County Town. With its beautiful homes, top rated school system and its bustling downtown with easy access to New York City, it has become the dream place to reside and raise a family.

I recently visited a restaurant in downtown Ridgewood called No. 12. I stumbled on the restaurant a few months ago when one day I was parking my car on my way to picking up takeout when I noticed some very well dressed people going into what looks like an alley. I parked my car and continued to watch as someone entered a code on a blue door and proceeded to go inside. I immediately became curious and had to see what all the fuss was about. I googled the restaurant and that's when I found out about the top secret nature of it all.

You first start out at Stella, a restaurant around the corner where you check in with the host. She handed me a card with a code written on it and gave us instructions to head around the corner. I punched the code in and it opened and we were in! It was like stepping into a speakeasy with late-80s and early-90s hip hop music playing ever so lightly in the background. It is small, about 50 seats but well worth it. There are no printed menus and it changes weekly. It is written on the wall near the entrance when you walk in. The raw bar which has 10 varieties of oysters is a constant.

The food is delicious and the desserts are mouth watering! They are open on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays only! You have to make reservations well in advance but this restaurant is well worth the wait!

No. 12

12 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood

Reservations accepted