Lula

Review for Lula – Ridgewood, NJ Lula is such a great addition to Ridgewood. The space is modern and cozy, giving it a relaxed but elevated feel, and I love that it’s BYOB. We started with the focaccia and kale salad — both were excellent. The focaccia was warm and flavorful, and the salad was bright and perfectly balanced with anchovy aioli, grapes, and pine nuts. The hamachi crudo was another standout, with a charred pineapple broth that really made the flavors pop. For mains, we had the Atlantic halibut with cockles, the rigatoni with pork ragu, and the coulotte steak. Each one was beautifully done — the fish was delicate and fresh, the pasta was rich and comforting with whipped ricotta and Parmigiano, and the steak came with pomme purée and crispy sunchoke chips that tied the whole dish together. Service was attentive and welcoming, and the whole evening felt special without being overly formal. Lula is absolutely worth visiting — thoughtful food, a beautiful atmosphere, and one of those places you immediately want to come back to.

Had a very nice dinner at Lula in Ridgewood. Staff were very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Ambiance was cozy (ceiling was low), looked clean, and not cluttered. They don’t have drinks with alcohol but they have a local tie up with a nearby liquor store where you can order and they will get it. It’s BYOB and we brought our own wine and ordered an Italian soda which was very good. All of the food that we ordered were delicious. We had the focaccia, burrata, apple kohlrabi salad, and kale salad to start. Then halibut, pappardelle, and pork chop as mains (the pork chop was huge!). Then for dessert we had the meringue tart and chocolate mousse. Spent about $280 for a party of four and left >20% gratuity. Highly recommended.

All the right components - fresh ingredients, creativity and intrigue. We found that most every dish was missing just one element except the house focaccia with its whipped herb butter which was the star. We ordered prosciutto & melon (salty and sweet but it needed a nut or another type of crunch) summer squash (perfect) and the whipped burrata (great taste but no salt). For entrees my wife had the salad which she commented was decent and I had the halibut & cockles which melted in my mouth. Overall, stick with the appetizers. Incredibly creative pairings and ingredients but for a posh restaurant, the chefs need to work on their basics (salt, acid, texture) to ensure dishes have the perfect balance.

I’d been dying to go to this new farm to table restaurant in Ridgewood - from the looks of it I knew I’d love it. But the food was…ok? There were a few standouts and it did taste fresh but the high NYC price points didn’t match the flavors. I wouldn’t go back in a hurry though I’d eventually try it again! Many people do love this place so definitely try it out for yourself. Standouts: Kale Salad 9/10 Don’t get: Atlantic Cod entree 4/10 and it was $44

Went to Lula last night and the food was absolutely delicious just as every other time we have been there I was happy to see they had a few new items such as prosciutto with melon and of course it was not your typical prosciutto and melon but a heavenly mix of the prosciutto melon and almonds with some basil The dish was absolutely beautiful looking I have never seen anything like this before and it just made me smile we followed it with a summer squash appetizer and delicious steak that was cooked perfectly I’m not a big steak eater but I do love the steak at Lula The chefs are so talented with their creations the staff is wonderful and very attentive This new restaurant is a real winner Do yourself a favor a make a reservation and Enjoy this delicious food

BYOB, although they have wine shop they work with to bring the bottle for you. Overall a nice place for dinner, booked in advance via resy as it is quite popular.

Relaxed and comfortable ambience, grounded and warm service, food preparation with a refinement and care on par with Michelin-started restaurants in the city. Touches such as the chili tajine and dill oil on the kanpachi crudo, and roasted grapes to complement the perfectly balanced anchovy aioli on the kale salad brought joy. The steelhead salmon and atlantic cod mains showed elevated technique matched with the comfort of rustic vegetables that resulted in dishes that were just downright yummy and delightful. Cannot wait to return.

Went to this new spot on its 3rd night of being open to the public and we were very pleased. Everything we had was great: focaccia, whipped burrata, trout, the pasta dish, chocolate mousse, and lemon meringue pie. Service was very attentive.

Dining at Lula was nothing short of magical -- everything from the first piece of bread to the final bite of dessert felt perfectly executed. We started with the house focaccia and whipped herb butter -- warm, crusty, and utterly addictive. The burrata was creamy and delicate, a perfect balance with its accompaniments. Our salads (the kale and the wedge) were bright, fresh, and thoughtfully dressed -- just enough flavor without overwhelming the palate. For mains, every dish was a standout. The gnocchi was pillowy and luxurious; the pork chop had depth and balance with its accompaniments; the Arctic char was cooked with precision; and the steak and chicken each had that satisfying, expertly seasoned flavor that makes you pause mid-bite. The care and intention behind each entrée was clear -- nothing felt heavy or overwrought, just thoughtfully prepared. To finish, the lemon meringue dessert was a dream -- light, zesty, and the perfect sweet note to end the evening. The ambiance at Lula only added to the experience: cozy, low-key, modern, and welcoming. It felt like an elevated "favorite local spot" rather than a stuffy fine-dining place. Service was warm and attentive, adding to the sense that the staff genuinely care about your meal and experience. If you're in Ridgewood and haven't been to Lula yet -- do yourself a favor and make a reservation. It's rare to find a place where everything from bread to dessert hits the mark. We will absolutely be back.

Excellent small restaurant that is relatively new to the scene but already packed! BYOB. Service is very friendly and timely. Spacious inside with tables of various sizes. 1. Focaccia - The best I've had. Fluffy and warm and delicious. Would come back for this! 2. Local burrata - Spread with veggies and nuts. Delicious! Need some more bread for this. 3. Hamachi crudo - Fruity broth, fresh fish, good. 4. Chicken liver mousse - Fruity cherry flavor and smooth texture. Would like more bread for this as well. 5. Veggie ravioli - Simple, delicious with various veggies and crumble. 6. Hazelnut dessert - Lots of nuts here (no peanuts! I'm allergic) which was delicious! 7. Caramel cake - Loads of caramel flavor. Very good Overall, a great spread of food options and the menu was not too extensive still. They do have a rotating seasonal menu and I would come back for more!

I visited Lula with a friend as an early birthday celebration and the food, staff and ambiance did not disappoint. We started with the Lula Focaccia & Clam Jam and I dare you to name a better duo. I'm still dreaming of the sauce from the clams (chefs kiss). For dinner we shared the Ricotta Agnolotti & Pork Chop Milanese and enjoyed every bite! Needless to say, adding Lula's as a go to for future celebrations

First and foremost, the Hostess and staff were amazing! There was a mixup with our reservation and they were so apologetic, professional and quick to fix the situation. They were incredibly accommodating. Ambiance is really beautiful and intimate. Service was top notch. Food was really delicious, very flavorful, and unique! Appetizer portions are on the smaller side so definitely order a few for the table to share. Entrees were delicious and fresh. Truly enjoyed this meal and experience and can't wait to go back!

We visited Lula on my birthday after receiving a gift card, and the entire experience was fantastic. Service was superb, and we were seated right away. The restaurant looks spectacular; they took over from Lisa's Mediterranean Grill and have done a phenomenal job with the space. Though my mood was initially low, the food and drinks changed my attitude completely! For the entree, the Pork Chop was out of this world and incredibly large; you will absolutely have leftovers. We started with the whipped ricotta appetizer, which was very good, although I recommend they serve a few extra pieces of bread with it. The highlight was the manager or owner bringing out a Key Lime Pie just because it was my birthday, insisting I shouldn't leave without blowing out a candle. That level of thoughtfulness was so nice and completely unexpected. I hope to see them succeed! I can't wait to come back to Lula!

Excellent food and service. A bit pricey but that's part of the Ridgewood milieu. We shared a few appetizers to start and shared a pasta with lobster which was first class. We sat outside because it tends to get a little noisy inside and the weather was still nice. BYOB and I can't wait to go back and try some more food.

Started with the Foccacia and the wedge salad. My wife tried the steak. I tried the Salmon. The food was very tasty. We will be back The service was a lil slow. Byob. Very loud place acoustics are not great. You can hear every table next to you which can be distracting.

Great food service and ambience!! Much needed in the area. West village vibes with nyc quality food. Highly reco. We loved everything we ate

Hidden little gem in town. It felt like I was eating in France or Italy. From start to finish we enjoyed every bite. BYOB of course. Can't wait to go back and try more of the menu.

Very good and delicious restaurant I would definitely go again for best in class farm to table and elegant vibes

Food was amazing and we will definitely go back- hopefully they switch up the menu to a few more seasonal dishes. Service was good but not the best. The food is so elevated, the service should really match it. We were a party of four and the food never came out for all. Someone was always waiting (for more than a couple of minutes) for their dish and that definitely can kill a vibe. The ricotta gnocchi bolognese was phenomenal but it came out a bit on the cool side. But honestly the food was all killer, definitely get the focaccia with whipped butter. I'll definitely be back!

The food here was so good! We started with the focaccia and the mussels served in a buttery white wine. Both were great. I had the pork chop Milanese, which was very good! My husband had the chicken dish, and that was great as well. One downside: the noise level was pretty high, which made it hard to have a conversations. The decor also felt a little plain and didn't really match how good the food was. Wish I remembered to take pics. Overall, we had a great time and would definitely come back--maybe on a slower night.

Went here with two of friends at 9pm. It was packed but sat right away. We were starving so ordered lots of food- four appetizers, each had a meal, and two desserts. We started with the focaccia bread, burrata, and mushroom. All delicious! I was especially impressed with the mushroom. We also had the wedge salad which came with two slabs of thick crunchy bacon. Yum! For dinner my friends both ordered the steak which came perfectly cooked and sliced. I had the chicken with smashed crispy potatoes. Loved the buttery sauce. We finished with a chocolate mousse and the apple dessert- wow! This is definitely a restaurant I'm looking forward to going back to. It was loud so if you're looking for a quiet spot go another time.

What to say? As one that has given many more critical reviews than full of praise, I find that I am at a loss! 15 out of 10! Everything, from top to bottom was exquisite. This is what all restaurants should aspire to. To set the stage.... Last minute, searching for a good BYO to avoid the ever-present "Where do you wanna go?" conversation. Thinking we give this place "Lula" a call. Ridgewood often is the barrier because we're not looking to spend a mortgage payment on a quiet Friday evening dinner for 2. Menu looked inspiring and very reasonable, at first glance. So I rushed to the phone to call and spoke with a lovely and accommodating young lady, whom we later discover to be named Ava. She was welcoming and made a last minute spot for us at a "high top". We arrive, with BYO in hand, to find a very tastefully decorated, and warmly inviting space that was well populated with smiling and conversing guests. No rushing, no hurried employees back and forth, basically a well-oiled machine. The staff was equally inviting, meeting Ava at the entrance, she showed us to, what I would consider the best table in the house. A quaint spot along the wall near the entrance to the kitchen. It was a PERFECT spot to enjoy everything that was about to unfold. We were greeted by our server, Anna, who was as lovely. She took the time to answer all of our questions. We took some more time to enjoy a drink and NEVER once felt rushed. The place was a delight, these really are pros. All of the floor staff were attentive and unassuming as they paid close attention to the operation. As we were seated by the entrance to the kitchen, we quickly found out that this was a "feature" of our experience and not a "bug". As people entered through the curtained entrance, you could hear little ques of the happenings. We decided to order the "Lula House Focaccia" with the whipped butter and the "Clam Jam", with the "Wedge Salad" as a second course, more on those later. Moments later, we were presented with an elegant and delightful amuse-bouche of chilled cucumber with a sesame and ponzu infused viniagrette. We could tell we were in for a treat. I could not get enough, so I asked for more! A few minutes later, a dish with three large pieces of fluffy and warm Focaccia were delivered, side-car'd by an ample amount of whipped herd butter that was the perfect temperature to spread. The crispy top and perfectly airy center were a great balance of texture and taste with the butter. The "Clam Jam" came along and when I looked at it, I could immediately observe that the Chef, Conor Browne, KNOWS FOOD!! This dish was absolutely incredible. The clams, felt like almost a dozen, were cooked to perfection, perfectly tender and teeming with natural liquor that enhanced the broth. Texture balance in this dish is at another level, with the toasted crumbs and the bites of house sausage packed in the shells. The depth of flavor was another highpoint of this dish. Tender garlic and hints of lemon, fennel and fresh herbs complimented to tangy broth and the Calabrian Chili offered a slight spicy sparkle. I was glad my wife left me a piece of the Focaccia to back me up after I devoured the toasted wedge presented with the dish. I need more to soak up the broth, there was not a drop left. Not embarrassed to write that I humbly asked for a spoon or even a straw to enjoy what was left! As we were getting into the appetizers, we observed a humble young man exit the kitchen and seek direction from one of the folks on the floor. It had to be Chef Conor Browne. I've worked in more than a few places, and when the Chef comes out to greet the diners, it shows that he is proud of his food, cares about what he's providing and it is a real treat! I immediately decided to bend his ear as he walked back to the kitchen. He was extremely kind and we offered our well-deserved compliments for what we had enjoyed so far. We asked a bit about the food and recommendations for out main course. As he spoke about the food, I observed how inspired and proud he is about what he's presenting. The menu rotates based on seasonality and availability of ingredients. You absolutely can tell the difference in quality when you're getting fresh. This guy is a PRO! We decided on the Steelhead Salmon and the Ricotta Agnolotti. The evening continued to be impressive as the Wedge Salad arrived. The slab bacon was aromatic, warm and pleasantly crispy. Fennel fronds and delicately pickled onions balanced so well with the tang of the bleu cheese and buttermilk. A bit more about the service, 5 STAR! Plates removed by everyone, total team effort. Tables cleared and wiped between courses without any interruption, and utensils replaced during each course. THEY CARE! Sadly, Yelp is cutting me off, not to worry, continued on a Google Review! My only fear is that we won't be able to get a table soon!! Conor, Ava, Anna,Kara, and all at Lula, WELL DONE!

Recently had dinner with my wife and was pleasantly surprised by the food and service at this recently opened location. We ordered the following: - Focaccia - very fluffy but not evenly oiled. Personally I enjoyed it with the whipped butter - Grilled Octopus - It was decent but not the best octopus I've had - Endive Salad - I'm not big on salad but would recommend this one - Pappardelle - Pretty good imo - Steak - I'd recommend this entree and would get it again. It comes with the mashed potatoes but definitely need to order extra greens. We'll definitely return and can't wait to try the half chicken.

We enjoyed a sensational dinner at Lula. It was our first, but definitely not last, time. Everything was so flavorful, with so much depth. The service was exemplary. We enjoyed Elite Prime Coulotte steak with Pomme Puree, Crispy Sunchoke Chips & Black Garlic Jus; Clam Jam- Beer-Braised Littlenecks, Calabrian Chili, House Sausage, Espelette Butter, Focaccia; Atlantic Cod & Cockles - Grilled Red Pepper Romesco, Marcona Almonds, Scallions, Lemon; Serrano Jamon & Sicilian Summer Melon - Marcona Almonds, Basil, Espelette, Nasturtium; Hamachi Crudo - Charred Pineapple Broth, Avocado, Basil, Long Hot Pepper, Vidalia Onion. We enjoyed a pickled cucumber amuse bouche. We took home a fluffy, light as a feather lemon meringue for dessert.

Went there last night for dinner with 1year old and another couple. Very cute and clean place. Focaccia was fluffy and good, especially with the whipped butter. Beet salad was ok, octopus was good. The pesto pasta entree was very well done, had a good texture with a little bit of chewiness- in a good way. Steak was good and I got good feed back on the chicken too, but I didn't try it personally. They do have high chairs, crayons and coloring page. They don't have official kids menu, but they chef offered a variety of pasta options (buttered, Mac and cheese, marinara) My favorite part was the staff and other patrons. They were so friendly, our baby loves to say hi to everyone, even yelling HI!! at the tables next to us. The staff gave him waves and hellos, giving him enough attention but not too much to ramp him up. It's hard to enjoy a night out with a little one, and this place made it so easy.

Culinary delight in our backyard. Delicious, high quality food. The service was on point and timely. The ambiance was light and uplifting. We had the steak, pork chops and the Atlantic cod. Each dish uniquely presented with deliciously paired sides. Steak was perfectly made medium. The pork chops, beat we have ever eaten and the Atlantic cod tender and flakey. Came across this restaurant on Yelp and excited that I tried it out. Ended our lovely night with all three desserts, chocolate mouse, lemon meringue and cherry tart. A totall win.

New Place in Ridgewood. First time of many - after being only open about 45 days. The service is already at high level. Not so easy to do. The food was prepared perfectly. Menu a tad limited, assume as chef sees what works and what does not. Three had the steak entree all came out delicious. The fourth person had the salmon. We both had the wedge salad and shared the mushroom appetizer. Give this place a chance... you will not be disappointed. Only see it getting better as it gets it footing

This restaurant was so lackluster and just honestly underwhelming. The food was okay, but the service was really horrible. Our waiter was essentially missing throughout the meal. One member of our party swapped zucchini for potatoes with the roasted chicken. They served everyone's entrees, including the chicken with potatoes on the plate, then proceeded to bring out two giant plates of zucchini 15 minutes later. The ambience was just overall awkward. Not rushing back

All dishes are good. We had 12 people family dinner at Lula restaurant. From appetizers (salads, cheese), main dishes ( chicken, beef, and pasta), several kinds of desserts (cakes, ice cream). Everything was good.

Really impressed with the food, everything we ordered was amazing. This chef is legit! Each dish has its own special something that you can't put your finger on. I look forward to returning, to try more dishes and to dine inside (we sat outside, it was a nice night). Our server didn't just tell us his "favorite" dishes, he listed to what we were interested in and lead us to what he felt was the best pairing. Shout out to Mahmoud, well done!

Excellent! Delish and very nice room. Service was excellent as well food was great. !!

My new most favorite place. Everything was perfect during my 3 past visits. Excited to try out their entire menu.

Five stars for the female hostess along with she was incredible. Our male waiter was also very nice and patient. Spot is super cute and cozy. Very pretty inside. Food was delicious! Everything we ate was *chef's kiss*.

There are a lot of overhyped restaurants in Ridgewood, but Lula is worth all the attention! 10/10 would recommend and looking forward to our next visit back. Food was top quality and it has a wonderful environment. I decided not to gate keep this one!!!

This place is a little gem. It's an elevated experience without being pretentious, and the entire restaurant has a lovely, calm energy. The food is delicious - a little fancy but not fussy, with lovely balances between sweet and savory. Service is deliberate and solicitous. It is very obvious that someone not only cares, but is paying attention. It's especially impressive in a town (and location) where restaurants are so often hit or miss.

Soooo good!!! Get the focaccia. It's worth every penny. No one rushed us out (many BYO do that). The crudo is absolutely beautiful. The burrata is amazing. This restaurant is a true gem. I forget what the dessert was but it's chocolate and hazelnuts and out of this world. Get all of it. And then go back and get it again.

Amazing food Service is very friendly Ambiance has a cool vibe Favorite restaurant in Bergen county

If you want a special evening treat yourself to an evening at Lula. A restaurant with a diverse and ever changing menu. It is the chef's first restaurant although he paid his dues at many fine destinations. He visited our table and went into detail about how he had only the freshest ingredients and sees his establishment as a community based business. Family and his neighborhood are important to him. And he makes the best focaccia I have tasted! Make a reservation!

Food, service, and ambiance are all exceptional -- a much-needed gem in the Ridgewood dining scene. Do yourself a favor and go while reservations are still within reach!

Food was outstanding. I especially liked the whole chicken dish. Atmosphere was great as well. You won't be disappointed