Uncle Momo

A surprising (early) reunion with friend in high school, and also my first time eating Lebanese cuisine. It was such a wonderful coincidence that we were both traveling in New York City area, and both staying in Jersey City! LAMB TAJINE: To be honest, it's very similar to the lamb leg in Xinjiang-style pilaf. I'd only ever had Moroccan tagine before, and this one was comparingly less seasoned, with less emphasis on spices or sauces, highlighting the natural flavor of the lamb. The lamb leg was in quite a big portion, stewed until tender and easily falling off the bone. The dried apricots and dates provided a mellow and rich aroma, combining with the saltiness and lamb fat to create a subtle sweetness--just right. After two hours of standing in the wind by the Hudson River on a cold, rainy winter day, this dish was truly comfort food. GRILLED OCTOPUS: The octopus was fresh and firm in texture, grilled and then dipped into sour cream. The sourness was very pronounced, so it's best to use it sparingly, otherwise it might mask the octopus's natural sweetness. BABAGANOUSH: Reputedly a classic appetizer from the Levant. The roasted eggplant had a rich smoky flavor, and when mashed, it became even softer, smoother, and more delicate. Lemon juice added a bright, fruity acidity, while olive oil provides a subtle, refreshing base, creating a harmonious and layered flavor profile. Tearing apart a thin piece of freshly baked pita bread and dip it in the mixture, the aroma of roasted wheat complements the smoky flavor, and the chewy crust pairs perfectly with the smooth texture. It was a delicious and appetizing appetizer, but it should be eaten quickly, as the pita bread becomes dry and hard once it cools down. MOUSSAKA VEGGIE: I only realized I forgot to take a picture after I finished eating... This stew, made with eggplant, tomatoes, and chickpeas, was unimaginably served cold. The olive oil flavor was also strong, but it felt like the natural flavors of the three ingredients were overwhelmed by the oil. There's a Chinese saying, "One good heat beats three seasonings," which is especially true for stews; I'm not accustomed to this way of serving. VIRGIN MOJITO / STRAWBERRY: A very refreshing drink. Besides the sweetness of the strawberries and the tartness of the lemon, I also really liked the slight coolness from the mint leaves.

I was looking for vegetarian options so that everyone at work could enjoy and Uncle Momo's has plenty to choose from. Everyone at work loved their food. Aside from their delicious dishes, I also liked the ease, efficiency and transparency which I experienced when placing the catering order. I highly recommend Uncle Momo's.

My husband and I finally got a date night out and decided to try the new Uncle Momo restaurant in downtown Denville. It did not disappoint! The atmosphere was quaint with the decor transporting you to a European cafe. The lentil soup with the caramelized onions was delicious, as well as our entrees. Prices were fair with the added bonus of BYOB! Looking forward to coming back and trying their brunch!

Best brunch in town. Fresh ingredients and amazing variety of dishes with a touch of French Lebanese flavor . The appetizer dips and bread are incredible. Lovely service .

We passed by on a windy day and found the outdoor patio to be quite warm - though there wasn't any shade protecting against the sun The grilled octopus was nice, but their vegetables were quite burnt The lamb tajine was somewhat small, but was very tender and fell off the bone. The ouzi chicken filled with rice and was a bit on the dry side.

Had a great experience at Uncle Momo. The food was fantastic and the service was excellent. I tried the lamb, and it was absolutely delicious—tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. And whatever you do, don’t skip the baklava—flaky, sweet, and the perfect way to end the meal. I’ll definitely be back!

Douglas was the star of the evening! He was an amazing host and an even better person who recommended the best dishes. I highly suggest to come to this best 10/10. The food and the vibe is absolutely on point.

Second time for us and another great experience. Attentive, honest staff. Many delicious options! Also gave us some buba ganoush with their puffy pita on the house. Enjoyed the chicken shish kabob plate and the beef shawarma

I've been to uncle momos a couple of times for dinner and enjoyed it. This was my first time there for brunch and it was so delicious. The baklava latte was a drinkable dessert. I also ordered the momos breakfast and I don't know what they put in the scrambled eggs but they were the best eggs I've ever had. The whole dish was amazing. My friends fell in love with the mango drink they serve. Looked like a mango smoothie, perfect for the summer heat. The service was also very good, and lots of outdoor seating. If you sit inside you get to enjoy the smell of the fresh pizza coming out of the oven which I definitely want to come back for.

Even though I had a reservation for 6 and specified outside they didn't have a table ready. They put it together rather quickly though. Sitting outside was nice, quiet and there was a guitar player singing music on the Friday evening we came. It wasn't too loud, it was nice background music. I ordered the mix grill. It was just okay. The sausage was way too spicy, they should warn you on the menu. Also very small and skinny. The chicken kebab was juicy though the flavor was just okay. The lamb kebab was fine. The lamb chops were scrawny. One didn't even have the bone and was room temperature. It was all over jasmine rice with a tomato sauce that tasted like ketchup to me. I wouldn't order it again. My husband liked his veggie moussaka but it had way too many chickpeas in it. And also didn't really taste like a moussaka that I'm used to, the more Greek version. It's byob and the waitress was really nice opening the bottles and brining the glassware. The owner checked in on us too. Service and atmosphere were good but I wasn't crazy about the food so probably wouldn't return.

The menu offered a decent selection, and each dish was prepared competently. However, none of them managed to leave a lasting impression or offer a unique culinary experience. On the upside, the service was commendable, especially when the weather turned chilly during our outdoor seating. The staff promptly accommodated our request to move indoors, ensuring our comfort throughout the meal. I do recommend the yogurt dip - it was the only item we got that we would not miss next time.

One of the worst places I have been to in Jersey City. The food was subpar at best. Service was so late and they missed some items. Don't recommend this place.

Yummy food and it's BYO. I came on a Saturday night and there was live music. It's very cozy inside and has a nice ambiance. I will definitely be back.

Came here for brunch on Sunday and was able to get seated right away. The food prices are fair for brunch menu at $16-20 ish for entrees and drinks for $6-7. Their regular menu prices are higher. I got: - baklava latte: I like lattes and baklava. This totally intrigued me and I'm glad I ordered it. It's a nice, slightly sweet latte with pistachio crumbs sprinkled on it. 5/5 - Momo breakfast: this is a nice variety of their apps served on a single plate. A good first dish to try at restaurant, so you figure out what you like. I loved the fried egg, hummus and the cream. 4/5 - lamb tajine: while the lamb was nice, I was expecting a bigger the portion size for the price ($30ish). Note that the price is steeper as it is from their regular menu. 3/5 Overall, a good place for brunch!

Stopped in for a quick lunch with friends recently on a rainy afternoon. We shared 2 appetizers, baba ganoush and hummus, which came with good homemade pita. I ordered their chicken shawarma sandwich with French fries, salad, and an iced mint tea. Everything was spot on and delicious! No room for dessert, maybe next time...

Yes the menu was great and offered some great food options . The servers were amazing and very knowledgeable of the menu.The restaurant was very friendly and had a great atmosphere. Would recommend going for some awesome food. Dawn Grzeszczak

Debating whether to rank this place 4 or 5 stars.. Very impressed with our lunch experience. We ordered the chicken sish sandwich, steak and eggs, momo pitza and an chicken ouzi. The momo pitza was our shared appetizer. It was a thin crust oven baked pizza made fresh and very tasty! All of our entrees were promising and the service was great. We will def return.

Came in on a Sat afternoon, got seated pretty quickly. It did took them quite a while to prepare the dishes. Seeing us sitting idly for over half hour, they gave us 2 appetisers on the house, which is very nice of them. We are able to just chill and chatted for hours without the staff attempting to send us away (the restaurant is pretty empty after 3ish, I guess that's why). I had a really nice time! ~ French Toast (4.5/5) ~ Heard good things about the French toast, and they do not disappoint!! The 2 slices of toast are quite thick, with buttery crispy golden edges, soft and custardy inside. It also came with a generous amount of mixed fresh fruits (blueberries, banana, mango, strawberries). This is such a treat! ~ Makanek (4.5/5) ~ I really enjoyed this dish, such a wonderful palette of flavours and textures!! The Lebanese sausages are nicely spiced and juicy, the smooth, creamy, flavourful hummus tasted great with the crispy toasted pine nuts, and the sauce is fragrant with a citrusy undernote, doesn't taste greasy at all. Every elements of the dish complimented each other perfectly. The pita bread is served hot with a lovely soft and fluffy texture, and a nice floury taste. ~ Chicken Shiah Kabab Plate (3/5) ~ The grilled chicken breast is pretty average, it's not very flavourful and not well charred. The meat itself is alright though, not too tough or dry. I really enjoyed the basmati rice, very fragrant and well cooked! ~ Tunisian Eggs (3/5) ~ Slightly disappointed. Whilst the peppers and tomato are nice and fresh, there are not enough spices and not as fragrant as I hoped. Not the best shakshuka I have had, but it's okay. ~ Hummus (4/5) ~ We got this for free. The hummus is quite smooth and creamy, tasted very flavourful. Even with the olive oil, it didn't feel greasy. The lemon juice and radishes gave it a nice kick of refreshing flavours. ~ Babaganoush (3.5/5) ~ Also got this for free. Not as good as the hummus, but still pretty nice. The eggplant is not too mushy or fine, retaining a bit of a texture which is nice. It's slightly different from what I usually have, without the smokiness taste and much more refreshing with the added radishes, tomatoes and cucumbers, I quite this combination. Will I be back? Yes Will be back for the french toast, and trying more of their other dishes! The environment is also quite comfortable, not too crowded and have a bit of a retro vibe.

Our running club came here for breakfast after running a 5K race in the area. All the other restaurants close by were packed for brunch and we lucked out at Uncle Momo. Staff was terrific and arranged tables to fit it in our large group. Thought we would have to wait but were all seated within a few minutes. Terrific menu choices for breakfast with a Lebanese touch. My egg plate was delicious and the potatoes, salad, along with a warm baked pita bread hit the spot. Definitely worth a second visit for dinner or breakfast again if in the area.

Food was great, but false advertising that the dish comes with pine nuts and then skimping and leaving them out because of their price is not cool.

Overall good food and decent service. The outdoor patio was really nice just nothing spectacular. Good all the way around.

Brunch at Uncle Mono's Enjoyed my Eggs Benedict 2 poached eggs on an English muffin with Turkey Bacon and hollandaise sauce with home fries & mixed greens! My son enjoyed Momo's Breakfast 2 eggs over easy served with hummus, tabouleh, labne, home fries and mixed greens, pita My latte was good! Coffee just like warm! Coffee needs to be nice and hot! Door was left open- it was quite chilly inside. Eventually door was closed and became more comfortable. Attentive staff. Looking forward to returning. Metered street parking

Had been meaning to try this place for a while and so glad we did! The service was excellent and everything we ordered was delicious. The fatoush salad was fresh and crisp, the ouzi was flavorful, and my husband loved the lamb kebabs. The French fries were 10/10 and even the lemonade I ordered was the perfect mix of tart and sweet. The place is super cute with bistro lighting and fun artwork. Really romantic and charming - we will be back! Excited to try their brunch.

Love love LOVE this place! I wasn't familiar with the cuisine, but everything I had was delicious. It all tastes very fresh and healthy, so I don't feel bad eating lots of the food. I really recommend the Momo Meeze if you want to try things out. I didn't think I would like some of the dips (I'm not a fan of beets or eggplant) but they were all great! This is a good place to try foods that have been prepared in a way you've never had before. The restaurant itself is a little small, but it's very intimate and clean. The service was also wonderful. It's BYOB, so make sure you stop at Cool Vines across the street to get something to drink!

I wanted to love this place, but gave it 3/5 for several reasons. First the pros, the hummus, lentil soup, falafel sandwich, and avocado toast were excellent. The downsides were the pitza/pizza was worse than frozen pizza, and the pita we ordered came after we paid... the service was OK too we got the wrong check at first too

Came here for lunch and everything from appetizer to the entree was very good. Would come back to try other things.

Was visiting my brother and he brought me here. Ordered *Mized Mezze platter ( a little bland) *Shakshuka *Lamb and eggplant stew *Mixed grill platter I enjoyed the food and the pitas were fluffy just wished the amount of meat was more fat the price they charged. But service was good, food came out quick and the place has a nice decor.

Came in for a work lunch and this place is very cute from the outside to the inside. Some spots were available to sit outside if the weather permits. It was pretty busy for a weekday lunch but we got seated immediately. Right next to us was the brick oven where they make fresh pita. Started off with hummus which was a small portion but taste wise was great, along with the fresh pita. Got the chicken tagine per the servers recommendation. The chicken was cooked perfectly and all the flavors were there. I wish there were more vegetables. The only complaint was the portion sizes but otherwise the whole experience was pleasant!

Came here for brunch and ordered the labne, Tunisian eggs, and my friend ordered the eggs florentine. The labne was good, but we both agreed the pita was AMAZING. The Tunisian eggs were good at first bite, but I feel like it needed something extra. I also wish the eggs were jammier. Instead of home fries, I asked for french fries which were really good. My friend said the eggs florentine with the homefries was just okay. The food was a 3.5 for me, but the service and price make it a 4. Definitely want to try the french toast if I come back again!

This place is always packed and well reviewed by the locals. This is the go to place for us to order from. I like to get the salmon kabab dish. My husband says the burger is really good and has recommended it to others. Their hummus is great and their salads hit the spot. Nice spot to dine in and have hand mostly good experiences ordering out.

We ordered mix grilled through Uber eats. All the kebabs were over cooked and burned. Not sure if it's the same experience for people ordering at the Restruant. Very disappointed in the quality of food. I will never order again from this restaurant .

Karaoke was fun! The only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 is because the Karaoke DJ has a little bit of an attitude. They have a very strict list of songs they must follow.

LOVE Uncle Momo! A reliably cute and delicious spot to meet up with friends or bring visitors from out of town. The Momo's Breakfast, shakshuka, lentil soup and blueberry pancakes are wonderful. And everyone who works there is super friendly and accommodating!

this place never disappoints. their basic pita and dips are always incredible. i can eat a full basket of the pita and it will be so satisfying. the brunch is the best in the area. the challah french toast is the best french toast i have EVER had. the only complaint i have is that they are a bit stingy on the hollandaise sauce on the florentine.

Love Uncle Momo! The Momo's Breakfast is my go to and their French toast will have you coming back. Great for takeout options also (they have the McDonald's fries.) Dinner-- you have to get the pitza

Everything was so delicious! The Zaatar Bread was so good, especially when I dipped it in the tomato sauce from the Tunisian Eggs. The Eggs Nantua was good, pretty much like a normal salmon eggs Benedict. The service was really good and there was a lot of seating available when we got there at noon, but it filled up by the time we left around 1. I would definitely come back here!

Uncle Momo's is one of my favorite places to eat lunch/brunch on Grove Street. This time we tried the Moussaka with Lamb, the Lamb Kofta Platter, and the Arugula salad. Everything was so good!! Our server, Fariba was very helpful & gave us some good recommendations for what we should try next time. We also had the baklava and mint tea for dessert, it was the perfect way to cap off a leisurely lunch with family. We will definitely be back for sure!!

I have had several people recommend Uncle Momo's and I was lucky enough to pop-in for a nice dinner with my husband and our 2 friends on the Friday after thanksgiving. First, just the name of the restaurant perfectly captures the essence of this delicious food. The ambiance is so cozy and the fact that it is BYOB already tells you that their entire focus is perfecting the food. You really feel like you're at your Uncle Momo's and he's preparing you authentic Lebanese food. For the appetizer we ordered the Momo Mezze which was 6 apps with a side of pita bread. We had him choose for us the Labne, Foul, humus, rahib, babaganoush, and spinach & chickpea. The combo of flavors was incredibly delicious!! For my entree I ordered the Lamb Tajine and it was perfect! The pairing of the lamb with the fruit in the sauce was a harmony of flavors, not to mention the presentation of the dish really added to the experience. The sauce was still bubbling when I received it! My husband ordered the Mixed Grill and our friends ordered the Branzino and Makanek. All of our plates were so delicious that we all tried each other's. The owner was incredibly proud of his food and culture which just added to the entire experience. He was attentive and came over to chat with us a bit about his food. He even had a us try 2 desserts: muhalabia which was a milk pudding with a berry compote (amazing!! And very rich) and Baklava which was perfectly baked, so flaky, and so delicious. I don't agree with some of these reviews about the wait staff being rude. Everyone was kind and attentive. They give you the space and time to enjoy yourself with your family/ friends and time to really enjoy your food, which is my favorite type of atmosphere. There was one other table eating the same time as us, looked like a mother and daughter, who also spent hours eating and enjoying their dinner/ conversation over a bottle of red wine. We will definitely be returning!! I highly recommend bringing a couple bottles of wine and a friend or 2 with some great conversation!!

Fantastic place. Five stars for food and service. I live in Manhattan and hardly go to Jersey for a meal. But I picked this place to meet someone who was staying in Monroe as an in between place. So glad I picked this place. We were a large group and tried almost all the veggie options starting with a shared cold mezze. Very delicious food. It was all most excellent. Zatar bread was among the best I have ever tasted. My son, the only omnivore in the group enjoyed the lamb kebab as well. And amazing service. They were all so friendly. Why then four stars? I am making a point. We made a reservation for 6 pm. They promptly asked us to leave at 8.15 or so. They comped us with dessert to make it less obnoxious but to rush a 6 member dinner group in two hours seems an unseemly end to a very pleasant dinner.

Been here twice and both times the food was absolutely fantastic. I don't like lamb or at least I didn't think I did until I had the lamb tajin from Uncle Momo. It's a smaller space, but so cozy. Byob and the staff was super attentive without being overbearing. I can't wait to go back.

I came here on a Monday with my friend without any reservation and we were seated immediately! I ordered the fattoush salad with chicken and my friend ordered the chicken shish kebab plate with extra pita. The food came out quickly but our waiter forgot to put in my chicken order and forgot to bring out our pita so we were a bit disappointed with that. We had to remind them and finally they brought it out. The food itself however, was very tasty! The chicken shish kebab was the star of the show, it was so juicy, tender and flavorful! The pita was by far the best pita I have ever eaten in my life. It was SO light and fluffy and smelled like a fresh bakery that you would pass by in Paris. I totally see the lebanese x french crossover! I'd like to come again to try some of the dips and hopefully experience better service. But our waiter was really good at refilling our water and clearing the table.

Amazing place, food incredible, vibe incredible, perfect place for brunch. Definitely try the beef Shawarma.

Came here once and got the mixed grill platter. The meat was pretty good. Decent spot overall

my second time here, great vibes as always :) it was funny because we ended up sitting at the same table i was at last time haha i came with a friend who had been meaning to check this place out. we opted for the Momo Mezze so we could try a little bit of all of their appetizers. the apps on the Momo Mezze do not come full size, but they're great to share and try a variety! i also got the karcade hibiscus drink which was recommended to me by our waitress. the drink didn't taste artificially sweet, it was very natural and yummy! i pretty much inhaled it. the Momo Mezze came with hummus, moutabal beets, babaganoush, spinach and chickpea, foul, and labne. my favorites were the hummus (SO GOOD AS ALWAYS), spinach and chickpea, and labne. i'm not the biggest fan of beets, so i thought the moutabal beets were just okay.

This restaurant is in the heart of downtown Jersey City. It's definitely a fun area to explore on any given day. I called to make a reservation for outside seating about an hour ahead of time. We were sat immediately when we arrived, the restaurant was not busy. It's always a plus when we can bring our pup along! The staff was very attentive and were even kind enough to provide a hummus appetizer on the house randomly! My partner and I both had the Chicken Shish Kabab Plate and it was delicious. I look forward to trying different dishes here.

Spinach pie was delicious, service was incredibly friendly, decor was really nice. Enjoyed the experience and highly recommend.

An adorable and tasteful spot for dinner and brunch with authentic Lebanese food. This family-owned business had a charming touch and I'd come back for dinner. We ordered the lamb tagine, french toast and hummus. The lamb was cooked to perfection.

Uncle Momo is an amazing and unique Lebanese/French bistro style restaurant. I just have to note that the restaurant is BYOB and they do not serve any alcohol. For brunch I highly recommend the Momo's breakfast which comes with eggs, hummus, labne, pita, and tabouli. The Tunisian baked eggs and shawarma also looked very good. The brunch prices are very reasonable and nothing is much more than $15. For dinner, I loved the mezze platter, and also want to return to try the falafel and chicken tajine.

This is an awesome place to spend the breezy afternoon with your friends. We had a great time there. Outdoor seating with a ceiling fan is nice. Lamb tajine and ouzi lamb were delicious. The fresh baked pitas can go with everything. Services were so friendly. Maher made us feel so welcomed. Knowledgeable and pleasant. Highly recommended!

The perfect spot for some middle eastern cuisine. I am obsessed! You feel welcomed the moment you walk in. I ordered the momos breakfast and this dish is perfect if you want a little taste of everything. It came with eggs, salad, labne, hummus, tabolah, and home fries. The home fries were absolutely amazing with their flavoring. I also ordered a side of baba ganoush. I also love ordering arabic coffee. Can't wait to be back to try their lunch / dinner dishes

Great food, excellent service! Try the Bronzino and Salmon Sishkabob!!! Very reasonable...good atmosphere and pleasant and attentive wait staff!

I had high expectations given the reviews but was honestly a little disappointed. Came on a Monday night and chose to sat outside since it wasn't too hot. The outdoor seating area is pretty cute. I got the chicken shish kabab plate and my dad got the lamb moussaka. When my dad ordered the moussaka, the server did warn us there wouldn't be any cheese because this was made the traditional way. The chicken I got was well cooked and juicy- but they added what tasted like marinara sauce. Even my dads moussaka had a lot of marinara sauce and it was overwhelming any other flavors. I didn't get a chance to try pita with any of the dips, so I might come again for that. Not too impressed with the entrees we got though.

Came here for brunch and I got the smoked salmon crepe with Swiss cheese and it was pretty good. It had a small salad on the top with balsamic.

We are a party of 8 and a big dog had great dinner at uncle momo. We brought our drinks. Webordered everything. Food is excellent. We loved it will come back again. We are highly recommend uncle momo

Food is good, loved the lamb shank. Everything else is terrible. We were at the entrance for 10 minutes to get seated, no one was at the reception table, waiters went by us many times without taking a single look at us. Waiter gave us the menu without wiping it, there were food residues on the table. We ordered food and asked the waiter to clean the table, they came back after 5 minutes and wiped it, and then the table had a strong smell like dead bodies. Can't imagine how dirty the wipe was, gross . Cutlery brought to the table with dried food residues on it, and napkins with red oil on it. Asked waiter to get them changed, the knife they brought back still had food residues on it... I ended up not using it. Sanity is a big concern, won't come back again.

Totally hit the spot for my love of Lebanese food! I came here for brunch, attracted by the Tunisian eggs listed on the chalkboard outside and was not disappointed. I also ordered the lamb skewers on rice and it was cooked so perfectly my mouth still waters when I think about the meal. The service is slow but nowadays, who doesn't have that problem? Just make sure to go with time and patience. The Tunisian eggs were *chefs kiss*. The baklava - excellent too. Going to go back with my mom soon!

Great food and service . I definitely recommend the sea food pizza and the whipped lebnah !