There’s a reason Business Insider named Haworth the #3 best suburb in America. This borough of about 3,300 residents packs an extraordinary amount of quality into less than two square miles: A+ schools, a crime rate 96% below the national average, a charming downtown along Terrace Street, and a community feel that larger towns simply can’t replicate.
As a Bergen County real estate specialist, I’ve helped families find homes across every corner of the county. Here are the top five reasons Haworth consistently wins over my clients.
1. A+ Schools from Elementary Through High School
Education in Haworth is exceptional at every level. Haworth Public School serves students from pre-K through eighth grade, earning an A+ from Niche and an 8/10 from GreatSchools. It’s ranked #42 among the best public elementary schools in New Jersey, with a 9:1 student-teacher ratio and a dedicated Gifted & Talented program.
For high school, students attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, rated A+ by Niche with a 10/10 from GreatSchools, average SAT scores of 1380, and a 99% graduation rate. The Northern Valley Regional district is ranked #1 in New Jersey. From kindergarten through graduation, Haworth families have access to some of the best public education in the state.
2. One of the Safest Places to Live in the Entire Country
Haworth’s safety numbers are staggering. Violent crime is 92% below the national average, property crime is 89% below, and the overall crime rate sits 96% below the national average. In the most recent reporting year, the borough recorded just three total crimes, all property-related, zero violent.
NeighborhoodScout rates Haworth as more family-friendly than 100% of New Jersey neighborhoods. That’s not a typo. For families with young children, it doesn’t get safer than this in the Garden State.
3. A Charming Downtown That Feels Like a Small-Town Movie Set
Haworth’s Terrace Street is one of those rare suburban downtowns that actually has personality. You’ll find a James Beard-nominated chef running a burger and bowl shop, a bakehouse with a three-generation Brooklyn legacy, a cozy coffee shop named after the owner’s childhood beagle, and a sushi bar with a signature “Haworth Roll.”
It’s not a long strip. You can walk it in five minutes, but that’s part of the charm. Everything feels personal, owner-operated, and specifically Haworth. It’s the kind of downtown where the barista knows your order and the chef comes out to say hello.
4. Quick Access to NYC with a True Suburban Feel
Haworth sits about 15 minutes from the George Washington Bridge by car. NJ Transit Bus Route 167 runs from Schraalenburgh Road to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, with a ride time of about 48 minutes. The Pascack Valley Line at nearby River Edge offers a rail alternative.
What makes Haworth’s location special is that you get this level of NYC access while living in a borough that genuinely feels like a small town. No high-rises, no traffic congestion, no commercial sprawl, just tree-lined streets, single-family homes, and the kind of quiet that people move to the suburbs to find.
5. A Community Built on Pride, History, and Investment
Haworth was founded in 1904 and named after the village of Haworth, England. The borough sits on land that was once part of Camp Merritt, a 770-acre World War I embarkation camp where over 45,000 soldiers passed through. A memorial on the grounds commemorates the 535 who died during the Spanish Flu epidemic.
Today, Haworth is a community where people invest deeply. The homeownership rate is 95%, one of the highest in Bergen County. The median household income is about $228,000, and 72% of residents over 15 are married. Parks like Haworth Memorial Field and the beloved Castle Park, a whimsical playground designed from ideas by Haworth elementary school children in the 1990s, reflect a community that builds things together and takes care of what it has.
Where to Eat in Haworth
Haworth’s Terrace Street is one of the most charming food blocks in Bergen County, and almost nobody outside the Northern Valley knows about it. Within a five-minute walk, you’ll find a James Beard-nominated chef, a bakehouse carrying on a three-generation Brooklyn legacy, specialty sushi, and a coffee shop roasting beans from one of Brooklyn’s best roasters. All of it owner-operated, all of it personal.
Here are my five personal favorites, the places I recommend to every client who asks what makes Haworth special.
Andiamo Restaurant
Andiamo is the anchor of Haworth’s dining scene, and it has earned that spot. Family-owned by Don and Chef Linda, who personally greet guests seven nights a week, this Italian restaurant has won Best of Bergen from 201 Magazine for Italian food four years running, plus Best Al Fresco Dining from the Bergen Record.
Ranked #1 in Haworth on TripAdvisor, Andiamo offers a full bar, a thoughtful wine list, and a patio that’s one of the best outdoor dining spots in the Northern Valley. They also host comedy nights, because in Haworth, even the Italian restaurant is a community gathering place.
Why locals love it: four-time Best of Bergen winner with a family-run warmth you can feel the moment you walk in. It’s Haworth’s restaurant.
Rugile’s Kitchen
When a James Beard-nominated chef opens a burger and bowl shop in your town, you pay attention. Chef James Rugile, a Johnson & Wales graduate with a fine-dining background, runs this spot with his sister Monique, who trained at the School of Natural Cookery. The concept is locally sourced beef, farm-to-table bowls, fresh salads, and smoothies.
It’s casual, healthy, and surprisingly elevated for what looks like a quick-service spot. The quality of the ingredients and the precision of the cooking give it away. This is a real chef’s kitchen disguised as a neighborhood lunch spot. Rated 4.8 on Restaurant Guru.
Why locals love it: james Beard-caliber cooking in a casual, everyday format. The kind of place where you eat three times a week and never get bored.
Guzzo’s BakeHouse
Ralph Guzzo carries a three-generation Brooklyn bakery legacy. His father operated a Sunset Park bakery for over 40 years. With his wife Giuliana, he’s brought that tradition to Terrace Street, and the results speak for themselves. The “cragel” (a croissant-bagel hybrid), seven-layer donuts, cannoli pancakes, and lobster tails have all earned devoted followings.
Before Haworth, the Guzzos ran Belli Baci Bakery on Staten Island and Delizioso Bakery+Kitchen in Princeton. They know what they’re doing. Featured by Best of NJ, BergenMama, and Boozy Burbs, with a 4.8 rating on DoorDash.
Why locals love it: brooklyn bakery tradition in a Bergen County borough. The cragels sell out early, and the lobster tails are worth a special trip.
Naturoll Sushi
Haworth’s neighborhood sushi spot has built a quiet but loyal following. Rated 4.7 on Restaurantji and 4.8 on DoorDash, Naturoll serves fresh specialty rolls including the signature “Haworth Roll”: grilled eel, crab, cucumber, and avocado topped with seared tuna, salmon, white tuna, and masago.
They also offer omakase and solid lunch specials, making it a versatile option for a quick weekday bite or a more indulgent dinner. In a town this small, having a reliable, high-quality sushi spot within walking distance is a genuine quality-of-life perk.
Why locals love it: consistent, fresh sushi steps from home. The Haworth Roll is the signature for a reason.
Humphrey’s Coffee
Named after owner Emma Karach’s childhood beagle, Humphrey’s opened in October 2021 and immediately became Haworth’s living room. The coffee comes from Parlor Coffee, one of Brooklyn’s best specialty roasters, and the baked goods are made in-house alongside breads and croissants from Balthazar Bakery in Englewood.
The space is cozy, with plants, quirky furniture, and outdoor seating next to the park, and the vibe is exactly what a small-town coffee shop should be. Rated 4.9 stars and featured by “New Jersey Isn’t Boring,” Humphrey’s is where Haworth starts its morning.
Why locals love it: a 4.9-star coffee shop with Brooklyn-roasted beans, Balthazar pastries, and the kind of warmth that makes you a regular after one visit.
Haworth’s Food Scene Reflects Its Community
What makes Terrace Street special isn’t just the quality. It’s the fact that every spot is owner-operated, personal, and distinctly Haworth. A James Beard-nominated chef, a third-generation Brooklyn baker, a coffee shop named after a beagle: these aren’t chain concepts or investment plays. They’re passion projects run by people who chose this town for the same reasons you might.
That’s the Haworth difference. Small enough to know everyone, good enough to compete with anywhere.
Ready to Make Haworth Home?
The dining scene is only part of the story. As a Bergen County real estate expert, I know every street, school district, and quiet corner of Haworth. If you’re relocating from NYC, upsizing for a growing family, or looking for your first home in the Northern Valley, I’ll help you navigate the market and find the right fit. If you’re still weighing your options, take a look at Bergen County’s other luxury towns to see how they compare. I’d be glad to help you turn your dreams into an address.
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Tom Lee | NJNest
Phone: 848-565-1425
Email: tom@njnest.com
Website: njnest.com
Tom Lee is a licensed real estate agent with 2Win Realty, specializing in Bergen County residential real estate. With deep local expertise and a client-first approach, Tom helps buyers and sellers across all 70 Bergen County municipalities make confident real estate decisions.
