Ridgewood is the town other Bergen County towns aspire to be. With an A+ school district ranked #4 in all of New Jersey, one of the liveliest walkable downtowns in the state, and a direct train into the city, this village of roughly 26,000 residents has earned its reputation as one of the premier places to live in the entire New York metro area.
As a Bergen County real estate specialist, I can tell you that Ridgewood is the name that comes up most often when families start their search. Here are the top five reasons why.
1. An A+ School District Ranked #4 in New Jersey
Ridgewood Public Schools aren’t just good. They’re among the best in the state. Niche ranks the district #4 in all of New Jersey and #82 nationally, earning a straight A+ across the board. The system includes six elementary schools, two middle schools, and Ridgewood High School, which U.S. News ranks #41 in New Jersey with an average SAT score of 1360.
Ridgewood High School maintains a 96% graduation rate, a 67% AP participation rate, and math proficiency well above state averages. The school was named a Grammy Signature School in 2004, reflecting arts programs that match the academic rigor. With 76% of Ridgewood adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, education is woven into the fabric of daily life here. The district spends nearly $23,000 per student, and it shows in the results.
2. Exceptionally Low Violent Crime
Ridgewood’s safety record is outstanding. BestPlaces rates the violent crime index at just 7.0, compared to the U.S. average of 22.7, meaning violent crime here is roughly 70% below the national norm. NeighborhoodScout ranks Ridgewood among the top 100 safest cities in the country, with only 8 violent crimes reported in the most recent year, a rate 92% lower than the national average.
Overall crime sits 66% below the national average according to AreaVibes. For families, professionals, and anyone who values peace of mind, these numbers translate to a community where you feel safe walking downtown at night, letting your kids bike to a friend’s house, and leaving your car in the driveway without a second thought.
3. One of the Best Downtowns in New Jersey
This is where Ridgewood truly separates itself. The walkable village downtown along East Ridgewood Avenue is home to over 120 restaurants and specialty food establishments, boutique shopping, independent bookstores like the beloved Bookends, and a dining scene that ranges from Zagat-rated French fine dining to omakase sushi to farm-to-table Italian.
NJ Monthly has named it one of their “Favorite Downtowns” in the state, and walking through on a Saturday afternoon, it’s easy to see why. Alfresco dining fills the sidewalks year-round, the Kasschau Memorial Shell hosts free summer concerts at Veterans Field, and the California Mission Revival-style train station, built in 1916 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, anchors the eastern end of the avenue. This isn’t a downtown that was manufactured by a developer. It grew organically over more than a century, and that authenticity shows.
4. Under an Hour to Penn Station
Ridgewood Station sits right in the heart of downtown on the NJ Transit Main Line, putting Hoboken about 49 minutes away and Penn Station roughly 58 minutes via Secaucus Junction. Multiple NJ Transit bus routes, including the 148, 163, and 164, add flexibility with service to Port Authority, with the Turnpike Express reaching Midtown in about 47 minutes.
By car, the George Washington Bridge is approximately 35 minutes away. The average Ridgewood commute clocks in at about 36 minutes, and the downtown bus terminal means you can grab coffee at one of the village’s cafes and walk directly to your bus or train. For a town this desirable, the commute is surprisingly manageable.
5. A Community That Goes Deep
Ridgewood isn’t just a place to live. It’s a community that people stay in for decades. The Fourth of July celebration has been running for 114 years, earning “Best Parade” and “Best Fireworks” from 201 Magazine’s Best of Bergen ten years running. Graydon Pool, a 2.68-acre swimming lake established in 1918, is a summer institution where generations of families have spent their afternoons.
The demographics reflect the investment: median household income exceeds $217,000, the homeownership rate is 84%, and median home prices range from roughly $1 million to $1.2 million. With a population that’s 16% Asian, 10% Hispanic, and increasingly diverse, Ridgewood’s character is evolving while maintaining the traditions that make it irreplaceable: the parade chair placement on North Maple Avenue, the concerts at the shell, the Friday nights downtown.
Where to Eat in Ridgewood
With over 120 restaurants and specialty food establishments packed into its walkable downtown village, Ridgewood has one of the most impressive dining scenes in all of New Jersey, let alone Bergen County. NJ Monthly named it one of their favorite downtowns in the state, and the food is a big reason why. From Zagat-rated French fine dining to a 46-year veteran sushi chef’s omakase counter, this village takes its restaurants very seriously.
Narrowing it down to five was genuinely difficult. Here are my personal favorites: the places I recommend to every buyer who asks what life in Ridgewood is really like.
Latour French-American Grill
If you appreciate the art of French cooking, Latour is a Bergen County treasure. Chef Michael Latour, who frequently visits tables personally, has built one of the last authentic French fine dining experiences in the state, earning a New York Times “Excellent” rating, three stars from the Bergen Record and Star Ledger, and a spot in Zagat’s Top 40 for Best Food in New Jersey.
The Beef Wellington is the signature: rich, tender, and perfectly executed. The prix fixe menu (Tuesday through Thursday) offers extraordinary value for this level of cooking. The atmosphere is intimate and Parisian, making it ideal for date nights and celebrations. And here’s the kicker: Latour is BYOB, so bring your best bottle of Burgundy and the value becomes unbeatable. Best of Bergen voters named it Best French Restaurant for 2024.
Why locals love it: world-class French cuisine, BYOB, and a chef who cares enough to visit your table. There’s nothing else like it in Bergen County.
From Scratch
When Chef Claudia opened From Scratch on East Ridgewood Avenue in 2015, she brought something Ridgewood didn’t know it was missing: an Italian grocery-bistro concept where every piece of pasta is made by hand, the cooking classes fill up instantly, and walking through the door genuinely feels like stepping into Italy.
The Carbonara and Lasagna alla Bolognese are the signatures, but the baked treats and the Italian specialty products (through the connected Italia di Gusto shop) make this more than just a restaurant. With a Google rating of 4.6, 257 Yelp reviews, and a 4.5 on TripAdvisor, From Scratch has built a devoted following. It’s also BYOB, so bring a bottle of Chianti and settle in.
Why locals love it: handmade pasta, an authentic Italian atmosphere, and BYOB pricing. It’s the restaurant that makes Ridgewood residents feel like they’re on vacation without leaving town.
Cafe 37
Ranked #3 of 83 restaurants in Ridgewood on TripAdvisor and rated “Excellent” by the New York Times, Cafe 37 has been a downtown staple since Chef Cesar Sotomayor opened it in 2012. The seasonal New American menu leans into seafood and creative preparations, and the Zagat recognition confirms what locals already know: this is serious cooking in a welcoming, unpretentious setting.
Located just a two-minute walk from the train station, Cafe 37 is the quintessential post-commute dinner spot. The outdoor seating is perfect in warmer months, and the Chef’s Table option adds a special-occasion dimension. With over 1,025 OpenTable reviews and a 96% recommendation rate on Facebook, the consistency speaks volumes. BYOB, and there’s a wine shop right across the street.
Why locals love it: New York Times-rated New American cooking, BYOB, and two minutes from the train. It’s the restaurant that makes the commute worth it.
Roots Steakhouse
When you want a proper steakhouse experience without driving to Manhattan, Roots delivers. This old-school New York-style steakhouse on Chestnut Street has been a Ridgewood anchor since 2014, serving prime dry-aged cuts in a classic, no-frills atmosphere. The Ridgewood location is one of three (alongside Summit and Morristown), and Best of Bergen voters have recognized it in the bar and grill/steakhouse category.
Unlike the BYOBs that dominate Ridgewood’s dining scene, Roots features a full bar and lounge that stays open until 12:30 AM, making it the go-to spot for a post-dinner drink as well. With 414 Yelp reviews and a Google rating of 4.4, this is a steakhouse that earns its keep in a town with no shortage of excellent options.
Why locals love it: old-fashioned steakhouse quality with a full bar in a town full of BYOBs. When you want prime beef and a proper cocktail, Roots is the answer.
Shumi Japanese Cuisine
Ridgewood’s dining scene reaches its most refined expression at Shumi, where Chef Kunihiko Aikasa, who brings 46 years of experience from Fukushima, Japan, offers both an à la carte sushi menu and a multi-course omakase experience starting at $90. The New York Times rated it “Excellent,” Zagat scored it 28, and the 314 Yelp reviews (with 642 photos) confirm the visual and culinary artistry on display.
The omakase is the way to go if you want the full experience: Chef Aikasa selects premium imported fish and crafts each course to tell a story. A private omakase room accommodates parties of 2 to 8 for special occasions. And like so many of Ridgewood’s best restaurants, Shumi is BYOB: bring sake, bring wine, and let the chef do the rest.
Why locals love it: a legitimate omakase experience (NYT-rated, Zagat-rated) in your own downtown, BYOB. This is the restaurant that makes Ridgewood residents forget Manhattan exists.
Ridgewood’s Food Scene Is Its Own Destination
What makes Ridgewood’s restaurant scene remarkable isn’t just the quality. It’s the density. Over 120 establishments in a walkable downtown village means you could eat somewhere new every week for two years and not repeat. Four of my five picks are BYOB, which is a Ridgewood signature: the policy keeps fine dining accessible and adds to the neighborhood warmth that defines the village.
The honorable mentions run deep: Felina for contemporary Italian in a converted Art Deco bank, Sakura-Bana for 40 years of acclaimed Japanese cuisine, Savini for Best of Bergen Italian, Sook Pastry for Korean-French baked goods. This is a town where the food scene alone is reason enough to move.
Ready to Make Ridgewood Home?
The restaurants are only part of the story. Ridgewood is Bergen County’s gold standard, and competition for homes here is real. If you’re relocating from the city, upgrading for your family’s next chapter, or looking for a community that delivers on every level, I can help you navigate this market and find the right home. When you’re ready to explore Ridgewood or Bergen County’s other luxury towns, 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.
