A tiny, owner-led Bloomfield restaurant with excellent cheesecakes, creative brunch, warm hospitality, and occasional service or seating frustrations.
Anthony's Cheesecake & Restaurant earns its standing through strong food quality, with cheesecakes and French toast drawing consistent praise, and attentive, personal service that often includes staff explaining the dessert case. A very small room and uneven speed during busy periods keep it from a higher standing, while its hidden-gem appeal draws guests from considerable distances.
Anthony’s is a tiny, cozy Bloomfield neighborhood restaurant where the owner is often part host, part dessert guide, and part extra pair of hands. The room can feel packed, but the welcome is frequently personal and warm; one family-style visit was summed up as feeling like being treated “as if you’re part of the family.” Expect a charming, intimate setting rather than lots of elbow room, with a nearby parking deck helping offset the awkward one-way-street parking. The kitchen covers a broad American comfort-food and brunch range, then pushes it into playful territory with apple-fritter French toast, cannoli waffles, chicken and waffles, chimichurri-topped plates, and rotating dessert creations. Cheesecake is the headline act, with the classic, Oreo, cookie butter, and fruit-forward versions earning the most affection, but regulars also return for savory meals and seasonal baked goods. The main caveat is operational: many visits are smooth and generous, while a minority report slow drinks, delayed desserts, incorrect substitutions, or weak follow-through on complaints. Families are well served by the approachable menu: children have enjoyed chicken and waffles, French toast, pancakes, and the abundant dessert selection, and staff have been praised for going out of their way for young diners. The current menu also includes familiar waffles, breakfast sandwiches, burgers, chicken dishes, and customizable omelets. It is a good family choice if everyone can tolerate a small room and potentially uneven timing.
Area vibe: Residential suburb with local shopping strips and commuter-oriented services.
Safety: Generally safe with active street life around main roads; exercise normal caution at night in quieter residential pockets.
What's nearby: Near Bloomfield Center, close to Bloomfield Avenue commercial strip, commuter rail and bus connections to Newark and NYC.
The safest order pairs one of the restaurant’s standout cheesecakes with a playful brunch plate such as Apple Fritter French Toast or Cannoli Cream Belgian Waffles.
Plan for a warm but compact visit, with reservations and extra patience advisable when the room is busy.
The strongest value is in the distinctive cheesecakes and inventive brunch dishes, though portions and execution can make higher-priced meals feel uneven.