Common Lot, Milburn, NJ: A Restaurant Review
Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.
Common Lot: A Culinary Gem in New Jersey with Global Flair
Common Lot: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: New American
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: Serves a well-executed inventive eclectic menu, prepared with fresh farm to table ingredients
Service: The staff is professional, personal, and attentive, without being intrusive.
Ambiance: Modern trendy, bustling, with an open kitchen design
Overall Rating: 3 1/2 Stars - One of the top restaurants in Northern New Jersey.
Note: Four-star Rating System from 1/2 star = poor to 4 stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate
Dress: Casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy an inventive eclectic menu, prepared with fresh farm to table ingredients, in an attractive, trendy industrial chic setting.
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who prefer a low key, casual family style restaurant with a traditional menu.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Charcoal Grilled New Zealand Venison Tenderloin with celeriac puree, celeriac, venison jus; The Steamed Nova Scotia Halibut with foraged mushroom and squash ragu, capers; and The PKS Four Brothers' Farm Pork, roasted cashew puree, shiitake, shiitake glaze.
Liquor: BYOB
Nestled in New Jersey, Common Lot stands out as a trailblazing dining destination, blending creativity and innovation rarely seen in the region. Renowned for its inventive, farm-to-table fare and industrial-chic ambiance, this restaurant offers a refreshing departure from the ordinary.
Executive Chef Ehren Ryan (an Australian native) and his wife Nadine bring a wealth of international expertise to Common Lot. Chef Ryan’s journey from dishwasher to roles at London’s two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston and Sketch shines through in his bold, technique-driven dishes. Nadine, a graduate of Austria’s Hotel Management School and certified cheese sommelier, elevates the dining experience with her European tea-industry background and seamless front-of-house management.
The menu dazzles with globally inspired, seasonally driven dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options abound, ensuring inclusivity. For those seeking exclusivity, the Kitchen Pass Chef’s Table (4 seats) presents a daring, multi-course tasting menu—unavailable in the main dining room—tailored to diners’ preferences.
Defying convention, Common Lot skips bread and pasta, focusing instead on boundary-pushing creations. Even the coffee service intrigues: French presses arrive with timers that buzz when brewed to perfection.
Designed by Nadine, the space features reclaimed wood tables, vibrant ceramics by Union City’s Jono Pandolfi, and satin-bronze flatware. Walls adorned with art, including a striking abstract piece by Canadian artist Mélanie Simard, add warmth to the industrial backdrop.
The heart of the action, downstairs with booths, a 12-seat communal table, and open views of the bustling kitchen
The upper level offers a quieter retreat with well-spaced tables, a curated cookbook library, and a glass-walled dry-aging room.
During the warmwr months there is outdoor seating 20. Wheelchair accessibility is available on the main floor.
Despite its trendy vibe, the acoustics allow easy conversation. A small side parking lot (often full on weekends) and public parking across the street ease arrivals. Reservations are essential—especially for the coveted Chef’s Table.
Open for dinner Wednesday–Saturday: Wed/Thurs: À la carte menu. Fri/Sat: Four-course prix-fixe only.
Private Dining
The secluded Chef’s Library on the second floor offers an intimate setting for special events.
Common Lot masterfully balances sophistication with approachability, making it a must-visit for culinary adventurers and design enthusiasts alike.
Updated: January 2025
Our Restaurant Rating Criteria to Ensure Minimum Subjective Evaluation
New Jersey's Culinary Champs: The Best Restaurants of The Year
Discover the restaurants that stand above and apart from the pack of NJ restaurants.
Experience NJ Dining with Stunning Scenic Views.
Discover NJ restaurants with awesome Waterfront, Ocean, Mountain, and Skyline Viewing.
NJ Breakfast and Brunch: A Food Lover's Guide
Discover the "Best" Breakfast and Sunday Brunch Restaurants in NJ