Lita, Aberdeen NJ: A Restaurant Review
Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.
The Lita: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: Modern Iberian
Price: Very Expensive
Food Quality: Exceptional, well-executed offerings are highly creative and gorgeously plated, with many interesting, unusual ingredients and unique flavor combinations.
Service: Friendly, helpful, and extremley knowledgeable about the menu.
Ambiance: Upscale casual, trendy, upbeat.
Overall Rating: 3 1/2 Stars
Note: Four-star Rating System from 1/2 star = poor to 4 stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate-loud
Dress: Casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy eating at a restaurant with an acclaimed chef committed to using organic, locally sourced produce, dairy, grains, poultry, and meats in prepararation for well-executed Iberian food.
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners with taste preferences for a traditional menu with heavy sauces served in huge portions.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Carne de Porco "Alentejana" with iberico pork secreto, little neck clams, pickles, potatoes; The Feijoada de Pato duck, with white navy beans, smoked pork belly, Iberian chorizo; and The Paella do Dia for Two (vegan paella is an option).
Liquor: Full-service bar and cocktail lounge
Nestled in central New Jersey, Lita Iberian Restaurant has swiftly risen to prominence since its April 2023 debut, earning acclaim as a must-visit dining destination.
This modern Iberian eatery, co-owned by Executive Chef David Viana, Neilly Robinson, and Ricardo Rodriguez, offers an innovative prix fixe menu and an immersive ambiance, solidifying its status among the region’s top culinary experiences.
At the helm is Chef David Viana, a first-generation Portuguese-American whose culinary journey began under the guidance of his grandmother’s Iberian recipes. A graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education, Viana honed his craft alongside icons like Bobby Flay and Michael White, while working at esteemed venues such as NYC’s Madison Park and Portugal’s two-Michelin-starred Villa Joya. His New Jersey accolades include roles at Battello in Jersey City and Daryl Wine Bar in New Brunswick, culminating in the success of his ventures, The Heirloom Kitchen and The Heirloom at The St Laurent. Viana’s prowess earned him a 2018 James Beard Award nomination and a spotlight on Top Chef.
Ricardo Rodriguez, the creative force behind Lita’s Iberian-inspired drink program, oversees La Otra—a sleek cocktail lounge adjacent to the restaurant. His inventive libations, blending tradition with modernity, have become a hallmark of the Lita experience.
Viana’s three-course prix fixe menu marries ancestral flavors with New Jersey’s freshest ingredients, re-imagined through contemporary techniques. Dishes, often kissed by the glow of a custom 900-degree charcoal hearth, pay homage to his grandmother’s legacy while embracing innovation.
The restaurant’s chic, airy interior features exposed high ceilings and an open kitchen, where the roaring hearth takes center stage. Generously spaced tables, subtle Iberian melodies, and a convivial bar with counter seating create an inviting yet sophisticated atmosphere.
Lita’s staff embodies versatility: each member is cross-trained in both kitchen and front-of-house roles, ensuring seamless, knowledgeable service. Your server might also be the chef who prepared your dish—a unique touch that enriches the dining narrative.
From its artful cuisine to its thoughtfully curated ambiance, Lita Iberian Restaurant is a celebration of heritage and innovation—a true standout in New Jersey’s vibrant dining scene.
Practical Details:
Hours: Open for dinner Thursday through Saturday.
Atmosphere: Adults-only; an ideal setting for culinary enthusiasts.
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.
The Unveiling of the Best Romantic Dining Spots in New Jersey!
A Guide To New Jersey's Best Romantic Restaurants For That Memorable Experience
NJ Breakfast and Brunch: A Food Lover's Guide
Discover the "Best" Breakfast and Sunday Brunch Restaurants in NJ
Unveiling New Jersey’s Best-Kept Summer Secrets at the Jersey Shore.
Discover fantastic beaches, boardwalks, amusement parks, night clubs, scenic dining restaurants, and more.