There’s nothing like a beautiful day on the links to make you glad to be alive. But all of that time swinging a nine iron around will sure work up an appetite. Don’t go hungry on the course—be sure to fuel your game with good eats. Hop in your golf cart and head to one of these fine establishments before, during, and after your game.
Alpine Country Club
{80 Anderson Avenue, Demarest; 201.768.2121; alpinecc.org}
A full-service, family-focused private club is what you’ll find at Alpine Country Club. In addition to the course and a golf simulator, the club offers tennis courts—great for perfecting that swing. Many options are available for dining before or after your game. The Golfhouse Grillle and Patio is where you’ll find a relaxing, post-game dining experience with views of the course. Tillinghast Bar & Lounge provides a casual atmosphere for cocktails and dinner and has TVs so you won’t miss the last hole of that golf tournament you’ve been following. In summer months, the Peacock Alley offers alfresco lunch and dinner on a patio overlooking ponds and the course. Other options include the Aldecress Room and the Alpine Room for small or large banquets.
Knickerbocker Country Club
{188 Knickerbocker Road, Tenafly; 201.568.1460; knickerbocker.cc}
Plenty of delicious dining options await to pair with your golf round at the private Knickerbocker Country Club. The newest place to get your fill is the Pavilion, opened just last June, which serves a gastro-pub style cuisine. In addition to an attractive reclaimed wood bar and dining room indoors, a wraparound deck is available for outdoor dining, great for warm summer months. Other choices include a casual dining option on the course, and the Main Clubhouse, traditionally decorated with self-described “sophisticated” food. Current hot menu items include Soft Shell Crabs, either sautéed for dinner or on a roll for lunch (so popular that members have been calling in advance to reserve them), as well as the Chipotle Bison Burger. For those looking for a libation or two, house-infused vodkas and sangrías are popular throughout the season. Also of note: A variety of cigars are available from a local cigar company.
Paramus Golf Course
{314 Paramus Road, Paramus; 201.447.6079; 9irongrille.com}
The 9 Iron Grille, located at the public Paramus Golf Course, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual setting. Breakfast items include a selection of omelettes and sides. For lunch and dinner, salads, sandwiches, soups, burgers, and an array of entrées such as Rib-Eye Steak and Chicken Tacos can be enjoyed, as well as nightly specials. In a rush to make your tee time? All meals are cooked to order, so let your server know if you need suggestions for quicker meal options. On and offsite catering services are available, and private events can accommodate up to 125 guests.
Ramsey Golf & Country Club
{105 Lakeside Drive, Ramsey; 201.327.0009; ramseycountryclub.com}
In existence since the early 1900s, the private Ramsey Golf & Country Club has a course surrounded by a formal English-style garden. Members can also revel in the sunshine at the beach on Mirror Lake or at the lakeside pool. Famished after 18 holes or swimming? Have a meal overlooking the lake at Lakeside Grille & Bar, which features seasonal American fare, and is open to both club members and non-members alike. Popular menu items include steaks and burgers, and weekly themed nights include Italian Wednesdays with create-your-own-pasta and Prime Rib Sundays. Event space is also available to the public for weddings, receptions, and other private events. Also of note is a beverage cart on the course, and a selection of cigars.
River Vale Country Club
{660 Rivervale Road, River Vale; 201.391.2300; rivervalecc.com}
You’ll find a diverse, secluded 18-hole course at this semi-private club where membership is available but golfers can pay a public-use fee. (River Vale residents get a discounted rate.) Novice golfers looking to become an expert have found the right place; various clinics and camps for children are offered throughout the summer. If you’re looking to refuel after playing, Cherry Brook Restaurant and Bar has a pub-style menu with daily specials available. We suggest the popular “Long Ball” Burger. Another dining option, At The Turn Snackhouse, offers alfresco dining with items such as hotdogs and burgers. No time for a sit-down meal? There is a beverage and snack cart on the course. A banquet room is also available for private events.
White Beeches Country Club
{70 Haworth Drive, Haworth; 201.385.3100; wbgcc.com}
A private golf club named in honor of the white beech trees that originally lined the course, White Beeches Country Club has much to offer to both golf enthusiasts and foodies alike. Founded in 1915, the course has hosted U.S. Open sectional qualifiers, Met Open qualifiers, and the State Open. Executive Chef Tom Silvestri, a Bergen native, worked for five years under renowned NYC Chef Tom Valenti after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America. Silvestri has a passion for preparing simple comfort food with his own distinct twists.
Heather Dean Bennington
