Upper Clinton Hill - Newark, NJ Area Guide

Between West Runyon Street and Hawthorne Avenue in Upper Clinton Hill, you'll find Tillinghast Street. Today, this stretch resembles most other streets in the neighborhood -- lined with shotgun and row houses with front porches with stairs leading to the sidewalk. But this street is named for an important resident -- Philip Tillinghast. Tillinghast was a wealthy land speculator during the mid-1800s, and he was one of the first to build his opulent mansion in the neighborhood. Clinton Hill was once considered the country, and wealthy New Yorkers built their palatial vacation homes here. Soon, the area became too crowded and the wealthy moved farther out into West Orange and other suburban areas.

Here's some trivia to amaze your new Clinton Hill neighbors with: University High School used to be housed within Malcolm X Shabazz High School, and it was called the "School Within a School." The school remained the "School Within a School" from its founding in 1969 until it was moved to its own building in 1977. It was renamed to "University High School" because of its proximity to NJIT and Rutgers. Today, the school has what is considered the best girls' basketball team in the state, with several championships to support that claim. The students are also impressive, posting the highest HSPA scores in the district.

Upper Clinton Hill's diverse dining means never having to leave the neighborhood for a great bite to eat. Bragman's Delicatessen and Restaurant 's seriously overstuffed pastrami or corned beef sandwiches with crispy cole slaw and homemade Russian dressing dare you to finish them. The sloppy joes in Bragman's rank among the best in state, as do the triple decker sandwiches made of corned beef, pastrami, turkey, cole slaw, and Russian dressing cut into eight pieces and easily enough for two. The small deli's aroma gets mouths watering, and second-generation owner Larry Reisner's hands-on approach gives Bragman's the same quality and make it a Clinton Hill treasure since opening its doors in 1951.

D & J Country Cooking on Clinton Avenue serves up equally immense portions as Bragman's, except with a menu filled with soul. Like Bragman's, D & J Country Cooking has a railroad style layout to the restaurant. A long counter with chairs keeps hungry patrons close to freshly-made chicken and waffles, ribs, hogmaws, and chitterlings. This family-owned soul food restaurant usually fills up during the lunch rush, and the menu lasts as long as the food does, so be sure to beat the rush.

Finding a diverse meal in Upper Clinton Hill requires no more effort than turning a street corner, but King's Family Restaurant & Catering fits halal, soul food, and Middle Eastern cuisine under one roof. The restaurant features white cloth dining in an open, family-style atmosphere. King's eclectic menu showcases competitively priced oxtail, curry chicken, and gyro salad. With a very large menu, King's doesn't scrimp on flavor, each culturally authentic dish rivaling stand-alone neighborhood establishments. For large events, King's on-premise catering hall means no long trips for celebrations. Visited by Sen. Cory Booker in celebration of Newark, King's Family Restaurant & Catering is considered a neighborhood landmark.

After a hearty meal, dance away some calories at Atmosphere Bar and Lounge on Wainwright Street. Atmosphere's large dance floor and club aesthetic feel more New York City than Newark, perfect for a night out on the town with friends and family. Resident DJs play today's hip hop and club hits in the dance area with prices rivaling other area clubs. Popular in Clinton Hill and surrounding Newark neighborhoods, Atmosphere draws large crowds on weekends and is a great place to mingle or enjoy an after-hours cocktail.

Daily shopping in Clinton Hill can be done on foot, but trips to larger shopping areas require public transportation or a vehicle. Uber drivers are unavailable in Clinton Hill, but nearby taxi services are reliable and offer deals for inner-city destinations. Residential parking in Clinton Hill is readily accessible at all times of the day. Metered parking along busy Clinton Avenue may be more difficult to find, but most destinations along the main street can be reached by foot.

The southernmost border of Clinton Hill straddles Interstate 78, running east and west through New Jersey, connecting Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York City. For trips to upstate New York or the Jersey Shore, the Garden State Parkway is a five-minute drive away along Clinton Avenue. Upper Clinton Hill has no bike lanes, though they have been progressing throughout Newark. Bikers making their way to northern University Heights find bike lanes along all major roads of the district.

North of Clinton Hill, renovated West Side Park hosts activities for all members of the family. Basketball, tennis, and multipurpose courts as well as football and baseball fields provide exercise opportunities for all. West Side Park hosts live entertainment with past performances by Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick. Dogs are not permitted in the park, but large open spaces and playgrounds make West Side Park perfect for days spent outdoors.

With the costs of commuting coupled with similar rent pricing as Clinton Hill's neighbors, the cost of living in this neighborhood costs about the same as many areas of Newark but lower than University Heights. Bus rides to Irvington, University Heights, and other Newark stops via one of Clinton Avenue's many stops costs only $1.50. The cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in Upper Clinton Hill averages $1,200. Beers in Upper Clinton Hill cost less than in nearby areas such as University Heights, at prices of $4 or $5. The average cost of gas in Upper Clinton Hill is approximately one percent cheaper than the national cost.

Upper Clinton Hill rests within minutes of local and major shopping areas. The bookstore, custom apparel, and art education center of BMADE in neighboring Irvington creates styles for you and provides resources for self-expression. Expecting and new parents find everything they need for their new bundle of joy at Primo, a manufacturer of nursery, toilet training, bathing, and safety needs.

Larger retailers require public transportation to neighborhoods within 15 minutes of Clinton Hill. Shops along the route to University Heights' retail area include Swatch, the Children's Place, and LIM College Bookstore. Broad Street in University Heights has many specialty retailers such as V.I.M. and Buitoni Mens Fashion.

Local convenience stores such as Claro Grocery within Clinton Hill fulfill daily shopping lists in a snap. A nearby Eddy's Supermarket on Clinton Avenue and Pathmark, more suited for weekly grocery shopping, sits along I-78. Farmers markets are available within greater Newark, and fresh produce in Golden Farm is 15 minutes away from Upper Clinton Hill.