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Welcome to El Rio Nilo

At El Rio Nilo, we celebrate the rich culinary traditions of Latin America. Nestled in Hackensack, NJ, this vibrant restaurant offers a unique dining experience combining bold flavors with a warm atmosphere. Our signature dishes, from the delectable Yola sweet plantain canoes to the indulgent Mar y Tierra surf and turf, showcase the essence of our gastronomic heritage. Each plate bursts with vibrant colors and robust tastes, inviting guests to savor every bite. With outdoor seating options and a commitment to quality, El Rio Nilo is where unforgettable flavors and a welcoming ambiance create a true culinary escape. Join us and taste the passion behind every dish.

LOCATIONS

Welcome to El Rio Nilo, a vibrant gem nestled in Hackensack, New Jersey, where the rich flavors of Latin America come to life. Located at 455 Passaic St Hackensack, NJ 07601, El Rio Nilo is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience that transports you straight to the heart of Latin flavor.

From the moment you step inside, the warm ambiance envelops you. With utilities for delivery, takeout, and various outdoor seating options—including heated and covered spaces—El Rio Nilo caters to all dining preferences. Whether you wish to enjoy a leisurely meal under the stars or savor delicious dishes from the comfort of your home, this restaurant has got you covered. For inquiries, don’t hesitate to call at (201) 742-5289.

The menu at El Rio Nilo is a true testament to the culinary traditions of Latin America, featuring a wide selection of appetizers and mains that are as visually appealing as they are delicious. Start your culinary journey with the Yola, the restaurant's signature sweet plantain canoes, gracefully stuffed with succulent shrimp and drizzled with their distinctive El Rio Nilo sauce. For something heartier, The Final Tower dazzles with layers of thinly sliced steak, fried maduros, and fresh avocado, served with a sweet chinola sauce and pico de gallo that offers a symphony of flavors in every bite.

  • Entrees: Their signature dish, Mar y Tierra, brings together juicy churrasco and tender lobster tail, itemizing the essence of surf and turf ($51.93). The Churrasco itself is a remarkable grilled skirt steak that showcases mastery over the grill, served with chimichurri and a side of your choice.
  • Mofongo: A highlight of the menu is the various mofongo options, where green fried plantains are mashed with garlic and butter, topped generously with choices like grilled chicken or shrimp ($23.33 for chicken and $28.53 for shrimp). The Land and Sea Mofongo embodies indulgence at its finest, marrying churrasco with lobster tail and shrimp in a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Each dish at El Rio Nilo reflects a deep respect for tradition and an innovative flair that sets it apart. The Rib Eye Mofongo, a hearty 12 oz pan-seared rib-eye paired with seasoned plantains, gives you an unforgettable taste of luxury on a plate, priced at $42.83. The meticulous attention to detail in each recipe guarantees that every plate is not just a meal but a celebration of culture and taste.

At El Rio Nilo, dining is a sensory journey, with vibrant flavors, colorful ingredients, and an atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. Come experience the magic of Latin cuisine, whether you’re enjoying a cozy meal with friends, celebrating a special occasion, or just treating yourself to some well-deserved comfort food. El Rio Nilo is waiting to welcome you with open arms and mouthwatering dishes that leave you craving for more.

START YOUR REVIEW OF El Rio Nilo
Tia T.
Tia T.

Customer Service was top tier, and to add the food was delicious. I mean who can resist oxtails with coconut rice and sweet plantains!! Will definitely come back for the Dominican fusion sushi.

Susie R.
Susie R.

Small place on a strip mall. Thought the service was decent. There was a little bit of a communication issue where the waiter didn't understand what grilled meant so the manager had to come out but other than that all was good. The food was delicious. Pictured is an app and 2 of the fusion sushi rolls. The Dominican roll was our fav. Prices were reasonable. I would come back.

Oi W.
Oi W.

8/9/24 Chinola and Morir Sonando - Chinola is a bit on the sweet side but the Morir Sonando was perfect Asian Chicharron - this is a must order. Tender, juicy and flavorful. Arroz con Camarones - very good but wish there was more shrimp. I would actually prefer small shrimps cooked into the rice then the large shrimp placed on top. Mofongo de Longaniza - mofongo was good and hubby liked the longaniza. But I didn't care for the longaniza, it was not as flavorful as others I've had.

Natalia E.
Natalia E.

I went for lunch with a coworker and we were the only ones in the place. I got sancocho and the capotillo roll and my coworker got a chicken soup and capotillo. Let me tell you that we left nothing on any of the plates. The soups were amazing with so much flavor and came with white rice. The Dominican fusion sushi was amazing in flavor and left me wanting more. I will return! The place was very nicely decorated and appears to be a place for night time events.

Angelica O.
Angelica O.

I found the food tasty. My husband found it too salty. My only complaint was the way it was packed. The person put all the saucy heavy food on top of other containers, and I had a nice mess when I unpacked bag. Everything was saucy and oily.

Nick S.
Nick S.

I went to El Rio Nilo after seeing it on a foodie Instagram. The idea of Dominican sushi was something I could not miss out on! My friend and I visited on Tuesday evening. The restaurant was super empty, but it was just as well because then we were able to enjoy some quiet. I ordered El Taino Frito roll which I was a fried sushi roll filled with mozzarella, Maduros, and bacon. My friend got El Pharaoh which was a regular sushi roll filled with ham and maduros and shrimp tempura. Both were immensely delicious. We also each ordered a side of maduros and thoroughly enjoyed them. My friend got a chicken empanada. She enjoyed it! The waitress was very nice. Loved the feel of restaurant. Would definitely go back!

Victor W.
Victor W.

Obscure? Perhaps. The old adage "Don't judge a book by its cover" can't be any truer than for El Rio Nilo. We came for their Fusion Sushi platter featured on Instagram and it did not disappoint. Truly outstanding and would highly recommend ordering it. Presentation was excellent and the flavor was perfect with all their dishes. We were a large party of (8ppl) and we ordered everything. Kitchen knew it would take time and gave us complimentary cheese empanadas! Chef/owner was super friendly and hospitable making the experience great. The storefront is very unassuming yet the interiors are clean and crisp with an inmense bas relief giving life to the space. It also has a stage for evening entertainment and a large bar. Despite our server who didn't seem the happiest - the food more than made up for it. Nice work chef!

Joel R.
Joel R.

A dope spot with a down to earth staff. The food is top notch. Everything we tried was delicious. Favorites were the tostones topped with chicken, blueberry refresher and the empanadas. We also ordered the Karol G roll and the Dominican Yorki roll, along with rice and roasted chicken. Everything was on point and will definitely be back!!

Cyn T.
Cyn T.

Came here last Sunday with family and we really enjoyed our experience. We had stopped by the previous week but it was closed and the owner invited us back for the following week when they reopened. The food was definitely worth the wait. The owner remembered us and brought out some complimentary dishes as well as giving us some complimentary to go dishes. He offered to cover our entire bill but we think it's important to support small businesses, especially small businesses of color so we paid for our main entrees. The service was great everyone was super attentive and the ambiance was really chill. As for the food, we tried the Moro with Carne de res guisada, tostones montaditos, mofongo de pollo and some of the Dominican Sushi rolls (specifically the Dominican York Roll, Capotillo, and El Chupa Cabrá rolls). Everything we had was delicious. The food is super flavorful. I was hesitant to try the sushi rolls because the seaweed can sometimes overpower the other flavors but that was not the case here. Definitely the best Dominican Sushi we've had. Make sure to try the Chinola dipping sauce, I could have it with everything it's soo good! We were stuffed but the owner insisted on dessert, he brought out vanilla ice cream with a caramelized plátano maduro. That put us over the top, such a nice surprise we weren't expecting. We will definitely be returning and have already recommended this spot to family and friends!!