Matisse 167
Rutherford
Restaurant in Rutherford, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Matisse 167 is a sensible Rutherford dinner pick when convenience and an evening-only local plan matter more than chef-name dining or a highly documented menu. Book it for a composed sit-down night; cross-shop Vesta Wood-Fired, Tio Taco + Tequila, or House of Que if the group needs a more clearly defined format.
About Matisse 167
Matisse 167 is a Rutherford dinner option with a clear evening schedule and a smart-casual dress code. It is worth considering when the plan is specifically dinner in Rutherford, especially for diners who want to confirm timing and fit before committing.
A better fit for planned dinner than spontaneous lunch
The cleanest read is this: plan for dinner, not daytime dining. The posted schedule is 5–10 PM Wednesday through Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday closed, so it works better for evening plans than for visitors trying to build a daytime Rutherford itinerary around a meal.
Matisse 167 does not specify a cuisine, chef, price tier, awards, menu format, or named house specialty. Therefore, the decision to dine here should not rest on a famous dish or trophy signal. It is a Rutherford restaurant choice where the practical value comes from its city, timing, and fit for the occasion. The dress code is smart casual.
Who should choose it, and who should cross-shop
Choose this for dinner in Rutherford when the group is comfortable with the evening hours and smart-casual expectation. It is less useful for diners who need a clearly labeled cuisine, published pricing, bar seating details, or a dietary program before committing.
If the goal is to compare options before choosing, cross-shop naturally. Vesta Wood-Fired, Tio Taco + Tequila, House of Que - American Dream Mall, Dream360°, and Farm 2 Bistro may all be worth checking depending on where the rest of the evening is taking you and what details matter most to your group.
For nearby planning beyond dinner, keep the decision practical: Rutherford hotels, Rutherford bars, other Rutherford dining, and local experiences may be more useful than trying to make one restaurant solve the whole evening.
Planning details
- Location
- 167 Park Ave, Rutherford, NJ 07070
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- matisse167.com
- Phone
- +12019352995
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Matisse 167 presents a quietly assured dining room that favors material restraint over theatrical flourish. The interior language, exposed brickwork, considered lighting and an absence of unnecessary decoration, keeps the focus on the food and the provenance that defines the kitchen. The result is an intimate, modern-feeling space that attracts diners who expect thoughtful sourcing and disciplined technique. It reads as a room for conversation and careful tasting rather than loud spectacle, aligning suburban dining with the standards of seriously minded city kitchens.
Best For
This is a dinner-focused spot that suits date nights, special occasions and business dinners where cuisine and sourcing matter. The menu foregrounds seasonal, provenance-led ingredients and signature preparations, including the Venison Wellington, so evenings here feel intentional. Guests come expecting attentive plating and ingredient-driven storytelling, making the restaurant a strong choice for celebratory nights or professional meals when quality and provenance are the priorities.
Ordering Tips
Ask about what’s in season and where the kitchen is sourcing right now: the menu treats farms, fisheries and small producers as part of the conversation. If the Venison Wellington is available, it is noted as a signature dish and is worth considering. Because the kitchen emphasizes provenance and seasonality, let the server highlight regional producers and any standout preparations that showcase current ingredients rather than defaulting to familiar choices.
Venue details
Ambiance
Artistic atmosphere with moderate noise levels.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Formal
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
- Kitchen
- Modern
- Menu Format
- Prix fixe
Signature Dishes
Venison Wellington
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 167 Park Ave, Rutherford, NJ 07070
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Vesta Wood-Fired, Notable alternative
- Dream360°, Notable alternative
- House of Que - American Dream Mall, Notable alternative
- Tio Taco + Tequila, Notable alternative
- Farm 2 Bistro, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How It Compares
Matisse 167 is the safer choice when the goal is a Rutherford dinner with minimal planning friction and a calmer local feel. Vesta Wood-Fired is more specific in format, so choose it if the wood-fired angle is the reason for going out. Matisse 167 is better for diners who care less about a named format and more about a simple evening reservation.
For group energy, Tio Taco + Tequila and House of Que - American Dream Mall are stronger cross-shops. Tio Taco + Tequila fits a casual drinks-and-dinner plan, while House of Que - American Dream Mall is the better call for a louder, more flexible group outing. Matisse 167 reads as the more composed dinner choice.
Dream360° and Farm 2 Bistro are worth checking when availability or format pushes the decision elsewhere. If ease matters, start with Matisse 167; if the group wants a clearer theme before committing, the peers give you more obvious lanes.
Explore Rutherford
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Matisse 167 guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Matisse 167
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Matisse 167 | Rutherford | No published awards |
| Vesta Wood-Fired | East Rutherford | No published awards |
| Dream360° | East Rutherford | No published awards |
| House of Que - American Dream Mall | East Rutherford | No published awards |
| Tio Taco + Tequila | Clifton | No published awards |
| Farm 2 Bistro | Nutley | No published awards |
How Matisse 167 Rutherford compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Matisse 167 handle dietary restrictions?
Plan to contact the restaurant before you go, since Matisse 167 does not specify a dietary or allergy policy. The safest move is to flag any restrictions before making plans.
Can I eat at the bar at Matisse 167?
Do not assume bar dining is available. While Matisse 167 is in Rutherford, has a smart-casual dress code, and offers dinner hours from Wednesday through Sunday, it does not specify bar seating or a bar-dining setup.
What should a first-timer know about Matisse 167?
Go at night: Matisse 167 is closed Monday and Tuesday, then runs 5–10 PM Wednesday through Sunday. That makes it a dinner-only pick based on the posted hours, not a lunch stop, so plan around the evening window.
Is lunch or dinner better at Matisse 167?
Dinner is the option, since the posted hours are 5–10 PM Wednesday through Sunday. Lunch is not available according to the schedule, so any planning should start with dinner timing.
Is Matisse 167 good for a special occasion?
It may fit if your special occasion is a smart-casual dinner in Rutherford and the 5–10 PM Wednesday-to-Sunday schedule works for your group. Matisse 167 does not specify private dining, tasting menus, pricing, or other special-occasion services, so confirm those needs directly before making plans.
What are alternatives to Matisse 167?
For comparison, look at Vesta Wood-Fired, Tio Taco + Tequila, House of Que - American Dream Mall, Dream360°, and Farm 2 Bistro.
What should I order at Matisse 167?
No menu details are available, so do not go in with a fixed order in mind. Use the dinner window to review the current menu and ask the staff what they recommend that night.