Saddle River

 

Saddle River is a prestigious community of around 3,150 residents in Bergen County, New Jersey. Saddle River is around 23 miles north of Manhattan. The drive can take as little as 35 minutes in light traffic but Saddle River’s bucolic atmosphere makes it feel a world away. This community has a quaint and tranquil vibe with grand country homes on large tracts of land spread across a delightful pastoral landscape. Saddle River has dozens of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the oldest homes dating back to the 1750s. The real estate mix spans styles and centuries with luxurious country estates, stone brick manors, horse farms, and spectacular contemporary custom builds. Minimum zoning requirements of two-acre lots ensure all properties offer exceptional privacy and space.

 

Saddle River boasts one of New Jersey’s highest per capita incomes and also the lowest property taxes in the state. Residents of this refined community include high-ranking executives and famous entertainers. Saddle River’s combination of masterpiece homes, idyllic countryside calm, and convenient access to New York City makes it one of Bergen County’s premier destinations.

 

Saddle River is named after the waterway that meanders through the community. Saddle River Inn is a romantic French restaurant housed within an 18th-century barn on the scenic riverbank. The barn was built in 1791 and served in the past as a sawmill and basket weaving factory. Saddle River Inn’s rustic interior features wooden beams and an upper-level balcony. The food is as captivating as Saddle River Inn’s setting, with former Artisanal on Park Avenue chef Jamie Knott drawing on diverse international influences for a menu of inspired contemporary French and New American dishes. The restaurant operates a BYOB policy and has received rave reviews in Zagat and The New York Times. 

 

On the opposite riverbank, The Saddle River Café has a similarly rustic exterior and an airy interior filled with plants and natural light. Their menu focuses on light seasonal fare with favorites including cold-pressed juices and açai bowls. The adjacent Saddle River Deli & Catering offers an eclectic selection of breakfast feasts, share platters, and specialty-themed menus such as New England clam bakes, seafood buffets, and BBQ assortments.

 

Other businesses clustered together on the riverbank include Ilie’s Eternally Flawless for unique personalized jewelry pieces and Florescence Salon & Day Spa. Waterford Gardens has been one of the nation’s leading lily farms since it opened in 1895. Waterford Gardens sells an impressive collection of marginal plants and water lilies as well as koi and pond fish and premium aquatics equipment. Tice’s Corner Marketplace in neighboring Woodcliff Lake is an elegant shopping mall with 27 businesses including brands such as Anthropologie, the Apple Store, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Bluemercury, Pottery Barn, and Williams-Sonoma.

 

​​​​​​​Fly fishing is a popular activity on the Saddle River as well as in numerous brooks and streams that run through the community. The New Jersey Division of Fish and Game ensures the Saddle River is well-stocked with trout and anglers look forward to scheduled days in April and May when the river is replenished. There are also sections along the river with designated wild status. Rindlaub Park is a hidden community green space with an abundance of sports and recreation facilities. The park has baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts, and jogging trails. There’s also a children’s playground and an amphitheater for staging special town events.

 

Saddle River operates its own Saddle River School District at the elementary level, with middle schools and high schools falling within the Ramsey and Northern Highlands Regional High School Districts.