American Dream Mall (Photo by: Jibreel23 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
When I was a kid, going to the mall meant shopping for clothing. There weren't any entertainment options in the mall and certainly no kosher food in the food court. You could maybe find some kosher ice cream but that was about it. Times have certainly changed. The American Dream Mall is not like any mall that existed when I was growing up. It’s part retail shopping and part indoor entertainment center. If that weren’t enough, there are more than 10 kosher food options, including pizza, chicken, ice cream, smoothies and a dairy cafe.
The American Dream Mall is located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, NJ. It’s only about a half an hour car ride from NYC. If you don’t have a car, the mall is easily accessible by public transportation. There are many parks and entertainment options for a fun family day at the mall. It is best to plan your activities in advance by buying tickets online and avoiding the lines.
Kosher Food Options at the American Dream Mall
The American Dream Mall opened in October 2019. We have already seen some kosher restaurants open and close. The kosher restaurant situation in the mall is always changing with new restaurants opening and unfortunately, some restaurants closing. Get the latest information about kosher restaurants at The American Dream Mall.
This is the kosher restaurant list as of November 2025:
- Bravo Pizza: Pizza, pasta and other Italian dishes
- Chickies: Fast food restaurant that serves chicken fingers, fries and other fast food items
- Cinnabon: Serves cinnamon rolls, coffee and other baked goods
- Candy Land Shake Bar: Milkshakes, ice cream and dessert shop located inside the Hasbro Gameroom (Kof-K certified)
- Dunkin’ Donuts: Kosher branch of the chain serving coffee, donuts and other breakfast items
- Geoffrey’s Cafe: Cholov Yisroel cafe serving soft-serve ice cream and other treats
- Häagen-Dazs: Two locations in the mall are not kosher certified but all the ice cream is certified OU-D
- IT’SUGAR – It’s Kosher: Kosher-certified candy store offering a wide selection of packaged sweets
- Mrs. Fields: Cookies, brownies and other baked goods
- OREO Cafe: Dairy Oreo-themed cafe serving waffles, milkshakes, ice cream and more sweet treats
- Red Mango: Frozen yogurt, smoothies, juices and acai bowls
- Smash & Grab: Fast-casual spot serving burgers, fries, and classic grab-and-go comfort food
- Sweet Crunch Tanghulu: Kosher Chinese-style candied fruit on skewers
- Fish Grill: Kosher fish-based casual restaurant
- Wetzel's Pretzels: Handcrafted pretzels
Coming Soon
- Miznon: Israeli pita & mezze concept
Most of the full-meal kosher options are located in the Kosher Food Court on Level 3, Court C (Bravo, Chickies, Cinnabon, Candy Land, Dunkin’, Wetzel's & Tanghulu). Red Mango and Mrs. Fields are on the first floor, while Geoffrey’s Café and IT’SUGAR/Oreo Café are near the entertainment areas.
Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park at American Dream Mall (Photo by: Dough4872 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Entertainment & Activities at the American Dream Mall
The American Dream Mall has become one of the top indoor entertainment destinations in the U.S. It’s now better known for its theme parks and attractions than for shopping. This is the kind of mall where you can spend an entire day — or weekend — and your kids will still ask to come back for more.
There are too many experiences to list them all, but here are some of the most popular ones. For a full list of attractions and details, visit the American Dream website.
- Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park: America’s largest indoor theme park with more than 27 rides, attractions, and entertainment options for all ages.
- DreamWorks Water Park: The largest indoor water park in North America, featuring thrilling slides, a massive wave pool, luxury cabanas, a lazy river, and a toddler play area.
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center: A LEGO-themed indoor playground with interactive build zones, rides, a 4D cinema, and hands-on fun for younger kids.
- Big SNOW American Dream: An indoor ski slope with real snow, open year-round for skiing, snowboarding, and snow play.
- The Rink: Full-size indoor ice skating rink offering open skating sessions, lessons, hockey tournaments, figure skating events, and private parties.
- Angry Birds Mini Golf: An 18-hole mini-golf course filled with colorful Angry Birds characters and themed obstacles.
- Blacklight Mini Golf: A neon-lit, glow-in-the-dark mini-golf course perfect for families and friends.
- Mirror Maze: A mind-bending maze filled with mirrors, lights, and music — a fun challenge for all ages.
- SEA LIFE Aquarium: Indoor aquarium with exhibits inspired by New York landmarks, featuring sharks, rays, sea turtles, and an underwater tunnel.
- Activate: A high-tech gaming venue that combines physical activity with digital gaming challenges.
- Dream Wheel: A climate-controlled observation wheel offering sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and the Meadowlands.
- BAM Kazam Climbing Gym & Fun Zone: Indoor adventure park featuring climbing walls, obstacle courses, and active play zones for families.
- Topgolf Swing Suite: Interactive golf and sports entertainment experience with multi-sport simulators, games, and on-site food and drink service.
Big SNOW American Dream (Photo by: By Shemtov613 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Conclusion
The American Dream Mall is more than just a place to shop. It boasts a diverse mix of stores, from high-end brands to everyday favorites. Beyond shopping, the mall stands out with its variety of entertainment choices and kosher dining options. If you're thinking about visiting, whether you're eager to browse the stores, indulge in a kosher treat, or try out some fun activities, there's something for everyone. A tip for potential visitors: planning ahead can help you make the most of your day. It's a destination that promises a unique experience for all.