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                                 -- New Jersey Best Restaurants
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​-- Overview

      
        Once considered a backwater for fine dining, in recent decades New Jersey has developed a reputation for hosting restaurants winning acclaim from both professional critics and the public at large. In some cases, noted chefs from prominent restaurants in New York City and Philadelphia have relocated to the state; in others younger chefs have chosen to pursue their careers closer to their homes and families. A few Atlantic City casino-hotels also have recruited such well-known chefs as Wolfgang Puck, Gordon Ramsay and Bobby Flay to establish restaurants in their buildings. Consistent with the global culinary movement toward expanded use of fresh food, upscale restaurants also have emphasized the use of local suppliers for meat, poultry, seafood and produce, along with support by the  state government through its "Jersey Fresh" marketing campaign promoting New Jersey food products.

​        New Jersey's evolving ethnic diversity also has led to the expansion of dining choices, with the traditional base in Italian, Irish, German and Chinese establishments joined by a number of Spanish, Portuguese, Indian, Japanese, Korean and other options. 

​       Some produce, foods and dishes have a special New Jersey identity. The "Jersey Tomato," the base of Campbell Soup's tomato soup which aided its growth from its founding in 1869 in Camden to become one of the world's leading food companies. "Jersey Peaches" and "Jersey Corn" also have names linked to the Garden State. New Jersey is also is the nation's third leading producer of bell peppers, cranberries, and spinach and the fifth largest of blueberries. Salt-water taffy, allegedly an accidental discovery of an Atlantic City molasses maker whose boardwalk shop was flooded by an ocean wave in the 1880s, also is widely known. Other foods like candied apples, first produced in 1908 by a Newark candy maker, rapidly spread to become a staple at the Jersey Shore and beyond. While not unique in their lineage to New Jersey, the state is also identified with what many claim are superior hot dogs, pizza, pork rolls and the long sandwiches variously called in different regions as hoagies, heroes and submarines.​

* What is New Jersey Cuisine? Epicurious.com, 7/15/2016

-- Reviews and rankings
​

       New Jersey-focused web sites and print publications regularly review dining choices and compile rankings based on critics or consumer surveys. A selection of these include:
  • ​NJ.com, the central web published by Advance Media, a subsidiary of the Newhouse publishing group for its respective publications including the Star-Ledger (northern and central counties), the Trenton Times, the Jersey Journal (Hudson), South Jersey Times (Gloucester/Cumberland), Hunterdon County Democrat, InJersey magazine and its other units. Coverage by food writer Peter Genovese includes extensive reporting at all price levels from fine dining to food trucks and diners
  • Gannett Co. subscription-based NorthJersey.com, and print newspapers The Record and New Jersey Herald (Bergen/Passaic/Sussex/Warren); (Asbury Park Press (Monmouth/Ocean/Middlesex), Courier News (Somerset); Courier-Post (Camden/Burlington), The Daily Journal (Cumberland); Daily Record (Morris/Somerset), Home News Tribune (Middlesex/Somerset)
  • The Press of Atlantic City (subscription based Atlantic/Cape May)
  • SouthJerseyMagazine.com
  • New Jersey Monthly Magazine (statewide dining coverage, also publishes annual reader survey selections of best restaurants in north, central and south NJ)
  • JerseyBites.com (collaborative website of NJ food writers with restaurant news, reviews, events, recipes)
  • EdibleJersey (part of national network of similar regional print magazines and web sites, publishes bi-monthly print magazine, features farm-to-table articles and news on local growers, producers, retailers, artisans, chefs, home cooks, and others)
  • New Jersey Digest, New Jersey's 30 Best Restaurants of 2024
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       In addition to sources within the state, national webs and print publications posting reviews of New Jersey restaurants include:
  • ​Zagat (both web and print rankings of New Jersey restaurants based on diner feedback)
  • TripAdvisor.com (user rankings of restaurants by region or city)
  • OpenTable.com (reservation service also posts "Top 10 Diners Choice" ranking categorized by north and central NJ)
  • Gayot.com (both professional and consumer reviews ranked by city)
  • Yelp.com (user reviews categorized by city and town)
  • New York Times (occasional reviews of NJ restaurants, particularly in NY City metro area)
  • Philadelphia Inquirer (occasional reviews of NJ restaurants, particularly in South Jersey)
​
-- Best restaurants


        A selection of restaurants recently highly rated by national and state publications include:
   
​-- North Jersey
  • Saddle River Inn (Saddle River; One of only two NJ restaurants (along with Stella Restaurant in Ventnor)  to be included in 2024 OpenTable 100 Best Restaurants in America; "Excellent," New York Times 7/14/2015, one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly)
  • Café Matisse (Rutherford; One of Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in US, Diner's Choice Award, OpenTable.com,, TripAdvisor.com)
  • Café Panache (Ramsey; one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly; BYOB, founded 1985 by late Chef/Owner Kevin Kohler, known for using farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, free-range, grass-fed live stock, hand-picked local produce and seasonal dishes such as filet mignon, ravioli with truffle butter, confit duck with citrus-ginger gastrique, and panko crusted halibut with wasabi-sake sauce, over black rice)
  • Blue Morel (Morristown; Diners' Choice Award OpenTable.com, 'Best Lunch in New Jersey,' New Jersey Monthly)
  • Ninety Acres (Peapack-Gladstone; Situated on extensive estate and farm, one of highest-priced menus in state, entrees range into $50-60, 4-course prix fixe $90; one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly; features  squid ink campanelle with breadcrumbs, Colorado lamb shank, shrimp and nduja sausage, carrot-cake fritters)
  • James on Main (Hackettstown;  Named best restaurant in NJ 2024 by LoveFood.com, also one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly, chef Bill Van Pelt features local ingredients on wood-fired grill, menu (with prix fixe or tasting options, from Middle Eastern ras el hanout carrots to East Asian miso sweet potato and Mexican árbol chili crema, dinner only Wednesday-Sunday, 2-course prix fixe per person at $57; 3-course at $77, 5-course at $157, wine only by bottle purchase).
  • Cellar 335 (Jersey City:  One of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly; intimate basement bar-restaurant with leather-upholstered booths opened 2016 by owner Jamie Knott, chef Christopher Abbamondi joined 2020, graduate of Academy of Culinary Arts; American food with Asian influences; selections include avocado fried rice, Korean-style wings, tiki masala chicken meatballs, crispy bass fillets in tomato lemongrass, roasted salmon, filet mignon; dinner Tuesday-Saturday, closed Sunday, Monday. 
  • Battello (Jersey City: waterfront location with stunning views of Hudson River, Italian-based, seafood-influenced menu, most dinner entrees in $40-50 range)
  • Restaurant Lorena's (Maplewood; Italian, one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly, one of Top 100 Restaurants in US 2018 by OpenTable.com)
  • Stoney Brook Grille (Branchburg; 4.6 of 5 stars, Open Table.com; mix of  modern American cuisine with Mediterranean, South Western and Asian influences)​
  • Chez Catherine (Westfield; classic French, one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly)
  • Spirito's (Elizabeth; ranked #18 of 50 Best Italian Restaurants in US, TheDailyMeal.com; opened 1932, now in 4th generation of family owners; cash only)
  • Tomo's Cuisine (East Hanover) Ranked as best NJ sushi restaurant by NJ.com in New Jersey’s 35 greatest sushi restaurants. "They offered the freshest-tasting sashimi of all the restaurants I visited; the aoyagi (surf clam) is highly recommended. This is hand roll heaven; try the negitoro temaki, bursting with flavor. When it comes to freshness, precision and bang for your buck, Tomo’s ranks highest among New Jersey’s sushi restaurants".  8/29/2022, NJ.com. Dinner Wednesday thru Sunday, reservations only.
  • auborg (Montclair,  modern French brasserie on two levels in former bank building co-owned and managed by French natives Olivier Muller and Dominique Paulin, both trained as chefs under Daniel Boulud at his Manhattan restaurants, menu features fish, beef, plant-based specialties with Mediterranean accents paired with unique wines, craft cocktails, dinner entrees primarily in $25-40 range, "One of the best French Restaurants in New Jersey. Faubourg is a trendy, Bi-Level French Brasserie with a NYC vibe, and an executive chef and management team with impressive credentials." New-Jersey-Leisure-Guide.com; one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly)
  • Hunan Taste (Upper Montclair, Denville) Named 2024 by Lovefood.com as best Chinese restaurant in NJ; ""has gained a reputation for serving top-quality dishes in beautiful surroundings. It has picked up a string of glowing reviews since it was opened by the Hsiung family in 1986. Customers particularly love the crispy sesame chicken and the Grand Marnier shrimp (a twist on walnut shrimp)";  2016 opened second location in Upper Montclair; Wine Spectator Award
  • ​Fascino (Montclair; Italian menu, dishes include brined, pan-roasted pork shoulder with pickled radishes, smoked bacon and apricot chutney; one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly)
  • Restaurant Latour (Hamburg; ranked 2022 as "most expensive restaurant in New Jersey" by thedailymeal.com, located inside Crystal Springs Resort, chef Aishling Stevens a NJ native who spent 11 years in Australia at resort on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast training as chef, menu features local farms and purveyors with seasonal ingredients, also fish, beef, venison, two  prix fixe menus: five-course “Anthology” tasting for $115 (plus $55 for wines) and seven-course degustation for $145 (plus $65 for wines, wine cellar with more than 6,000 labels, Wine Spectator Grand Award since 2006, open Thursday-Sunday from 5 pm., one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly)​
     
-- Central Jersey


​
  • The Frog & the Peach (New Brunswick; ranked #4 in northern NJ by Gayot.com; one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly;  Owner and Executive Chef Bruce Lefebvre purchased restaurant 2012,  classical training from Culinary Institute of America known for his modern take on American Cuisine, use of local ingredients)
  • Stage Left Steak (New Brunswick, opened 1992, formerly Stage Left, revised name, focus and menu June 2017 to stress steaks, meats including boar, lamb, also offers shrimp, salmon
  • Pluckemin Inn (Bedminster; one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly:  "...clubby dining room sets the stage for the lively work of chef Jason Ramos. Sustainably harvested Columbia River sturgeon from the West Coast comes with a stir-fry of bok choy, sugar snap peas and nutty hon-shimeji mushrooms. The veal chop is monumental. Katie King’s desserts, like the chocolate mousse, are so well elaborated, they seem like mini meals")
  • Restaurant Serenade (Chatham; one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly: "...in chef James Laird’s New American food, one detects an exhilarating sense of care that goes beyond respect for ingredients to an almost loving tenderness for their essence.")
  • Ninety Acres (Peapack-Gladstone; one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly; opened by Sir Richard Branson, billionaire owner of Virgin Group, and his partner Bob Wojtowicz, located within 492-acre estate called Natirar that once belonged to King of Morocco) 
  • Sette (Bernardsville; 8-table BYOB, executive chef  Allan Philip Russo features dishes from at least eight regions of Italy. entrées include gnocchi alla Bolognese in rich ragù ($22); herbed cod baked in parchment ($24); and slow-cooked beef stew with dried porcini mushrooms, red wine reduction and creamed polenta ($24), one of Top 100 Restaurants in US   OpenTable.com)​.
  • Sergeantsville Inn (Sergeantsville; stone building dates to 1700s and once hosted George Washington, used as restaurant since early 1900s; interior rebuilt after substantial damage from March 2015 fire, re-opened for Christmas 2015; menu features beef, fish, game including pheasant, kangaroo; 3 and 1/2 stars 2/16/2016 NJ.com; 4 of 5 stars TripAdvisor 2018)
  • 618 Restaurant (Freehold; One of only two NJ restaurants (with Washington Inn in Cape May) named 2022 by OpenTable.com as one of 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in US;  "Best of the Best" 2022 TravelersChoice.com; Named by New-Jersey-Leisure-Guide.com one of 14 Best NJ Restaurants 2020:  "a destination restaurant; An extraordinary dining experience serving high end, healthy food in an attractive, modern - rustic setting and professional service. Serves a seasonally changing menu with inspirational dishes prepared using fresh, locally sourced produce and seafood, with meats sourced from quality purveyors."
  • Lita (Aberdeen) Executive chef David Viana a 2018 James Beard Award nominee and “Top Chef” competitor, opened April 2023, third restaurant of partners Neilly Robinson and Viana after Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge and Heirloom at The St Laurent. in Asbury Park, menu influenced h by Viana’s Portuguese background, features paella, pork, duck, chicken, restaurant also named by Esquire magazine 2023 as one of the best new restaurants in America. also received Best New Restaurant nomination in 2024 James Beard Awards, 3-course Prix Fixe $78
  • Elements (Princeton; only nine tables and 28 seats with open kitchen; focus on fresh, locally sourced meat, vegetables; one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly “Elements is one of the premiere restaurants of the northeast, if not the country.” – Edible Jersey; Best Farm-to-table Restaurant in NJ, "At Chef Scott Anderson’s Elements restaurant, whether you opt for the four-course tasting menu, the nine-course chef’s tasting menu or go a la carte, you’ll come away with memorable flavors and a whole new appreciation for what it means to eat well.” – Travel & Leisure; co-owner and Executive  Chef Scott Anderson a James Beard Award Semi-Finalist for Best Mid-Atlantic Chef for four consecutive years; one of most expensive tasting menus in state, $199 chef's tasting menu,also five-course tasting menu priced at $129 with wine pairings available at $79 for five-course menu and $119 for chef's tasting menu)
  • Mistral (Princeton; sister restaurant to Elements, one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly; features smaller plates geared towards sharing, encourages patrons to create their own tasting menus based off mixture of dishes; co-owner and Executive Chef Scott Anderson a James Beard Award Semi-Finalist for Best Mid-Atlantic Chef for four consecutive years)
  • Blue Point Grill (Princeton, opened 1999, adjacent to its retail fish market Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Company, selection of  fresh seafood including trout, tilapia, tuna, crab, oysters; most dinner entrees range $30-$40, one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly)   
  • Agricola Eatery (Princeton; one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly; ranked #1 in northern NJ by and one of the country's Top 10 New Restaurants in 2014 by Gayot.com;)
  • Brick Farm Tavern (Hopewell; opened 2015 on 800-acre Double Brook Farm, features farm-to-table produce, Executive Chef Greg Vassos former sous chef under Eric Ripert, one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly)  
Picture
618 Restaurant in Freehold
      
 -- Jersey Shore​​​
  • Nicholas Barrel & Roost (Red Bank) Formerly more formal upscale Restaurant Nicholas; interior and menu redesigned for more diverse menu selections, family dining, owned by Chef Nicholas Harary and wife Melissa, one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly, eclectic menu includes burgers, pizza, seafood, chicken, suckling pig; newly redesigned  "interior of The Barrel & Roost is a stunning with a modern farmhouse vibe. The main dining room is cozy done up with beamed ceilings, rustic candle style chandeliers, banquettes around the sides of the room, and dark wood flooring" NewJerseyLeisureGuide.com. Open daily lunch and dinner.Chef Ryan DePersio’s newest restaurant is located within the beautiful Suneagles Golf Club, in the former officers’ quarters of nearby Fort Monmouth. “It doesn’t hurt that you walk into a mansion, with these beautifully designed rooms,” says DePersio, the award-winning executive chef. “The anticipation builds once you’re walking upstairs to your table or for a drink at the bar.” The food at this lovely spot, which opened last October, is special—from the warm, house-made potato-and-onion focaccia to the delicious crudos to his signature ricotta gnocchi served with a sweet-sausage Bolognese. 
  • Ember & Eagle (Eatontown; award-winning Chef Ryan DePersio’s newest restaurant opened 2023 ocated in mansion with upscale rooms within Suneagles Golf Club, former officers’ quarters of nearby Fort Monmouth. features house-made potato-and-onion focaccia to crudos to his signature ricotta gnocchi served with a sweet-sausage Bolognese; one of Top 40 NJ restaurants 2024 by NJMonthly.com and one of  New Jersey’s 30 Best Restaurants of 2024, NJDigest.
  • Stella Restaurant (Ventnor) one of 2 NJ restaurants (along with The Saddle River Inn) included on OpenTable list of Top US Restaurants 2024, "chef driven quality ingredients in a relaxed casual atmosphere. Owned by father-son team, Nicholas and Vincent LoBianco...excellent food over 20 years of being in business"; entree price range $30-45, features seafood, meats; BYOB open for dinner Friday & Saturday; 
  • Red Horse by David Burke (Rumson) former Fromagerie, owned and operated by prominent award-winning chef David Burke, frequent guest on TV’s Top Chef, located in upsscale residential Runson neighborhood; steak and sushi menu, monthly 10-course omakase for $100 which has included lobster in dumplings and tempura; Wednesday’s What’s Your Beef 3-course $70 prix fixe dinners include hors d’oevres, 2 glasses wine, salad, cheese, and three meats (short rib, filet mignon and dry-aged sirloin, or a fish or vegetarian option); desserts feature signature Tin Can cake, also offers pies, cakes, pastries from Dixie Lee Bakery in Keansburg also owned by Burke;.$32 Thursday Burger Night includes salad, ceeseburger with fries, wine or house beer; Sunday brunch $39 per person prix fixe, $20 Bottomless Mimosa or Sangria
  • Scarborough Fair (Sea Girt, Romantic restaurant set in original working farmhouse from 1850s to 1970s; cited as 'most charming restaurant in NJ' by Lovefood.com; "features rustic interiors, atmospheric lighting, and several private dining alcoves on their own levels, making you feel as if you’re the only ones in the restaurant"; Closed Mondays, lunch Tuesday-Friday and dinner daily with organic meats and poultry, wild-caught fish and  shellfish; filet mignon $56, lamb chops $50, salmon $42, ravioli $29,  . Today, it is the most romantic locale in Central New Jersey. 
  • ​Anjelica's Restaurant (Sea Bright: one of only two NJ restaurants on Open Table 2024 list of Best Restaurants in America (along with Steve & Cookie's by the Bay), rated 4.9 of 5 stars, "best Italian food in New Jersey, hands down," features homemade pastas and organic produce. ​"Since 1996, Anjelica’s Restaurant has been one of New Jersey’s premier Italian restaurant destinations. Family owned and operated, Anjelica’s maintains a credo of excellence in its quality of food, warm service and gracious hospitality" OpenTable.com; Opened 1996, rebuilt 2012 after damage from Hurricane Sandy) ​
  • Poached Pear Bistro (Point Pleasant; rated one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly; founded 2014 by Chef Scott Giordano formerly of Whispers in Spring Lake and Saddle River Inn; eclectic menu may feature seafood, filet mignon, pork chops, poultry, rack of rib; Pastry chef Teah Evans’ earned Grand Chef Diploma in Culinary Arts from French Culinary Institute, desserts include Bananas Foster crepe, Key lime tart with Swiss meringue brûlée. BYOB.
  • Clementines (Avon: Creole and Cajun dishes, cooked in authentic Southern fashion, one of Top 100 Restaurants in US 2015 by OpenTable.com)
  • Steve & Cookie's by the Bay (Margate: One of only two NJ restaurants (with ​Anjelica's Restaurant) to be included in 2021 OpenTable 100 Best Restaurants in America, also top rated for NJ seafood 2021, 2021 Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator, Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor)
  • Café 2825 (Atlantic City;  Italian cuisine, one of Top 40 Restaurants in NJ 2024 by NJMonthly.com; Old School Sicilian & Neapolitan Style features chicken, fish, lobster, pasta; dinner only, closed Sunday & Monday)
  • Knife & Fork Inn (Atlantic City; founded 1912 as men's dining and drinking club, famed center for Atlantic City political, business, criminal bosses including Enoch "Nucky" Johnson, after brief closing, purchased from Latz family by Frank Dougherty, owner of Dock's Oyster House and Harry's Oyster Bar, who renovated and reopened it in 2005;  one of 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly)
  • Dock's Oyster House (Atlantic City; also owned by Dougherty family along with Knife & Fork Inn and Harry's Oyster Bar, #3 of 316 restaurants in Atlantic City 2022, Certificate of Excellence TripAdvisor.com, one of Top 50 Restaurants in NJ 2021 Zagat
  • Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant (Cape May; seafood, steaks, most dinner entrees range $35-45; 4.8 of 5 stars OpenTable.com, summer  outdoor dining on front porch overlooking ocean, and several fireplaces throughout winter, selection of wines from Cape May Winery & Vineyard in  addition to BYOB)
       
-- South Jersey
​
​
  • Zeppoli (Collingswood; one of Top 20 Italian restaurants in US, TimeOut.com, 40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly; one of Top 25 restaurants in Philly Suburbs "Yes, Joey Baldino's 32-seat Sicilian BYOB is still noisy, cramped, and predictable. But I've long gotten over the rustic room's boisterous tendencies and try to avoid the crowds with midweek reservations. And when I say 'predictable,' I mean in the very best way possible. As in reliably great, and even exciting, despite the fact his printed menu never changes. Few chefs these days manage to draw the kind of powerful flavors from traditional cooking that Baldino does nightly in his detail-driven tribute to classic Sicilian flavors" Philly.com, 10/19/2017​)
  • Cross Culture (East Haddonfield; 4.4 of 5 stars, OpenTable.com; "...rich fusion of Indian seasoning and flavors that practically burst out the front door"... specialty biryani basmati rice dish cooked with chicken, lamb and shrimp alongside lightly spiced cashews, golden raisins and saffron, Malai Chicken Kabab; dessert  gulab jamun warm, homemade cheese balls with milk, dipped in sticky sweet syrup, range of Indian breads from naan and puri to kulcha and partha)
  • Nunzio By Chef Michael DeLone (Collingswood; Italian rotating seasonal menu features  seafood capriccio in saffron lobster broth; house-made pastas such as gnocchi with prosciutto cotto in white and black truffle cream, squid ink spaghetti with lobster, zucchini, squash, and tomato broth, pappardelle, with roasted pork shoulder, prosciutto, broccoli rabe, and parmigiana)
  • Café Madison (Riverside; Best of New Jersey Restaurant Guide: 2023 Edition BestofNJ.com;4.4 of 5 stars, OpenTable.com, Continental a la carte dining with Mediterranean and Asian influence, live pianist at dinner, dancing on weekends after 9 p.m.; features include filet mignon, Delmonico steak, applewood smoked lobster mac-n-cheese, lamb shanks, extensive wine cellar,outdoor courtyard with bar and large stone fireplace)
      
-- Spanish/Portuguese/Mexican/Latin American
​

  • Spanish Tavern (Newark; Spanish/Portuguese food in Ironbound section of Newark, .#1 of 505 Newark restaurants, Certificate of Excellence 2021 TripAdvisor.com)
  • Forno's of Spain (Newark; Spanish and Portuguese cuisine, offers over 450 aged and vintage wines, rarest collection of Spanish  wines in US, Paella Marinera with lobster, mussels, clams, and scallops all served over sofrito rice  Certificate of Excellence TripAdvisor.com)
  • Bodegon (Cliffside Park; 'Best of the Best,' NJ Monthly 7/2022;  Spanish restaurant focusing on provincial cuisine of Galicia; one of top 5 North Jersey restaurants 2021, NorthJersey.com) 
  • Casa Vasca (Newark; Basque cooking over hot coals, #5 of 505 Newark restaurants, Certificate of Excellence 2016 TripAdvisor.com)
  • Orale Mexican Kitchen (Jersey City; highest rated in food category of NJ Mexican restaurants 2018, Zagat)
  • El Tule Mexican and Peruvian Restaurant (Lambertville; #1 of all Lambertville restaurants 2018 TripAdvisor.com)
      
​ -- Sushi/Asian
​

  • Shumi Japanese Cuisine (Ridgewood, Chef Kunihiko Aikasa, a sushi sensei, or master, features seafood, much of it flown in daily from Tokyo. multicourse omakase. Notable creations include Shumi roll mélange of spicy tuna, shrimp, scallion, and  seasoning known as furikake' Ranked among 30 Best Restaurants 2022 in NJMonthly.com)
  • Hunan Taste (Upper Montclair, Denville) Named 2024 by Lovefood.com as best Chinese restaurant in NJ; ""has gained a reputation for serving top-quality dishes in beautiful surroundings. It has picked up a string of glowing reviews since it was opened by the Hsiung family in 1986. Customers particularly love the crispy sesame chicken and the Grand Marnier shrimp (a twist on walnut shrimp)"; opened second location in Upper Montclair; Wine Spectator Award
  • King Wong (Marlton, Ranked 2024 as 'Best Chinese Restaurant" in NJ by Brizfeed.com, classic favorites like General Tso’s chicken and moo shu pork to lesser-known specialties like salt and pepper squid and crispy shredded beef)
  • Yumi (Sea Bright; ranked #14 on Top 50 NJ restaurants 2018 Zagat, highest of all  NJ sushi restaurants)
  • Korai Kitchen (Jersey City; Opened 2018 by self-taught chef and owner Nur-E Gulshan Rahman to serve. Bangladeshi food buffet-style with daily menu changes including fish curry, chicken biryani, pumpkin with shrimp and eggplant mash, "Bangladeshi Food Is a Rarity Around New York. This Place Helps Fill the Void." 12/31/.2018, NY Times, ranked #1 in "18 Most Popular NJ Restaurants of 2018" based on Yelp.com reviews in 1/1/2019 survey by NJ.com) 
  • Ondo (Jersey City; modern Korean menu by Chef Brian Kim including  Korean fried chicken, beef short rib with chestnut puree and Thai chil; "A short rib so tender and savory, and it has no business being that good. Other dishes like the Kimchi Fried Rice with bacon or the Spicy Korean Fried Chicken with Gochujang will have you planning your repeat visit...From the design to the food (and exceptional service), every detail makes Ondo a truly exceptional experience." NJ Digest, New Jersey's 30 Best Restaurants 2024
  • Sushi House 21 (Newark; listed in USA Today 10Best.com of Newark restaurants 2016)
  • Izakaya at the Borgata (Atlantic City; ranked #19 on Top 50 NJ restaurants 2015 Zagat, second highest of all  NJ sushi restaurants)
  • Mizu Asian Cuisine (Cranford; #1 of sushi restaurants visited 8/22/2014, Munchmobile, NJ.com)
  • Aarzu Modern Indian Bistro (Freehold Borough restaurant founded 2016 included on USA Today's 2025 Restaurants of the Year list, one of the 44 places to eat in US; also named One of New Jersey's 40 Best Restaurants 2024 by NJ Monthly- "When an Indian restaurant makes a dish as simple as garlic naan seem otherworldly, you know they are doing something right"; "We call it modern Indian cuisine, but we've stuck to our authentic flavors," owner Archana Sharma. Features Malai chicken kebab with cashew-nut cream and cardamom, butter chicken, Confit duck breast)
  • IndeBlue (Collingswood, also in Philadelphia; highest rating for Indian food in 2015 Zagat survey)
  • Mehndi (Morristown; Indian menu, owned by Mehtani Restaurant Group, also operates Ming Chinese/Pan Asian with two locations in Edison)
  • ThaiKitchen (Chester, also location in Bridgewater; highest rating in NJ for Thai cuisine, Zagat)

​*   40 Best NJ Restaurants 2024 New Jersey Monthly
*   The Best American Restaurants in New Jersey 2023, bestofNJ.com
​*   The 12 Restaurants You’ll Want To Eat At In New Jersey In 2020, onlyinyourstate.com
*   
New Jersey's Culinary Champs:The Best Restaurants of 2023, New-Jersey-Leisure-Guide.com​
​


​-- Hot Dogs
'Hot Dog Queen of the Jersey Shore', late Celia Maybaum, 'Mrs. Max' of former Max's Famous Hot Dogs, (now Max's Bar & Grill),  interviewed in 2007 by Peter Genovese, NJ.com
​​
  • ​​Max's Bar & Grill  (Long Branch; formerly Max's Famous Hot Dogs, started in 1928 when late Max Altman began selling hot dogs from a boardwalk stand. Maybaum's grandfather Milfred Maybaum, who worked in Newark's meat-packing industry, partnered with Altman in the 1940s, then eventually bought business, well-known Jersey Shore location visited by many celebrities, politicians, expanded menu beyond hot dogs (priced $9-$12 depending on toppings)  to include burgers to seafood, ranked #56 in America's 75 Best Hot Dogs 2018 by TheDailyMeal.com, closed temporarily February 2022 during business decline due to COVID, re-opened spring 2022)
  • Jimmy Buff's (Kenilworth, West Orange; founded 1932 in Newark, cited as first Italian hot dog with fresh onions, peppers, and potatoes developed by owner James "Bluff" Racioppi who became known as "Jimmy Buff"; menu also features Italian Sausage, 
  • ​Rutt's Hutt (Clifton; established 1928, home of 'The Ripper' deep-fried hot dog which splits open in cooking in beef fat,  ranked #1 in America's 75 Best Hot Dogs 2018 by TheDailyMeal.com; ranked as NJ's best hot dog 2022 by foodnetwork.com; ranked #2 in Best New Jersey Hot Dogs in 2018 NorthJersey.com readers poll; #1 in best NJ hot dogs NJ.com 2015, also listed in 1,000 Places to See in the USA Before You Die; "The legendary rippers at this American classic look like they could have been the victim of a terrible crime. Tossed in the fryer, the meat inside the casing plumps up with such a vigor that the skins actually break, leaving the dogs looking half dead. But what they lose in snap they gain in crispy, frayed casing and tender meat, augmented by a mustard-based relish. They haven’t changed since 1928. This is a very good thing, since there are no dogs quite like these legends." Thrillist.com, 7/6/2018

  • Hot Dog Caboose (Midland Park, housed in real red rail caboose, dogs all-beef Sabrett, boiled topped with range of selections such as fries and cheese; pulled pork and coleslaw; Fritos and chili; Swiss cheese and Russian dressing; ranked #1 in Best New Jersey Hot Dogs in 2018 NorthJersey.com readers poll)
  • Tommy's Italian Sausage & Hot Dogs (Elizabeth; "OMG! Tommy's Italian Sausage serves the 'holy grail of hot dogs'...Once you roll up your sleeves and start eating, it is hard to stop." USA TODAY, 2/7/2019  #21 of 50 Best Hot Dogs in US, thedailymeal.com, best Italian hot dog 7/31/2014 NJ.com)
  • Charlie's Famous Italian Hot Dogs (Kenilworth; Union; best Italian Hot Dog 2015 NJ.com)
  • The Hot Grill (Clifton; "Tastiest Texas Weiners in the State," founded 1960s, customers included Richard Nixon, also features, chili, soups, hamburgers)
  • Johnny & Hanges (Fair Lawn; founded 1939 in Paterson, moved 1999 to Fair Lawn, features Texas wiener served "all the way," with mustard, chopped raw onions, and its original chili sauce)
*   N.J.'s 25 best hot dog joints, and why Jersey is the center of the hot dog universe, 7/25/2015, NJ.com
*   Hot Dog Heaven: Ultimate Jersey Dog Directory, NJ.com
​*   Best Hot Dogs in New Jersey, New Jersey Leisure Guide
* 
The Complete Guide to New Jersey’s Crazy Hot Dogs, and Where to Find the Best, Saveur.com
​
-- Hamburgers

  • Krug's Tavern (Newark; well-known tavern in Newark Ironbound section founded 1932 by Frank and Laura Krug, remains in same location now being run by fourth generation of family, since 1980 operated by Frank and Gary LaMotta and daughter Ellen LaMotta children, relatives of famed boxer Jake LaMotta, in addition to burgers, known for homemade marinara sauce for shrimp and calamari; burgers range $12-14, also cheesesteaks, meatball sandwiches, wings, Italian hot dogs .."..burger at Krug’s Tavern in Newark is simplicity supreme: a 12-ounce, 80/20 mix from a local wholesaler cooked on a tiny grill. It’ll take 15 to 20 minutes for your burger to be ready; pull up a seat and drink in the abundant atmosphere" ranked #2 best burger in NJ 2022 Joseph Genovese, 6/6/2022, NJ.com.
  • White Manna Diner (Hackensack; well-known for its low-priced hamburger sliders, featured on national TV food shows, including an episode of "Best Thing I Ever Ate," on Food Network, formerly under same owner as White Mana--spelled with one "N"--in Jersey City, now separately owned; "If I had to take a out-of-stater to just one iconic Jersey eatery, it would be this gorgeous glass-blocked jewel, which is smaller than my living room." Joseph Genovese, 12/29/2015, NJ.com)
  • Burger Barr (Sewell; "...The blend, a combination of ground chuck and brisket, could not have been tastier, juicier...or fresher. Choose from nine cheeses, including Vermont aged cheddar, gorgonzola, Jarlsberg and smoked gouda. The cooper sharp on my burger lent it a marvelously melty, tangy twist. You heard it here first: The Blend is the best burger in New Jersey." Joseph Genovese, 6/6/2022, NJ.com
  • Stage Left Steak (New Brunswick; located in downtown New Brunswick, menu now features filet mignon, porterhouse steaks but includes cheeseburger cooked on a wood-burning grill at $25.95. "favorite burger outside of NY City," 4/27/2011, EaterNY)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         *  New Jersey's 31 Best Burgers, ranked 6/6/2022, NJ.com (subscription)                                                                                                                  ​
​Guy Fieri visits White Manna in Hackensack for hamburger sliders on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,' on Food Network 
​
​-- Pizza
  • De Lorenzo's Tomato Pies (Robbinsville; founded 1947 in Trenton, closed Trenton location 2012 to relocate to nearby Robbinsville, Best Pizza in NJ,  BusinessInsider.com, #1 in NJ Pizza Power Rankings, NJ.com 10/6/2016) 
  • Papa's Tomato Pies (Robbinsville; established 1912 in Trenton, oldest family-owned continuously operating pizza restaurant in US, ranked #12 in US  for sausage pizza 2015 by TheDailyMeal.com)
  • Razza Pizza Artigianale​ (Jersey City);2019 named Best Pizza in North America by 50 Best;.NY Times: "A casual hangout with some salvaged architectural details and a pervasive smell of wood smoke. Service is cheerful and well informed....Pizza is many things in the United States, but few pizzerias have gotten as far as Razza does by treating pizza as an agricultural product." 3 star review NY Times, 
  • Santillo's Brick Oven Pizza (Elizabeth; ranked #51 for Best Pizzas in US 2014 by The DailyMeal.com, #1 in 2015, #2 in 2016 NJ Pizza Power Rankings, NJ.com)
  • Talula's (Asbury Park; operated by husband and wife team Steve and Shanti Mignogna, features sourdough bread and pizza, along with seasonal salads, wheat-free grain bowls, pasta,voted NJ favorite pizza in NJ.com reader's poll 4/5/2016)
  • Pizzeria Lucci (Belmar;
  • Bricco Coal Fired Pizza (Westmont; voted #2 in NJ.com reader's poll 4/5/2016, ranked #4 in NJ Pizza Power Rankings, 10/6/2016, NJ.com) 
  • Razza Pizza Artigianale​ (Jersey City);2019 named Best Pizza in North America by 50 Best;.NY Times: "A casual hangout with some salvaged architectural details and a pervasive smell of wood smoke. Service is cheerful and well informed....Pizza is many things in the United States, but few pizzerias have gotten as far as Razza does by treating pizza as an agricultural product." 3 star review NY Times, 
* Ten Must-Try New Jersey Pizza Spots to Visit in 2025, JerseyBites.com
*  Your Guide to the Best Pizza in New Jersey, 2/19/2021, NJMonthly.com
*  A Slice of Jersey: Your Ultimate Guide to Pizza in the Garden State by Peter Genovese (2010)

​-- Delicatessens
  • Town Hall Delicatessen (South Orange; claims origin in US of Sloppy Joe sandwich,  (usually layers of roast beef and turkey topped with cheese, coleslaw and Russian dressing on rye bread), derived from visit in 1930s to Cuba of original owner and then mayor of Maplewood, Sloppy Joe ranked 2018 as 'best NJ food that ships nationwide' in Thrillist.com ($79 for serving 3 people)​​
  • Hobby's Delicatessen & Restaurant (Newark; Ranked as best deli in NJ by NJ.com, "a cut above the rest of the Jewish delis in the Garden State.. If you are going to visit one Jewish deli in New Jersey, Hobby’s is the one"; named 2022 by TastingTable.com as one of  20 best Jewish delis in US, "a culinary legend within U.S. Jewish deli culture and, most importantly, a beloved local go-to," rated as "Excellent" and "Top 10 Best Buy in New Jersey" by Zagat. Operated byBrummer family since 1962, still pickles its own corned beef in fifty-gallon stainless steel vats, also known for chopped liver, potato pancakes, soups)
  • Fiore's House of Quality (Hoboken; Italian deli known for roast beef sandwiches, ranked #1 of 259 Restaurants in Hoboken, TripAdvisor.com; signature seafood risotto over creamy rice complemented by prawns, scallops, and mussels)
  • Andrea Salumeria (Jersey City; Italian deli, 5-star ratings of 144 reviewers on Yelp.com as of 1/18/2016)
  • Giovanni's Deli (Fair Lawn; Italian deli known for vodka sauce, sandwiches, meatballs, included in North Jersey's 5 Best Italian Delis, 1/19/2012, CBS-New York)
  • Radin's Delicatessen (Cherry Hill; founded in Brooklyn, later relocated to Philadelphia for 18 years,Philadelphia Inquirer restaurant critic included new Cherry Hill location on his list of 10 best Philly restaurants for 2024, known for large portions)

*  New Jersey’s 15 greatest Jewish delis, ranked, 10/3/2023, NJ.com
*  New Jersey's version of the Sloppy Joe exists nowhere else, 11/27/2018, TheTakeout.com
​*  We wished for more knish: Munchmobile visits five Kosher delis, picks a winner, 8/16/2013, NJ.com  


-- Hoagies/Submarines
  • ​Jersey Mike's (several locations, headquarters in Manasquan, founded 1956 as Mike's Subs in Point Pleasant, now over 2,000 locations, announced November 2024 acquisition for $8 billion by private equity fund Blackstone Group, emphasis on higher-quality, fresh breads and meats, average check $9.80 nationwide, compared to $8.10 at Subway, largest fast-food sandwich chain in store numbers
  • ​White House Subs (2 locations in Atlantic City; nationally known sub shop, first opened in 1946, received American Classic Award from James Beard Foundation in 2000 as one of country's most beloved regional restaurants, ranked #2 of 332 restaurants in Atlantic City 2016, Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor.com) 
*  Great subs in NJ: Munchmobile visits eight places, finds good and bad, 6/27/2014, NJ.com
*  These 12 Places In New Jersey Make The Best Sandwiches EVER, 6/19/2015, onlyinyourstate.com

​-- Diners & Delis
  •  Broadway Diner (2 Bayonne locations, also Summit, boasts the “world’s best pancakes”, with over 15 choices priced $6-$9 including banana pecan, ham, chocolate chip, and French apple; All You Can Eat Italian Buffet on Sunday between 3 and 9 pm; gourmet deli)
  • Johnny Prince's Bayway Diner (Linden; featured as one of favorites on Guy Fieri's TV show Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, "It may be a bit off the map and a small space without question, but we find it cozy and old-school that has tremendous service, great portions and very affordable prices. It really is the best place to eat in the area and even basic such as their homemade assortment of soups are to die for."
  • Broad Street Diner, (Keyport; "Great Old Time Railroad Car Diner that has FANTASTIC food and Service!", 4.5 of 5 stars, TripAdvisor,.com, 1/8/2020  Winner of NJ,com's 2015 N.J.'s Best Diner  Showdown)
  •  Park Wood Diner (Maplewood; Voted Best Diner in North Jersey in 2015 reader's poll, NJ.com)
  •  Tops Diner (East Newark; "best diner in America", timeout.com; one of "21 best diners in America..."The most iconic restaurant in New Jersey differentiates itself from a run-of-the-mill diner by being a place where you'd actually want to order seafood (it's fresh and is available frequently as a special), as well as the ever-popular meatloaf and beef ribs"  thrillist.com; omelets $15, pancakes $10, one of NJ's 25 best restaurants and dishes in 2015 12/29/2015, NJ.com, Editor's Pick, 7/21/2014, NJFamily.com)
  •  Pompton Queen Diner (Pequannock; Certificate of Excellence 2016, TripAdvisor.com, included in TOP 25 NJ Restaurants 2015, NJ.com)​
  •  Ponzio's Diner (Cherry Hill; one of oldest in South Jersey, particularly known for baked goods, one of 10 finalists in NJ.com's 2015 NJ's Best Diner Showdown)
  • Americana Kitchen & Bar (East Windsor, formerly Americana Diner, 4 of 5 stars, Google.com, "State's Best," 7/29/2013, NJ.com, Editor's Pick, 7/21/2014, NJFamily.com)
  • Fiore’s House of Quality (Hoboken; ranked as best deli in NJ by Peter Genovese in NJ.com 'looks like a vintage deli movie set — brick storefront, tin ceiling; fluorescent lighting; a display case filled with olives, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, and other specialties....If I had to take one sandwich to my desert island, make it Fiore’s roast beef and mozzarella sandwich....unsurpassable atmosphere and old-school charm.', known for its homemade mozzarella, as well as  Italian deli sandwiches featuring meats like mortadella, gabagool, and prosciutto)
  • Harold's New York Deli (Edison; entrance sign boasts 'world's best breakfast, cheesecake, corned beef, pastrami', and 'world's largest pickle bar', known for large sandwich portions and high prices, NJ Monthly: 'Yes, the $45 pastrami sandwich is worth it!')
  • Hobby's Delicatessen and Restaurant (Newark; a 'Top 10 Delicatessen in America' by Food & Wine, 'The Best Pastrami in America' by farandwide.com, and "Outstanding" by NY Times, located in downtown Newark for over 100 years, owned by Brummer family since 1962, Jewish but not kosher, closed Sundays)
*  New Jersey Diner Tour, Munchmobile, 8/23/2007 (video), NJ.com
​​*  Jersey Diners by Peter Genovese (2006)
* The History of Diners in New Jersey by Peter C. Gabriele (2013)​ *
*  New Jersey Diners, Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives

​-- Food Trucks
        
​       Food trucks, which long have been common sites along highways, college campuses and construction sites, have evolved in recent years to expand their locations and to offer a diverse selection of foods and beverages. In a March 2014 article, Peter Genovese of Advance Media estimated that there were some 70 trucks throughout the state and also stated that he found their quality generally superior to that of most diners. The New Jersey Food Truck Association has been established to represent the trucks on such issues as municipal zoning, permits and fees. While food trucks have been common sites at special events, their growing popularity has led to some events where the trucks themselves are the featured attraction at their own festivals and competitions. In some cases, established restaurants have launched food trucks to expand their reach to consumers and to promote their food selections. 
​*   N.J.'s amazing food trucks: 40 great ones worth visiting, 8/13/2016, NJ.,com
*   New Jersey Food Truck Association
​*   New Jersey Food Truck Events
​
-- Cookbooks

*  Food Lovers Guide to New Jersey: The Best Restaurants, Markets & Local Culinary Offerings 
*  Dishing Up New Jersey: 150 Recipes from the Garden State 
​* Jersey Shore Food History: Victorian Feasts to Boardwalk Treats 


​