51 New Jersey Restaurants you need to try (2024)

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North Jersey Essential Restaurants

Cheese and charcuterie from Jockey Hollow.

Crab cakes and green bean relish served at Rod's Steak & Seafood Grille.

Arthur's Tavern is a renowned Irish pub-style restaurant known especially for its steaks and burgers.

The historic Vail Mansion home built from 1916 to 1918 by telecommunications giant Theodore Vail, now home of the upscale Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen.

Scallops at the Grand Cafe.

Hunan Taste serves traditional Chinese cuisine.

Pizza at the Reservoir Tavern in Boonton.

Hunan Taste serves traditional Chinese cuisine.

Il Mondo Vecchio serves Northern Italian cuisine at 72 Main St., Madison.

A burger from the Morris Tap and Grille.

The interior of Restaurant Serenade.

Beyond salmon and tuna -- try the fried Barbounia served at Varka.

The produce in this duck breast salad were picked from a neaby farm by chef Kevin Kohler of Cafe Panache in Ramsey

This filet of beef dish by chef Ariane Duarte beat out Bobby Flay on the Food Network's show "Beat Bobby Flay"

Chef George Georgiades left fine dining to launch his fast-casual well-received restaurant Eons

The dining room at Turtle + the Wolf in Montclair.

The sublime chicken liver mousse is a must-try at Turtle and the Wolf

Viaggio's chef Robbie Felice is well known for the delicious flavors he brings to the dishes he prepares, including chicken cacciatore, onion focaccia, olive oil cake, calamari, bucatini and squash.

Lovers will think it's midnight at the oasis (not Paramus) when they step inside Chakra, with its giant palm tree, flowing silks and lush pillows.

Varka may be known for its sublime fish dishes but don't overlook the highly recommended Keftedes (meatballs).

Ariane Kitchen and Bar in Verona serves one of the best burgers in North Jersey

A dimly lit dining area creates a romantic setting at Cafe Matisse.

Calamari is among the winning dishes at Viaggio restaurant in Wayne.

130708 RAMSEY GEORGIEV 8/28/14 Agnolotti with sweet corn at Cafe Panache in Ramsey. Marko Georgiev/Staff Photographer

Harvest Salad with Duck Breast at Cafe Panache in Ramsey, NJ. For the French themed Main Dish section of (201) Magazine, September 2016 issue. ANNE-MARIE CARUSO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Central Jersey

Ninety Acres offers upscale New American cuisine.

The suckling pig being served on the Portuguese Fisherman's holiday menu.

A Ninety Acres charcuterie and steam buns plate.

Guests will enjoy a bucolic ‘table-at-the-farm’ experience at Ninety Acres in Peapack-Gladstone.

Tagliatelle at Osteria Morini with bolognese and parmigiano.

Osteria Morini opened its second location in Bernardsville in 2012.

The grilled octopus at Saly G's.

The front entrance of Ninety Acres, Natirar’s highly-acclaimed destination restaurant complex.

Owner, Lou Malenchek, holds a plate with a steamed lobster, inside Vinnie's Clam Bar, located on Somerset Street in Raritan, NJ, June 1, 2015. Mary Iuvone/For The Courier News

Interior of Vinnie's Clam Bar, located on Somerset Street in Raritan, NJ, June 1, 2015. Mary Iuvone/For The Courier News

After Hurricane Sandy, the Portuguese Fisherman was forced to rebuild from the ground up with a focal point being on a centralized bar.

Co-executive chefs Justin Quint and Orlando Ramos of Clydz in New Brunswick show of their "freaky" menu items they include; python ravioli, bone marrow, and alligator sausage on Friday October 21, 2016. Pictured here is the python ravioli.

Verve Restaurant opened in Somerville in 1996.

Clydz in New Brunswick uses a special sweet vermouth called Carpano Antica which has an herbal yet sweet taste.

Verve is serving an apple tart with a ginger crumb topping.

The Verve Restaurant located at 18 East Main Street in Somerville just celebrated its 20th anniversary on June 20th.. Here owner Rick St. Pierre is photographed at his restaurant.

Guiness-braised lamb shank with Brussel sprouts gratin, chanterelles and black trumpets at The Frog and the Peach.

The Garden Room at The Frog and the Peach in New Brunswick.

Osteria Morini opened its second location in Bernardsville in 2012.

Alligator sausage is on the menu at Clydz in New Brunswick.

Bone marrow is topped with pulled short rib at Clydz in New Brunswick.

Co-executive chefs Justin Quint and Orlando Ramos of Clydz in New Brunswick show of their "freaky" menu items they include; python ravioli (top) bone marrow (lower right), and alligator sausage (left) on Friday October 21, 2016.

A scallops entree from Charlie's of Bay Head.

Jersey Shore Essential restaurants

Chermoula-seared cod is served with hummus, marinated chickpeas, cilantro butter and harissa powder at Reyla in Asbury Park.

Reyla's co*cktail menu includes the Gibraltar, made with gin mare, mastiha, honeydew, lemon, and pear liquor.

Clockwise from top: pomegranate swordfish, spicy seafood risotto, the Jane burger, and a Margherita flatbread are served at The Robinson Ale House.

One entree at Fromagerie is bronzino stuffed with crab meat and shrimp. One entree at Fromagerie is bronzino stuffed with crab meat and shrimp.

Tuna porterhouse is on the menu at the new Fromagerie, which will reopen in Rumson in June.

Restaurateur Steven Botta of Freehold Township, shown in the dining room of his Brando's Citi Cucina in Asbury Park, will reopen Fromagerie in Rumson in June.

From Graze Restaurant in Little Silver, littleneck clams with pork and Brussels sprouts in an oyster mushroom curry.

Chef Junior Chamon’s restaurant, Graze in Little Silver, was named outstanding new restaurant in the 2017 TASTE Awards.

From Barrio Costero, scallop with raw tomatillo salsa, jicama, watermelon, radish, crispy chorizo and fried parsnip.

Barrio Costero is located at 610 Bangs Ave. in Asbury Park and will open its newest restaurant, Reyla, in June.

Chef Mike Dolan showcases pigs Wellington, a starter prepared with Shikhaus frank, sauerkraut, puff pastry and spicy mustard, at The Robinson Ale House in Red Bank, NJ Wednesday, February 24, 2016.

Pork carnitas with red pepper puree at Barrio Costero in Asbury Park.

From Xina Sushi & Oyster Bar in Toms River, a curry dish.

From Xina Sushi & Oyster Bar in Toms River, a jumbo lump crab roll with candied walnuts, spicy tuna, blue cheese and honey-poached Asian pear.

The Drunken Chicken sandwich, which will be on the menu at Toms River Ale House, is house-made vodka sauce atop a breaded chicken cutlet on a garlic torpedo roll.

Chef Mike Dolan showcases pigs Wellington, prepared with Shikhaus frank, sauerkraut, puff pastry and spicy mustard, at The Robinson Ale House in Red Bank, NJ Wednesday, February 24, 2016.

An order of pork roll and cheese empanadas with Sriracha ketchup at Toms River Ale House.

The dining room ceiling, painted with Croatian writing, is the work of local artist Porkchop.

At the Brielle Ale House Sports Bar and Grille Wednesday, February 1, 2017, there are 60 different beers on tap. Along with this location and another in Asbury Park, the owners will soon be opening a new site in Toms River.

Toast with ricotta, figs, hazelnuts and honey was on the menu at Cornerstone Kitchen & Tap in Jackson.

Justin and Angel Hatch owned Cornerstone Kitchen & Tap in Jackson.

From Cornerstone Kitchen & Tap in Jackson, a pair of chicken sliders.

Toms River Ale House, which will open later this year, will feature dishes like this one: fried chicken breast atop a maple-infused waffle with chicken gravy and maple bacon drizzle.

Charlie's of Bay Head offers outdoor dining with a view of Twilight Lake.

The spicy ahi tuna appetizer at the newly opened Charlie's of Bay Head.

American red snapper with asparagus and Hollandaise from The Grand Tavern in Neptune.

The Big Apple co*cktail from The Grand Tavern in Neptune is made with apple brandy, Ramazotti amaro (Italian bitters) and alllspice simple syrup. .

South Jersey Essential restaurants

Chef/owner Joey Baldino of Zeppoli Restaurant in Collingswood has received several James Beard nominations.

Cannoli Classico at Zeppoli Restaurant in Collingswood.

Biancomangiave, an almond milk panna cotta dessert, is the creation of Joseph Baldino, chef-owner of Zeppoli in Collingswood.

Gamberetti e fa*gioli (whole shrimp with garlic and parsley over cannellini beans) is plated for guests at Zeppoli.

Chef Maher creates his own desserts, like this Chestnut Tart With Lemon Crud blueberries and strawberries with fresh whipped cream at ITA 101 in Medford.

A Brasato di Manzo con verdi di stagione, with asparagus puree and sautŽed cauliflower is on the menu at ITA 101 in Medford.

Red Store Chorizo Torta is offered with a side of house roasted potatoes.

James Beard-nominated Chef Lucas Manteca will be at the helm of the new Taco Shop in Rio Grande. He's shown on the steps of his Red Store restaurant on Cape May Point.

The Red Store Pancake features The Red Store Pancake crab, corn, roasted poblano pepper and feta cheese pancakes, with arugula, crème fraiche and bacon .

Farm-fresh fare pairs with local craft beer at The Farm & Fisherman Tavern + Market.

Blue Bay Mussels are served with panang curry, coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger and cilantro at Two Fish in Haddonfield.

Baramundi with oyster mushroom, Brussels sprout leaves, gramma, "green" bacon, and scallop nage at Two Fish in Haddonfield.

Milk bread French toast, maple syrup, and powdered sugar is a high point on the brunch menu at Park Place Café & Restaurant in Merchantville.

Charred Spanish octopus with crispy pig face, pickled baby peppers, and broccoli rabe puree at Park Place Café & Restaurant in Merchantville. Menu offerings change frequently to reflect the season.

A paella ceviche from Olón in Atlantic City.

Life is short, let's start with dessert: This one from Jose Garces' Olón offers a little fishbowl of pistachio, coconut and mango mousse. Clouds of pistachio sponge cake and mango pearls on top give the dessert a terrarium-like appearance.

Inside the Paramus restaurant Chakra.

The Heart Beet BLT substitutes toasted coconut 'bacon' for the real deal, and is a favorite at the cafe.

Buffalo hummus with blue corn chips at Heart Beet Kitchen in Westmont.

Indeblue's innovative fare includes (clockwise from left) pumpkin naan, a special Indian lamb take on poutine, and pumpkin soup.

Tandoori "Lollipop" lamb chops at Indeblue in Collingswood are one of the menu's popular orders.

Treat yourself to Sabrina Cafe's stuffed French Toast,, a big driver of the lines every weekend at this popular brunch spot in Collingswood.

Hunan Taste serves traditional Chinese cuisine.

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Café Matisse seduces with its colorful walls, whimsical chandeliers and starched tablecloths.

It's almost too beautiful to eat but you should -- a gorgeous offering at Elements

Among the strikingly beautiful appetizers at Elements