Look, we all know the big names when it comes to New Jersey dining destinations: Montclair. Newark. Red Bank. Jersey City. Morristown. Cape May. Ridgewood. Asbury Park. Hoboken. Princeton. Atlantic City. Collingswood. New Brunswick.
But what about places that deserve to be on the culinary map, where you can eat as well as, and often cheaper than, those much-heralded cities and towns?
I did an initial list of under-the-radar dining destinations in 2018, updated it for 2019, and came up with whole new lists in 2021 and 2022.
This was not easy, trust me. All the places are deserving. The ranking is based on the overall dining scene, especially its diversity. Linwood, No. 25 on last year’s list, was removed, mostly because Bakeria 1010 — one of my 10 favorite pizzerias in the state — closed. Egg Harbor Township replaced it.
In all, 15 restaurants in various towns have been added to this list.
You may never have heard of some of these towns, and that’s a good thing. It gives you more places, and restaurants, to explore.
Egg Harbor Township, not to be confused with Egg Harbor City or Little Egg Harbor, boasts the state’s best Indian restaurant in my opinion. That’s The Nizams. Its tangri kebab, chicken cooked with “special spices and herbs” in the tandoor, is highly recommended. The lamb ashari (in Hindi, ashari means pickle; lamb ashari is cooked with spices used to make pickles) is hearty, spicy and downright delicious. Wait, I’m not done. Its pistachio-topped kheer is a sweet sensation. It’s so good, it might as well be on another rice pudding planet. Pete’s Subs and Deli makes standout subs, Tacos El Tio good Mexican and Rama Thai made our list of the state’s best Thai restaurants. And Back Bay BBQ ranks among the state’s best barbecue joints.
24. Little Falls
How many towns can boast a great Greek restaurant, a top-notch pizzeria and a hole-in-the-wall hot dog joint with dozens of hot sauces on hand? Little Falls can. The Greek restaurant is Stamna, which made my list of the state’s best Greek restaurants. The pizzeria is Aquila Pizza al Forno. The hot dog joint is Big Daddy’s. Falls Kitchen is a top breakfast spot. Jackie’s Grillette is the place for wraps and sandwiches, and A Taco Affair offers wild if not wacky tacos — including buttermilk fried chicken, chorizo hash, tofu banh mi and crab fritters. Twenty-eight-day dry-aged steaks are the main attraction at Sear House Grill. And I haven’t found any better diner salads than those at the Park West Diner.
23. Medford
Medford is a charming small town where a Friends Quaker Meeting comfortably commingles with three craft breweries. The prime dining spot is ITA101, with its ever-changing, inventive Italian fare. They were one of 10 finalists in our N.J.’s Best Italian Restaurant Showdown. Braddock’s Tavern offers American fare in casually elegant colonial surroundings. Start your day at Harvest Coffee Roastery. End it at craft brewery Lower Forge. Steps from Harvest Coffee is Pee Wee’s Ice Cream, which made our N.J.’s Best Ice Cream list.
22. Hackettstown
Hackettstown is more than M&M company Mars. The Warren County town is home to a tasty range of restaurants. For higher-end fare, the choice is James on Main, named Warren County’s best restaurant on our Greatest Restaurant in Each County list. For breakfast (stuffed French toast!) and lunch, Stella G. You’ll find the biggest wing selection in the state (300-plus and counting) at Marley’s Gotham Grill. Pandan Room is known for excellent Thai and Indonesian food, while TOPO, housed in the old post office, gets raves for its Vietnamese food. And there are no less than three craft breweries in the area: Jersey Girl, Man Skirt and Czig Meister.
21. Camden
Camden is more than just Battleship New Jersey, Adventure Aquarium and the Waterfront Music Pavilion — there’s a lot of good eating there! Start with Corinne’s Place, a soul food legend and recent winner of a prestigious James Beard Foundation award. The Cajun turkey wings and smothered pork chops are two of the best meals I’ve had in the past couple years. Right across the street is Donkey’s Place, a lively neighborhood bar that serves what the late Anthony Bourdain called the best Philly cheesesteaks. The lunchtime crowd of locals at Freddy’s Restaurant attests to its down-home popularity. The pernil (roast pork) sandwich and the Cubano are standouts. Some of the state’s best food bargains can be found at the Latin American Restaurant; you get a hefty portion of meat, rice and side for $8.50. The pernil asada is my favorite dish there. Classic Puerto Rican dishes are the draw at Old San Juan Restaurant.
20. Robbinsville
The town formerly known as Washington Township just may be the pizza epicenter of New Jersey. OK, so Robbinsville doesn’t have the glut of pizzerias as, say, Jersey City or Hoboken, but where else can you find two pizza legends within walking distance of each other? We’re talking about De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies and Papa’s Tomato Pies, the latter the oldest continuously operated pizzeria in the country. Daphne’s Diner, housed in a classic Jersey diner, is recommended for breakfast (try one of the Benedicts), sandwiches and burgers. Dolce & Clemente is an Italian gourmet market with few equals — you’ll find the state’s fattest subs here. Ravello by Toscano and Villa Barone are respected BYOB Italian restaurants.
19. Brick
For many, Brick is the kind of town you drive through to get to somewhere else — Toms River, Seaside Heights, wherever. But this crossroads town is big — with 75,000-plus residents, it’s the 13th most populous municipality in New Jersey — booming and packed with restaurants. Thai is one of my favorite cuisines, and Herbs Thai, squeezed into a strip mall at the intersection of Routes 70 and 88, is my second favorite Thai restaurant Down the Shore (for my favorite, see Bradley Beach, below). Recommended dishes: Wok Ginger with chicken and Mince Chicken Basil. Herbs Thai made our list of N.J.’s 22 Best Thai Restaurants. Barons Bagels offers the state’s cream-cheesiest bagels. They are loaded with the stuff. It’s located next door to Tacos Los Campos, which made our N.J.’s Best Tacos list (its al pastor tacos are terrific). One guess what Irv & Karen’s Hot Pastrami Deli does best? Denino’s South is the Jersey Shore outpost of the Staten Island pizza legend. The key lime pie at 502 Baking is its signature pie, although my favorite is the cranberry, pear and apple pie. Cloud 9 Donuts does chocolate donuts as well as anyone. The Crab Shack is a highly-recommended, off-the-beaten path seafood market/restaurant.
18. Vineland
Vineland was once the nation’s largest city by geographic size — and it remains the state’s largest city by total area. Way outside downtown, but still within the city limits, is Serene Custard, No. 1 on my list of the state’s best soft serve spots. I also love Verona Custard (try the strawberry/banana swirl). Julio’s on Main made my best empanadas and best tacos lists. Olympia Restaurant is one of the state’s best Greek restaurants; the moussaka and the giant-sized gyro are recommended. Outlaw’s Burger Barn & Creamery serves up tasty burgers. Penalvert’s Market is tiny, but forget the saying that size matters — the Puerto Rican food here is good and cheap.
17. Hackensack
The state’s cutest diner — the White Manna — is in the Bergen County seat, but there’s so much more. The Lido Restaurant is one of the state’s great old-school hangouts. The owners renovated the dimly-lit restaurant several years ago, but the sliced steak and thin-crust pizza remain. Several doors down is Cosmo’s Salumeria, a classic Italian deli. You’ve got to try Lorenza’s meatballs and the eggplant (Fridays only). Ethnic diversity abounds in Hackensack. For Colombian, try Pollos Mario and Villa de Colombia. Cuban: Casual Habana Cafe. Argentinian: Choripan Rodizio. Turkish: El Turco Grill. Thai: Bangkok Garden, which bills itself as Bergen County’s first Thai restaurant.
16. Bradley Beach
Bradley Beach may forever stay in the shadow of Asbury Park, but this town of 4,200 is a laid-back alternative to its hipster-ish next door neighbor. Let’s start with Bamboo Leaf, my favorite Thai restaurant Down the Shore (the tom yum soup and spicy beef salad make for a great combo). Del Ponte’s Bakery is tiny but teeming with cakes, donuts, pastries and maybe the state’s biggest biscotti selection. Vic’s Italian Restaurant, a thin-crust legend, finished No. 8 in my ranking of N.J.’s Greatest Old-School Pizzerias. For breakfast, The Buttered Biscuit (one of its egg Benedicts is in the above photo) can’t be beat. All these restaurants are on Main Street, which makes for easy navigation.
15. Woodbury
Woodbury, squeezed between I-295 and the New Jersey Turnpike, offers a tempting array of restaurants. The state’s best wings can be found at Ms. Heavens. The Colonial Diner is a classic example of the Jersey icon. Its waitresses were named New Jersey’s best in a special diner edition of Inside Jersey magazine. I love the chicken sir-fry at Bo Ne, a Vietnamese restaurant. Sakana Oriental is known for Thai and Japanese food. The best pizza in town is at Gia Nina’s. You don’t have to drive to New Orleans for beignets; you can find them at Woodbury Station Cafe, along with bananas foster French toast, flat iron steak and eggs and other breakfast dishes. For top-notch cheesesteaks, head to Brynn Bradley, which finished high on our best cheesesteaks list. For Mexican, the choice is El Manantial. And Eight & Sand Beer Co. is one of the state’s best craft breweries.
14. Bloomfield
Essex County has two of the state’s major food destinations — Newark and Montclair. Here comes Bloomfield, between both. Dessert usually comes last, but I’m going to start with Anthony’s Cheesecake (above photo), where you can find some of the state’s best cheesecakes. Across and down the street is Aki Asian House. Excellent pizza at Blue Steel Pizza Co.; its ricotta and sausage pizza finished No. 9 in our epic 99 Greatest N.J. Pizzas ranking. On Bloomfield Avenue, try Dev’s Jamaican Cuisine and Tropics Jamaican Restaurant. Further up, stop by sub legend Lenny & John’s (the tuna sub is a must), Grill Master, one of my favorite Portuguese barbecue joints and Taqueria Los Gueros. Pure Love Pies makes a mean sweet potato pie, and its coconut custard is just as good. Of course, any mention of Bloomfield must include legendary ice cream parlor/luncheonette Holsten’s, where the last scene in “The Sopranos” was filmed. Right down the street: Stamna, an excellent Greek restaurant.
13. Hightstown
With Princeton and Hamilton as dining competition in Mercer County, Hightstown often gets overlooked. But this historic town, named for John and Mary Hight, boasts a nicely eclectic range of restaurants. Antojitos Ecuatorianos is the place for traditional Ecuadorian dishes, while Guatepan Bakery offers an array of excellent Latin American cakes, pastries and cookies. Tavern on the Lake is a beloved restaurant/bar. Mannino’s 4 Pizzeria Trattoria opened in 1994, when Hightstown did not have the lively downtown it does today. Fernando’s Grille is known for its steaks. There can never be enough Caribbean restaurants as far as I’m concerned; Morgan’s Island Grill offers jerk, stewed and curry chicken, plus other Caribbean favorites. They made my N.J.’s Best Wings list. And 12 Farms represented Mercer County in my Best Restaurant in Each of NJ’s 21 Counties list. Its dishes include a wild boar Benedict, crispy duck grilled cheese and Wagyu braised beef cheeks.
12. Point Pleasant Beach
“Point Beach” is more than just Jenkinson’s. There are tasty and diverse options all over town. First, pick up a sandwich at Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties, merely the state’s best Italian deli. Then order a burger at Frankie’s Bar & Grill. Spano’s Ristorante Italiano was one of 10 finalists in our N.J.’s Best Italian Restaurant Showdown. Excellent seafood at Point Lobster Bar & Grill; it served the best dinner of my two-week Jersey Shore walk. Closer to the beach, hit the Broadway Bar & Grill for great wings. For seafood, try Shore Fresh Seafood Market & Restaurant, Red’s Lobster Pot and Spike’s Fish Market & Restaurant. Jersey Shore BBQ is one of my favorite BBQ joints in the state. Dona Julia Mexican Restaurant finished high on our list of the state’s best tacos, ranked. For farm-to-table organic food and juices/smoothies, try Local Urban Kitchen. Can’t forget Hoffman’s, one of the state’s most highly-regarded ice cream shops. Nor The Ark, a popular restaurant/bar where they’ll cook that fish you caught. Best pizza in town? Rosie’s Pizza, and it’s not even close.
11. Hammonton
Everyone knows Hammonton as the Blueberry Capital of the World, but there are plenty of good eats in this Atlantic County town. Start with Annata Wine Bar, housed in a former car repair garage, with its excellent wine selection and food. For Mexican, El Nuevo Mariachi Loco. I love the tacos and tortas at Tacos al Carbon, a food truck on Peach Street. Bruni’s and Ricca Brothers are the best-known pizzerias in town, but my favorite is Brother’s Pizza, on the White Horse Pike, with its standout old-fashioned tomato pie. There’s Marcello’s for Italian. Penza’s for pies. Bagliani’s Market for homemade sausage and pasta, plus excellent sandwiches. Mary’s Cafe for creative breakfast and lunch dishes. And you haven’t lived until you try the blackberry or blueberry ice cream at Royale Crown Homemade Ice Cream.
10. Chatham Borough
Chatham Borough boasts a wealth of restaurants, but as a dining destination, the town is never spoken in the same breath as Morristown or even Madison. High-end to low-key: Chatham has it all. Scalini Fedeli, stylish and elegant, has always been regarded as one of the state’s top Italian restaurants. James Laird, chef/co-owner at Restaurant Serenade, is in the upper ranks of New Jersey chefs. Mitsuba not only offers sushi and sashimi, but bento lunch boxes. Taste of Asia, New Jersey’s first Malaysian restaurant, also serves Chinese, Indian and Thai dishes. At Sonny’s Indian Kitchen, my favorite dish is the mango and coconut shrimp — pan-seared Gulf shrimp with a sweet, spicy mango chutney, homemade coconut reduction glaze and fresh coriander. I almost wanted to dive into the intoxicating broth. Pakistani hot chicken sandwiches are the draw at Namkeen Hot Chicken. The River Grille’s mac and cheese was named Jersey’s best in our statewide competition. D’Oro Ristorante is known for its Northern Italian cuisine. Fine French pastries can be found at Fleur de Sel Patisserie. And T.M. Ward, a longtime fixture in Newark, has a store in Chatham.
9. Ship Bottom
Beach Haven is the undisputed dining and tourist center of Long Beach Island, but I’m here to sing the praises of Ship Bottom, the first town you hit coming off the Route 72 causeway. The Arlington boasts the island’s best craft beer selection, but there’s more to recommend, like the superlative skirt steak with sweet potatoes. Baker’s Port Hole Cafe is no cafe, but a lively restaurant/bar with a legendary hot roast beef sandwich. Ferrara’s Island Bakery merely makes “the best jelly doughnut on the planet,” while Mystic Meat & Seafood serves up one of the state’s biggest and best pork roll, egg and cheese sandwiches. Raimondo’s bills itself as “Long Beach Island’s finest traditional Italian restaurant,” and we’re not about to argue. The Local Market & Kitchen offers an eclectic menu; try the deluxe grilled cheese. And Shore Good Donuts is one of my two or three favorite donut stops at the Jersey Shore.
8. Hawthorne
Hawthorne doesn’t immediately come to mind as a dining destination in Passaic County, much less North Jersey, but it should. Baking Grace (photo) is one of state’s 10 best bakeries — the cakes and cupcakes are awesome. Tim’s Po-Boys and Wings is an intriguing blend of Louisiana and Korean standards. Dee’s is one of those old-school luncheonettes they just don’t make any more; they made my NJ’s Best Taylor Ham/Pork Roll Sandwiches list. Bottagra was one of 10 finalists in our search for N.J.’s Best Italian Restaurant. There’s no shortage of Italian restaurants in town, with Justin’s Ristorante heading the list; also Ossy’s Cafe and Villa Rosa. The Goffle Grill is a Jersey hot dog legend, and The Front Porch is known for its Korean double-fried wings.
7. Keyport
Keyport calls itself the “Pearl of the Bayshore.” You can now call it the Dining Capital of the Bayshore. The Broad Street Diner, winner of our N.J.’s Best Diner Showdown, is here. Across the street is Old Glory Kitchen & Spirits, a former church converted into a restaurant/bar (it formerly housed a restaurant called Trinity). Drew’s Bayshore Bistro is renowned for its Cajun-influenced American fare; Keyport Fishery is a town landmark; and Mike’s Giant Sized Submarine Subs lives up to its name. McDonagh’s is not some sleepy Irish pub, with indoor, patio and outdoor dining rooms, and two stages. Try the corned beef sandwich on marble rye toast.
6. Ventnor
You never hear much about Ventnor. Being squeezed between Atlantic City and Margate has something to do with that. Start your day with breakfast at either Hannah G’s or Isabella’s Ventnor Cafe. The latter also features chef Ibis Gonzalez’s Mexican favorites, such as chiles rellenos. You’ll find excellent omelettes and egg sandwiches at Agnes Cafe. The brunches at Velo Cafe are local favorites. The best Japanese food in town is at Yama; it made our N.J.’s Best Sushi Restaurants list. Like saucy pizzas? You will love the ones at Santucci’s Original Square Pizza. For Italian, it’s La Padella Ristorante. Stuffed dates, low country shrimp and seafood paella are among the highlights at Stella Restaurant. The sandwiches at Water Dog Smoke House are monstrous and marvelous, especially the Dr. Dan (pastrami) and the Blado (roast beef). Cookie Till, owner of acclaimed Steve & Cookie’s by the Bay in Margate, is co-owner of Ventnor No. 7311, a cute little cafe/coffee shop with scrumptious scones.
5. Frenchtown
Hunterdon County is the state’s most picturesque county (don’t argue with me!). I have lived in Clinton and Alexandria, and almost moved to Frenchtown at one point. It’s a charming little town, a small-scale version of Lambertville. If you had to visit just one eatery in town, make it the Frenchtown Cafe, lively and likable, and known for pancakes, French toast and waffles. A drink at the National Hotel’s elegant bar is a fitting prelude to dinner. And yes, you can book a room or suite at the hotel. The Bridge Cafe, in the renovated train station, bills itself as “Hunterdon County’s best-kept secret for lunch.” Work off any calories by walking across the bridge to Pennsylvania. Cocina del Sol is the spot for Mexican and Tex-Mex fare. And you must try the peppermint hot chocolate at Early Bird Espresso & Mercantile. Want to try a vegan pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich? You can get one at Frenchtown Fresh.
4. West New York
Hudson County was my selection as best county for food in New Jersey, and diversity was a big key in that decision. West New York boasts a United Nations of food choices — Cuban, Colombian, Argentinian, Mexican, Italian and more in one compact package. Dulce de Leche Bakery is one of the state’s 10 Best Bakeries (the double mousse cake, shown in the above photo, is to die for). Noches de Colombia serves up tasty empanadas. The late Food Network personality Carl Ruiz said the Cuban sandwich at La Pola is the best he’s had anywhere, and not just in New Jersey.
3. Neptune City
It’s not easy being Neptune City when it comes to food. It’s perpetually overshadowed by Asbury Park and Belmar, both minutes away. But Neptune City, not to be confused with Neptune Township, is home to several dining legends. Pete & Elda’s (also known as Carmen’s) may be the Shore’s best-known pizzeria. Local Smoke is a five-time winner of the state barbecue championship. Kelly’s Tavern is a hallowed Irish pub; you haven’t lived until you’re tried its amazing Reuben. Low-key Jameson’s Southern Cooking makes some of the state’s best fried chicken. For Italian, go with Molinari’s or Il Posto. Vegan cakes, cookies, pastries and sandwiches can be found at Cats Luck. The cosmic brownie is heavenly (sorry).
2. Somers Point
Somers Point is far from the tourist draw that neighboring Ocean City is, but don’t sleep on the town whose slogan is “The Shore Starts Here.” Heading the list is the venerable Clam Bar, also known as Smitty’s, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Crab Trap is perpetually packed in the summer. My suggestion is to visit Crabby Jack’s, the tiki bar behind the Crab Trap. You can order from a scaled-down Crab Trap menu, and you can’t beat the view — that’s Ocean City in the shimmering distance. Charlie’s Bar is a locals hangout; good burgers and wings there. The Anchorage, the oldest continuously operated business in town, is a mainstay. The Grilled Cheese & Crab Cake Co. made my list of the state’s Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. For Mexican, try El Tipico. For Italian, Marsini’s Kitchen. Remember Mac’s? It’s now Josie’s Kelly’s Public House, with Irish standards, plus steaks, burgers and more. Two more: Hot Bagels & More — you’ve got to try the super cinnamon raisin bagel — and Goji, for cold-pressed juice, plus smoothies. My favorite juice? Paradise, with pineapple, apple, orange and lemon. The juices come in growlers; you get a discount on refills.
1. Cliffside Park
If there’s one town or city on this list that’s most underappreciated as a dining destination, it’s Cliffside Park. It’s long been known as a Turkish food destination — Beyoglu Grill and Dayinin Yeri are probably the two best-known — but there’s so much more. Napoli Wood-Fired Pizza made my best new pizzerias list, while Rustica Restaurant & Lounge is a good spot for pasta, steaks and chops. Canadian baby back ribs is the signature dish at 354 Steakhouse, but the steaks are an obvious must-try. 690 Park, in the former Loft Public House space, is a relative newcomer. Chef Hakki Gökçe aims for “bold and highbrow American cuisine.” Nothing satisfies on a cold, miserable day quite like a bowl of ramen, and Blackbeard Ramen is the go-to for the traditional Japanese noodle soup. Miller’s Bakery has merely been around since 1947. Creative, often crazy-looking, made-to-order doughnuts will tempt you at Dipped Doughnuts. Back to Turkish food, Cliffside Park’s longtime calling card — here are more to choose from: Haki Baba, Istanbul Borek & Kebab, Cinar and Saray Cuisine. And that’s just a partial list.
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Peter Genovese may be reached at pgenovese@njadvancemedia.com. On Twitter, @petegenovese. On Instagram, @peteknowsjersey and @themunchmobile.