2013 Jersey Choice Restaurant Poll

Our 30th annual Restaurant Poll reveals the best restaurants in New Jersey, as decided by readers and critics alike.

By New Jersey Monthly | | July 11, 2013

The results of our 30th Annual Jersey Choice Restaurant Poll were tabulated by an independent outside company. The winner in each region received the most votes in its category (in some cases there were ties). Editorial discretion was used when votes were cast for restaurants that in our judgment belonged in another category. We have also added our critics’ picks. All readers who submitted a ballot became eligible to win dinner for two in our random drawing. This year’s winner is Allan Markus of Montville. He will receive a gift certificate for dinner for two at Blu in Montclair, the Best of the Best poll winner in the North region.

 

Key:       North      Central Central      South South      Critics Choice Critics choice

Best of the Best
Blu, Montclair
Central Nicholas, Red Bank
South American Cut, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Top 25 Restaurants

Best New Restaurant
Pig & Prince, Montclair
Central D’Floret, Lambertville
South American Cut, Atlantic City
Critics Choice New and Notable

American
Blu, Montclair
Central Daryl, New Brunswick
South Union Park, Cape May

A Toute Heure, Cranford
Critics Choice Ebbitt Room, Cape May
Critics Choice The Fig Tree, Hoboken
Critics Choice Highlawn Pavilion, West Orange
Critics Choice Mohawk House, Sparta
Critics Choice Orange Squirrel, Bloomfield
Critics Choice Serenade, Chatham

Bakery
North Calandra’s Bakery, Fairfield
Central The Flaky Tart, Atlantic Highlands
South Mueller’s, Bay Head
Critics Choice Balthazar, Englewood
Critics Choice Gina’s, Montclair
Critics Choice Jaret’s, Totowa
Critics Choice McMillan’s, Haddon Twp
Critics Choice Swiss Pastry Shoppe, Scotch Plains

Bang for the Buck
North Biggie’s Clam Bar, Carlstadt
Central Bond Street Bar, Asbury Park
South Il Fiore, Collingswood
Critics Choice Dosa Grill, North Brunswick
Critics Choice Jo Sho, Somerset
Critics Choice Next Door, Montclair

Bar Scene
Egan & Sons, Montclair
Central The Downtown, Red Bank
South Hemingway’s, Seaside Heights
Critics Choice 12 West, Montclair
Critics Choice Pilsener Haus, Hoboken
Critics Choice Tomatoe’s, Margate
Critics Choice Watermark, Asbury Park

Barbecue
Texas Smoke Barbeque, Jefferson
Central Local Smoke BBQ, Neptune
South Hickory Hog, Point Pleasant
Critics Choice Brother Jimmy’s, New Brunswick
Critics Choice Christine’s, Shamong
Critics Choice Fink’s BBQ Smokehouse, Dumont
Critics Choice The Wood Pit, Montclair

Beer Selection
Cloverleaf, Caldwell
Morris Tap & Grill, Randolph
Central Brick Wall, Asbury Park
South Mussel Bar, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Andy’s Corner Bar, Bogota
Critics Choice Mohawk House, Sparta
Critics Choice Old Bay Restaurant, New Brunswick
Critics Choice The Pour House, Westmont
Critics Choice The Shepherd & the Knucklehead, Haledon

Breakfast
Toast, Montclair
Central Toast, Asbury Park
South Shut Up and Eat, Toms River
Critics Choice George’s Place, Cape May
Critics Choice Mariner’s Cove, Brielle
Critics Choice Hannah G’s, Ventnor

Brew Pub
Long Valley Pub, Long Valley
Central Basil T’s, Red Bank
South Iron Hill, Maple Shade
Critics Choice Trap Rock, Berkeley
Critics Choice Triumph, Princeton

Brunch
North Raymond’s, Montclair
Central Molly Pitcher Inn, Red Bank
South Turning Point, Brick
Critics Choice Elements, Princeton
Critics Choice Rats, Hamilton
Critics Choice Red Eye Cafe, Montclair
Critics Choice Thirty Acres, Jersey City

Burger
North Arthur’s Tavern, Morris Plains
Central Barnacle Bill’s, Rumson
South Frankie’s Bar and Grill, Point Pleasant Beach
Critics Choice Bernards Inn, Bernardsville
Critics Choice Next Door, Montclair
Critics Choice Rocky Hill Inn, Rocky Hill
Critics Choice Stage Left, New Brunswick

Caribbean/Southern
North Cuban Pete’s, Montclair
Central Ragin’ Cajun, Belmar
South Bahama Breeze, Cherry Hill
Critics Choice Corinne’s Place, Camden
Critics Choice Drew’s Bayshore Bistro, Keyport
Critics Choice Martino’s, Somerville

Caterer
North Market Basket, Franklin Lakes
Central Jaques, Middletown
South Joe Leone’s, Point Pleasant Beach

Chain Restaurant
Bonefish Grill
Cheesecake Factory
Olive Garden;
Houlihan’s
Critics Choice Chipotle
Critics Choice Rosa Mexicana
Critics Choice Smashburger

Cheesesteak
North Biggies, Carlstadt
Central Pat’s Pizza, Point Pleasant Beach
South Midway Steakhouse, Seaside
Critics Choice Anthony’s Pizza Palace, Trenton
Critics Choice Beyond the Pita, Montclair
Critics Choice Hoagie Haven, Princeton

Chinese
North Hunan Taste, Denville
Central Temple, Red Bank
South Xina Sushi & Oyster Chinese Bistro, Toms River
Critics Choice Chengdu 1, Cedar Grove
Critics Choice Chengdu 23, Wayne
Critics Choice Fortune Cookies, Bridgewater

Coffee/Tea Bar (non-chain)
North The Fine Grind, Little Falls
Central Small World, Princeton
South Green Planet, Point Pleasant
South Grooveground, Collingswood
Critics Choice Infini-T, Princeton
Critics Choice Red Eye Cafe, Montclair

Desserts
North Mara’s Cafe, Denville
Central Nicholas, Red Bank
South American Cut, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Local Seasonal Kitchen, Ramsey

Deli, Kosher-Style
North Eppes Essen, Livingston
Central Harold’s, Edison
South Irv & Karen’s, Brick
Critics Choice Hobby’s, Newark

Deli, Italian-Style
North Calandra’s, Caldwell
Central A & G Italian Deli, Warren
South Joe Leone’s, Point Pleasant Beach
Critics Choice Lisa’s, Hoboken
Critics Choice Nicolo’s, Montclair
Critics Choice Severino Pasta, Westmont
Critics Choice Tutto Fresco, Livingston

Diner
North Tick Tock, Clifton
Central Skylark, Edison
South Mastoris, Bordentown
Critics Choice Paula’s, Cinnaminson
Critics Choice Rio Grande, Rio Grande
Critics Choice Ritz, Livingston
Critics Choice Summit, Summit

French
North Chez Catherine, Westfield
Central Sophie’s Bistro, Somerset
South Dream Cuisine, Cherry Hill
Critics Choice Le Rendez-Vous, Kenilworth

Greek
North Stamna Taverna, Bloomfield
Central Niko’s Trapezi, Long Branch
South Kuzina by Sofia, Cherry Hill
Critics Choice Pithari Taverna, Highland Park
Critics Choice Varka, Ramsey

Hot Dog
North Rutt’s Hut, Clifton
Central The WindMill, Long Branch
South Cool Dog Cafe, Cherry Hill
Critics Choice Captain Paul’s Firehouse, Lawrenceville
Critics Choice Hot Dog Johnny’s, Buttzville
Critics Choice Hot Dog Tommy’s, Cape May
Critics Choice Maui’s Dog House, North Wildwood
Critics Choice Pilsener Haus, Hoboken

Ice Cream
North Denville Dairy, Denville
Central Hoffman’s, Spring Lake
South Hoffman’s, Point Pleasant Beach
Critics Choice Bent Spoon, Princeton
Critics Choice Holsten’s, Bloomfield
Critics Choice Jefferson Dairy, Lake Hopatcong
Critics Choice Nasto’s, Newark
Critics Choice Nelly Bly’s, Riverton
Critics Choice Torico, Jersey City

Indian
North Mehndi, Morristown
Central Neelam, Middletown
South IndeBlue, Collingswood
Critics Choice Khyber Grill, South Plainfield
Critics Choice Indiya, Collingswood

Italian
North Osteria Giotto, Montclair
Central Undici, Rumson
South Il Giardinello, Toms River
Critics Choice Da Benito, Union
Critics Choice Da Filippo, Somerville
Critics Choice Due Mari, New Brunswick
Critics Choice Fieni’s, Vorhees
Critics Choice Girasole, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Il Capriccio, Whippany
Critics Choice Ristorante Giorgia, Rumson

Japanese
North Sogo, Denville
Central Taka, Asbury Park
South Ikko, Brick
Critics Choice Ajihei, Princeton
Critics Choice Sagami, Collingswood
Critics Choice Shumi, Somerville
Critics Choice Yumi, Sea Bright

Latin American
North Cucharamama, Hoboken
Central Cubacan, Asbury Park
South Casona, Collingswood
Critics Choice Costanera, Montclair
Critics Choice Patria, Rahway
Critics Choice Samba Montclair, Montclair
Critics Choice Zafra, Hoboken

Lunch
North Raymond’s, Montclair
Central D’Jeet, Shrewsbury
South Surf Taco, Silverton
Critics Choice Boulevard Five72, Kenilworth
Critics Choice Il Capriccio, Whippany
Critics Choice Lovin’ Oven, Frenchtown

Mexican
North Charrito, Hoboken and Weehawken
Central Juanito’s, Red Bank
South El Azteca, Mt. Laurel
Critics Choice Costa Chica, New Brunswick
Critics Choice El Tule, Lambertville
Critics Choice La Esperanza, Lindenwold
Critics Choice Tacos Bravos, Bridgeton

Middle Eastern/Turkish
North Toros, Clifton
Central Ibby’s, Freehold
South Norma’s, Cherry Hill
Critics Choice Ariana, Voorhees
Critics Choice Efes, New Brunswick
Critics Choice Istanbul, North Brunswick
Critics Choice Samdan, Cresskill
Critics Choice Silk Road, Warren
Critics Choice Uncle Moustache, Montclair

Pizza
North Star Tavern, Orange
Central Pete & Elda’s, Neptune
South Capone’s, Toms River
Critics Choice Arturo’s, Maplewood
Critics Choice Bivio, Little Falls
Critics Choice Nomad, Hopewell
Critics Choice Ralph’s, Nutley
Critics Choice Santillo’s, Elizabeth

Romantic
North Highlawn Pavillion, West Orange
Central Nicchio Ristorante, Belmar
South Azure by Allegretti, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Anton’s at the Swan, Lambertville
Critics Choice Rats, Hamilton

Seafood
North Fin, Montclair
Central Klein’s, Belmar
South Lobster House, Cape May
Critics Choice Blu, Montclair

Soup/Salad/Sandwich
North Allendale Eats, Allendale
Central Brennan’s, Rumson
South Shut Up and Eat, Toms River

Southeast Asian/Thai
North Origin Thai, Morristown
Central Siam Garden, Red Bank
South Rama Thai, Egg Harbor Township
Critics Choice Lemongrass, Morris Plains
Critics Choice Topaz Thai, Belleville

Spanish/Portuguese/Tapas
North Fornos of Spain, Newark
Central Bistro Olé, Asbury Park
South Europa South, Point Pleasant
Critics Choice Casa Vasca, Newark
Critics Choice Seabra Marisquiera, Newark

Steak
North Rare, Little Falls
Central Char, Raritan
South American Cut, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Prime & Beyond, Fort Lee
Critics Choice Strip House, Livingston

Vegetarian
North Veggie Heaven, Denville and Montclair
Central Good Karma Cafe, Red Bank
South Palace of Asia, Cherry Hill
South Sentosa, Brick
Critics Choice Chand Palace, Parsippany
Critics Choice Kaya’s Kitchen, Belmar
Critics Choice Wildflour, Lawrenceville

Wine List
North Pluckemin Inn, Bedminster
Central Nicholas, Red Bank
South Washington Inn, Cape May
Critics Choice Bernards Inn, Bernardsville
Critics Choice Restaurant Latour, Hardyston

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