
In the winter, when the temperatures drop and dinnertime comes earlier in the evening, it’s the cozy dining experiences we crave. Think: fireplaces, warm lighting, comfortable chairs, exposed beams.
Here are some of our favorite spots.
15 Fox Place
Jersey City
What is cozier than eating in a well-appointed living room? At 15 Fox Place, guests dine in a Jersey City rowhouse and devour family-style Italian feasts. It may also be the toughest reservation to get in New Jersey—call, leave a voicemail, hope for a call back.
Anton’s at the Swan
Lambertville
The charming river town of Lambertville is home to lots of adorable restaurants, but the cozy award goes to Anton’s at the Swan. Upon entering, you’re greeted by a long leather couch and a mahogany and brass bar. There are antiques, oil paintings on the walls lit by candles, and multiple rooms for parties large and small. For a decidedly upscale yet unstuffy experience, Anton’s is it.
Barrow House
Clifton
This classic American restaurant is located inside a farmhouse from the Colonial era. Imagine driving through busy Clifton and arriving at a former farm, wandering inside a classic-looking building and being greeted by a wooden bar and a crackling fireplace.
The Brown Room
Cape May
Cape May has a winter wonderland kind of feel during the colder months. Lights twinkle on the iconic Victorian/Edwardian “Painted Ladies,” while a breeze comes off the ocean. Nearby is the most ideal come-in-from-the-cold place: the Brown Room. Tucked inside Congress Hall, this year-round delight (temporarily closed; reopening February 13!) ushers a traditional warm welcome with a crackling fire, vintage photos and period-inspired custom wallpaper. Take a seat at the handsome bar or in the lounge area. Most nights there’s a friendly crowd at this bar that holds the distinction of being in the same spot as the original hotel’s first post-Prohibition lounge. A menu of throwback cocktails is offered, along with light bites. —Deborah P. Carter
The Grand Café
Morristown
A classic gem in Morristown, the Grand Café can feel like it’s set in amber. But nostalgia certainly has a part to play when it comes to cozy vibes. The beautiful wood paneling and white tablecloths create an ambience of elegance, and if you order escargot and a martini, you will truly be transported to another time.
Irish Pub
Atlantic City
Just off the Boardwalk is this spot that feels like a throwback to a time when friends would gather at a bar and eat corned-beef sandwiches. That’s exactly what you do at this former speakeasy, and it’s even open 24/7. Irish Pub owes its cozy vibes to its labyrinthine layout, subterranean location and antique bar.
Kinchley’s Tavern
Ramsey
Kinchley’s is best known for its fantastic, thin-crust, bar-style pizza, and every visit here feels like a trip to comfort town. Maybe it’s the warm lighting from the Pepsi-Cola hanging lamps that so perfectly illuminate the red-and-white checkered tables, or maybe it’s the drop ceilings and happy chatter coming from the tables.
New Park Tavern
Jersey City
A tried-and-true Jersey City standby, New Park can feel at times like a raucous bar. But if you go in the afternoon or early evening and sit in the room on the opposite side of the bar, preferably by the fireplace, New Park is downright homey. Whiskey, corned beef and a fire—what more could you want on a chilly winter night?
Rat’s Restaurant
Hamilton Township
Nestled among the art at Grounds for Sculpture (indisputably one of the coolest places in Jersey), Rat’s sits beside an homage to Monet’s garden and pond in Giverny, France—so you know this place has great vibes. There are a few different dining rooms to choose from; some feature comfortable arm chairs and oriental rugs; others boast exposed wood beams and tapestries.
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