Hudson River: Chef Peter Larsen of Haven in Edgewater ran NYC kitchens and trained in Copenhagen.

NORTH

Alice’s Restaurant

Lake Hopatcong

View: A mahogany bar runs the length of the outdoor deck, offering a lakefront panorama.
Food: Comfort food, featuring local produce.
Drink: Full bar, signature cocktails. Arrive by boat or car. —Dana Inez
24 Nolans Point Park Road; 973-663-9600

Battello

Jersey City

View: Situated on the Newport Yacht Pier on the Hudson, the former Michael Anthony’s is bookended by boats. The setting sun casts a glow on the water and into the dining room. Food: Executive chef Ryan DePersio brings his “Italian without borders” approach. Expect pastas and a Mediterranean flair with seafood.
Drink: Creative, seasonal cocktails and a sophisticated wine list. Closed Saturday evenings for dinner for special events. —Lauren Barbagallo
502 Washington Boulevard; 201-798-1798

Black River Barn

Randolph

View: Black River Pond from the two-tiered, wood-and-stone patio. The lower level kneels at the water’s edge.
Food: Pizza, seafood, pasta, burgers and other pub favorites.
Drink: Domestic and imported beers on tap or in bottles, wines by glass or bottle, signature martinis. —Maryrose Mullen
1178 Route 10 West; 973-598-9988

Blu on the Hudson

Weehawken

View: From this restaurant, customers can gaze across the Hudson River and check out Lower Manhattan, including Hudson Yards and Chelsea Piers.
Food: Brunch, lunch, and dinner are all available, with sushi and a raw bar served during each meal.
Drink: Drink options include wine, sake, bottled beer, and several signature cocktails. —Ben Wasserman
1200 Harbor Boulevard; 201-636-1200

Chart House

Weehawken

View: The restaurant juts into the Hudson River, with the Empire State Building looming across the way.
Food: Classic steak house, with local seafood fresh daily.
Drink: Lengthy wine list, full bar, happy hour. —LB
1700 Harbor Boulevard, Pier D-T; 201-348-6628

Crab House

Edgewater

View: You’ll see the Hudson from every table in the large first-floor dining room.
Food: Lots of shrimp and crab dishes on a casual, seafood-shack menu.
Drink: Full bar, happy hour, special summer cocktails. —LB
541 River Road; 201-840-9311

Haven

Edgewater

View: Halfway between the George Washington Bridge and the Lincoln Tunnel, Haven offers an Upper Manhattan panorama from every seat in the dining room and on the patio, just 20 feet from the water’s edge.
Food: New American from executive chef Peter Larsen, formerly of NYC’s the Goodwin and Artisanal. —LB
Drink: Craft beers, cocktails, deep wine list.
2 Main Street (in GPS: 45 River Road); 201-943-1900

Jefferson House

Lake Hopatcong

View: Kick back on the patio and gaze at the lake.
Food: Soup, sandwiches, seafood.
Drink: Full bar plus outdoor tiki bar. Arrive by boat or car. —DI
139 Nolans Point Road; 973-663-3063

Liberty House

Jersey City

View: Positioned at the mouth of Liberty Landing Marina in Liberty State Park, the restaurant affords jaw-dropping panoramas of Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. In warm weather, stroll the outdoor terraces and lush garden out to the water.
Food: New American, with raw bar and sushi bar in warmer months.
Drink: Full bar, 120 wines by the bottle (many American), 25 by the glass, seasonal cocktails. —LB
76 Audrey Zapp Drive; 201-395-0300

Maritime Parc

Jersey City

View: Liberty Landing Marina from the ground floor dining room, the Lower Manhattan skyline from the patio and (for catered events) the upstairs balcony.
Food: Executive Chef Christopher Siversen’s new restaurant The Feathered Fox serves brunch and dinner, with both menus offering raw bar, sushi bar, and steaks alongside regular meal options.
Drink: Classic and seasonal cocktails both available. Wine list features interesting red and white varietals. —BW
84 Audrey Zapp Drive; 201-413-0050

McLoone’s Boathouse

West Orange

View: Watch the swan-shaped paddle boats on Orange Reservoir from the stone patio of this rustic-looking modern restaurant in South Mountain Reservation. Live music indoors. Food: New American, plus sushi.
Drink: Full bar, international wine list, many Scotches. —MM
9 Cherry Lane; 872-252-7108

Robongi

Weehawken

View: From the Port Imperial ferry terminal, tables look out at the Hudson and the New York skyline.
Food: Mainly Japanese, some Chinese.
Drink: Full bar. —LB
4800 Port Imperial Boulevard; 201-558-1818

Son Cubano

West New York

View: From the Havana Room, gaze at Lower Manhattan up to Midtown. From the adjacent Vista room, take in the Upper West Side. Outdoor waterfront seating available.
Food: Traditional and modern Cuban.
Drink: The Passion Mojito is the best seller, with many other Mojito flavors and rum concoctions available. —LB
40-4 Riverwalk Place; 201-399-2020

Surf City

Jersey City

View: Situated on the Morris Canal near Liberty Island, Surf City has four decks (one with a man-made beach).
Food: Party hearty with burgers, ribs, seafood.
Drink: Full bar with 75 beers on tap, plus a bar just for frozen drinks. —LB
1 Marin Boulevard; 201-516-9000

Vu

Jersey City

View: From the third floor of the Hyatt, floor-to-ceiling windows take in everything from the Empire State Building to the Statue of Liberty.
Food: Locally focused New American. Honey comes from the chef’s 400,000-bee apiary on the hotel roof.
Drink: Gastronomic cocktails, 15 red and 12 white wines by the glass. —LB
2 Exchange Place; 201-469-4650

Waterside

North Bergen

View: Renovated in 2012 to give every table the Manhattan panorama. Glass doors open for patio dining in warm weather.
Food: Chef Karlo Dobric (formerly of New York’s Cipriani and Le Cirque) introduced a tapas-inspired menu in February.
Drink: If you order bottle service, you’re guaranteed a prime table outdoors. Wines by half bottle available. —LB
7800 River Road; 201-861-7767

Wicked Wolf

Hoboken

View: Lower Manhattan from an outdoor patio.
Food: Hearty pub grub, plus children’s menu and daily specials. —LB
Drink: Full bar with more than 20 beers on tap.
120 Sinatra Drive; 201-659-7500

The Windlass

Lake Hopatcong

View: Keep cool under colorful umbrellas as you watch boats from the lakefront patio.
Food: Italian-American, plus seafood, steaks and chops.
Drink: Full bar. Arrive by boat or car. —DI
45 Nolans Point Park Road; 973-663-3190

CENTRAL

Lambertville Station

Lambertville

View: Dine alfresco beside the D&R Canal at the bar and pergola-topped deck of this restored 19th-century train station. Canal views also available indoors. Starting in May, the separate Inn and newly expanded banquet facility will offer Sunday buffet brunch in a glass-enclosed room right on the Delaware.
Food: American favorites, with surprises like elk ribeye and duck pot pie.
Drink: Full bar, wine flights, choices include the restaurant’s private label Bridge Street Napa Chardonnay and Cabernet. —Pat Tanner
11 Bridge Street; 609-397-8300

Patriot’s Crossing

Titusville

View: At the entrance to Washington Crossing State Park, Patriot’s Crossing offers 35 seats on a shaded deck overlooking the Delaware River and the D&R Canal.
Food: Nachos, wings, burgers, ribs, sandwiches and a few entrées. Herb-crusted salmon, anyone?
Drink: Full bar with 15 regional craft beers and 30 wines. Live music Friday and Saturday nights. —PT
1339 River Road; 609-737-2780

Rat’s (Grounds for Sculpture)

Hamilton

View: Dine beside a lily pond in a fairy-tale garden inspired by Monet’s paintings of Giverny. For snacks, try the gazebo, which overlooks a lotus pond further inside the sculpture park.
Food: Highly rated French country cuisine with global influences.
Drink: Full bar, patio happy hour, extensive wine list, including Rat’s signature series, produced by Unionville Vineyards. —PT
16 Fairgrounds Road; 609-584-7800

Riverside Coffee and Tea

Clinton

View: Gaze down at a waterfall on the South Branch of the Raritan River from the cozy stone porch. You can also see Clinton’s famous Red Mill. Bring Fido—the Riverside is dog-friendly.
Food: Pastries, other baked goods, frozen yogurt.
Drink: Non-alcoholic coffee concoctions, smoothies, teas. BYO. —MM
51 Main Street, Clinton; 908-894-5808

SOUTH

9th Ave Pier

Belmar

View: You can find 9th Ave Pier right off River Road, overlooking Belmar’s Shark River from the south. The restaurant’s titular pier offers plenty off room for boats to dock alongside 9th Ave before getting a seat and view of the horizon.
Food: 9th Ave Pier serves a mix of sandwiches, bar food, and “dips and chips” combos.
Drink: Cocktails, beer, and wine, plus their signature rum buckets. —BW
905 NJ-35; 732-749-3800

Beach Creek Oyster Bar and Grill

Wildwood

View: Located near the bridge to Wildwood, Beach Creek Oyster Bar and Grill offers a view of the boats, bay, and neighboring Mud Island.
Food: Alongside the raw bar, Beach Creek offers several different soups, salads, flatbreads, and seafood-based entrees from crab cakes to seafood a la vodka. Other dishes include osso bucco, glazed duck and filet mignon.
Drink: A mix of cocktails, martinis, drinks on tap, house specialties and coffee. —BW
500 West Hand Avenue; 609-522-1062

Betty’s Seafood Shack

Margate City

View: Located right off the Margate City Municipal Pier, Betty’s Seafood Shack offers a pleasant view of the surrounding boats, homes, and islands. Drive down to the other side of town to check out the famous tourist attraction Lucy the Elephant.
Food: Betty’s offers tons of seafood dishes, such as New England clam chowder, scallops, crab cakes, lobster rolls and even seafood-topped poke bowls. Those wanting more can try one of their massive seafood towers or oyster platters.
Drink: Various canned drinks and homemade agua fresca are available on the drink menu. —BW
9315 Amherst Avenue; 609-246-7411

Carlucci’s Waterfront

Mount Laurel

View: From the split-level stone terrace, you can practically dangle your toes in Rancocas Creek, whether you’re reclining in a wicker easy chair by the bar or dining under tents. Two dining rooms provide the same view through big picture windows and sliding glass doors.
Food: Italian, plus steak and seafood.
Drink: Martinis, frozen cocktails, wines mainly from Italy and California. —Tara Nurin
876 Centerton Road; 856-235-5737

The Chop House

Gibbsboro

View: You can see placid Silver Lake from the dining room, but the best vista is through the huge windows of the enclosed deck. Sunsets are lovely.
Food: Steak and seafood, including a raw bar.
Drink: Martinis, 22 beers, including some locals on tap, 18 wines by the glass, 10-page bottle list. —TN
4 Lakeview Drive South; 856-566-7300

Lake House Restaurant

Newfield

View: Tucked in the corner of Holly Drive and Taylor Road, Lake House lets customers gaze upon the Iona Lake from outdoor seating or the dining room.
Food: Sandwiches, steaks, and salads, complete with a variety of “signature” dishes. These include soups, flatbreads and waffle fries sides topped with cheese and either bacon, Old Bay seasoning, or crab meat.
Drink: An extensive wine list is available, along with ten craft beers on tap. —BW
611 Taylor Road; 856-694-5700

The Lobster House

Cape May

View: The Lobster House provides a lovely dockside view of the waterfront leading into Cape May Harbor and its various ecosystems.
Food: A lunch and dinner are available, serving up soups, salads, and seafood options like clams, oysters, crabmeat and, of course, lobster. Guests may also enhance their experience by dining aboard the 130-foot sailboat Schooner American, part of the Lobster House experience for 60 years.
Drink: Frozen cocktails and alcohol-free drinks are available aboard the Schooner American. —BW
906 Schellengers Landing Road; 609-884-8296

Marina Grille

Belmar

View: Marina Grille in Belmar is positioned on the bay side of this happening beach town, so it’s one of the best places in the area to take in a beautiful sunset over the water while enjoying a delicious meal.
Food: The specialty here is seafood—don’t miss the ahi tuna tower special, served with mango, avocado and crab over coconut-ginger rice.
Drink: Pick from a collection of cocktails, mocktails, beer, and sangria pitchers. —BW
905 NJ-35; 732-894-3211

Ocean Steak

Atlantic City

View: Located in Ocean Casino Resort, Ocean Steak offers a view of not just other Atlantic City hotels, but the beach and Steel Pier as well.
Food: As its name implies, Ocean Steak offers a wide range of steak dishes from Filet mignon to bone-in ribeye and porterhouses. The steakhouse also serves entrees like pork chops, salmon and lobster Thermidor, plus sides, salads, and a raw bar.
Drink: In addition to a wine menu and specialty cocktails, stop by Ocean Steak during happy hour. —BW
500 Boardwalk; 609-783-8000

Parker’s Garage & Oyster Saloon

Beach Haven

View: Enjoy a seafood dinner with a view of Long Beach Island’s boat docks and bay area in the distance.
Food: Notable “Garage Classics” include surf & turf, fried chicken, fish & chips, and crab cakes, as well as multiple fish dishes. Additionally select from Parker’s “Shares” menu for a clam pot, lobster corn dogs, shrimp gumbo and more.
Drink: Fountain drinks are available, plus refreshers like blueberry limeade and watermelon agua fresca. —BW
116 Northwest Avenue; 609-492-1066

Robin’s Nest

Mt. Holly

View: Multiple terraces jut from the historic (some say haunted) mansion and cantilever 3 to 20 feet over Rancocas Creek. Dine under colorful umbrellas while you peruse a branch of the creek, colonial-era shops on Washington Street and the Washington Street bridge.
Food: French-American hybrid menu.
Drink: Mostly American wine list. —TN
2 Washington Street; 609-261-6149

Sweetwater Marina & Riverdock

Sweetwater

View: This restaurant lies right next to the Mullica River, surrounded by docks to park if visiting Sweetwater by boat.
Food: Pick from a selection of burgers, sandwiches, and flatbreads, plus fresh sushi. Complete with two sushi burrito options.
Drink: Pick from Sweetwater’s Bucket List for drinks like River Punch, Watermelon Rush, and Jersey Devil Mojito. Happy hour is available from Wednesdays to Sundays. —BW
2780 7th Avenue; 609-668-1545

The Wharfside Seafood & Patio Bar

Point Pleasant Beach

View: The Wharfside Seafood & Patio Bar lies right off the Manasquan River, giving customers a view of both Gull Island and Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area since 1963.
Food: Prioritizing local seafood, The Wharfside’s menu includes oysters and clams and local lobster, plus other dishes like crab cakes and orange salmon.
Drink: Wine, beer, and cocktails like Point Martini and Honey Peach Old Fashioned. —BW
101 Channel Drive; 732-892-9100

Water Street Bar & Grille

Toms River

View: Water Street sits next to Buddy Park and the titular Toms River, offering live music and boat docks for locals to park their vehicles.
Food: Seafood, pizza, and bar food, plus a happy hour menu consisting of $8, $9, and $10 meal options.
Drink: A mix of beer, wine, martinis, and, rosé, and sparkling drinks. —BW
4 Robbins Parkway; 732-240-4800