Dining news:
- Four New Jersey breweries are raising a well-earned glass after taking home medals at the 2026 World Beer Cup, often dubbed “the Olympics of beer competitions.” The winners were announced in April in Philadelphia as part of the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America, where Garden State brewers more than held their own on the global stage. Leading the pack, Wander Back Beerworks in Vineland struck gold in the Munich-Style Helles category for its crisp, easy-drinking Wander Back Lager. MudHen Brewing Co. in Wildwood earned silver for its rich, roasty Captain Doug’s Porter in the Robust Porter category. Odd Bird Brewing in Stockton picked up bronze in the Experimental Beer category for its inventive House Red, and Subculture Artisan Ales in Florence secured a bronze for its Burton Reynolds in the Historic Beer category.
- Sweet Kneads by Ridhima—a popular Livingston bakery with gluten-free and vegan options as well as international shipping—is expanding to Englewood, according to a social media post. An opening date has not yet been announced.
- Following a devastating kitchen fire and a five-month closure, Novino Ristorante in Mahwah has officially reopened its doors. In a social media post, the restaurant shared that while its menu has seen a few updates, the beloved $13.99 pizza isn’t going anywhere.
- A new Chipotle opened in Belleville on April 28 with a Chipotlane, the chain’s drive-thru pickup lane for digital orders placed in advance through the app or website. The Essex County location joins a growing number of New Jersey outposts adopting the model.
Openings:
SriRangam – Veg Restaurant, Belle Mead
A 100-percent vegetarian restaurant has opened in Central Jersey. SriRangam leans on traditional cooking techniques and housemade spice blends to showcase Northern and Southern Indian specialtiesh: sambar (lentil-and-vegetable stew), dosa (rice-and-lentil crepe), dal (spiced lentils), sabzi (seasoned vegetable dishes), roti (whole wheat flatbread), tiffin (snack-style fare), curries and an array of sweets. The restaurant is open for dine-in, takeout and delivery.
Omar’s Cafe PR, Newark
A Newark restaurant reopened its doors last week with a fresh identity. Formerly the Cuban spot Omar’s Café, the eatery has been reimagined by two Newark-born owners as a Puerto Rican-inspired concept. The casual spot on Mount Prospect Avenue serves sandwiches, empanadas and classic rice-and-beans dishes. They’re open for breakfast—starting at 6 am—as well as lunch and dinner.
Little Gem, Avon-by-the-Sea
This new bistro, open from 8 am to 4 pm, is serving everything from housemade pastries and poached eggs to fresh salads and hearty plates. Run by two brothers, the family-friendly space offers a relaxed atmosphere suited for both quick takeout and leisurely dine-in meals. A companion concept, Little Gem Market, is expected to open this summer.
