The results of our 33rd Annual Jersey Choice Restaurant Poll are in! Balloting took place online throughout the month of February. The winning restaurant in each region (north, central and south) received the most votes in its category (there were some ties). Ballots from duplicate e-mail or IP addresses were disqualified. 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 qualified ballots were eligible to win our random drawing. This year’s winner is Kristen Dutney of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. She will receive a gift certificate for dinner for two at Nicholas, the Best of the Best winner in the central region.
Best of the Best
N: Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, Morristown
C: Nicholas, Red Bank
S: Ohana Grill, Lavallette
Best New Restaurant
N: Turtle + the Wolf, Montclair
C: Asbury Festhalle, Asbury Park
S: Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, Atlantic City
American | New American
N: Stirling Hotel, Long Hill
C: Acacia, Lawrenceville
S: Chef Mike’s ABG, Seaside Park
★ Cavé, Avon-by-the-Sea
★ INC, New Brunswick
★ Picnic on the Square, Ridgewood
★ River Market Café, Point Pleasant
★ South & Pine, Morristown
★ Tenderhill, Whitehouse Station
★ White Maple Café, Ridgewood
Asian Fusion
N: Ani Ramen, House Montclair
C: Mogo Korean Fusion Tacos, Asbury Park
S: Buddakan, Atlantic City
★ Koreander, Montclair
Bakery
N: Calandra’s, Multiple locations
C: The Gingered Peach, Lawrenceville
S: Mueller’s, Bay Head
★ Artist Baker, Morristown
★ Balthazar, Englewood
★ Flaky Tart, Atlantic Highlands
★ Gina’s, Montclair
★ Montclair Bread Co., Montclair
★ Rispoli’s, Ridgefield
Bang for the Buck
N: Cucina Calandra, Fairfield
C: Old Man Rafferty’s, New Brunswick
S: Surf Taco, Multiple locations
★ Burger Walla, Newark
★ Centro Grille, Robbinsville
★ Jersey Girl Café, Hamilton
Bar Scene
N: Egan & Sons, Montclair
C: Watermark, Asbury Park
S: Martell’s Tiki Bar, Point Pleasant Beach (TIE)
S: Ugly Mug, Cape May (TIE)
★ Avenue, Long Branch
★ Blue Monkey, Merchantville
★ Farm & Fisherman, Cherry Hill
★ Watermark, Asbury Park
Barbecue
N: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Newark
C: Big Ed’s Barbecue, Matawan
S: Local Smoke BBQ, Multiple locations
★ Finks BBQ Smokehouse, Dumont
★ Henri’s Hotts Barbecue, Folsom
★ Kimchi Smoke, Bergenfield
★ More Than Q, Stockton Farm Market
Beer Selection
N: Cloverleaf Tavern, Caldwell
C: Asbury Festhalle, Asbury Park
S: The Arlington, Ship Bottom
★ Irish Mile, Haddon Township
★ Mohawk House, Sparta
★ Morris Tap & Grill, Randolph
★ Old Bay, New Brunswick
★ Social 37, Toms River
Breakfast
N: Toast, Multiple locations
C: Turning Point, Multiple locations
S: Uncle Will’s Pancake House, Beach Haven
★ The Corner, Montclair
★ George’s Place, Cape May
★ Lovin’ Oven, Frenchtown
★ Mariner’s Cove, Brielle
★ Plum on Park, Montclair
★ Zoe’s, Atlantic Highlands
Brew Pub
N: Trap Rock, Berkeley Heights
C: Triumph Brewing, Princeton
S: Tun Tavern, Atlantic City
★ Iron Hill, Maple Shade, Voorhees
★ Long Valley, Long Valley
★ Yard House, Moorestown
Brunch
N: Turning Point, Multiple locations
C: Langosta Lounge, Asbury Park
S: Mad Batter, Cape May
★ Amanda’s, Hoboken
★ Sabrina’s, Collingswood
I am surprised that Saly Gs Mountaintop Grill didn’t make the list in the Italian section! It has a beautiful interior and a speakeasy feel, absolutely amazing food and is a favorite among the community of Warren, NJ.
I am also blown away that La Tabatiere from Closter NJ didn’t make this list under the coffee or breakfast section. La Tabatiere is the best bakery I have been to in the entire world.
Please look into this, because I feel that these two great establishments have been severely slighted by not having their names here.
Billi: Thanks for these suggestions. We endeavor to maintain the most complete NJ restaurant database. La Tabatiere is already in the database (where it’s described as “yummy,” not the most sophisticated word, but gets the point across). We’ll add Saly G’s.
If you’re in Bergen County, since you mention Closter, perhaps you’ve been to the great Balthazar Bakery on Dean Street in Englewood. And if you’re ever near Sandy Hook, don’t miss The Flaky Tart in Highlands. Nominated for a James Beard Award earlier this year.
Brando’s Citi Cucina in Asbury is consistently one of the best Italian in the state. They also own Osteria Cucina Rustica in Marlboro also one of the best rustic Italian in central jersey. The owners also just reopened Fromagerie in Rumson and its quickly garnering rave reviews for the Continental/ French menu.
How are these places and the owners not on your radar?
Best Greek food, It’s Greek to Me??? That’s like saying McDonalds has the best burgers!
Asbury Park, Lavallette and most of your South Jersey selections are all in North Jersey Central at best. Another bulls*** poll where South Jersey isn’t considered.