Lunch
N: Raymond’s, Montclair, Ridgewood
C: Turning Point, Multiple locations
S: Blue Pig Tavern, Cape May
★ Slamwich Scratch Kitchen, Madison
Mexican
N: Casa Maya, Gillette, High Bridge
C: Juanito’s, Red Bank, Howell
S: Dos Caminos, Atlantic City
★ Abril Cocina, Maplewood
★ Taco Loco, Camden
★ Taqueria Downtown, Jersey City
★ Villalobos, Montclair
Middle Eastern | Turkish
N: Beyond the Pita, Montclair
C: Evelyn’s, New Brunswick
S: Babur Garden Afghan Cuisine, Ocean Township
★ Ariana, Voorhees
★ Mishmish, Montclair
Pizza
N: Star Tavern, Orange
C: Pete & Elda’s (Carmen’s Pizzeria), Neptune City
S: The Vault, Bordentown
★ Aumm Aumm, North Bergen
★ Arturo’s, Maplewood
★ Ralph’s, Nutley
★ Razza, Jersey City
★ Santillo’s, Elizabeth
★ Talula’s, Asbury Park
★ Valentina’s, Northfield
Romantic
N: Highlawn Pavilion, West Orange
C: Nicholas, Red Bank
S: The Gables, Beach Haven
★ Café Matisse, Rutherford
★ Anton’s at the Swan, Lambertville
★ Rat’s, Hamilton
Seafood
N: Fin Raw Bar & Kitchen, Montclair, Summit
C: Blue Point Grill, Princeton
S: Mud City Crab House, Manahawkin
★ The Bonney Read, Asbury Park
★ H2Ocean, Cedar Knolls
★ Hooked-Up Seafood, Wildwood
★ Quahog’s, Stone Harbor
Soup | Salad | Sandwich
N: Toast, Multiple locations
C: Frank’s Deli, Asbury Park
S: Barry’s Do Me A Flavor, Beach Haven
Southeast Asian | Thai
N: Origin French Thai, Multiple locations
C: Thai Kitchen II, Bridgewater
S: A Little Thai Kitchen, Cherry Hill
★ Binh Duong, Bloomfield
★ Pandan Room, Hackettstown
★ Ricky’s Thai, Skillman
★ SLA Thai, Montclair
Spanish | Portuguese
N: Segovia, Moonachie
C: Tapastre, Somerville
S: Empanada Mama’s, West Cape May
★ Europa South, Point Pleasant Beach
★ Malaga, Hamilton
★ Seabra’s Marisqueira, Newark
★ Spain Rincon, Wharton
★ Xunta, Caldwell
Steak
N: Roots, Multiple Locations
C: Char, Raritan, Red Bank
S: Bobby Flay Steak, Atlantic City
★ American Cut, Englewood Cliffs
★ Chophouse, Gibbsboro
★ Strip House, Livingston
Vegetarian
N: Veggie Heaven, Multiple locations
C: Good Karma Café, Red Bank
S: Green Cuisine, Stone Harbor
★ Greens & Grains, Multiple locations
★ Veganized, New Brunswick
Wine List
N: Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, Morristown
C: Nicholas, Red Bank
S: Ebbitt Room, Cape May
★ Frog and the Peach, New Brunswick
★ Restaurant Latour, Hamburg
★ The Manor, West Orange
★ Pluckemin Inn, Bedminster
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.