Jersey Choice Restaurant Poll Results 2016

The results of our 33rd Annual Jersey Choice Restaurant Poll are in! Here are the restaurants our readers voted best in the state in 44 categories.

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

You are on page 1 of 4 of this article

1 2 3 4Continue
Read more Eat & Drink articles.

By submitting comments you grant permission for all or part of those comments to appear in the print edition of New Jersey Monthly.

Comments (5)

Required
Required not shown
Required not shown

  1. Billi Gatoscruff

    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.

    • Eric Levin Deputy Ed/Dining Ed

      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.

  2. Steven Botta

    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?

  3. Peter Yakalis

    Best Greek food, It’s Greek to Me??? That’s like saying McDonalds has the best burgers!

  4. Jeff Benson

    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.