The Best Food Events in New Jersey

Mark your calendar for this month's tastiest happenings.

Salt cod fritters at Nunzio by Chef Michael DeLone in Collingswood
Salt cod fritters with tomato jam, pine nuts and saffron crema will be served at the Feast of the Seven Fishes at Nunzio by Chef Michael DeLone in Collingswood. Photo: Courtesy of Food Shelter Public Relations

Enjoy December in New Jersey with this delicious assortment of dining and drinking events.

NORTH JERSEY

The Holiday Experience at Crystal Springs Resort

๐Ÿ“…: Fridays & Saturdays through Saturday, December 23; daily from Friday, December 22-Sunday, December 31 (5:30-8 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Crystal Springs Resort โ€ข Hamburg
โ„น๏ธ: Amongst a plethora of holiday activities and attractions are food and drink fun. The resort offers gingerbread house and cookie decorating, festive mixology, kids mixology (featuring a Grinch hot chocolate and a peppermint mocktail), and marshmallow roasting.
๐Ÿ’ธ: Fees apply to some activities

Brunch with Santa

๐Ÿ“…: Sunday, December 3; Saturdays & Sundays starting Saturday, December 9-Sunday, December 17 (10 am & noon)
๐Ÿ“: Alstede Farms โ€ข Chester
โ„น๏ธ: Enjoy a family-style buffet at Harvest Hall with featured guest Santa and his helpers.
๐Ÿ’ธ: Prices start at $259.99 for a table of four

First Generation Dinner

๐Ÿ“…: Tuesday, December 5 (7-10 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Felina Restaurant โ€ข Ridgewood
โ„น๏ธ :A four-course Italian dinner with Chef Joe Tartamella and Chef Angelo Competiello, featuring their family recipes and curated wine pairings.
๐Ÿ’ธ: $125 per person

Holiday Charcuterie Class

๐Ÿ“…: Sunday, December 10 (noon-2 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Java Smugglers Cafe & Health Barย โ€ข Boonton
โ„น๏ธ: Hosted by Gathered Together Celebrations, learn how to craft your own charcuterie board to take home. Enjoy a grazing board and optional BYO beverages throughout the event.
๐Ÿ’ธ: $50 per person

Kids Holiday Cookie Decorating Workshop

๐Ÿ“…: Saturday, December 16 (noon-2 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Felina โ€ข Ridgewood
โ„น๏ธ: Each child receives a kit of 6 sugar cookies and toppings, pizza, and juice. Wine and charcuterie will be served for parents.
๐Ÿ’ธ: $75

Santa’s Boozy Brunch

๐Ÿ“…: Sunday, December 17 (noon-3 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Maddy Rose Restaurant at Liberty House โ€ข Jersey City
โ„น๏ธ: A four-course brunch with plenty of festive and flavorful cocktail pairings.
๐Ÿ’ธ: $65

Stirring Spirits Bright: Cocktail Class

๐Ÿ“…: Thursday, December 21 (7-9 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Maddy Rose Restaurant at Liberty House โ€ข Jersey City
โ„น๏ธ: Get into the holiday spirit while working with a mixologist to craft three festive cocktails.
๐Ÿ’ธ: $60

CENTRAL JERSEY

Kids Holiday Cookie Decorating Workshop

๐Ÿ“…: Saturday, December 16 (10 am-noon)
๐Ÿ“: Ryland Inn โ€ข Whitehouse Station
โ„น๏ธ: Each child receives a kit of 12 seasonal-shaped butter cookies and toppings, plus a box to safely take them home. At least one adult required per group of kids.
๐Ÿ’ธ: $35

Cult Napa Wine Tasting

๐Ÿ“…: Wednesday, December 6 (6:30-8 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Stone House โ€ข Warren
โ„น๏ธ: Part of the Sommelier Series, try and learn about a valley of iconic wines while enjoying a pairing of lite bites.
๐Ÿ’ธ: $120

Spanish Christmas Fest Holiday Dinner

๐Ÿ“…: Friday, December 8 (6, 6:30 & 7 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Old York Cellars Winery โ€ข Ringoes
โ„น๏ธ: Enjoy a holiday chef’s dinner of traditional Spanish delights, including dishes like seafood soup, tapas, pork shank and Tarte de Abuela, all paired with award-winning wines.
๐Ÿ’ธ:ย $85 per person.

Murder Mystery Dinner and Wine Tasting

๐Ÿ“…: Sunday, December 10 (1-4 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Four Sisters Winery โ€ข Belvidere
โ„น๏ธ: Join Four Sister Winery in its final Murder Mystery Dinner of the year! This interactive show will have the audience investigating with the detectives to identify the murderer. A formal wine tasting and dinner of chicken Parm, pasta, salad, bread and dessert is included.
๐Ÿ’ธ: $50 per person + tax

Metuchen Cookie Walk

๐Ÿ“…: Sunday, December 17 (8 am-2 pm, or until cookies run out)
๐Ÿ“: Metuchen High School Cafeteriaย โ€ข Metuchen
โ„น๏ธ: Purchase a box and fill it with cookies baked and donated by local residents. All proceeds go to the Fuccile Foundation, a non-profit that provides financial assistance to local families affected by tragedy
๐Ÿ’ธ: $10 (small box) or ($20 large box)

SOUTH JERSEY

Santa’s Wonderland at Sugar Factory

๐Ÿ“…: Through Monday, January 1
๐Ÿ“: The Sugar Factory โ€ข Cherry Hill & Atlantic City (located in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino)
โ„น๏ธ: A special and sweet holiday menu, featuring colorful sliders, breakfast platters, decadent milkshakes, hot cocoas, and many alcoholic drinks to warm you up. Reservations encouraged.
๐Ÿ’ธ: Prices vary

Master the Pint with Guinness

๐Ÿ“…: Thursday, December 7 (7 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Dooney’s Pub โ€ข Delran
โ„น๏ธ: A lesson from a world-renowned Guinness Ambassador on mastering the perfect pint pour. You’ll even use a Ripple Machine to print your face on your pint’s beer head!
๐Ÿ’ธ: $30

Feast of the Seven Fishes at Spiaggetta

๐Ÿ“…: Saturday, December 9 (7 pm, doors open at 6:30 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Spiaggetta Restaurant and Banquet Venue ย โ€ข Stone Harbor
โ„น๏ธ: Join Spiaggetta for a multi-course night of Italian delicacies and background music provided by violinist Jersey Gina. The event is BYOB and expected to be 3 hours long.
๐Ÿ’ธ: $135 per person

Feast of the Seven Fishes Class

๐Ÿ“…: Wednesday, December 13 (6:30 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Heirloom Kitchen Cooking Classes โ€ข Old Bridge
โ„น๏ธ: Learn how to cook the staple dishes of an Italian Christmas Eve feast at Heirloom Kitchen, featured on NJM‘s 2022 list of best new restaurants. Class is about 2.5 hours long.
๐Ÿ’ธ: $140

Feast of the Seven Fishes at Nunzio by Chef Michael DeLone

๐Ÿ“…: Wednesday, December 20-Sunday, December 24 (4-9 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Nunzio by Chef Michael DeLoneย โ€ข Collingswood
โ„น๏ธ: A 4-course prix fixe menu celebrating the classic Italian-American tradition. Non-seafood menu available. BYOB.
๐Ÿ’ธ: $80 per person

Christmas Eve Seven Fishes Buffet at Rexyโ€™s

๐Ÿ“…: Sunday, December 24 (3-7 pm)
๐Ÿ“: Rexyโ€™s Restaurant and Bar โ€ข West Collingswood Heights
โ„น๏ธ: Enjoy a buffet-style Italian Seven Fishes Feast, featuring appetizers, salads, entrees, sides and desserts.
๐Ÿ’ธ: $55 per person; children 12 and under $25


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