Eat & Drink
The 30 Best Restaurants in New Jersey
Our top restaurants span a spectrum of cuisines to satisfy every kind of eater—from French at Madame in Jersey City to Japanese-Italian fusion at Pasta Ramen in Montclair.

Poll Results: Readers Choose Their Favorite NJ Restaurants of 2023
The winners of New Jersey Monthly's 40th annual Jersey Choice Restaurant Poll.

How 3 College Roommates Created a Hot-Sauce Business Down the Shore
They sell Hank Sauce out of their Sea Isle City restaurant of the same name, as well as in stores around the state and country.

Jersey Shore Barbecue Joints to Savor
Up and down the coast, the invigorating salt air meets its match in the aroma of smoked meats.
Most Recent in Eat & Drink
"I did a lot of research on classic steakhouse dishes,” says Marc Forgione, executive chef/owner of the American Cut steakhouse at the Revel in Atlantic City. “I wanted to bring them back to their true origins. So I looked up Caesar Cardini’s original 1924 recipe from Tijuana, Mexico, and based my Caesar salad on that. We even chop it tableside like they did in 1924."...
Read More »
Read More »
This recipe is pretty involved, and may not be for the novice baker,” says chef Travis Anderson of Upstairs in Montclair. “But I think it is worth the time and effort. Don’t think of it as a challenge, but as a learning experience. It’s a super cake.” ...
Read More »
Read More »
Top Chef All-Stars catapults colorful Mike Isabella from chef to owner of soon-to-be four restaurants—and now to cookbook author. ...
Read More »
Read More »
I lived in the South for four years and got to enjoy all the wonderful stuff down there,” says chef Dave Van Morrelgem of Upstairs in Montclair. “Here’s a variation on a classic dish of the Carolina Low Country. It uses fresh corn in place of actual grits, and is delicious.”...
Read More »
Read More »
We smoke our own salmon at the restaurant, which takes about four days,” says David Van Morrelgem, chef of Upstairs in Montclair. “It’s time consuming for the home cook, so a good store-bought smoked salmon can be used. Fresh sushi-grade salmon or tuna works as well.” ...
Read More »
Read More »
This recipe is for an appetizer, but it can be doubled for an entrée,” says Dave Van Morrelgem, chef of Upstairs in Montclair. “As a main dish, grilled pork tenderloin or smoky chicken make good additions.” ...
Read More »
Read More »
"This soup started as a fall/winter item," says Brian Held, chef/owner of Brian's in Lambertville. "But its popularity and demand has encouraged me to put it on year round. It is selling better than ever in these dog days of summer, beating out much lighter choices literally about 6 to 1. Go figure. Braised leeks and a drizzle of white truffle oil send this over the top...haunting."...
Read More »
Read More »
Sandy Levins, of Haddonfield, is fast becoming one of the premier historic faux-food designers in the country. ...
Read More »
Read More »
"I serve this classic French dish at Brian's as a stick-to-the-ribs item," says Brian Held, chef/owner of Brian's in Lambertville. "After trying many different styles and variations, I like a very basic and traditional method best."...
Read More »
Read More »
"This Item has been in my recipe collection for a long time, approaching 13 years," says Brian Held, chef/owner of Brian's in Lambertville. "It has always been a crowd fave. It has a quiche-like quality, only more luxurious. It's great to take to a party—I promise raves."...
Read More »
Read More »
I developed this dish to be a playful appetizer and a play on Mrs. Paul’s, hopefully with much more style and flavor,” says Brian Held, chef/owner of Brian’s in Lambertville. “I chose fennel and aioli to push a Provençal feel, which also helps define the style of my restaurant.”...
Read More »
Read More »
I was fooling around with dried porcinis one day and decided to use them with shrimp,” says Todd Villani, executive chef of Park Avenue Bar and Grill in Union City. “My customers loved it, and so it became a signature dish. It’s easy to put together and great during fall and spring when the veggies are at their peak.”...
Read More »
Read More »
The Nasto family has been making ice cream in Newark since the 1920s, but their store on Jefferson Street has its own history of pleasing people. ...
Read More »
Read More »
Veteran restaurateurs Frank and Jeanne Cretella apply their outsize personalities and hands-on style to their biggest challenge yet—reviving the legendary Ryland Inn.
...
Read More »
Read More »
The last 12 months have seen an unusual number of ambitious openings. Indeed, four newcomers made our elite Top 25. Here are 10 others of note:...
Read More »
Read More »
Our annual Readers' and Critics' Choice Restaurant Poll takes you all over the state to some of our favorite restaurants. ...
Read More »
Read More »
Long gone are the days when New Jersey, sandwiched between two imposing cities, could only look outward for its best food. Now the top restaurants in the state stand shoulder to shoulder with the finest in the region. ...
Read More »
Read More »
"We like this dish for many reasons," says Kevin Knevals, chef de cuisine of Osteria Morini in Bernardsville. "The most important is…crispy duck skin! The crispy skin mates perfectly with the sweet, slightly gamey meat."...
Read More »
Read More »
"We like this as a nice alternative to traditional fried calamari," says Kevin Knevals, chef de cuisine of Osteria Morini in Bernardsville. "Paired with the citrus salad, it makes a nice light summer dish."...
Read More »
Read More »
"This dessert has been on our menu a long time," says Kevin Knevals, chef de cuisine of Osteria Morini (formerly known as Due Terre) in Bernardsville. "It has become a standard here. It is a lot lighter than a traditional tiramisu."...
Read More »
Read More »