February 2025: Best New Restaurants
Most people have a short list of go-to neighborhood restaurants for a casual dinner and a few they love for a date night or special occasion. But every now and then, it’s fun to shake things up and eat somewhere new.
This issue highlights the best new restaurants in the state, spanning North, Central and South Jersey. All 21 of the restaurants on our list opened their doors in 2024. That gives New Jerseyans a lot of new restaurants to visit in 2025.
To compile the list, our editors and restaurant critics traveled to dozens of new restaurants throughout the year, trying the dishes and cocktails, studying the menus, observing the environments, rating the service. We made sure that every single restaurant on our list features top-notch food, service and atmosphere. You’ll also find a variety of cuisines and some restaurants with truly interesting offerings.
GARDEN VARIETY
Warren Zanes on ‘Deliver Me From Nowhere,’ Springsteen Biopic Starring Jeremy Allen White
Zanes, a longtime Montclair resident, wrote the 2023 book about the making of Springsteen’s legendary Nebraska album. Its hotly anticipated film adaptation has been shooting throughout Jersey and is slated for release later this year.
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NJ Family’s Nonprofit Is Changing Laws—and Stigma—Around Period Products
Many girls and women miss school or work due to “period poverty”—a lack of access to tampons and pads. A South Orange nonprofit is working to combat that.
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Tired of Dating Apps? Want to Meet New Friends? Join an NJ Running Club
The NJ Walk ’N’ Run Club, founded by two Hoboken Gen-Zers, hosts flexible, accessible community gatherings that aren’t limited to exercise.
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Step Aside, Pickleball! NJ Embraces Padel, the World’s Fastest-Growing Racquet Sport
This hybrid of tennis and squash is all the rage. Here’s where you can play in New Jersey.
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This Wacky NJ Improv Group Riffs Off Audience Suggestions
Lunatic Fringe, which currently performs in the Glen Ridge train station, has been garnering laughs for nearly 30 years.
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How Accessible NJ Dealerships Customize Cars for People With Disabilities
These specialized dealers modify cars and vans with wheelchair ramps as well as hand controls for gas and brakes.
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Meet NJ’s Oldest Community Orchestra
In the 105-year-old Plainfield Symphony Orchestra, ordinary New Jerseyans strive for world-class excellence.
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NJ High School Sweethearts Run a Charming Shop in Toms River
“He’s the business brain, and I’m the creative soul,” says Meg Affa, who runs Vine Garden & Gift with her husband, Mike.
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FEATURES
The Brilliance of Jersey Jughandles and Barriers
The Garden State is proud to have invented both, despite other issues with our roads.
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With the Help of New Jerseyans, This Wildlife Refuge Heals Thousands of Animals Each Year
The Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, a 200-acre sanctuary in Medford, cares tirelessly for injured, orphaned, abandoned and sick animals.
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The Best New Restaurants in NJ to Try Right Now
Here are the hottest additions to our state’s vibrant dining scene that you won’t want to miss this year.
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River Pointe Inn Is Winning Over Downtown Rumson With Elegant, French-Inspired Fare
The latest venture by the Rallo family has been named one of New Jersey Monthly‘s best new restaurants.
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6 NJ Restaurants We’re Loving Right Now
Delicious new spots in Nutley, Whitehouse Station and more.
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Is New Jersey Turning Red? What the 2024 Election Means for Our State’s Political Future
Assessing the new electoral landscape after a surprising surge in Trump support.
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How Andy Kim Emerged as a Ray of Hope for NJ Democrats
After a rough and chaotic year for his party, Kim became the first Korean American in history elected to the U.S. Senate.
Read moreHOME & GARDEN
This Family’s Hoboken Brownstone Redesign Was Inspired by a Photo of a Storm
“We wanted something moody and sexy, but inviting.”
Read moreEAT & DRINK
At Meeting House in Princeton, Tasty Dishes Delight the Whole Family
At this modern bistro, adults and kids are welcomed in equal measure.
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Bromilow’s Has Been Making Chocolates in NJ for Nearly 70 Years
The family-owned candy shop is beloved for its buttercrunch, toffee, chocolate-covered strawberries and so much more.
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NJ Restaurant Romances: These Couples Hit It Off Over Hot Stoves and Dirty Dishes
Their love stories began and blossomed in local kitchens.
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9 Cozy NJ Restaurants We’re Loving This Winter
Craving respite from the cold? These dining spots offer fireplaces, comfy seating, hearty dishes and warm welcomes.
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Malay in Morristown Boasts a Delicious Array of Asian Cuisines
The centerpiece of the extensive menu is Malaysian specialties, but those with a hankering for Thai, Chinese, Indian or Japanese will find favorites, too.
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Josie’s Good Eats in Bradley Beach Is Your Go-To Deli at the Shore
This takeout-only deli offers lunch classics and comfort food to Bradley Beach and beyond.
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This Collingswood Café Is a Cozy Neighborhood Staple
Maria’s Bread Sandwiches serves tasty breakfast, lunch, caffeinated drinks and pastries.
Read moreEXIT RAMP
A Crash Course in the Joys of Jersey Authenticity
Moving to Nashville gives this Garden State native a fresh appreciation for tell-it-like-it-is New Jerseyans.
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