February 2026: Best New Restaurants
We all share the excitement of finding new restaurants that we love. New Jersey, with its vibrant, ever-expanding restaurant scene, sees new spots opening regularly. These are our favorite restaurants that opened their doors in the Garden State in 2025, spanning North, Central and South Jersey.
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.
We hope you enjoy these as much as we did!
FIRST WORD
Letter From Our Publisher: Celebrating 50 Years of New Jersey Monthly
Our magazine has been championing Garden State stories for half a century.
Read moreGARDEN VARIETY
Maplewood Mom Olivia Mack McCool Is Here to Save Dinner, One Meal at a Time
Olivia Mack McCool runs Olivia’s, a meal-delivery service for busy parents that recently opened a storefront in Maplewood.
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South Jersey Matchbook Collectors Won’t Let This Niche Hobby Flame Out
Richard L. Greene has a massive, 750,000-matchbook collection with thousands of New Jersey match covers.
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Manasquan-Based Nonprofit Helps NJ Veterans Transition to Civilian Life
Bridging the Gap supports local veterans after military service through job coaching, discounted rescue-dog adoption, and other practical resources.
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New Rutgers President William Tate Shares His Vision for the University
William Tate, 64, became the 22nd president of Rutgers this summer.
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3 New Must-Read NJ Mob Books
These books dive into secrets and stories behind the New Jersey Mafia.
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From the Archives: Memorable Covers From 50 Years of New Jersey Monthly
Revisit highlights from our rich history!
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New Jersey Monthly‘s 2026 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
Red-hot inspiration to answer Cupid’s call.
Read moreFEATURES
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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‘Top Chef’ Alum Leia Gaccione Is One of NJ’s Most Influential Female Chefs
Her latest achievement? The Saint Clair, a dining hotspot in the foodie town of Montclair.
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These Favorite NJ Restaurants Are Expanding Their Footprints
Garden Staters can’t get enough of these eateries.
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Who’s to Blame for New Jersey’s Skyrocketing Electric Bills?
Garden Staters are fed up with electric bills that jumped practically 20 percent overnight.
Read moreDESIGN NJ
California Cool: A Westfield Home Channels a West Coast Aesthetic
“There’s a relaxed sophistication woven through every detail.”
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Kind of Blue: NJ Couple’s Home Makeover Celebrates Their Favorite Color
This Somerset County home showcases a spectrum of blue hues.
Read moreEAT & DRINK
Michelin-Starred Chef Sean Gray Brings Manhattan Edge to NJ’s Sergeantsville Inn
Set inside a cozy former farmhouse, his restaurant pairs rustic comfort with fine-dining finesse.
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Hive to Table: Local Honey Is Sweetening NJ Restaurants and Breweries
Jersey chefs, bartenders and mead makers are turning to local beekeepers—or even starting colonies of their own.
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Casa Ragazzi’s Upscale Italian Shakes Up New Brunswick’s Dining Scene
Dramatic and Instagram-ably glammy, the restaurant makes a swanky splash in Hub City.
Read moreEXIT RAMP
What It Was Like to Intern at New Jersey Monthly in the 80s
That summer gave me the confidence to aim a little higher for myself.
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