Indulging in the diverse and delectable food scene of New Jersey is a delight that never ceases to amaze me. From charming local eateries to upscale dining destinations, this state is an incredible place for food enthusiasts! In this blog post, I share six of my favorite restaurants across New Jersey, each offering a unique blend of flavors and ambiance that will leave you craving more. There are so many spectacular eateries in New Jersey, and I do plan to share more of my favorites over time! I am always on the hunt for new spots to add to my favorites list, so feel free to comment below your best New Jersey restaurant recommendations!
1. The Pasta Shop (Denville, NJ)
Address: 13 1st Ave, Denville, NJ 07834
Type: Dinner spot – Closed on Sundays & Mondays – Open for lunch on Saturdays only
The Pasta Shop is located in the quaint town of Denville, which lies within Morris County, NJ. They have delicious handmade pasta, the service is always superb, and every time I have eaten here, the experience has been a 10/10! The main dishes typically cost $16-$20 each. This is a small restaurant that does NOT take reservations currently. I recommend showing up early and/or on a weekday if you want to dine in. They also do takeout and there are some picnic tables right by the restaurant! One of my first-ever blog posts shares my review of The Pasta Shop!
2. Lotería (Asbury Park, NJ)
Address: 632 Mattison Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Type: Dinner spot that also serves lunch on weekends
Lotería is a casual Mexican restaurant located in the heart of downtown Asbury Park, just a roughly 15-minute walk from the beach. They serve delicious food including decadent queso, savory burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and so much more! My favorite things to order are the burrito with chicken, the queso, and the nachos! Entrées typically cost $10-$17 each. They do NOT take reservations at this time! Lotería is a hip eatery with a festive ambiance and is perfect for a dinner with friends or a date night. I recommend visiting if you are in the Eastern Monmouth County area!
3. Talula’s (Asbury Park, NJ)
Address: 550 Cookman Ave #108, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Type: breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert, cocktails/bar (check current hours on Google)
Another favorite spot in Asbury Park is Talula’s! This is an excellent farm-to-table restaurant located on Cookman Ave, the main street in the downtown. Talula’s specializes in sourdough pizza and it’s insanely delicious and fluffy. The entrées & pizzas typically cost $15-$20+ each. They DO take reservations and I highly recommend making one if you plan to visit on a weekend!
4. S. Egidio (Ridgewood, NJ)
Address: 17 N Broad St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Type: Dinner spot – Closed on Mondays – Open for lunch on weekends
S. Egidio Pizze Salumi Espresso is an intimate Italian restaurant nestled in downtown Ridgewood. They have some of my FAVORITE pizza in New Jersey as I’m a huge fan of Neapolitan style! They DO accept a limited amount of reservations, or you can walk in and potentially have to wait for a table. The pizzas typically cost $10-$22 each and the handmade pasta dishes are $20-$25 each. My absolute favorite pizza here is the “Drunken. S.B. or D.S.B.” which consists of their fluffy Neapolitan crust, vodka sauce, smoked mozzarella, and meatballs. Everything truly tastes delicious and the experience is always superb at S. Egidio!
5. George’s Place (Cape May County, NJ)
Locations: 301 Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204; 315 Ocean St, Cape May, NJ 08204; 6200 Park Blvd, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260; and 104 N Main St, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Type: Great spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (check Google for the hours and menu by location)
George’s Place has three locations across Cape May County including two in Cape May (their main one being on Beach Ave), one in Wildwood Crest, and one in Cape May Court House. This is a great Mediterranean spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and they serve Greek and American cuisine. Breakfast & lunch entrées typically cost $10-$15 each while dinner entrées are typically $25-$30+ each. They are also a BYOB restaurant! Please note that their Cape May & Wildwood Crest locations are CASH ONLY, and their Cape May Court House location accepts cash & card. George’s Place offers a wonderful and casual dining experience in some awesome beach towns!
6. Jose Tejas (Multiple Locations)
Locations: 700 US-1, Iselin, NJ 08830; 647 US-46, Fairfield, NJ 07004; and 1310 NJ-73, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054
Type: Dinner spot – closed on Mondays – is also open for lunch on weekends
Jose Tejas has a few locations within New Jersey including one in Iselin, Fairfield, and Mt. Laurel. I have been to their Iselin and Fairfield locations numerous times and they never disappoint. Jose Tejas is a very casual and lively Tex-Mex restaurant with excellent prices and delicious food. The entrées typically cost $10-$15 each. Please note that they do NOT take reservations and there tends to be a wait on weekends! I recommend the Camptown Shrimp and Guacamole as a starter, and the chicken enchiladas as an entrée. Their traditional and frozen margaritas are also quite popular!
These are just six of the many great restaurants New Jersey has to offer! As a fellow foodie, I’m always on the hunt for new spots to try! Comment below your favorite eateries across the Garden State! I’ll also continue to share more eatery recommendations and favorites over time. For more blog posts on the New Jersey food scene, check out this page here.
