The new year brought several new restaurants to the Garden State. From a new steakhouse to fast-casual seafood and everything in between, the latest restaurant openings around the state are varied and exciting. Read on to learn more about new dining spots in New Jersey, and follow each of them on social media for updates and continued announcements. Congratulations to all of the Garden State’s new restaurants!
The Local’s Spot, Egg Harbor Township
This appropriately named local favorite (shown at top) just reopened in its new location after closing last October. The Local’s Spot chef and owner Kyriakos Georgiou relocated the establishment to replace the English Creek Restaurant, which his parents used to own. The same great favorites will be served, including the eatery’s “famous” wings, as well as burgers, flatbreads, and more.
The Local’s Spot
3003 English Creek Avenue
Egg Harbor Township
Three Chefs Steakhouse, Elmwood Park
Elmwood Park’s newest steakhouse provides high quality food while maintaining a family-friendly environment. The moderately priced menu includes plenty of steak cuts, from a rib eye to a Kobe burger, as well as other classic dishes such as rigatoni in vodka sauce and cavatelli with Italian sausage. Private rooms are available for parties.
Three Chef’s Steakhouse
435 River Drive
Elmwood Park
Cree Wine Company
This Hampton, NJ, spot opened its doors to the public in December 2021. Chris Cree, New Jersey’s only Master of Wine, transformed the historic Perryville Inn into the Cree Wine Company. Located in bucolic Hunterdon County, the spectacular new venue features an expansive wine bar with multiple tasting rooms, event space for social and corporate events, along with an online wine purchasing program featuring hundreds of carefully curated wines from around the world. Click to read our feature story.
Cree Wine Company
167 Perryville Road
Hampton
Yum Eatery, Jersey City
This Latin and Asian-fusion restaurant brings the best of both cuisines to one Jersey City location. Chef Yehuriz Hernandez’s eatery has an abundant taco selection, with options including crispy tempura shrimp and spicy pork tenderloin, as well as ginger chicken and jackfruit. Burritos and quesadillas are available as well.
Yum Eatery
199 Woodward Street
Jersey City
21A on Broadway, Long Branch
Alex and Cathy DiFede opened their first restaurant, Bella’s Pizzeria, in Long Branch back in
1996. Now, they’ve made their longtime dream come true with their newest venture, 21A on Broadway, which is a fine-dining establishment serving American cuisine with Mediterranean fusion. Find options such as shrimp risotto and a rack of lamb, as well as an extensive cocktail menu.
21A on Broadway
202 Broadway
Long Branch
Butter & Jam Café & Restaurant, Madison
This charming café and restaurant opened in late January and brings a unique experience to Madison. The eatery offers light dishes, such as soups, salads, and sandwiches, as well as a plentiful selection of butters and jams. Customers can even dine on butter-and-jam “flights” or sample a board of different varieties of each. The café space offers creative coffees, as well as baked goods including scones, muffins, and croissants.
Butter & Jam Café & Restaurant
30 Cook Plaza
Madison
Mi España, Princeton
Mi España is the Gretalia Hospitality Group’s newest venture, coming soon. The Osteria Procaccini owners are opening this new Spanish street food restaurant in the Princeton Shopping Center. Follow the Gretalia group’s social media for more details.
Mi España (Coming Soon)
Princeton Shopping Center
Princeton
Steven’s Café, Rutherford
This Rutherford Café, at the same address as the Parker Apartments, offers everything from typical breakfast favorites, such as coffee and bagels, to more sophisticated macarons and açai bowls. The signature sandwiches, including the Porker (chicken, mozzarella, roasted peppers, arugula, pesto, and fig glaze) and the Bulldog (roast beef, cheddar, caramelized onions and peppers, and chipotle mayo) are perfect lunch options, while the avocado toast, breakfast wraps, and omelets offer a great way to start the day.
Steven’s Café
106 Park Avenue
Rutherford
Sea Bar, Williamstown
Sea Bar is not your typical seafood spot. The concept is actually a fast-casual seafood restaurant serving gourmet options that would be hard to find elsewhere. The restaurant’s Freaking Clams and Stuffin’ Muffins are among many unique choices. The Stuffin’ Muffins take seafood stuffing and load it with seasoned crab and shrimp, while the Freaking Clams are stuffed with shrimp, spices, and cheese. Fans of meals with an extra kick might want to try the restaurant’s signature Banging Shrimp.
Sea Bar
305 South Main Street
Williamstown
