NJ Restaurants: Summer Openings

Serendipity3 Frrrozen Hot Chocolate
Serendipity3 Frrrozen Hot Chocolate

It’s a season for growth in the Garden State and the restaurant industry is here for it. New cafes, markets, taverns, and even a Korean fried chicken spot have popped up as summer’s kicked in. Start mapping out your home-state culinary road trips—there’s a lot to get to!

Serendipity3, Atlantic City

The iconic NYC restaurant (shown at top, courtesy Serendipity3) now has a location down the coast, in Atlantic City. Serendipity3 offers plenty of exciting sweets, including Belgian waffle varieties and massive ice cream sundaes. Of course, you can dine on a regular savory menu, too. And if you have an unlimited (or close to it!) budget, make sure to try their $1,000 Golden Opulence Sundae. (And if you do, let us know!)

Serendipity3
Ocean Casino Resort
Atlantic City

Jugemu, Cresskill

Cresskill’s newest Japanese restaurant offers an eight-course Omakase experience, complete with sashimi, tempura, and Chawanmushi. An à la carte menu is available as well, with several sushi options, including maki and temaki rolls. If you’re looking for a more elevated sushi experience, opt for the pre-fixe, five-course sushi dinner.

Jugemu 
156 Piermont Road
Cresskill

The Great Greek
The Great Greek

The Great Greek, Florham Park

This fast-casual Greek chain has finally arrived in New Jersey. With most items made from scratch in-house, customers will certainly get an authentic Greek experience. Greek classics on the menu include tzatziki and spanakopita, plus gyros, souvlaki, and stuffed grape leaves.

The Great Greek
182 Ridgedale Avenue
Florham Park

Valente’s Cucina, Haddonfield

Stop by Valente’s Cucina for modern Italian dishes in a boutique setting. The eatery offers an intimate dining experience, featuring fresh ingredients and a seasonal menu. Executive Chef Johnnie Reynolds, formerly of Ruth’s Chris, works with local farmers to craft unique dishes for an enhanced dining experience. The restaurant reopened on June 17, with reservations available online.

Valente’s Cucina
7 Kings Court
Haddonfield

Aunt Chubby's Luncheonette
Aunt Chubby’s Luncheonette

Aunt Chubby’s Luncheonette, Hopewell

The recently renovated Chubby’s Luncheonette, in Hopewell, is now Aunt Chubby’s! Customers can stop in for breakfast and brunch selections like Jersey-style eggs Benedict or buttermilk pancakes. The eatery offers coffee, sweets, and lunch options as well. Lunch starts at 11:30, and breakfast is served all day. Those visiting on Saturday or Sunday might want to try the biscuits and gravy—a weekend-only option.

Aunt Chubby’s Luncheonette
1 Railroad Place
Hopewell

Gussy's Café
Gussy’s Café

Gussy’s Café, Jersey City

Gussy’s serves up brunch all day, with handcrafted sandwiches, custom salads, plenty of bagels, and other breakfast items. The café focuses on serving American classics in a modern atmosphere. Pair any dish with a specialty coffee, such as a matcha latté—complete with gorgeous latté art.

Gussy’s Café
292 Newark Avenue
Jersey City

"Jersey

Jersey Social, Jersey City

After closing briefly for renovations, this neighborhood eatery recently reopened with a new look and menu. Jersey Social is your place to meet for a drink after work, take in your favorite teams on their big-screen TVs, gather for gaming nights—both online and off—or simply enjoy scrumptious food, cocktails, and craft beer.

Jersey Social
837 Jersey Avenue
Jersey City

 

Three Thirds Cafe
Three Thirds Café

Three Thirds Café, Jersey City

The team behind Amelia’s Bistro recently opened Three Thirds Café, inside the 3 Acres rental community in Jersey City. The café describes itself as a place where “West Coast surfer culture meets premium East Coast roasting.” On that note, it pairs local coffee from Modcup Coffee Co. with baked goods from Englewood’s Balthazar Bakery. Plus, customers can view locally curated art while enjoying the laid-back vibe.

Three Thirds Café
400 Claremont Avenue
Jersey City

Maya Bar area
MAYA is located within WAVE Resort.

MAYA, Long Branch

Chef Nina Clemente built a menu inspired by Mediterranean coastlines for the new MAYA in Long Branch. Located in Pier Village’s WAVE Resort, the thoughtfully designed restaurant offers the best of the Mediterranean, including fresh, seasonal, top-quality ingredients.

MAYA
Wave Resort, 110 Ocean Avenue
Long Branch

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern, Marmora

This Roosevelt Boulevard staple is under new ownership and has rebranded. The vibe remains family friendly, but the spot is now open later and features live music in the evenings, plus a DJ with late-night entertainment. Dine inside, or enjoy a drink and a meal in one of three outdoor areas: The Deck Bar, under the outdoor pavilion, or at a picnic table in The Yard, where you can be close-up to the live music.

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern
316 Roosevelt Boulevard
Marmora

Wahine Wine Company | Fish & Whistle Market, Ventnor

The Wahine Company and the Fish & Whistle Market are the newest New Jersey ventures of Vanessa Wong, owner of Philadelphia’s Fishtown Social. The two separate spaces operate next door to one another: Wahine Wine offers craft spirits, beers, and wines, while Fish & Whistle Market is a place to purchase gourmet prepared foods, cheese, produce, and more.

Wahine Wine Company | Fish & Whistle Market
101 N. Dorset Avenue
Ventnor

Salt + Seed | Sprig Market Café, West Long Branch

Salt + Seed | Sprig Market Café, West Long Branch

Described as a vegan-and-omnivore collective, featuring a market, a BYOB restaurant, and a café. The concept brings Sprig Market Café, which offers options for all preferences, and vegan-only Salt + Seed, together. In addition, guests can shop the market for specialty goods, marinades, stocks, and sauces, as well as plenty of vegan specialties.

Salt + Seed | Sprig Market Café
310 NJ-RT 36, Suite 707
West Long Branch

bbq. chicken
bb.q Chicken

bb.q Chicken, Westwood

Korean fried chicken has found a home in Westwood. The new bb.q Chicken has a two-day marination and frying process that keeps the chicken extra crispy—even with the sauce. Despite the name’s resemblance to “barbecue,” it actually means “best of the best quality,” according to Youzi Seo, bb. q Chicken marketing coordinator. “We firmly believe in providing the best quality and proudly showing Korea’s finest fried chicken,” Seo said.

bb. q Chicken
2 Westwood Avenue
Westwood