The Ultimate Guide to Dining Across North, Central, and South Jersey
New Jersey’s dining scene is one of the most diverse and exciting in the country. From chef-driven fine dining restaurants and classic Italian institutions to waterfront seafood spots and creative neighborhood bistros, the Garden State offers world-class dining in every region.
This JerseyBites guide highlights some of the best restaurants in New Jersey, along with standout spots featured in our county guides like Monmouth County and Ocean County.
Best restaurants are selected based on a combination of:
• Consistently high Google and Yelp reviews
• National and regional awards
• Recognition from publications like The New York Times, NJ Monthly, and Eater
• Chef reputation and culinary innovation
• Overall dining experience
To make exploring easier, we’ve organized this guide by North Jersey, Central Jersey, and South Jersey, highlighting standout restaurants that continue to earn praise from diners and critics alike.
Best Restaurants in North Jersey
North Jersey is home to some of the state’s most acclaimed dining destinations. With its proximity to New York City, the region attracts top culinary talent and innovative chefs.
Faubourg — Montclair
Faubourg brings modern French cuisine to the heart of Montclair. With a beautiful dining room and lively bar scene, the restaurant is known for dishes like duck breast, steak frites, and elegant seafood preparations.
Heirloom Kitchen — Old Bridge
Heirloom Kitchen combines an intimate restaurant with a culinary school, offering creative seasonal dishes built around local farms and artisan producers. It has become one of the most sought-after reservations in the state thanks to its constantly evolving menu and thoughtful hospitality.
Read our full feature on Heirloom Kitchen
Luigino’s Parmigiana — Montclair
Luigino’s Parmigiana has quickly become one of Montclair’s most celebrated Italian restaurants, earning Best of Essex for Best Italian Restaurant two years in a row. The restaurant focuses on elevated Italian comfort food with a modern touch, featuring house-made pasta, perfectly prepared parmigiana dishes, and an inviting neighborhood atmosphere. Its combination of classic recipes, high-quality ingredients, and consistent execution has made Luigino’s a favorite among locals and a standout in Essex County’s competitive dining scene.
Read our full feature on Luigino’s Parmigiana
Matisse 167 — Rutherford
Chef Gregory Power’s refined prix-fixe tasting menu delivers a creative fine dining experience in Bergen County. Matisse 167 is widely praised for its elegant plating, modern techniques, and intimate atmosphere.
Read our full feature on Matisse 167
Razza — Jersey City
Razza is widely considered one of the best pizzerias in the country, earning national recognition for its commitment to local ingredients and naturally leavened dough. Frequently featured in major publications, Razza elevates pizza into a true craft experience and remains one of the most talked-about restaurants in New Jersey.
Restaurant Latour — Hamburg
Located inside Crystal Springs Resort, Restaurant Latour is one of New Jersey’s premier fine dining destinations. Chef Aishling Stevens creates refined seasonal tasting menus paired with selections from one of the most impressive wine cellars in the country. The restaurant has received national recognition for both its cuisine and wine program.
Read our full feature on Restaurant Latour
Shumi — Leonia / Ridgewood
Shumi is one of New Jersey’s most celebrated sushi destinations, earning NJ Monthly Readers’ Choice “Best of the Best” 2025 honors. Known for pristine fish, expertly crafted omakase, and a refined yet approachable atmosphere, Shumi has built a loyal following across North Jersey and continues to stand out among the state’s top Japanese restaurants.
Viaggio Ristorante — Wayne
One of North Jersey’s most celebrated Italian restaurants, Viaggio offers beautifully executed pasta dishes, seafood specialties, and an impressive wine list. Helmed by Chef Robbie Felice, whose culinary influence has earned national attention, the restaurant blends classic Italian technique with modern creativity. It consistently ranks among the best Italian restaurants in the state and remains a go-to destination for refined yet approachable dining.
Read our full feature on Viaggio Ristorante
Best Restaurants in Central Jersey
Central Jersey offers an incredible range of dining experiences, from iconic Jersey Shore seafood restaurants to chef-driven modern American kitchens.
Elements — Princeton
Helmed by Chef Scott Anderson, Elements is one of New Jersey’s most acclaimed fine dining restaurants. The restaurant is known for its multi-course tasting menus featuring highly seasonal ingredients and refined modern techniques.
The Frog and The Peach — New Brunswick
An iconic New Jersey restaurant for decades, The Frog and The Peach continues to impress with modern American cuisine and an exceptional wine program.
Lita — Aberdeen
Lita has quickly become one of Central Jersey’s most exciting dining destinations, earning recognition as a James Beard Award–nominated restaurant. The menu showcases modern Mediterranean flavors in a vibrant, energetic setting, with standout wood-fired dishes and creative small plates. Since opening, Lita has generated significant buzz and built a loyal following, solidifying its place among the region’s top restaurants.
Ninety Acres — Peapack
Located on the scenic Natirar estate, Ninety Acres blends farm-to-table cuisine with luxury dining. The restaurant sources many ingredients directly from the surrounding farm and gardens.
Strickland’s Steakhouse — Woodbridge
Strickland’s Steakhouse delivers a classic American steakhouse experience with modern polish, earning NJ Monthly Readers’ Choice “Best of the Best” 2025 recognition. Known for premium cuts, expertly prepared seafood, and an upscale yet welcoming atmosphere, it has quickly become one of Central Jersey’s top destinations for steakhouse dining.
Best Restaurants in South Jersey
South Jersey’s dining scene continues to grow rapidly, featuring a mix of beloved neighborhood restaurants and destination-worthy culinary experiences.
410 Bank Street — Cape May
410 Bank Street is a standout dining destination in Cape May, honored with NJ Monthly Readers’ Choice “Best of the Best” 2025. The restaurant blends coastal charm with creative, seasonal cuisine, featuring fresh seafood, thoughtful presentations, and a warm, intimate setting that continues to earn praise from locals and visitors alike.
The Ebbitt Room — Cape May
The Ebbitt Room is one of South Jersey’s premier dining destinations, known for its farm-to-table cuisine and elegant setting inside the historic Virginia Hotel. With a focus on seasonal ingredients sourced from Beach Plum Farm, the restaurant consistently earns high praise for its refined dishes, exceptional service, and romantic atmosphere.
Read our full feature on The Ebbitt Room
Hearthside — Collingswood
Chef Dominic Piperno’s wood-fired restaurant is known for its rustic yet refined dishes cooked over an open hearth.
June BYOB — Collingswood
A small, chef-driven BYOB restaurant that focuses on seasonal ingredients and creative American cuisine. June has received widespread acclaim from food critics and local diners alike.
Knife & Fork Inn — Atlantic City
This historic steakhouse has been serving guests since 1912 and remains one of Atlantic City’s most iconic restaurants.
Zeppoli — Collingswood
Chef Joey Baldino’s intimate Italian restaurant is one of the most celebrated dining experiences in New Jersey. Known for handmade pasta and traditional Sicilian dishes, Zeppoli frequently appears on national “best restaurant” lists.
How We Choose the Best Restaurants in New Jersey
Restaurants featured in this guide are selected using a combination of measurable reputation signals and editorial expertise.
Key factors include:
• Average Google review ratings and total review volume
• Awards from NJ Monthly, James Beard Foundation, and national publications
• Chef reputation and culinary achievements
• Consistency of guest experience
• Regional influence within New Jersey’s dining scene
The goal is to highlight restaurants that consistently deliver outstanding food, service, and atmosphere.
Explore More New Jersey Dining Guides
New Jersey’s food scene is incredibly diverse, and the best way to explore it is town by town.
Continue exploring with these JerseyBites guides:
Best Restaurants in Cape May
Best Restaurants in Monmouth County
Best Restaurants in Ocean County
Most Romantic Restaurants in New Jersey
Coming soon…
Best Restaurants in Bergen County
Best Italian Restaurants in New Jersey
Best Waterfront Restaurants at the Jersey Shore
Each guide dives deeper into the restaurants locals love most.
FAQ: Best Restaurants in New Jersey
What restaurants won NJ Monthly Best of the Best 2025 in New Jersey?
Some of the NJ Monthly Readers’ Choice “Best of the Best” 2025 winners include Shumi in Leonia and Ridgewood, Strickland’s Steakhouse in Woodbridge, and 410 Bank Street in Cape May. These restaurants were recognized for excellence in sushi, steakhouse dining, and coastal cuisine.
What are the most award-winning restaurants in New Jersey?
New Jersey is home to many highly awarded restaurants, including destinations recognized by NJ Monthly, national publications, and culinary organizations. Restaurants like Restaurant Latour, Elements, Zeppoli, and Ninety Acres consistently earn praise for fine dining, seasonal cuisine, and exceptional hospitality.
What is the best Italian restaurant in New Jersey right now?
Several Italian restaurants across New Jersey are highly rated, with Luigino’s Parmigiana standing out in North Jersey after earning Best of Essex for Best Italian Restaurant two years in a row. Other top Italian destinations recognized in NJ Monthly’s Readers’ Choice awards include Cucina Calandra, Catherine Lombardi, Spano’s Ristorante Italiano, Sola Osteria, Vidalia, and Chef Vola’s, all of which continue to earn praise for authentic cuisine, strong local followings, and consistent execution.
What are the best sushi restaurants in New Jersey?
New Jersey offers excellent sushi, with Shumi widely recognized as one of the best. Known for its omakase experience and high-quality fish, Shumi earned NJ Monthly’s Best of the Best 2025 and continues to be a top choice for sushi in the state.
What are the best steakhouses in New Jersey?
Top steakhouses in New Jersey include Strickland’s Steakhouse, which earned NJ Monthly’s Best of the Best 2025, along with classic destinations like Knife & Fork Inn and other upscale steakhouse concepts throughout the state.
Know a restaurant that deserves to be on this list? We’re always updating our New Jersey dining guides based on reader recommendations and new openings.
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