The best restaurants in New Jersey include critic favorites such as Razza pizza in Jersey City, Battello in Jersey City, MM by Morimoto in Montclair, Restaurant Latour in Hamburg, Ninety Acres in Peapack-Gladstone, Lita in Aberdeen, Dock’s Oyster House in Atlantic City and The Ebbitt Room in Cape May. All of them appear on New Jersey Monthly’s list of the 50 best restaurants in the state, published in its August 2026 issue. This guide sorts the highlights by region and type of meal, so you can find a great table anywhere from Bergen County to the Shore.
Key Takeaways
- Source: restaurants below come from New Jersey Monthly’s August 2026 list of the state’s 50 best restaurants.
- North Jersey standouts include Razza, Battello, Madame, MM by Morimoto, Saddle River Inn and Restaurant Latour.
- Central Jersey picks include Ninety Acres, Lita, Stockton Inn, Ram & Rooster and Stage Left Steak.
- South Jersey and the Shore highlights include Dock’s Oyster House, Knife & Fork, The Ebbitt Room and June BYOB.
- Variety: the list spans Italian, French, Japanese omakase, Indian, steakhouses and farm-to-table dining.
- Book ahead: many of these restaurants take reservations well in advance, especially on weekends.
Restaurant names, towns and descriptions are based on New Jersey Monthly’s list updated in July 2026. Menus, hours and chefs change, so confirm details directly with each restaurant before visiting.
Best Restaurants in New Jersey: North Jersey
| Restaurant | Town | Style | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Razza | Jersey City | Neapolitan pizza | Chef Dan Richer’s pizza, which earned a three-star New York Times review |
| Battello | Jersey City | Italian | Chef Ryan DePersio’s ricotta gnocchi with sausage bolognese |
| Madame | Jersey City | Modern French bistro | A speakeasy-style setting |
| Viv & Jules | Hoboken | Neighborhood brasserie | Chef Cliff Crooks and a marble bar |
| MM by Morimoto | Montclair | Japanese chophouse | Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s aburi sushi |
| The Saint Clair | Montclair | Modern American, farm-to-table | Chef Leia Gaccione’s roasted half chicken |
| Sam’s Table | Montclair | Seasonal tasting menu | A four-course menu that changes monthly |
| Faubourg | Montclair and Weehawken | French brasserie | Tarte flambée with bacon and fromage blanc |
| The Highlawn | West Orange | New American | A villa setting with New York City skyline views |
| Osteria Crescendo | Westwood | Modern Italian | Chef Robbie Felice’s butternut squash mezzaluna |
| Saddle River Inn | Saddle River | Contemporary French | A dining room in a historic barn |
| Restaurant Latour | Hamburg | Seasonal fine dining | Mountain views at Crystal Springs Resort |
Best Restaurants in New Jersey: Central Jersey
| Restaurant | Town | Style | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninety Acres | Peapack-Gladstone | Farm-to-table | An on-site farm on the Natirar estate |
| Lita | Aberdeen | Modern Iberian | Chef David Viana, a James Beard Award nominee |
| Ram & Rooster | Metuchen | New American with Chinese influences | An eight-course tasting menu |
| Stockton Inn | Stockton | Seasonal New American | A historic inn more than 300 years old |
| De Floret | Lambertville | Seasonal French | Chef Dennis Foy’s cooking |
| Drew’s Bayshore Bistro | Keyport | Low Country | Voodoo shrimp |
| Stage Left Steak | New Brunswick | Steakhouse | Dry-aged Prime beef and Japanese Wagyu |
| Aarzu | Freehold | Indian | Creative dishes such as duck paratha tacos |
| Undici | Rumson | Tuscan Italian | A wine list of about 1,300 labels |
Best Restaurants in New Jersey: South Jersey and the Shore
| Restaurant | Town | Style | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dock’s Oyster House | Atlantic City | Seafood | A family-owned restaurant dating to 1897, with a raw bar |
| Knife & Fork | Atlantic City | Steakhouse | A landmark 1912 building and lobster thermidor |
| Ocean Steak | Atlantic City | Steakhouse | Located in Ocean Casino Resort |
| The Ebbitt Room | Cape May | French-influenced | An elegant dining room in the Virginia Hotel |
| Judy & Harry’s | Asbury Park | Italian and Jewish comfort food | A chicken parm from the team behind Lita |
| June BYOB | Collingswood | French | A classic French BYOB with a Sunday tasting menu |
| The Poached Pear Bistro | Point Pleasant Beach | Modern American | A longtime Shore favorite run by the Giordano brothers |
| Revell Hall | Burlington | International | A riverfront patio |
Best Restaurants in New Jersey by Type of Meal
| If you want… | Try |
|---|---|
| World-class pizza | Razza (Jersey City) |
| A special-occasion tasting menu | Sam’s Table (Montclair), Ram & Rooster (Metuchen) |
| Farm-to-table dining | Ninety Acres (Peapack-Gladstone), The Saint Clair (Montclair) |
| A classic steakhouse | Knife & Fork (Atlantic City), Stage Left Steak (New Brunswick) |
| Japanese | MM by Morimoto (Montclair) |
| Seafood at the Shore | Dock’s Oyster House (Atlantic City) |
| A romantic historic setting | Stockton Inn (Stockton), Saddle River Inn (Saddle River), The Ebbitt Room (Cape May) |
| Italian | Battello (Jersey City), Osteria Crescendo (Westwood), Undici (Rumson) |
Why New Jersey Is a Great Dining State
New Jersey’s dining scene benefits from its location between New York City and Philadelphia, its farms and its long coastline. In addition, the state’s diverse communities support excellent Indian, Portuguese, Korean, Latin American and Italian restaurants in towns such as Edison, Newark, Fort Lee, Union City and Hoboken. As a result, some of the best restaurants in New Jersey are fine-dining rooms, while others are casual neighborhood spots.
BYOB restaurants are also common in New Jersey, partly because liquor licenses are limited and expensive in many towns. Bringing your own bottle can make a special dinner more affordable, so check each restaurant’s policy before you go.
Tips for Dining at the Best Restaurants in New Jersey
- Reserve early. Weekend tables at popular spots can book up weeks ahead.
- Check for BYOB. Many New Jersey restaurants do not serve alcohol but welcome your own wine.
- Ask about tasting menus. Some restaurants offer set menus only on certain nights.
- Plan for Shore seasons. Some Shore restaurants change hours in the off-season.
- Confirm details. Chefs and menus change, so check the restaurant’s site or call ahead.
Top Picks by County
| County | Restaurants from the list |
|---|---|
| Hudson | Razza, Battello, Madame, Viv & Jules |
| Essex | MM by Morimoto, The Saint Clair, Sam’s Table, The Highlawn, Osteria LK |
| Bergen | Saddle River Inn, Osteria Crescendo, Ora Freestyle Italian, Fiorentini, Lula, Shumi |
| Monmouth | Lita, Undici, River Pointe Inn, Drew’s Bayshore Bistro, Aarzu, Ember & Eagle, Olea, Judy & Harry’s |
| Hunterdon | Stockton Inn, De Floret, Sergeantsville Inn |
| Atlantic | Dock’s Oyster House, Knife & Fork, Ocean Steak |
| Camden | June BYOB, Michael Coastal Italian Grille |
More Standouts Worth Knowing
- Hadaka (Asbury Park and Lambertville): an intimate omakase experience.
- Shumi (Leonia and Ridgewood): Japanese omakase from chef-owner David Seo.
- Thumkaa Bar & Kitchen (Jamesburg): Indian and Indo-Chinese dishes in a large dining room.
- Xina (Bradley Beach and Toms River): Asian fusion with outdoor dining in summer.
- Clemmy’s (Waretown): a casual spot known for fresh, unfussy local cooking.
How This List Was Chosen
This guide is based on New Jersey Monthly’s annual ranking of the state’s top restaurants, published in the magazine’s August 2026 issue. The magazine grouped its picks into North Jersey, Central Jersey, and South Jersey and the Shore. We selected highlights from each region and organized them by region, county and type of meal to make it easier to plan. We did not add ratings or reviews of our own, and we recommend checking each restaurant’s current hours, menus and reservation policies before you go.
Because rankings change every year, some of these restaurants may move up or down on future lists, and new openings may join them. Still, the places above offer a strong starting point for anyone looking for a memorable meal in the Garden State.
More NJ Food Guides
Heading south? Our guide to things to do in Cape May NJ pairs well with dinner at The Ebbitt Room. Planning a festive night out? See our guide to Christmas lights in New Jersey, and learn how NJ cocktails to go rules work. Browse more in our Food & Drink section or on the homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Restaurants in New Jersey
What is the best restaurant in New Jersey?
There is no single winner, but critic favorites include Razza, Battello, MM by Morimoto, Ninety Acres, Lita and Dock’s Oyster House.
What is the best pizza restaurant in New Jersey?
Razza in Jersey City, led by chef Dan Richer, is widely considered one of the best pizza restaurants in the state.
Where can I find farm-to-table dining in NJ?
Ninety Acres in Peapack-Gladstone and The Saint Clair in Montclair are top farm-to-table choices.
What are the best restaurants in Atlantic City?
Dock’s Oyster House, Knife & Fork and Ocean Steak appear on New Jersey Monthly’s 2026 list.
Why are so many NJ restaurants BYOB?
Liquor licenses are limited and expensive in many New Jersey towns, so many restaurants let guests bring their own wine or beer.
Do I need reservations at top NJ restaurants?
Yes, reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and for tasting menus.
What are the best restaurants in North Jersey?
Top picks include Razza, Battello, MM by Morimoto, The Saint Clair, Saddle River Inn and Restaurant Latour.
What are the best restaurants at the Jersey Shore?
Standouts include Lita in Aberdeen, Undici in Rumson, Dock’s Oyster House in Atlantic City and The Ebbitt Room in Cape May.
Where can I find omakase in New Jersey?
Hadaka in Asbury Park and Lambertville and Shumi in Leonia and Ridgewood offer omakase dining.
Where to Eat Next
The best restaurants in New Jersey range from Razza’s pizza in Jersey City to farm-to-table dinners at Ninety Acres and seafood at Dock’s Oyster House in Atlantic City. Use this list, drawn from New Jersey Monthly’s 2026 rankings, to plan your next special meal, and remember to book early and confirm details directly with each restaurant.
