While New York often takes center stage in the country’s culinary arena, anyone who’s been to the top rated restaurants in New Jersey know that the Garden State is a foodie force to be reckoned with. For proof of this, simply check out the ratings on Zagat, a site that rates restaurants in all 50 states. Highly respected, Zagat reviews are generally regarded as being accurate – if a restaurant is ranked highly, the food is likely spectacular. We looked into Zagat’s top rated restaurants in New Jersey to see what made the cut, and the following are some of the best of the best.
- Restaurant Nicholas, Red Bank
Facebook/Restaurant Nicholas Nicholas Barrel & Roost, 160 NJ-35, Red Bank, NJ 07701, USA
Facebook/Restaurant Nicholas The entire menu at this swanky restaurant in New Jersey is incredible, so if you’re not sure where to start, consider the prix fixe and chef’s tasting menus. Dinner can get expensive but the superior staff, attention to detail, and extensive wine list make it worth the price.
- Scalini Fedeli, Chatham
Scalini Fedeli Scalini Fedeli, 63 Main St, Chatham, NJ 07928, USA
Facebook/Scalini Fedeli NYC Reviewers note the large portions and attentive service at this top restaurant in New Jersey. Still on the more expensive side, prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is charming.
- The Bernards Inn, Bernardsville
Facebook/The Bernards Inn The Bernards Inn, 27 Minebrook Rd, Bernardsville, NJ 07924, USA
Facebook/The Bernards Inn Formal dining at its finest, The Bernards Inn, in Bernardsville is an elegant restaurant that offers an exquisite menu with a side of history.
- Cafe Matisse, Rutherford
Cafe Matisse Cafe Matisse, 167 Park Ave, Rutherford, NJ 07070, USA
Cafe Matisse Cafe Matisse in Rutherford, New Jersey, is all about creativity with unique decor and an innovative menu.
- Lorena’s, Maplewood
Facebook/Lorena’s Not only is this one of Zagat’s top restaurants in New Jersey, Lorena’s was chosen by Open Table as one of the top 100 restaurants in the USA. Restaurant Lorena’s, 160 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040, USA
- Fascino, Montclair
Facebook/Fascino Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042, USA
Facebook/Fascino Located on one of the most charming Main Streets in New Jersey, this Italian spot offers incredible pasta and spectacular service.
- Milford Oyster House, Milford
Facebook/Milford Oyster House The Milford House, 92 Water St, Milford, NJ 08848, USA
Facebook/Milford Oyster House The seafood is spectacular but there is so much more to choose from. The Korean Fire Burger has even been featured on international television! If you’re looking for amazing seafood in New Jersey, this is it!
- Old Homestead Steakhouse, Atlantic City
Yelp/Susan R. Old Homestead Steak House, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
Yelp/Julie L. Located in the Borgata, you’ll find great steak and seafood here. The crab cakes are amazing, and folks rave about the service at Old Homestead Steakhouse. This is one of the many top-rated steakhouses in New Jersey!
- Black-Eyed Susans, Harvey Cedars
Black-Eyed Susans Black Eyed Susans Tavern & Restaurant, 7908 Long Beach Blvd, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008, USA
Black-Eyed Susans Open seasonally, enjoy fresh, local seafood and other American favorites at this small-town restaurant in New Jersey.
- Steve & Cookies By the Bay, Margate City
Facebook/Steve and Cookies Steve & Cookie’s By the Bay, 9700 Amherst Ave, Margate City, NJ 08402, USA
Facebook/Steve and Cookies Great food, great wine, and great pie. Guests love the ugly tomato salad from this eatery in the quirky town of Margate City, New Jersey!
- 410 Bank Street, Cape May
Facebook/410 Bank Street 410 Bank St, Cape May, NJ 08204, USA
Facebook/410 Bank Street Fantastic French New Orleans cuisine with a Caribbean flair… what could be better? Enjoy outdoor dining, or dinner and a show at this restaurant that’s located in one of the most charming towns in New Jersey. The restaurant offers special discount packages combining Cape May Stage or East Lynne Theater shows and prix fixe menus.
- YUMI, Sea Bright
Yelp/Wesley Y. Yumi Sea Bright, 1120 E Ocean Ave, Sea Bright, NJ 07760, USA
Yelp/Wesley Y. The food makes this place memorable; the presentation makes it magical. You’ll find Neo-Asian cuisine and flavorful sushi dishes at this amazing seafood restaurant in NJ.
- Peacock Inn, Princeton
Facebook/The Peacock Inn The Peacock Inn, 20 Bayard Ln, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
Facebook/The Peacock Inn This fine dining restaurant in New Jersey serves up modern American cuisine and is attached to an equally impressive inn.
Do you agree with the Zagat ratings for the top rated restaurants in New Jersey? Which New Jersey restaurant is your number one pick? Do you know of any other Zagat rated restaurants in New Jersey, or critically acclaimed establishments that you’d add to the list? Share your favorite NJ restaurants in the comments below!
Facebook/Restaurant Nicholas
Nicholas Barrel & Roost, 160 NJ-35, Red Bank, NJ 07701, USA
The entire menu at this swanky restaurant in New Jersey is incredible, so if you’re not sure where to start, consider the prix fixe and chef’s tasting menus. Dinner can get expensive but the superior staff, attention to detail, and extensive wine list make it worth the price.
Scalini Fedeli
Scalini Fedeli, 63 Main St, Chatham, NJ 07928, USA
Facebook/Scalini Fedeli NYC
Reviewers note the large portions and attentive service at this top restaurant in New Jersey. Still on the more expensive side, prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is charming.
Facebook/The Bernards Inn
The Bernards Inn, 27 Minebrook Rd, Bernardsville, NJ 07924, USA
Formal dining at its finest, The Bernards Inn, in Bernardsville is an elegant restaurant that offers an exquisite menu with a side of history.
Cafe Matisse
Cafe Matisse, 167 Park Ave, Rutherford, NJ 07070, USA
Cafe Matisse
Cafe Matisse in Rutherford, New Jersey, is all about creativity with unique decor and an innovative menu.
Facebook/Lorena’s
Not only is this one of Zagat’s top restaurants in New Jersey, Lorena’s was chosen by Open Table as one of the top 100 restaurants in the USA.
Restaurant Lorena’s, 160 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040, USA
Facebook/Fascino
Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042, USA
Located on one of the most charming Main Streets in New Jersey, this Italian spot offers incredible pasta and spectacular service.
Facebook/Milford Oyster House
The Milford House, 92 Water St, Milford, NJ 08848, USA
The seafood is spectacular but there is so much more to choose from. The Korean Fire Burger has even been featured on international television! If you’re looking for amazing seafood in New Jersey, this is it!
Yelp/Susan R.
Old Homestead Steak House, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
Yelp/Julie L.
Located in the Borgata, you’ll find great steak and seafood here. The crab cakes are amazing, and folks rave about the service at Old Homestead Steakhouse. This is one of the many top-rated steakhouses in New Jersey!
Black-Eyed Susans
Black Eyed Susans Tavern & Restaurant, 7908 Long Beach Blvd, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008, USA
Open seasonally, enjoy fresh, local seafood and other American favorites at this small-town restaurant in New Jersey.
Facebook/Steve and Cookies
Steve & Cookie’s By the Bay, 9700 Amherst Ave, Margate City, NJ 08402, USA
Great food, great wine, and great pie. Guests love the ugly tomato salad from this eatery in the quirky town of Margate City, New Jersey!
Facebook/410 Bank Street
410 Bank St, Cape May, NJ 08204, USA
Fantastic French New Orleans cuisine with a Caribbean flair… what could be better? Enjoy outdoor dining, or dinner and a show at this restaurant that’s located in one of the most charming towns in New Jersey. The restaurant offers special discount packages combining Cape May Stage or East Lynne Theater shows and prix fixe menus.
Yelp/Wesley Y.
Yumi Sea Bright, 1120 E Ocean Ave, Sea Bright, NJ 07760, USA
The food makes this place memorable; the presentation makes it magical. You’ll find Neo-Asian cuisine and flavorful sushi dishes at this amazing seafood restaurant in NJ.
Facebook/The Peacock Inn
The Peacock Inn, 20 Bayard Ln, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
This fine dining restaurant in New Jersey serves up modern American cuisine and is attached to an equally impressive inn.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Top rated restaurants in New Jersey May 04, 2022 Sarah M. What are some other top rated restaurants in New Jersey? While the above list of Zagat rated restaurants in New Jersey certainly contains some of the best of the best, it’s by no means a comprehensive list of the most critically acclaimed restaurants in the Garden State. If you’re looking for some other top rated restaurants in New Jersey that have garnered notoriety among diners and food critics alike, there’s an unassuming spot that actually makes some of the best tamales in the state! Taqueria Mi Mariachi is an authentic Mexican eatery with hundreds of 5-star reviews on Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. Locals love it for its authentic, perfectly executed Mexican classics. The menu isn’t massive but it’s got all the staples…They’ve got burritos, quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, chilaquiles, nachos, fajitas, huaraches, tostadas, tortas, sopes, breakfast sandwiches, and even chicken fingers or cheeseburgers for the pickiest of eaters. But you definitely want to be a bit adventurous when you visit this fan favorite establishment in New Jersey; the tacos and tamales are quite legendary!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Top rated restaurants in New Jersey
May 04, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some other top rated restaurants in New Jersey? While the above list of Zagat rated restaurants in New Jersey certainly contains some of the best of the best, it’s by no means a comprehensive list of the most critically acclaimed restaurants in the Garden State. If you’re looking for some other top rated restaurants in New Jersey that have garnered notoriety among diners and food critics alike, there’s an unassuming spot that actually makes some of the best tamales in the state! Taqueria Mi Mariachi is an authentic Mexican eatery with hundreds of 5-star reviews on Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. Locals love it for its authentic, perfectly executed Mexican classics. The menu isn’t massive but it’s got all the staples…They’ve got burritos, quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, chilaquiles, nachos, fajitas, huaraches, tostadas, tortas, sopes, breakfast sandwiches, and even chicken fingers or cheeseburgers for the pickiest of eaters. But you definitely want to be a bit adventurous when you visit this fan favorite establishment in New Jersey; the tacos and tamales are quite legendary!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
While the above list of Zagat rated restaurants in New Jersey certainly contains some of the best of the best, it’s by no means a comprehensive list of the most critically acclaimed restaurants in the Garden State. If you’re looking for some other top rated restaurants in New Jersey that have garnered notoriety among diners and food critics alike, there’s an unassuming spot that actually makes some of the best tamales in the state! Taqueria Mi Mariachi is an authentic Mexican eatery with hundreds of 5-star reviews on Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. Locals love it for its authentic, perfectly executed Mexican classics. The menu isn’t massive but it’s got all the staples…They’ve got burritos, quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, chilaquiles, nachos, fajitas, huaraches, tostadas, tortas, sopes, breakfast sandwiches, and even chicken fingers or cheeseburgers for the pickiest of eaters. But you definitely want to be a bit adventurous when you visit this fan favorite establishment in New Jersey; the tacos and tamales are quite legendary!
