Finding a good place to eat is a priority no matter where your travels take you in New Jersey. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, looking for a quiet place for a business lunch, or enjoying a night out at the beach, these restaurants are among the best in the state.
Elements
Princeton, NJ
Elements made New Jersey Monthly’s list of top 30 restaurants in 2020. When you visit the restaurant, you’ll enjoy a five-course nightly tasting menu that might include Atlantic Halibut with herb chutney, clams, rice and calendula, and linguini made with local mushrooms. In fact, all of the selections at Elements are made using locally sourced produce and ingredients. If you’d like to enjoy the interpretive American cuisine prepared by executive chef Scott Anderson, be sure to make a reservation well in advance. With only nine tables in the restaurant, seating is limited.
Washington Inn
Cape May, NJ
The Washington Inn caters to the hordes of vacationers who visit Cape May year-round. The design of the elegant restaurant was inspired by Mt. Vernon, the home of the nation’s first president. The Washington Inn menu features a selection of several oyster dishes and a variety of appetizers sure to tempt your palate. Entrées like the Grilled Meyers Ranch Flat Iron Steak or Rack of New Zealand Lamb are among several popular choices. If you’re a seafood lover, you’ve got to try the Local Seafood Cioppino made with scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels and local fish in a spicy tomato broth.
The Frog and the Peach
New Brunswick, NJ
You certainly won’t have to worry about forgetting the name of the restaurant when you dine at The Frog and the Peach. The New Brunswick restaurant consistently makes the best restaurant lists for its inventive dishes inspired by cuisines from the U.S. and the world. With so many appetizing choices, you just might find it hard to choose an entrée. The menu includes a variety of The Frog and the Peach classics like pan-seared tile fish with saffron-stewed goldbar squash, Long Island Duck Breast with black rice and kimchi, and the Le Quebecoise 14-ounce, bone-in veal chop with crispy artichoke. If you find that your dinner has inspired you to cook more, sign up for one of their group or private cooking classes at the Cooking School.
d'floret
Lambertville, NJ
Chef Dennis Foy combines American and French cuisine to create dishes you’ll be talking about for weeks after your visit. The intimate restaurant seats just 28 and features an open kitchen. While you enjoy the ambiance and the display of Chef Foy’s paintings on the wall, sample the homemade tortellini, chilled pea soup, or wild mushroom and lobster crepe. Entrée choices include Faro Island salmon, sautéed Florida snapper, Amish whole-roasted chicken for two, and dry-aged sirloin. Leave your credit card at home during your visit to d’floret. The restaurant only accepts cash and checks.
90 Acres
Peapack, NJ
Part of the beautiful Natirar estate, 90 Acres is an excellent place to dine with a group. The restaurant embraces family-style dining and offers a menu that features seasonal produce from Natirar farms. Your table will need to make some hard choices while dining at the restaurant. Is salmon tartare or kale and cabbage salad the better appetizer choice? It doesn’t get any easier when you choose an entrée. Selections like whole roasted maitake mushroom, dry-aged striploin and Long Island Duck Breast are designed to tempt your taste buds.
Trying to recreate your favorite restaurant meals at home can be a little challenging if you have a tiny or outdated kitchen. Fortunately, all of Country Classics’ new homes are designed with large kitchens and all the modern conveniences. If you’ve been considering moving soon, Country Classics at Frenchtown may be the perfect choice for you. The new community will include 19 single-family attached homes in the heart of Frenchtown. Be sure to sign up for our VIP list if you’d like to receive more information.