New Jersey Restaurants Opening in 2024

When one door closes, another opens. That’s no longer true for New Jersey restaurants, which breathed new life into many shuttered doors this year by bringing chef-prepared dishes to formerly defunct establishments.

Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex and Union counties have everything from a cafe owned by a rock star to an Indian restaurant so fancy it doesn’t allow children to join the local dining scene, giving foodies a taste of to offer something new in the culinary field in Central Jersey.

Here’s what restaurants opened in Central Jersey this year that need to be on your must-visit list.

Hunterdon County

Alkemy Coffee Co.an artisanal cafe co-owned by Benjamin Weinman of metalcore band Dillinger Escape Plan opened in April in the former home of Factory Fuel Co. 2 Stangl Road, Flemington; 908-824-2845, alkemycoffeeco.com.

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The “Dog and Deer” tavern, The restaurant bears the same name as the tavern that housed it decades ago. It opened in September after seven years of vacancy in the revamped Stockton Inn. It serves exclusively local beers and home cooking in a classic tavern atmosphere. 1 Main St., Stockton; 609-460-4209, stocktoninn.com/dine.

the finch, an upscale Italian restaurant featuring a James Beard Award semifinalist chef, opens Dec. 12 at the Stockton Inn. 1 Main St., Stockton; 609-460-4209, stocktoninn.com/dine.

FiNNBAR, A Mediterranean restaurant and bar that opened in February in the former Frenchtown Inn. Seventy percent of profits go to Studio Route 29, a nonprofit arts center for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. 7 Bridge St., Frenchtown; 908-465-0021, finnbarjersey.com.

FiNNBAR:The Frenchtown Inn reopens with a unique social mission

Kuay Tiew noodles and moreAn authentic and chic Thai restaurant owned by Thai locals opened its second location in Clinton in April. 1 Route 22, Clinton; 908-200-7239, kuaytiewnj.com.

Mochi Queena Vietnamese banh mi sandwich and mochi donut shop, opened in November. 19A Route 22, Clinton Town; 908-200-7162, mochi-queen.com.

Northridge, A rustic, elegant restaurant at the 232-year-old Woolverton Inn bed and breakfast opens Dec. 7 in an 18th-century barn. 6 Woolverton Road, Stockton; 609-397 0802, Woolvertoninn.com/northridge-restaurant.

Pru Thaia 20-year-old Thai restaurant, opened its third restaurant in October. 24 Bridge St., Lambertville; 609-942-4040, pruthai.com.

School of Vecchia Pizzeria, A Neapolitan wood-fired pizzeria whose name means “old school” in Italian opened in April. 20 Leigh St., Clinton; 908-200-7407, svpizzeria.com.

Middlesex County

Blue Jay Cafea deli and café serving breakfast and lunch items using ingredients from local farms has opened in the former home of Dan & Marianna’s, a pioneering deli for 35 years. 1321 Bound Brook Road, Middlesex; 732-560-9160, bluejaycafenj.com.

Chipotle, A fast-casual burrito and taco chain opened its first Middlesex County location in August. 2030 Route 9, Suite 102, Old Bridge; 640-230-7499, chipotle.com.

Dave’s Hot Chickena chain specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken opened its first Middlesex County location in October in the former home of Moe’s Southwest Grill. 326 Route 18, East Brunswick; 732-416-4044, daveshotchicken.com.

DeeDee’s pizzaa 1990s-inspired pizzeria with high-quality ingredients owned by DHS Hospitality, opened in October in the former home of the famous Highland Pizza. 601 Raritan Ave., Highland Park; 848-202-9333, deedeespizza.com.

DeeDee’s Pizza:New ’90s-style pizzeria opens in Highland Park in the former home of Highland Pizza

Exit 12 Mexican Bar & Grilla colorful, modern, speakeasy-style Mexican restaurant and lounge, opened in February. 1000 Roosevelt Ave. at the Red Roof PLUS+ Hotel, Carteret; 732-366-4146, exit12nj.com.

Frozen flamingo, an original ice cream parlor, opened in May. 835 Roosevelt Ave., Carteret; 732-366-2474, instagram.com/frozenflamingonj.

Giddy’sa kosher pizzeria and Italian restaurant, moved from East Brunswick to Sushiana’s former home in March. 17 N. 4th Ave., Highland Park; 732-659-6898, giddyspizzeria.com.

Gregory’s coffeea specialty coffee chain with locations throughout the United States, will open its first location in Central Jersey on December 15th. 2070 Route 9, Suite 102, Old Bridge; gregoryscoffee.com.

honey waxa fast-casual chain known for its customizable stir-fries, salads and “honey bar” desserts opened its second location in Central Jersey in July. 2020 Route 9, Suite 101, Old Bridge; 732-210-6450, honeygrow.com.

Khorasan Kababan Afghan restaurant, opened in October in the former home of the Kabob Factory. 567 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen; 732-318-6050, khorasankabab.com.

New York fries, A Canadian french fry chain opened its second U.S. location in February. Menlo Park Mall Food Court, 55 Parsonage Road, Edison; 732-226-8597, us.newyorkfries.com.

Playa Bowlsa chain offering acai, pitaya, coconut shells and smoothies opened in June. 2020 Route 9, Suite 103, Old Bridge; 201-596-0084, playabowls.com.

Aries and Rooster:The only prix fixe Chinese restaurant in New Jersey is now open in Metuchen

Aries and Roostera high-end fusion restaurant and the only Chinese prix fixe restaurant in the state, opened in July. 83 Central Ave., Metuchen; 732-662-1041, ramandroosternj.com.

Roosevelt Bagel Factorya bagel shop owned by a father and son opened in June. 695 Roosevelt Ave., Carteret; 732-366-2808, instagram.com/rooseveltbagelfactory/.

salad work, A bespoke salad fast-casual chain with more than 150 locations opened its only location in Middlesex County in June. Menlo Park Mall, 55 Parsonage Road, Edison; 732-887-3719, saltworks.com.

Veganicaa vegan pizzeria, pastry shop and bar that is one of the first 100% vegan bars in the state, opened in July as a sister restaurant to nearby vegan restaurant Veganized. 124 Court St., New Brunswick; 732-354-3194, veganicanj.com.

Somerset County

AndaazAn upscale Indian fusion restaurant that serves dishes like ghee-fried lamb chops and mushroom and barley kebabs between black banquettes and gold walls opened in April. It is one of the few restaurants in New Jersey with a strict dress code and children under 5 are not allowed in for dinner. 3059 Route 27 Unit 103, Franklin Park; 908-275-0200, andaaz.us.

Big chicken, A Shaquille O’Neal-backed chicken sandwich restaurant chain opened its first New Jersey location in July. Bridgewater Commons, 640 Commons Way, Suite 4240, Bridgewater; 908-573-1407, bigchicken.com/bridgewater-nj.

Mishta Restaurantan upscale destination for Indian cuisine, opened in October. 200 Triangle Road, Hillsborough; 732-310-3265, mishtadine.com.

Pachamama, an elevated Peruvian fusion restaurant with a 16-foot tree canopy over the dining area that opened in February in the former home of Tacos El Tio. 215 Route 22, Green Brook; 732-200-5141, pachamamanj.com.

Wonder, A fast-casual restaurant inspired by the food trucks that delivered home-delivered gourmet meals prepared by chefs opened its first restaurant in Somerset County in December. 245 Route 22, Green Brook; 855-818-5755, Wonder.com.

Union County

In Bernadette:A “Chopped” winner cooks up Mediterranean tapas at this new Scotch Plains restaurant

1950 originalsa creative and nostalgic hot dog and burger joint, opened its second location in October. 13 Elm St., Westfield; 201-275-0622, 1950originals.com.

Bernadette, an elegant but eclectic restaurant serving Mediterranean tapas with local ingredients created by a Michelin-recommended chef and “Chopped” winner, opened in February in the former home of Little Shop of Comics. 387 Park Ave., Scotch Plains; 973-671-0848, bernadettenj.com.

Farinolioan Italian bakery and cafe, opened its second location in Summit in September. 12 Bank St., Summit; 908-219-9949, farinolio.com.

Felina, an Italian-American restaurant, opened its second location in August at the Albion Hotel, the former Grand Summit Hotel. 570 Springfield Ave., Summit; 908-273-3000, thealbionhotels.com.

La Colina Mexican Cantinaa colorful Mexican restaurant, opened in February in the former home of Sonny G’s Brick Oven and Italian Cucina. 2 South Ave. West, Cranford; 908-272-1948, lacolinanewjersey.com.

Corn cocina and cocktailsa modern Mexican fusion restaurant and bar, opened at Westfield Station in October. It is the first time in the station’s 132-year history that it will house a restaurant, made possible through a public-private partnership. 301 North Ave. West, Westfield; 908-936-4050, maizewestfield.com.

Ocean Prime Taverna modern and chic steak and seafood restaurant, opened in February in the former home of Romola’s Seafood & Grille. 2 South Ave. West, Cranford; 908-272-0045, oceanprimetavernnj.com.

Sam’s Delicatessena deli offering sandwiches and salads opened in December in the former home of Across The Pond Bakery in The Strand. 447 Springfield Ave., Summit; 908-955-8205, samsdelisummit.com.

Sofun noodle bara Chinese dim sum and noodle restaurant, opened its second location and first in New Jersey in November. 34 Maple St., Summit; 908-219-4438, sofunkitchen.com.

Taco De Ojo Taqueriawhich serves creative Latin American fare in a colorful 25-seat space decorated with a custom mural of iconic Mexican figure El Chavo del Ocho and opened in May. 106 Central Ave., Westfield; 908-632-6822, tacodeojotaqueria.com.

Contact: [email protected]

Jenna Intersimone has been a USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey contributor since 2014, though she’s a lifelong Jersey girl who considers herself an expert on everything from the Jersey Shore to the bustling downtown areas of the Garden State. For full access to her stories of food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. You can also follow her on Instagram at @seejennaeat and on Twitter at @JIntersimone.

ByAmelia Journalton

Hunterdon County

By Amelia Journalton

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