We’ve got our eyes (and appetites) focused on one thing for our Best of SJ list this year: FOOD!
Take a look at how many delightfully delicious and daringly decadent food options we have in SJ. Hold on to this special edition so the next time you’re hungry, you’ll know exactly where to go. And we’ll see you there!
Distrito’s fish tacos
Best Appetizers
Distrito
At Moorestown Mall
400 Route 38
Moorestown
856-252-0300
moorestown.distrito
restaurant.com
Distrito’s dishes are made for sharing, and they’re so good you won’t want anyone at your table to miss a bite. Grab a friend or two and order a couple of dishes to split: we love the fish tacos and the hearty mushroom flatbreads. Try the poblano corn bread with chile-lime honey butter – you never knew you couldn’t live without lime butter until now.
Best Ice Cream Topping (for only a few months!)
River Chic’s Custard
7691 Black Horse Pike
Hammonton
609-481-2071
Every July, owner Tina Attig uses her mom’s secret recipe – and the local blueberry crop – to whip up a huge batch of blueberry syrup. Tina says she waits until the second harvest, when the berries are the sweetest. Try the syrup atop a blueberry sundae, complete with homemade soft serve and whipped cream and finished with a chocolate-covered blueberry. If you love it as much as we do, take home a pint of the syrup – it’s also great on toast, pancakes, waffles and anything else that could use some real Jersey flavor.
Best Comfort Food
Dooney’s Pub & Restaurant
1361 Fairview Boulevard
Delran
856-461-9100
dooneyspub.com
You’ll be in heaven – a really cool, fun heaven – when you stop at Dooney’s for lunch or dinner. Start with the creamy Loaded Potato Leek Soup, before venturing on to the Shepherd’s Pie packed with lamb, beef and vegetables, then topped with mashed potatoes and cheese. We also love the traditional Irish Bangers and Mash, so plan to stop back for those.
Best Martini Menu
The Madison
33 Lafayette Street
Riverside
856-764-4444
cafemadison.com
They have a Snickers martini. Really – a Snickers martini! Or you might want to try the bananas Foster martini with its graham cracker-rimmed glass. Then again, the tiramisu martini and the rice pudding martini make for great after-dinner drinks. With ingredients like butterscotch schnapps, rum chata cream and double-espresso vodka, any martini you choose is sure to hit the spot.
Best Gluten-Free Italian Dishes
Pasta Pomodoro
700 Haddonfield-Berlin Road
Voorhees
856-782-7430
pastapomodoronj.com
Long before it was cool to be gluten-free, Pasta Pomodoro was there. We gave the restaurant a Best Gluten-Free Fare nod three years ago, but after seeing their expanded menu we had to do it again. The gluten-free focaccia bread and entrees like sautéed eggplant and salmon Tribecca are sublime, and the staff is trained to keep the gluten-free cooking materials separate from the rest of the kitchen.
Best Reason to Take a Long Lunch
Monsoon Indian Cuisine
4180 Dearborn Circle
Mount Laurel
856-234-0080
moonsoonindiancuisine.com
Available Tuesday through Friday, Monsoon’s executive lunch buffet is chock-full of hot, delicious Indian specialties like basmati rice, lentils and tandoori chicken. (Plus, there are also three vegetarian options available every day.) You can also load up your plate with salads, fresh fruit and desserts, and fresh naan is served to your table while you eat. Go ahead, cancel that afternoon meeting.
Best Specialty Pizza
Bricco Coal Fired Pizza
128 Haddon Avenue
Westmont
856-477-2233
briccocoalfiredpizza.com
The amazing pizza at Bricco is charred on a 1,000-degree coal fire, creating a tasty crisp, thin crust. Pizza comes in two sizes (12” or 16”), and you can mix and match from a crazy variety of gourmet toppings like sopressata, long hots, rosemary ham, carmelized onions and short ribs.
Best Food Truck
Brother Bear BBQ
53 White Horse Pike
Chesilhurst
856-628-1888
brotherbearbbq.com
The food at this 31-foot mobile BBQ pit is bound to satisfy your every craving. The meats come fresh from local Amish butchers, and there’s always a new special if you’re feeling adventurous – think smoked falafel, candied bacon or deep-fried peanut butter and jelly. When they’re not cooking up a storm at events and festivals around SJ, the Brother Bear truck and smoker can be found parked alongside an outdoor picnic area on the White Horse Pike. Place your order and take a seat – you’ll know your food is ready when you hear a boisterous, “Come and get it!” They only close when the winds exceed 30 miles per hour or the storm has a name.
Best Place to Take the Kids for Lunch After Their Game
District Riverton Bistro
710 Broad Street
Riverton
856-499-2916
districtrivertonbistro.com
It’s Saturday afternoon, and the kids are starving after their baseball game. Head straight from the field to District Riverton Bistro, where kids from area sports teams who come in uniform get a free lunch. The huge menu has delicious options the entire family will love. Score one for mom and dad!
Best Place to Take a
First Date
Seasons 52
At Cherry Hill Mall
2000 Route 38
Cherry Hill
856-665-1052
seasons52.com
Seasons 52 is upscale but relaxed, so it’s a fun place to get to know someone. Grab a seat at the bar next to the piano player and share some appetizers – we recommend the chicken skewers – then talk about a second date over a mini-dessert.
Best Buffalo Chicken Salad – On a Pizza
Downtown Pizza & Italian Grill
35 High Street
Mount Holly
609-267-7229
downtownpizzaandgrill.com
We love the spicy kick of buffalo chicken salad, but on a pizza? We weren’t so sure, until we tried the buffalo chicken salad pizza at Downtown Pizza. Loaded with tangy chicken, bits of crisp celery and creamy blue cheese dressing, it’s the pizza we never knew we craved.
Best Outdoor Dining
SweetWater Bar & Grill
10 Route 130 North
Cinnaminson
856-829-7458
sweetwaternj.com
If the weather is right, there’s nothing like a nice spot on the cozy deck at SweetWater. Choose a spot under the awning or pick a table with a patio umbrella. You’ll love the menu (the flatbreads are a must) and bar selections (lots of craft beers, like Ithaca Flower Power). Just chill, and enjoy the evening.
Best Weekend Brunch
Grand Lux Cafe
At Cherry Hill Mall
2000 Route 38
Cherry Hill
856-486-7232
grandluxcafe.com
We’ve always raved about the French toast at Grand Lux, but on Saturdays and Sundays, brunch is a treat no matter what you order. The omelets are oversized and perfectly fluffy, and don’t even get us started on their breakfast beignets. Who doesn’t love dessert with breakfast?
Best Happy Hour
Osteria
At Moorestown Mall
400 Route 38
Moorestown
856-316-4427
osteriajersey.com
The newly expanded bar at Osteria is the perfect place for an awesome happy hour. All their exquisite pizzas are half off, and the drink specials include $5 glasses of wine and Prosecco. If you want a seat at the bar, go early. And if you like great food and fabulous cocktails, stay late!
Best Business Lunch
Redz Restaurant
515 Fellowship Road
Mount Laurel
856-222-0335
redzrestaurant.com
It’s the perfect spot for a business lunch because it makes everyone happy – the menu is varied and full of locally sourced ingredients, and the atmosphere is casual but elegant. Order a half-sandwich and soup, and work out your next business deal while dining.
Best Cannolis
Tre Famiglia
403 North Haddon Avenue
Haddonfield
856-429-1447
trefamiglia.com
We love the gnocchi and always name it Best of SJ, but this year something new caught our eye – or rather, our taste buds. The homemade, fresh desserts are all mouthwatering, but the cannolis take the cake. Literally. Their cannoli cake is so, so good.
Best Music Café
Bus Stop Music Café
148 South Broadway
Pitman
856-582-0009
busstopmusiccafe.com
They have fun (and punny) dishes like Bruce-chetta Springsteen, the Green Day salad and a panini called the Buffalo Springfield (with buffalo sauce of course). Nosh on something from the menu while listening to really good live local music on the weekend. They also have a huge vinyl collection you can shop between the sets.
Best Dinner Before Food Shopping
Wegmans
2 Centerton Road
Mount Laurel
856-439-7300
wegmans.com
Everyone’s busy, so whenever we can cross two items off the to-do list at one time it’s a good thing. Grab a quick, nutritious dinner with the kids at the clean and comfy Wegman’s cafe upstairs, then head downstairs for food shopping.
Best Place to Prepare a Big Italian Dinner
Matteo’s Italian Food
673 Cross Keys Road
Sicklerville
856-629-5799
matteositalianfood.com
Whether you’re an Italian chef or don’t know the difference between tortellini and cavatelli, start here. They have an extensive variety of pastas made fresh daily, international cheeses and frozen entrees, all perfect for creating an authentic Tuscan meal.
Best Bunless Burger
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
2026 Marlton Pike West
Cherry Hill
856-488-8433
fiveguys.com
Sometimes you just need a burger and fries, but if you also need a gluten-free option that can be a tall order. Fortunately, Five Guys has you covered. You can order any Five Guys burger with any toppings, either in a bowl or a lettuce wrap. And the good news doesn’t end there. The fryers are dedicated to only French fries, and buns are warmed on a dedicated grill, so you needn’t fear cross-contamination. If you’re especially gluten-sensitive, just mention your allergy to the staff, and they’ll change their gloves. Happy (and healthy) munching!
Best Guacamole
La Esperanza
40 East Gibbsboro Road
Lindenwold
856-782-7114
mexicanhope.com
No matter what else you order from this family-owned Mexican restaurant, begin your meal with their homemade guacamole. The dip is mixed fresh with avocados, jalapeño peppers, onions, cilantro and tomatoes and accompanied by an never-ending supply of crispy, homemade tortilla chips. For a touch of authenticity, the guac is served in a molcajete – a traditional Mexican mortar and pestle.
Best Frozen Yogurt
YoGo Factory
48 Haddon Avenue
Haddon Township
609-404-9646
yogofactory.com
The best thing about this create-your-own frozen yogurt shop (besides, you know, the creamy deliciousness of frozen yogurt) is that you can make your little cup of heaven with any flavors and toppings you want. Or, if you can’t decide, you can always just order off the menu too. We love the Blueberry Bonanza, which is blueberry acai tart yogurt with fresh blueberries and yogurt chips.
Best Lunch Express Menu
Carlucci’s Waterfront
876 Centerton Road
Mount Laurel
856-235-5737
carluccisitaliangrill.com
We love the lunch express menu at Carlucci’s, because it feels like a treat to leave your desk for a tasty outdoor treat. You can choose a starter, entrée and dessert from their delicious Italian options for $20. A fountain beverage or glass of wine is included – and if it’s Friday, why not order a glass of wine and take your time getting back to the office?
Best Cupcakes
My Little Kupkake
685 Haddon Avenue
Collingswood
856-240-1097
mylittlekupkake.com
We continue to be impressed by the sheer imagination that goes into the variety of flavors served in this shop. Only here can you find cannoli, sweet potato or Swedish Fish-flavored cupcakes along with favorites like red velvet and birthday cake. And vegans, rejoice! There are plenty of vegan and gluten-free options too, including the tasty vanilla blueberry and chocolate raspberry.
Best Lunch Special
Braddock’s Tavern
39 South Main Street
Medford
609-654-1604
braddocks.com
The best lunches don’t skimp on taste, but they don’t break the bank either. Braddock’s offers a two-course lunch for only $10 – so you can taste their fantastic, American-style options (the mac and cheese is a must) without going broke.
Best New Location
The Pop Shop
1 Bank Street
Medford
609-975-6888
thepopshopusa.com
The Pop Shop is all about mid-century nostalgia, but the restaurant’s newest location has some real history. Located in the former Burlington County National Bank Building, built in 1837, the restaurant features four unique dining rooms, a grand mezzanine and a working soda fountain housed inside the bank’s vault and behind its 2,000-pound door. You’ll know you’re in for a treat before you even get inside – the former bank’s exterior has been maintained in all its 19th-century glory… but now it has polka dots!
Best Ears, Wings & Tails
The Pic-A-Lilli Inn
866 Route 206
Shamong
609-268-2066
picalilli.com
The “Pic,” as it’s known to the locals, has been a hometown favorite since the 1920s, and on weekend nights the dining room is jam packed with people clambering for a tray of ears (breaded chicken cutlets), wings and tails (breaded chicken breasts). Have them mild, spicy, hot, smoked or smothered in garlic Parmesan sauce – no matter what you choose, you’ll leave happy and stuffed.
Best Way to Eat a Burger
Zinburger
923 Haddonfield Road
Cherry Hill
856-488-7590
zinburgereast.com
The folks at Zinburger have hit upon a simple truth: everything tastes better with wine, especially a certified Angus or Kobe beef burger. The wait staff can make expert recommendations on what wine will pair best with your handcrafted burger for optimal enjoyment. The restaurant itself is comfy and laid-back, so it’s the perfect place to unwind after a long week.
Best Garlic Bread
Cotardo’s Ristorante Italiano
1486 Blackwood-Clementon Road
Clementon
856-627-2755
cortadosrestaurant.com
According to the menu, it’s called Aldo’s Juicy Garlic Bread – we just call it delicious. The homemade bread is just the right combination of crispy and chewy, with the perfect amount of garlic. Trust us when we tell you to save room for two or three servings.
Best Jalapeño Jelly
Westmont Diner
317 Haddon Avenue
Westmont
856-854-7220
westmontdiner.com
Put some kick in your breakfast at the Westmont Diner. They make their own jalapeño jelly, and they often sell out by the afternoon – it’s a spice-lovers dream! You have to ask for it with your toast, and it comes in a little Dixie cup. Nothing fancy here; just some heavenly, hot, homemade jelly.
Best Signature Cocktail
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
At Moorestown Mall
400 Route 38
Moorestown
856-380-0604
moorestown.firebirds
restaurants.com
The Double Black Diamond Martini is delicious, but it’s cooler once you know how it’s made: fresh pineapples and Citron are steeped for 21 days in a five-gallon glass jar for all to see. It’s the focal point of the colorful Firebar.
Best Pies
Victorian Savories Bakery
8109 Town Center Boulevard
Voorhees
609-234-0213
victoriansavories.com
Owner Vicky Malvey pours passion into every pie she bakes. With more than 20 different pies on the menu, it’s almost impossible to choose a favorite. Try the rich, chocolatey Mississippi Mud pie, or go old-school with a traditional apple pie. No matter what you choose, there’s no way you’ll stop at just one slice.
Best Crab Puffs
Elena Wu Restaurant & Sushi Bar
12106 Town Center Boulevard
Voorhees
856-375-2289
elenawurestaurant.com
The first thing we do when we sit down at Elena Wu is order the fried crabmeat puffs appetizer – a savory concoction of fresh crab meat and cream cheese. And we’re always happy knowing the puffs will be followed up by a tasty entrée.
Best Burgers with a Twist
Bobby Chez Crabcakes
1990 Route 70 East
Cherry Hill
856-751-7575
bobbychezcrabcakes.com
Bobby Chez has always been the crabcake king, and we love to see him branching out into burgers. But they’re not just any burgers: The salmon burgers, smashed turkey burgers, smashed short rib burgers and new bison burgers are awesome!
Best Pizza
Pizza Amore
77 Hartford Road
Delran
856-764-4100
pizzaamoredelran.com
There’s a reason you’ll have to stand in line to pick up your pizza on a Friday or Saturday night. The family-owned business always uses fresh ingredients for their pizza, and that comes across in every bite. Try the Allesia topped with grilled chicken and broccoli rabe.
Best State-Brewed Beer
Flying Fish Brewing Co.
900 Kennedy Boulevard
Somerdale
856-504-3442
flyingfish.com
On brewery tours in New Jersey you are required by law to tour the brewery and learn about the beer before you taste it – but the lesson’s no sweat at Flying Fish, because the staff is so passionate about the beer it brews. You might like one of the seasonal brews, but year-round you can try the Hopfish, an English-style IPA, and the Exit 4, a Belgian-style Trippel with hints of banana and clove.
Best Crabs
Blue Claw Crab Eatery
4494 Route 130 North
Burlington Township
609-387-3700
crabeatery.com
The staff at Blue Claw serves up all kinds of seafood (and it’s all delicious), but we always go back for the crabs. Soft shells, king crab legs, Mexican crabs, snow crabs and of course their namesake, the Blue Claw – they’re all fantastic at this cozy, laid-back crab house.
Best Sushi with a Martini
Yokohama
300 South Lenola Road
Maple Shade
856-608-8812
yokohamacuisine.com
Right when you walk in the door (if you can get through the crowds), you’ll see a quaint but cool bar with guests enjoying a wonderful cocktail. Combine that with the awesome sushi you can get at this popular restaurant, and you’ve got the makings of a fabulous night. (Go for the Yokohama Boat – 20 pieces of sushi plus 40 pieces of sashimi!)
Best Chips to Eat for Breakfast
Tortilla Press
703 Haddon Avenue
Collingswood
856-869-3345
thetortillapress.com
The weekend brunch menu at this Mexican restaurant is absolutely to-die-for, but the star is the basket of cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips accompanied by a sweet, creamy dip. Tortilla chips and breakfast might seem like quite the odd couple, but we promise it works like a charm.
Best Cakes
Classic Cake Company
480 Evesham Road
Cherry Hill
856-751-5448
classiccake.com
The consultants at Classic Cake always talk with clients about what fun creation they can concoct for your special party, and they always deliver a unique, detailed, beautiful cake. But it’s not just the look they perfect – Chef Robert Bennett makes sure the cakes are 100 percent scrumptious too!
Best Private-Party Menu
The Capital Grille
At Cherry Hill Mall
2000 Route 38
Cherry Hill
856-665-5252
thecapitalgrille.com
Every year when it’s time to select the dinner location for our Women’s Roundtable, we know exactly where to go: The Capital Grille. They’ve got beautiful private rooms to fit any number of guests, and the menu is the same high quality fare, whether you’re feeding four or 34. Work with Aimy or Diane, and they’ll help you come up with a personalized menu your guests will love.
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