The 10 Best New Restaurants Opening in NJ This Year

New Jersey's dining scene continues to evolve and impress, with 2026 shaping up to be one of the most exciting years for restaurant openings in recent memory. From Jersey City to Cape May, talented chefs are bringing fresh concepts, international flavors, and innovative approaches to the Garden State. Browse all New Jersey restaurants on JerseyTopTen.

1. Coastal Table - Asbury Park

Opening in the revitalized Asbury Park waterfront district, Coastal Table brings a sophisticated take on New Jersey seafood. Chef Maria Santos, formerly of acclaimed New York restaurants, focuses exclusively on locally-sourced catches from Point Pleasant and Barnegat Bay fishermen. The 80-seat restaurant features an open kitchen, raw bar, and stunning ocean views. Expected opening: March 2026. Find more Asbury Park restaurants.

2. Nonno's Kitchen - Hoboken

Third-generation restaurateur Anthony Caruso is finally opening his own place after years of working in his family's restaurants across North Jersey. Nonno's Kitchen celebrates traditional Italian-American cooking with recipes passed down from his grandfather. Expect house-made pastas, Sunday gravy that simmers for hours, and a warm, family-style atmosphere. Expected opening: February 2026. Explore Italian restaurants in NJ.

3. Seoul Garden - Fort Lee

Fort Lee's Korean dining scene gets a major addition with Seoul Garden, a modern Korean BBQ concept featuring premium cuts of Korean beef and pork. The 150-seat restaurant includes private dining rooms with built-in grills and a soju bar with over 50 varieties. The team behind the successful Seoul BBQ in Palisades Park is leading this ambitious project. Expected opening: April 2026. Discover more Bergen County dining.

4. The Greenhouse - Princeton

Sustainability meets fine dining at The Greenhouse, a farm-to-table restaurant attached to a working greenhouse where much of the produce is grown on-site. Chef Jennifer Walsh, a James Beard nominee, is creating a menu that changes with the seasons and highlights the best of New Jersey agriculture. The stunning glass-enclosed dining room offers views of the growing operation. Expected opening: May 2026. Browse Princeton restaurants.

5. Bombay Street - Jersey City

Indian street food gets the spotlight at Bombay Street, bringing the flavors of Mumbai's famous street vendors to Jersey City. The casual concept features chaat, pav bhaji, vada pav, and other beloved snacks rarely found in traditional Indian restaurants. A sister location is already planned for Newark. Expected opening: March 2026. Find Indian restaurants in NJ.

6. Le Petit Cochon - Montclair

French cuisine returns to Montclair in a big way with Le Petit Cochon, an intimate bistro focusing on classic French comfort food. Think coq au vin, steak frites, and crème brûlée in a warm, candlelit setting. The husband-wife team trained in Paris and are bringing authentic technique to the Essex County dining scene. Expected opening: April 2026.

7. Tacos El Rey - New Brunswick

The popular food truck is finally getting a brick-and-mortar location in New Brunswick's downtown. Known for their authentic Mexican street tacos and hand-made tortillas, Tacos El Rey has built a loyal following over eight years of serving the Rutgers community. The new space will feature a full bar with an extensive mezcal selection. Expected opening: February 2026. Explore Mexican restaurants in NJ.

8. Blue Fin Omakase - Red Bank

Sushi lovers, rejoice. Blue Fin Omakase brings a premium Japanese dining experience to Red Bank, featuring an intimate 12-seat omakase counter where Chef Takeshi Yamamoto prepares a multi-course tasting menu using fish flown in daily from Tokyo's Tsukiji Market. Reservations are expected to be highly coveted. Expected opening: June 2026. Browse sushi restaurants in NJ.

9. The Pit Stop - Edison

Texas-style BBQ makes its way to Central Jersey at The Pit Stop in Edison, where pitmaster Robert Chen is smoking brisket, ribs, and pulled pork over post oak wood for up to 18 hours. The massive 200-seat restaurant includes a beer garden and live music stage. Chen spent years training at renowned Texas BBQ joints before bringing his skills home to New Jersey. Expected opening: May 2026.

10. Verde - Camden

Part of Camden's continuing renaissance, Verde is an upscale Mexican restaurant from a team of Camden natives who want to bring elevated dining back to their hometown. The menu features refined takes on regional Mexican cuisine, with an emphasis on moles from Oaxaca and coastal dishes from Veracruz. The waterfront location offers stunning views of the Philadelphia skyline. Expected opening: April 2026. Discover Camden County restaurants.

What This Means for NJ Dining

These openings reflect several exciting trends in New Jersey's restaurant scene. We're seeing more chefs choose to open in New Jersey rather than New York, drawn by lower rents and a hungry audience eager for quality dining. International cuisines beyond the usual suspects are getting their due, and sustainability is moving from buzzword to standard practice.

The geographic spread is also notable—it's not just about the Hudson County waterfront anymore. Towns like Camden, New Brunswick, and Asbury Park are becoming serious dining destinations in their own right.

Tips for Snagging a Reservation

For the most anticipated openings like Blue Fin Omakase and The Greenhouse, we recommend:

• Following the restaurants on social media for opening announcements

• Signing up for their email lists if available

• Being flexible with your dining times—early or late seatings are easier to book

• Consider visiting on weeknights for a better chance at walk-in availability

Stay tuned to JerseyTopTen for reviews of these restaurants as they open throughout the year. We'll be among the first to visit and report back on which ones live up to the hype. In the meantime, browse our complete restaurant guide and curated collections to find your next great meal.