The Best Foodie Road Trip New Jersey
New Jersey has a diverse array of food options, ranging from pizza to seafood—as well as some state specials.
Written by Tom Hindle
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
Table of Contents
- South Jersey
- South Jersey to Atlantic City
- Atlantic City to Jersey City
- Jersey City to Northern Jersey
- Be prepared with roadside assistance
- Finding cheap car insurance
- FAQs
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New Jersey has a diverse population—and diverse options for your palate. Big cities like Atlantic City and seaside getaways like Stone Arbor present their own unique flavors and tastes.
Packaging those stops, plus a few more, into a road trip is a good way to satisfy your foodie cravings while also taking in some sights.
Figuring out a perfect trip isn’t easy, but
car insurance
comparison and broker app Jerry
has you covered with the best foods and a good itinerary. And if you’re looking for a great roadside assistance program to give you peace of mind during your drive, Jerry has that, too! With towing, lockout services, fuel delivery, and more, Jerry will get you back on the road quickly.
Ready to fill your belly on a New Jersey foodie road trip?
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South Jersey
South Jersey is more than just a land strip for the turnpike. It has its own unique culture full of hearty American food. Expect big meals with some trendy, modern influences to keep things exciting.
Where to eat in South Jersey
- Saltwater Cafe($): Foodies should start on the southernmost end of New Jersey with breakfast at Saltwater Cafe. With a simple and clean setup, the cafe serves classic breakfast at great prices. The banana and walnut pancakes are a standout, although it makes a good lunch spot, too.
- Avalon Brew Pub($$): If you can wait for lunch, hold off until you get to Avalon Brew Pub in Stone Harbor. The resort town is a tourist hotspot with plenty of restaurants. Avalon stands out for its top-notch beer selection and excellent seafood—try the mussels with crusty bread for lunch!
- Ristorante Luciano($$): It would be rude to not tap into some good Italian food in New Jersey, and for your first taste of that, try Ristorante Luciano for dinner. Their pasta is excellent, but the standout is the calamari, perfectly crispy and served with yummy Marinara sauce.
- Springer's Homemade Ice Cream($$): If you’ve got room for dessert, drop into Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream. The shack boasts over 50 flavors of ice cream and sorbet—so pretty much anything you want is available!
South Jersey to Atlantic City
Driving time: About 1 hour
Atlantic City’s touristy vibe has made it a hotbed for experimental and yummy food. And while some might visit the shoreline city for its nightlife, there are a number of great restaurants worth checking out, too.
Where to eat from South Jersey to Atlantic City
- Maria's Luncheonette($): Maria’s Luncheonette is easy to miss. A tiny cafe well away from the hotels and resorts that attract tourists, this breakfast essential isn’t on everyone’s radar—but it should be. Maria’s does American classics to a very high standard, with their omelettes hard to beat.
- Bourré($$): For something a little different for lunch, try Cajun cafe Bourré. It serves a ton of creole delights, but the jambalaya shouldn’t be missed. Look out for live music and have a creole coffee if you fancy a cheeky lunchtime drink.
- Casa Taco($$): A visit to an Atlantic City resort is a must if you’re in the area, and the good news is that a lot of them have really good restaurants. If you’re in the mood for hearty Mexican food, dip into Casa Taco and give their arrachera a try.
- LandShark Grill($$): LandShark Grill is also a good pick, located right on the water with an outstanding cod sandwich!
Fun fact: Everyone's favorite boardwalk sweet, saltwater taffy, was created in Atlantic City. Stop by
James Candy Company
to pick up some Fralinger's Original Saltwater Taffy.Atlantic City to Jersey City
Driving time: About 2 hours
Just across the Hudson from Manhattan, Jersey City is more than New York City’s awkward cousin. The riverside metropolis is home to some fantastic food in its own right, highlighted by fresh ingredients and trendy cafes.
Where to eat from Atlantic City to Jersey City
- Berri Berri ($): Start with a light breakfast at Berri Berri Smoothie and Juice Bar. The smoothie spot is more than its slightly scruffy look and serves excellent smoothies with add-ons available.
- Taqueria Downtown($$): For lunch, try Taqueria Downtown, a Mexican spot that may be small on the inside but serves large dishes. Their freshly made guacamole is a hit and the carnitas tacos are a great option if you like a bit of kick to your food.
- Cellar 335($$): If you fancy a trendy dinner, try out Cellar 335. The underground wine bar has been spruced up into an Asian fusion restaurant with fancy cocktails, tropical beer, and large, shareable plates. The drunken noodles and pork belly are standouts!
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Jersey City to Northern Jersey
Driving time: About 1 hour
If you’re sick of the hustle and bustle of the city or the crowded summertime beaches, there are alternatives. Northern New Jersey is home to a number of pretty suburbs, with lush parks and great restaurants to check out.
Where to eat from Jersey City to Northern Jersey
- Daily Treat($): Start at the Daily Treat in Ridgewood. The family-run spot does all-day breakfast highlighted by their signature breakfast bowl—a lovely concoction of chorizo, eggs, and fried sweet potatoes.
- Bivio Pizzeria($$): Pizza is a New Jersey staple, and you’ll struggle to find better within the Garden State than at Bivio Pizzeria Napoletana. The tiny spot is so popular that they’ve been known to run out of dough on busy nights. But it’s worth hedging your bets, as the pies are fantastic. Give the Bianca pizza—topped simply with mozzarella and parmesan—a go.
- Le Salbuen($$): You won’t have to head too far for dinner, either. Le Salbuen is located right on a standard commute from New Jersey into Manhattan and it’s well worth a stop. The popular new American spot draws from local produce to concoct interesting recipes. Standouts include braised duck and Cuban black beans.
Be prepared with roadside assistance
Whether you’re cruising around the suburbs, embracing the bustle of the big city, or chilling by the seaside, accidents, and breakdowns happen. If you’ve busted a tire or gotten into a collision,
Jerry
’s roadside assistance program is there for you.Jerry has you covered by featuring up to 10 miles of towing plus jump starts, tire changes, fuel deliveries, and more. You’ll also enjoy some exclusive benefits like car advice, key replacement, and Uber credits—and it only costs $6.99 for one car!
Finding cheap car insurance
Regardless of where you are, it’s vital to have the right
car insurance
. And if you want to save money on insurance, the Jerry
app is a great place to start. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding the cheapest quotes from the top insurance companies and finalizing your new car insurance. Jerry will even cancel your old policy for you!
And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal—so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.
"Jerry offers an extremely easy and swift process to get you the cheapest insurance. I was paying a ton of money per month on car insurance, then I discovered Jerry. I’m now saving over $150 per month and it only took me about 5 minutes of time on the app. I strongly recommend downloading this app so you can save money just like I did!" —Jerry user
FAQs
How do I drive safely on the turnpike?
The New Jersey turnpike is one of the most notorious roads in the United States. Constantly busy and full of confusing exits, the highway isn't the easiest to navigate. As always, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, drive sensibly, and respect others on the road. To expedite things, having an EasyPass is a great help!
Is there anything else I need to bring?
That depends on where you are! If you’re headed to Stone Harbor, some beach gear is essential—think umbrellas, towels, and swimming trunks. It’s also important to ensure you’re driving the
right road trip car
, as the difference between a sedan and SUV can be rather pronounced on a long drive.What happens if I break down?
Unfortunately, accidents and breakdowns happen. The best thing you can do is to be prepared. That means staying fueled up, getting your car serviced, and signing up for
Jerry’s roadside assistance
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