Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and the moms of New Jersey deserve a memorable meal to celebrate.
We’ve got a little bit of everything for you. From prix fixe brunch and à la carte dining, to fresh nigiri, Thai noodles, and chef-driven fine dining, here are 16 spots in New Jersey to celebrate Mother’s Day this year.
87 Sussex
Jersey City’s own 87 Sussex has a can’t-miss brunch menu for Mother’s Day. The two-course menu features homemade strawberry pop tarts, plump shrimp cocktail, and hearts of palm for appetizers. For your entrée, enjoy a gooey croque madame, rose petal ravioli, or the brunch-favorite cornflake-crusted French toast, which is sweet, crunchy, and pillowy. It’s an approachable way to treat Mom to one of the city’s top fine dining establishments.
Find out more here.
Walnut Street Kitchen
This beloved Montclair BYOB is doing something a bit different for Mother’s Day. Chef and Owner Beverly Lacsina put together a Filipino Kamayan brunch inspired by her own mom’s cooking—traditional flavors, served family-style on banana leaves. Think: pork lumpia, barbecue chicken skewers, chicken and pork adobo, and her dad’s famous turon, a sweet dessert spring roll made with plantains and jackfruit.
One seating at 11:30 a.m. Book here.
Heirloom Kitchen
This Old Bridge favorite is putting together a truly special menu to celebrate Mom. Four courses, prix fixe—including hits like focaccia with thyme maple syrup, soft shell crab with green garlic beurre blanc, “shrimp rangoon” stuffed bomboloni, and tart grapefruit curd with velvety cream cheese mousse.
Reserve now.
June
How about some classic French? June dishes out proper, calculated French food in elegant digs down in Collingswood. Their Sunday Tasting is the perfect meal for Mom on her special day. Four courses, with choices like wild prawn quenelle, beef wellington, roasted scallops, and lamb lollipops.
Book the Sunday Tasting here.
Osteria Morini
Bernardsville’s Osteria Morini brings two dining experiences to the table for Mother’s Day. Prix fixe brunch and dinner each offer three courses traversing the flavors of Northern Italy. Think: tender polpettine made with prosciutto and mortadella, romaine dressed with zippy anchovy vinaigrette, ricotta pancakes, slow-cooked short ribs with fava beans, and all of the pasta your heart could desire.
Mother’s Day reservations can be found here.
Cardinal
Maybe what Mom needs is brunch immediately followed by a stroll to the beach? If so, this is the spot. Cardinal is known for the best brunch in Asbury Park—and for good reason. Ricotta toast, egg and cheese on fluffy brioche, loaded breakfast burritos, chicken and waffles, and cacio e pepe scrambled eggs are just some of the offerings.
Don’t skip fresh, daily-made pastry selection.
The Saint Clair
The Saint Clair is offering two experiences this Mother’s Day in Montclair. For brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., enjoy a prix fixe menu with duck fat tater tots, yogurt parfait, lobster shakshuka, and mascarpone French toast. For dinner, typical à la carte service with all of TSC’s favorites—tuna crudo with rhubarb, PEI mussels, carbonara spiked with spring veg, and a seriously good dry-aged burger.
More info here.
SLA
Mom deserves some Thai food for her special day—and what better than Montclair’s very own SLA. This cozy eatery features a menu rife with authentic Thai staples: crispy chive pancakes, curry puffs, shredded papaya salad (somtum), pad see ew, slow-braised pork belly, and the house-favorite stewed chicken with noodles, khao soi.
Open all day. 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. BYOB.
Revell Hall
Revell Hall in Burlington is quickly becoming one of South Jersey’s most talked-about restaurants. For Mother’s Day, enjoy a special three-course brunch menu. Guests can dine on a mix of classic brunch options and contemporary additions: asparagus with soft-cooked egg, burrata with strawberries, crab and avocado toast, crispy chicken milanese, cornflake French toast, and butter-poached lobster benedict. And that’s just a peek.
Book here.
Ryujin Sushi
If Mom’s a sushi fan, she deserves the best NJ has to offer. Bridgewater’s Ryujin Sushi delivers a high-end sushi experience at an accessible price—assorted nigiri, specialty rolls, hand rolls, Japanese appetizers and salads, and even 24-hour tonkotsu ramen. For something extra special, spring for the Chef’s Tasting: eight pieces and a maki roll, served omakase-style.
Make a reservation here.
Laboratorio Kitchen
Laboratorio Kitchen is Montclair’s best-kept secret—and has been for over a decade. The cozy BYOB is keeping it simple for Mother’s Day with the same great à la carte menu, plus a slew of specials curated by Chef James De Sisto for the occasion.
Reservations are available here.
Mistral
This legendary Princeton restaurant is offering a special brunch menu for Mother’s Day. Dine on Italian wedding soup with wagyu meatballs, burrata toast, Cuban roast pork hash, harissa-poached eggs, and custardy French toast with poached rhubarb. And don’t overlook the coconut matcha tiramisu and burnt almond carrot cake. Plus: craft cocktails and a varied wine list.
Mother’s Day reservations can be found here.
Battello
Pristine NYC views and delectable plates are what’s in store at Jersey City’s Battello. Enjoy a special brunch menu—including Pecorino zeppole, olive oil pancakes, lobster roll, spaghetti cacio e pepe, grilled half chicken with crispy potatoes, and the famous ricotta gnocchi with sweet sausage bolognese. For dinner, dry-aged steaks, sweet potato ravioli with marsala mushrooms, and roasted Spanish octopus enter the equation.
Parties of six or more can book the specialty brunch buffet. All Mother’s Day experiences can be found here.
Brasserie Memere
Joyeuse Fête des Mères! Closter’s Brasserie Memere is offering an all-day prix fixe menu to celebrate Mom. Guests are treated to a choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert, with favorites such as foie gras terrine, quiche, roast chicken, and rich chocolate gâteau for dessert.
View the full menu here.
Restaurant 1793
Mother’s Day calls for the royal treatment, and this brand-new South Jersey restaurant has you covered in Merchantville. Restaurant 1793 is offering a special High Tea experience—including a champagne toast, spring garden salad, chilled lobster bisque, imported cheese, and more. For an additional charge, add caviar service.
Book here.
Artie’s
No reservations needed at Maplewood’s Artie’s. Beyond some of the best pizza in New Jersey, diners can enjoy a stacked lunch menu—featuring a seriously good ham and cheese sandwich on a fresh, chewy baguette—alongside favorites like fire-roasted meatballs, spicy orecchiette, and more. Plus: an aperitivo-heavy cocktail menu, pastries for breakfast, and the famous kale Caesar salad.
Bakery counter opens at 8 a.m. Lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner 5-9 p.m.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
