Finding the perfect date night spot can be a challenge sometimes. Lucky for us, New Jersey is jam-packed with great restaurants that are perfect to take that special someone in your life. From Brazilian food to cocktail bars and sushi, here are 21 New Jersey spots that are perfect for your next date night.
1. Dullboy – Jersey City, NJ
This lively, dim-lit cocktail bar is the perfect date night spot. The menu is dotted with an array of shareable plates, small bites, natural wines and complete with a cocktail list curated by their expert bartenders.
And let’s not forget Dullboy serves a large-format punch. What’s more intimate than sharing a large bowl of booze? The ambiance is unmatched—complete with old-school hip-hop from the speakers. All things considered, Dullboy is one of the coolest places to eat (and drink) in the state.
2. Ramen Nagomi – New Brunswick, NJ
If you’re trying to impress the ramen lover in your life, look no further than Ramen Nagomi. Across the state, it is widely agreed that Ramen Nagomi serves up some of the best and most authentic ramen. Classic bowls such as tonkotsu and chicken shio adorn the menu, but the miso crab ramen might just take the cake. The slight dining room is complete with Japanese art spread across the walls. Ramen Nagomi has additional locations in Freehold, NJ and Lawrence Twp, NJ (located in the Quakerbridge Mall).
3. The Ebbitt Room – Cape May, NJ
New Jersey’s southernmost city is certainly a great destination for your next date. Besides the historic architecture and beautiful beaches, great food is also a draw to the area. The Ebbitt Room is located at the bottom of the legendary Virginia Hotel and features fresh, farm-to-table fare in a breathtaking environment. The menu is dotted with local seafood, meat, produce and an expansive raw bar. You know what they say about oysters…
4. Turtle + the Wolf – Upper Montclair, NJ
This cool and sophisticated restaurant has “date night” written all over it. The BYO serves up classic American fare with inspirations pulled from a variety of cultures. Duck confit pot pie and pappardelle with pork sugo are some of Turtle’s best, but if you want something more light-hearted, don’t look past Lo’s fried chicken. This shareable dish of fried chicken, salad, potatoes, shishito peppers, biscuits and coleslaw offers an upscale approach to a comfort food classic. Grab a bottle of wine and head to Turtle + the Wolf for your next date.
5. June BYOB – Collingswood, NJ
If you want something a tad more elegant, then June might be your answer. The South Jersey eatery serves upscale French cuisine in a refined style. Originally opening in Philadelphia, it was immediately named one of the city’s essential French restaurants before being relocated to Collingswood in 2021. The constantly changing menu features French staples such as escargot, choucroute garnie and the coveted Canard a la Presse—more colloquially known as “pressed duck.”
6. Rat’s Restaurant – Hamilton Twp, NJ
Rat’s is an experience from the get-go. The beautifully decorated, old-school building is off the beaten path, so the adventure starts early and lasts through the evening. Modern, farm-fresh French fare is paired with immaculate views of the Grounds for Sculpture—which shares a property with the restaurant. The restaurant itself will have you feeling like you just stumbled into a chateau in Bordeaux. The atmosphere at Rat’s is worth the trip alone.
7. Shumi – Ridgewood and Leonia, NJ
Sushi is often people’s first thought when it comes to planning a date, so why not have the best? Better yet, why not choose somewhere that offers more than just sushi? Shumi serves up sushi and other Japanese dishes such as katsu curry, tempura and more. For the particularly food curious, Shumi’s Omakase menu should not be overlooked. This will land you a tasting menu of the day’s fresh catches prepared in traditional style. The omakase menu changes daily, but the surprise is the fun of it all. Shumi’s second location in Leonia is now open.
8. South + Pine – Morristown, NJ
Leia Gaccione’s South + Pine might not be a diner’s first thought when it comes to Morristown, but it is undoubtedly one of the town’s, nay, the state’s great restaurants. The casual eatery focuses on farm-to-table food with an emphasis on fresh, local produce. Dishes like the lamb meatballs and chicken and waffles have become S+P staples, while other portions of the menu change constantly. The food is sustainable, health-conscious and of course, delicious. If you’re in the area or looking for something new, this is the place to try.
9. Reyla – Asbury Park, NJ
Located in the heart of Asbury Park, Reyla takes the flavors of the Middle East and presents them in a chic and refreshing way. The welcoming spot specializes in shareable plates—making for the perfect date spot whether you’re just getting to know someone, or have been together for some time. Better yet, Thursday evenings at Reyla are date nights, where guests can book a deal that includes 5 courses and a bottle of wine for 90 dollars.
10. Perquin – Jersey City, NJ
Okay, time for a change of pace. Looking to try something new? Perhaps some Honduran or Ecuadorian street food? Perquin has you covered in Jersey City. Chef and Owner Bryan Giron has studied the foods of Latin America extensively, and looks to bring JC diners a little slice of his roots. Expect steak-stuffed baleadas, Honduran-style fried chicken and a steady flow of crushable cocktails.
If you and that special someone are the dancing type, then one of Perquin’s already-legendary salsa nights could be the perfect next date.
11. Grand Vin – Hoboken, NJ
This cozy restaurant is located on the ground level of an old-school Hoboken apartment building. The quaint eatery boasts a well-rounded wine list and menu featuring Italian and Italian-American fare. Sitting down at a table in Grand Vin transports you to many of the intimate restaurants and cafes you will find throughout Europe’s historic cities. The menu is well-priced and the Tuesday-Thursday happy hour is alluring. Grand Vin is a perfect place to take that someone special in your life.
12. Frankie – Jersey City, NJ
Frankie is perhaps one of the coolest places you can dine (and drink) in Jersey. The JC restaurant is inspired by the beaches and sights of Sydney, Australia and the food matches that vibe. Meat pies, fish and chips and a remarkable burger are some of what you can enjoy when dining at Frankie. The wine list is laden with natural wines from an array of places across the globe and a similarly hip cocktail list accompanies it. The service is excellent, the color palate is alluring and most importantly, the food is strikingly great.
13. Artie’s – Maplewood, NJ
Pizza is always a good idea for date night and what better than wood-fired pies in an industrial setting? Artie’s (FKA Arturo’s) in Maplewood dishes out some of the state’s best pizzas and pasta. The menu is designed around their wood-burning brick oven and that idea extends beyond pizza: Wood-fired veggies and meatballs get a kiss from the ovens burning hot flame too. Whether it’s a first date or a hundredth date, Artie’s is a no-brainer.
14. Samba – Montclair, NJ
Montclair’s Samba is quickly becoming one of the city’s most beloved restaurants. The interior is intimate and decorated with wall art and foliage from floor to ceiling. Besides the fact that their inventive take on Brazilian cuisine is a home run with guests, their commitment to gluten-free is alluring for diners who are particularly sensitive to wheat, barley and rye. Samba is the only restaurant in NJ certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group. This makes it a perfect date night spot for eaters of all varieties.
15. Cellar 335 – Jersey City, NJ
Truly, this list would be incomplete without the addition of Cellar 335, Jamie Knott’s legendary restaurant and cocktail bar located below a historic building in Jersey City. The space serves thoughtfully plated Asian-inspired fare, alongside tiki cocktails served in an array of creative glassware and mugs. The staff is some of the most knowledgeable around and the surrounding dining room—complete with knick-knacks, foliage and antiques—is simply sexy. There’s just no other way to put it.
16. Osteria Crescendo – Westwood, NJ
What else is there to be said about Robbie Felice’s Osteria Crescendo that hasn’t already been said? Hand-made pasta, dry-aged steaks and expertly crafted cocktails make OC one of Jersey’s most alluring restaurants. Better yet, the sleek interior and top-notch service makes for an eatery that is ideal for your next date night. Not only will the staff deliver an unforgettable experience, but dining at Osteria Crescendo is a sure-fire way to secure that second date (it worked for me).
17. Lovesick – Asbury Park, NJ
If you ask me, a glass of wine is both the best way to get to know somebody and the best way to celebrate an already loving relationship. Wine is eternal. Wine is love. Wine is life. Asbury Park’s Lovesick sports a varied wine list, including many natural options to choose from and probably the best sparkling selection in NJ. Additionally, dine on playful snacks like char-siu ribs, 24-month prosciutto and bowls of ramen. The dimly-lit room, with colorful lights hanging from the ceiling, is just what your next date night is calling for. On Fridays, vinyl records play over the speakers and on Saturdays, a DJ spins the tunes.
18. Nettie’s – Tinton Falls, NJ
If it’s not Nettie’s unmatched vibe that brings you in, it might just be the elevated take on red sauce staples. Chef Chris Calabrese brings Jersey Italian up a few notches at Nettie’s House of Spaghetti. Baskets of semolina bread hit each table, and the silky smooth buttermilk ricotta is a must order. For date night, the vinegar chicken can’t be beat. A half (or full) chicken is roasted and sauced in a sticky and spicy vinegar jus. Pair it with a cold glass of wine or a craft cocktail, and you’ve got yourself an unforgettable meal.
19. Flour – Hoboken, NJ
Handmade pasta is the name of the game at Hoboken’s Flour, which has quickly ascended to a top restaurant in the city. Squash-stuffed ravioli comes bathed in brown butter, cooling tuna crudo is paired with apple and hand-made fettuccine is tossed in a savory mushroom cream. Italian is the dominant cuisine of Flour, but Japanese and Mexican influences aren’t hard to come by when traversing the menu. Flour is a BYO, so bring some wine and a full appetite—they’ve got the rest.
20. Obaltan BBQ – Fort Lee, NJ
I personally think Korean BBQ is among the best options for a date night. And if you’re going to go for it, might as well go with the best. Obaltan is an a la carte KBBQ spot in Fort Lee that is seriously good. Well-marbled prime short ribs, shaved brisket, and juicy ribeye are just some of my favorites. Clams and oysters—grilled on the half shell—are topped with ssamjang and other varied Korean accompaniments. Don’t forget to wash it all down with a bottle (or three) of soju.
21. That Pasta Club – Park Ridge, NJ
That Pasta Club is a tad different from the other entries on this list. For starters, it’s a secret supper club located inside of an empanada shop. Thursday through Saturday, TPC is dishing out an unforgettable multi-course tasting menu. Expect yakitori, French onion-inspired cappelletti, oysters and dry-aged steaks. Chef Nicolas Pescatore changes the menu weekly—utilizing only the best meats, fish and seasonal produce he can get his hands on.
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.
