These are the best steakhouses in Central Jersey
Central Jersey has herds of steakhouses that are pros at aging their own beef, sourcing from around the country and creating their own marinades.
Several Central Jersey restaurants offer inventive and fun twists on classic brunch dishes.Establishments in Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex, and Union counties are highlighted for their unique brunch menus.These restaurants feature diverse culinary influences, including Cuban, Italian, Japanese, and Mexican cuisines.Many chefs prioritize locally sourced ingredients and frequently change their menus to reflect seasonal availability.
There’s no meal quite as fun as brunch. It’s the only time of day when eating batter bathed in sugary syrup, fried pork in endless forms, and orange or tomato juice with a kick feels not just acceptable, but encouraged — even if it has you ready for a nap by 2 p.m.
At these Central Jersey restaurants, brunch gets even more fun — and inventive — with thoughtful twists on classic dishes that keep locals coming back.
Here’s where to start your Sunday off right across Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex and Union counties.
Brunch by De Martino, Somerville
If you spot a dish on Brunch by De Martino’s menu that you’re dying to try — like the recent carrot cake pancakes topped with carrot‑maple icing, pecan cream cheese, mascarpone cream and candied cinnamon pecans — don’t wait.
The menu is rarely the same twice, thanks to the ever‑changing creativity of executive chef and owner Martino Linares. He brings his innovative palate to a cozy café filled with hand‑painted Cuban artwork. The restaurant opens at 8 a.m. daily, serving brunch until 2 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. on weekends.
Brunch by De Martino draws inspiration from Cuban paladares — private, in‑home restaurants — reflected in ornate, distressed tiles reminiscent of old‑world Cuban architecture, along with frames and mirrors inspired by Havana’s famed San Cristóbal restaurant.
Go: 9 Davenport St., Somerville; 908-722-8602, demartinolatin.com.
Espo’s, Raritan
The loyal crowd that fills Espo’s nightly doesn’t have to wait for dinner to enjoy its elevated red‑sauce fare. The half‑century‑old Italian staple serves Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., before seamlessly transitioning to its dinner menu through 8:30 p.m.
Some diners even stay all day. “It happens a lot,” said owner Nick Zamora.
Espo’s brunch menu offers breakfast‑style spins on Italian classics, including a Murphy omelet with sausage, mushrooms, onions, cherry peppers and fried potatoes, as well as eggs in purgatory — sautéed onions and peppers in marinara sauce with garlic and poached eggs over toasted Italian bread. Zamora recalls his grandmother making the dish when he was growing up.
Go: 10 2nd St., Raritan; 908-685-9552, esposraritannj.com.
Fluffy Fluffy Dessert Cafe, Edison
Japanese‑style soufflé pancakes — light, airy and jiggly thanks to whipped egg whites cooked slowly at low temperatures — recently went viral on TikTok.
At Fluffy Fluffy Dessert Cafe in Edison, one of just two New Jersey locations for the chain, diners can try the cloud‑like pancakes alongside playful dishes such as matcha tiramisu pancakes, avocado and egg “croffles” (croissant‑waffle hybrids), and jalapeño maple chicken with pancakes. The café is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
The name comes from “fuwa fuwa,” the Japanese word for fluffy. In Japan, pancakes are associated with happiness and are often served during celebrations.
Go: 1851 Route 27, Edison; 732-354-3008, fluffyfluffy.com.
Fork, Rahway
When Fork opened about a year ago, it helped signal Rahway’s ongoing revival, giving residents the feeling that “they’re in New York City,” said co‑owner Fisnik Syla, a Hillsborough resident.
The modern restaurant and bar serves brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, offering brunch burgers, chicken and waffles, Nutella pancakes and cocktails like mimosa flights and iced coffee with tequila blanco, Licor 43, cinnamon agave and espresso.
Brunch is served in a trendy 70‑seat space anchored by a green‑and‑gold bar, exposed brick walls, vintage prints and black‑and‑white photos of legendary figures enjoying Italian meals.
Go: 1519 Main St., Rahway; 732-669-7752, forknj.com.
Grain & Cane, Berkeley Heights
History is baked into brunch at Grain & Cane, located inside the Embassy Suites Berkeley Heights. The restaurant pays homage to the Connell Co., which once stood as the world’s largest non‑governmental rice and sugar distributor.
Brunch is served Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a seasonal modern American menu that includes French toast with berries, avocado toast, eggs Benedict with local poached eggs on a house‑made English muffin, and brick‑oven pancakes with blueberry compote.
The 2,500‑square‑foot space mirrors the Connell Co.’s legacy, featuring concrete floors, exposed brick, steel columns, tufted leather banquettes, oversized mirrors and chandeliers.
Go: 250 Connell Dr., Berkeley Heights; 908-897-1920, grainandcane.com.
Hash House, Lambertville
In foodie Lambertville, Hash House delivers classic brunch with modern flair. The bright, retro‑inspired BYOB restaurant serves brunch daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Standout dishes include monkey bread French toast topped with bananas, candied peanuts, Nutella and mascarpone cream; the Garden State omelet with pork roll, hash browns and sourdough; and the Oh Benny Benedict with mortadella, poached eggs and hash browns.
The menu also features playful “boujie drinks” like the Acapulco Gold, made with turmeric, maple syrup and almond milk, and the indulgent Choco Taco.
Go: 236 N. Union St., Lambertville; 609-483-2404, hashhouselambertville.com.
Juniper Hill, Clinton
At Juniper Hill in Clinton’s Annandale section, brunch reflects the rhythms of Hunterdon County’s farms. Chefs spend mornings sourcing ingredients along the region’s winding back roads before serving brunch noon to 3 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Dishes include mushroom and Gruyère frittatas with Zell’s Farm mushrooms, challah French toast with Drunken Monkey jam and candied walnuts, and Korean chicken and waffles with house‑made kimchi.
Since brunch debuted about two years ago, Sundays have become one of the restaurant’s busiest days.
Go: 73 Beaver Ave., Annandale; 908-335-8905, juniper-hill.com.
Maize, Westfield
Maize lets diners grab brunch before boarding the train. Located inside Westfield’s historic train station, it’s the first restaurant in the station’s 134‑year history. The 100‑seat Mexican fusion restaurant serves brunch in a 3,000‑square‑foot space that preserves the station’s castle‑like stonework.
Executive chef and co‑owner Jesa Henneberry’s brunch menu includes Mexican hot chocolate‑battered challah French toast, horchata overnight oats and a vegetable‑forward hash with peppers, plantains, pineapple and kale.
Go: 301 North Ave. W, Westfield; 908-936-4050, maizewestfield.com.
Meximodo, Metuchen
Brunch turns festive at Meximodo, Metuchen’s lively hotspot known for its rose‑lined tunnel, Day of the Dead mural and Guinness World Record‑breaking collection of more than 1,000 tequilas and mezcals.
Brunch is served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, featuring chocolate pancakes with Mexican fudge, chicken and waffles with guajillo‑honey butter, corn masa pancakes with candied corn and dulce de leche, and barbacoa breakfast burritos.
Executive chef Antonio Carballo, who grew up in Puerto Vallarta, prepares the dishes in an open kitchen framed by colorful porcelain tiles.
Go: 5 Pearl St., Metuchen; 732-395-7767, meximodo.com.
Terzo, Metuchen
After decades as the classic Torino 2, Terzo re‑emerged with a fresh identity — and an inventive brunch menu. The BYOB restaurant serves brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Executive chef and co‑owner Sergio Moutela’s rotating menu includes tiramisu pancake stacks with maple mascarpone whip, “uova in paradiso” with broccoli rabe pesto and balsamic ketchup, and chicken Parmesan on a Belgian waffle with Calabrian maple drizzle.
Menu items change frequently, so lingering too long could mean missing something special.
Go: 12 New St., Metuchen; 732-549-2500, terzonj.com.
Contact: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, although she’s a lifetime Jersey girl who considers herself an expert in everything from the Jersey Shore to the Garden State’s buzzing downtowns. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. You can also follow her on Instagram at @seejennaeat and on Twitter at @JIntersimone.
Dining and Cooking