{"id":81883,"date":"2026-11-08T08:54:47","date_gmt":"2026-11-08T08:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/81883\/"},"modified":"2026-11-08T08:54:47","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T08:54:47","slug":"13-iconic-places-to-eat-in-north-jersey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/81883\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Iconic Places to Eat in North Jersey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Imagine walking into a place where the walls whisper stories \u2014 or where the smell of freshly baked bread or the sound of a hot dog sizzling somehow feels like home, even if you\u2019ve never been there before. In North Jersey, these places exist. This guide is a time capsule of iconic places to eat in North Jersey. <\/p>\n

These places have survived decades of change, fads and food trends\u2014and where people keep coming back for more. Some things never change, and that\u2019s exactly what we love about these legendary, celebrated spots. Call them old school, call them iconic \u2013 these food destinations have stood the test of time. Claim bragging rights and let us know how many you\u2019ve been to, then get ready to plan your next food adventure.<\/p>\n

Tops Diner<\/p>\n

\"Tops<\/p>\n

\"fried<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Some 15,000 people a week can\u2019t be wrong. That\u2019s the whopping number of folks who flock to Top\u2019s Diner in Harrison\/East Newark each week to scarf down pancakes, disco fries, cheesecake and more. Not only is it \u201ctops\u201d in the state, this longtime diner has been named one of the best diners in America. It\u2019s been around since 1942, but in 2021, a new Tops reopened, three times larger, with seating for over 300. The new, ultra modern Tops still serves the same crave-worthy food and generous portions. What to expect? Diner menu staples \u2013 shakes, burgers, and meatloaf, but some surprises, too, like red wine short ribs and a whole branzino. Pretty much anything you could imagine eating is on the menu, including Thanksgiving dinner. Pro tip: Make an online reservation or risk a long wait.<\/p>\n

Holsten\u2019s<\/p>\n

\"Holsten's<\/p>\n

\"milkshakes<\/p>\n

\"the<\/p>\n

Long before it had a starring role in the series finale of \u201cThe Sopranos,\u201d Holsten\u2019s has been a star all its own. Get ready for a wave of nostalgia at this old-fashioned ice cream parlor that also serves burgers, sandwiches, fries and onion rings as well as homemade chocolates. Open since 1939, Holsten\u2019s is beloved in Bloomfield as a local gathering spot and for an experience you can\u2019t get anywhere else, including a sundae topped with real whipped cream and drenched in hot fudge that feels deliciously retro. Sit on a swivel stool at the counter or fill up a booth with friends and go back to a simpler time. P.S. If you love mint chip, you won\u2019t be disappointed. <\/p>\n

Rutt\u2019s Hut<\/p>\n

\"Rutt's<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve never been to Rutt\u2019s Hut?\u201d This is one of those places you just have to visit in person. It started as a roadside stand in 1928. The home of the Ripper, Rutt\u2019s Hut\u2019s biggest claim to fame is its\u00a0award-winning style of deep-fried hot dogs that crack and split during frying. You\u2019ll want a healthy dollop of Rutt\u2019s golden relish on top\u2013 a secret blend of mustard, cabbage and spices \u2013 or go with chili and cheese. You can order and eat standing at the takeout counter, where you can also get burgers, fries, and even breakfast options. But there\u2019s a whole other side to Rutt\u2019s Hut. A separate entrance leads to a family-friendly, paneled dining room featuring a full bar and a larger menu that includes everything from roast duck with orange sauce to fried seafood, steaks, chops, soups, and more.<\/p>\n

Honorable mention: Jimmy Buff\u2019s Italian Hot Dogs<\/p>\n

\"hot<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccd 60 Washington Street, West Orange
\ud83d\udcde 973-325-9897
\ud83c\udf10 Visit website<\/p>\n

Applegate Farm<\/p>\n

\"cow<\/p>\n

\"Applegate<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just ice cream, it\u2019s an Essex County rite of passage. A trip to Applegate Farm in Montclair for a shake or a sundae feels like time-traveling to a simpler time. You walk along history \u2013 the 1848 dairy farm, original farmhouse, and 1919 tile silo, one of three in the state, are all in tact. Then you grab your spot in line at this ice cream stand and maybe stop to pose for a picture with one of the \u201ccows.\u201d A trip to Applegate Farm is the ultimate summer tradition for generations of families. Fans seek out flavors like Graham Central Station, along with a heaping serving of nostalgia.<\/p>\n

The Highlawn<\/p>\n

\"the<\/p>\n

Location, location, location. The Highlawn, atop Eagle Rock Reservation, is the place to go for cocktails, dinner or brunch served with a breathtaking vista. Whether you are eating eggs Benedict inside or you\u2019ve scored a coveted patio spot for dinner alfresco, phenomenal panoramic views of the NYC skyline are always on the menu. The iconic landmark, originally built as an open-air pavilion, became a restaurant in 1984. It reopened in 2021 after renovations to refresh the historic structure, giving it a swanky, updated look. If you\u2019re celebrating a special occasion, splurge for a seafood tower or dry-aged Porterhouse. Or just come for well-crafted cocktails and linger at the bar.<\/p>\n

Nicolo\u2019s Italian Bakery and Deli<\/p>\n

\"Nicolo's<\/p>\n

\"Nicolo's<\/p>\n

Nicolo\u2019s has been baking the bread that generations of families drive from all over Essex County and beyond to have at their table. Picking up handmade, fresh-baked bread from Nicolo\u2019s (as early as 6 a.m.) is a beloved morning ritual. It\u2019s just one of the reasons to love this Italian bakery and deli run by the same family since 1967. Everything you might buy here is delicious (including their prepared foods and chicken soup). But get a sandwich on that incredible bread (we recommend prosciutto, mozzarella and roasted peppers or the chicken cutlet with broccoli rabe).<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccd 6 Baldwin Street, Montclair
\ud83d\udcde 973-746-1398
\ud83c\udf10 Visit website<\/p>\n

Hobby\u2019s Delicatessen<\/p>\n

\"outside<\/p>\n

\"sandwiches<\/p>\n

Belmont Tavern<\/p>\n

\"Sign<\/p>\n

Whether you come to try the famous Stretch\u2019s chicken or the shrimp beeps, you need to go to Belmont Tavern. This old-school restaurant has been serving up family-style Italian dishes since 1967. It\u2019s a legendary Belleville spot that never changes. Right down to the classic red checkered tablecloths and walls that are chock-full of photos \u2013 a who\u2019s who of famous customers from more than 55 years. No reservations and cash only.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccd 12 Bloomfield Avenue, Belleville
\ud83d\udcde 973-759-9609
\ud83c\udf10 Visit website<\/p>\n

Star Tavern<\/p>\n

\"outside<\/p>\n

\"Star<\/p>\n

Established in 1945(!), Star Tavern is home to an award-winning thin-crust bar pie that generations of families have enjoyed at this legendary bar and restaurant. The pizza has a crispy, almost cracker-like, well-done crust with sauce and cheese right to the edge. Try the classic and the white clam. No reservations.<\/p>\n

Cheng Du 23<\/p>\n

\"tabele<\/p>\n

Tucked away at the back of a strip mall next to a HomeGoods, Cheng Du 23 has been serving up authentic Szechuan cuisine since 2008. Sure, you\u2019ll find standard Chinese offerings on the menu, but this is the place to go for dan dan noodles, pork shank with baby bok choy, crispy tea-smoked duck, mapo tofu and spicy cumin lamb \u2013 just to name a few standout dishes. Pro tip: Go with a crowd and score a large round table with a lazy Susan so you can order a bunch of dishes to try.<\/p>\n

White Manna & White Mana<\/p>\n

\"White<\/p>\n

\"White<\/p>\n

\"White<\/p>\n

The iconic circular diner known as\u00a0White Manna\u00a0was originally built for the 1939 World\u2019s Fair before being relocated to Jersey City. Fun fact: the sign painter accidentally left out one \u201cn\u201d in \u201cManna\u201d\u2014and the misspelling stuck. In 1946, a second location opened in Hackensack, but this time with the correct spelling. Both have since become\u00a0iconic places to eat in North Jersey, especially for burger lovers. The burgers fall somewhere between a slider and a full-size patty. They\u2019re thin, juicy, griddled with onions, topped with melty cheese, and tucked into a steamed soft bun. Think White Castle burgers, but way better!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Imagine walking into a place where the walls whisper stories \u2014 or where the smell of freshly baked bread or the sound of a hot dog sizzling somehow feels like home, even if you\u2019ve never been there before. In North Jersey, these places exist. This guide is a time capsule of iconic places to eat<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":81884,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[3138,3136,3134,3137,3135],"class_list":["post-81883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-jersey","tag-new-jersey","tag-new-jersey-dining","tag-new-jersey-food","tag-new-jersey-grocery-stores","tag-new-jersey-restaurants"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/vive.im\/@dc\/117579987416837256","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81883"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81883\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}