Late summer and the start of fall are the best times for outdoor dining and a new list ranks 3 New Jersey towns as among the best spots to eat al fresco.
Advance Funds Network released its list of the Top 150 Neighborhoods in the U.S. for Outdoor Dining, based on a survey of 3,007 self-proclaimed foodies across the U.S. The online panel was balanced based on age, gender and geographic region, and were asked to share their favorite outdoor spots across the country and 3 New Jersey towns made the list!
Cape May has 30+ restaurants that offer outdoor dining, according to capemay.com. Some options include New Orleans cuisine at 410 Bank Street, authentic Italian fare at Andrea Trattoria Italiana, farm-to-table specialties at Beach Plum Farm, and soups and salads at Bella Vida Garden Café.
If you’re staying at the Peter Shields Inn, Congress Hall or the Inn of Cape May, you can have some of your meals outside. Ask for a tasting flight at Willow Creek Winery, or Cape May Winery and then take your sips outside.
Start the morning with pancakes at Mad Batter Restaurant & Bar. Indulge in seafood on the water at Harpoons on the Bay, or while overlooking Sunset Beach at Fish House. Grab lunch at Fins Bar & Grille along Washington Street Mall. Imagine yourself on a Mexican beach at La Dona Restaurante Mexicano.
Other outdoor options include The Rusty Nail at the Beach Shack, Vintage at Emlen Physick Estate, Sapore, Maison Bleue Bistro and Harpoons.
Check out the holiday-themed decorations, which change per season, at Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille (we hope its Halloween pop-up returns next month). Soak in the last bits of Locals Summer and sit poolside at Tiki Ten35 pool bar at Seasalt Restaurant. Harken back to old times while sitting on the porch at Union Park Dining Room. Watch the travelers pass by at Stowaways, located next to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
Downtown Princeton is a popular spot because of The Green on Palmer Square, where you can pack a lunch and sit for a picnic while listening to live music or taking part in family activities on select nights; in addition to Nassau Street’s shops and the Princeton University campus.
You’ll find lots of college kids – and families – ordering breakfast at “The Original” PJ’s Pancake House. The braised short ribs and burgers are the most popular items at Witherspoon Grill. Bring your mom friends to Mistral, where sharing plates is part of the experience. Tacoria has beautiful artwork inside to complement its Mexican menu, plus wooden benches outside to eat your farm-raised tacos, quesadillas and burritos. Fancy it up with oysters at Blue Point Grill.
Europe is in full swing in Princeton. Mediterra Restaurant and Taverna mixes the flavors of Italy and Spain. The burrata with roasted eggplant, or the hazelnut and walnut crusted lamb, are top notch at La Mezzaluna. Teresa’s is the go-to for both pizza and wine. Vegan and gluten-free options are available at the French bistro Kristine’s.
End the night with a beer at Yankee Doodle Tap Room at the Nassau Inn, or The Dinky Bar and Kitchen.
And although it’s not in the downtown area, Princeton Shopping Center has lots of food options, including Nomad Pizza Company, where you can take your organic and all-natural pies out to the terrace.
Montclair has almost 75 cafes, restaurants and bars with seating along downtown streets, according to Montclair Center BID.
Start your day with a bee pollen smoothie or chocolate hazelnut butter acai bowl from Juice House, or a salted caramel crepe at Trend Coffee & Tea House. Grab a baguette at Le French Dad Boulangerie. Continue on for lunch at Los Herman’s Mexican Grill or Salad House.
Make a dinner resy at Charm Thai Cuisine or Cuban Pete’s Restaurant & Tapas; or plan a date night at the Italian La Rocca Osteria, the Brazilian Samba, the European pub De Novo, or the multicultural Uncle Momo.
Dessert spots include 16 Handles for their new Shirley Temple cherry lime sorbet; or Milk N Cookies for their giant cinnamon bun or oatmeal raisin cookies. Cap off the night with a drink at Alto Rooftop Bar at the MC Hotel or Bar Franco.
These are the Top Neighborhoods in New Jersey for Outdoor Dining, according to Advance Funds Network:
12. Cape May Historic District
68. Downtown Princeton
102. Downtown Montclair
These are the Top 10 Neighborhoods in the U.S. for Outdoor Dining, according to Advance Funds Network:
1. Santa Fe Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2. Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California
3. Savannah Historic District, Savannah, Georgia
4. Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York
5. 12 South, Nashville, Tennessee
6. Downtown Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana
7. Waikīkī, Honolulu, Hawaii
8. North Beach, San Francisco, California
9. French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
10. The Pearl, San Antonio, Texas
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