We’re ready. It’s time to get out there and visit all the fabulous places still standing strong throughout our communities. There’s so much to celebrate, so much to love right here in South Jersey. The pages that follow are just a sample to get you started. Ready to shop local, dine local? We are too.

 

  • Best Challah French Toast

    Sabrina’s Café

    sabrinascafe.com

    There’s a lot to love at Sabrina’s. That’s why it’s busy pretty much any time you go. Lucky for us, breakfast is always on the menu so you don’t have to miss their signature thick-cut challah French toast with cream cheese, bananas and vanilla bean syrup. Yes, it absolutely tastes as good as it looks.

  • Best Sandwich Shop

    Peter & Son’s Sandwiches

    peterandsonssandwiches.com

    Photo: David Michael Howarth

    When it comes to sandwiches, Peter & Sons pretty much has it all – and we love it all. But the best part is you can get any sandwich they have on a pretzel. They had our attention with their awesome sandwiches, but the pretzel add-on? Mind blown.

  • Best Fresh Draft Wine

    Amalthea Cellars

    amaltheacellars.com

    Think the convenience of boxed wine with an upscale twist. Cantina Mas is a draft dry red wine poured straight from the barrel into a tote that keeps it fresh for way longer than an open bottle. Plus, it comes out to just $7 per bottle (but tastes way more expensive).

  • Best Brew For The Beach

    Flying Fish Brewing Co.

    flyingfish.com

    Ahh, taste that salty sea air. No really, taste it. Unique flavors like the “Salt and Sea” session sour beer are perfect for kicking back on your shore house balcony with a cold one in hand.

  • Best Small Batch Coffee

    Revolution Coffee Roasters

    revolutioncoffeeroasters.com

    Brews are constantly changing as these coffee crafters explore new seasonal flavors with single-origin coffee beans from around the world. It’s a must-have first stop on a walk through downtown Collingswood or a stroll along the Cooper River Park.

  • Best Brisket Cheeseburger

    JD’s BBQ

    Stuffed with chunks of brisket, thick strips of bacon and a melty slab of cheese, this brisket cheeseburger is so big it’s almost intimidating. Or it would be if it weren’t so good. Just be sure to get there early – they’re known to sell out.

  • Best Build-A-Cupcake

    Sunshine Bakery & Café

    thearcgloucester.org

    Chocolate with butterscotch frosting and pretzels, maple with vanilla glaze and graham crackers – it doesn’t matter how old you are, there’s nothing more exciting than building your own cupcake. Operated by ARC Gloucester County, this café also supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Best Vegan Meatloaf

    La Lus Cafe

    laluscafe.net

    Gone are the days when being vegan meant eating raw veggie platters and hummus. This vegan cafe in Beverly is changing our view of healthy eating with a no-meat meatloaf (we’re counting the days to go back there and have it again).

  • Best Vegan Takes On Classics

    LesbiVeggies

    lesbiveggies.com

    It’s all your favorite dishes growing up – only vegan. This restaurant in Audubon takes a vegan twist on dishes like lemon poppy seed pancakes, eggplant parm and birria tacos.

  • Best Crabs

    Blue Claw Seafood & Crab Eatery

    crabeatery.com

    The crabs are brought in fresh every day, and you’ll know that when you crack open your first shell. Choose from Blue Crabs, Snow Crabs, King Crabs – they have whatever you’re looking for. And if crabs aren’t your thing, you can’t go wrong with the Buffalo Garlic Shrimp.

  • Best Deep Fried From A Food Truck

    Zoagie’s

    zoagies.com

    Turns out, you don’t need a big place to make big flavors. Zoagie’s fried and grilled hoagies and platters are so big they’re practically popping out of the takeout container you’ll get from the side window of a “Zonster” food truck.

  • Best Fresh-Pressed Smoothies

    Groovy Smoovies

    groovysmoovies.com

    Can’t decide what type of smoothie you want? Go with your favorite movie instead. The movie-themed smoothie shop in Haddonfield has got all the classics, from “The West Side Smorey” to “Beauty and the Peach.”

  • Best Taste Of Puerto Rico

    Robertitos Cuisine

    robertitoscuisine.com

    This Merchantville restaurant’s motto: “Comer es una necesidad, pero cocinar es un arte” or “To eat is a necessity, but to cook is an art.” These Puerto Rican dishes fall nothing short of art with heaps of fried plantains and lots of Puerto Rican fritters.

  • Best Pub Fried Chicken Sandwich

    Thomas Murphy’s Pub

    thomasmurphyspubnj.com

    This “OG” chicken sandwich is smothered in garlic butter, holla sauce and baby mama sauce and is made by Rueben “Big Rube” Harley, one of the region’s master fried chicken chefs. Wash it down with one of their 16 beers on draft or a dram of hard-to-find Irish whiskeys and bourbons.

  • Best Food Sampling

    On The Town Food Tours

    onthetownfoodtours.com

    Don’t know where to start checking out SJ’s food scene? Tour guides take you through tastings at some of the neighborhood’s best locally-owned restaurants so you can find your next go-to spot.

  • Best Monster-Sized Cookies

    Downtown Cookies

    downtowncookies.com

    If you’re looking for a cookie that’s literally the size of your head (or bigger), go straight to Haddonfield’s downtown. They’re baked fresh and come in any flavor you could want, from classic chocolate chip to s’mores or rocky road.

  • Best Burgers With A Twist

    Karachi Kafe

    karachikafe.com

    This fusion cuisine brings a taste of Pakistan to Voorhees with a munsib chicken burger, vegetarian allo tiki burger or aflatoon burger that taste like they’re straight from Pakistan. If you don’t recognize those flavors, no worries – the team is happy to make recommendations.

  • Best College-Town Bites

    Dawn to Dusk Cafe

    dawntoduskcafe.net

     

    Located right on the steps of Rowan University’s campus in Glassboro, this is the perfect spot to grab a coffee and a pork roll, egg and cheese before class or a big plate of chicken parm when you’re needing a home-cooked meal.

  • Best Pasta Dish

    Tre Famiglia

    trefamiglia.com

    The linguini aurora is a specialty dish the chefs at Tre Famiglia have perfected. Jumbo shrimp, scallops and jumbo lump crabmeat are placed over linguini in a light tomato-cream sauce. You just might go back again and again for this one.

  • Best Wings To Take On A Picnic

    Pic-A-Lilli Inn

    picalilli.com

    Everyone knows to head to Pic-A-Lilli for some awesome wings, but we bet you didn’t know the Pic will set you up for your next picnic. They have 2 picnic packages that come with wings, chicken fingers and all the fixin’s. It also comes with napkins, wipes, condiments – everything you need. They’ll even deliver to local athletic fields.

  • Best Place To Take The Family For Dinner

    Sal & Joe’s Spaghetti and Pizza House

    salandjoespizza.com

    Everyone will be happy having dinner at Sal & Joe’s. Choose from a variety of tasty pasta, chicken or veal dishes, and you’ll get soup and salad with each dinner entrée (garlic bread too!). You’ll feel at home in this cozy Italian restaurant – a delicious way to have a family dinner.

  • Best Breads That Stand The Test Of Time

    Cacia’s Bakery

    caciabakery.com

    The rolls and pastries baked in brick ovens every day are made out of the same fresh ingredients that minted Cacia’s reputation some 66 years ago. And that’s what makes them delizioso!

  • Best Spot For A Wedding Pic

    Collingswood Grand Ballroom

    collingswoodballroom.com

    It’s the grand staircase. If you’re looking for that dramatic “wow” keepsake of your wedding day, Collingswood Grand Ballroom has a stunning staircase that adds a touch of elegance to any wedding photo. For that extra-special touch, customize the dance floor with your new monogram.

  • Best Buns

    Pied Out Bakeshop/Cafe

    Cinnamon buns that is. If you are a cereal lover you’ll especially love the cinnamon toast crunch cinnamon buns. These sweet rolls have all the goodness of the traditional pastry but with a smattering of cereal on top that gives it extra kick. Oh yum!

  • Best Cookie Of The Month Club

    Glassy Brown Cookies

    glassybrowncookies.com

    It’s the ultimate form of self-care (or at least the most delicious.) Get a 1-dozen box of 2 cookie flavors of your choice from this Burlington bakery delivered straight to your door every month, no matter where you live in the US.

  • Best Office Lunch

    Casandry’s

    casandrys.com

    They make it so easy to have lunch brought to everyone in the office. Casandry’s offers MealBox, where companies can place lunch orders from a special menu at a designated time and receive their delivery only a few hours later. The food is fresh, and the price is right. Italian hoagie with chips and pasta salad delivered to our office for $9.95? Sign us up.

  • Best Way To Put A Ring On It

    Family Jewelers

    familyjewelers.com

    When you’re ready to find that perfect engagement ring, it’s important you work with experienced, knowledgeable pros. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Family & Co., along with a great selection of beautiful rings. Head to this jewelry store to prepare for your special moment and you’ll quickly feel like you’re one of the family (thus the name).

  • Best Crab Feast

    Chickie’s & Pete’s

    chickiesandpetes.com

    Order the Crabfeast: 1 pound of snow crabs, 1 Dungeness crab and 3 blue claw hard shells. They’ll come smothered in special seasonings that you’ll want to lick off your fingers. And don’t forget the crab fries – then you’ll have everything you need for a great night

  • Best Family-Style Sunday Kits

    The Pop Shop

    thepopshopusa.com

    It’s hard to pick just 2 ice cream flavors, 3 toppings and 1 sauce among the many tempting choices – but you can do it. And it’ll be worth it to have all the ingredients at the ready to make your own sundaes that everyone loves. Maybe you’ll even have leftovers for another day, but probably not.

  • Best Tacos

    Tortilla Press

    thetortillapress.com

    No surprise here. Tortilla Press has been dishing out fresh, crispy tacos with just the right blend of meat, veggies and spices for decades. Try the Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos with some zesty slaw, poblano spinach rice and sauteéd green beans.

  • Best Sunday Steak Special

    Chophouse

    thechophouse.us

    Savor this 4-course feast every Sunday. It starts with soup, then salad and onto a 16-oz garlic and herb-crusted prime rib. End the evening with a delicious chocolate fudge layer cake. No way you’re leaving hungry.

  • Best Spreads To Impress Your Foodie Friends

    Best Spreads To Impress Your Foodie Friends

    cheeseetc.com

    These are next-level artisanal cheese spreads. Flavors like honey-goat, Jersey Devil port wine, Buffalo blue and Sicilian spice taste as good as they sound. If you’re not sure what to try first, order the seasonal tasting box. You’ll get a cheese spread, Jersey-fresh jam, crackers and a local farmstead table cheese. (It even comes with utensils.)

  • Best Cakes Too Pretty To Eat

    Cats Creations
    catscreationsnj.com

    Made with organic ingredients, these custom-order confectionary creations are truly striking – but they also taste good, so dig in. Check out past masterpieces captured on Cat’s Instagram, including banana pudding cupcakes, red velvet cake, vegan fudge brownies as well as bite-sized sticky buns and eclairs.

  • Best On-The-Water Wedding Venue

    Camden County Boathouse

    camdencountyboathouse.com

    The view from the Camden County Boathouse just can’t be beat. You’ve got the Cooper River, the Philadelphia skyline, and if you time it right, a breathtaking sunset. Your guests will be blown away, and your pictures will be perfect for the ’gram.

  • Best Dessert Samplers

    Classic Cake

    classiccake.com

    When you want big taste, smaller portions and lots of variety, Classic Cake has you covered with its impressive variety of small desserts for all or any occasion. Carrot cake strips, individual lemon meringue tarts and chocolate covered petit fours are among our favs.

  • Best Tastes Of Spain

    Fresh Grill

    freshgrillpaella.com

    Make your next catered event a fiesta. Whether you choose seafood paella, a Madrid variety with chorizo and smoked pulled chicken, the vegan option or a combo, the presentation will dazzle your guests. But you may need a siesta after the fiesta.

  • Best Escape From Reality

    Escape Virtual Reality

    escvirtualreality.com

    This is entertainment 2.0 – blending the escape room concept with a 3D cinematic experience. You’ll feel like you’re in an alternate dimension once you don your headset and start working to solve puzzles and challenges. Yes, you will feel like you’ve entered the Matrix.

  • Best Breakfast Cheesesteak (With Egg)

    Dad’s Deli & Catering

    dadsdeliandcatering.com

    Did you know cheesesteaks are not just for lunch and dinner? Filled with heaps of flavorful paper-thin steak from the grill, Dad’s steak, egg and cheese sandwich starts the day off right. If it’s not yet the breakfast of champions, it should be.

  • Best Seasonal Selections

    Silver Diner

    silverdiner.com

    Rejoice – it’s lamb season. Silver Diner’s specialties include lamb meatball apps, lamb meatball slider sandwiches and the entree-sized Mediterranean lamb meatball bowl. Not that much into lamb? No worries. There’s other delicious locally sourced seasonal treats on the menu including watermelon & shrimp salad and the Cajun fresh Salmon and Shrimp.

  • Best And Easiest Way To Start A Book Club

    Burlington County Library System

    bcls.lib.nj.us

    It doesn’t get easier than this. Order a kit online and pick it up at your local library. Each kit includes multiple copies of popular books as well as tips and materials to keep the talk lively and on track. You even get 8 weeks before they’re due back.

  • Best Oversized, New York-Style Sandwiches

    Short Hills Restaurant & Deli

    shorthillsdeli.com

    Looking for an oversized New York-style sandwich in South Jersey? Short Hills has them. Check out steamed corned beef, hot brisket and pastrami sandwiches served with a generous side of pickles. It’s epic.

  • Best Place To Find A Gift For The Person Who Has Everything

    Occasionette

    occasionette.com

    We actually go to this shop sometimes just to browse, ’cause it’s cute and quirky and fun. But if you need a great gift for anyone, this is the place to go. You’ll find things like a handpainted cocktail shaker (so cool) and mindfulness dice (yes, you read that right). You can even get a spatula that greets you with the warmest of welcomes every morning. Who doesn’t want that?

  • Best Lunch On-The-Go At The Camden Waterfront

    Fevzi’s Mediterranean Grill

    marketstreetpizzeria.com 

    This new restaurant on the Camden waterfront is a must-try. Only open for lunch, Fevzi’s is fast, friendly and affordable. The generously sized kabobs and protein salad bowls rival any Mediterranean restaurant. And the baklava is worth saving room for.

  • Best Cakes Any Way You Want ’Em

    Golden Sun Artistry

    goldensunartistry.com

    Specializing in custom cakes, designer cookies and gourmet popcorn, Golden Sun considers itself a small-batch custom order bakery. That means special requests are encouraged whether it’s a quirky design or ingredient substitutions. These creative bakers will turn your idea into edible art.

  • Best Excuse To Eat In Your CarDelsea Drive-In Theatre

    Delsea Drive-In Theatre

    delseadrive-in.com

    Little has changed about the drive-in experience since your grandparents’ time. Well, except that tickets and concessions-stand foods are purchased online (and they likely didn’t have gluten-free and keto options back then). We like those modern conveniences, but the real appeal is getting to eat in the car while watching a high-def movie on a giant screen.

  • Best Barbecue When You’re Really Hungry

    Lumpy’s BBQ

    lumpysrestaurant.com

    Lumpy’s has a well-earned reputation for tasty slow-cooked cuts slathered with their signature BBQ sauce. If you’re really hungry, why not go big and order by the pound? Choose from rib tips, burnt ends, beef brisket, pulled pork or pulled chicken. But don’t neglect sides or you’ll regret missing out on fresh cornbread, beans smothered with butter and mac & cheese.

  • Most Zen Farm

    Jennings Farm

    jenningsfarm.webs.com

    You bring your mat and props, and they supply the farm animals. Yoga with goats, mini horses and Chuck the pig is truly a zen experience. After savasana you can reward yourself with free range eggs picked fresh from the hen house.

  • Best Sunset Happy Hours

    Carlucci’s Waterfront

    carlucciswaterfront.com

    Here’s the perfect night: You’re sipping a Tuscan Sunset (vodka, limoncello and oj) while taking in the beautiful view along the banks of the Rancocas Creek. Hang out for awhile in the cool lounge area and watch the sun set. Then move over to the restaurant seating and enjoy a fabulous Italian meal. (We suggest the Cappelini Napoli.) Just perfect.

  • Best Flatbreads To Share (Or Not)

    Seasons 52

    seasons52.com

    The flatbreads at Seasons 52 are just fun. They have a vibe of pizza with the appeal of the perfect app. That makes them the ultimate finger foods. You can sample all 5 and still have room for your entrée and, of course, Seasons 52’s signature 2-bite desserts.

  • Best Browsing For Book Lovers

    Ida’s BookShop

    idasbookshop.com

     

    Jeannine Cook

    Named for Ida B. Wells, a journalist/activist who was born into slavery, Ida’s celebrates women authors, artists and activists. Owner Jeannine Cook changes the store’s inventory to a different theme, so every time you visit, you can have a new educational and inspirational experience.

  • Best Smear Of Cream Cheese

    Medford Bagel Shop

    medfordbagels.com

    Plain cream cheese has its place (usually on a bagel). But when you’re feeling adventurous, put your trust in the mixmasters behind these flavors: green olive, cheddar cheese horseradish and jalapeño roasted pepper cheddar.

  • Best Birthday Parties Down On The Farm

    Johnson’s Corner Farm

    johnsonsfarm.com

    The cows and horses can’t really hold a tune, but your child will love the moos and neighs. Each 2 1/2-hour party features a private hayride, a visit to the shaded animal farm and time to run around at the Discovery Barnyard Playground.

  • Best Specialty Pasta Dishes

    Hearthside

    hearthsidebyob.com

    It’s still almost impossible to get a reservation at this Collingswood gem, but there’s a reason for that. Menu items are divided into small, medium and large, so order for the table and feast on some truly innovative cuisine. All of the medium dishes are pasta, and if you’re lucky, pasta might also be on the evening’s list of specialty dishes when you’re there. Just take your pick – each one is delicious.

  • Best Special Event Party Rooms

    Caffe Aldo Lamberti

    caffelamberti.com

    Make happy memories by hosting your gathering in one of 7 elegant private spaces. Check out the Bordeaux wine cellar, an intimate space accented by a stunning wall made of corks that came from the restaurant’s own wine collection. Banquet specialists will help you plan and customize your event and create the perfect menu.

  • Best South Jersey Thrillers

    Bandageman Press

    bandagemanpress.com

    When the sun sets on another summer season down the shore, what should be a sleepy beach town suddenly turns sinister, and Police Chief Mickey Cleary is on the case. Author Daniel Waters’ 4-book series brings back the nostalgia of the early ’70s Jersey Shore with an extra pinch of mystery.

  • Best Late-Night Happy Hour

    The Victor Pub

    victorspub.com

    They do things a little differently at Victor’s, but we’re ok with that. It doesn’t happen every night, so keep your eye on their website for news of the after-10pm happy hour. You get special drink pricing and half-priced apps. Worth staying up for, don’t you think?

  • Best Outdoor Gym Classes

    Katz JCC 

    katzjcc.org

    When it’s way too nice to go indoors to exercise you’ll be loving the new JPlex. Featuring colorful, socially distanced spaces to work out, JPlex is the perfect place for personal training as well as cycling, mat Pilates, Tai Chi, Yoga, Xtreme Mashup and more. It’s fresh air and exercise at its finest.

  • Best Ribs

    Henri’s Hotts

    bestbbqsj.com

    The ribs here are tender, moist, fall-off-the-bone ribs. Henri’s is know for their large portions, so go on an empty stomach (cause the Mac ‘n’ Cheese and cornbread is amazing too!).

  • Best Place To Watch The Game

    Iron Hill Brewery

    ironhillbrewery.com

    They’ve got it all: an on-site brewery (try the Orange Creamsicle Milkshake IPA), a craft kitchen, where options range from hearth-baked pizzas to Moroccan Salmon, plus plenty of seating and even more large-screen TVs. You bring the friends, they’ll take care of everything else.

  • Best Eats At A Bowling Alley

    Splitz Bar & Grill

    laurellanesnj.com

    Get the bowl rollin’ with great American fare, seasonal drafts, and wine or cocktails delivered to your table, lane, barstool or on the patio. Check out the Thursday pizza, pins & pints special before 5 pm. (And at this fun spot, a pint can be ice cream or beer.)

  • Best Renovation

    When you open the doors to The Mansion, you’ll gasp. We’re certain of that. The extensive renovation has transformed this popular venue into a breathtaking, super-luxurious spot. White marble is everywhere, and the winding staircase is beyond cool. It’s been a year in the making, and the results are spectacular.

  • Best “WOW” Cake

    DiBartolo Bakery

    dibartolobakery.com

    Here’s what you’ll hear when your special guest sees a cake from DiBartolo’s: “WOOWW!” The bakers here are known for pushing boundaries, so if you dream it, they can design it. Just check out Al DiBartolo’s star performances on TLC’s “Next Great Baker” and Food Network’s “Save My Bakery.” You’ll be wow’d.

  • Best Accompaniments

    The Capital Grille

    thecapitalgrille.com

    You’ll find them on the menu under “For the table,” and yes, they are large enough to share but you may not want to. Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese. Parmesan Truffle Fries. There’s more, but you get the idea. You may go here for the exceptional steak, but the sides are just as wonderful.

  • Best Classic Burger

    Five Guys Burger

    fiveguys.com

    You know what you’re getting when you order a Five Guys burger. That would be a hand-formed patty grilled to perfection. Your choices are limited to plain, cheese and/or bacon – and that’s just fine because you can load on lots of free toppings. It’s consistency at its finest.

  • Best Grandma Pie

    These giant square pies with crispy thin crust are exactly how Nonna used to make them. Just be sure to allow more time than usual when ordering. But trust us, it’s worth the wait.

  • Best Courtyard

    The Madison

    cafemadison.com

    The courtyard at The Madison is only open for special events, but what a place to exchange vows, host a surprise birthday party or even attend a networking event. Surrounded by brick and stone walls, the open-air spot also has a beautiful large wood fireplace. Gorgeous.

  • Best Steak

    We’d like to tell you to go try the porterhouse for 2 at Toscano’s (it’s been dry-aged for 45 days), but it’s almost impossible to get a reservation at this hopping spot in Bordentown. If you’re lucky and get in, go early and spend time at the bar before feasting on this perfectly cooked steak. It just melts in your mouth.

  • Best Beauty Supply Shop

    GLAM Bar

    This unique shop in Burlington is more like a special project. GLAM stands for Give, Love, Achieve, Motivate, and all products sold there were made by NJ women who otherwise wouldn’t have exposure in the beauty market. Go there for your body scrubs, lotions, haircare products, jewelry and T-shirts.

  • Best Pop-Up Dinner

    You’ll have to check the CK Cafe Pop Up page to see where in South Jersey the mobile cafe will be, but you’ll want to find them to pick up dinner on any Thursday from 4 – 6 pm. Make the trip for their delicious family meals that feed 4. Plus your purchase supports the CK Soup Kitchen.

July 2021
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