It’s the most wonderful time of the year – when we break out our “must-try” lists and scour South Jersey to find the very best businesses that make living here exciting, sweet, inspiring, delicious and all-around lovely. So take a look at this year’s bests. We bet you’ll find some old favorites – and some new spots to try!
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Best Apple Cider Doughnut
Johnson’s Corner Farm
The yummiest way to start your family fun day at Johnson’s Farm – stop into the market to pick up a bag of fresh, cinnamon-y doughnuts. (If you’re lucky, they’ll still be warm.)
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Best Wedding With a View
Camden County Boathouse at Cooper River
Imagine saying “I do” along a serene river, taking photos on the dock and watching the sunset disappear with the Philly skyline in the distance. The backdrop at the boathouse makes your big day unforgettable.
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Best Fitness For The Whole Family
Katz JCC
Katz JCC is keeping the whole family fit with everything from a ninja warrior class for kids ages 4 to 10 to cycling and barre classes for adults.
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Best Seafood Tower
Caffe Aldo Lamberti
It’s a choose-your-own-seafood-adventure with the freshest seasonal oysters, Maine lobster, jumbo white shrimp and more available to build your own seafood tower. And if you can’t decide, choose one of Aldo Lamberti’s own creations.
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Best Meal For A Cause
CK Catering
Not only do meals from CK Catering taste delicious, but they also help the organization fund its community meal program, which serves more than 100,000 meals each year to food insecure residents of Camden.
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Best Crab And Pasta Dish
Joe’s Pizzeria & Bistro
We can’t stop thinking about the Crab Alla Rosa at Joe’s Pizzeria & Bistro. Crabmeat, veggies and your choice of pasta doused in a brandy rosa cream sauce? We’ll be right over!
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Best Kids’ Menu
Join the (kids’) club! Not only does Silver Diner have plenty of delicious options for your little one, but when they join the kids’ club, they can have extra fun like prizes, a free birthday entrée and shake, and exclusive kids’ parties.
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Way To Get The Pinelands In Your Pocket
The mission of NJ Pinelands Commission is to preserve, protect and enhance the Pinelands – and they also run a killer Instagram account. Followers get gorgeous landscapes, fun nature videos and updates on the Pinelands in the palm of their hand.
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Best VIP Club
Amalthea Cellars
Four wine club memberships for the price of one? Sign us up. Amalthea Cellars’ VIP club includes perks like exclusive tastings, early access for events and surprise sales of bottles from Amalthea winemaker’s personal collection. $25 covers four memberships.
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Best Veggie Sandwich
Surprise! We know you love the burgers, we do too. But if your friend is vegetarian, show them the veggie sandwich with grilled onions, mushrooms and green peppers, lettuce and tomatoes on a toasted bun.
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Best Bowls
Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar
Fresh, seasonal ingredients mean powerful flavors. And these plant-based bowls – like the lemon-kale pesto bowl – are tasty, healthy and unique.
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Best Engagement Rings
Family & Co. Jewelers
The experts at Family & Co. have decades of experience and plenty of elegant, eye-catching options for one of the biggest days of your life.
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Best Porterhouse Steak
Bring a friend because this Porterhouse is served for 2, and the savory steak is dry aged in house. You’re going to love it.
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Best Way To Eat More Pasta
We couldn’t choose just one pasta to eat – that would be crazy. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, ITA101 has the solution: a pasta tasting menu, where you get to try a few of their housemade pastas. And the menu changes each week!
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Best Ice Cream For Adults
Ice cream gets a little kick at Lickety Splitz, with alcohol-infused flavors like orange creamsicle infused with tequila or a classic strawberry daiquiri.
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Best BBQ Platter
Henri’s Hotts platters are to die for and come with 2 sides (try the candied yams & baked beans) and cornbread.
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Best Outdoor Dining
Carlucci’s Waterfront
Cheers to beautiful South Jersey’s waterfront views. The only thing that would make Carlucci’s riverside views better is admiring them with great friends and a fabulous meal.
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Best Open Mic Night
There’s a strong sense of community when this cozy coffee shop fills up to support local talent during open mic nights. And nothing goes better with watching live acts than some delicious locally made baked goods and locally roasted coffees.
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Best Spot For Buffalo Lovers
Buffalo sauce isn’t just for wings (although the Pic’s wings are a must-try). In fact, “buffalo” gets an entire side of the Pic’s menu, featuring buffalo mac n cheese, buffalo chicken rolls, buffalo shrimp and the classics.
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Best Wild Birthday Party
Warning: this party will get wild. The main event at these parties are visits from the friendly South Jersey wildlife ambassadors of the refuge.
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Best Hostess Gift
Cheese and spices and wines, oh my. This one-stop shop for South Jersey foodies is packed with local beer and wine, locally made spreads and dips, and honey from local bees.
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Best Crabs
Chickie’s and Pete’s
You can have a crab feast here. In fact, they actually have an item on the menu called crabfeast. All the crabs are cooked in special seasoning that’s so good, your hands will be coated when you’re done.
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Best Hair Treatments
A lot of people don’t even know this exists, but if your hair is looking a little drab, Rizzieri has several treatments to get its vibrancy back: K18, Botanical Repair, Olaplex and Pramasana. Ask about it, and thank us later.
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Best Morning Sweet Treat
Sabrina’s Cafe
Bet you thought we were going to say it’s the challah French toast. You’re not that far off, but we’re currently obsessing over Sabrina’s stuffed French toast latte as a delicious pick-me-up in the morning.
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Best Burger With All The Fixins
It’s called the Mac Daddy Grilled Cheese Burger: 2 beef patties, lettuce, onion, pickles, 1000 Island dressing AND two grilled cheese sandwiches are used as buns. We recommend calling a friend for help. Or don’t.
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Best Balloon Arches
The customized balloon arches designed by Tinsley’s Treasures are going to blow your guests away. (See what we did there?)
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Best Cake For One
Cake for one is the best kind, especially when it’s the delicious mini-bundts (called bundtinis) from Nothing Bundt Cakes – with a variety of scrumptious flavors from red velvet to lemon blueberry.
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Best Private Dining
With your choice of elegant rooms, The Capital Grille’s quality menus and high-end service are the perfect addition to any celebration or meeting.
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Best Tacos
Tortilla press is getting this honor for the second year in a row – that’s how good these tacos are. This year, we’re grabbing the Birria Tacos any chance we get.
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Best Gnocchi
We’ve been talking about the gnocchi at Tre Famiglia for years, but with good reason. The airy potato dumplings in a tomato cream sauce are simply the best. Don’t miss them!
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Best Out-Of-This-World Treat
The Original Banana Company
Ever wanted to eat a UFO? Turns out, it’s pretty sweet. Original Banana Company in Laurel Springs has a UFO Ice Cream Sandwich made with banana cream ice cream sandwiched between two pieces of banana bread.
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Best Butcher Counter
Haddon Culinary
This shop is a mix of old-school excellence and modern-day foodie fabulous. The butcher counter has everything you need for your summer BBQ or just the family’s weekday dinner.
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Best Pizza Worth The Wait
The Grandma pie is only available as a whole pizza and takes 45 minutes to an hour to be prepared – so plan ahead. (It’s worth the wait.)
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Best Lamb Chops
The ChopHouse
The exquisite entrée offers 16 oz. of Double Cut Australian Rib Lamp Chops topped with mint pesto. Cooked to the perfect temperature every time.
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Best Housewarming Gift
Pinecone Trading Co.
Nothing says welcome home like a thoughtful gift. For your foodie friends, a ceramic brie baker crock. For the scent-sational co-worker, pick from an extensive candle collection. The options are endless.
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Best Scenic Train Ride
Woodstown Central Railroad
Inside and out, this might just be the most beautiful train ride you’ll take. Hop on the restored vintage steam locomotive and passenger cars and choose from rides like Scenic Rambler and Brew to Brew.
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Best Specials
Owner Franco Lombardi takes special care to create unique dishes for guests he considers family. Your pasta special may have a touch of butternut squash, speck and truffle cheese, or the specially prepared pork cheeks may be accompanied by risotto. Savor the flavor.
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Best Neighborhood Event
Collingswood comes alive every September with music, food and community love all over town. Houses host performers on their porch, and some offer food and refreshments. This year’s festival is on September 28.
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Best Toppings for Your Steak
Everyone knows you’ll love how your steak is prepared at Flemings, but don’t forget to pick an out-of-this-world topping to add to the perfection. Try the Truffle-Poached Lobster. Yes, we said perfection.
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Best Bar To Get Sushi
You don’t usually order sushi at a lively bar, but you should at Tommy’s. They have a good (and delicious) selection of traditional rolls, sashimi and poke. So order a beer and get the chopsticks ready.
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Best Spot For Date-Night
Be sure to go about an hour before dinner to hear live music in the very cool bar area, and then enjoy the most delicious dinner in the tastefully elegant dining room. (Don’t miss the mozzarella-stuffed meatball as an appetizer. Simply amazing.)
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Best Place For A Wedding Entrance
All eyes will be on you when you make your entrance down the eloquent grand staircase, with its double-sided top, small landing (perfect for posed photos) and then elegant center stairs.
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Best Custom Cakes
Classic Cake
From elaborate stain glass creations and elegant wedding cakes to adorable cartoon characters made of frosting, all your (cake) dreams are about to come true.
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Best Pies
Pied Out Bakeshop Cafe
Whether it’s the sausage gravy hand pies or a classic chicken pot pie, these flaky crusts and delicious flavors will have you coming back to this Delanco fav.
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Best Way To Eat Sweet Potatoes
Seasons 52
It’s official, from now on we’re only eating our sweet potatoes in a skillet. Oh, and with maple pecan streusel on top.
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Best Hair Extensions
Soffiato Via
Consult with the stylists at Soffiato Via to find the right extensions for your dream length, color or density. You’ll be in good hands (and you’ll have great hair!).
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Best Cabaret Dining Experience
Ristorante LUCCA & Piano Lounge
This will take you back in time – enjoy a fine dining experience (white tablecloths, extensive wine list & outstanding dishes) while listening to live jazz singers. A perfect evening.
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Best Tasting Menu
Indeblue
This tasting menu delivers a sampling of IndeBlue’s modern and traditional Indian flavors – with a choice of 2 appetizers and 2 entrees. The meal also includes a dessert sampler, bread basket and chai or coffee.
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Best Hotdog
1785 Farm Dog
The new Medford market has been wow’ing folks with their fresh produce and desserts (don’t miss the waffles & ice cream) but their creative take on hotdogs is what always brings people back. Try the Muck Bucket, topped with their own chili, kraut, diced onions and homemade jalapeño mustard. You might want to order two.
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Best Place To Meet Fellow Gardeners
The Greater Woodbury Garden Club
Gardening lovers are welcome to join over 50 members for monthly meetings, garden visits, a cut-flowers exhibition, plant exchange and more gardening fun throughout the year.
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Best French Menu
June
The tastefully decorated dining room is a wonderful backdrop to this Collingswood gem. The creative menu changes with the season and offers delicacies like Rabbit Vol-au-Vent and Escabeche (grilled octopus, roasted scallops and grilled turbot).
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