Jersey Bites

Leah Victoria, creator of Leah’s Cucina (@leahscucina), will debut her hot-off-the-press cookbook, And That’s Dinner!, with a celebratory event at Orchard Park by David Burke, located in the Chateau Grande Hotel, on Friday, October 9, from 7-9 p.m. The 240-page hardcover cookbook, “And That’s Dinner: Flexible Recipes to Cook Smarter, Not Harder” (DK 2026), is a collection of adaptable, no-stress dishes for cooking for family and friends every night of the week.

Long before Alan and Nairelys Lopez built a growing collection of colorful Cuban restaurants across New Jersey, their story began in a small Cuban town. The two grew up in the same community, attended the same school, and even shared an unlikely connection: Nairelys’ mother was Alan’s teacher. But it wasn’t until both made their way to New Jersey in 2001, while still in their early 20s, that they reconnected.

Fall is here, and the Jersey City Cocktail Festival is giving cocktail lovers a reason to raise a glass. The Jersey City Cocktail Fest returns on Saturday, October 3, 2026, bringing more than 100 styles of whiskey, spirits, and cocktails to the Harborside Atrium in Jersey City. The event runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and will feature tastings from distilleries and brands from around the country and beyond, along with local food vendors, a DJ, and interactive games.

New restaurants and food concepts are popping up across New Jersey, bringing everything from modern Italian and coastal dining to Greek cuisine, Pan-Asian fare, Indian fusion, sushi, specialty coffee, and handcrafted baked goods to communities statewide. From exciting new neighborhood spots to growing concepts making their New Jersey debut, here are some of the latest openings to add to your dining radar.

Waterfront dining comes with quite a backdrop at Beneci’s Cucina D’Italia in Weehawken. Located inside the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner overlooking Weehawken Cove, Hoboken, and the New York City skyline—and you don’t need to be a hotel guest to dine there.

A newly renovated space, an entirely new menu, and a new American + Italian Gastropub concept mark a major new chapter for the longtime Clark restaurant. When the doors reopen at Paragon in Clark on September 10, guests won’t simply find a refreshed version of Paragon Tap & Table. They’ll meet Paragon American + Italian Gastropub, a new concept with a renovated space, a completely reworked menu, a new weekend brunch, and a revamped cocktail program.

From Asbury Park to Seaside Heights and a Few Favorites in Between, Stephen Winters, aka @ThePizzaHulk, takes us to some of his favorite spots. THE JERSEY SHORE. And no, we’re not talking “Cabs are here!” Jersey Shore. We’re talking PIZZA at the Jersey Shore. Summer may be winding down, but pizza season at the Jersey Shore never ends. Around here, a great slice isn’t just a summer thing—it’s a year-round experience.

It’s time to show some love to your favorite Jersey Shore restaurants. Voting is now open for the 2026 TASTE Awards, ShoreFoodie.com’s annual celebration of the restaurants, bars, and culinary destinations that help make the Jersey Shore one of New Jersey’s best places to eat. This year, Jersey Bites is proud to partner with the TASTE Awards, alongside Exit98Living.com and The Asbury Park Press to recognize the people and places shaping the local dining scene.

Two River Gourmet Mushrooms has grown from a home hobby to a 25-acre Millstone farm supplying restaurants, markets, and more than 2,000 retail locations nationwide. The first time I visited KC Sullivan, founder of Two River Gourmet Mushrooms, his entire operation fit inside a retrofitted shipping container tucked behind White Chapel Project in Long Branch.

New restaurants are opening across New Jersey at a steady pace, and the momentum shows no signs of slowing down. From chef-driven concepts to casual neighborhood spots, this roundup highlights some of the latest openings to keep on your radar this month. Almost Home, Long Branch (shown at top) A beloved Jersey Shore coffee brand has opened a new location at The Inkwell Lofts in Long Branch.