New Jersey is a densely diverse Mid-Atlantic state known for its 130-mile Atlantic coastline, Victorian shore towns, the famous Jersey Shore boardwalks, and a rich Revolutionary War heritage. From the glittering casinos of Atlantic City and the genteel beauty of Cape May to the cultural buzz of Hoboken and the forests of the Pine Barrens, New Jersey packs extraordinary variety into one of the nation's smallest states.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you New Jersey through its food.
Cape May Food Tour
Includes: Eight to ten distinct food tastings at five to six local stops across Cape May's Victorian gaslit streetscape · Fresh Jersey seafood focus: local clams, crab cakes, and seasonal Atlantic fish from area fishermen · Small-group format (maximum 12 participants) ensures personal attention and direct access to chefs and shop owners · Farm-to-table sourcing narrative woven into food and architectural history commentary throughout the route · Sweet finish options including Cape May fudge, salt-water taffy, or locally crafted artisan ice cream
Asbury Park Boardwalk Food Crawl
Includes: Porta wood-fired Neapolitan pizza in a converted factory space steps from the Asbury Park boardwalk · Taka ramen and sushi offering Japanese-influenced counterpoint to classic Jersey Shore boardwalk fare · Bond Street Bar craft cocktails in an art-forward, dimly lit space central to Asbury Park's creative scene · Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten for communal beer-hall dining with an extensive New Jersey craft draft list · Self-guided flexibility: choose the sequence, pace, and stops to suit any group size or appetite
Newark Ironbound Portuguese & Spanish Food Tour
Includes: Grilled bacalhau (salt cod) and piri-piri chicken at Fernandes Steak House, the Ironbound's most celebrated Portuguese American restaurant · Petiscos and Vinho Verde at Iberia Peninsula, one of Ferry Street's most established Portuguese dining rooms · Freshly baked pastéis de nata (custard tarts) at Seabra's Bakery with a short espresso · Basque pintxos and house sangria at Casa Vasca, the Spanish counterpoint in a convivial dining room · Authentic Iberian immigrant community setting: one of the densest concentrations of Portuguese and Spanish dining in the eastern United States
Princeton Culinary Tour
Includes: Agricola's seasonally rotating farm-to-table menu featuring wood-fired preparations and produce from its own farm and Mercer County partners · Conte's Pizza BYOB, a Princeton institution since 1955 serving thin-crust pies in a no-frills room beloved by students and locals alike · The Olive Branch for Middle Eastern mezze: hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, and stuffed grape leaves as the circuit's most globally flavored stop · Mistral wine bar for Mediterranean small plates and an extensive by-the-glass wine selection in a relaxed Palmer Square setting · Thomas Sweet for hand-crafted blend-in ice cream, a Princeton tradition of over four decades
Atlantic City Dining Tour
Includes: Izakaya at Borgata for Japanese small plates, yakitori, and robata-grilled skewers from chef Michael Schulson in an upscale casino setting · Dock's Oyster House (est. 1897), one of Atlantic City's oldest continuously operating restaurants, for classic East and West Coast raw bar · Bobby Flay Steak at Borgata for prime dry-aged cuts and bold sauce preparations in a steakhouse setting geared to the Atlantic City market · Chickie's & Pete's signature crab fries — seasoned fries with warm cheddar sauce — widely considered a New Jersey boardwalk institution · Year-round viability: all casino venues are climate-controlled and ADA-accessible regardless of season or coastal weather
Tour formats
Different ways to experience New Jersey's food scene.
Items tours
Cooking classes
Take a piece of New Jersey home with you.
The Ryland Inn Farm & Kitchen Experience
Seasonal farm-to-table cooking class: tour the inn's working farm, then cook a 3-course meal with the executive chef using estate-grown ingredients
Jersey Fresh Cooking Class (Hoboken)
Group cooking class focusing on New Jersey seasonal produce; 2-course dinner prepared and eaten with the group; BYOB
DIY self-guided food tour
Build your own food crawl through New Jersey.
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1
Porta (Neapolitan pizza slice)
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2
Cookman Creamery (small-batch ice cream)
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3
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten (craft beer)
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4
Boardwalk Peanuts (roasted mixed nuts, boardwalk original)
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5
Lola's Cafe (Haitian creole snacks)
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
BYOB restaurants are common in NJ — purchase wine at a local liquor store and bring it; saves $15–$40 on a couple's dinner
New Jersey diners operate 24/7 and serve enormous portions at low prices ($8–$15/meal) — a cultural institution not to miss
Fresh Atlantic salt oysters from Cape May-area farms appear on menus from May–October — worth seeking out
The Ironbound neighborhood in Newark (Ferry St, accessible by NJ Transit train to Newark Penn) is the best Portuguese restaurant district in the US