5 NJ Restaurants Among The Top 100 In U.S., New Ranking Says

NEW JERSEY — Five restaurants in New Jersey were among OpenTable’s "Top 100" list, which included everything from a Whiskey and Ramen joint in Anchorage, Alaska, to a large pink tavern in Savannah, Georgia, and even an Eiffel Tower-themed eatery overlooking the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas.

The list, released Wednesday, features an updated methodology using OpenTable diner reviews and new metrics, the company said in a news release. It includes some of the hottest, in-demand restaurants in the country.

Here are the restaurants that earned a spot in New Jersey.

• Cafe Loren – Avalon
  • This seaside restaurant first opened in 1978 offering heavily French-influenced cuisine. Over time it has transformed to incorporate more American and now is best described as "American Coastal Cuisine."
• Peter Shields Inn – Cape May
  • The ambiance of this restaurant offers beautiful ocean views that can be taken in from the front porch in the summer or the comfort of being warmed by fireplaces in the winter. The menu is seasonally driven.
• Stella Restaurant – Ventnor
  • This family-owned restaurant is BYOB and offers Contemporary American dishes with chef-driven ingredients in a relaxed, casual atmosphere.
• The Saddle River Inn – Saddle River
  • Sitting on the banks of the Saddle River this romantic restaurant is nestled inside a rustic barn and offers Classic French cuisine with a contemporary flair. It is BYOB and children under 10 are not permitted.
• Washington Inn – Cape May
  • This romantic, easy-going restaurant on the seashore was once a Cape May plantation residence built in 1840. There are six unique dining areas to enjoy the American cuisine served with an upscale edge.

California and Florida had the highest share of restaurants on the list with 14 and seven, respectively. That includes returning restaurants Bavel and Bestia in Los Angeles, as well as House of Prime Rib and Kokkari Estiatorio in San Francisco.

This year’s list includes restaurants from 63 cities, including Brooklyn, New York; Palm Beach, Florida, and Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Foodies may also recognize some overlap with MICHELIN-starred eateries, such as Lilac in Tampa, Providence in Los Angeles and Girl & the Goat in Chicago.

"This year's Top 100 list features neighborhood gems, hotspots like Bad Roman, MICHELIN-starred venues like Jeune et Jolie, and restaurants new to the list from coast-to-coast," Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable, said in a statement. "We also see representation across the culinary spectrum – with cuisines like Mediterranean, French and Japanese included."