These Are NJ's Best Restaurants, New Ranking Says

NEW JERSEY - Calling all Garden State foodies!

USA TODAY released a new ranking of the best restaurants in the U.S. on Thursday, and three eateries around New Jersey were named to the ranking. How many have you tried?

From Instagrammable photo op spots to small town classics, here are the honorees:

Al-Basha (387 Crooks Ave, Paterson, N.J.)

Warm, fluffy pitas are on the menu at Paterson's Al-Basha, as well as a range of delectable sharables from crisp falafel and flavorful muhammara to creamy labneh. Grilled meats on wooden boards are served in generous portions with offerings like char grilled filet mignon, kofta kebab and shawarma.

"Paterson has one of the largest Arab American populations in the country and some of the most delicious Middle Eastern eats. The best of them all?" USA TODAY said. "Al-Basha, a quarter-century-old Palestinian restaurant, which arguably offers the best hummus in the region, if not, well, the planet."

Heirloom Kitchen (3853 County Road 516, Old Bridge, N.J.)

This cooking school-turned-fine dining destination offers weekly rotating four-course prix fixe and vegan prix fixe menus helmed by James Beard semifinalist and “Top Chef” contestant David Viana. The BYO restaurant doubles as a showroom for Domenico Winery, which allows it to offer wines by the bottle starting at $26.

"In the best of both worlds, this high-end fare is served in an approachable, airy space with an open kitchen, chef’s table, mismatched chairs, pops of greenery and a book nook packed with beloved cookbooks, making Heirloom Kitchen a true hidden gem that remains in the unassuming strip mall, even on the heels of astronomical success and two additional restaurants," USA TODAY said.

Sushi by Sea (Address provided upon reservation, Ridgefield, N.J.)

A sushi speakeasy lives in Ridgefield, serving up 17 courses of sushi in a cozy 12-seat dining room to guests who can find a referral or invite. The global sushi experience is led by an anonymous sushi chef curating an ever-changing menu for two seatings per night.

"Imagine international sashimi from Spanish akami to Korean fluke (with a welcome appearance from Japan’s buttery uni), and you’re just scratching the surface of what the secret restaurant can do," USA TODAY said.