Here Are 5 New Restaurants That Opened In North Jersey In March 2023

NORTH JERSEY, NJ —Spring is here, time to try new dishes. Restaurants are sprouting all over New Jersey.

Here are five that opened in March, from Newark to Bridgewater, and some other recent restaurant news at the end.

1. Latin Bistro Near Pru Center: If you're visiting the Prudential Center in Newark (maybe to see The Original Misfits?) you can stroll over to a new addition to the restaurant scene, Salsa Latin Bistro at 860 Broad St. The eatery features cuisines from Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, Peru, and other Latin countries. “We’re so happy to become a part of this incredibly supportive Newark community,” said owners Dwain Lazarus, Raymond Sanchez, and Jamir Archer. Read more here.

2. Return Of Tuscan Favorites: Ridgewood was recently named among the best dining towns in New Jersey, and it won't hurt that a dining fixture is set to reopen under the original owners. La Lanterna Café & Grill, a nearly 20-year-old restaurant serving the food of Tuscany, Italy, had closed temporarily. It reopened March 14 under original owners Paul and Joanne Karoutsos. They're located at 29 West Ridgewood Ave. Read more here.

3. Late-Night Vegan Crosses River: Jerrell's Betr Brgr, a vegan joint in SoHo that has won raves even among meat-eaters, opened last Tuesday on Hoboken's main drag, Washington Street. Owner Jerrell Obee serves up meatless burgers, sides, and more at 324 Washington St., about an eight-block walk from the Hoboken Train Terminal. Read more here.

4. Chef-Centric Eatery DIGs Central Jersey: A chef-centric seasonal eatery, DIG of NYC, opened its first New Jersey location in Bridgewater Commons this month. Located at 610 Commons Way, Suite 4310, they're serving up a variety of meals next to Starbucks and Shake Shack in The Village section of the Commons. Check out the menu of salad and grain bowls, and more, here.

5. Cocktails And Latin Food In Elizabeth: The bar and restaurant Pecado Bistro Bar opened Friday at 848 Second Ave., the former site of the Salsa Rumba Sports Bar, after moving from 66 Cherry St. Enjoy live music as you chow down on empanadas, tacos, crepes, and specialty cocktails. They have special events like karaoke and dance nights. Read more about Pecado Bistro Bar here.

Other North Jersey Restaurant News

• Mama Franca in Secaucus was set to close down over the weekend.
• The Iron Bar in Morristown submitted a new application earlier this month for rooftop dining.
• Starbucks in uptown Hoboken is closed for renovations through April 11, but two other locations of the chain are still open in the mile-square city.
• Pokemoto, a Hawaiian Poke Bowl restaurant, opened its first Jersey location in Hoboken on Friday and is coming to the Gateway in Old Bridge.

Got restaurant opening or closing tips in North Jersey? Submit them here.

Want to read about the February 2023 NJ openings? Click here.