2 Wayne Restaurants Among Top 25 In NJ: Reports

WAYNE, NJ — The food writers and editors at two different media outlets made separate lists that ranked New Jersey's top 25 restaurants of 2022. Each list included a Wayne restaurant.

In New Jersey Digest, the top 25 included Viaggio Ristorante. New Jersey Advance Media's top 25 featured a local newcomer — Paheli Indian Cuisine.

Narrowing New Jersey down to 25 elite restaurants is no easy task. Even though each list had separate conclusions, one thing's for sure: some of Wayne's eateries hold their own among the Garden State's best.

Chef and Owner Robbie Felice founded Viaggio in 2016. His father, Joe, owned multiple restaurants, and Robbie has carried the torch, working in New York City, Las Vegas and around Europe.

Felice founded his first restaurant — Viaggio in Wayne — at only 26 years old. The restaurant represents his cooking philosophy, according to the restaurant's website: "locally sourced ingredients used to create traditional Italian fare with a modern touch."

Much like Viaggio, Paheli Indian Cuisine is easy to miss, with an unassuming exterior in a Wayne strip mall. The Blockhra family opened the restaurant last year. Their partner Nimma Reddy brought with him more than 20 years of experience serving authentic dishes.

View the full rankings from New Jersey Digest and New Jersey Advance Media.