New Jersey’s culinary scene is buzzing with exciting new eateries opening their doors this week. From innovative twists on classic dishes to health-conscious superfood havens, there’s something for every palate. Here’s a roundup of the latest dining spots you won’t want to miss.
🍗 101 Chicken – Lodi, NJ
101 Chicken has officially opened a new location in Lodi, continuing its growth across Bergen County. Located at 330 Essex Street, this Korean fried chicken spot is known for its crispy, made-to-order chicken, cooked using a robotic frying system that ensures consistency and precision with every order. The team is led by award-winning chef Byungtae Ahn, who was named Grand Champion of the Netflix competition series The K-Chicken War, where his skills and flavors earned top honors. Alongside a wide variety of sauces and chicken preparations, 101 Chicken blends traditional Korean flavor profiles with modern culinary techniques and technology. This new location joins existing North Jersey storefronts in Ridgefield Park and Fort Lee. 101 Chicken in Lodi is currently open seven days a week.
🍕 Coniglio’s Old Fashioned – Morristown, NJ
Award-winning chef Nino Coniglio has brought his celebrated pizzeria to Morristown. Located at 11 South Street, Coniglio’s Old Fashioned offers handcrafted pizzas made with high-quality ingredients. Coniglio, a Brooklyn native, has won multiple pizza championships, including the prestigious Las Vegas Pizza Expo. The menu features traditional pies like the Brooklyn Round and Grandma, as well as unique creations such as the Calabrese tomato sauce pizza with garlic confit and crispy basil. The pizzeria also offers pastas, salads, and a selection of Italian desserts. Coniglio’s Old Fashioned has quickly become a local favorite, with lines often forming outside.New Jersey Digest+3Patch+3New Jersey Monthly+3coniglios.com+6New Jersey Monthly+6Patch+6
🥗 Vitality Bowls – Hackensack, NJ
Vitality Bowls has expanded its presence in New Jersey with a new location in Hackensack. Situated at 50 Main Street, this health-focused café specializes in superfood bowls, smoothies, salads, wraps, and grain bowls made with nutrient-rich ingredients and no fillers like ice or frozen yogurt. The café is owned by local residents Amit and Tuhina Patel and marks the second Vitality Bowls establishment in New Jersey. To celebrate the grand opening, Vitality Bowls in Hackensack offered exclusive deals, including Buy One Get One FREE on all açaí bowls on May 9, and Buy One Get One 50% off on any menu item from May 9 to May 11. The café aims to make healthy eating more accessible to the community.vitalitybowls.com+2Boozy Burbs+2QSR Magazine+2QSR Magazine
🥪 Abramzon & David’s Delicatesse – Old Bridge, NJ
Abramzon & David’s Delicatesse, a new sandwich shop, is set to open in Old Bridge. Located next to Heirloom Kitchen, this counter-service eatery will offer a small but hearty menu of gourmet sandwiches with pairable sides, coffee selections, pastries, and more. The menu will include sandwiches like a meatball parm, chopped Italian, and Italian beef, as well as more adventurous options such as a Cubano with mojo pork and guava jam, a Thai tuna melt, and a veggie melt with braised collards. The sandwich shop is expected to open on Wednesday, May 21.
🍧 Playa Bowls – Belmar, NJ
Playa Bowls is celebrating the grand reopening of its original location in Belmar. Situated at 803 Ocean Avenue, this fully renovated shop reflects Playa Bowls’ evolution while honoring its roots. The opening celebration included free bowls for the first 50 guests and retro Playa merch featuring the brand’s original logo. Playa Bowls started as a roadside stand on the Belmar boardwalk in 2014 and has since grown into a nationwide brand with over 300 locations.
🍔 Woosmash – Verona, NJ
Woosmash, a new Korean-inspired smashed-burger spot, has opened in Verona. Located in the former Bloom restaurant space, Woosmash offers a unique fusion of Eastern-inspired ingredients, such as miso and pickled veggies, with classic American-style burgers. The restaurant aims to provide a fresh take on the traditional burger experience, combining bold flavors and innovative techniques.
These new eateries showcase the diverse and dynamic food scene in New Jersey. Whether you’re craving crispy fried chicken, artisanal pizza, health-conscious bowls, gourmet sandwiches, or inventive burgers, there’s a new spot waiting for you to explore.
For more information on these and other dining options in New Jersey, visit Explore New Jersey’s Food & Dining section.
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