15 Best New Jersey Foods To Try in 2024

If you're craving an authentic taste of the East Coast but want to skip the usual hustle and bustle of New York City or the distance to Philly, join us on a journey through some iconic New Jersey foods. This vibrant state offers a culinary adventure brimming with local flavors and hidden gems that often go unnoticed.

From classic diners to sleek coastal restaurants, New Jersey is a treasure trove of delicious surprises waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or just passing through, this guide will help you explore the very best of New Jersey's food.

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• Get a Taste of Traditional New Jersey Cuisine
• What Food Is New Jersey Known For?
• 15 New Jersey Foods You Should Try

Get a Taste of Traditional New Jersey Cuisine

Embark on food tours in New Jersey and discover the rich array of flavors for which the Garden State is known. Whether you're savoring classic Jersey hot dogs with an Italian twist or debating the use of the term pork roll versus a Taylor Ham sandwich, New Jersey's food scene offers a memorable journey for your taste buds. Ready to discover each bite of New Jersey's unique and delicious food options? Read on.

What Food Is New Jersey Known For?

Whether you're a fan of Sicilian-style pizza or a classic New York-inspired bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, the best New Jersey food options are packed with casual yet eclectic bites that will leave you craving more. No matter your origins, New Jersey food offers something for everyone — from the farm-fresh fruit to the salty kick of its sandwiches. For a taste of this delightful cuisine, make your way to the East Coast and discover the wonders of New Jersey's food.

15 New Jersey Foods You Should Try

1. Pork Roll

What makes this New Jersey food staple truly exciting is its versatility — it can be enjoyed as a hard roll, bagel or English muffin. Over the years, this beloved treat has gone by different names. Originally sold as "Taylor's Prepared Ham" until 1906, it was rebranded as "pork roll" due to food labeling regulations.

Despite this, many in northern New Jersey still refer to it as "Taylor ham." The ongoing debate over whether it's called pork roll or Taylor ham is a deeply ingrained part of New Jersey food culture, revealing whether someone hails from the northern or southern part of the state. To experience this classic dish, visit White Rose Diner in Linden, NJ, and savor a delicious pork roll.

2. Italian Hot Dog

While Philly has its legendary cheesesteaks, New Jersey’s hidden food gem deserves its own spotlight — the Jersey Dog, also known as the Italian hot dog. This tasty creation has been a New Jersey food favorite since the 1930s, when it first hit the streets of Newark, New Jersey.

 An Italian hot dog is a fried hot dog loaded with sautéed peppers, onions and crispy fried potatoes, all stuffed inside a fluffy pizza bread bun. Yes, it’s as delicious as it sounds. This isn’t just a hot dog — it’s a flavor explosion that combines the best of Italian and American street food. Head over to Jimmy Buff’s in West Orange to try one out. 

3. Salt Water Taffy

You’re bound to spot this classic New Jersey food while strolling down the Seaside Heights boardwalk or lounging in Cape May — salt water taffy. Despite the name, salt water taffy doesn’t actually contain any salt water! It’s mainly made from sugar, cornstarch and corn syrup, yet it’s been a beloved boardwalk tradition in New Jersey for generations.

The quirky name dates back to a flood in Atlantic City when a candy shop owner’s taffy supply was soaked in seawater. Today, you can enjoy this chewy delight in classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla — or get adventurous with options like white cranberry, spicy pumpkin and mango. Want to taste for yourself? Head over to Shriver’s on E. 9th Street and Boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ.

4. Eggs and Cheese

With New York just a stone's throw away, it’s no surprise that bagel culture has found a home in New Jersey cuisine. Pairing a bagel with bacon or pork roll, along with eggs and cheese, has become a beloved breakfast staple across the state.

When it comes to New Jersey food habits, bagels are a mainstay, and when topped with eggs and cheese, they create a hearty, satisfying meal that's a go-to at delis and breakfast spots throughout the Garden State. This simple yet flavorful combination has solidified its place in New Jersey’s food traditions.

5. Pizza Bread

Pizza bread, often called "tomato bread," has deep roots in New Jersey, thanks to Italian immigrants who settled in Newark in the early 20th century. This dish evolved from Italian peasant fare, where simple ingredients like bread, tomatoes, garlic and herbs were used to create a flavorful meal. 

This affordable, comforting dish quickly became a local favorite, cherished by Italian-American families and the broader New Jersey food community. Often enjoyed as a snack or appetizer at family gatherings and local eateries, pizza bread has become a beloved staple in Newark's culinary scene. Today, it stands as a delicious testament to the city’s rich Italian-American heritage and its lasting impact on New Jersey’s food culture.

6. Disco Fries

While Canadians invented the classic combination of fries, cheese and gravy with poutine, New Jersey foodies put their own spin on the concept. Disco fries emerged in the 1970s, named for the era when partygoers would flock to bars for a late-night indulgence.

What sets disco fries apart from poutine is the choice of fries and cheese: New Jersey’s version features crinkle-cut fries and mozzarella cheese, whereas poutine typically uses straight-cut fries and cheese curds. Today, diners across New Jersey savor disco fries, often adding their own creative twists to this beloved late-night favorite.

7. Tomato Pie

While Chicago may be famous for its deep-dish pizza, New Jersey proudly serves up its own standout specialty: the tomato pie. Also known as a Trenton Tomato Pie, this popular New Jersey food features a thin crust pizza with a unique twist. Instead of the traditional method, all the toppings are placed on the crust first, followed by a layer of tomato sauce, before the pie is baked in a wood-fired oven.

Trenton, NJ, home to two of the country’s oldest pizzerias, is renowned for its exceptional tomato pies. But, this local New Jersey food specialty has spread across the region, and pizza lovers across the Garden State are now able to savor their own version of this distinctive dish. For a fun night trying new New Jersey food options, explore pizzerias in NJ like Corleone’s Old Fashion Tomato Pie & Pizza to experience your own take on the classic tomato pie.

8. South Jersey Pizza

Go south of Secaucus, and you'll discover a slice of Sicilian heaven among New Jersey’s food landscape. While pizza is enjoyed in every corner of the state, South Jersey pizza stands out among New Jersey food with its Sicilian-style influences.

Head over to Clifton, where Bruno’s Restaurant & Pizza is renowned for its extraordinary Sicilian pie. With a thick, flavorful crust and crispy edges, the corner slices are local favorites. This pizza achieves perfect harmony with its well-seasoned sauce and impossibly gooey cheese. It’s the best New Jersey food option for a late-night treat or even cold breakfast leftovers!

9. Zeppoles

Zeppoles are delicious, doughy balls, dusted with powdered sugar. These sweet snacks originated in Italy but have become a beloved part of New Jersey’s food culture. Italian cuisine has profoundly influenced New Jersey’s food scene since the early 20th century. With the influx of Italian immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Italian festivals began to flourish in the state, and zeppoles quickly became a highlight of these celebrations. 

What to sample the best zeppoles for yourself? If so, make sure to visit St. Ann’s Feast in Hoboken and La Festa Italiana in Jersey City.

10. Hoagies

A hoagie is a classic cold-cut sandwich that first emerged in Philadelphia during World War I, before becoming a part of New Jersey’s food culture. This beloved sandwich has deep roots in the Italian-American community.

It’s said that Italian immigrants working at the Hog Island shipyard, situated on land once known as Hog Island, created these sandwiches filled with meats, cheeses and vegetables. Go to any Jersey Mike’s Subs location to try one of the most popular New Jersey foods.

11. Candied Apples

New Jersey’s own William W. Kolb is credited with inventing the candied apple, originally intended to be New Jersey’s food staple for the holidays. However, since its debut in 1908, this gooey, sticky delight has become an annual Halloween treat. Although it was first created in Newark, NJ, it quickly gained popularity across the country, particularly at Jersey Shore events.

12. Barnegat Bay Scallops

For some of the finest scallops this side of the Atlantic, look no further than the waters off Long Beach Island in New Jersey. As a coastal state, seafood is a very important element of New Jersey’s cuisine. To savor these local treasures, head over the bridge from Long Beach Island to The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House, open year-round.

13. Blueberry Muffin

Explore the sprawling Pine Barrens of New Jersey and you’ll discover farms known for producing some of the finest blueberries in the entire country. Just head north, in New Egypt, and you’ll find Emery’s Berry Farm, a spot that boasts over 50 years of blueberry farming. 

This pick-your-own farm dedicates 20 of its 60 acres exclusively to organic blueberries. For those who prefer not to pick their own, a stand offers freshly picked berries and Emery’s famous blueberry pie — a must-try for anyone looking to try a popular New Jersey food.

14. Campbell’s Soup

Joseph A. Campbell founded his soup company in Camden, NJ, back in 1869. The brand later became an iconic part of New Jersey’s food scene, as well as an icon of American art, inspiring pop art legend Andy Warhol nearly 70 years after the brand's inception.

While Campbell Soup Company now offers a variety of flavors, it’s the original tomato soup that defines the brand. From its 1895 introduction until 1979, this soup was crafted with the renowned New Jersey tomatoes — celebrated as some of the Garden State’s best produce. Grab a can for yourself and savor a bowl of this iconic New Jersey food.

15. Jersey Fruits

New Jersey’s reputation as the Garden State is well-earned, thanks to its exceptional fruit crops that rank among the best in the nation. Jersey tomatoes are known for their rich flavor and ideal texture, and have inspired essential Italian recipes within the state.

Blueberries and cranberries, meanwhile, make their mark in blueberry muffins, pies and jams. Agricultural excellence enriches New Jersey’s cuisine, and its ability to produce outstanding ingredients year-round makes for a beautiful landscape and an equally exciting culinary scene.

Which New Jersey food option would you like to try? Whether you're craving a quick, classic pork roll or the sweet nostalgia of salt water taffy, New Jersey's exciting culinary scene has something for everyone. The Garden State's food culture is deeply rooted in history, influenced by Italian traditions and enriched by its unique crops, making each dish a true reflection of Jersey's vibrant community.

If you're eager to explore even more of the state's culinary landscape, there are plenty of ways to dive deeper into New Jersey's rich food offerings. Beyond its iconic dishes, New Jersey offers a variety of food tours, farm-to-table experiences and seasonal festivals that highlight the best of what the state has to offer. 

For even more ways to explore New Jersey and beyond check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.