By Erin McFeeters

Bakeries and Desserts

Emery’s Berry Patch

 New Jersey is known as the blueberry capital in the U.S., and the best blueberries come from Emery’s. One-third of Emery’s 60-acre farm in New Egypt is devoted to blueberries and can be picked from mid-June through July. They’re known for organic blueberry farming however, their pies are what put them on the map. You can find 21 pie varieties on any given day fresh and hot out of the oven.

Kohr Bros

 The Kohr family began developing and perfecting their frozen custard recipe in 1917, and at the time it was nothing like anything the brothers had ever tasted. Initially, the frozen custard was delivered door to door with milk by horse-drawn carriage. In 1919 the brothers opened their first location on Coney Island’s boardwalk. They sold 18,460 cones in two days! Soon after their Coney Island success, the brothers made their way to the Jersey Shore. Today, the original recipe is still used under the watchful eyes of the Kohr family.

Purple Glaze donuts, etc.

 USA Today named this bakery the top independent donut shop in New Jersey in 2018. Purple Glaze, donuts, etc., is a neighborhood coffee and donut shop in Asbury Park. Their menu features donut classics like glazed and chocolate, but also unique combinations that will satisfy all donut fans. Inspired by their love of all things sinfully delicious and dynamic about Asbury Park the mom and son team create bold distinctive flavor combinations on the daily.

Italian Peoples Bakery

The bakery’s history began in the 1930s when the family opened its first bakery in Trenton and helped build Chambersburg into a small Italian community it is known for today. The business expanded rapidly during the 1950s to sell pastries and wholesale to delis and restaurants throughout the state. Today, they have eight locations throughout Mercer and Bucks County, and still, make all of the products in one location to ensure the quality is the same at each retail store.

Bagel Nook

This bagel joint set out to make the craziest bagels the world has ever tasted, and they surpassed their goal. They serve egg and egg everything bagels, but they also have ghost pepper, tie-dye, vanilla milkshake, and espresso fudge, just to name a few, flavored bagels. To top their bagels, they feature an array of different cream cheese flavors like birthday cake and cool ranch. Buzzfeed got wind of their Oreo bagel with Oreo cream cheese, and now people across the U.S. can order off the menu and get them delivered right to their front door. Lucky for N.J. residents the Bagel Nook calls Freehold home.

Miscellaneous

Mud City Crab House

 This crab house located in Manahawkin is known for crabs and scallops both fresh daily from the Barnegat Bay. Sit down for a meal, or shop at their fish market for some of the best fish and shellfish around. June through October, Richie the Crabber sets sail and delivers hearty blue claws to Mud City’s door daily. From steamer to table you know you’ll get a fresh seafood meal from Mud City.

La Isla Restaurant

La Isla has been a destination in downtown Hoboken since the 1970s. They have been a genuine Cuban inspired dining experience for two generations and have become a staple to the Hoboken community. So much so, La Isla opened a second location uptown to keep up with demand. You can find classic Cuban dishes such as picadillo (Havana-style ground beef), fricassee de pollo (braised chicken and potato stew), at La Isla, but also stuffed French toast with strawberry cream cheese coated with corn flakes and almonds.

Washington Inn

 The Washington Inn in Cape May was first constructed in 1846, and the three-story columns were built to resemble those at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plantation House. The property has had many owners and is currently operated as a restaurant only and has been run by the same family since the 1970s. It’s known today as being the most romantic restaurant in Cape May and the gold standard of Cape May fine dining.