Drew's Bayshore Bistro in Keyport - best food around. You can look at photos online to see if the ambiance is for you, but imo the food is worth it

Moonstruck in Asbury Park

Charlie's of Bay Head is right in your area. https://charliesofbayhead.com/

La Mondia in Brielle has been my favorite lately for a nice night out!

Scarborough Fair in Sea Girt has a cozy, romantic ambiance and good food.

Lambertville Inn in Lambertville. Clydz in New Brunswick. Agricola in Princeton.

Edit - sorry, apparently can't format on mobile.

James on Main, Hackettstown

Ninety Acres, Peapack-Gladstone

• Rat’s restaurant, in Grounds for Sculpture (Hamilton).

• The Frog & the Peach (New Brunswick).

• Lokal Eatery (Jersey City)

• Saddle River Inn (Saddle River)

I’ve never had a date night, but those places are top notch in the ambiance department, as well as good food, even at a premium.

Saddle River Inn

Juicy Platters. Start off the night juicy, end the night with a juicy ass yo.

Ok, so if you have a car and are up for kind of an adventure, I really adored the Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA. Might be more of a cozy Fall activity that you can pair with exploring New Hope…

For Princeton, I actually think Eno Terra is kind of a vibe (technically Kingston but not far). Agricola is great but I don’t know how date-y it feels to me. Mediterra is also nice.

I wish someone would open a low light tea house with a “small world after dark” vibe for cocktails and light bites.

If outdoors are your thing, it's very romantic to take a walk around the Institute for Advanced Study grounds and have a picnic out there. Had a guy take me there a few times and made me swooon

Prospect garden !

Prince Tea House :)

The most romantic place in the area is The Boat House in Lambertville. It’s very small and no food but good drinks and intimate. Try it on a weeknight as it doesn’t allow people standing after all seats are taken.

A few suggestions...

• Lorena's in Maplewood (classic French; right by the train station which could be convenient for some but wouldn't help you on the RVL)
• Faugourg in Montclair (modern French; our go-to for a nearby fancy dinner; we actually like to go for lunch too and pair it with a walk around downtown Montclair for shopping, movie, etc)
• Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge (American fine dining; prixe fixe or tasting menus; owner was on Top Chef and does collab dinner events and also owns a great restaurant in Asbury Park; if you do go, choose the "back counter" section, it's a second row chef's table which gives you a great view but also let's you have a semi-private dinner with your partner since your not on top of the kitchen staff)
• Xunta in Caldwell (Spanish/Basque tapas; feels more authentic than most tapas restaurants; we love to bring first-time friends and family here because of the fun experience of ordering and sharing everything)

There are so many places in NJ for amazing food and a good date night that you’re going to have to be more specific… Within a drive from where

Casa d'Paco in Newark

Semolina in Red Bank

Ehhhh half this sub is too racist and still living in 2004 to go out for dinner in Newark

Good point about BYO. You can buy bottles of wine at Heirloom if you forget or aren't picky. And they do have seasonal non-alcoholic drinks that sounded good and would probably go well with a splash of something if you bring a small bottle

Fornos of Spain…. Food is incredible, Portions are very Generous

Cafe Matisse in Rutherford if you can get a table.

LaRocca in Montclair. My favorite.

Orangeburg, NY few minutes over border, IL Fresco. Cozy Stone cottage, fireplace, excellent service. Very good food, reasonable.Cute bar and fresh flowers!!

Anyone been to cafe Matisse in Rutherford? Although it’s 115 per person

Or anyone been to restaurant Lorena’s?

I would pick something that’s - BYOB if it’s only $80+ tip.

Latour- French American, and I think on Sunday you can do their fixed menu. BYOB

-Bici in Ramsey is also BYOB

• St Eves or Ho Hokus inn in Hohokus. St Eves is BYOB.

Red Horse Rumson

Elements in Princeton

Natirar - Gladstone

Stone House - Warren

Belmar - La Dolce Vita

By town:

Bedminster - The Pluckemin Inn

Hamilton - Rat's Restaurant

New Brunswick - Frog and the Peach

Red Bank - Nicholas Barrel & Roost

Ringoes - Harvest Moon

Been a while since I’ve been here , but The Caves (formerly Archetypus) is a cool little spot - this would be my choice.

More for the views and standard modern gastropub food, Pier 115

De Novo for a fantastic view over the Husdon, sometimes live band, food is above average Euro-Americana pub fare, valet parking only. $$$

Soba Noodle Azuma for a quiet Japanese local spot, authentic food and speed of service. No alcohol served here $$

Pintxo y Tapas, Spanish cuisine in a family style, lowkey vibe. Great food and wine variety, not too far from the spa. $$$

In that area:

River Palm Terrace

De Novo

Son Cubano

Chart House

Eat at the spa the food is incredible there!

Lots of good Italian food nearby in Hoboken.

• Sorellina

• Apulia

• Flour

Ondo has a really nice romantic atmosphere and feels fancy.

Burger King

Madams (just reopened). Great food and drinks. Congrats! :)

Congrats! We love Cellar 335, Franklin Social/Junto Attic Bar, Terra e Mare, Edwards Steakhouse. For an intimate breakfast, Sam a.m.! And I know it’s out of the way but Barbès in Hoboken

Corto if you can get a res!

90 Acres is a fantastic experience

If you don't mind a drive Blue Hill at Stone Barns

Nicholas in Red Bank

Chart House is my go to. It might be a bit far from Kenilworth though (idk if you’re ok with that but as long as you’re not going during rush hour you should be fine)

Here are a few fine dining options:

• Roots Steakhouse in Morristown (I think they also have a location in Summit)
• Jockey Hollow restaurant in Morristown
• The Peach and the Frog in New Brunswick

Mohawk House in Sparta.