Three New Jersey Restaurants Land on USA Today’s 2026 Best American Eateries List

USA Today dropped its 2026 Restaurants of the Year list last week. Thirty-nine dining spots made the cut across the nation. Three hail from New Jersey.

The Pasta Shop in Denville, Ram & Rooster in Metuchen, and Anjelica's in Sea Bright earned their places. Journalists from the publication's network picked these local gems, and all three had appeared on NJ.com's 99 best restaurants in the state last year.

Tommy Pollio and Sergio Sciancalepore opened The Pasta Shop in 2019. Diners get hand-rolled pasta and wood-fired entrees. Fresh sauces and cheeses come with every plate.

"A three-hour wait rarely deters customers from lining up for a seat at The Pasta Shop, a 'neighborhood Italian eatery' in Denville, New Jersey," said USA Today, per Nj.com. Spaghetti carbonara sits on the menu next to rigatoni alla vodka and chicken parmesan.

Sean Yan brought Ram & Rooster to life in Metuchen during 2024. Before that? He worked as a pastry chef at Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge. His restaurant delivers New Jersey's first fine dining Chinese experience, built around a prix fixe menu that draws from his heritage.

"Through Yan's Western takes on Chinese flavors, he has created a haute destination named after his parents' zodiac signs," USA Today said. Seasons dictate the menu. Lotus root croquettes, mackerel crudo, and smoked duck rotate through. An eight-course tasting menu awaits most guests, though a four-course prix fixe runs on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Anjelica's in Sea Bright has served patrons since 1996. The late Ray Lena opened this Italian restaurant with his family nearly three decades back. His daughter manages operations now.

"Picture sitting down to Sunday dinner, only with white tablecloths and stellar service," USA Today said. Want a table? Book more than a month out. The menu pulls from family roots in Southern and Northern Italy.

"Our food writer says the from-scratch pasta (including a secret, off-menu spicy rigatoni) and the charming twinkle-lit alley make a month-long wait for reservations totally worth it," writes USA Today. Linguine with garlic and olive oil appears alongside ravioli made with scratch-made pasta and ricotta cheese. Seared octopus and double-cut pork chops round out the offerings.

Birch in Milwaukee and Lea's Lunchroom in Lecompte, Louisiana, also landed on the national list.