Here’s the thing that absolutely sucks about living in Northfield: you’re surrounded by people who aren’t eating. Everywhere you look are tourists grabbing quick bites, visitors settling for chain restaurants, and locals who’ve never ventured beyond the usual spots. It can be hard to find a truly memorable meal in a town known for its beaches, but check out these 11 restaurants and you’ll have one major advantage over everyone else: you’ll know where to eat.
Little Italy Pizzeria & Restaurant
$$ | (609) 383-1155 | WEBSITE
The best thing about Little Italy Pizzeria & Restaurant is that you’ll walk through the door and forget you’re anywhere near the Jersey shore. With its warm brick oven glow, checkered tablecloths, and the scent of garlic bread in the air, this place feels like a Sunday dinner at your Italian grandmother’s house. The pasta selection is excellent and, if you really want to lean into the experience, they’ve got a generous weekly changing Prix-Fixe menu that’s always a great value.
LiL Saigon
$$ | (609) 904-2778 | WEBSITE
LiL Saigon feels welcoming. But it isn’t any one particular dish that will have you craving Vietnamese food on a random Tuesday. The atmosphere is the result of serving as the family-owned spot for people who appreciate authentic flavors and enjoy modern decor with pink lighting for over a decade. The banh mi counter up front is a great option for classic steak sandwiches and vegan versions.
La Cucina Ristorante
$$ | (609) 677-0470 | WEBSITE
It’s really, really hard to pick the best thing at La Cucina Ristorante, a charming Italian spot in Northfield. The menu is built around seafood, which is abundant and exceptional, with dishes like cavatelli with shrimp and scallops and perfectly grilled octopus. But the homemade mushroom ravioli deserves a shout out, the calamari is just as good as a starter as it is alongside an entree, and the Branzino will haunt your dreams.
If we ever do a guide called Where To Go When You Want A Relaxed Night Out With Friends And Need Some Great Food, La Cucina will be on it.
The Taproom Bar & Grille
$$$$ | (609) 236-4400 | WEBSITE
It’s easy to overlook The Taproom Bar & Grille if you’re just passing through Northfield, since the unassuming exterior blends right into the neighborhood. But this bar and grille on the main strip is one of your best options for casual dining and drinks with friends. The food is consistently good, you can have a satisfying meal for around $25, and the atmosphere is noticeably relaxed, which is perfect if you want to enjoy trivia nights or live music without any fuss.
Rose’s Garden Grill
$ | (609) 646-1763 | WEBSITE
You might need to squeeze into a seat at Rose’s Garden Grill, which feels about as spacious as a walk-in closet. But once you’re settled, the service moves fast enough that you could probably finish lunch and still catch the tail end of your coworker’s story about their cat’s latest antics (or maybe skip that part entirely). The sandwiches are excellent, and they come in generous portions, so go for the half if you’re trying to avoid that post-lunch food coma.
Nick’s Pizza
$ | (609) 380-4300 | WEBSITE
With a reputation that’s grown from a single spot to a beloved Atlantic County institution, Nick’s Pizza is a known entity at this point, but that doesn’t mean it’s still not one of the best pizza options in the neighborhood.
The Northfield location of the warm, welcoming establishment makes a really good pie with unwavering consistency (and has that praised beet goat cheese salad, too), but our favorite thing on the menu may actually be the standout service from Sal, who goes above and beyond to make every guest feel like royalty.
The Bake Works
$$ | (609) 407-6000 | WEBSITE
If you grew up in Northfield, then you no doubt already have a favorite bakery – one that you’re religiously devoted to, will fight to the death for, and maybe even tattoo onto your arm, along with a drawing of a carrot cupcake. We’re not going to try to convince you that the baked goods sold at The Bake Works are better than your childhood favorite, but we will tell you that they’re very good.
The fact that you can also get some great custom cakes here, like the chocolate chip cake with cannoli frosting and the almond cake with vanilla pastry cream filling, makes this place even better.
Cafe Bru
$ | (609) 241-0147 | WEBSITE
When a cafe uses the word “cafe” in its name, you kind of expect it to feature all sorts of coffee drinks that may or may not actually work as substitutes for a proper morning pick-me-up. That’s not the case at Cafe Bru, though. This cozy New Jersey spot doesn’t try any fancy alchemy to make overcomplicated lattes, it just has a straightforward menu of coffee and pastries that happen to be consistently excellent. And more importantly, they’re also genuinely good.
They only have about five or six baked goods and you can make your own breakfast sandwich if you want, but leave it up to the pros when you go the first time – order the matcha with lavender and definitely add a buttery scone.
Chico & Sons Northfield
$ | (609) 380-7788 | WEBSITE
The thing about being a local favorite applies to Chico & Sons, too. And, judging by the crowd in this place every day from lunch through dinner, there aren’t a lot of people we need to tell about Chico & Sons. But if you’re someone who’s been wondering if dealing with the tight parking is worth it, we’re here to tell you that it absolutely is. They have a wide selection of sandwiches and pizzas that are really good.
This is also a place where it’s really hard to pass by the Sopranos memorabilia without smiling, so do yourself a favor and don’t even try to.
Chido Burrito
$ | (609) 484-1480 | WEBSITE
Chido Burrito probably isn’t going to be your go-to for a fancy night out. It shouldn’t be – with its casual vibe and ample parking, you’ll almost never feel like you’re dining somewhere exclusive. But on one of those nights when you’re craving something fresh and straightforward, the kids are actually behaving, or, better yet, you’ve got the whole family in tow, then this place needs to be your destination.
It’s Northfield’s most reliable Mexican spot, a welcoming little restaurant with a menu that does everything from customizable burritos to vegetarian options. Take a look at your calendar, find the next time you need a no-fuss meal, and really enjoy dinner for a change.
Jersey Cow Ice Cream
$$ | (609) 796-2525 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving ice cream but don’t have quite enough time for the boardwalk crowds, Jersey Cow Ice Cream is your spot. The menu isn’t quite as straightforward as at other shops, with items displayed on different walls, but just about every flavor is really good and the lines move significantly faster. It’ll even work for any dairy-averse friends, as the non-dairy options are actually some of our favorite things they make.