The Hardest Restaurant Reservations To Get In New Jersey (But Locals Still Sneak In)
New Jersey’s dining scene has some real hidden gems that are nearly impossible to book.
I’ve spent years trying to snag tables at these culinary hotspots, often refreshing reservation apps at midnight like a madwoman.
The competition is fierce, but Jersey locals have their ways of getting in – trust me, I’ve learned a few tricks myself over the years.
Razza: Pizza Worth The Wait
My pizza obsession led me to Razza in Jersey City, where I once waited three hours in February rain just for a chance at the bar. The wood-fired pies here have earned national acclaim – even The New York Times declared it the best pizza in NYC (which infuriated New Yorkers and delighted Jersey folks).
Owner Dan Richer’s fanatical approach to fermentation creates crusts with perfect bubbles and char. The restaurant only has about 40 seats, and reservations open 30 days ahead at midnight – they’re usually gone within minutes.
Jersey locals skip the reservation game entirely by showing up right at 4pm opening or after 9pm for bar seating. I’ve scored tables by befriending the hostess and learning exactly when cancellations typically happen.
Elements: Princeton’s Culinary Masterpiece
Last anniversary, my husband and I tried booking Elements in Princeton three months ahead – still too late! This 28-seat temple of gastronomy, hidden above a bike shop, serves mind-bending tasting menus that change constantly based on what Chef Scott Anderson forages that morning.
The restaurant only offers 9-course or 18-course experiences, with reservations opening quarterly and disappearing within hours. The $225+ price tag doesn’t deter the food-obsessed from planning their calendars around securing a spot.
Princeton professors and locals have figured out the system, though. Mid-week reservations occasionally open up, especially when university’s on break. I finally got in by calling directly on a Tuesday afternoon and speaking with the manager about last-minute cancellations.
The Saddle River Inn: Farmhouse Fine Dining
“You’ll never get in without knowing someone,” my Bergen County friend warned when I mentioned wanting to try Saddle River Inn. She wasn’t wrong! This restored 18th-century barn along the Saddle River serves French-inspired cuisine that has regulars booking months ahead.
Chef Jamie Knott transformed this historic spot into a BYOB haven where tables are precious commodities. The rustic-elegant space with exposed beams and white tablecloths only accommodates about 85 guests per night, and the loyal following makes securing weekend reservations nearly impossible.
The secret? Befriend the bartenders. I’ve scored seats at the small service bar by showing up early with a nice bottle of wine to share. Locals also know to call for same-day cancellations, especially during snowstorms when out-of-towners cancel.
Heirloom Kitchen: Weekend-Only Wonder
“We’re only open Friday through Sunday,” the hostess told me when I naively tried booking Heirloom Kitchen for a Wednesday night. This Old Bridge culinary studio/restaurant combo operates just three days weekly, making its tables some of Jersey’s most coveted.
Chef David Viana (a James Beard nominee and Top Chef contestant) creates seasonal menus in the open kitchen surrounded by just 30 seats. The restaurant’s unique hybrid model—cooking school by day, restaurant by night—means dining opportunities are extremely limited.
My neighbor let me in on the local hack: follow their Instagram religiously for last-minute cancellations. I’ve also discovered that holiday weekends sometimes offer slightly better availability when city-dwellers head elsewhere. The counter seats facing the open kitchen are actually the best spots and sometimes easier to snag.
Cafe Matisse: Passion-Project Perfection
Stumbling upon Cafe Matisse in Rutherford feels like discovering a secret garden. Housed in a former horse-and-buggy firehouse, this tiny 40-seat restaurant has been Chef Peter Loria’s passion project for over 25 years. The vibrant, Matisse-inspired interior matches the artistry on the plates.
Valentine’s Day reservations here are practically mythical – they book up six months in advance! The prix fixe-only format (ranging from three to five courses) attracts special occasion diners who plan far ahead for weekend tables.
A friendly server whispered the local strategy during my visit: Sunday evenings occasionally have last-minute openings. Bergen County residents know to join their email list for cancellation alerts. I’ve had luck calling on Thursday afternoons when they’ve just finalized the weekend’s reservation list and know exactly what’s available.
Turtle + The Wolf: Montclair’s Reservation Puzzle
“Refresh the page at exactly 12:01 am thirty days before you want to dine,” advised my Montclair friend when I complained about never getting into Turtle + The Wolf. This neighborhood gem with just 45 seats has developed a cult following for Chef Lauren Hirschberg’s inventive comfort food.
The restaurant’s online reservation system opens exactly 30 days ahead at midnight, creating a digital hunger games among food enthusiasts. Their famous large-format meals—like the whole duck feast—require even more advance planning and a minimum of four people.
Montclair locals have mastered the walk-in game by arriving right at 5pm for the bar seats or after 8:30pm when early diners finish. I’ve learned to check OpenTable obsessively on Mondays and Tuesdays when weekend plans change and people release their coveted Saturday reservations.
Fascino: Montclair’s Other Impossible Table
My first attempt to book Fascino for my birthday ended in disappointment – three weeks wasn’t nearly enough notice! Chef Ryan DePersio’s Italian-without-borders cuisine has kept this Montclair staple booked solid since 2003. The intimate 44-seat dining room fills with regulars who’ve been coming for nearly two decades.
Weekends book up months in advance, especially during peak dining seasons or special menu events.
The locals’ secret? Tuesday and Wednesday reservations open up more frequently. Montclair residents also know to follow their social media for last-minute cancellations. I finally scored a table by signing up for their newsletter, which occasionally offers reservations to subscribers before releasing them to the general public.
Lokal: Waterfront Views Worth Fighting For
The breathtaking Manhattan skyline views from Lokal in Jersey City make its window tables the hottest seats in town. I once tried booking a sunset dinner two months ahead and still couldn’t get a prime-time slot! This modern American restaurant with Hungarian influences offers Instagram-worthy vistas that have diners planning far in advance.
The restaurant’s popularity exploded after being featured in several TV shows and magazines. Its waterfront location on the Hudson River makes it especially desirable during summer months and special occasions when the outdoor seating and views are at a premium.
Jersey City locals know the insider move: Tuesday happy hour at the bar often transitions into dinner service with the same spectacular views. I’ve also learned that weather affects availability – calling during forecast rain sometimes yields last-minute window tables when fair-weather fans cancel.
Nicholas Barrel & Roost: Reinvention Of A Classic
When Restaurant Nicholas transformed into Nicholas Barrel & Roost in Red Bank, I figured reservations might get easier. Wrong! Chef Nicholas Harary’s reinvented restaurant still commands two-month waits for prime weekend slots. The revamped space—more casual but equally impressive—continues the legacy of its fine-dining predecessor.
The restaurant’s loyal following from its previous 20-year incarnation instantly transferred to the new concept. Weekend tables disappear within hours of release, and private dining areas book even further in advance for special occasions.
Red Bank residents shared their strategy with me: the restaurant holds tables for locals who call directly instead of using online platforms. I’ve also discovered that seats at the chef’s counter sometimes open up last-minute and offer an even better experience watching the kitchen team work. Monday dinners occasionally have surprising availability.
Felina: Ridgewood’s Reservation Challenge
“We’ve been fully committed for the next six weekends,” the host told me when I called Felina on a Monday hoping for a Saturday table. This Ridgewood hotspot, housed in a former bank building, serves seasonal Italian cuisine that has Bergen County’s most dedicated foodies planning their dining calendars months ahead.
Chef Anthony Bucco’s handmade pastas and wood-fired specialties make the 75-seat restaurant perpetually packed. The dramatic space with its soaring ceilings and open kitchen adds to the appeal, creating an experience worth the reservation hassle.
Ridgewood locals have figured out the system, though. The restaurant holds a small number of tables for walk-ins each night, so residents know to arrive right at 5pm opening or after 9pm. I’ve learned that bar seating offers the full menu with no reservations required – if you’re willing to arrive early and wait for seats to open up.