5 New Restaurants To Try That Opened In North Jersey At The Very End Of 2023

NORTH NEW JERSEY — While some restaurants in North Jersey said goodbye as 2024 began, several opened up to feed hungry customers into the new year.

Here are five North Jersey restaurants that opened in or around December 2023:

Kinjo (Japanese)

A Japanese-inspired restaurant opened its doors in December in downtown Newark. Kinjo is an izakaya restaurant, which loosely translates to a tavern, primarily serving sake. It’s located at 159 Washington St. near Rutgers University. The owner and chef is Jamie Knott. Find out more here.

Burgers, Dogs, And Make-Your-Own Donuts

Where can you grab a burger or dog, and make your own donuts for dessert? Dipped N Smashed opened Dec. 20 at the beginning Washington Street in Hoboken, just four blocks from the train station. The address is 91 Washington St. Find out more and see the menu here.

Family-Owned Playa Bowls

A family that’s lived in Warren for 20 years started their business together last month with a grand opening. Playa Bowls was started by surfers and Jersey Shore residents Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor. It offers healthy plant-based bowls with fruit, nuts, granola, and more. The newest Playa Bowls is located at 194 Liberty Corner Road, Warren. Get the details here.

Star Power: Marcus Live! Bar & Grille

Ethiopian-born chef Marcus Samuelsson lived the American Dream when he became the youngest chef to earn a three-star restaurant review from the New York Times. Last month, he opened his newest restaurant inside American Dream, the mall off of Route 3 in East Rutherford. With a kitchen in the middle, guests will get “a front-row seat to the action, serving as a culinary centerpiece for American Dream’s millions of visitors.” Get the scoop here.

The Franklin In Secaucus

Well, OK — This restaurant isn’t exactly new, but it was new to Patch reporter Carly, who lived in town but had some how avoided it since it opened over a year ago. She finally tried it and was pleasantly surprised. So surprised, she had to write about it. Read the result: I Ought To Be Ashamed. The Franklin In Secaucus Is A Delight!

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