Here are North Jersey's don't-miss food events for July
This summer, North Jersey is a hot spot for amazing culinary events. A wide range of delicious food is offered across multiple outdoor festivals, cultural celebrations and at special local restaurant events. These are July's exciting food-centric events.
June 23-July 10
State Fair Meadowlands at the MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
More than 50 vendors will be dishing out a variety of eats at this state fair, which of course includes carnival rides and games. Among the foods offered: funnel cakes, fried Oreos and corn dogs. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
Cost: $38.99 plus fees
Go: 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford; 201-355-5911, njfair.com
July 10
Dining Out Jersey Foodie Expo at The Terrace, Paramus
Some of North Jersey's most popular restaurants are gathering in Paramus for a night of gourmet foods and diverse cuisines. Beginning at 6 p.m., for four hours at The Terrace, you can enjoy food, entertainment, door prizes and alcohol samplings. A cash bar will be available, and packaged items can be bought at as well.
Cost: $55-$75
Go: 293 Paramus Road, Paramus; Dining Out Jersey Foodie Expo 2023 Tickets
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July 12-15
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Annual Feast at Town Hall, Lyndhurst
Ready to eat way too much? This is the 31st year that Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is hosting its feast "under the stars" that is not only a food extravaganza but an entertainment palooza too. The feast will include Italian food and desserts. It's happening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday. As for entertainment, expect carnival rides, games and live concerts. The feast will coincide with Lyndhurst's "Music Under the Stars" event.
Cost: Food prices not available yet; extra fee for rides
Go: Lyndhurst Town Hall Park, Delafield Ave., Lyndhurst; 201-935-1177, olmclyndhurst.com
July 13
Taste of Diversity Picnic at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Chatham
The Chatham Borough Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee is hosting this event on the church's lawn from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The picnic will be held indoors in the event of rain. Members of the public can serve food or simply show up to try something new. Attendees are encouraged to bring a printed ingredient list of their dishes; environmentally friendly disposable plates, napkins and cutlery; and their own chairs or blankets. Donations to the DEI Advisory Committee are welcomed.
Cost: Free entry, but donations encouraged. RSVP here.
Go: St. Paul's Episcopal Church 200 Main Street Chatham eventbrite.com/e/chatham-borough-taste-of-diversity-picnic-registration-664702883217
Wine Dinner with Copper Cane Wines & Provisions at Liberty House, Jersey City
Executive chef Nicholas Paller will host a four-course dinner with wines from Copper Cane Wines & Provisions from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. On the menu: summer watermelon salad, chilled lobster cocktail, roasted duck breast and flourless chocolate cake.
Cost: $125 per person
Go: 76 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City; 201-395-0300, libertyhouserestaurant.com
Stone House Seafood Boil, Warren
Nothing like a seafood boil in the summer. This one will be held on Stone House's patio from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The dinner will include family-style seafood and sides, served family style, in addition to unlimited champagne, wines and local craft beers.
Cost: $135.
Go: 50 Stirling Road, Warren; 908-754-1222, stonehouseatstirlingridge.com
July 15-28
Jersey City Restaurant Week
Ever eaten at Amelia's Bistro, Hummus Republic or Bleu Coffee Shop? Here's your chance. This annual event brings the restaurants and bakeries of one of New Jersey's most diverse cities together to offer an array of their creations. The event is sponsored by the Jersey City Restaurant Association (JCRA). Featured restaurants are listed here. If you want to know exactly what will be offered, check the website as the event's dates get closer.
Cost: Pay as you eat
Go: Any of the 35-plus restaurants participating throughout the city. For a list as well as addresses, check out Jersey City Restaurant Week's website.
July 16
Main Street Pops Artisan Market, Hoboken
Artisans and vendors from all over the Garden State will convene in Hoboken to showcase their crafts and offer artisanal food. Whether its cookies or pasta you're craving, you're bound to find a vendor that will suit your taste while enjoying live music. The event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free admission, prices depending on vendor
Go: 1401 Adam's St., Hoboken; Main Street Pops Artisan Markets
July 18
Hot Sauce Dinner at Gioia Mia, Montclair
A five-course hot sauce dinner will take place at Gioia Mia, a modern Italian restaurant in Montclair that formerly housed Fascino. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. and includes a salad, soup, sea bass, pork chop al pastor and fried ricotta beignets, all served with different flavors of hot sauce. Reservations, which can be made by calling Gioia Mia at 973-233-0350, will be accepted until 4 p.m. on July 9 or until the event is sold out. The event is a collaboration between Gioia Mia, Jersey Barnfire Hot Sauce, New Jersey Beer Co in North Bergen, and Mike's Pasta and Sandwich Shoppe in Nutley.
Cost: $130 per person
Go: 331 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair; 973-233-0350, fascinorestaurant.com
July 20
Special Monthly Dinners at Brasserie Memere, Closter
On July 20, Brasserie Mémère, a well-respected French restaurant in Closter, will begin hosting special monthly dinners featuring wines, beers, spirits and sometimes guest chefs. This month's dinner will be an agave spirit dinner that starts at 7 p.m. The dinner will include three courses alongside various agave spirits. Reservations can be made at brasserie-memere.com or by calling 201-660-8822.
Cost: $110/person
Go: 107 Vervalen St., Closter; 201-660-8822, brasserie-memere.com
July 21-26
St. Ann Italian Festival at Saint Ann Roman Catholic Church in Hoboken
The annual St. Ann Feast is a celebration of Italian culture and Catholic faith. This six-day feast offers authentic Italian cuisine including zeppole, cheesesteaks and rice balls plus a beer garden. Each day has a unique mass building up to the feast day mass followed by a procession. The event concludes with a grand 50/50 raffle. Past winners have won more than $35,000.
Cost: Not yet available
Go: 704 Jefferson St., Hoboken; 113th Saint Ann Italian Festival
July 22
Tiramisu Cooking Class at Felina Steak at Hudson House, Jersey City
From noon to 2 p.m., executive chef Matteo Limoli will host a tiramisu cooking class. Attendees will enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres while learning to make tiramisu from scratch. Tickets can be bought online.
Cost: $90
Go: 2 Chapel Ave., Jersey City; 551-277-0588, hudsonhousenj.com
July 27-30
Peterstown Cultural Festival, Elizabeth
Enjoy brick-oven pizza, sausage and peppers, barbecue and more at Peterstown Cultural Festival, also called Festa Di San Vito, from 6:30-10:30 p.m. There will also be music, kiddie rides, games and more for the entire family.
Cost: Free admission, prices depending on vendor
Go: 800 Fourth Ave., Elizabeth; goelizabethnj.com/events/festivals/peterstown-cultural-festival/
July 29
Meadowlands Racetrack Seafood Fest, East Rutherford
Watch the horseraces while sampling lobster rolls, fried clams, shrimp tacos and more seafood dishes from 10-plus vendors. The racetrack's Backyard Grill & Bar will feature shrimp cocktails and other options with a prime view of the racing action. Admission is free for this one-day event from 5-11 p.m. The live races begin at 6:20 p.m.
Cost: Free admission, prices depending on vendor
Go: 1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford; Meadowlands Racetrack Seafood Fest
Every Monday
Open Mic Night at The Fox & Falcon by David Burke, South Orange
The Fox & Falcon, an Irish pub in South Orange now headed by celebrity chef David Burke, has hosted Open Mic Night on Mondays since June 27. Word artists, including comedians, songwriters, poets, and storytellers, of all levels are welcome to perform their work in front of the dinner crowd.
Cost: Included with dinner at no extra charge
Go: 19 Valley St., South Orange; 973-419-6773, thefoxandfalconbydb.com
Every Friday
Dinner Under the Stars, Washington Street, Bloomfield
The Bloomfield Center is catering alfresco dining with live entertainment every Friday night until Sept. 15. Washington Street will be transformed into an outdoor dining plaza with performances from bands, DJs and more.
Cost: Free admission, prices depending on vendor
Go: 330 Glenwood Ave, Bloomfield; Dinner Under the Stars 2023
Every Friday and Saturday
Ciel Dessert prix-fixe
Starting July 7, Ciel Dessert, a charming dessert lounge, will feature a fixed-price dessert menu every Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The menu, which costs between $20 and $25, features different plated desserts and will be posted on Tuesdays. The price includes one drink and one dessert (you have three choices). The fixed price dessert tasting will run through August 26.
Cost: $20-25
Go: 273 Center Ave., Westwood; 201-497-8899, cieldessert.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey things to do: food festivals are coming in July
