Want to lose weight and eat better in 2024? These New Jersey restaurants can help
For the new year, I'm going to eat better.
How many times have you said that? But this year, you can do it.
The thing is, eating "healthy" doesn't always mean the same thing. Sometimes it's refraining from gluten or alcohol. Sometimes it means following a vegan diet.
Sometimes it means clean eating and avoiding processed foods.
For 2024, stay true to you with this ultimate New Jersey guide to help you keep your New Year's resolution. (Note that this list is not meant to be exhaustive. There are countless healthy options around the Garden State.)
Vegan or vegetarian
Greens and Grains, Multiple Locations: Try options like the Naked Bowl (smoothie bowl base topped with Purely Elizabeth gluten-free granola, banana and organic maple drizzle), and "greens" bowls like the "build-your-own" (kale or spinach with toppings like smoked tofu or vegan meatballs). Smoothies include the Matcha Greens (banana, pineapple, kale, spinach, coconut milk, hemp seed protein, Brazil nuts and matcha), Go: For information on all locations, visit greensandgrains.com/location.
Kaya's Kitchen in Belmar: This cozy vegan BYOB has plenty of tasty bites like the Turkish Delight (sharing size sampler of hummus, crispy falafel, vegan feta, babaganouj, tabouleh, olives and cumin dusted pita wedges drizzled with creamy tahini). There are also plenty of salads, sandwiches and more. The sister store, Planted Plate in Princeton, offers similar plant-based cuisine like the Gypsy King Sandwich (cilantro lime grilled vegan chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, avocado, pickled jalapeno and salsa). Go: Kaya's Kitchen: 1000 Main St.; 732-280-1141, kayaskitchenbelmar.com. Planted Plate: 15 Spring St.; 609-356-0845, plantedplatevegan.com.
Livin' on the Veg in Manahawkin: This vegan restaurant serves gluten-free breakfast options like the Knuckle Sandwich (steamed tofu, tempeh bacon, tomato, vegan cheese sauce, ketchup, salt, pepper and vegan mayo), lunch options like the Portabella (roasted red peppers, red onion, spinach, tomato, and vegan mayo on a toasted round roll), smoothies, juices and more. Go: 657 E. Bay Ave. Unit 3; 609-891-2383, livingontheveglbi.com.
Luna Verde in Bradley Beach: This take-out only, Mexican restaurant was named one of the best in the country. It's known for esquites, a traditional street corn salad made with vegan mayo and cheese; as well as tacos, burritos and chimichangas stuffed with plant-based asada and al pastor fillings. Go: 400 Main St, Bradley Beach; 732-361-8180, veganlunaverde.com.
Plants and Poets in Newark: This vegan cafe and local artist hub is inside the Gilbert Gant Art Collective building. Breakfast bites include the Agame Brain Bowl (Açaí, walnuts, berries, bananas, seeds, cacao nibs, granola, hemp or walnut butter). For lunch, try Mu "Hummas" Ali (roasted peppers, spinach, red onion, key lime hummas, and spicy hemp cheese). To drink, go for the Chuck Berry (blueberries, strawberries, goji, bananas, dates, coconut milk). Go: 505 Clinton Ave.; 973-944-2285, plantsnpoetscafe.com.
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Clean eats
Cave Bistro in Avon-by-the-sea: This 100% gluten-free, farm-to-table menu uses mainly organic produce and grass-fed, pasture-raised meats, game and poultry from Silver Fern Farms in New Zealand, as well as wild, local seafood from Local 130 Seafood in Asbury Park. Go: 515 Sylvania Ave.; 732-776-8556, cavebistro.com.
Eat Clean Bro: This fresh meal delivery service was founded by Jami Giovinazzo, a gym-bro dedicated to clean eating. There are take-out locations in Eatontown, Point Pleasant and Freehold, but the brand delivers all over the state. Try bites like Gochujang Glazed Salmon (roasted salmon glazed with Korean red chili paste, served with jasmine rice and sesame ginger sautéed bok choy). Go: For more info or to place orders, visit eatcleanbro.com.
Over Easy Kitchen, Multiple Locations: Try the pan-seared salmon over warm quinoa and roasted butternut squash, served with tomatoes, grilled corn, avocado and lemon oil dressing, or the Vegan Stack (warm quinoa, grilled zucchini, roasted red pepper, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, avocado, baby spinach and roasted red pepper espuma). Go: Marlboro: 460 County Road 520; 732-526-4422. Holmdel: 2111 Route 35 South; 732-533-5578. Fair Haven: 588 River Road; 732-383-5374, overeasykitchen.com.
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Loaded salads and bowls
Art of Salad in East Brunswick, Long Branch, Piscataway: Try chopped salads, craft sandwiches, homemade soup, protein smoothies, fresh-pressed juices and more. Made-to-order, create-your-own bowls and wraps are also available, with a choice of greens, protein such as grilled chicken or tofu, toppings like pickled red onion or avocado, crunchy texture like tortilla strips or fried onion straws, cheese and dressing. Go: East Brunswick: 300 Route 18 North; 732-387-2666. Long Branch: 78 Ocean Ave.; 848-888-5400. Piscataway: 1314 Centennial Ave.; 732-529-6979, artofsalad.com.
Freshii in Middletown, New Brunswick, Morris Plains: Try hot bites like Buddha's Satay Bowl (rice noodles, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, crispy wantons, green onions and spicy peanut sauce), or a cold Mediterranean bowl (with field greens, quinoa, almonds, feta, Kalamata olives, cilantro, cucumber, red onions, roasted red peppers, tomatoes and red pepper sauce). Go: Middletown: 838 Route 35; 732-275-0100. New Brunswick: 131 Neilson St.; 732-427-8283. Morris Plains: 1767 Route 10; 862-325-9109; freshii.com.
Fresh Kitchen in Sea Girt and Point Pleasant: Try meals like the Mango Pineapple Asian Steak Bowl (flank steak, steamed broccoli, ginger jasmine rice, fresh mango, pineapple, cilantro, onion, carrot and scallion with toasted sesame relish), or refreshing salads like Quinoa Harvest (mixed greens, kale, beets, pickled onions, sundried tomato quinoa, cranberries, avocado, and raspberry lime dressing). Go: Sea Girt: 2204 Route 35; 732-769-8133, yourfreshkitchen.com. Point Pleasant: 2621 Bridge Ave.; 848-232-2605, yourfreshkitchen.com.
Go gluten-free
Cluck U in Manasquan: This Cluck U location has a fryer dedicated solely to gluten-free food, preventing cross-contamination. Try chicken wraps, empanadas and more. Go: 2241 Route 35; 732-800-3131, cluckuchicken.com.
Crust and Crumble Pizza in Asbury Park: It's rare that a pizzeria has an entire menu of gluten-free options. Here, you can order anything from salads and appetizers, pasta like the chicken or shrimp bruschetta (grilled chicken or shrimp, fresh tomato basil, pan sauce with fresh mozzarella), and pizzas like Veggies (mushroom, jalapeno, red peppers, pineapple, scallion, red onion, Portobello, spinach, sun dried tomato, Kalamata, pesto, broccoli, artichoke hearts and caramelized onions). Go: 633 Lake Ave.; 732-776-7767, crustandcrumble.com.
Goodbeet in Haddon Township: This restaurant is gluten-free and vegan; they also use local and organic produce. Try breakfast bites like avocado toast, and savory lunch options like the Cauliflower sandwich (buffalo or bbq, lettuce, tomato, red onions, ranch). Go: 29 Haddon Ave.; 856-240-1106, eatgoodbeet.com.
Good Karma Cafe in Red Bank: This vegan restaurant has plenty of gluten-free options including the Gado Gado salad (romaine lettuce, cabbage and carrots, topped with smoky tofu strips, sesame seed mix and roasted peanuts, dressed in a cilantro peanut dressing) and the Kimchee Bowl (brown rice, black beans and baked tofu strips, topped with fresh arugula, pickled daikon, carrot and cucumber and homemade kimchee, finished with a drizzle of spicy sriracha sauce). Go: 17 E. Front St.; 732-450-8344, goodkarmacafenj.com.
Pulp in Asbury Park: This juice bar, known for sips like Daddy-O (smoothie with mango, pineapple, mint, turmeric, black pepper and coconut) also has plenty of gluten-free bites like bagels, and toasts like the Cucumber Zaatar (cream cheese, cucumber, tomato, hemp seeds, Zaatar seasoning and toasted homemade bread). Go: 516 Summerfield Ave.; 732-361-3744, pulpasbury.com.
Looking for lean protein (and low carb)?
Char Steakhouse in Raritan and Red Bank: This hip steak house has countless steak options like filet mignon, Delmonico, Cowboy Ribeye and Tomahawk. They also have chicken, seafood and pork dishes. Go: Raritan: 777 Route 202; 908-707-1777. Red Bank: 33 Broad St.; 732-450-2427, charsteakhouse.com.
Gabriella's Italian Steakhouse in Red Bank: This authentic Italian steakhouse has countless carnivorous options from lamb chops to skirt steak, and double cut pork chops to seafood options like fresh Branzino. Chose from tons of steak options like Tomahawk, New York Strip, Kansas City and more. They also have a full raw bar. Go: 447 Route 35; 732-456-6699, gabriellasnj.com.
Sinner's Steakhouse in Point Pleasant Beach: This is one of the only steakhouses where this Uruguayan-American reporter has found authentic chimichurri, paired with delectable marinated skirt steak. Try other meats like the Tomahawk ribeye or Australian Lamb Rack. Go: 20 Inlet Drive; 848-232-1672, sinnerssteakhouse.com.
Steakhouse 85 in New Brunswick: This surf-n-turf inspired steakhouse, which considers itself "the official steakhouse of Rutgers athletics," has smaller cuts for those who want lean protein without all the calories, like the 8-ounce petite filet mignon. Go: 85 Church St.; 732-247-8585, steakhouse85.com.
Sweet Waters Steakhouse in Westfield: This steakhouse has everything from multiple sizes of filet mignon to pork chops, chicken and rack of lamb. Go: 43 Elm St.; 908-317-2599, sweetwatersnj.com.
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Seafood
Boulevard Seafood in Somerville: This is a restaurant and a market. Try countless raw bar options, like East and West Coast oysters, as well as little neck clams. Entrees include grilled line caught swordfish (with broccoli rabe and caper olive vinaigrette) or grilled ancho chili faroe island salmon (with humus, chickpea, mango and papaya salsa, guacamole, and lemon vinaigrette). Go: 49 W. Main St.; 908-722-3300, boulevardseafood.com.
Patricia's of Holmdel: Try the popular seafood salad (with octopus, shrimp, calamari, celery, red peppers, garlic, fresh parsley, extra virgin olive oil and lemon, served chilled), or Octopus (Polpo), which is fire roasted with fingerling potatoes, capers, garlic, red ppeper flakes, lemon and butter. Go: 2132 Route 35; 732-275-0234, patriciasofholmdel.com.
Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House in Manahawkin: It's in the name — this restaurant has tons of meat and seafood options, as well as a full raw bar. A previous local oyster featured was the "Briny Piney" from Barnegat Bay, which are plump and salty. Go: 1201 East Bay Ave., Manahawkin; 609-488-1327, oldcauseway.com.
Salt in New Brunswick: This popular seafood hub has tons of entrees, and a full raw bar. Try steamed mussels or clams, Crispy Skin Black Sea Bass (with lump crab and leek risotto, French beans, chardonnay) or "Key West" Florida Grouper (coconut-panko crust, citrus basmati, charred broccolini, lump crab, and avocado key lime butter). Go: 103 Church St.; 732-745-7258, saltrestaurantnj.com.
Xina Restaurant in Toms River: This place is famous for it's Chinese-inspired cooked cuisine, as well as its sushi. For the least calories, leanest protein, and tons of healthy Omega-3s, try the fresh salmon sashimi. Go: 3430 Route 37; 732-279-6327, xinarestaurant.com.
Looking to cut down on alcohol?
618 in Freehold: This hip restaurant is willing to make most of their cocktails into mocktails, including the shareable We Didn't Start the Fire (with grapefruit, pomegranate, cinnamon and lime), and the Fig-GetAboutIt (with fig honey, lemon and allspice). Go: 618 Park Ave.; 732-577-0001, 618nj.com.
Samba Montclair: Try Brazilian mocktails here like coconut lemonade, which could easily pass for a piña colada with coconut milk, fresh lemon juice, sugar and ice, garnished with fresh pineapple slices and sprigs of mint. Go: 7 Park St, Montclair; 973-744-6764, sambamontclair.com/
Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas in Clifton: Try faux-mojitos here, as well as a strawberry basil mule (strawberry puree, fresh lime juice, basil simple syrup and ginger beer) or vanilla pear cider (with fresh pear juice, muddled vanilla and seltzer, flecked with bits of fresh pear). Go: 70 Kingsland Road, Clifton; 973-661-2435, spuntinowinebar.com.
Willow & Whisk in Wyckoff: This family-run establishment has plenty of "faux-cocktails," including the lemberry spritzer (fresh-made strawberry puree, blood orange puree and fresh squeezed lemon juice topped with seltzer), and rosejito, a mock mojito with fresh-squeezed lemon, muddled basil leaves and organic rose petals, topped with seltzer and garnished with a lemon wheel.
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Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ restaurants can help keep your New Year's resolution
