Courtesy Avenue

By Vicki Hyman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

From deep-fried hot dogs to fresh caught seafood, from street food from all corners of the globe to every style of pizza you can imagine, there are countless ways to pig out prohibitively in New Jersey. But where to start? With lots of input from (and much arguing with) a handful of fellow Garden State food lovers, we came up with the ultimate restaurant bucket list — the 49 restaurants any self-respecting New Jerseyan should try before they die.

Many are among the state's top fine dining destinations, but there are also roadside diners, pizzerias, barbecue joints, ramen bars, a hot dog stand and even a clam shack. Beyond sensational food, we also took into consideration dreamy views, peerless service, singular interior design, and just plain Jersey quirk.

So here are our picks for the state's most defining and essential restaurants, listed alphabetically. How many have you checked out? Let us know which selections you agree with and which places you think we overlooked in the comments section.

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Courtesy Ani Ramen

1. Ani Ramen, Jersey City and Montclair

Montclair's no-reservations Ani Ramen House, which just opened a Jersey City outpost, spawns long lines for its luscious Japanese comfort food — six kinds of ramen — and its well-curated menu of heavenly steamed buns and other addictive bites.

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Courtesy Ani Ramen

Try: The Ani Ramen, a traditional pork broth with pork belly, spinach and wood-ear mushrooms (pay $1 extra for the marinated soft-boiled egg), $12; fried tofu buns with shredded cabbage, pickled cucumber and spicy miso mayo, $6.

Where: 401 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair, (973) 744-3960; 218 Newark Ave., Jersey City, (201) 408-9811. aniramen.com

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George Olivar | Star-Ledger file photo

2. Avenue, Long Branch

The Atlantic Ocean views (and the luminous dining room) at Avenue can easily compete with the Cote d'Azur, and so could the food, with its lush seafood platters and unstuffy French bistro classics.

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Cathy Miller | For Inside Jersey

Try: Pissaladiere, onion tart with goat cheese and anchovies, $12; roasted branzino with fennel and grapefruit, $33; profiteroles, $12.

Where: Pier Village, 23 Ocean Ave., Long Branch, (732) 759-2900. leclubavenue.com

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Alex Remnick | NJ Advance Media

3. Boulevard Clams, Surf City

This classic Shore seafood shack and market puts out the freshest fare, and not just clams: N'awlins-worthy oyster po'boys, lobster rolls and fried fish. But the New England-style whole belly fried clams are an absolute must.

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Alex Remnick | NJ Advance Media

Try: Hot and Dirty spicy steamed clams, market price; fried seafood combo with local scallops, jump shrimp, flounder and stuffed clams, $23.99.

Where: 2006 Long Beach Blvd., Surf City, (609) 494-9494. boulevardclams.net

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Michael Mancuso | Times of Trenton

4. Brick Farm Tavern, Hopewell

This 4-star newcomer is about as farm-to-table as it gets, with its produce and much of its meat coming from Double Brook Farm next door. The setting is bucolic, the stone-walled tavern cozy, and yet the food is entirely modern.

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Andrew Miller | For NJ Advance Media

Try: 64-degree Pekin duck egg with pork jowl and ricotta cheese grits, $16; Double Brook Berkshire pork with Hakurei turnips, hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, fried black rice and pork jus, $36.

Where: 130 Hopewell-Rocky Hill Road, Hopewell, (609) 333-9200. brickfarmtavern.com

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Alex Remnick | NJ Advance Media

5. Cafe 2825, Atlantic City

The intimate Cafe 2825, named NJ.com's best Italian restaurant in 2016 after a ragu-splattered showdown, has unbeatable versions of the classics, plus old-school touches such as tableside mozzarella and Caesar.

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Alex Remnick | NJ Advance Media

Try: Whole artichoke stuffed with bread crumbs, onion and diced hard-boiled egg, $15; on-the-bone pork chop, pounded thin and breaded, with mozzarella and red gravy, $32.

Where: 2825 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City. (609)344-6913. cafe2825.com

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Cathy Miller | For Inside Jersey

6. Cafe Matisse, Rutherford

At Cafe Matisse, the opulent French-inspired fare (prix fixe only), creative and masterfully plated, is just as a magical as its jewel box setting and gorgeous patio dining area.

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Cathy Miller | Inside Jersey

Try: Pan-seared Muscovy duck breast with crispy duck confit and sliced foie gras terrine; peppered sirloin medallion with short rib ragu and lobster aged cheddar mashed potatoes. Three courses, $75 per person.

Where: 167 Park Ave., Rutherford, (201) 935-2995. cafematisse.com

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Jerry McCrea | Star-Ledger file photo

7. Cheng Du 23, Wayne

New Jersey's best place for authentic, often sizzlingly spicy and exotically sourced Szechuan specialities is inside this unassuming strip mall. Don't let Ants Climbing on a Tree scare you off.

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Jerry McCrea | Star-Ledger file photo

Try: Ox tongue and tripe in a roasted chile peanut vinaigrette (above), $10, Firehouse chicken with black and king oyster mushrooms in a hot bean paste sauce, $16.

Where: 6 Willowbrook Road, Wayne, (973) 812-2800. chengdu23.com

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Ashlee Espinal | NJ Advance Media

8. Chez Catherine, Westfield

This bastion of French cuisine just changed hands, and while there are some changes — the dignified dining room got a refresh, the dessert souffle now rotates flavors, and the butter is deployed slightly more judiciously — the beloved Dover sole is still tres magnifique.

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Ashlee Espinal | For NJ Advance Media

Try: Foie gras crème brûlée with hazelnut sablé, $22; duck breast with rice and raisins in port wine reduction, $43; souffle with crème fraiche, above, $12.

Where: 431 N. Avenue West, Westfield, (908) 654-4011. chezcatherine.com

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

9. Chick's Deli, Cherry Hill

Munchmobile czar Pete Genovese's longtime pick for best classic cheesesteaks in New Jersey is this hard-to-find haunt. There is an ideal chopped steak-to-cheese ratio tucked inside tasty loaves fresh from the Jersey ovens of Liscio's Bakery.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Try: The classic cheesesteak, of course, $6.45, or with mushrooms and peppers, $7.45; the Buffalo chicken cheesesteak, $7.15.

Where: 906 Township Lane, Cherry Hill, (856) 429-2022. facebook.com/theofficialchicksdeli

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Jerry McCrea | Star-Ledger file photo

10. Chowpatty, Edison

Oak Tree Road is a vibrant Indian travelogue by way of the stomach, but a standout is the vegetarian Chowpatty for expertly spiced street food. The menu offers little help to newcomers, but experimenting is part of the experience.

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Try: Pav bhaji, a mashed veggie curry tucked inside a soft, sweet bun, $6.95; masala dosa, a stuffed paper-thin crepe, $7.25. Next door is Chowpatty's sweet shop; consider any variety of burfi, a dense milky confection.

Where: 1349 Oak Tree Road, Iselin, (732) 283-9020. chowpattyfoods.com

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John O'Boyle | For NJ Advance Media

11. Common Lot, Millburn

Open not even a year and a half, Common Lot has rapidly cemented itself as one of the hottest tables in the state with luscious and adventurous seasonal dishes in a stylish but down-to-earth atmosphere.

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John O'Boyle | For NJ Advance Media

Try: Fried chicken skins with chicken liver mousse and mustard, $6; seared Arctic char with crushed chickpeas, preserved lemons and a Green Goddess sauce, $30. For $95 a person, sit at the Kitchen Pass, the 4-seat counter overlooking the open kitchen, for an on- and off-menu customized dining experience.

Where: 27 Main St., Millburn, (973) 467-0494. commonlot.com

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Aristide Economopoulos | Star-Ledger file photo

12. Cucharamama, Hoboken

Cucharamama is an encyclopedia of Latin American cuisine — that's because chef-owner Maricel Presilla wrote one. Here are rustic yet elevated versions of Central and Latin American classics in a glowing space built around a hand-crafted wood-fired oven.

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Jerry McCrea | Star-Ledger file photo

Try: White bean and tomato cream soup with onion and Cabrales empanaditas, $9; shrimp in panca pepper sauce, above, $14; Peruvian-style roast leg of pork in aji amarillo adobo, $24.

Where: 233 Clinton St., Hoboken, (201) 420-1700. cucharamama.com

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Martin Griff | The Times of Trenton

13. De Lorenzo's Tomato Pies, Robbinsville

The historic Trenton original closed in 2012, but the famed tomato pie lives on in Robbinsville, and the thin-curst, chunky sauce-topped pizza is still worth the wait. (And unlike the Hudson Street location, this one has bathrooms.)

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Martin Griff | Times of Trenton

Try: The tomato pie, full stop, small, $13, large, $16; sausage, $1.75 extra, is a favored topping.

Where: 2350 Route 33, Robbinsville, (609) 341-8480. delorenzostomatopies.com

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Andy Mills | Star-Ledger file photo

14. Drew's Bayshore Bistro, Keyport

Devastated by Hurricane Sandy, Drew Araneo bounced back (albeit on higher ground) in his Keyport hometown, with the same joyful and soul-warming New Orleans-inspired fare.

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Cathy Miller | For NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Try: Voodoo shrimp with Worcestershire cream sauce and jalapeno cornbread, above, $14; shrimp & grits with Benton's bacon, mushroom and tomato, $27.

Where: 25 Church St., Keyport, (732) 739-9219. drewsbayshorebistro.com

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Tim Hawk | South Jersey Times

15. Franklinville Inn, Franklinville

The former stagecoach stop is a throwback in the best way possible: classic American fare featuring prime rib and steaks aged and cut in-house in an homey setting with tip-top service.

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Avi Steinhardt | For Inside Jersey

Try: Broiled mushrooms stuffed with lump crab with drawn butter and basil marinara, above, $12.99; slow-roasted prime rib au jus, queen, $45.99.

Where: 2526 Delsea Drive, Franklinville, (856) 694-1577. franklinvilleinn.com

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Cathy Miller | For Inside Jersey

16. The Frog and the Peach, New Brunswick

A New Brunswick restaurant pioneer, this seasonal New American spot with a beguiling garden room still sings nearly 35 years later, with the creative menu making the most of the clearly high-quality ingredients.

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Cathy Miller | Inside Jersey

Try: House-smoked salmon with sunchoke tartare, capeberries, creme fraiche and pumpernickel $16, jerk-spiced Point Pleasant dorade with stewed and crispy plantains, $24.

Where: 29 Dennis St., New Brunswick, (732) 846-3216. frogandpeach.com

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Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media

17. Heirloom Kitchen, Old Bridge

Up-and-coming chef David Viana's inventive food is a major draw, but the energy flowing from the open kitchen makes dining here a night to remember. (But only three nights a week — it's also a cooking school.)

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Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Try: Crab salad with pea puree, pea falafel and asparaus, $20; eggplant ravioli with sunchoke goada puree, pickled ramps and truffle duck jus, $28. (Menu changes frequently)

Where: 3853 Route 516, Old Bridge, (732) 727-9444. heirloomkitchen.com

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Alex Remnick | Star-Ledger file photo

18. Il Capriccio, Whippany

The Old World elegance of Il Capriccio is matched beautifully by its thoughtful, deliberate approach to authentic Italian cuisine. Red gravy? Think Norcia black truffle butter, Sardinian bottarga and rabbit ragu.

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Alex Remnick | Star-Ledger file photo

Try: Seafood salad with marinated artichokes and mushrooms in a tarragon emulsion, $16; oven-roastd pork rack with apples and grapes in vincotto, $28; osso buco with risotto, $42.

Where: 633 N.J. 10, Whippany, (973) 884-9175. ilcapriccio.com

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John O'Boyle | For NJ Advance Media

19. Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen

19. One of New Jersey's most ambitious restaurants, the former Vail Mansion has been stunningly reimagined with a formal dining room with refined farm-to-table , a plush cocktail bar, a chic but casual oyster bar and a crowd-pleasing basement beer hall.

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Cathy Miller | Inside Jersey

Try: Braised octopus with tomato asopao, above, at the Oyster & Vail Bar, $16; house-made squid ink garganelli with local oysters and prosciutto in the Dining Room, $21; dry-aged filet mignon with smoked hollandaise and pickled spring onion in the Dining Room, $39.

Where: 110 South St., Morristown, (973) 644-3180. jockeyhollowbarandkitchen.com

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Alex Remnick | NJ Advance Media

20. Larimar, Spring Lake

This family-run but pedigreed gem is a graceful and romantic oasis at the Shore, with Italian and Provencal fare that is refined with some unexpected twists.

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Alex Remnick | NJ Advance Media

Try: Strawberry gazpacho with lump crab and basil ice, $16; Statler chicken with sweet potato, kale, artichoke hearts and herbed goat chese creme, $32.

Where: 1311 Third Ave., Spring Lake, (732) 359-6700. larimarrestaurant.com

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Amanda Marzullo | NJ Advance Media

21. Marley's Gotham Grill, Hackettstown

Not only the largest selection of chicken wings in the state — 150 and counting, from chipotle maple to chicken parm to Embalming Fluid — but Marley's also has, wings down, some of the best, juicy and plump.

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Alex Remnick | Star-Ledger file photo

Try: Bang Bang with sweet Thai and sriracha sauce, $12.95 for a dozen; Bea Irish Man, Bailey's Irish cream, Jameson, brown sugar and butter, $13.95 for a dozen. (Wings available bone-in, boneless and tofu.)

Where: 169 Main St., Hackettstown, (908) 852-2446. marleygothamgrill.net

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Aristide Economopoulos | Star-Ledger file photo

22. Mesob, Montclair

You won't be able to keep your hands off the deliciously spiced stews at this Ethiopian standard-bearer, and you don't have to. They're served on the delightfully spongy injera; no utensils needed. Bring friends to make the most of the menu.

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Frank Remshifski | For Inside Jersey

Try: Misir wet, spicy red lentils, $9.95; ye'shimbra asa, chickpea biscuits in a spicy sauce, $10.95; gomen be'siga, cubed lamb with collard greens in a mild sauce, $9.95. (The extensive vegetable selection is vegan.)

Where: 515 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair, (973) 655-9000. mesobrestaurant.com

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Cathy Miller | For Inside Jersey

23. Mistral, Princeton

Scott Anderson's brilliant Elements could easily have made this list, but his sister restaurant Mistral, with its indulgent and imaginative small plates and rustic modern dining room, wins our hearts.

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Cathy Miller | For Inside Jersey

Try: Pork belly with pretzel crust and dill spaetzle, $18; chicken liver pate with pecan shortbread and Major Grey's peach chutney, $15.

Where: 66 Witherspoon St., Princeton, (609) 688-8808. mistralprinceton.com

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

24. More than Q, Lambertville

After developing a devoted fan base for his Texas-style barbecue at the Stockton Farm Market, pitmaster Matt Marvin found a new farmhouse-chic home in Lambertville for his juicy spare ribs, tender brisket and fried chicken sandwiches.

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Courtesy More Than Q

Try: Brisket sandwich with Carolina BBQ sauce, $9; cornmeal-crusted fried chicken sandwich with sriracha mayo and sweet pickle relish, $9.

Where: 13 Klines Court, Lambertville, (609) 773-0072. morethanq.com

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Alex Remnick | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

25. Mustache Bill's Diner, Barnegat Light

They come from up and down (okay, just down) Long Beach Island for the classic, from-scratch diner fare (the omelets are legendary) and fresh fried seafood at Mustache Bill's, a Shore staple since 1959.

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Alex Remnick | NJ Advance Media

Try: Chipped beef, $7.50; potato skin omelet with cheddar, bacon, home fries and sour cream, $9.95; fried clam platter, $10.25.

Where: 704 Broadway, Barnegat Light, (609) 494-0155.

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Ed Murray | The Star-Ledger

26. Ninety Acres, Peapack

Nestled in the bucolic Somerset Hills, Ninety Acres at Natirar, in an renovated carriage house with the feel of a luxurious clubhouse, is serious (but unpretentious) about deluxe farm-to-table cooking, many of the ingredients harvested on site.

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Cathy Miller | Inside Jersey

Try: Open-faced ravioli with white and green asparagus, morels and fontina, $19; braised rabbit leg and crispy sweetbreads with carrots, smoked polenta, spring vegetables and rosé cream, $36.

Where: 2 Main St., Peapack-Gladstone, (908) 901-4701. natirar.com/ninety_acres

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Vicki Hyman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

27. Okatshe, Atlantic City

Okatshe, celeb chef Jose Garces' new hotspot at the Tropicana (accessed through a secret door!), has a seriously sexy vibe and fantastic, craveable takes on Japanese street food and ramen.

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Ashlee Espinal | For NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Try: Karaage, fried chicken with yuzu mayo, $11; asuperberacon, bacon-wrapped asparagus from the yakitori, $7.50; Okatshe roll, lobster tempura, eel, asparagus, spicy sauce with avocado salsa, above, $24.

Where: Tropicana, 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, (609) 340-4053. okatsherestaurant.com

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Alex Remnick | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

28. Peck Peck, Teaneck

29. Palisades Park may be New Jersey's Koreatown, but the very best Korean fried chicken, sweet and spicy, juicy, with a thin but super-crispy crust, can be found at this tiny no-frills Teaneck joint.

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Try: Sweet & spicy chicken wings, $7.25 for eight; steak fries, $1.95-$3.95.

Where: 250 DeGraw Ave., Teaneck, (201) 530-5858.

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Tony Kurdzuk | Star-Ledger file photo

29. Rat's Restaurant, Hamilton

Giverny in New Jersey? Monet probably never ate so well, and though the menu has recently shifted foward vegetable-forward Italian at Rat's Restaurant at the Grounds for Sculpture, the eclectic interiors and stunning views of the pond and Monet bridge are still sigh-inducing.

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Tony Kurdzuk | Star-Ledger file photo

Try: Mushroom pot au feu with maitake, king oyster and portabello mushrooms, white beans, tomato and fennel, $19; smoked duck breast with Jersey arugula, ginger gastrique and pickled blueberries, $27.

Where: The Grounds for Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton Township, (609) 584-7800. ratsrestaurant.com

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Joe Epstein | For The Star-Ledger

30. Razza Pizza Artigianale, Jersey City

Each thoughtfully-sourced and lovingly-crafted pizza — and indeed, each slice of bread, each ball of stracciatella, even each pat of butter — is a labor of love for chef-owner Dan Richer at his gritty-chic but always packed joint.

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Joe Epstein | Star-Ledger file photo

Try: Homemade bread and homemade butter, $4; roasted meatballs, $9; panna pie with tomato, mozzarella, cow's cream, arugula and Parmigiano, $18.

Where: 275 Grove St., Jersey City, (201) 356-9348. razzanj.com

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Courtesy Red Store

31. Red Store, Cape May Point

Chef Lucas Manteca has his finger in many pots around Cape May — a seafood shack, a vegetable farm, sea salts, pickles, tacos — but the Red Store remains a treasure, with one-of-a-kind menus with touches of his native Argentina in this deceptively humble country store.

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Try: For the 2017 season, there is no menu — or rather, an ever-changing one, with six to eight small courses for $65. (It's also cash-only.) Dishes have included charcoal-roasted beets with brown butter panna cotta and poached persimmons, and beef and duck fat empanadas.

Where: 500 Cape Ave., Cape May Point, (609) 884-5757. capemaypointredstore.com

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David Handschuh | For NJ Advance Media

32. Restaurant Latour, Hamburg

One of the most high-profile perches in New Jersey in terms of luxury as well as altitude, Restaurant Latour at Crystal Springs Resort is the dictionary definition of special occasion, with an ever-changing seasonal prix fixe menu and access to one of the most exceptional wine cellars in the world.

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Jerry McCrea | For NJ Advance Media

Try: The menu, $115 for five courses, changes often but winning dishes have included Muscovy duck with red cabbage and mulberries, above, and hamachi with puffed wild rice and sliced gooseberries.

Where: 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, (855) 977-6473. crystalgolfresort.com

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Cathy Miller | For Inside Jersey

33. Restaurant Nicholas, Middletown

Did someone say special occasion? On the other side of the state, those celebrating milestones (or the possibility of future milestones) try to snag a reservation at this gorgeous contemporary space celebrated for its sumptuous and innovative New American cuisine.

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Cathy Miller | Inside Jersey

Try: Crispy soft-shell crab with apple and jicama salad and citrus basil vinaigrette; bourbon-braised suckling pig with apples, toasted pecans and maple jus. (The three-course prix fixe menu is $75, wine pairings and a vegetarian five-course menu available.)

Where: 160 Route 35 South, Middletown, (732) 345-9977. restaurantnicholas.com

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Kelly Roncace | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

34. Riverview Inn, Pennsville

The building isn't much to look out, but you're here for what's on the other side — gorgeous views of Delaware Bay, especially at sunset from the outdoor patio — and what will be inside your stomach — seafood foremost, including a raw bar.

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Kelly Roncace | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Try: Seafood pescatore, shrimp, scallops, clams and mussels in a white wine garlic sauce with tomatoes and scallions over linguini, $24; broiled crab cakes, 24.

Where: 60 Main St., Pennsville, (856) 678-3700. riverviewinn.net

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Ed Murray | Star-Ledger file photo

35. Rutt's Hut, Clifton

Can you really consider yourself a New Jerseyan if you haven't consumed your body weight in the cracklingly hot deep-fried hot dogs known as Rippers, preferably with the Clifton institution's bracing homemade relish?

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Ed Murray | Star-Ledger file photo

Try: A ripper, of course, although if you want it truly well-done, ask for a cremator, $2.20, $2.65 with cheese; homemade all-meat chili, $3.60-$4.30.

Where: 417 River Road, Clifton, (973) 779-8615. ruttshut.com

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Cathy Miller | Inside Jersey

36. Saddle River Inn, Saddle River

This longtime fine dining destination inside a graciously renovated barn changed owners four years ago, but chef-owner Jamie Knott's contemporary and often daring spin on the formerly country French menu means it's still one of the toughest weekend reservations around.

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Cathy Miller | Inside Jersey

Try: Foie gras au poivre with strawberry-rhubarb compote and cinnamon bread, $23; Green Circle heritage breed chicken with white beans, Swiss chard and spicy honey, $35.

Where: 2 Barnstable Court, Saddle River, (201) 825-4016. saddleriverinn.com

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Cathy Miller | For Inside Jersey

37. Sagami, Collingswood

For more than 40 years — and before most of us had even heard of sashimi — Shigeru Fukuyoshi has been serving up the finest sushi, spotlighting the perfectly fresh and lush fish without overbearing mash-ups or unctuous drizzles.

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Cathy Miller | Inside Jersey

Try: Any and all sushi; nasu shigiyaki, fried eggplant topped with a chicken and miso paste, $12; kushikatsu, skewered fried pork, $6.50.

Where: 37 Crescent Boulevard, Collingswood, (856) 854-9773. facebook.com/sagami.nj

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Tim Farrell | Star-Ledger file photo

38. Seabra's Marisqueira

You can't go wrong on Ferry Street (or in this case, just off), and Seabra's Marisqueira does Portuguese seafood so right. Come to this friendly, always-busy Ironbound institution for the freshest grilled fish and heaping platters of shellfish.

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Tim Farrell | Star-Ledger file photo

Try: Açorda de marisco, shrimp, clams, mussels and scallops doused in an olive oil, garlic and coriander sauce and topped with an egg; $20.95; espetada de marisco, grilled skewered shrimp, squid and monkfish, $25.95.

Where: 87 Madison St., Newark, (973) 465-1250. seabrasmarisqueira.com

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Farrell, Tim

39. Shut Up & Eat, Toms River

The seriously stuffed French toast is served up with sass (and by waitresses in pajamas) at this boisterous cafe specializing in kitschy but delicious breakfast classics, burgers and sammies.

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Try: Elvis waffles with peanut butter, banana and bacon, $9.11; cheesesteak omelette, $9.88.

Where: 804 Main St., Toms River. (732) 349-4544. shutupandeat-tr.com

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40. Spirito's, Elizabeth

The delicious definition of "If it's ain't broke ...," Spirito's has been serving up fantastic thin-crust pizza and heavenly hand-rolled ravioli for decades. Absolutely worth the pain in the rear from those rock-hard wooden benches.

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Try: Pizza, $11.70 (large); cheese ravioli, $14.45.

Where: 714 Third Ave., Elizabeth, (908) 351-5414.

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Courtesy Stage Left Steak

41. Stage Left Steak, New Brunswick

Stage Left recently shifted its focus to steak and underwent a $250,000 reno, but the owners' dedication to craft cocktails, dinners with noted winemakers and other special events is still strong. And yes, the award-winning Stage Left burger is still on the menu.

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Amanda Marzullo | NJ Advance Media

Try: The Stage Left burger with aged Vermont cheddar and chipotle mayo, $17; 8-ounce flat iron steak cooked on a salt block, $49.

Where: 5 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, (732) 828-4444. stageleft.com

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Avi Steinhardt | For Inside Jersey

42. Steve & Cookie's By The Bay, Margate

This sprawling but welcoming Margate mainstay bustles all year round thanks to its gracious but not stodgy atmosphere, terrific local shellfish, live music, and an extensive wine list with plenty of interesting finds.

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Avi Steinhardt | For Inside Jersey

Try: Fried oysters over grilled romaine with roasted garlic aioli and cornbread croutons, $15; Leidy's double-cut stuffed pork chop with a Jack Daniel's glaze, $32.

Where: 9700 Amherst Ave., Margate, (609) 823-1163. steveandcookies.com

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Matt Rainey | Star-Ledger file photo

43. Summit Diner, Summit

The state's oldest surviving diner, the Summit Diner still hits the right spot with its dependably delicious American comfort food in an absolutely vintage setting.

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Tim Farrell | Star-Ledger file photo

Try: Taylor ham sandwiches (here called sliders), $4.75; corned beef hash, $7; broiled pork chops Giambotta, with onions, peppers and mushrooms, plus potato, vegetable, and soup or salad $10.95.

Where: 1 Union Place, Summit, (908) 277-3256. facebook.com/SummitDinerNJ

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Russ DeSantis | For NJ Advance Media

44. Talula's, Asbury Park

Tomatillo sauce? Miso creamed kale? VEGAN MOZZ? The pizza at Talula's is not traditional, unless you believe tradition involves a lovingly worked crust and top-notch seasonal ingredients, many from local purveyors.

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Russ DeSantis | For NJ Advance Media

Try: Crab toast with lumb crab meat, lemon aioli, pickled egg, dill and capers, $12; Beekeeper's Lament pizza, with tomato sauce, hot Calabrian soppressata, fresh mozzarella and local honey, $16.

Where: 550 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, (732) 455-3003. talulaspizza.com

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Courtesy Toros

45. Toros, Clifton, Paterson and New Milford

You can eat your way across the Middle East in Paterson, but if you're on the hunt for fine Turkish cuisine amid Byzantine opulence, sneak across the border to this Clifton original. (There is a smaller, homey outpost in Paterson, and another in New Milford.)

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Try: Sigara boreki, herbed feta phyllo pastry, $6.95; baba ganoush, $5.25; Turkish-style beef ravioli with yogurt sauce, $15.95.

Where: 489 Hazel St., Clifton, (973) 772-8032; 1083 Main St., #1, Paterson, (973) 742-6877; 690 River Road, New Milford, (201) 265-0004. torosrestaurant.com

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Alex Remnick | NJ Advance Media

46. Victoria Diner, Branchville

Victoria Diner has ambitions beyond what its perfectly charming chrome and linoleum would suggest, thanks to perfectly executed entrees with a twist and incredible barbecue from "Uncle" Joe Soltis smoked right outside.

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Alex Remnick | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Try: Pecan-glazed pork chops with roasted potatoes, above, $13.95; barbecue brisket platter, $14.99.

Where: 250 U.S. Highway 206, Branchville, (973) 948-0322.

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Robert Sciarrino | Star-Ledger file photo

47. Vonda's Kitchen, Newark

Sadly, Newark soul food staples John's Place and Je's are gone, but at Vonda's Kitchen, Vonda McPherson is serving up scrumptious (and shhh! slightly healthier) versions of the classics in a funky storefront near downtown Newark.

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Robert Sciarrino | Star-Ledger file photo

Try: Salmon cakes with cheddar grits, fried eggs and Texas toast, $9; barbecue beef short ribs, above, $17.95; smothered turkey wings, $11.50.

Where: 183-185 W. Kinney St., Newark, (973) 732-4532. vondaskitchennj.com

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Saed Hindash | NJ Advance Media

48. White Manna, Hackensack

Elbow your way through this tiny, onion-scented burger shack to order the best two-inch-square packet of fat, sodium and carbs in New Jersey.

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Saed Hindash | NJ Advance Media

Try: Cheeseburger, $1.60. 'Nuf said.

Where: 358 River St., Hackensack (201) 342-0914.

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Avi Steinhardt | For Inside Jersey

49. Zeppoli, Collingswood

Authentic and simple but exceptionally executed Sicilian food from Mark Vetri protege and James Beard-nominated chef Joey Baldino make this tiny South Jersey BYOB pilgrimage-worthy. Don't skip the namesake fried doughnuts.

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Alex Remnick | NJ Advance Media

Try: Homemade fennel sausage with broccoli rabe, $12; stewed rabbit with tomato and oregano, $27; marinated and grilled swordfish, $29.

Where: 618 Collings Ave., Collingswood, (856) 854-2670. zeppolirestaurant.com

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So how many of our bucket list restaurants have you been to?

Let us guess: How could we not include Chef Vola's/the Ryland Inn/Lorena's/the Pluckemin Inn/Cafe Panache/Pig & Prince/Serenade/Your Favorite Restaurant Goes Here? Here's your chance to make your case for your overlooked darling. Leave 'em in the comments.

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Read more about food in New Jersey:

• The N.J. food bucket list: 50 items to eat before you die

• The best burger in each of N.J.'s 21 counties

• All 37 frozen pizza brands available in N.J., ranked from worst to best

• The best diner in each of New Jersey's 21 counties

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Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook.