[photo source: Axel]

The longest day of the year has passed and Fourth of July is under a week away, so it’s time to think about the summer dining and eating season. Lots of places are under construction, many with plans to open before school starts.

Expect some of these places to open in the very near future, like a Greek seafood restaurant in Englewood (Syros Taverna; Now Open) while others are very high on the foodie radar, including a celebrated chef’s resurrection of an old favorite (Picnic on the Square).

Edgewater will see the area’s first tequila bar (Paloma Negra) from family of the Charitto’s (Weehawken, Hoboken) chain. There’s also the waterfront spot (Orama Edgewater), with bar, two floors including outdoor patio, which has been anticipated for almost a year (though not expected to necessarily open this summer).

Englewood is practically on fire with up and coming spots, as there is the return of a popular pizza shop (U Pie), the aforementioned Greek (Syros Taverna) and a new bakery (Dolce & Salato). Chains are bubbling too, with a new bagel store (Manhattan Bagel) and the area’s first outlet of a national pizza chain (Little Caesar’s).

Burgers you want? No less than three national chains are headed to Secaucus (BurgerFi), Fair Lawn/River Edge (Habit Burger Fair Lawn; Habit Burger River Edge) and West Nyack’s Palisades Center Mall (Elevation Burger). Plus there’s the local mini burger concept coming to Bergenfield (Holy Cow Sliders).

Need more? Garden State Plaza will be on the receiving end of an UK-based kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi restaurant (Yo! Sushi), an authentic Mexican takeout joint is coming to Westwood (Michelle’s) and an national outlet of ice cream and sweets is coming to Ridgewood (Kilwin’s).

Then there’s a bunch of places we know next to nothing about: an Italian restaurant in Englewood (Trattoria Carpaccio), a donut shop in New Milford (Glaze Donuts), a sandwich/souffle? shop in Westwood (Tisha’s) and the mystery of the Chinese restaurant on Route 46 in Ridgefield (Lan Garden).

Most likely other announcements are coming down the pipeline, in fact there’s some rumblings of interesting new places coming, though nothing confirmed at this point. Stay tuned and enjoy your summer of eating!