New Jersey is widely known for major dining destinations like Montclair, Jersey City, and Princeton—but a recent NJ.com feature The 25 best N.J. food towns no one knows about, 2026 update (Read Full Story) highlights a different side of the state’s food scene.

The article focuses on 25 lesser-known towns across New Jersey that offer strong dining options without the same level of recognition, emphasizing affordability, diversity, and local character.

Rather than listing every restaurant, NJ.com spotlights a representative mix of places that define each town’s food identity.

Among those featured are two in Bergen County: Allendale and Fort Lee (along with neighboring Palisades Park).

📍 Allendale

Allendale is highlighted as a newer addition to NJ.com’s Bergen County selections, joining towns like Hackensack and Westwood that have appeared in previous years.

The borough’s food scene is described as small but well-rounded, with a mix of cuisines packed into a relatively quiet town setting.

Standout mentions include:

* Morning Bloom for breakfast, particularly its specialty omelets
* Mezza Luna Bistro and Savini for Italian dining
* Allendale Social, connected to the team behind Uno Mas
* Nirvana, noted for Indian cuisine (including vegetarian dishes like aloo gobi)
* Poke Time as a go-to for poke

Overall, Allendale is positioned as a low-key dining destination where a variety of quality options are concentrated in a smaller footprint.

📍 Fort Lee & Palisades Park

NJ.com groups Fort Lee and Palisades Park together, describing the area as one of Bergen County’s most dynamic and dense food corridors.

The region is best known for its strong Korean food presence, with a wide range of barbecue spots, late-night dining options, and bakeries.

Highlighted spots include:

* Wooga for Korean barbecue
* Soosanghan Pocha for a lively, late-night setting
* Yanji BBQ for tabletop grilling

Beyond Korean cuisine, the area is also recognized for its variety across cuisines, including:

* Hiram’s Roadstand (an iconic New Jersey hot dog spot)
* LaNoma Italian Steakhouse for classic Italian
* Cinco de Mayo for Mexican fare

The takeaway: Fort Lee and Palisades Park are framed as a major regional food hub, offering both depth in Korean cuisine and a broad mix of other dining options.