We Searched New Jersey For The Best Eggplant Parmesan And These 9 Restaurants Made The Cut
One restaurant on the Jersey Shore sends out eggplant meatballs before you even order. No extra charge, just a welcome bite.
That tiny detail sent me down a delicious rabbit hole. I found a 1939 spot that plays Sinatra, a gangster-themed dining room, and a bakery that stays open until 2 AM on weekends. Each one takes the dish seriously.
Eggplant parm sounds simple. It’s eggplant, sauce, and cheese, right? But in New Jersey, the versions get wildly personal. One kitchen uses egg batter. Another slices it thin. A third piles it onto focaccia.
I love that a humble vegetable can spark this many friendly debates. So I rounded up nine places across the state where eggplant gets real respect. The list runs from the northern suburbs down to the very bottom of the map.
1. Luigino’s Parmigiana
When a restaurant puts the word Parmigiana right in its name, you know it isn’t playing around. This Montclair spot built its whole identity on the dish, and the eggplant version shows why.
The kitchen starts with Sicilian eggplant and dips it in an egg batter instead of a heavy breading. That gives you a lighter, more delicate bite before the marinara even shows up.
Next comes fresh mozzarella and fresh basil on top. It’s a short ingredient list, so each piece has to pull its weight.
Portions here are generous, and the red sauce has a tangy kick. You may want to plan on leftovers, because that plate can easily stretch into tomorrow’s lunch.
The chef imports most of the ingredients from Italy. The kitchen will also work with you on changes for dietary needs, which is a nice touch for picky or careful eaters.
Save room if you can, because dessert gets real attention here. Tiramisu, bombolini, and a double chocolate panna cotta all sit on the menu waiting for you.
Timing matters too. The restaurant closes on Mondays and Tuesdays, and dinner reservations are a smart idea on busy weekend nights.
Lunch is another good option if evenings feel too packed. Weekend mornings tend to be calmer, so an early start gives you a quieter table and more elbow room.
Montclair is a fun town to wander after a big meal, too. A short stroll might be exactly what that eggplant requires.
Address: 173 Glenridge Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
2. Riccardo’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant
Focaccia topped with breaded eggplant might be the smartest idea in Burlington County. Riccardo’s serves exactly that, and it’s a fun twist on the classic parm.
The bread comes out topped with tomatoes, breaded eggplant, fresh mozzarella, and grape tomatoes. A balsamic drizzle and shaved parmigiana finish it off with a sweet and salty bite.
Prefer the traditional route? The regular eggplant parmesan comes in generous portions, so nobody leaves this mom-and-pop shop hungry.
Garlic knots make an easy side to share with the table. You can also try soups like cheddar broccoli or carrot if you want something lighter to start.
The menu goes far beyond eggplant, which helps when your group can’t agree. There’s a Browns Mills Tomato Pie, arancini, cheesesteaks, and Sicilian cannoli for dessert.
Buffalo chicken egg rolls and wings also show up on the menu. It’s the kind of place where one person gets parm and another gets pizza, and everyone’s happy.
Families will feel right at home. High chairs and a kids’ menu make it easier to bring little ones along for the ride.
Friday evenings get the busiest crowds. If you’d rather skip the rush, a weekday lunch is a relaxed time to grab a seat.
Parking is usually easy, with a free lot available. That’s one less thing to worry about when you’re focused on eggplant.
Address: 567 Lakehurst Rd, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
3. Jozanna’s Italian Restaurant
A singing owner is not something you find on most menus. At this family-run Middlesex spot, the dinner comes with a side of personality.
Jozanna’s keeps things casual, and the portions are huge. You’ll want to arrive with an empty stomach and maybe a container plan for later.
Eggplant parmesan comes in two forms worth knowing about. You can order it as a full dinner or tucked between bread as an eggplant parmesan sandwich.
The sandwich works great for a quick lunch. The dinner version is better when you want to slow down and actually sit with your plate.
Takeout is a big part of the appeal here. The wide selection travels well, so it’s an easy pick for a family night on the couch.
Looking for company for that eggplant? The menu includes penne vodka, chicken Daniella, chicken francese, lasagna, and zuppa di pesce for seafood fans.
Pasta fagioli and a creamy potato soup make solid starters. A Sicilian pie is also on hand if someone at the table is craving pizza.
Plan your visit around the schedule. The restaurant closes on Mondays, and weekend evenings tend to draw the biggest crowds.
Dinner reservations are recommended for those busy nights. Parking is usually plentiful, so you can spend your energy deciding between parm and penne instead.
Address: 409 Lincoln Blvd, Middlesex, NJ 08846
4. The Kitchen Consigliere
Here’s an offer you shouldn’t refuse. This Collingswood restaurant leans into a playful gangster theme, and the Southern Italian food backs up the attitude.
The setting is quirky in the best way. It feels like a mob movie where the main character is a plate of Sunday gravy.
The eggplant parm takes a lighter approach than many versions. The eggplant comes lightly breaded with a gentle hand on the cheese and a tasty tomato sauce.
That makes it a great pick if heavy parm usually puts you to sleep. You can pair it with vegetables for an even lighter plate.
The rest of the menu reads like a classic red-sauce lineup. Sunday gravy, veal parmesan, veal luccia, rigatoni bolognese, and crab ragu all compete for attention.
Fried calamari makes a fun starter for the table. Chicken piccata and chicken Marsala are also options if someone in your crew skips eggplant.
Dessert is a strong finish. Homemade tiramisu and cannoli with pizzelles give you a sweet ending worth saving space for.
Reservations are recommended, and sometimes required, so call ahead before you show up. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest times of the week.
Haddon Avenue is a pleasant stretch for a walk before or after dinner. A private dining room is also available for bigger family gatherings.
Address: 700 Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108
5. Spano’s Ristorante Italiano
Free eggplant meatballs before dinner? Spano’s starts things off with a welcome spread, and it might be the best greeting at the Jersey Shore.
Along with those eggplant meatballs, you get focaccia bread and orzo with mascarpone. That’s a lot of goodness before you’ve even picked an entree.
The eggplant parm earns its own praise, especially thanks to the sauce. If you’re a sauce person, this is your kind of place.
Eggplant rollatini also appears on the menu for anyone who loves eggplant in rolled form. You could easily build a whole eggplant-themed meal here.
Seafood plays a big role, which makes sense near the beach. Fried calamari, stuffed flounder, seafood fra diavolo, and seafood fiesta are all options.
Homemade pasta and gnocchi round things out for pasta lovers. The pork chop sorrentino is another hearty choice when you want something meaty.
The space is small and bustling, so expect a lively room. There’s usually a wait, and reservations are recommended.
Spano’s opens at 4 PM daily and serves dinner until 10 PM. Families are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs ready to go.
Free parking makes a beach-town dinner a little easier. Grab your table, enjoy the free starters, and try not to fill up too soon.
Address: 719 Arnold Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
6. Chef Vola’s
Atlantic City is famous for flashy casinos, but one of its best meals sits quietly away from the lights. Chef Vola’s is a longtime hideaway with a real piece of local history.
The food is traditional and homestyle. Think big Italian plates served in a charming, intimate dining room.
Eggplant parm isn’t the headline item here, which makes it even more fun to discover. Plenty of fans call it a standout that rarely misses.
Veal gets a lot of the spotlight, including milk fed veal parmigiana. You can also find a veal dish with eggplant and prosciutto if you want both worlds.
Simple starters shine too. A provolone and roasted red pepper appetizer is a classic way to warm up your appetite.
Sides like broccoli rabe and spinach Siciliana add some green to the table. The home style tossed salad is another easy pick.
Leave room for chilled banana cream pie. It’s an unexpected dessert at an Italian spot, and that’s part of its charm.
Reservations are required, and there’s usually a wait, so plan ahead. The restaurant serves dinner only and closes on Mondays.
This is a great choice for a special night out in New Jersey. It feels like a secret you’ll want to share with exactly the right people.
Address: 111 S Albion Pl, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
7. Leo’s Grandevous
Sinatra tunes and eggplant parm make a pretty great duet. Leo’s Grandevous has been serving Italian classics in Hoboken since 1939.
That’s more than 80 years of red sauce in a town famous as Sinatra’s birthplace. The old-school setting leans right into that history.
The eggplant parmesan gets plenty of love here. Pair it with traditional angel hair pasta for a plate that feels straight out of a family Sunday dinner.
The marinara is rich, and it shows up across the menu. Burrata is another great starter if you like creamy, mild cheese.
Leo’s Famous Mussels are a signature item. They’re a smart pick to share before the main event arrives.
Baked ziti, baked shells with grilled chicken, and tri gnocchi give you more pasta choices. Bar pies are also part of the Leo’s story for pizza fans.
Outdoor seating offers a nice option on good-weather days. Families can bring kids along, with high chairs available.
Parking in Hoboken can be tough, so give yourself extra time. Walking or public transit might save you a headache.
Lunch is served Wednesday through Friday, and dinner runs every night. Show up hungry for history, sauce, and maybe a little Ol’ Blue Eyes.
Address: 200 Grand St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
8. Coniglio’s Old Fashioned
A bakery might seem like an odd place to hunt for eggplant parm. Coniglio’s is both a pizzeria and a bakery, and that combo works in your favor.
Fresh bread is a big deal here. When a kitchen bakes its own, everything served with it tends to get better.
The eggplant parm dinner features thinly sliced eggplant. The balance of sauce and cheese is what really makes it stand out.
Penne makes a solid partner on the side. It’s a classic plate done with care.
Pizza lovers have another eggplant option. The grandma pie comes with fresh eggplant and a sweet, tangy sauce on a thin crust.
Breadcrumbs sit underneath that crust for extra texture. It’s a clever detail that gives each bite a little crunch.
Other picks include Nonna’s spinach pie and a vodka stracciatella square. A cappuccino makes a nice finish if you want something hot.
Hours are unusually long. Coniglio’s opens early for breakfast and stays open until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so plan for a possible wait on weekend evenings. Morristown’s downtown is a great area to explore while you digest.
Address: 11 South St, Morristown, NJ 07960
9. Vincenzo’s Little Italy
North Jersey flavor at the southern tip of the state sounds like a neat trick. Vincenzo’s Little Italy pulls it off in North Cape May.
The setup includes a pizza store plus booths for sit-down meals. That makes it easy to grab a slice or settle into a full dinner.
Eggplant parmigiana is a highlighted menu item, and it’s vegetarian. The pizza gets equal love, so you may want both on your table.
Portions are large, and the food is classic Italian comfort. It’s the kind of meal that fixes a long day at the beach.
The pizza lineup is big. Brooklyn pizza, buffalo chicken pizza, and pizza fries all make a case for themselves.
Ravioli and meatballs bring more Italian favorites to the mix. Lobster bisque is a fun surprise for anyone wanting soup.
Families will find plenty to like. A kids’ menu, high chairs, and free Wi-Fi help keep everyone happy.
Parking is easy, with a free on-site lot. Friday and Saturday evenings get the busiest, so earlier visits can be calmer.
This is a great way to end your New Jersey eggplant tour. After nine stops, you’ve earned that last cheesy bite.
Address: 3704 Bayshore Rd, North Cape May, NJ 08204