The "New" New Jersey Diner - Edison, South Brunswick, and East Windsor, New Jersey

Ever since we heard Craig Shelton, the celebrated owner/chef at the former Ryland Inn (considered New Jersey's best restaurant in its day) was consulting on the Skylark Diner menu, we knew something special was happening to New Jersey diner culture. The next time you find yourself on NJ's lackluster Turnpike, make a detour to one of these gems for something new and different.

Americana Diner
359 Route 130 North
East Windsor, New Jersey
609.448.4477
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Skylark Diner
Route 1 and Wooding Avenue
Edison, New Jersey
732.777.7878
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Colonial Diner
560 Highway 18
East Brunswick, New Jersey
732.254.4858
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Rutgers Gardens Spring Flower Fair - New Brunswick, New Jersey

Spring Flower Fair
Rutgers Gardens
Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey
112 Ryders Lane
New Brunswick, New Jersey
732.932.8451

Rutgers Gardens - New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers Gardens
112 Ryders Lane
New Brunswick, New Jersey
732.932.8451
Wasn't sure we'd ever have a place in New Jersey's urban/suburban Middlesex County to feature. But that's because we sometimes forget about this little gem hidden just south of the intersection of Route 1 and the Jersey Turnpike. Although small, we like it even better than the New Jersey Botanical Gardens. Stopped by last Friday for the Rutgers Garden Farmers Market and figured we'd let the world know about this special place.

Maybe there are a few more Middlesex County places worth a look. Try Historic Cranbury in the southern part of the county. A lazy but very impressive collection of antique homes. Nearby is the Crate and Barrel outlet center. And Kingston (just a small village, no official website) which actually straddles three counties - Middlesex, Mercer, and Somerset. Head north from Princeton on Route 27 or take Ridge Road off of Route 1 to this tiny tree lined enclave with a few shops worth a visit.

Crate and Barrel Outlet
315 Cranbury Half Acre Road
Cranbury, NJ 08512
609.819.0200