10 Highly Anticipated Openings of 2024: The Spots We Can't Wait to Experience

Dhamaal, a new Indian fusion restaurant, opening in Montclair promises a menu unlike any other, blending exotic spices and global influences into a symphony of flavors. The owners have gained a loyal following after their opening of the Four Monkeys in Summit two years ago. This Spring, they will be adding to their success in a new larger location featuring unique fusion eats including a pizza oven. Dhamaal promises distinct fusion dishes not often found here in the United States.

With sushi restaurants opening up all over the New Jersey area, one we are particularly excited about is Disco Fish, a high quality sushi, at approachable price points. Disco Fish had its first pop up at Sunday Motor Co and presales sold out in less than two days. The concept, according to owner David Mandelbaum, is a place you could easily pick up dinner for the fam. on Tuesday night, yet dine-in on a Friday with friends, while listening to A Tribe Called Quest and nursing your BYO Hitachino. Mandelbaum plans on limited pop ups over the next several months, with plans to open a permanent brick-and-mortar location by year end.

The closure of Brooklyn transplant Moon River vintage warehouse in Maplewood may have brought tears to the vintage world, but the brew snob will be jumping over the moon about the new opening of Pallet Brewing Company. And while there are not many details about the opening, we will be sure to watching this one closely.  

Hotels don't usually qualify as anticipated openings but The Albion Summit, formerly known as the historic Grand Summit Hotel, is a must on our list. Renovated by the Landmark Hospitality Group, the designs and amenities range from the critically acclaimed Felina restaurant, the Stork Club Lounge, and Muddy Cup co-working space. Phase two of the upcoming accommodation plan includes a spa with ancient baths, an amphitheater-style movie theater, a rooftop restaurant and bar, La Terrazza.

If you want to eat like an Italian there's only one place to do it and that's the Eataly marketplace. Oscar Farinetti opened the first Eataly in Torino, Italy, with the idea that it would be much more than a store. He wanted to create a school, a market, a table to gather around: a place to learn about food and, through food, about life. 15 years later, there are over 40 locations across the world but the opening of Eataly at the Short Hills Mall will be its first location in New Jersey. Eataly will open in The Mall at Short Hills by year end in the previous Primo Mercado location.

Chef Jesse Hennebary and restaurateur Kamal Arora of Arora Hospitality Group set out on an ambitious project to completely revamp the former historic train station in Westfield in 2022. Two years later, Maize Cocktails and Cocina, a globally inspired Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar is slated to open. With botanical cocktails, locally sourced ingredients and their very own garden out back, we can't wait to see what this duo has in store. Food Network fans may recognize Jessa for appearing on — and winning — an episode of "Chopped" in 2016. 

When Pasta Ramen first opened up in 2023, James Beard nominated Chef Robbie Felice wowed diners with his perfect marriage of Japanese and Italian culture and cuisine. Now he is leveling it up with his highly anticipated opening of Bar Mutz, an Italian trattoria & mozzarella bar in Westwood Located next to his existing upscale Italian restaurant, Osteria Crescendo.

Making more waves, Chef Robbie Felice is onto a new sandwich project called Fatto Con Amore. His new venture should be opening in Montclair in the next couple months, but in the meantime, follow their instagram for surprise sandwich drops.

Chef and owner Sean Yan, former pastry chef at Heirloom Kitchen is at the helm the much anticipated opening of Ram and Rooster, named after his parents Chinese zodiac signs. Yan who will debut the restaurant in late spring in Metuchen, will be cooking homestyle dishes through both a tasting menu with views of his open kitchen and off menu in its intimate dining room.

Following the acclaimed success of his beloved Italian restaurant, Laboratorio Kitchen, in Montclair, Chef James De Sisto will be opening up a sister restaurant Osteria LK, in the heart of Maplewood Village in what was once Arturos. We expect long lines and a menu centered on housemade pastas, shareable plates and brick oven pizzas. 

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