New National Recognition Puts Two New Jersey Hotel Restaurants in the Spotlight for America’s Top 10

Two hotel restaurants in New Jersey have earned national recognition after being selected among the 20 best hotel restaurants in the United States by USA TODAY’s 10Best expert panel. The recognition places Halifax in Hoboken and Kuro in Atlantic City in the running for a spot in the final top 10, with public voting now underway.

The annual selection highlights hotel restaurants that stand out for their quality of food, exceptional service, and memorable dining experiences. According to the expert panel, the featured restaurants are known for offering more than just a meal. They combine talented chefs, carefully prepared menus, and unique hospitality to create experiences that attract both hotel guests and local visitors.

Halifax, located inside the W Hotel in Hoboken, earned a place on this year’s list for its strong focus on seasonal ingredients and regional flavours. Led by Nova Scotian chef Seadon Shouse, the restaurant builds its menu around ingredients sourced from fishermen and farmers located north of the Delaware River and extending toward Halifax. Many of its meats and seafood are smoked in-house, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to fresh preparation and local sourcing.

Guests visiting Halifax can choose from a variety of signature dishes, including seafood towers featuring lobster tail, mussels, and local oysters. Other popular menu options include saffron rigatoni with local lobster and seafood risotto prepared with shrimp, mussels, clams, and squid. The restaurant also offers handcrafted cocktails, including espresso martinis and speciality house creations that pair with its seafood-focused menu.

One of Halifax’s signature dining experiences is its Wednesday Supper, where guests are served a family-style three-course meal while enjoying views of the Manhattan skyline. The combination of regional cuisine and waterfront scenery has helped the restaurant build a strong reputation among diners.

Following the national recognition, Halifax General Manager Weng Lee described the selection as an important milestone for the restaurant and its team. He said the restaurant has always focused on Chef Seadon Shouse’s vision of celebrating the Northeastern United States through thoughtful seasonal cooking and carefully selected ingredients. Lee also credited both the kitchen and front-of-house staff for creating a welcoming experience for every guest and thanked customers for supporting the restaurant over the years.

Chef Seadon Shouse also welcomed the recognition, saying the restaurant has always believed that authenticity is the foundation of a great dining experience. He noted that Halifax prepares as much food as possible in-house, follows seasonal cooking practices, supports local producers, and aims to give guests an experience that encourages them to return. He described the national recognition as a meaningful acknowledgement of that long-standing approach.

The second New Jersey restaurant recognised by the USA TODAY panel is Kuro, located inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. Kuro specialises in contemporary Japanese cuisine that blends locally sourced ingredients with premium products imported from Japan.

Its menu features a wide range of dishes, including sushi, tempura, grilled meats, and fresh seafood. Guests can also choose from an extensive beverage selection that includes Japanese whisky, sake, shochu, and wine, creating a complete dining experience centred around modern Japanese flavours.

The inclusion of both Halifax and Kuro means New Jersey is represented twice among the nation’s 20 highest-rated hotel restaurants this year, reflecting the state’s growing reputation for destination dining within the hospitality industry.

Alongside the two New Jersey restaurants, the expert panel selected 18 other hotel restaurants from destinations across the country, representing states including California, Hawaii, Arizona, Florida, New York, Delaware, Virginia, Tennessee, Connecticut, Vermont, Wyoming, Nevada, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C.

The competition now moves to the public voting stage. Readers have the opportunity to vote for their favourite restaurant from the list of 20 nominees. Voting will remain open until noon on August 10, after which the final rankings will be determined.

The official list of America’s 10 best hotel restaurants for this year’s competition will be announced on August 19. Until then, Halifax and Kuro remain among the contenders hoping to earn a place in the national top 10 through public support.

Sources

• USA TODAY 10Best
• W Hoboken – Halifax Restaurant
• Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City – Kuro Restaurant