The Archive · Monthly Winners
Every month we crown the #1 spot in each activity based on reader upvotes, and name a Fan of the Month, the reader whose taste the rest of us keep following.
This month · April 2026
Fan of the Month · April 2026
Maya R.
Jersey City · 47 upvotes, 12 reviews this month
"I grew up here and I'll still go to three places in a night to split a pizza, a cortado, and a soft-serve." On repeat at Razza, Modcup, and Milk Sugar Love.
The archive
Every crown we've placed, grouped by season. Click through for the full readout.
The melt. Windows open, first patio sits, asparagus at the market.
Issue 03 · Spring
Eat · #1
Taqueria Downtown
Jersey City
Drink · #1
The Archer
Red Bank
Play · #1
White Eagle Hall
Jersey City
Shop · #1
Little City Books
Hoboken
Fan of the Month
Derek P.
Hoboken · 52 upvotes, 9 reviews
"Spring in this state is bagel mornings and riverfront cocktails in the same day."
The indoor season. Pizza with your coat on, dim bars, quiet streets.
Issue 02 · Winter
Eat · #1
Razza
Jersey City
Drink · #1
Dullboy
Jersey City
Play · #1
Stress Factory
New Brunswick
Shop · #1
Fins & Feathers
Montclair
Fan of the Month
Priya S.
Montclair · 41 upvotes, 6 reviews
"Winter food in NJ is pizza worth a coat. Razza on a Tuesday, no line, perfect."
Issue 01 · Winter
Eat · #1
Kimchi Smoke
Westwood
Drink · #1
Ghost Hawk Brewing
Clifton
Play · #1
Wellmont Theater
Montclair
Shop · #1
Modcup Coffee
Jersey City
Fan of the Month
Sam K.
Jersey City · 38 upvotes, 5 reviews
"January TBWE is about your block. The taproom, the roaster, the show around the corner."
The indoor season. Pizza with your coat on, dim bars, quiet streets.
Issue 12 · Winter
Eat · #1
Porta
Asbury Park
Drink · #1
Asbury Park Brewery
Asbury Park
Play · #1
Stone Pony
Asbury Park
Shop · #1
Fourth Dimension
Asbury Park
Fan of the Month
Nora T.
Asbury Park · 61 upvotes, 11 reviews
"Offseason at the shore is the best season. The Pony on a Wednesday, nobody's there."
The best month of the year happens four times, and they all earn a cover.
Issue 11 · Fall
Eat · #1
Jose Tacos
Paterson
Drink · #1
Zeppelin Hall Biergarten
Jersey City
Play · #1
Count Basie Center
Red Bank
Shop · #1
Book Shop of Westfield
Westfield
Fan of the Month
Luca V.
Red Bank · 44 upvotes, 8 reviews
"Fall in Jersey is every kind of taco and the Basie marquee glowing through the leaves."
Issue 10 · Fall
Eat · #1
High Street Cafe
Montclair
Drink · #1
Rook Coffee
Long Branch
Play · #1
Wildwood Boardwalk
Wildwood
Shop · #1
Flying Pig Boutique
Princeton
Fan of the Month
Iris B.
Princeton · 36 upvotes, 7 reviews
"October is the last Rook cold brew before scarves, and the first Wildwood funnel cake after."
Issue 09 · Fall
Eat · #1
Talula's
Asbury Park
Drink · #1
Kanibal & Co.
Jersey City
Play · #1
MetLife Stadium
East Rutherford
Shop · #1
Newark Pottery
Newark
Fan of the Month
Rafi M.
Newark · 33 upvotes, 6 reviews
"Back to school, back to the good pizza. Talula's after a Sunday at MetLife."
Shore weeks, long light, ice in every drink, sand in every bag.
Issue 08 · Summer
Eat · #1
Mustache Bill's Diner
Barnegat Light
Drink · #1
Surf Taco
Long Branch
Play · #1
LBI Beach
Long Beach Island
Shop · #1
How To Live
Asbury Park
Fan of the Month
June K.
LBI · 73 upvotes, 14 reviews
"August is a breakfast sandwich at Bill's and saltwater in the car for three months straight."
Issue 07 · Summer
Eat · #1
Taqueria Autentica
Red Bank
Drink · #1
Carton Brewing
Atlantic Highlands
Play · #1
Sandy Hook
Highlands
Shop · #1
Jack's Music Shoppe
Red Bank
Fan of the Month
Noelle H.
Red Bank · 58 upvotes, 10 reviews
"July is Carton on the beach and records on the ride home. That's the whole month."
Issue 06 · Summer
Eat · #1
Frankie Fed's
Freehold
Drink · #1
Source Brewing
Colts Neck
Play · #1
PNC Bank Arts Center
Holmdel
Shop · #1
The Inkwell
Long Branch
Fan of the Month
Theo G.
Freehold · 47 upvotes, 9 reviews
"Summer starts at PNC lawn seats and ends with Frankie Fed's at 11pm. Everything in between is gravy."
The melt. Windows open, first patio sits, asparagus at the market.
Issue 05 · Spring
Eat · #1
Pizzeria Luigi
Hoboken
Drink · #1
Departed Soles
Jersey City
Play · #1
Grounds for Sculpture
Hamilton
Shop · #1
Toms River Farmer's Market
Toms River
Fan of the Month
Mila R.
Hoboken · 49 upvotes, 8 reviews
"Spring TBWE is a slice on a stoop and a walk through Grounds for Sculpture before dinner."
Issue 04 · Spring
Eat · #1
Veggie Heaven
Teaneck
Drink · #1
Brix City Brewing
Little Ferry
Play · #1
Liberty Science Center
Jersey City
Shop · #1
Watchung Booksellers
Montclair
Fan of the Month
Ollie D.
Teaneck · 42 upvotes, 7 reviews
"April is the window you can finally open. Book in one hand, beer in the other."