Nestled In The Middle Of A Garden Center, This Tiny New Jersey Cafe Is An Enchanting Day Trip Destination
Kim Magaraci
Author
If you’re looking for a unique day trip idea in central Jersey, we’ve got a great one for you! Head to Calgo Gardens in Freehold, where you can explore a beautiful botanical garden that features gorgeous landscaping, and then shop in a carefully curated nursery, and finally, enjoy farm-to-table dining in New Jersey for breakfast or lunch! It’s a unique day trip that’s perfect for plant lovers, foodies, or those who just love to discover everything weird and wonderful about the Garden State.
Related Stories
B-Uno's Just Might Have The Wackiest Menu In All Of New Jersey But It's Amazing
These 6 Unique Restaurants In New Jersey Will Give You An Unforgettable Dining Experience
These 9 MORE Unique Restaurants In New Jersey Will Give You An Unforgettable Dining Experience
Visit Calgo Gardens on the web to see their offerings, and then check current hours for the Tulip Tree Cafe before you plan your trip. While you’re in Freehold, consider staying the night and checking into the American Hotel – one of the best independent hotels in the entire Garden State.
Do you love exploring gardens in New Jersey? While we may be the Garden State, not everyone realizes that the Garden Capital of the World is right around Philadelphia, and The Largest French Garden In The Country Is Hiding In Delaware’s Brandywine Valley.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
Best Hidden Gem Restaurants In New Jersey
What Are The Best Hidden-Gem Restaurants In New Jersey?
We certainly weren't expecting to find a farm-to-table restaurant in a garden center, and these three gems took us by surprise as well!
- Lucille's Country Cooking, located in the tiny town of Barnegat, is found in the heart of the pine barrens. You can't miss this one when you drive by it - it has a huge statue of the Jersey Devil up front! Inside, the food is anything but monstrous, though - it's a charming country-style restaurant serving up breakfast and lunch with some Southern flair. You'll find biscuits and gravy and oversized cinnamon rolls, plus some of the heartiest breakfasts in New Jersey.
- The Circle, found on a rural county road in Newton, might just be the best-hidden fine dining restaurant in New Jersey. Located in an old farmhouse, it was founded by two veterans of Jean-Georges in New York and celebrates local produce, dairy, and meat. The small restaurant serves an always-changing a la carte menu, so you can customize your own meal - a rarity for fine dining restaurants these days in the tasting menu era. The pasta, seafood, and desserts are constantly getting high marks.
- It doesn't get any more secret than Murphy's Tavern - an authentic speakeasy dating back to the prohibition era, found in a suburban home in Rumson. While Prohibition is long over, the beers keep flowing at this basement tavern, which also serves a small but delicious menu of pizza and appetizers. The highlight has to be the pork roll fries - crispy-fried strips of New Jersey's favorite lunchmeat, served with a zesty cheese sauce.