Last Updated in June 2021! We’ve created this ever-growing guide to restaurants, bakeries, cafes, ice cream shops, and stores in New Jersey that are friendly to dairy-free diners. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started a section for specialty dairy-free foods produced in this state.
We Update Continuously! You can ignore the original date on this post going forward. We update the information below whenever we’re alerted to a new recommendation, change, or closure.
Photo from Seed to Sprout in Fair Haven, Avon-by-the-Sea, and Wanamassa
Dairy-Free New Jersey: Recommended Restaurants & Shops
We’ve listed these recommendations alphabetically by city and then by the restaurant or shop name. For large chains with locations throughout the state, see the Major Restaurant & Grocery Chains section below. We have dedicated posts with dairy-free details for many of the big guys.
⭐️ = Restaurant is either dairy-free, has a dairy-free menu, has dairy-free labels on their menu(s), or lists top allergens with menu items. (At the time of our last review.)
Allenhurst
- Urban Pops ⭐️ – They make a range of indulgent pops, like Butterfinger with peanut butter gelato and homemade Butterfinger candy bits and Ferrero Rocher with hazelnut gelato and dark chocolate drizzle. But despite the names, they’re all kosher parve and dairy-free. Most varieties are vegan, too.
Asbury park
- Betty’s Icebox ⭐️ – Dairy-free visitors will be happy to discover vegan shave ice, coconut milk-based gelato flavors and pops, and even cookie dough.
- Bungalow Bowls – They use purely fruit to blend the bases of their acai, pitaya, blue majik, and green smoothie bowls. They also have smoothies made with almond milk, toasts, vegan soft serve and hard-packed ice cream, and “cyclones” made with their soft serve and various mix-ins.
- Cardinal Provisions – Their modern menu is labeled with vegan options, and includes some small plates, unique bowls, and sandwich and burger items. Some additional items can be enjoyed dairy free.
- Cats Luck Vegan ⭐️ – This vegan bakery is building out a location in Neptune City, but for now, they’re located inside Sami’s Mediterranean Street Food in Asbury Park. And we expect they will still sell some goodies at this location. They offer all types of treats, including doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, and cookies.
- Coney Waffle – They offer a full range of vegan ice cream flavors, from mint chocolate chip to butter pecan to strawberry.
- Cookman Creamery – They have a full vegan menu of ice cream flavors, made with a base of coconut cream, almond butter, cashew butter, or peanut butter, and sweetened primarily with agave and brown rice syrup. It includes classics like vanilla and chocolate, and some fun flavors like cookie butter and Irish coffee. They also have sorbets.
- Eddie Confetti’s Ice Cream & Cafe – They make creamy soy-based vegan ice creams in flavors like pistachio, mint chip, coffee, and cookies & cream. And they offer a selection of fruity sorbets.
- Juice Basin – Beyond juices, they press their own nut mylks, and offer a range of dairy-free smoothies with many vegan mix-in options, and they make raw snacks.
- Kaya’s Kitchen ⭐️ – The menu at this location isn’t quite as extensive as their Belmar spot, and it serves breakfast and lunch (not dinner). But the options are still satisfying vegan takes on dishes that are traditionally loaded with dairy, eggs, and/or meat. You can order French toast, breakfast burritos, burgers, cheesesteak sandwiches, and more.
- MOGO Korean Fusion Tacos – Most items are dairy-free at this a popular choose-your-protein Korean taco, burrito, and bowl spot, and they offer a tofu vegan option. Their buffalo wing sauce, cojita cheese in a couple items, and doughnuts do contain dairy.
- Pasta Volo – This build-your-own pasta spot offers six different vegan sauces (including pesto and vodka sauces), dairy-free protein options including a vegan bacon, and vegan homemade cashew ricotta – in addition to many vegetables. They offer gluten-free pasta, but it isn’t vegan.
- Porta – The menu at their Jersey City location is more extensive, but they still have two vegan pizzas on their menu at this location, and you can order most other pizzas with a dairy-free cheese option. Some pastas can also be ordered without dairy.
- Purple Glaze Donuts, etc – They have a full menu of vegan donuts, ranging from simple cake or glazed to fancy and filled. They also have a rotating menu of specials that usually includes a vegan donut or two.
- Talula’s Pizza – They go above and beyond with vegan options at this Italian restaurant. They offer vegan sourdough toasts and snacks, salads (including Caesar), and pizzas. They have faux meats, and also offer a soy-based dairy-free mozzarella and a nut-based dairy-free ricotta as cheese alternative. They also have vegan desserts including a sourdough chocolate cake, cookies, and sorbetto. Most pizzas can be made dairy-free.
- Twisted Tree Cafe ⭐️ – This sweet vegetarian cafe also has a vegan bakery on site with many gluten-free options. They offer cakes, cookies, and much more. They also serve a breakfast and lunch menu that’s labeled for vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options. Almost everything can be made dairy-free, including sandwiches, salads, wraps, breakfast burritos, and smoothies. They also have a full coffee bar.
Atlantic City
- Ben & Jerry’s – See our Ben & Jerry’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Carmine’s ⭐️ – It’s easy to enjoy family-style Italian food at this boisterous restaurant. They offer a dairy and egg allergy menu, which includes all of the menu items they can make without dairy and eggs on request – and it’s extensive! It includes many pastas, steaks, seafood, and sides.
- Tony Boloney’s – Their menu includes some very unique pizzas, and many have vegan options. You can also build your own with dairy-free cheese and an array of topping choices. And they have vegan options for their smothered fries, salads, subs, and burritos.
Avon-By-The-Sea
- Seed to Sprout ⭐️ – This vegan cafe serves breakfast all day (including a range of pancakes), sandwiches, bowls, superfood smoothies, lattes, and fresh juices. They also offer baked goods from their own bakery.
Bayonne
- Wonder Bagels – You can top your dairy-free bagel with one of their tofu cream cheeses or peanut butter. You can also custom order one of their bagel sandwiches or wraps.
Beach Haven
- Ben & Jerry’s – See our Ben & Jerry’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- The Woohoo – They offer vegan & dairy free soft serve that’s made with coconut milk and available in vanilla, chocolate, and twist. They also have vegan burgers, nuggets, and fries with additional options for dairy-free guests.
Belmar
- Coney Waffle – They offer a full range of vegan ice cream flavors, from mint chocolate chip to butter pecan to strawberry.
- Kaya’s Kitchen ⭐️ – This cozy BYOB restaurant serves a very eclectic all-vegan menu for lunch and dinner. They offer soups, salad bowls, and a huge list of internationally-inspired entrees. Hungarian Pierogies? Check. Enchiladas? Check. Philly Steak Sandwich? Check. Dozens more comforting dairy-free and meatless dishes? Check. They even offer burgers, pizzas, and the “World’s best vegan cheesecake.” Gluten-free options are generously noted on their very long menu.
Bound Brook
Bradley Beach
- FINS: Tropicali Cuisine – Their menu is a unique mix of Hawaiian, Asian, and even East coast cuisine, with a few surprising dairy-free options.
Cape May
Cedar Grove
- Sonny’s Frozen Desserts – They have house-made dairy-free options including sorbet and soft serve Italian ice. You can also order acai or pitaya bowls made with your choice of coconut milk, almond milk or apple juice.
Cherry Hill
- Honeygrow – This fresh restaurant concept offers several dairy-free stir fries, build-your-own salad with many dairy-free dressing options, and a “honeybar” where you pick your fruit, honey drizzle, and other toppings. They have a great allergen chart available, which breaks down all components for the build-your-own options.
Clark
Cliffside Park
- Napoli Wood Fired Pizza – They offer Violife vegan cheese, and often have a vegan pizza on special. They also make fresh pasta in house.
- Om Sweet Home ⭐️ – This is a specialty bakery that runs a celiac-safe, vegan facility. All of their products are dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, soy-free, palm oil-free, non-GMO, organic and use their house-made butter alternative. They have an array of sweets and savories daily, and also take custom cake orders. And they have a mini marketplace of specialty vegan products.
Clifton
Clinton
- Grounded for Life Cafe ⭐️ – This plant-based cafe serves breakfast all day, sandwiches, soups, bowls, smoothies, other specialty drinks, and a whole array of sweets. They offer cupcakes doughnuts, cookies, whoopie pies, and even cannoli.
- Just Chill – Their froyo selection includes some fruity non-dairy sorbets. They also have vegan protein smoothies and acai bowls available.
Closter
Deptford
Edgewater
Elizabeth
Englewood
Fairfield
- Zest Eats ⭐️ – All of their ingredients are naturally dairy-free and gluten-free, and they have many dairy-free options. Their menu includes smoothies, acai bowls, sandwiches, salads, coffee drinks, and more. They also offer a meal prep service.
Fair Haven
- Seed to Sprout ⭐️ – This vegan cafe serves breakfast all day (including a range of pancakes), sandwiches, bowls, superfood smoothies, lattes, and fresh juices. They also offer baked goods from their own bakery.
Fair Lawn
- Kosher Express ⭐️ – This is a fast food Chinese kosher glatt restaurant, so even the batters (for fried items), sauces, broths, and appetizers are made without dairy.
- Perfect Pita ⭐️ – This is a kosher glatt restaurant, so you won’t find any cheese or milk on the menu. They serve dairy-free schnitzel, kebobs, steak, schwarma, falafel, and a selection of “homestyle” entrees.
- Zadies Kosher Bake Shop ⭐️ – They run a nut-free bakery and bake dairy-free, kosher pareve cakes, breads, and more.
Fort Lee
- Purely Juiced ⭐️ – This dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free spot is also vegan friendly. They serve an array of juices, smoothies, specialty drinks, desserts, breakfasts, bowls, and raw entrees.
Freehold
- Broad Street Dough Co. – They have a whole range of doughnut flavors that can be ordered vegan and gluten-free.
Hackettstown
- Mama’s Cafe Baci ⭐️ – They offer a separate dairy-free menu that is filled with dozens, and dozens, of options. They offer dairy-free cheese, so most of their Italian menu can be made without dairy, including salads, pizzas, pastas, and even their parmigianas.
Haddonfield
- Sweet Charlie’s – This rolled ice cream chain offers a dairy-free and vegan base that you can customize with various flavor and add-in options or even enjoy as a “milkshake.”
Hamilton Township
Hawthorne
- Isaura Bakery – They run a dedicated gluten-free, tree nut-free, and peanut-free bread bakery, and most of their items are dairy-free. They focus on bagels, bread loaves, and rolls.
Hillsborough Township
- Super Sundaes – This local ice cream shop reportedly offers Tofutti dairy-free ice cream, Italian ice, Dole whip, and vegan ice cream cakes. They’ve also received accolades for how they handle allergy orders.
Hoboken
- 16 Handles – See our 16 Handles Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Amanda Bananas – They swirl soft serve banana nice cream at this food truck. It’s naturally dairy-free and vegan. They also offer a plethora of toppings and mix-ins, but please note that they aren’t all dairy-free.
- Baking Mama – You can get vegan chocolate chip cookies and a few flavors of vegan cupcakes from this local bakery.
- Bareburger – See our Bareburger Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Ben & Jerry’s – See our Ben & Jerry’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Choc O Pain – This French patisserie bakes vegan croissants, chocopain, and petit kouign, and they have dairy-free breads and vegan and dairy-free sandwich and toast options for lunch.
- Döner Xpress ⭐️ – This is a Mediterranean and Mexican grill that went vegan. Their menu has a build-your own style of pitas, wraps, bowls, and tacos.
- Honeygrow – This fresh restaurant concept offers several dairy-free stir fries, build-your-own salad with many dairy-free dressing options, and a “honeybar” where you pick your fruit, honey drizzle, and other toppings. They have a great allergen chart available, which breaks down all components for the build-your-own options.
- Hungry Like the Wolf ⭐️ – This is an all-vegan pizzeria with classic and unique topping options. They use Violife dairy-free cheese alternative.
- Jun’s Macaron Gelato – Their authentic gelato includes many dairy-free sorbetto flavors. Most are fruity, but they also scoop creamy coconut. And they blend fruit smoothies with coconut water.
- Northern Soul Bar – Their eclectic menu has a heavy selection of vegan options throughout – for brunch, lunch, dinner, and even dessert. They also have additional dairy-free options.
- Pizza Republic – This local pizza spot offers a vegan pie right on the menu, and has dairy-free cheese alternative so you can custom order your own dairy-free pizza.
- Purely Juiced ⭐️ – This dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free spot is also vegan friendly. They serve an array of juices, smoothies, specialty drinks, desserts, breakfasts, bowls, and raw entrees.
- Shaka Bowl ⭐️ – This local shop brings a taste of Hawaii to New Jersey with their fresh menu. All of their smoothies, acai bowls, and pitaya bowls are dairy-free. You can also order steel cut oatmeal bowls, toasts, poke bowls, breakfast bowls, and tacos without dairy. They have many vegan and gluten-free options, too.
- The Brick – This Italian restaurant has a very impressive vegan menu. It includes dozens of menu options, including mozzarella sticks, garlic knots, various pizzas, and so much more.
- Tony Boloney’s – Their menu includes some very unique pizzas, and many have vegan options. You can also build your own with dairy-free cheese and an array of topping choices. And they have vegan options for their smothered fries, salads, subs, and burritos.
Jersey City
- Angel’s Recipe – On the ice cream side of this dessert shop, they offer a vegan Cocomo Kokomo rolled ice cream that’s made with a creamy coconut milk base. They also offer a dairy-free coconut milkshake, and have a few dairy-free smoothie options.
- Aqua Phit Water & Juice Bar ⭐️ – This plant-based fitness spot serves juices, raw entrees, raw desserts, and vegan sushi.
- Baonanas – They use heavy dairy cream in most of their flavors at this banana-based ice creamery, but they also offer several vegan flavors made with a “fluffy” dairy-free coconut-cashew-banana mousse.
- Busy Bee Organics – This 100% gluten-free, breakfast and lunch cafe also offers a meal delivery service. Almost everything on their menu is or can be made dairy-free, right down to the mac and cheese. A large portion of their menu is also vegan-friendly. They offer some sweet extras like raw cashew milks and healthier cupcakes.
- Choc O Pain – This French patisserie bakes vegan croissants, chocopain, and petit kouign, and they have dairy-free breads and vegan and dairy-free sandwich and toast options for lunch.
- Crema – They offer a small line of coconut milk-based ice creams, which includes dark chocolate, vanilla bean, toasted coconut, and mango berry flavors. You can order it in a cup, cone, or affogato. They also have almond, soy, and oat milks for coffee drinks, and on the savory side, check out their empanadas – they even have a vegan option.
- Downtown Yogurt – They swirl a dairy-free sorbet option daily, and also offer pineapple Dole Whip. You can even order a tropical Dole Whip float.
- Juice Basin – Beyond juices, they press their own nut mylks, and offer a range of dairy-free smoothies with many vegan mix-in options, and they make raw snacks.
- More Life Cafe ⭐️ – This is an all-vegan spot with a casual menu that revolves around Caribbean comfort food.
- Plant Base Market ⭐️ – They tout themselves as a “zero waste vegan market.” Their cafe serves healthy menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and they carry a diverse range of products.
- Porta – They have three vegan pizzas on their menu, and you can order most other pizzas with a dairy-free cheese option. Some pastas can also be ordered without dairy.
- Rosita’s Yah ⭐️ – This is a plant-based cafe and juice bar with a menu of smoothies, smoothie bowls, lattes, breakfast items, tacos, burritos, and desserts.
- Stack Creamery – They typically have a few creamy dairy-free flavors on hand, like coconut milk Charcoal, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Chocolate, or Italian Lemon Ice.
- Subia’s Vegan Cafe ⭐️ – Their dairy-free and plant-based menu includes salads, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, and more for breakfast and lunch. They also have a full juice bar.
- Tacoria – They have an entire vegan section on their menu for ordering tacos, burritos, burrito boxes, nachos, and ensaladas. They offer creative, very plant-forward “protein” options, but dairy-free customers can also choose from some of their other proteins. Gluten-free options are also available.
- The Cliff – Their healthy menu has a good smattering of vegan options (like tacos, burritos, burgers, and tofu scramble), and some additional dairy-free choices.
- The Law of Donutgineering – Their doughnut menu changes monthly, but it always includes a few vegan options. When we looked, they had choices like Cacao without the Cow, Cinco de Mango, and Ma’Coco (matcha coconut).
- Tidal Poke – You can order dairy-free poke bowls and smoothie bowls at this local restaurant. They offer both cooked and raw proteins with a variety of dairy-free and topping options. Their pitaya and acai bowls are made with almond milk or apple juice, and you can order their other smoothie bowls without dairy.
- Tony Boloney’s – Their menu includes some very unique pizzas, and many have vegan options. You can also build your own with dairy-free cheese and an array of topping choices. And they have vegan options for their smothered fries, salads, subs, and burritos.
- Torico Ice Cream – They swirl dairy-free vanilla and chocolate almond milk soft serve year round, and also serve seasonal, vegan, house-made sorbets in fruity flavors, like passion fruit, tamarind, guava, coconut, lemon and mango.
- Two Boots Pizza – They typically have one vegan pizza available by the slice, but they have a total of nine vegan pizzas that you can order by the whole pie. And you can order a calzone. They offer various dairy-free sauces, vegan ricotta, Daiya cheese alternative, various vegetable toppings, and some vegan faux meats.
- VeganAF ⭐️ – Their American and Mexican menu covers all the favorites, from pancakes and burgers to nachos and quesadillas.
- Vibez Juice & Vegan Cafe ⭐️ – Juices, smoothies, acai bowls, entrees, and desserts – they have it all at this little plant-based restaurant.
- Wonder Bagels – You can top your dairy-free bagel with one of their tofu cream cheeses or peanut butter. You can also custom order one of their bagel sandwiches or wraps.
Lakewood
- Glatt Bite ⭐️ – You can enjoy numerous cheeseless sandwiches, schnitzel platters, sushi rolls, and more at this glatt kosher restaurant.
Lavelette
- The Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe – This is a is a vaudeville style Nightly Broadway Cabaret that also serves ice cream. They offer Dole Whip, dairy-free oatmilk soft serve (made with Planet Oat), Italian ice, and Italian ice shakes or freezes.
Livingston
Long Beach Island
- Skipper Dipper – They’re only open seasonally, but when the weather is warm, you can order vegan coconut milk soft serve, dairy-free Dole Whip soft serve, vegan vanilla soy-based ice cream, and water ice at this cool shop. They also offer floats.
Long Branch
- Coney Waffle – They offer a full range of vegan ice cream flavors, from mint chocolate chip to butter pecan to strawberry.
- Fanagle the Bagel – They offer Earth Balance, vegan cream cheese, and some other dairy-free schmear options for their bagels. They also serve Boar’s Head meats on their bagel sandwiches, and have a few dairy-free menu items.
- Hummus Republic – Their build-your-own pita, wrap, or bowl menu is filled with dairy-free options. They even offer vegan proteins, and most components are dairy-free (includes hummuses and dressings). They clearly label for vegan and gluten-free guests.
- Tony Boloney’s – Their menu includes some very unique pizzas, and many have vegan options. You can also build your own with dairy-free cheese and an array of topping choices. And they have vegan options for their smothered fries, salads, subs, and burritos.
- The Herd Juicery ⭐️ – They offer much more than juice at this organic, vegan, and gluten-free cafe. Their menu includes smoothies, smoothie bowls, savory bowls, sandwiches, soups, toasts, and a healthy selection of treats.
Lyndhurst
- Patis Bakery ⭐️ – They are a kosher certified bakery offering both dairy and parve (dairy-free) goods. The dairy-free items include numerous breads, focaccia, cakes, and viennoiseries. They also offer sandwich and salad options, and have many vegan items.
Manalapan Township
Manasquan
- Norton’s Main Scoop – They scoop ever-changing flavors of vegan ice cream, made with coconut milk, almond milk, or oat milk. Sample flavors include Vanilla Nut Butter Crunch, Strawberry Coconut Kiss, Mint Chip, and Double Chocolate Chip Cookie.
Maple Shade
Marlton
- Honeygrow – This fresh restaurant concept offers several dairy-free stir fries, build-your-own salad with many dairy-free dressing options, and a “honeybar” where you pick your fruit, honey drizzle, and other toppings. They have a great allergen chart available, which breaks down all components for the build-your-own options.
- Naf Naf Grill ⭐️ – The menu at this quick serve Middle Eastern grill is completely dairy-free with the exception of one of their packaged baklavas (the other two are made without dairy!). They offer a full menu of favorites, from falafel to shawarma, and have a handy allergen guide.
Matawan
- Papa Ganache ⭐️ – This homey little vegan bakery is jam packed with treats! They make cupcakes, beautiful cakes, cookies, pies, cheesecakes, muffins, donuts, and more. They also serve an array of gluten-free items that are baked in a dedicated gluten-free kitchen. Their sweets are balanced with a savory menu, that includes comforting dishes like soups, chicken nuggets, quiche, and eggplant parm.
- Vegan Tree ⭐️ – Their eclectic menu includes all types of casual Asian, American, and Mediterranean dishes.
Metuchen
- Orchid ⭐️ – This is a fine glatt kosher restaurant, so their menu is dairy-free. It includes a meaty selection of starters and entrees, along with some vegan options.
- Wood Stack Pizza + Kitchen ⭐️ – This Italian restaurant labels dairy-free and gluten-free menu items. The dairy-free options include some small plates, like crispy brussels sprouts and charred octopus, salad, and an entree or two. But they have a few additional custom order options and are happy to make changes.
Montclair
- Bareburger – See our Bareburger Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Empanada or Nada – They make two varieties of vegan empanadas, plus their beef, chicken, and chorizo + potato empanadas are all made without dairy (at last check). The handful of fruit smoothies they offer can be made with almond milk.
- Montclair Bread Co – Almost all of their breads are dairy-free, and most are vegan. In fact, their authentic sourdough contains just flour, water, and salt. They also make vegan sourdoughnuts with their sourdough starter. They also offer a couple of dairy-free sandwiches and more that can be ordered without dairy.
- Tacoria – They have an entire vegan section on their menu for ordering tacos, burritos, burrito boxes, nachos, and ensaladas. They offer creative, very plant-forward “protein” options, but dairy-free customers can also choose from some of their other proteins. Gluten-free options are also available.
- Veggie Heaven ⭐️ – Yes, there are lots of dairy-free options at Asian restaurants, but isn’t it nice when the menu is completely dairy-free? And in this case, it’s vegan, too! They serve a range of well-loved Chinese food dishes, sushi, and even burgers.
Morristown
- Bareburger – See our Bareburger Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Beenie’s Ice Cream ⭐️ – They have an eight-flavor freezer dedicated to homemade dairy-free ice cream and sorbet. Their menu includes classics like mint chip, chocolate, and cookies ‘n cream, but they also churn up new flavors from time to time. They use coconut milk or oat milk to make their creamy flavors.
- Tacoria – They have an entire vegan section on their menu for ordering tacos, burritos, burrito boxes, nachos, and ensaladas. They offer creative, very plant-forward “protein” options, but dairy-free customers can also choose from some of their other proteins. Gluten-free options are also available.
Mt Laurel Township
- Victoria’s Bagel Bistro – Naturally, most of their bagels are dairy-free, but they also offer vegan cream cheese, and a big array of breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches that can be ordered dairy-free.
Neptune City
- Cats Luck Vegan – This vegan bakery is building out a location in Neptune City, and is located inside Sami’s Mediterranean Street Food in Asbury Park until it opens. They offer all types of treats, including doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, and cookies. They also bake custom order cakes.
Newark
- Ben & Jerry’s – See our Ben & Jerry’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Blaze Pizza – See our Blaze Pizza Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Blueberry Cafe Juice Bar And Vegan Grille ⭐️ – They have a small but diverse range of entrees, a full juice and smoothie bar, and serve a rotating menu of soups.
- The Zucchini Bar Herbal Tea’s & Treats ⭐️ – Their treat menu includes ice cream, milkshakes, cheesecake, cookies, brownies, and more, and it’s all vegan! They also serve pizzas, salads, and some breakfast items.
New Brunswick
- George Street Co-op – This local natural food store offers a good array of special diet foods. They had to close their cafe in 2020, but hopefully it will reopen.
- Honeygrow – This fresh restaurant concept offers several dairy-free stir fries, build-your-own salad with many dairy-free dressing options, and a “honeybar” where you pick your fruit, honey drizzle, and other toppings. They have a great allergen chart available, which breaks down all components for the build-your-own options.
- Pasta Volo – This build-your-own pasta spot offers six different vegan sauces (including pesto and vodka sauces), dairy-free protein options including a vegan bacon, and vegan homemade cashew ricotta – in addition to many vegetables. They offer gluten-free pasta, but it isn’t vegan.
- Tacoria – They have an entire vegan section on their menu for ordering tacos, burritos, burrito boxes, nachos, and ensaladas. They offer creative, very plant-forward “protein” options, but dairy-free customers can also choose from some of their other proteins. Gluten-free options are also available.
- Veganized ⭐️ – They offer flatbreads, wraps, sandwiches, and other staple entrees, along with cakes (including cheezecake) for dessert and weekend brunch.
Oakhurst
- Broad Street Dough Co. – They have a whole range of doughnut flavors that can be ordered vegan and gluten-free.
Ocean City
- Aloha Soft Serve – They swirl a variety of dairy-free Dole Whip soft serve flavors and also have several flavors of water ice. Floats, flights, and toppings are also available.
- Ben & Jerry’s – See our Ben & Jerry’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Bungalow Bowls – They use purely fruit to blend the bases of their acai, pitaya, blue majik, and green smoothie bowls. They also have smoothies made with almond milk, toasts, vegan soft serve and hard-packed ice cream, and “cyclones” made with their soft serve and various mix-ins.
- Heart Beet Kitchen – This is their second location, and it’s seasonally open from late spring into fall. Like their Westmont cafe, this lunch spot is completely vegan and gluten-free, and serves a casual array of plant-based entrees. They also have a full menu of smoothies, made with almond or soymilk, and specialty lattes.
- Polish Water Ice – Polish water ice is a soft serve treat made with a water base, so it’s completely dairy-free. And it comes in many flavors. They also offer water ice shakes and floats at their kiosks.
- The Beet Creamery – Next to Heart Beet is their new vegan ice cream and sweets shop. They offer housemade donuts, unique waffle cones, and scoop various flavors of Coconut Bliss Ice Cream.
Paramus
- 16 Handles – See our 16 Handles Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Baked by Melissa – This popular New York bakery has one location in New Jersey, which sells their indulgent, two-bite cupcakes. They offer several vegan flavors, which include Strawberry, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Vanilla Chip, Triple Chocolate Chip, Cookie Dough, and Superfood. They also ship nationwide.
- Blaze Pizza – See our Blaze Pizza Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Tacoria – They have an entire vegan section on their menu for ordering tacos, burritos, burrito boxes, nachos, and ensaladas. They offer creative, very plant-forward “protein” options, but dairy-free customers can also choose from some of their other proteins. Gluten-free options are also available.
Passaic
- Juniors Glatt Kosher Deli ⭐️ – Per glatt kosher guidelines, this restaurant is dairy-free, and they have an extensive menu of sandwiches, burgers, schwarma, fried chicken, wraps, grilled meats, and sushi.
Pine Brook
- Wood Stack Pizza + Kitchen ⭐️ – This Italian restaurant labels dairy-free and gluten-free menu items. The dairy-free options include some small plates, like crispy brussels sprouts and charred octopus, salad, and an entree or two. But they have a few additional custom order options and are happy to make changes.
Point Pleasant
- FINS: Tropicali Cuisine – Their menu is a unique mix of Hawaiian, Asian, and even East coast cuisine, with a few surprising dairy-free options.
Princeton
- Arlee’s Raw Blends ⭐️ – Cold pressed juices and nut mylks are just the beginning. This plant-based shop also serves smoothies, bowls, and raw entrees, like vegan pizzas, wraps, and salads. They also make raw desserts and snack to go.
- Jammin’ Crepes – They offer a vegan crepe batter, and have a couple savory vegan crepes on their menu. Additional crepes can be made dairy-free.
- Pink Little Cake – They specialize in stunning custom order cakes, and have vegan and gluten-free options.
- Planted Plate ⭐️ – This all-vegan eatery offers a diverse casual menu for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
- Princeton Soup & Sandwich Company – Their soup board changes daily, but it’s labeled for dairy-free and gluten-free guests, and there are always a few options. They also have sandwiches, salads, and other daily specials that include a good handful of dairy-free choices, and vegan option or two.
- Tacoria – They have an entire vegan section on their menu for ordering tacos, burritos, burrito boxes, nachos, and ensaladas. They offer creative, very plant-forward “protein” options, but dairy-free customers can also choose from some of their other proteins. Gluten-free options are also available.
Red Bank
- Coney Waffle – They offer a full range of vegan ice cream flavors, from mint chocolate chip to butter pecan to strawberry.
- Good Karma Cafe – This little restaurant is 90% organic and 100% vegan. They offer a big array of healthy “live” dishes for raw foodists, and nutritious cooked comfort foods for chilly days. They also whip up juices and smoothies, and make all types of desserts, ranging from cheesecakes to raw cookies. Gluten-free options are clearly labeled on their menu.
- Kitch Organic ⭐️ – Everything they make at this from-scratch kitchen is organic, gluten-free, and dairy-free. They serve breakfast and lunch, with an array of wholesome, fulfilling menu items, and vegan options.
Ridgewood
- Bareburger – See our Bareburger Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Ben & Jerry’s – See our Ben & Jerry’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Ice Cream by Mike – This local shop serves a handful of creamy vegan flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, cookies, and coconut.
- Pizza Fusion – It’s easy to order dairy-free pizza at this small chain. All of their pizza doughs are vegan, their pizza sauce is vegan, and they offer two dairy-free cheese alternatives: Daiya and Follow Your Heart. They can also customize sandwiches and salads as needed. And for dessert, they have gluten-free vegan brownies!
Rockaway
- Starseed Bakery ⭐️ – This is a dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free bakery with paleo, vegan, and sugar-free options. They bake breads, muffins, cakes, cupcakes, pies, cookies, and more.
Rutherford
- Rutherford Pancake House – No one in this small town shall go without pancakes! This casual restaurant does serve classic buttermilk pancakes, but they also flip vegan and gluten-free vegan pancakes. They also serve vegan French toast, waffles, and scramblers, and that’s just breakfast! They also serve vegan-friendly items for lunch and on their burger menu, where vegan cheese is an option. Even more menu items can be made dairy-free, on request.
- Sweet Avenue Bake Shop – This little vegan bakery whisks you away with a huge array of cupcakes, cake truffles/balls, cakes, cookies, cookie sandwiches, brownies, and more. They also offer gluten-free options for almost every sweet. They do take custom cake orders, but make basic celebration cakes with writing or flat image designs (like Disney). This isn’t a wedding cake or unique design cake shop.
Sea Girt
- FINS: Tropicali Cuisine – Their menu is a unique mix of Hawaiian, Asian, and even East coast cuisine, with a few surprising dairy-free options.
Seaside Heights
- Polish Water Ice – Polish water ice is a soft serve treat made with a water base, so it’s completely dairy-free. And it comes in many flavors. They also offer water ice shakes and floats at their kiosks.
- Sweet Charlie’s – This rolled ice cream chain offers a dairy-free and vegan base that you can customize with various flavor and add-in options or even enjoy as a “milkshake.”
Shrewsbury
- Bagelmasters – They offer two flavors of vegan cream cheese, peanut butter, and jelly to top your dairy-free bagel. They also make breakfast sandwiches and wraps.
Somers Point
- Goji Juice Bar ⭐️ – They make their own nut mylks in various flavors, and blend various healthy smoothies and smoothie bowls with some fun toppings, like raw reese’s pieces. At last check, their entire menu was dairy-free, and mostly vegan (ask for no honey).
Somerville
- Fresh Tiki Bar – They offer dairy-free acai bowls and make vegan frozen mousse in flavors like chocolate and cookie butter. It’s made with coconut cream. This dessert shop also makes vegan, gluten-free waffles.
Stirling
- Two Fields Bakeshop ⭐️ – Their certified gluten free facility is completely peanut, tree nut, and sesame free, and dairy-free and vegan products are made completely isolated and displayed in their own section. They bake dairy-free options for breads, pizza crusts, cakes, cupcakes, muffins, cookies, brownies, and blondies.
Surf City
Teaneck
- Patis Bakery ⭐️ – They are a kosher certified bakery offering both dairy and parve (dairy-free) goods. The dairy-free items include numerous breads, focaccia, cakes, and viennoiseries. They also offer sandwich and salad options, and have many vegan items.
Teterboro
Toms River
- Ocean Organics ⭐️ – This is a plant-based wellness cafe. They have an herbal tea bar and use an oil free grill and air fryers to make their menu of burgers and fries. They also serve sandwiches, pizzas, and many more entrees.
- Yo Factor – They don’t have dairy-free frozen yogurt, but they do have two flavors of dairy-free and vegan hard-packed ice cream made with coconut milk: Cappuccino Fudge and Strawberry. They also have build-your-own acai bowls available with fun toppings, like Reese’s peanut butter sauce.
Union
- Jammed Up Bakery – They serve dogs and their humans at this local bakery. They offer several vegan cookie flavors for people, and can bake custom order cakes for your pooch.
- Van Gogh’s Ear Cafe – Their dessert menu includes vegan cake, vanilla shakes, and usually a special or two. On the savory side, they have options for vegan burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and tacos, and even more dishes can be made dairy-free with a vegan cheese swap.
Wanamassa
- Seed to Sprout Bakery ⭐️ – This vegan cafe serves an array of baked goods, breakfast items, sandwiches, superfood smoothies, lattes, and fresh juices. They also bake custom order cakes.
Wantage
- Extreme Pizza – They have a whole menu of vegan signature pizzas, and of course, you can build your own dairy-free pizza. You can also custom order one of their many salads.
Warren
- 16 Handles – See our 16 Handles Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Uproot – This modern eatery accommodates special diet needs, and offers a good handful of dairy-free small plates and large plates. Be sure to verify when ordering though – their dairy labeling is slightly off.
Wayne
Westfield
- Fettle + Fare ⭐️ – This dairy-free, gluten-free kitchen serves warm healthy comfort food. They offer bone broth, other soups, mac and cheeses, quesadillas, burritos, wraps, pizzas, and goodies. They also offer a Whole30 meal plan.
- Lexi’s Kitchen ⭐️ – This is an organic, gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, and vegan bakery that makes gourmet frozen bars, raw cakes, and healthy baked granola. They have a seasonal menu of other treats.
- The Salad House ⭐️ – The items containing top allergens are clearly labeled, but that leaves a good handful of dairy-free salads, warm bowls, sandwiches, wraps and small plates. Some additional items can be made dairy-free without cheese.
Westmont
- Heart Beet Kitchen – This vegan cafe serves healthy, delicious food that’ss also gluten free, peanut free, plant based, organic, and locally sourced. They serve brunch, lunch, and dinner with a simple, fresh take on comfort food. They also offer a big smoothie menu, specialty lattes, kombucha, and a case of sweet bakery treats.
West New York
West Orange
- Kosher Express ⭐️ – This is a fast food Chinese kosher glatt restaurant, so even the batters (for fried items), sauces, broths, and appetizers are made without dairy.
Westwood
- Stack Creamery – They typically have a few creamy dairy-free flavors on hand, like coconut milk Charcoal, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Chocolate, or Italian Lemon Ice.
Wildwood
- Polish Water Ice – Polish water ice is a soft serve treat made with a water base, so it’s completely dairy-free. And it comes in many flavors. They also offer water ice shakes and floats at their kiosks.
Woodbury
- Polish Water Ice – Polish water ice is a soft serve treat made with a water base, so it’s completely dairy-free. And it comes in many flavors. They also offer water ice shakes and floats at their kiosks.
Woodcliff Lake
Photo from Rosita’s Yah in Jersey City
Restaurant & Grocery Chains found throughout New Jersey
Some recommended restaurant and store chains are getting too big for our city listing britches. They have many locations, or are rapidly growing, and you might stumble across them in a number of towns in this state. Click on them for more dairy-free details.
- Baskin Robbins – See our Baskin Robbins Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill – See our Chipotle Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Clean Eats Meal Prep – This isn’t a chain, but a local meal delivery company that services all of New Jersey. They let your pick your own entrees, and they’re clearly labeled for dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan customers. But be sure to check both the dairy-free and vegan sections if you want to view all entree options – for some reason, the vegan options aren’t in the dairy-free section. They service all New Jersey.
- Frutta Bowls – They offer acai, pitaya, kale, graviola, smoothie, and oatmeal bowls with many dairy-free and plant-based options.
- Playa Bowls – See our Playa Bowls Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Saladworks – Pretty much their entire menu contains dairy, but they offer an interactive allergen menu that tells you how to custom order most items without dairy (or other special diet needs). You can choose between salads, warm grain bowls, wraps, and a few other items. They offer a good handful of dairy-free dressings, and do have gluten-free and vegan options.
- White Castle – See our White Castle Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
Photo from Choc O Pain in Hoboken
Local Dairy-Free Food & Drink Producers in New Jersey
These dairy-free friendly companies don’t have their own retail location, but are in New Jersey. So you have a good chance of finding their products at grocery stores, restaurants, and/or other shops in this state. Keep an eye out!
- No Whey Chocolate – This classically dairy-free chocolatier works their magic in Lakewood. They don’t have a storefront, but you will find many of their goodies at stores in the state.
- Tofutti – Their products are getting harder and harder to find. But this classic dairy-free brand is headquartered in Cranford, so you’re likely to find their sour cream, dip and cheese alternatives locally (even the vegan ricotta!).
Photo from Urban Pops in Allenhurst
This Guide is Continuously Updated with Recommendations
We welcome you to recommend other dairy-free friendly restaurants. Leave a comment or contact us and tell us why you like a certain restaurant. Restaurant owners and employees are also invited to reach out and let us know how you welcome dairy-free customers.
Please kindly let us know in the comments if any of these restaurants close. We want to keep this list current for you, but aren’t always notified when a restaurant closes. Let us know and we will quickly update!
This Guide is for Informational Purposes Only
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, and restaurants are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure that they can accommodate your situation.
There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.
For More Dairy-Free Guidance, Get Go Dairy Free!
