New Jersey offers everything from gourmet cuisine to ‘home-cooking' country food, in settings ranging from restaurants to diners. The area has been influenced by continuing waves of immigrants from England and Europe, and restaurants reflect the cosmopolitan mix, with rich cultural traditions. Food and wine festivals can be found throughout the year.

Regional specialities:
• Seafood.
• Steaks.
• Italian.

Atlantic City's nightclubs are open until the small hours and there is round-the-clock gambling available at the casinos. Some of the oceanfront towns have clubs and entertainment centres, with a lively atmosphere along the boardwalks into the evenings.

Shopping in New Jersey appeals to all tastes and budgets. Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth is the state's largest outlet shopping mall, while upmarket shopping malls feature the famous department stores of Macy's, Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue. Bargains on brand-name merchandise can be found at the Secaucus Outlet Center in Secaucus. Liberty Village and Turntable Junction outlet centres in Flemington offer equally attractive deals. Antique stores fill small New Jersey towns like Chester, Haddonfield and Mullica Hill, while outdoor flea markets offer an eclectic array of jewellery, clothing, housewares, furniture and more. There is no sales tax on clothing in New Jersey.