7 Restaurants That Are Absolutely Worth Leaving the City For

There’s a reason this 92-year-old spot—one of the oldest pizzerias in the U.S.—is on every single pizza bucket list (and often at the top): Its coal-fired, garlicky, briny White Clam Pie is legendary. (FYI, there’s an outpost in Yonkers, but the original location is worth the two-hour train ride.)

157 Wooster St., New Haven, CT; 203-865-5762 or pepespizzeria.com

The couple behind this Hudson Valley charmer cut their teeth at some serious NYC restaurants—Diner, Franny’s, Gramercy Tavern—but the vibe here is all neighborly, small-town charm. Well, small-town charm plus mind-blowing fried chicken, oysters, gorgeous seasonal veggies and a killer wine list. 

2 Church Ave., Germantown, NY; 518-537-2107 or gaskinsny.com

Who wouldn’t want to dine in this adorable red barn (a former sawmill and basket-weaving factory)? Aside from the charming environs, though, the hearty menu is never boring, like in a crabmeat salad with blackberries and sesame dressing or duck breast with crispy rice and orange hoisin. The fact that it’s BYOB is just icing on the cake. 

2 Barnstable Ct., Saddle River, NJ; 201-825-4016 or saddleriverinn.com

We’ll get this out of the way: Chef and co-owner Dan Barber’s revered farm-to-table experience is a cool $258 per person (not including drinks or the tip-alternative “administrative fee”). But if you—or a generous friend or relative—are willing to throw down, the inventive, hyper-locavore meal (made with ingredients grown and raised at the Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture and nearby Hudson Valley farms) is worth every penny.

 630 Bedford Rd., Pocantico Hills, NY; 914-366-9600 or bluehillfarm.com

When Pete Wells of The New York Times raves about a restaurant, you pay attention. Especially when that restaurant traffics in wood-burning, creatively topped, farm-to-table pizzas. 

275 Grove St., Jersey City, NJ; 201-356-9348 or razzanj.com