Garden State Diner (Newark Airport)

The Garden State Diner in the Newark airport is one I’ve wanted to go to for years. It feels like forever since I’ve written a diner review, but that’s how it goes. I never really know how the blog would evolve and change. I wanted to go to the Garden State Diner at Newark Airport when we lived in New Jersey. It was not enough to fly out of Newark,, and, it never made sense for us to do so. Philadelphia was 15 minutes from our house and generally had everything we needed. So when I landed at the Newark Airport last week, I was excited to get to New Jersey 303.

It’s important to know this diner is not owned by the same people who owned the Garden State Diner in Wrightstown, which has since shut down. Crazy that I reviewed that one in 2015; it was one of my first ones! Time flies when you’re dinering.

People who have followed my blog forever know I was on a journey to go to as many New Jersey diners as possible. Before moving away in 2020, I made it to 300. In California, there are diners, but they aren’t the same. So I only go if something appeals to me.

Garden State Diner (Newark Airport): Atmosphere: A

It’s not easy to miss the Garden State Diner at Newark Airport. It’s a small, metallic, and shiny restaurant. It definitely stands out. There are no actual walls, so you can see inside and see several booths and tables as well as a bar. They weren’t sitting anyone at the bar when I went. In all, it’s as authentic as a New Jersey airport diner can be.

Coffee: X

I did order coffee at the Garden State Diner, but the waiter forgot to bring it out. No big deal, and I didn’t get charged either.

Garden State Diner (Newark Airport) Food: A

The Garden State Diner menu has everything you want in a New Jersey Diner. They have Taylor ham, omelets, sandwiches, salads, and huge pancakes and waffles. Honestly they have everything really that a diner needs.

Some of the items on the Garden State Diner menu that stood out to me include:

Chili Nachos Americano: Crispy house-made potato chips, tomatoes, red onions, fresh jalapenos, shredded lettuce, melted Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, Uncle Mike’s slow-cooked beef and bean chili, sour cream, and green onions.
Turnpike Burger: Comes with sauteed portabella mushroom slices, caramelized onion, and melted Swiss cheese.
Nutella Nut Job Melt: Vanilla ice cream, Nutella, chocolate milk.

Oddly enough, the Garden State Diner website says to stay tuned for the “grand opening,” but I know they’ve been open for years!

I decided to return it to one of my favorite dinner meals: The Greek salad. It said anchovies on request, and of course, I ordered those as chicken. I was pleasantly surprised when it came out because the portion was pretty significant. It also tasted good and was one of my favorite airport meals.

Garden State Diner (Newark Airport) Service: B

My server was super friendly and nice. The problem was it took forever to be seated, and the food took a long time to come out. I was surprised, considering most airport restaurants should be quick. Luckily, I wasn’t really in a rush.

Cost: $$

Woof, for my salad with chicken, it was $44. Now don’t get me wrong, it was good and reasonably large, but outside of the airport, it probably would have cost $12-$15

Garden State Diner (Newark Airport) Thoughts/Would I Come Back?

I’m a big fan of the Garden State Diner, and I’m glad it went. It’s an expensive choice, but the food was good, and I enjoyed my experience. I don’t know if I would recommend it if you have a quick layover or need to be somewhere immediately, but if you want to enjoy good New Jersey vibes in the airport, it’s a great option.

Atmosphere: A

Coffee: X

Food: A

Cost: $18-30

Service: B

Overall: B