For those of us who love Italian food, the odds are we could live here in the Garden State our whole lives and not try everything. Still, even in the best spot for pasta and pizza in the country (in my humble opinion), I still manage to be surprised once in a while. That’s definitely the case at Di Palma Brothers in North Bergen, which might be the most unique Italian restaurant in NJ – or the whole country.

The food here is excellent – big, hearty portions of Italian classics – but that’s not the surprising part. That comes in the setting, as what looks like a typical neighborhood restaurant on the outside gives way to a quirky interior that feels more like a rummage sale or antique store than a restaurant – because it actually is.