Guidebook for Jersey City
Food Scene
This neighborhood gem is named after birthplace of cantucci, more widely known as biscotti, in Prato, Italy. This bakery/cafe has amazing, authentic focaccia sandwiches made with high quality imported Italian products. My faves are Spicy Porchetta which they roast in house, Manhattan, Sienna and La Boscaiola sandwiches. Paired with fresh squeezed OJ or limonata makes for exceptional breakfast or lunch.
27 personas locales recomiendan
Prato Bakery
371 4th StThis neighborhood gem is named after birthplace of cantucci, more widely known as biscotti, in Prato, Italy. This bakery/cafe has amazing, authentic focaccia sandwiches made with high quality imported Italian products. My faves are Spicy Porchetta which they roast in house, Manhattan, Sienna and La Boscaiola sandwiches. Paired with fresh squeezed OJ or limonata makes for exceptional breakfast or lunch.
This small, easy on the wallet, Egyptian/Middle Eastern shawarma joint is one of my go to lunch spots. The chicken shawarma with housemade harissa based hot sauce and grilled lamb chops are standouts. Their gypsy box is a good deal for generous amount of food. What keeps me coming back is consistent friendly service and food. Also vegan friendly.
15 personas locales recomiendan
Gypsy Grill
187 Newark AveThis small, easy on the wallet, Egyptian/Middle Eastern shawarma joint is one of my go to lunch spots. The chicken shawarma with housemade harissa based hot sauce and grilled lamb chops are standouts. Their gypsy box is a good deal for generous amount of food. What keeps me coming back is consistent friendly service and food. Also vegan friendly.
Literally around the corner from my house this neighborhood gem serves quality burgers and rotating draft beers. Service is always great and has outdoor seating. Family friendly although it can get a bit loud inside when fully booked. Buffalo wings, Whitestar burger and Crispy Chicken Sandwich are my go to favorites at this well run establishment. Also opens late (2am!).
39 personas locales recomiendan
White Star Bar
230 Brunswick StLiterally around the corner from my house this neighborhood gem serves quality burgers and rotating draft beers. Service is always great and has outdoor seating. Family friendly although it can get a bit loud inside when fully booked. Buffalo wings, Whitestar burger and Crispy Chicken Sandwich are my go to favorites at this well run establishment. Also opens late (2am!).
Indian grocery that surreptitiously serves really good takeout only Indian food! This place started as American deli/grocery then there was a ownership change and new owners introduced takeout Indian food that is very affordable and delicious. Chicken Tikka Masala, Curry Chicken, Palak Paneer, Chole Masala are standouts. They also have extensive vegetarian options as well. Vegetables are not the freshest but if you're in a bind it's a very convenient place to pick up your pantry essentials.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Prime Food Market
180 10th StIndian grocery that surreptitiously serves really good takeout only Indian food! This place started as American deli/grocery then there was a ownership change and new owners introduced takeout Indian food that is very affordable and delicious. Chicken Tikka Masala, Curry Chicken, Palak Paneer, Chole Masala are standouts. They also have extensive vegetarian options as well. Vegetables are not the freshest but if you're in a bind it's a very convenient place to pick up your pantry essentials.
American style Barbecue joint with friendly service and good brisket with a bar made out of shipping container. Daily Happy hour deals and good food makes this place a neighborhood gem. Also has outdoor seating and cool spot to bring friends from out of town.
34 personas locales recomiendan
Hamilton Pork
247 10th StAmerican style Barbecue joint with friendly service and good brisket with a bar made out of shipping container. Daily Happy hour deals and good food makes this place a neighborhood gem. Also has outdoor seating and cool spot to bring friends from out of town.
BYOB, family friendly neighborhood pizza restaurant with generous portions. They make their own mozzarella in house and overall excellent value for the quality. Sausage broccoli rabe appetizer, portobello salad and a Margherita pie make for a complete midweek meal. Sometimes their crust can be little undercooked so we always ask for it “well done”. Best bang for buck is to grab one of their gigantic slices for like $3, at the takeout counter on 5th street.
31 personas locales recomiendan
Rustique Pizza
611 Jersey AveBYOB, family friendly neighborhood pizza restaurant with generous portions. They make their own mozzarella in house and overall excellent value for the quality. Sausage broccoli rabe appetizer, portobello salad and a Margherita pie make for a complete midweek meal. Sometimes their crust can be little undercooked so we always ask for it “well done”. Best bang for buck is to grab one of their gigantic slices for like $3, at the takeout counter on 5th street.
Their coffee/espresso is best in downtown Jersey City IMHO. They use Counterculture beans and I've been a fan since they opened. Cappuccino and Lattes are done to perfection. They also have a juice bar.
31 personas locales recomiendan
Dames Coffee Espresso Bar
581 Jersey AveTheir coffee/espresso is best in downtown Jersey City IMHO. They use Counterculture beans and I've been a fan since they opened. Cappuccino and Lattes are done to perfection. They also have a juice bar.
Started by Los Angeles transplants as a humble food cart way back when downtown JC was very much up and coming, this now brick and mortar taqueria is authentic and one of the best in NY metro. All the tacos are must haves especially carnitas, pescado, and if you're into more adventurous inclined, buche and lengua. Their house made salsas and hot sauces are perfect accompaniment to all of their tacos.
31 personas locales recomiendan
La Taqueria Downtown
236 Grove StStarted by Los Angeles transplants as a humble food cart way back when downtown JC was very much up and coming, this now brick and mortar taqueria is authentic and one of the best in NY metro. All the tacos are must haves especially carnitas, pescado, and if you're into more adventurous inclined, buche and lengua. Their house made salsas and hot sauces are perfect accompaniment to all of their tacos.
Excellent cocktails, pretty decor, nice place to take a date or go on a double date. Menu is solid all around with portion size on the smaller side but delicious nonetheless.
41 personas locales recomiendan
Mathews Food and Drink
351 Grove StExcellent cocktails, pretty decor, nice place to take a date or go on a double date. Menu is solid all around with portion size on the smaller side but delicious nonetheless.
Once you go Krispy, you never go Dunkin'. Stick with their classic - original glazed. You can watch the donuts being made behind the glass wall and once you taste the first bite of that warm, pillowy, sweet fried dough you will instantly feel nirvana. The size, texture, and glaze and most importantly the serving temperature (must eat it then and there) really makes you hate chains less.
21 personas locales recomiendan
Krispy Kreme
2 Pennsylvania PlazaOnce you go Krispy, you never go Dunkin'. Stick with their classic - original glazed. You can watch the donuts being made behind the glass wall and once you taste the first bite of that warm, pillowy, sweet fried dough you will instantly feel nirvana. The size, texture, and glaze and most importantly the serving temperature (must eat it then and there) really makes you hate chains less.
Best quality sushi shop in Jersey City and awarded Michelin bib gourmand. Chef is a CIA grad with 15 yrs of experience. Beautiful decor with outdoor space. Lunch set menus or sushi hand roll course are great bargains for the quality and variety of dishes.
13 personas locales recomiendan
DOMODOMO Jersey City
200 Greene StBest quality sushi shop in Jersey City and awarded Michelin bib gourmand. Chef is a CIA grad with 15 yrs of experience. Beautiful decor with outdoor space. Lunch set menus or sushi hand roll course are great bargains for the quality and variety of dishes.
Recently open Italian-Am deli with friendly service. Great for breakfast bagel sandwiches, high quality Italian subs and even fresh meat to cook at home. Already a neighborhood gem.
Cangiano's Marketplace
225 Pavonia AveRecently open Italian-Am deli with friendly service. Great for breakfast bagel sandwiches, high quality Italian subs and even fresh meat to cook at home. Already a neighborhood gem.
Great spot for plain cheese or pepperoni slice. Everything else is very average.
11 personas locales recomiendan
Carmines Pizza Factory
366 8th StGreat spot for plain cheese or pepperoni slice. Everything else is very average.
Tacos Victoria
324 1/2 7th StMust try Mexican Quesadillas and Tostadas
Corto
507 Palisade AveGreat spot for artisanal handmade pasta dishes. BYOB
Waterfront restaurant with solid seafood centric food and gorgeous views of Manhattan skyline.
Battello
502 Washington BoulevardWaterfront restaurant with solid seafood centric food and gorgeous views of Manhattan skyline.
Value oriented omakase joint located inside Ani Ramen shop. You have 60 minutes consume 12 pieces of curated sushi pieces prepared by attentive and friendly chefs. Must book by opentable.
Sushi By Bou
132 W 47th StValue oriented omakase joint located inside Ani Ramen shop. You have 60 minutes consume 12 pieces of curated sushi pieces prepared by attentive and friendly chefs. Must book by opentable.
Best steakhouse in JC. Friendly service and solid dry aged steaks.
56 personas locales recomiendan
Edward's Steakhouse
239 Marin BlvdBest steakhouse in JC. Friendly service and solid dry aged steaks.
South Carolina transplant that started out as a food truck. Great spot for brunch and breakfast baked goods.
Scram Bakery
61 Erie StreetSouth Carolina transplant that started out as a food truck. Great spot for brunch and breakfast baked goods.
Perfect spot with friendly service for those with sweet tooth. Expertly made chocolate desserts by Chef Eric.
6 personas locales recomiendan
L'Atelier Du Chocolat
251 Newark AvenuePerfect spot with friendly service for those with sweet tooth. Expertly made chocolate desserts by Chef Eric.
This tiny corner spot serves great coffee about 3 minute walk from the apartment.
Rabble & Lion Coffee
156 Brunswick StreetThis tiny corner spot serves great coffee about 3 minute walk from the apartment.
Great value Cuban/pan Latin restaurant with a liquor license. Awesome Rice & Beans, Cuban Sandwich, Ropa Vieja, Chicharrones. Their weekday lunch menu is one of the best bargains around with good service to boot. Nice place for outdoor dining during warmer months.
Rumba Cubana
Great value Cuban/pan Latin restaurant with a liquor license. Awesome Rice & Beans, Cuban Sandwich, Ropa Vieja, Chicharrones. Their weekday lunch menu is one of the best bargains around with good service to boot. Nice place for outdoor dining during warmer months.
Well run restaurant with a friendly service and outdoor seating. Crispy wings, burgers, spicy tuna tartar, and nachos are all standouts.
90 personas locales recomiendan
The Hamilton Inn
708 Jersey AveWell run restaurant with a friendly service and outdoor seating. Crispy wings, burgers, spicy tuna tartar, and nachos are all standouts.
Best upscale Chinese restaurant in Jersey City. Recommend Peking duck, pork belly w mashed garlic, steamed pork buns, mapo tofu. Wok hei at high level on many stir fried dishes.
Jiangnan NJC
Best upscale Chinese restaurant in Jersey City. Recommend Peking duck, pork belly w mashed garlic, steamed pork buns, mapo tofu. Wok hei at high level on many stir fried dishes.
Fun self-serve conveyor belt style sushi spot. It’s a well known chain from Japan, reasonable prices. I love their Hokkaido scallop sushi and handrolls, dashi olive salmon, shrimp, squid and umami beef. My daughter loves to order avocado handroll and beef udon.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
Fun self-serve conveyor belt style sushi spot. It’s a well known chain from Japan, reasonable prices. I love their Hokkaido scallop sushi and handrolls, dashi olive salmon, shrimp, squid and umami beef. My daughter loves to order avocado handroll and beef udon.
Good neighborhood Vietnamese spot with solid pho dac biet, good grilled pork chops and iced coffee.
The Corner Pho
Good neighborhood Vietnamese spot with solid pho dac biet, good grilled pork chops and iced coffee.
Best Turkish restaurant in Jersey City. Great babaganush, doner and kebabs. Service can be inconsistent but food is great.
Efes Mediterranean Grill Jersey City
Best Turkish restaurant in Jersey City. Great babaganush, doner and kebabs. Service can be inconsistent but food is great.
Well run restaurant with nice line of Mediterranean dishes, friendly service, good wine list. Never had a bad meal at this Paulus Hook mainstay. You can walk off your meal along the waterfront overlooking gorgeous Manhattan skyline.
88 personas locales recomiendan
Satis Bistro
212 Washington StWell run restaurant with nice line of Mediterranean dishes, friendly service, good wine list. Never had a bad meal at this Paulus Hook mainstay. You can walk off your meal along the waterfront overlooking gorgeous Manhattan skyline.
Krewe of McGinley Square
One of the best brunch and lunch spots in all of Jersey City. Super friendly owner Tory is usually walking the floor to make sure you’re well taken care of.
Cafe Alyce/ Bar Alyce
One of the best brunch and lunch spots in all of Jersey City. Super friendly owner Tory is usually walking the floor to make sure you’re well taken care of.
Fantastic and reasonably priced authentic western Chinese restaurant that focuses on fresh hand pulled noodles. Recommended dishes: spicy lamb skewers, pork & cabbage dumplings, sautéed lamb noodles, and Big Plate Chicken (spicy).
Dun Huang Noodles
Fantastic and reasonably priced authentic western Chinese restaurant that focuses on fresh hand pulled noodles. Recommended dishes: spicy lamb skewers, pork & cabbage dumplings, sautéed lamb noodles, and Big Plate Chicken (spicy).
Fantastic Indian restaurant. Best time to go is during weekend bunch time where they serve all you can eat buffet ($19.99 for adults, $9.99 for kids 10 and under). BYOB
Swadist
Fantastic Indian restaurant. Best time to go is during weekend bunch time where they serve all you can eat buffet ($19.99 for adults, $9.99 for kids 10 and under). BYOB
Newly opened supermarket chain with quality products. Be sure to take recyclable grocery bags hung in front closet.
Whole Foods Market
Newly opened supermarket chain with quality products. Be sure to take recyclable grocery bags hung in front closet.
Drinks & Nightlife
What's not to like about throwback arcade place with a full bar? This Brooklyn based chain is darkly lit but thoroughly enjoyable if you want to rehash fond childhood memories on old arcade games like pacman, daytona, tetris etc.. all the while sipping on nice selection of draft beers.
587 personas locales recomiendan
Barcade
388 Union AveWhat's not to like about throwback arcade place with a full bar? This Brooklyn based chain is darkly lit but thoroughly enjoyable if you want to rehash fond childhood memories on old arcade games like pacman, daytona, tetris etc.. all the while sipping on nice selection of draft beers.
The Archer
176 Newark AveGreat spot for the budget minded. Their Happy Hour drinks and bar eat deals are hard to beat. Service can be hit or miss.
36 personas locales recomiendan
O'Hara's
172 1st StGreat spot for the budget minded. Their Happy Hour drinks and bar eat deals are hard to beat. Service can be hit or miss.
Parks & Nature
One of the most ideal place in Jersey City to take a photo with backdrop of Manhattan skyline and lady liberty. There's also Korean War Memorial within for all you veteran families or history buffs. Little hidden gem spot for photos and dog walk.
18 personas locales recomiendan
Morris Canal Park
158 Washington StOne of the most ideal place in Jersey City to take a photo with backdrop of Manhattan skyline and lady liberty. There's also Korean War Memorial within for all you veteran families or history buffs. Little hidden gem spot for photos and dog walk.
Quiet, peaceful, never crowded public park with amazing views of lower Manhattan and New York Harbour. This park is truly a Jersey City treasure. In the summer you can barbecue while your kids play in the large playground. Or take advantage of vast and expansive open greenspace that surrounds you to fly a kite or play frisbee. You can go fishing on the boardwalk or jog or ride your bike while being mesmerized by lovely views of lower manhattan and lady liberty.
465 personas locales recomiendan
Liberty State Park
1 Audrey Zapp DriveQuiet, peaceful, never crowded public park with amazing views of lower Manhattan and New York Harbour. This park is truly a Jersey City treasure. In the summer you can barbecue while your kids play in the large playground. Or take advantage of vast and expansive open greenspace that surrounds you to fly a kite or play frisbee. You can go fishing on the boardwalk or jog or ride your bike while being mesmerized by lovely views of lower manhattan and lady liberty.
This gorgeous urban park full of 100 yr old trees and center gazebo is 4 minute walk from the apartment that is a gathering place for locals. They have farmer’s market during summer and early fall months. There’s a large children’s playground, 2 dog runs and a perfect place to pick up some food nearby and have a picnic on a bench or on grass.
126 personas locales recomiendan
Hamilton Park
25 W Hamilton PlThis gorgeous urban park full of 100 yr old trees and center gazebo is 4 minute walk from the apartment that is a gathering place for locals. They have farmer’s market during summer and early fall months. There’s a large children’s playground, 2 dog runs and a perfect place to pick up some food nearby and have a picnic on a bench or on grass.