With a growing number of people constantly being more conscious about their health, ketogenic and low-carb diets are becoming increasingly popular. These diets limit your daily carbohydrate allowance with the goal of utilizing fat as the primary source of energy, otherwise known as being in a state of ketosis.
Typically a keto diet limits your carb intake to less than fifty grams a day; this means you have to be really specific with your meals and have little room for blunders that might kick you out of the hard-earned ketosis. It can be challenging to find good places to eat out that offer a sufficient amount of low-carb options that will satiate your appetite without ruining your diet.
We’re writing this article to help you find the best low-carb and keto-friendly restaurants all across America. In this edition, we’ll be diving into some of the best keto-compliant restaurants the gorgeous state of New Jersey has to offer. New Jersey is known for its breathtaking scenery, nature, beaches, casinos, and, most importantly, great FOOD!
We’ve compiled a list of restaurants serving up low-carb and keto-friendly dishes from various cuisines that will satisfy your hunger without risking your ketogenic state. Most of these restaurants don’t have nutritional guides. Still, after thoroughly researching the menus and using our knowledge of food groups, we’ve put together all the delicious foods you can enjoy on your low-carb diet.
#1. Ghost Truck Kitchen
Address: 365 Varick Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone Number: 201-706-3989
Operating Hours: Mondays 4 – 10 PM, Tuesday to Thursday 12 – 10 PM, Friday to Sunday 12-11 PM
Ghost Truck Kitchen is an extremely popular and hip takeout and delivery place that serves various menus showcasing the skill and creativity of its culinary team. The establishment ensures the use of the highest quality, fresh ingredients that elevate the dining experience. It’s a food truck experience like no other.
GTK offers a unique variety of keto-friendly foods that will surely leave you longing for more. Their scrumptious smoked wings come in five different low-carb flavors that will tantalize your tastebuds while staying inside your carbohydrate allowance. Other low-carb items include fresh salads, bowls, signature sandwiches, and tasty side dishes.
After carefully studying Ghost Truck Kitchen, we’ve narrowed down the following menu items that are safe for consumption if you’re on the Keto diet. However, you should also conduct some research of your own before visiting.
Organic Wings
The wings at GTK are smoked in-house and available in a variety of unique flavors. These high-protein wings are perfect if you’re on a low-carb diet.
- Naked Grilled Wings
- Buffalo Wings
- Jerk Wings
- Garlic Parmesan Wings
- Thai Curry Wings
Scratch Sandwiches
GTK offers some mind-blowing and creative sandwiches you can enjoy by skipping on the bread and ordering your sandwich in a lettuce wrap.
- Bahn Yu
- Pulled Pork Sandwich
- Chipotle Steak Sandwich
- Buffalo Grilled Chicken
- Notorious BLT
Bowly Moly
Global cuisines inspire the bowls at GTK, and each bowl will transport you to a different country. Just ask the waiter to eliminate the rice from your bowl, and you’re good to go.
- GTK Coconut Curry
- Greek Farro Bowl
- Island Bowl
Salad Gold
The delicious salads made with fresh veggies are the healthiest low-carb choice at GTK.
- GTK Greek Salad
- Garlic Caesar (no croutons)
- Chopped Wedge
- Vegan Greek Farro
Vegan Out
These vegan options are perfect for you if you’re vegan and on a low-carb diet.
- Greekin without Feta
- Broccoli and Garlic
- Roasted Seasonal Vegetable
#2. Cava
Address: 30 Montgomery Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302 (Has multiple locations in NJ)
Phone Number: 201-205-1309
Operating Hours: Daily 10:45 AM – 10 PM
Cava is a modern restaurant offering a Greek-inspired menu comprising fully customizable meals. This is perfect for people on the keto diet since they have full control over all the ingredients going into their meals.
Ordering keto at Cava is simple; pick a base, a dip, a protein, your favorite toppings, and top it all off with some delicious dressings.
Base
- Salad
- Greens + Grains
Dips & Spreads
- Roasted Eggplants
- Tzatziki
- Crazy Feta
- Harissa
Proteins
- Spicy Lamb Meatballs
- Roasted Vegetables
- Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Meatballs
- Braised Lamb
Toppings
- Shredded Romaine
- Picked Onions
- Cabbage Slaw
- Persian Cucumber
- Crumbled Feta
- Avocado
- Kalamata Olives
- Fire Roasted Corn
Dressings
- Lemon Herb Tahini
- Greek Vinaigrette
- Yogurt Dill
- Hot Harissa Vinaigrette
- Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette
#3. Valenca Restaurant
Address: 665 Monroe Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Phone Number: 908-354-4024
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:30 AM – 11 PM, Thursday to Sunday 12 – 11 PM
Valenca is an excellent restaurant if you’re a meat lover because the variety of grilled meats is endless. The restaurant specializes in Portuguese and Spanish cuisine and offers an expansive spread of items that will leave you mesmerized.
Much of their menu is low-carb and high-protein, which makes Valenca perfect for your diet. Moreover, it’s known for its huge portions and excellent service.
Appetizers
Valenca offers numerous low-carb appetizers that come in massive portions, making them perfect for sharing.
- Raw Clams in Shell
- Shrimp Cocktail Valenca
- Portuguese Sausage with Shrimp Mozambique Style
- Clams in Garlic Sauce with Portuguese Sausage
- Spanish Chorizo Sausage
- White Asparagus Gratinated with Shrimp
- Stuffed Mushrooms with Homemade Crab Meat
- King Crab Legs Mozambique Style
- New Zealand Mussels in Green Sauce
- Fresh Goat Cheese with Fresh Cut Proscuitto
Seafood
Valenca is the perfect place for you if you love devouring seafood.
- Grilled Codfish with Olive Oil Garlic Peppers and Onions
- Monk Fish with Assorted Seafood in a Tomato Sauce
- Stuffed Flounder with Crab Meat and Valenca Sauce
- Tuna Steak in Garlic Sauce
- Grilled Chilean Seabass
- Stuffed Salmon with Spinach
- King Crab Legs
- Grilled Lobster Tails
- Grilled Jumbo Shrimp
Meats
The main attraction at Valenca is its steaks. The perfect meal if you’re on the Keto diet.
- Sirloin Steak with Shrimp, Mushrooms, and Mozarella
- Grilled Filet Mignon with Mushroom Sauce
- Grilled Surf and Turf
- Grilled T-Bone Steak
- Grilled Beef Shortribs
- Grilled Veal Chops
- Sauteed Lamb Chops
Chicken
- Chicken Breast Sauteed with Shrimp
- Chicken Breast in Garlic Sauce
- BBQ Chicken
#4. Hamilton Pork
Address: 247 10th St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone Number: 201-957-7245
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:30 AM – 10 PM, Friday to Sunday 11 AM – 11 PM
Hamilton Pork is a hip and happening barbeque spot in Jersey that’s specializing in Texas-style BBQ, among other items. It is a takeout and delivery restaurant only and serves some of the most delectable food in the area.
Their menu ranges from delicious starters, sides, and smoked meats to some fusion Mexican cuisine to change things up a bit. If you’re on the Keto diet, there are plenty of low-carb options for you to grub on.
Salads & Shareables
Perfect if you’re looking for a light and healthy snack to satiate your hunger pangs.
- Taco Salad (no tortilla strips)
- Fajita Bowl
- Smoked Wings
- Kung Pow Cauliflower
Smoked Meats
If you love BBQ, Hamilton Pork is the place to be. Their delectable meats a smoked low and slow to achieve that fall-off-the-bone tender goodness. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a low-carb meal.
- Brisket
- Pulled Pork
- Giant Beef Rib
- Pork Belly
- Lamb Belly
- Pulled Chicken
- Pork Ribs
- Habanero Cheddar Sausage
- Baby Back Ribs
Mexican
You can order a variety of tacos from Hamilton Pork; the only thing you need to keep in mind is to swap the tortilla with a lettuce wrap.
- Various Tacos (no tortilla)
- Fajitas (no rice)
- Burritos (no tortilla or rice)
Sandwiches
While ordering the scrumptious sandwiches, remember to ask for the bread to be swapped with lettuce wraps to make them keto-compliant.
- El Pollo Loco
- Brisket
- Pulled Pork Cuban
- Smoked Beef
- Parish Pig
Sides
Enjoy mouth-watering low-carb sides with your mains to make for the perfect meal.
- Cucumber Salad
- Mexican Street Corn
- Classic Slaw
- Burnt End Beans
- Sauteed Baby Kale
- Brussels Sprouts
#5. The Melting Pot
Address: 250 Center Ave, Westwood, New Jersey 07675 (Has multiple locations in NJ)
Phone Number: 201-664-8877
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday 5 – 8:30 PM, Friday and Saturday 4 – 10 PM, Sunday 12 – 8 PM
The Melting Pot offers an interactive dining experience that is perfect for dates and get-togethers. It offers delicious cheese fondue with an assortment of meats, fruits, and vegetables which is ideal for people on the keto diet. The cozy, spacious restaurant is perfect for laughter, conversation, and great food.
The ordering process is simple; just order the cheese blend you prefer, choose the meats and veggies you want, and finally, choose the cooking style you want for your fondue. Remember to skip the bread and focus on the proteins.
Entree Fondue
- The Classic
- Steak Lovers
- Land and Sea
- Pacific Rim
- Create Your Own
Cheese Fondue
- Wisconsin Cheddar
- Classic Alpine
- Fiesta
- Spinach Artichoke
- Quattro Formaggio
Salads
- Melting Pot House
- Caesar (no croutons)
- California
- Caprese
#6. Curry Up Now
Address: 91 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone Number: 201-659-2879
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday 12 – 9 PM, Friday to Sunday 12 – 10 PM
Curry Up Now is a food-truck-inspired restaurant that specializes in Indian street food. We all know that Indian food has some of the most complex and rich flavors known to the world. But you’ll have to tread carefully, though, because many Indian dishes are rich in carbs.
Let us look at some of the delectable keto-friendly dishes you can enjoy at Curry Up Now.
Bowls
Remember to skip the rice and daal lentils and replace them with cauliflower rice.
- Lamb Bowl
- Tikka Masala Bowl
- Ghee Makhni Butter Bowl
- Keto Bowl
- Paleo Bowl
Rice Plate
You can order the scrumptious rice plates with riced cauliflower instead of regular rice to adhere to your dietary restrictions.
- Tikka Masala
- Ghee Makhni Butter
- Saag Paneer
- Kadhai
- Lamb Keema
Family Style Entrees
You can order the family-style entrees to share with a group of friends so people can enjoy a bit of everything from the menu.
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Ghee Makhni Butter Chicken
- Lamb Keema
- Kadhai Chicken
- Paneer Tikka Masala
- Riced Cauliflower
#7. Purely Juiced
Address: 262 1st St A, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone Number: 201-420-8888
Operating Hours: Daily 8 AM – 6 PM
Purely Juiced is a fresh drink place that offers fresh juices, smoothies, specialty drinks, and elixirs free of added sugars and 100% natural. They also offer a variety of food items that include healthy low-carb options. All the drinks are made fresh, and the establishment provides detailed nutritional information too.
- Cold Pressed Juices
- Smoothies
- Fresh Juices
- Specialty Drinks & Cold Brews
- Cafe Au Lait (Almond Milk)
- Cleanses
- Zucchini Lasagna
- Sunflower Power Rolls
- Made-To-Order Bowls
- Sandwiches (lettuce wraps instead of bread)
- Salads
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
