We’ve rounded up the best Jersey City restaurants so you don’t have to. From decades-old Italian-American red sauce joints to Honduran street food and award-winning Bangladeshi food, these are the best restaurants in Jersey City.
Mariscos El Submarino
This popular coastal Mexican joint first made waves in Jackson Heights, Queens for its seafood-centric menu before making its way over to this side of the Hudson in 2025. Walk in on any given night and you’ll find the low-key room packed—diners sitting shoulder-to-shoulder chowing down on raw shrimp aguachiles, fresh ceviches, charred octopus tacos, and smoky mesquite-grilled shrimp—head-on and teeming with flavor.
Perquín
Chef Bryan Girón brings his Honduran roots to Paulus Hook at Perquín. What the buzzworthy Latin-American joint lacks in size it makes up for with huge flavor. Don’t skip the baleada—a Honduran staple which sees creamy refried beans, sweet plantains, sumac onions, queso fresco, and zingy crema loaded into a supple flour tortilla that’s made by hand, to order. Crisp empanadas come stuffed to the brim with savory beef picadillo and a sweat-inducing habanero hot sauce for dipping, while the house-favorite pollo chuco shows Honduran street food at its finest with crunchy fried chicken, crispy green plantain, pickled cabbage, and tomato salsa.
Boulevard Drinks
Since 1937, Boulevard Drinks has dished out flat top-cooked hot dogs—anointed with a variety of toppings including mustard, kraut, and chili—from the heart of Journal Square. The counter-service storefront transports you back decades with its yellow-and-red detailing and its no-frills attitude. Right now, Boulevard Drinks is facing possible displacement as the Jersey City planning board approves plans to replace the institution with a 55-story mixed-use development, including a Whole Foods at the ground level. The news has prompted an outpouring of support as fans of the legendary hot dog joint look to save a slice of Journal Square food history.
Sri Ganesh’s Dosa House
Jersey City has long been known as a hub for some of NJ’s best Indian restaurants, and Sri Ganesh’s Dosa House is among the finest. The restaurant specializes in South Indian crepes made from ground, fermented lentils and rice. With close to 70 dosas on the menu, it can be daunting to choose—but we recommend a classic for your first visit: the masala dosa served with creamy coconut chutney and sambhar, a veggie stew that is limitless (no, really—you can keep refilling your cup). Sri Ganesh’s Dosa House has become so beloved that one Eater editor called it “the best restaurant in the world.” Hyperbolic? Maybe. Guess you’ll just have to try it yourself to find out.
Razza
We couldn’t leave off what New York Times food critic Pete Wells once called “the best pizza in New York.” That was many years ago, and Razza has steadily climbed the ranks of the nation’s best pizza since then. You’ll find cleverly topped pies like the seasonal Jersey corn pie or the mainstay Guancia with salty pork jowl, alongside menu staples like sourdough with cultured butter, marinated chickpeas, flame-roasted meatballs with ricotta, and crunchy seasonal salads. Owner and pizza master Dan Richer’s concept for Razza has always been to highlight top-notch ingredients with sheer simplicity. It hasn’t failed yet, making it one of the best restaurants in Jersey City.
White Mana
This Jersey City institution has been dishing out onion-topped hamburger sliders since the 1940s. The mid-century diner was purchased at the 1939 New York World’s Fair in Flushing—later plopped right in the middle of Tonnele Ave, leading into the city. White Mana has become a part of broader New Jersey food lore for its contribution to burger culture, and it remains a landmark restaurant for good reason—one of the best examples of the kind of history this city has to offer.
Laico’s
For 50 years, Laico’s has been serving its community with Italian-American staples in a cozy setting that looks straight out of a Scorsese film. It’s a restaurant left over from Jersey City’s past—bridging a gap between the modern dining scene and the traditions of decades prior. Think steamed clams, chicken francese, Spiedini alla Romana, and, of course, the famous chicken parm. It’s a red sauce joint through and through, serving as a portal into what dining in New Jersey once looked like. Smack dab in the middle of a residential neighborhood, with its exposed brick, stained-glass windows, and old-school wait staff, Laico’s is a period piece of a restaurant.
San Patricio’s
The team behind the former best bar in the world, The Dead Rabbit, brings San Patricio’s to Jersey City. The Mexican-Irish pub tells a story of Irish and Mexican brotherhood, first forged during the Mexican-American War. Owner Jack McGarry tells that story through cocktails—putting together creative concoctions that mix elements from each culture. Irish poitín, a traditional distilled spirit, meets tequila and sour orange in the Margarita de la Casa, while the San Patricios coffee combines Patrón and Teeling Irish Whiskey for a boozy, caffeinated treat. Irish cheddar queso fundido, Pacifico-battered fish and chips tacos, and a seriously good Sunday roast—chile-rubbed rib roast, cheesy cauliflower, mash, Yorkshire pudding, and jus—comes in at a steal for only $38. Downstairs is the Life of Reilly, a speakeasy-style bar where the world of craft cocktails and Irish revolutionary history opens up even more.
Ondo
Chef Brian Kim puts his culinary poise on full display at Ondo (온도), located right on the Hudson River. The upscale Korean restaurant has become a genre-defining eatery for Jersey City diners, who are treated to chestnut-scented short ribs, spicy fried chicken, and traditional Japchae—stir-fried glass noodles with mixed veggies. The menu takes inspiration from homestyle Korean cooking while venturing deep into the depths of Michelin-starred technique. Add impressive cocktails and a Korean spirits list, and you get a restaurant that is unlike anything else in the city. It’s a destination restaurant. Full stop.
Korai Kitchen
Korai Kitchen is Chef Nur-E Gulshan Rahman’s—AKA “Mama Rahman”—love letter to Bangladeshi cooking. Think slow-cooked goat stews with fresh, flaky paratha and full-flavored chicken roasts. The JC hot spot has been showered with accolades, including a James Beard nomination for Mama Rahman for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as write-ups from Eater, the New York Times, and more. Dine-in is available on select Fridays and Saturdays only, offering eight-courses by reservation. We recommend the Sunday takeout special: Muri Ghonto, a fish head and lentil stew that feeds two to three with ease. A list of Jersey City’s best is incomplete without this community staple.
Edward’s Steakhouse
There is perhaps no greater contribution to American cuisine than that of the classic American steakhouse, and Edward’s puts that storied history on full display. Broiled porterhouse is the name of the game—offering charred slices of rosy strip and tender filet—and the golden frizzled onions are a requirement to scatter on top. For sides, served à la carte, it’s all the greatest hits: creamed spinach, crisp hash browns, asparagus gratin, and thick-cut bacon. Don’t forget an ice-cold gin martini and a crabmeat cocktail if you really want to lean into the experience.
Battello
Chef Ryan DePersio’s Battello has long stood as one of the best dining views in not just Jersey City, but New Jersey as a whole. Located at the end of a pier overlooking Lower Manhattan, Battello backs up the vibe with what is comfortably some of the best food in the city. New-school Italian is the play—something DePersio pioneered in the Garden State nearly two decades ago. Seafood towers fly through the dining room, piled high with lobster, oysters, tuna tartare, and more, while hand-made pastas and grilled proteins round out the latter half of the menu. With a well-rounded wine list in the mix and a refreshing brunch menu that steers clear of gimmicks, Battello continues to trailblaze.
Maxwell Alley
Maxwell Alley takes the idea of a neighborhood restaurant and levels it up. The pastas and breads are made fresh daily, the cocktails are thoughtful and well-executed, and the service backs it all up. Locally sourced ingredients keep the menu fresh with seasonally rotating options like kiwi salsa-topped fluke crudo, fried wax beans with lemon ricotta, and a meaty lamb burger topped with provolone, shaved onion, and adobo tzatziki. In addition to dinner, Maxwell Alley offers one of the best bars in the city to unwind with a few cocktails.
Cheech’s Bagels
Hand-rolled bagels are made every single day at this popular bagel shop, but it’s the sandwiches made with them that keep the line out the door every weekend. Fluffy soft scrambled eggs bring a TEC that stands out from its competitors, while fried mortadella and dijon brings something different to the mix. Cheech’s Bagels takes the bagel shop into the modern era while staying true to its roots with high volume, fair prices, and never-ending drip coffee that gives some of the city’s best coffee shops a run for their money.
Dullboy
A softly lit setting, some of the state’s best bartenders, and killer throwback hip-hop tracks make this cocktail bar one of Jersey City’s best. Dullboy’s menu features a delightful assortment of shareable plates and small bites, complemented by a carefully curated selection of natural wines and expertly crafted cocktails. On Sundays, patrons can indulge in large-format punch, fostering an intimate atmosphere perfect for shared enjoyment. Enhanced by nostalgic decor—complete with vintage typewriters on the wall—Dullboy stands as one of the premier dining and drinking destinations in the state.
Harry’s Daughter
Walk into Harry’s Daughter in Bergen-Lafayette and you are immediately hit with a lively atmosphere defined by checkerboard floors and plenty of plant life. If that’s not enough to pull you in, the Caribbean fare and hip cocktail list sure will. Dine on smoky jerk chicken, slow-braised oxtail, fried snapper, plantains, and mac and cheese while you sip on the house-favorite rum punch. Add a great happy hour to the mix, and you get what is easily one of Jersey City’s best restaurants.
143 Social
You have to know where to look to find this stellar cocktail bar in the heart of the city, but once you do, you’ll enter a world defined by boundary-pushing beverages and tasty bites. This is a bar that isn’t just impressive for New Jersey—it would wow no matter where you placed it. The unique menu structure involves nameless drinks that instead don a numerical moniker: The Number Twelve, The Number Twenty-Four, and so on. Thematically, 143 Social’s cocktail menu is defined by the seasons, and the small plates and homemade bar snacks come to play backup. For cocktail fans and food obsessives alike, 143 Social is a must-try.
Taqueria Downtown
What once started as a taco truck in the early 2000s has evolved into a brick-and-mortar pushing out some of Jersey City’s best Mexican food. For tacos, your choice of meat comes wrapped in fresh-griddled corn tortillas and showered in cilantro and onion, with lime and salsa in abundance to anoint it with. Slow-cooked pork carnitas and air-dried cecina remain popular options, but the lamb barbacoa is a must-try for taco enthusiasts. Beyond tacos are handmade tamales, tortas, and full plates like Bistec Encebollado: steak cooked with plenty of onions.
Bonus: brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Corto
One could argue that Corto is one of the restaurants that put JC Heights on the map in a culinary sense. Led by Drew Buzzio, Marc Magliozzi, Chef Matt Moschella, and Chef Rachel Dos Santos, this restaurant embraces the essence of cucina povera with its simple yet heartfelt Italian cuisine. The cozy BYO offers a curated ambiance with soft colors, natural light, and rustic charm. Guests can witness the culinary magic firsthand in the open kitchen, where fresh pasta is expertly crafted. The menu boasts seasonal delights alongside signature dishes like crunchy puntarelle salad, pancetta-studded rigatoni with tomato and mint, and the fiery angry chicken. In the warmer months, diners can savor their meal on Corto’s inviting back patio.
15 Fox Place
15 Fox Place is one of Jersey City’s most quintessential restaurants. The reservation-only Italian hub is set in a historical house where the decor has remained untouched for the last several decades. Family pictures and trinkets adorn the home, which can be explored during the allotted breaks between courses. It’s a dining experience like no other—the menu-less dinner is highlighted by family-style options like polenta with meaty sugo and fried potatoes with long hots. The meal spans nearly three hours and includes around 15 courses. Reservations are by phone only and book months out.
Hank Schwartz’s Delicatessen
This Jewish deli makes nods to the classics while standing firm in the modern era. That’s exactly what Jason Stahl set out to do with this ghost-kitchen delicatessen, which serves homemade lox, bagels, house-brined pastrami, and an array of vegan specialties like plant-based lox and chopped “liver.” It’s deli food that doesn’t box you in—allowing Jersey City residents to have a taste of the old-school Jewish delis of the Northeast while not excluding anyone’s dietary restrictions in the process. Stahl’s food spans the globe, pulling inspiration from all over to highlight his diaspora-inspired menu.
87 Sussex
87 Sussex is renowned for its globe-spanning cuisine and use of locally sourced ingredients. Diners can expect an impressive culinary display under the leadership of Chef Brian Walter, whose meticulous attention to detail pulls inspiration from his decades of fine dining experience, ensuring each plate is a true work of culinary art. Everything from escargot wontons and Korean-flavored frog legs to Barolo-braised short ribs and pan-roasted barramundi with shellfish-rich bouillabaisse. Whether for a special occasion or a happy hour on the patio, 87 Sussex offers a must-try dining experience in Jersey City.
Bread & Salt
This Heights-located bakery rose to fame because of its Roman-style pizzas, which are light and crisp with a square shape and simple toppings. However, Bread & Salt is about much more than just pizza—it’s a culinary playground for owner Rick Easton, who exemplifies what it means to cook simple, authentic food. Bread & Salt’s commitment to seasonal items and a daily rotating menu makes it arguably the most authentic Italian eatery in all of New Jersey, and that’s saying something. One day it’s slow-cooked pork ribs with cabbage and beans; the next, it’s fried baccalà with lemon. The surprise is part of the fun. Check their Instagram for daily specials and get there early: when they’re out, they’re out.
Barge Inn
This 1960s-era tavern transports diners back in time in JC’s historic Village neighborhood. On paper, it’s a watering hole serving Italian-American staples, but to its regulars, Barge Inn is a second home—a place to have a comforting meal served by familiar faces. Try the pork chops with hot peppers, potatoes, and vinegar, dubbed “Pork Chop Bitsy,” or maybe you want a pile of crispy fried calamari with plenty of red sauce for dipping. Looking for something that feels like a home-cooked meal at Grandma’s house? You found it. Reservations by phone only.
The Roxy
From the same team behind longtime JC staple Corto is The Roxy. Situated in Bergen-Lafayette, The Roxy looks to fill a different space than their cozy sister restaurant. Sleek, art deco digs, a full cocktail and wine list, and a menu not beholden to the borders of Italy. Instead, enjoy global fare—everything from cheesy cured ham-topped gougères and crisp chopped salads to overnight-cooked porchetta with creamy polenta and ribeye steak with broiled lobster tail and “umami butter.” It’s nothing like its predecessor. That’s a good thing.
Skinner’s Loft
Skinner’s Loft is a Jersey City staple—a cozy gastropub spanning three floors that has been around long before JC’s dining scene started booming. Diners savor contemporary gastropub dishes, from small plates to full meals, amid rustic ambiance and welcoming lighting. The rooftop terrace offers picturesque views of Newark Avenue, while the bar below boasts unique cocktails and a wide beer selection. Ideal for both casual nights out and sunny rooftop brunches, Skinner’s Loft seamlessly blends intimacy with comfort.
Hamilton Pork
There is a lot of food in Jersey City, but barbecue can still be hard to come by. Not at Hamilton Pork, where the Texas-style barbecue is in abundance. In-house smoked beef ribs, brisket, pork belly, chicken, and more fill the menu, but people come for the Tex-Mex bites just as much. Their birria comes slathered in house BBQ sauce and crunchy pickled veggies with plenty of spicy broth for dipping. Pork belly burnt-end tacos, brisket quesadillas, and a list of tasty sides fill the rest of the menu. Add in cold ranch waters, salt-rimmed margaritas, and a few pints of local beer, and you have a little slice of Texas right outside Hamilton Park.
Cellar 335
When Chef and Owner Jamie Knott opened Cellar 335, he brought a new concept to Jersey City—and with it, a spark that helped inspire the growth of the JC dining scene we know today. Along with Chef Chris Abbamondi, Cellar stays serving Pan-Asian bites like flame-ridden pu-pu platters and continent-spanning staples like tikka meatballs and large-format braised pork shanks with bao buns and toppings to boot. With its garnish-heavy tiki cocktails and hip atmosphere in a sunken, street-side bar, Cellar 335 has never slowed down. It’s a place where your night can begin or end—the one constant in a neighborhood that hasn’t stopped changing.
ITA Italian Kitchen
A neighborhood restaurant serving up simple but impactful Italian food, tasteful wines, and more? Sign us up. ITA Italian Kitchen has become a staple on Bergen Ave for killer pizzas, a variety of pastas, crispy fried squid, and fun drinks like bold Super Tuscans and sangria pitchers, studded with fresh fruit. House favorites include focaccia with meatballs, rigatoni bolognese, funghi pizza, and the creamy tiramisu.
Madame
Picture this: a French brasserie bathed in neon and exposed brick, with crafted cocktails and food to match the electric vibe. That’s what diners can expect at Jamie Knott’s Madame. Think toasted crostini with foie gras mousse and port jelly, cheesy gougères, skirt steak bathed in au poivre sauce, and ham-stuffed chicken cordon bleu. Madame takes a timeless restaurant concept and Jersey-fies it with an intoxicating atmosphere and stellar execution.
Po Boy Riche
Authentic Creole cooking touches down in Bergen-Lafayette at Po Boy Riche. As the name suggests, po boys are the move here—piled high with your choice of chicken, oysters, catfish, roast beef, and more, then dressed with lettuce, tomato, Creole mayo, and pickles, all on a roll from New Orleans’ own Leidenheimer Baking Co. Beyond sandwiches are jambalaya packed with chicken, shrimp, and lamb sausage, red beans and rice, and creamy grits. A little slice of Louisiana, right here in Jersey City.
Low Fidelity
Low Fidelity—Lo-Fi to regulars—offers a diverse selection of Detroit-style pizza categorized into Red, White, Specialty, and Red Eye Pies (available during weekend brunch). The Jersey City Heights gem offers a cocktail menu replete with rum-packed tiki displays. For pizza, standout options include the Aloha Satellite with guanciale, fermented pineapple, and Thai basil, or the Jersey Cosmonaut with pancetta, vodka sauce, and smoked mozzarella. Low Fidelity consistently delivers a satisfying dining experience.
Sushi by Bou
Maybe you’ve been to Ani Ramen before and thought to yourself: “What’s behind that secret door?” Well, if your investigative instincts got the best of you, you’d find Sushi by Bou—Jersey City’s own omakase. Sit around the bar and watch as sushi chefs prepare a dinner that unfolds one piece at a time, forming nigiri with warm rice and fresh fish and handing it directly to you, allowing you to revel in fish at its absolute best. Buttery hamachi, fatty tuna belly, miso cod, and sliced scallop are just a few of the many courses on offer. Add in a Suntory highball, and you have yourself a pretty stellar evening.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
