Our list of the best Jersey City restaurants is constantly changing. Over the past few years, dozens of new Jersey City restaurants have debuted in Bergen-Lafayette, Newport, Journal Square, and pretty much every neighborhood in Jersey City.
So we’re creating a local’s guide to the best Jersey City restaurants in 2024. From our favorite thin-crust pizza to the best spots for seafood, we’re taking you on a culinary adventure as we pick our favorite Jersey City restaurants.
Note: For more food recommendations, be sure to check out our guides to best brunch in Jersey City, best cafes in Jersey City, and best pizza in Jersey City.
Best Jersey City restaurants (Downtown)
Ani Ramen | 218 Newark Avenue | website
Go for the ramen, stay for the hip-hop vibes. Flavorful bowls of ramen and an impressive Japanese whiskey selection make Ani Ramen one of the best Jersey City restaurants. The kimchi buns are a must before any meal.
The Boil | 8 Erie | website
The Boil is a Cajun-inspired seafood restaurant specializing in crawfish, King Crab, lobster rolls, and everything in between. Originally from New York, the Jersey City location features a full bar and cocktail menu along with a few Jersey City exclusives like the Whale — a massive seafood tower. They also have one of the best happy hours in Jersey City with $1.25 oysters and BOGO house cocktails/wine.
Bistro La Source | 85 Morris Street | website
Get a taste of Paris without leaving the Garden State. This ideal date spot offers a great selection of seasonal French dishes such as escargots and bouillabaisse. It’s one of the best Jersey City restaurants for lovers of all things French-related.
Cellar 335 | 335 Newark Avenue | website
The tiki vibe is just part of the attraction at this underground spot, which has a solid Asian-inspired food menu to help wash down the potent tiki drinks. It’s one of our top picks when you’re looking for a night of fun and good drinks.
Clove Garden of India | 353 Third Street | website
This quiet neighborhood eatery is serving some of the best Indian food in downtown. Noteworthy dishes include the lamb rogan josh as well as the vegetable korma. The restaurant is BYOB, which makes Clove Garden of India one of our top picks for those nights you want to eat well without gouging your wallet.
DomoDomo JC | 200 Greene Street | website
Japanese restaurant DomoDomo Jersey City has single-handedly elevated Jersey City’s sushi status. The omakase — called domokase — costs $60/pp for a 12-piece sushi dinner. A sushi and handroll course costs $50/pp.
East Hana JC | 103 Montgomery | website
Fresh sushi, affordable prices, and a BYOB policy make East Hana a must-visit for any sushi lovers. Signature rolls like the Spicy Girl (spicy salmon w/ avocado) and the Spider Roll (soft shell crab) are a must. Their wide menu also includes a selection of ramen and most recently they added a special bubble tea menu.
Frankie | 264 Grove Street | website
Organic wines and clean, Australian-inspired eats. We also love that Frankie always has vegetarian or vegan options available.
Franklin Social | 292 Barrow | website
The Franklin Social is a colonial era-inspired restaurant operated by Skopos Hospitality (the same team behind The Vanguard Harrison). Dishes are simple and rustic, but loaded with flavor — and generously sized too. Kielbasa and the Bravas fries are among our favorites. Make sure to order one of their unique cocktails too. It’s quickly become one of the best Jersey City restaurants you’ll find.
Hudson Hall | 364 Marin Boulevard | website
A spacious biergarten where all meats are smoked in-house.
Just Beclaws | 280 First Street | website [Permanently Closed]
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to get messy — this Cajun/Vietnamese BYOB spot serves their seafood in plastic, bags that are steaming with brothy deliciousness.
The Kitchen Step | 500 Jersey Avenue | website
The Kitchen Step is a season farm-to-table restaurant serving delicious dishes made with local ingredients. Make sure to try at least one cocktail as we think they’re among the best in Jersey City.
Latham House | 299 Marin Boulevard | website [Permanently Closed]
Excellent food, friendly staff, and always consistent — Latham House is one of the best Jersey City restaurants period. Make sure to leave room for their decadent desserts. (Their pies and cakes are to die for). Also visit sister restaurant Emma’s in JSQ.
Lobster Garage | 199 Washington | Instagram
The Lobster Garage is an extension of The Lighthorse Tavern. Like its namesake suggests, it specializes in all things seafood including New England clam chowder, lobster rolls, steamed mussels, and more. Food is fresh and on point. It’s one of our favorite new seafood spots in Jersey City with nicely spaced outdoor seating.
Madame JC | 390 Fourth Street | website
Formerly Madame Claude Bis, the new Madame Jersey City is run by the same team behind Cellar 335 (335 Newark Avenue), which consists of co-owners Jamie Knott, Robert Palmer, and Gabriel Reiben.
Mathews Food & Drink | 351 Grove Street | website
Southern-influenced restaurant with glittery, Instagram-worthy cocktails. Dishes are hearty, delicious, and always seasonal.
Miso Ramen | 189 Newark Avenue | website
If you’re looking for an affordable and delicious ramen house, Miso Ramen should be high on your list. The Newark Avenue eatery just reopened for indoor dining in April and it’s one of the best Jersey City restaurants when you want a quiet, casual dinner. Bonus points for their BYOB policy.
Muteki Ramen | 100 York Street | website
The popular Hoboken ramen shop opened its first Jersey City outpost in 2022. Since then, Muetki has become one of our favorite spots for not only ramen, but karaage fried chicken, okonomiyaki, and its sweet potato tempura. We also love its casual vibe, attentive staff, and BYOB policy.
New Thanh Hoai | 234 Tenth Street | Seamless [Permanently Closed]
They don’t have a trendy Instagram account nor do they have a website, but New Thanh Hoai is hands down one of the best Jersey City restaurants when it comes to Vietnamese food. They offer the best pho in the area and provide generous portions for your money.
Ondo | 3 Second Street | website
From the team behind DomoDomo comes new Korean restaurant, Ondo Jersey City. The waterfront restaurant is offering a modern interpretation of Korean food with excellent dishes like spicy octopus pasta alongside reinterpreted classics like Korean fried chicken.
Órale Mexican Kitchen | 341 Grove Street | website
Cavernous Mexican restaurant with graffiti walls and solid Mexican cuisine. Tacos offerings run the gamut from duck to halibut and their veggie enchilada remains one of our favorite meatless dishes in the area.
Pasta dal Cuore | 527 Jersey Avenue | website [Permanently Closed]
Yes, there are many Italian restaurants in Jersey City, but few of them have their own pasta shop where fresh pastas are made in-house daily. This gem is a must for pasta fans in the area. Note: they are no longer BYOB.
Razza | 275 Grove Street | website
No list of the best Jersey City restaurants is complete without Razza. Named “New York’s Best Pizza” by the New York Times, you can never go wrong with any of Razza’s pies. Simply put, Razza offers quite possibly the best pizza in Jersey City.
Roman Nose | 125 Newark Avenue | website
Consistently reliable Italian food. Their pizzas are excellent and restaurant always has a lively/friendly vibe.
Rustique Pizza | 611 Jersey Avenue | website
One of the best Sicilian pies in the area. Crispy, crunchy, thick perfection. We’re also big fans of their signature Kathy pizza. BYOB policy is a plus and the sole waitress running the show is genuinely nice and one of the reasons you’ll want to keep coming back.
Sátis Bistro | 212 Washington Street | website
Satis will take your taste buds on a culinary trip through the Mediterranean with freshly made dishes like cacio e pepe and patatas bravas.
Skinner’s Loft | 146 Newark Avenue | website
One of Jersey City’s first (pioneering) restaurants, Skinner’s is a must for locals and newbies a like. Mismatched decor, a funky soundtrack, and excellent eats make this one of the best Jersey City restaurants along the Pedestrian Plaza.
Taqueria Downtown | 236 Grove Street | website
The most popular Mexican restaurant in downtown Jersey City also happens to be one of the best Jersey City restaurants. Lively vibe, affordable prices, and excellent food keep us coming back for more. Plus, we love the colorful soundtrack that includes everyone from Luis Miguel to Hall & Oates.
Best Jersey City restaurants (Newport)
Kura Sushi | 525 Washington Boulevard | website
Kura Sushi is the first — and only — conveyor belt sushi spot in Jersey City. The Japanese chain offers over 100 different types of handrolls, sushi, sashimi, gyoza, and more. Diners snatch the plate they want as it passes by on the conveyor belt. (You can also choose from select made-to-order dishes). It’s a fun experience, but be prepared to wait upwards of 30 minutes on busy nights.
Battello | 502 Washington Boulevard | website
The New York City views are just part of the allure at Battello, a cavernous seafood restaurant located along the Newport waterfront. The real reason you’ll want to come is to experience chef Ryan DePersio’s mouth-watering menu with seasonal seafood and Italian dishes that will leave you craving for more.
Ruth’s Chris | 499 Washington Boulevard | website
Ruth’s Chris Chris Jersey City is massive 11,750 square foot restaurant featuring an indoor bar, outdoor lounge, spacious dining room, and three private dining areas. Perfectly seared steaks are the reason you’ll want to come, although the restaurant’s seasonally-inspired salads and seafood are also worth trying.
Los Cuernos | 499 Washington Boulevard | website
Owned by the same team behind Taquería, this multi-level restaurant brings a hip, fun Mexican vibe to Newport. Enjoy tacos, brunch, and larger entrees at this always lively restaurant.
Best Jersey City restaurants (Journal Square/McGinley Square)
Cafe Alyce | 641 Montgomery | website
When it comes to lunch, newly-opened Cafe Alyce should be high on your list of places to visit. Located in the former Medical Center Luncheonette space, the new BYOB restaurant is offering hearty, made-from-scratch meals. Staff are extremely attentive and the vibe is casual and welcoming.
Alex Sazon | 749 Bergen Avenue | Instagram
Dominican restaurant Alex Sazon is one of the best Jersey City restaurants for cheap eats. The eatery dishes out heaping portions of flavorful Dominican and Puerto Rican dishes like mofongo, mangu, pernil, and more. Best of all, practically all dishes are priced well under $20.
Emma’s | 4 PATH Plaza | website
Emma’s JSQ is sister restaurant to Latham House, but with a southern-influenced menu. Dishes include Thick-Cut Grilled Cheese sandwich, Emma’s Naughty Nachos, and Papa Shermy’s Braised Short Ribs.
ITA Italian Kitchen | 686 Bergen Avenue | website
ITA Italian Kitchen is a neighborhood restaurant offering homemade pasta dishes, pizza, and an excellent collection of Italian wines. Laid back and affordable, it’s the perfect spot for dinner any night of the week.
Ling Long Xuan | 586 Newark Avenue | website
Ling Long Xuan offers a wide range of dishes from China’s Sichuan and northeast regions. The casual, BYOB eatery is the perfect spot for dinner any night of the week.
Best Jersey City restaurants (The Heights)
Bread and Salt | 435 Palisade Avenue | Instagram
Rustic Italian dishes and top-notch pizza are the specialty at Bread and Salt, which is operated by 2016 James Beard semifinalist Rick Easton and business partner Marc Magliozzi.
El Gordo | 291 Central Avenue | website
The Peruvian rotisserie chicken at El Gordo is worth the trip alone. It’s juicy and meaty with a slightly crisp skin. But you’ll definitely want to try other spectacular dishes like their ceviche, skirt steak, and their parihuela, which is a hearty Peruvian seafood soup. We also love that they’re BYOB.
Saigon Bistro | 514 Central Avenue | website
This tiny BYOB is dishing out excellent Vietnamese food in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Although Saigon Bistro offers bowls, curry noodles, and various sautees — it’s the restaurant’s hearty bowls of pho that keep us coming back and make it one of the best Jersey City restaurants in 2024.
Corto | 507 Palisade Avenue | website
Rustic Italian dishes are the specialty at this BYOB restaurant in the Heights, which has become our go-to for Italian food in JC.
The Franklin | 159 New York Avenue | website
Italian BYOB restaurant The Franklin is a cozy, candle-lit restaurants serving up excellent Italian pasta and meals. Favorite dishes include the Wild Mushroom Risotto, Eggplant Ragu, and The Franklin Burger. Plus, they offer an excellent mix of eggs and sandwiches for brunch.
Best Jersey City restaurants (Bergen-Lafayette)
Harry’s Daughter | 339 Communipaw Avenue | website
Caribbean gastropub with solid cocktails, tasty menu, and a lively vibe. A neighborhood hit — even if you don’t live in the area.
Hooked JC | 467 Communipaw Avenue | website [Permanently Closed]
Our go-to spot for the best seafood in Jersey City. Funky vibe, super casual (DIY service), BYOB, and excellent food. The lobster roll (pictured) is a must.
Samurai Sushi | 339 Communipaw Avenue | website
East Rutherford-based Samurai Sushi has taken over the formed Hooked JC space. Staff are friendly, the food is fresh, and the ambiance is very laid back. Bonus points for their BYOB policy.
Pinwheel Garden Dumpling & Noodle Bar | 318 Communipaw Avenue | website
This cozy, BYOB serves flavorful and generously sized Asian-American eats including curries, ramen, and dumplings. They also have great desserts and a solid tea list.
Best Jersey City restaurants (Port Liberte)
Felina Steak | 2 Chapel Avenue | website
Felina Steak takes over the space formerly known as Terra e Mare. The new upscale restaurant is an Italian steakhouse located inside the astonishing Hudson House. The restaurant is offering premium and sustainable cuts of protein that range from dry-aged strip steaks to whole lobster. It’s among the best Jersey City restaurants we’ve dined at this year.
Best Jersey City restaurants (West Side)
The Table JC | 400 Claremont at 3 Acres | website
Chef Dan Latham, formerly of Latham House, brings his modern American cuisine to Jersey City’s West Side neighborhood. Classic Latham dishes — like the Shrimp & Gnocchi Pasta and Asian Chicken Salad — live on at The Table JC. New entrees include a variety of handmade pizzas, tomahawk pork chop, and veggie/chicken dumplings.