The waterfront has a new restaurant as Lokal Jersey City is officially open for dinner service. The new restaurant, which highlights food that’s locally sourced in New Jersey, is located in the former Taphaus space at 2 Second Street.
“Our mission at Lokal is to showcase the best the state has to offer and provide a place that reflects the culture of Jersey City,” said Mona Panjwani, owner and long-time Jersey City resident.
Taking charge of Lokal’s kitchen is executive chef Walter Donadio. Donadio has spent close to two decades working in Michelin star kitchens around the globe. For Lokal, he designed a modern American menu that relies heavily on Garden State ingredients.
Food options range from a raw bar to small, shareable plates like pan con tomate, homemade hummus, mushrooms al ajillo, and rock shrimp. Lokal’s menu (pictured below) also offers numerous vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Also noteworthy is their happy hour menu. In addition to specials like $1 oysters, diners can also get three shareable plates for just $19.
Lokal’s cocktail menu — designed by Tess Sawyer — will feature the Elliot Stubb as its signature drink. The cocktail features New Jersey honey, yuzu juice, lemon juice, aquafaba, vermouth, and blueberry. (Blueberries happen to be New Jersey’s state fruit).
Lokal will not be open on Mondays (for the first for weeks at least). Hours for the coming days will be:
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 5pm to 11pm
Friday & Saturday: 5pm to 12am
Brunch (starting October 5): Saturday & Sunday from 11:30am to 3pm; open til midnight
Lokal Dinner Menu
Lokal Happy Hour Menu
