When family comes to town, it’s important to show them a great time, and of course, great food. With the endless amount of dining options available in Hoboken, it won’t be hard to impress Mom, Dad, siblings, or even Grandma and Grandpa. Read on for a list of the best Hoboken restaurants to take the family for dinner.
Ali Baba | 912 Washington Street Suite 1
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Ali Baba has been a member of the Hoboken community for years and also is a fun place to take your parents for a good meal in a family-run establishment. If the whole family is coming, get the party platters that can serve up to 10-12 guests, and don’t forget to bring the wine — it’s BYOB.
Amanda’s | 908 Washington Street A
A Hoboken staple, Amanda’s has wowed dozens of dinner guests weekly. When the family is in town, Amanda’s serves as just the spot for special occasion dinners and elegant celebrations. The menu has items for the table to share like house-made Focaccia or polenta or choose from the full dinner menu for a three-course Italian meal that is sure to please.
Read More: Fun Date Night Spot Ideas in Hoboken + Jersey City
Anthony David’s | 953 Bloomfield Street
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Italian cuisine, a beautiful interior/exterior, and a great wine and cocktail list, Anthony David’s will be sure to impress any family that comes to town. The menu has well-known classics like stuffed artichoke, pork chop parmesan, and truffle carbonara. Add Nutella doughnuts to dessert, and you’ll have several happy campers.
Antique At 112 | 112 Willow Avenue
Antique At 112 is a micro-diner run by the team behind Antique Bar + Bakery. The restaurant follows the philosophy of “give the people what they want” and notable dishes include Hoboken-styled hot dogs, ‘sangwiches,’ and burgers. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based menu items are also available. There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy here.
Antique Bar + Bakery | 122 Willow Avenue
This restaurant has been a Hoboken staple for more than 100 years. It’s known for its 30-ton coal oven + for serving some of Frank Sinatra’s favorite breadsticks. The menu has steak dinners, gluten-free pasta, seafood, and a family-sized bread pudding.
Augustino’s | 1104 Washington Street
Augustino’s will bring back memories of family dinners while setting the mood for new ones to be made. Comfort foods like breaded pork chops, fried shrimp marinara, chicken parm, and Francaise are made to order and will bring you back to childhood without having to do the dishes afterward.
Major note: It’s virtually impossible to get reservations here (as it’s small and super popular), so we recommend calling several weeks in advance!
Barbès | 1300 Park Avenue
If your parents are looking for some French influence without leaving New Jersey, Barbès brings a little bit of Paris to Uptown Hoboken. This bistro is a neighborhood go-to and serves up dishes with a North African flare — including escargot, kale date salad, grilled Atlantic salmon, and Moroccan-spiced veggie stew, among other dishes.
Bin 14 | 1314 Washington Street
Sometimes, parent visits are unpredictable, especially if they don’t live far away. Early mornings, midday, or evening when they say they are on the way, being the angel child you are, you welcome them with open arms. To take the edge off, Bin 14 serves brunch, lunch, and dinner and has a late-night menu for those who might stay a bit longer than expected. Sift through the wine menu to find a crowd-pleaser or enjoy a plate of zeppoles at brunch.
Blue Eyes | 525 Sinatra Drive
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This is the spot to enjoy some Italian food with amazing views of the New York City skyline. If you enjoy Nutella, Blue Eyes has a killer Nutella Pizza to have by yourself or split with the party for dessert. The outdoor seating is spacious and a great location for a large party during the warm months.
The Brass Rail | 135 Washington Street
If your fam likes to brunch, a trip to Brass Rail is in order. Pop in on Saturday or Sunday from 11AM-3PM to experience a brunch like no other. The menu has favorites like the French onion soup followed by steak and eggs with a red sangria — or a burger with a mimosa grace the menu for both breakfast and lunch cravings.
Chango Kitchen | 301 Willow Avenue
For Latin cuisine, Change Kitchen is the move. This Cuban-Latin restaurant has tamales, Cuban sandwiches, vegetarian options, and mofongos, the classic Puerto Rican plantain dish. The restaurant opened in 2019 and serves daily lunch specials from Monday to Friday with discounts on entrees like ropa vieja and pollo asado.
Court Street Restaurant + Bar | 61 Sixth Street
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For a nice yet slightly casual dinner, Court Street provides an atmosphere with excellent food that is conducive to conversation. Reasonably priced menu items like English-style fish and chips, chicken parm, and veal marsala will fill bellies without breaking the bank.
The Cuban | 333 Washington Street
Flights to Havana are becoming more affordable, but not quite as affordable as taking the ‘rents on a trip to Washington Street for Cuban cuisine. The Cuban provides a full experience — complete with live music and out-of-this-world dishes.
Dino + Harry’s Steakhouse | 163 14th Street
Get dressed up with the fam and head over to Dino + Harry’s Steakhouse for an unforgettable evening. Dubbed “A Hoboken Tradition” for generations, it provides a great opportunity to show the fam the rich history in Hoboken — and incredible steaks. The bar area is even clad with décor from the 1800s making before or after-dinner cocktails a unique experience, usually with a live piano player.
Elysian Café | 1001 Washington Street
With beautiful outdoor seating, lush greenery, and quaint décor, it’s hard to believe Elysian Café is in Hoboken and not on a Parisian street corner. Known for being the oldest continually run bistro in Hoboken, its history is truly felt through the whole dining experience. Elysian Café has a French-Bistro-style menu with international influences. Another perk is the children’s menu filled with options for even the pickiest of eaters — let the kids tag along for a true family feel.
Grand Vin | 500 Grand Street
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This charming Italian restaurant is known for its wide selection of food options. The menu includes vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free choices so it’s a good option especially if anyone in the family has dietary restrictions. Plus, the dessert menu includes decadent chocolate mousse to end the night on a sweet note.
Halifax | 225 River Street
When visits from parents are infrequent, a special dinner is in order — especially when they finally make the trek to Hudson County and fight for a parking spot. Show off the spectacular views of NYC with a seat by the large windows while enjoying one of Halifax’s specialty cocktails. The restaurant’s “to share” menu is ideal for large groups to get a taste of the twists added to classics like deviled eggs.
Il Tavolo Di Palmisano | 700 Clinton Street
If the fam is craving Italian food, Il Tavolo di Palmisano is a great option. The bruschetta boards are a must ranging from the tomato bruschetta to the creamed spinach + artichoke bruschetta — and don’t sleep on the cocktails here.
Johnny Pepperoni | 219 11th Street #4323
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When the parents are in town and also want to see their grandchildren, getting the whole family together for dinner can be tricky. Not to worry — Johnny Pepperoni provides a setting for all ages. With some of the most mouth-watering, thin-crust pizza we’ve tasted Johnny Pepperoni has mastered the art of pleasing all ages. For a more laid-back outing, order a few pies for the table to share, and if a more sophisticated evening is in order, choose from the full dinner menu filled with classics like fried calamari and chicken parm.
Karma Kafe | 505 Washington Street
This is the spot to treat Mom and Dad to something different. If they are fans of Indian food, they will be impressed, and if they’ve never tried it, Karma is a great place to start. From the atmosphere to the service to the menu, a meal at Karma is one to remember. Two words: garlic naan.
La Bohème | 233 Clinton Street
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Treat your parents to the healthful yet delicious cuisine of the Mediterranean islands at La Bohème — Barbès’ sister restaurant. This restaurant is heavily influenced by the French Riviera, and serves up dishes like a chef’s cheese selection (with fruit, fig jam, walnuts, grapes, + toasted multigrain bread), pan-seared crab cakes, grilled skirt steak, and steamed mussels, among many other delicious options.
Leo’s Grandevous | 200 Grand Street
From white pizza to chicken jalapeno pizza and a vodka sauce pie, Leo’s is known for its epic bar pies. The chicken parmesan with vodka sauce and gnocchi are also must-tries. The interior is practically a shrine to Sinatra, making it super Instagram-worthy.
The Madison Bar + Grill | 1316 Washington Street
If making it to the table in time for family dinner by 7PM has been troublesome since childhood (sorry, Mom), head to The Madison for weekend brunch or simply enjoy a cocktail.
Olivia’s | 1038 Garden Street
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If your parents are coming to town again and you want to show them something new during their visit, be sure to check out Olivia’s for a fun night out. The interior is beautiful and great for intimate conversation. Split some apps like the Mediterranean spread or fried calamari.
Otto Strada | 743 Park Avenue
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On the corner of Park and 8th lies one of Hoboken’s treasures: Otto Strada. This restaurant is quaint and intimate, making for a lovely evening with family. It’s BYOB, so be sure to stop at the liquor store or wine shop before stopping in. The food is incredible, and the extensive menu ensures that every guest can make the best choice for his or her cravings.
Panello | 720 Monroe Street C105
Panello prides itself on its LePanyol wood-burning oven, and we understand why. The freshly baked, homemade bread made in the wood-burning oven is otherworldly — and as captured in the photo above, the pizza is just as fantastic. It has that wonderful earthy bite to it that we adore, a crispy crust, and it also makes for a pretty gorgeous photo — the perfect option if your parents are looking for some top-notch pizza. Panello is also BYOB.
Saku | 936 Park Avenue
If your parents are in the mood for Japanese fare, Saku is a sushi bar-meets-cocktail lounge that has a fun ambiance. Try out the omakase-style sushi or just a few things off the menu — the restaurant has options like wagyu beef sliders, fried lobster egg rolls, crispy cauliflower, drunken noodles, and a wide variety of sushi and sashimi.
San Giuseppe | 1320 Adams Street
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We all know the story: Dinner reservations are at 7PM, but it takes out-of-town guests until 7:30 to find a parking spot. Not at San Giuseppe — in close competition with the food, the best thing about this restaurant is the highly coveted FREE parking lot, tucked away on Adams Street. But even if the lot is full, the menu screams authentic Italian for a chill pizza night or pasta dinner and is worth a reservation.
Sirenetta | 1039 Washington Street
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If the party is in the mood for seafood, Sirenetta has some of the best seafood options in the area. The eatery also boasts housemade gelato with flavors such as hibiscus, mint chip, and Stracciatella, as well as blood orange sorbet. The design is also stunning and spacious.
See More: These Restaurants + Bars in Montclair Will Wow Your Visitors
Sorellina | 1036 Washington Street
Directly translating to “little sister,” Sorellina gets family night right beginning with its name. An authentic Italian dinner and wine list is what will be found at this Hoboken staple. Right in the heart of the city, parents and family members will be able to take in the charm of Washington Street while indulging in the classic Italian cuisine so commonly found in Hoboken. The extensive wine list is exclusively Italian, and the restaurant is owned by a certified sommelier, giving every guest a taste of the Bel Paese.
Zack’s | 232 Willow Avenue
Zack’s has plenty of patio seating for sunny days. When it comes to brunch, the menu has something for everyone in the family, from the savory steak + eggs to the sweet lemon ricotta pancakes. Besides brunch, Zack’s serves lunch, dinner, and drinks.
