Jersey City + Hoboken are packed with interesting eateries that can fill any foodie’s restaurant bucket list. Each neighborhood has its own unique offerings and the Jersey City Heights is no exception. With new spots popping up, plus plenty of stand-bys, there are tons of excellent restaurants to keep track of in the Heights. Don’t worry – we did the heavy lifting and created a round-up of some of the best restaurants in Jersey City Heights. Read on to discover where in the Heights to eat next.
Alessio’s | 99 Franklin Street
Alessio’s is an Italian-style cafe in Hoboken that opened a second location in The Heights this summer. Breakfast is served all day and the signature pasta menu includes highlights like penne alla vodka sauce and spaghetti al pomodoro. Fresh mozzarella is made in-house and other ingredients are sourced from a gourmet Italian food company.
Andrea Salumeria | 247 Central Avenue #A
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This family-run deli has been serving the Heights since 1975. It’s known for serving some of the best hoagies around and has an excellent selection of gourmet Italian groceries. Patrons can pick up everything from fresh cannolis to Pecorino Romano grated off the wheel.
Angry Archies | 565 Palisade Avenue
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Angry Archies serve signature “angry” lobster rolls and crab cakes from food trucks across Hoboken + Jersey City. The brick-and-mortar location opened in the Heights this year and the menu includes all of the favorites from the food trucks.
Read More: 5 Food Spots in Jersey City South of Communipaw Avenue to Visit
Bread + Salt | 435 Palisade Avenue
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Bread and Salt is a Roman-style pizzeria co-owned by James Beard-nominated chef Rick Easton. This spot specializes in airy, crispy crusts that are reminiscent of street food one would find in the Italian capital city. It’s only open Friday – Sunday from 10AM-4PM so plan ahead if you want to snag a slice.
Busy Bee Organics | 451 Palisade Avenue
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Busy Bee Organics is a cafe and food delivery service that brings organic, gluten-free meals to Hoboken + Jersey City. The concept started at the Grove Street Farmers Market in 2014 and has won numerous Hoboken Girl reader awards over the years. The cafe menu features bowls, smoothies, salads, and weekly specials that are all allergy-friendly, plant-froward, organic, and gluten-free.
Central Bistro | 403 Central Avenue
Central Bistro serves lunch and dinner, but it’s a shining star in the Jersey City brunch scene. The menu includes Florentino Eggs, Crepes, and Chilaquiles so there’s something for everyone. It’s BYOB and the drinks menu includes a variety of mixers to turn a bottle into cocktails.
Choc o Pain | 330-332 Palisade Avenue
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This French bakery has multiple locations in Jersey City + Hoboken. It’s a go-to for breakfast pastries like croissants and the eponymous choc-o-pain and freshly baked baguettes. For something heartier, pick up a quiche or sandwich served on the ciabatta or focaccia bread.
The Cliff | 38 Congress Street
The Cliff is an Icelandic-inspired cafe serving “killer coffee” along with a mostly vegan and vegetarian brunch menu. There are grab-and-go offerings or diners can find a table in the covered backyard for a leisurely meal.
Corkscrew Bar | 61 Congress Street
Corkscrew Bar opened in 1976 and is a staple of the Heights. The menu includes mouth-watering burgers made with Pat LaFrieda short-rib blend patties plus wings, pasta, and more. There’s a long beer and cocktail list plus it stays open late — till 3AM on Saturdays and 2AM the rest of the week.
Corto | 507 Palisade Avenue
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Corto is a top date-night spot in the Heights. It’s BYOB and features a seasonal menu that always includes a selection of housemade pastas. The backyard is dreamy but inside guests can watch the action happening in the open kitchen.
Dark Side of the Moo | 52 Bowers Street
The Dark Side of the Moo is the place for adventurous eaters. In addition to classic Angus burgers, patrons can order smoked alligator sausage, wild boar tacos, camel burgers, and kangaroo burgers. For something lighter, there’s also a black bean burger and a few salads.
Dulce de Leche Bakery | 376 Central Avenue
Dulce de Leche is an Argentinian-style bakery that opened in the Heights in 2016. The team makes beautiful custom cakes for special occasions and in-cafe diners can order empanadas and stuffed churros. For something savory, there are some great options like the stuffed flank steak, or matambre, sandwich.
El Gordo | 291 Central Avenue
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El Gordo is a family-run Peruvian restaurant with three locations in New Jersey. The menu includes traditional dishes like Aji de Gallina, Lomo Saltado, and Seco Norteño plus rotisserie chicken and a variety of seafood options.
El Sabroso | 414 Central Avenue
This casual restaurant is a go-to for authentic Puerto Rican and Caribbean food. It can get busy on the weekends but the hearty dishes are always worth the wait. The alcapurria (meat fritters) are especially popular.
Fox + Crow | 594 Palisade Avenue
The exterior of Fox and Crow is painted with calming shades of blue and purple. The low-key pub has low-lit, cozy vibes while the backyard is open and airy. The menu has elevated bar food and craft cocktails plus Fox and Crow often showcases live jazz or bluegrass music.
The Franklin | 159 New York Avenue
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Since opening in 2019, The Franklin has become a favorite BYOB brunch spot in the Heights. The menu has both sweet and savory options so don’t be surprised when you struggle to decide between French toast or chorizo and guacamole eggs benedict.
Froth on Franklin | 85 Franklin Street
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Froth on Franklin is a cozy coffee and espresso bar that uses beans roasted locally in Jersey City. It’s open every day and the pastry case is filled with some tempting doughnuts, croissants, and muffins.
Gino’s Pizzeria | 380 Central Avenue
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Gino’s Pizzeria opened in 1976 and the family-owned eatery has served delicious Italian pies ever since. In addition to classics, Gino’s has a selection of deep-pan pizzas called “The Heights” which can be topped with grilled veggies or slathered with chunky diced tomatoes.
Green Pear Cafe | 93 Franklin Street
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Green Pear is a dinner-only version of the Hoboken cafe with the same name. The Heights outpost features a menu with Hungarian staples like chicken paprikash and beef goulash. For dessert, diners can indulge with an order of the Hazelnut Cake or Apple Pierogi.
Heights Deli + Grill | 557 Palisade Avenue
This casual spot in the Heights serves breakfast every day starting at 7AM. Grab-and-go options here include empanadas, croissants, and stuffed arepas. Smoothies, breakfast plates, and hot and cold-cut sandwiches are also available.
The Hutton | 225 Hutton Street
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The Hutton is a chic bar and restaurant with a cozy back patio where guests can dine under a 200-year-old oak tree. Brunch, lunch, and dinner are served here plus there’s a menu of craft cocktails, beer, and wine. Patrons can catch live Irish music here every Sunday night.
Irving Public | 1135 Summit Avenue
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Irving Public was opened earlier this year by the team behind Grace O’Malleys and The Keyhole. Irving Public has a pool table and TVs along with a good selection of brews, wine, and spirits.
L’il Dove | 589 Palisade Avenue
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L’il Dove is a family-run cafe owned by the team behind Fox and Crow. The bright, colorful space has inside and outside seating and an expansive menu of coffee, creative espresso drinks, breakfast sandwiches, and Balthazar Bakery pastries.
Los Tres Chilitos | 456 Central Avenue
This hidden gem in the Heights dishes up authentic Oaxacan food. Los Tres Chilitos started as a food truck serving Mexican specialties in downtown Jersey City. The restaurant opens at 8AM daily so diners can start the day with huevos con chorizo or a carne asada omelette.
Low Fidelity | 328 Palisade Avenue
Low Fidelity, or LoFi as it’s known by regulars, is a cool craft cocktail bar in the Heights. The inside has a retro-industrial feel but the spacious backyard is the place to relax on a nice afternoon. The food menu features some incredible Detroit-style pizzas with funky names like “The Jersey Cosmonaut” and “Aloha Satellite.”
Marty’s | 488 Central Avenue
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Marty’s is a Fort Lee-based burger spot that opened in the Heights last year. The menu features build-your-own burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, and hot dogs. Patrons can enjoy six types of fries along with a strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla milkshake.
Modcup Coffee | 479 Palisade Avenue
Travis Clifton began roasting coffee and selling it out of a hotdog cart in Hoboken back in 2013. It wasn’t long before this micro-roastery, Modcup Coffee, took off. The Heights storefront opened in 2014 and it’s still one of the best places in The Heights to grab some craft coffee with a view of the Manhattan skyline.
Noches de Colombia | 231-233 Central Avenue
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Noches de Colombia has a few locations throughout New Jersey and The Heights location is a favorite for locals craving some authentic Colombian food. The menu includes bakery items, salads, and seafood, chicken, and beef entrees. The pechuga empanizada (breaded chicken) is a must-try.
Ozu Foods | 106 Hutton Street
Ozu Foods is a seasonal Japanese restaurant that won the Hoboken Girl readers’ award for “Best Hidden Gem in Jersey City” in 2019. The menu includes sashimi, sushi, bento, and donburi plus a few vegan options. It is only open Wednesday – Saturday so plan accordingly.
See More: These Restaurants + Bars in Montclair Will Wow Your Visitors
Paulie’s Brickhouse | 264 Central Avenue
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Paulie’s Brickhouse has a menu of brick-oven pizza with locally inspired names like Hamilton Park, Newport, and The Heights. This spot also serves sandwiches, brunch, and beer – including a selection from locally made 902 Brewing on tap.
Renato’s Pizza Masters | 278 Central Avenue
After serving the Heights for 60 years, Renato’s Pizza Masters is still at the top of its game and this spot won the Hoboken Girl readers award for “Best Delivery Restaurant in Jersey City” in 2020. The Grandma pies and vodka sauce are always popular here but when the mood strikes for something fancier, consider ordering from the fine dining menu.
Rumba’s Cafe | 513 Central Avenue
Rumba’s Cafe is a popular Cuban restaurant open from 6AM-9PM every day. Breakfast options include spreads with eggs, mashed green plantains, and Spanish coffee. There are entree specials every day of the week but patrons can always order a classic Cubano sandwich.
Saigon Bistro | 514 Central Avenue
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Saigon Bistro has a menu of Vietnamese classics and Asian fusion dishes like homemade pho, banh mi, and spring rolls. Patrons can dine in or order delicious dishes for take-out. Saigon Bistro is open every day except Mondays.
Torta Truck | 413 Central Avenue
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Torta Truck opened a brick-and-mortar location last year after operating as a beloved food cart for a decade. The menu is inspired by family recipes from Atlixco, Puebla and the tortas (Mexican sandwiches) come filled with birria (braised beef), milanesa de pollo (breaded fried chicken), or homemade, chunky refried beans for a vegetarian option.
Veloce Specialty Sandwiches | 457 Baldwin Avenue
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Veloce Specialty Sandwiches is an authentic Italian sandwich shop that moved into this brick-and-mortar location last year. It’s known for its chicken parmesan sandwiches served on fresh, locally-made bread. In addition to the hot sandwiches, the menu includes 20 different cold sandwiches plus salads and sides.
Vibez Juice + Vegan Cafe | 82 Hutton Street
Vibez Juice + Vegan Cafe is a family-run cafe that serves soulful, healthy, and innovative vegan cuisine. The menu includes fresh juices, smoothies, and a daily selection of plant-based dishes like stewed chickpeas, steamed kale, and vegan jerk chicken. The team behind Vibez believes that well-being is a lifestyle and the cafe often hosts live entertainment and kids activities. It’s even a favorite spot of Gabrielle Union.
