The Hudson-Bergen light rail is a convenient way to travel between Hoboken and Jersey City. Whether you’re commuting to work and need a pre-office pick-me-up or if you simply want to plan a coffee crawl, we’ve rounded up the most convenient cafes near a few Light Rail stops along this line. Keep reading to find out where to grab coffee along the Hudson-Bergen light rail route.
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Essentials
Trains travel the Hudson-Bergen light rail route from 5AM – 1PM daily. Rides cost $2.25 for adults and tickets can be purchased on the NJ Transit app or at the station. These tickets are valid for 60 minutes after activation.
Coffee Shops Near the Stops
Liberty State Park
The Grind Shop | 360 Communipaw Avenue
The Grind is worth the 10-minute walk to the Liberty State Park station. After all, this community favorite was recently voted the best coffee shop in Jersey City by HG readers. It opens at 7AM every day for early morning caffeinating.
Read More: Kaffa Espresso Bar: Jersey City’s Newest Coffee Hot Spot
Jersey Avenue
Brewshot | 9 Regent Street
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There’s plenty of seating, and strong WiFi, in Brewshot which makes it a great spot to get some work done. The menu is full of specialty lattes and breakfast sandwiches which can be enjoyed as early as 8AM.
Marin Boulevard
Marin Boulevard is a great place to stop because there are multiple coffee shops within walking distance of the light rail stop. Fuel up at B18 Coffee Kitchen, Perk Up Coffee, or Gotan before hopping on the light rail.
B18 Coffee Kitchen | 18 Park View Avenue
B18 is run by the Beechwood Cafe team and serves espresso drinks, pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches. It opens at 8AM on weekdays and 9AM on weekends so you can stop by for a bite before a busy day ahead.
Perk Up Coffee | 197 Van Vorst Street
Perk Up Coffee offers a community vibe along with an excellent coffee menu. Keep an eye out for seasonal specials like a Vermont Maple Syrup Latte in the fall. There’s a pastry case full of treats if you’re looking for something sweet, but Perk Up also sells savory options like avocado toast and bagels.
Gotan | 198 Van Vorst Street on the Corner of Van Vorst + Morris
Gotan is one of the latest NYC cafes to open on this side of the Hudson. Coffee is served as early as 7AM so it’s a great option if you have an early morning commute.
Essex Street
Semicolon Cafe | 77 Hudson Street
Semicolon Cafe is a short walk from the Essex Street stop and offers some of the best coffee around. The menu includes espresso drinks, matcha lattes, and Semicolon’s signature egg sandwiches. The space features tons of plants and natural light and it’s a beautiful spot to relax if you have some time to kill before catching the light rail.
Exchange Place
Gregorys Coffee and Starbucks are both close to the Exchange Place stop and are easy options if you want to order ahead.
Gregorys Coffee | 10 Exchange Place
Gregorys Coffee opens at 6AM and has an order ahead option — two great features if you need to fuel an early morning commute. Plus, the menu includes smoothies, juice, and a bunch of food that’s easy to take on-the-go if you’re not looking for coffee quite yet.
Starbucks | 15 Exchange Place
Starbucks isn’t the most local coffee around by any means, but this location opens at 5:30AM so it’s often the only option for early morning light rail riders.
Harborside
Canard Cafe Bar | 200 Greene Street
Located in the Urby, Canard Cafe Bar is a great option if you’re looking for a place to work for a bit before taking the light rail to your next destination. There are tons of tables and outlets in the Canard plus a full menu of coffee and pastries to keep you going for a while.
Harsimus Cove
Le Cafe Coffee | 444 Warren Street
This artisanal coffee shop has a bunch of locations around New York but anyone traveling via the Harsimus Cove light rail stop can easily check out this cafe without leaving Jersey City. Signature drinks include the lavender latte and red tea latte which can be enjoyed alongside one of the tempting toasts or bagels.
Newport
Gregorys Coffee | 525 Washington Boulevard
Gregorys has another location along the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line. It’s convenient for commuters since it opens at 6AM and, like the Exchange Place location, order ahead is available.
Modcup Coffee Truck | 475 Washington Boulevard
The Modcup Coffee Truck is a bit further from the Newport Light Rail station but it’s our pick when we have more time on our hands. It opens at 7:30AM on weekdays and serves a curated selection of coffee and espresso drinks.
Hoboken Terminal
Joboken Cafe | 23 Hudson Place
We can’t help but chuckle when we say the name “Joboken” and that’s enough of a reason to start the day here. Coffee, tea, and Balthazar Bakery pastries are available daily from 9AM – 2PM.
2nd Street
Café Sophia | 200 Monroe Street
This cozy cafe is just a short 5-minute walk from the 2nd Street light rail stop. Cafe Sophia serves Lavazza coffee, omelets, and a selection of breakfast sandwiches served on bread that’s baked fresh each day. It’s open from 7AM – 3PM on weekdays and 8AM – 3PM on weekends — stop by for lunch if you’re craving a panini.
9th Street/Congress Street Station
Black Rail Coffee | 800 Jackson Street
Black Rail Coffee is practically located on the 9th Street/Congress Street Station platform. There are huge windows in the cafe so you can watch the light rail pass by while sipping a coffee. The cafe opens at 7AM on weekdays and 8AM on weekends and seems to have anything you would want from a cafe including espresso drinks, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and plenty of seating — both inside and out.
Lincoln Harbor
Cafe Grumpy | 1400 Waterfront Terrace
Cafe Grumpy is a few steps from the Lincoln Harbor station in the Weehawken Whole Foods. It’s open from 8AM – 7PM daily except on Sundays when it closes at 4PM. The menu includes a selection of matcha and turmeric drinks if you’re in the mood for something besides coffee.
Port Imperial
Steven’s Cafe | 1200 Avenue at Port Imperial
Early morning commuters can pop into Steven’s Cafe when it opens at 6AM for freshly brewed coffee and warm bagel sandwiches. The pastry case is often stocked with colorful macarons which can be hard to pass up.
Bergenline Avenue
Dunkin’ | 4914-22 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Sometimes Dunkin’ just hits the spot and there’s a convenient location right next to the Bergenline Avenue station. This outpost is open from 5AM to 10PM daily for all of your coffee and donut needs.
See More: Where To Get Matcha in Montclair + Beyond
Tonnelle Avenue
Six Corners Cafe | 4301 Bergen Turnpike
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Six Corners Cafe isn’t too far from the Tonnelle Avenue station and it offers delicious diner-style breakfast options if you have time to sit down for pancakes or French toast.
