Eggplant, or melanzana, is a staple in the Italian culture, and the base for one of the most famous dishes Italy has to offer. Eggplant parmesan, or parmigiana di melanzane, is a filling, rich dish made similar to a lasagna, with grilled or breaded eggplant replacing the pasta sheets. Parmigiana can also be made with chicken, shrimp, and veal, but eggplant is a vegetarian-friendly version that can be made with plenty of heart and flavor. Tons of restaurants in the area offer it, many with a unique twist. Check out our list of restaurants that offer eggplant parmigiana in Hoboken and Jersey City below.
Hoboken
Blue Eyes | 525 Sinatra Drive
(Photo credit: @blueeyeshoboken)
With breathtaking views of the New York City skyline, the traditional Italian eatery offers up an eggplant parmigiana for $23. The eggplant is baked and then served with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and basil, and available for both lunch and dinner. Blue Eyes is open daily from noon until 10PM, but the hours are extended to 11PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Cafe Michelina | 423 Bloomfield Street
(Photo credit: @cafemichelina)
This family-owned Italian eatery has been open since 1994, offering a BYOB experience that is open seven days a week. Open for dinner daily and for late lunch on the weekends, the local business has won an award for being a staple in the town’s history. The menu, of course, includes an eggplant parm as one of its staple dishes, served with a choice of pasta on the side for $16.95. It is featured on both the regular menu as well as the catering menu.
Grimaldi’s | 411 Washington Street
(Photo credit: @grimaldis_hoboken)
This eatery has locations across the New York City area, with Hoboken’s outpost located right in the middle of town. The eggplant parm on the menu comes over a plate of spaghetti and marinara sauce, adding to a pizza and calzone-filled menu. Pair it with garlic bread or a glass of wine, and finish it off with a cannoli made with homemade cream.
H&S Giovanni’s | 603 Washington Street
(Photo credit: @hsgiovanniis)
There are tons of parmigiana options on the H&S Giovanni’s menu, where the eggplant version is made with eggplant slices, parmesan cheese, and marinara sauce. The entree is $12.95, and pasta–including ziti and spaghetti–can be added to the dish for an additional charge.
Il Tavolo Palmisano | 700 Clinton Street
(Photo credit: @il_tavolo_di_palmisano)
The eggplant parmigiana here is called an eggplant casserole, but the spirit behind the dish is the same. Breaded eggplant is layered with tomato sauce and parmesan and fresh mozzarella cheeses. The dish is then topped with a unique touch, a lemon basil ricotta. There’s also a dish called chicken and eggplant Carrozza, a fusion of chicken and eggplant parmigiana dishes.
Johnny Pepperoni | 219 11th Street
(Photo credit: @johnnypepps)
Local restauranteur John Avoletta, who also owns City Bistro, serves up traditional Italian dishes at this modern joint, which has been a Hoboken staple since 2010. A whole section of the menu is dedicated to parmigiana, made with traditional tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, and spaghetti. The eggplant, chicken, and shrimp options can also be served with vodka sauce or spicy marinara sauce.
Leo’s Grandevous | 200 Grand Street
(Photo credit: @leosgrandevous)
Leo’s is one of the most storied, famous restaurants in Hoboken. Established in 1939, it pays homage to Frank Sinatra, as the owners had a long, friendly relationship with the crooner. The eggplant parmigiana on the menu is $23.50 and served with linguine, offering a long list of tried and true Italian dishes. Leo’s is open daily for dinner, and open for lunch Wednesdays through Fridays.
Read More: The Best Italian Delis in Hoboken
Napoli’s | 1118 Washington Street + 133 Clinton Street
(Photo credit: @napolishoboken)
With an uptown and a downtown location, Napoli’s offers so much more than just pizza. The huge menu includes an eggplant parmesan entree and an eggplant parm hero, where the entree is served with a side of pasta and the heroes are served with a side salad. The entree version boasts baked eggplant and homemade marinara sauce for $15.95.
Old Lorenzo’s Pizzeria | 301 Jackson Street
This pizzeria also has an array of pasta and entree options, including an eggplant parmigiana dish that is made with homemade marinara sauce, hand-breaded eggplant, and melted mozzarella. The dish comes with a choice of side pasta, with the available options including penne, spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair pasta.
Otto Strada | 743 Park Street
This BYOB spot cooks the eggplant parm in a brick oven, combining it with both fresh, imported Italian ricotta cheese and homemade mozzarella. It is also made with fresh basil and San Marzano tomatoes, making it more unique than some of the other options. This version of the dish dubbed the “Il Mattone,” costs $26.
Rosario’s at Willow | 1132 Willow Avenue
This Italian-American restaurant offers a traditional eggplant parm dish as well as an eggplant parm hot hero. The dish is served with pasta for $16.95, and the hot hero is crafted with eggplant slices, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese for $9.95. The restaurant is closed on Mondays but open for both lunch and dinner on the remaining six days.
Rosticeria da Gigi | 916 Washington Street
(Photo credit: @gigishoboken)
Served with a choice of side, the eggplant parmesan at this eatery costs $15.95 and tops a list of vegetarian options that includes lasagna, polenta, and more. Many of the available side options are gluten-free, including french fries, home fries, quinoa pilaf, and pasta with pesto. Dining options include takeout, delivery, and dine-in.
San Giuseppe | 1320 Adams Street
(Photo credit: @sg_hoboken)
Eggplant parmigiana comes in two ways on this menu, both as an entree and as a sandwich (with an added bonus of eggplant rollatini served as an appetizer). The $17 entree option is served a side of mixed vegetables, and this version is crafted with baked eggplant slices and Parmigiano cheese. Note, though, that the $13 sandwich version is only available as a delivery/takeout option.
The Brick | 1122 Washington Street
(Photo credit: @the_brick_hoboken)
There are tons of eggplant options on The Brick’s menu, including a vegan eggplant parmesan sandwich, and a vegan and gluten-free eggplant parmesan dinner. The same dishes are served with non-vegan (but still vegetarian) options, and the homemade marinara sauce stays consistent throughout the options. Eggplant parmesan pizzas are also available in different sizes.
Torna’s Pizzeria | 254 9th Street
There are several parmigiana options available on this menu, including shrimp, chicken, and, of course, eggplant. The vegetarian version is available as both a hot sub or as a platter, where the latter comes in two different sizes. Add-ons like ziti and spaghetti are also available, and all of the prices are reasonable. The small platter, for example, is $10.
Jersey City
Barge Inn | 324 3rd Street
(Photo credit: @bargeinn324)
The eggplant parmigiana is available as a lunch special at Barge Inn, where it costs $9.95 from Monday through Friday from 11:30AM to 3PM. Barge Inn was established in 1969 and, on Thursdays starting at 5PM, the restaurant offers all-you-can-eat pasta with a glass of house wine for $8.95. There’s also a pool table for a more casual, laid-back experience.
Buon Appetito | 520 Jersey Avenue
The big menu offers tons of eggplant-inclusive options, and the eggplant parmigiana dish and offered with a choice of sauce and pasta. Homemade sauce options include marinara sauce, vodka sauce, and garlic and oil, and pasta side options include penne, rigatoni, and linguine, with cavatelli and tortellini available for an extra charge. The dish costs $16.95, and the restaurant is open from 10AM to 9:45PM daily.
Delenio | 357 7th Street
(Photo credit: @delenio.italian.eatery)
Everything at this Hamilton Park eatery is made fresh, and the eggplant parmigiana dish is served for $14.50. An array of parmigiana dishes are also available, including sausage and chicken. The eggplant parmigiana is also available to be catered, with half trays or full trays for $45 or $90, respectively.
Krispy Pizza | 33 Hudson Street
(Photo credit: @krispypizzajc)
Family-owned downtown favorite Krispy Pizza has plenty of eggplant parm options to go around. The eggplant parm pizza has fans all over town. There is also an eggplant rollatini appetizer, an eggplant parm roll, an eggplant parm sub, and an eggplant parm krispini. Many items are available for catering, and delivery is available.
See More: The Best Spots for Gnocchi in Hoboken + Jersey City
Laico’s | 67 Terhune Avenue
(Photo credit: @laicosjc)
This fine Italian dining eatery was originally opened by the Laico family in 1972, mixing trendy food options with tried-and-true classics and homemade recipes. Eggplant parmigiana is one of the restaurant’s specialties, priced at $18.95. It can also be combined with chicken parmigiana to create a special dish, available for $22.95.
Renato’s Pizza Masters | 278 Central Avenue
This Heights favorite, known for its incredible pizzas, of course, has eggplant parm locked down. Renato’s has an eggplant parm sandwich available for $9.50. The eggplant rollatini appetizer has the addition of prosciutto to this classic dish, also available for $9.50. Both the eggplant parmesan and the eggplant rollatini are available in entree sizes as well. Fried eggplant is available as a pizza topping, so you could DIY your way to an eggplant parm pizza or calzone.
Tino’s Artisan Pizza | 199 Warren Street
(Photo credit: @tinosartisanpizzaco)
The woodfired oven at Tino’s Artisan Pizza churns out more than just pizza. An eggplant parm sub is available, made with organic tomato sauce. The eggplant pizza, called the Parm Pie, is made with the same breaded eggplant and organic tomato sauce, and it’s available on a Roman-style flatbread, a cauliflower crust, or a gluten-free crust. For an appetizer, there is an eggplant rollatini available, which is sort of a ‘naked’ eggplant parm – it’s simply the breaded eggplant, tomato sauce, and of course, plenty of mozzarella cheese.
Venti Italian Specialties | Food Truck
(Photo credit: @ventifoodtruck)
The brothers behind this food truck are dedicated to preserving the Italian-American deli tradition and make fresh mozzarella daily. The eggplant parmigiana is lightly breaded and crafted with marinara and fresh mozzarella, and is priced at $15. Veal and chicken parmigiana are also available.
3 Guys From Italy | 2854 John F Kennedy Boulevard
Both an eggplant parmigiana sandwich, as well as an eggplant parmigiana entree, are available at this restaurant. Breaded eggplant is the key piece of the puzzle, and it’s topped with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce for $10.95 with a side of salad, vegetables, or pasta included. The sandwich costs $8.95, and catering options are also available to order.
