It was only a few months ago when Hoboken Girl published the ultimate list of restaurants and eateries coming to Hoboken and Jersey City in 2020. Of course, as with all other things, the COVID-19 global pandemic really threw a wrench into the schedules of many different restaurants and businesses, rendering that list inaccurate.
If you’re in for some happy news amidst all these quarantine-related headlines, here are a few seriously delicious restaurants that have opened already this year or are opening in the second half of 2020. Keep scrolling for a glimpse of which restaurants will be open in Hoboken and Jersey City by the end of this year!
Hoboken
Curry Up Now {91 Washington Street}
{Photo credit: @curryupnow}
Curry Up Now is a new fast-casual eatery serving Indian cuisine in Hoboken at 91 Washington Street, currently open for delivery. Formerly the home of Wok to Walk, you’ll find everything from Thali platters and ghee makini bowls to vegan choices and gluten-free burrito options as well. Since most dishes often come with rice, there’s also a cauliflower rice option, too.
IL Tavolo di’ Palmisano {700 Clinton Street}
A new Italian restaurant called IL Tavolo di’ Palmisano opened in February over on Clinton Street. IL Tavolo di’ Palmisano comes from owner Frank Palmisano, who was previously a partner at Biggie’s Clam Bar. Due to the pandemic, this local spot is open for delivery. PS: They have awesome drinks to-go!
Sirenetta Seafood + Raw Bar {1309 Washington Street}
In May, Hoboken Girl announced that Sirenetta, a sister restaurant of sorts to Sorellina Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar, would be transforming the former Maxwell’s Place at 1309 Washington Street into a seafood and raw bar. Currently, there is no word yet on when Sirenetta Seafood + Raw Bar plans to open in light of recent events, but needless to say, we’re very excited about its future opening.
Construction on Sirenetta began back in January, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, construction may have stopped, at least temporarily. While current plans for the eatery show seating for about 100 people, new restrictions as a result of COVID-19 could potentially cause a scale-back.
See More: Staying In? Here Are Restaurants Offering Delivery in Hoboken + Jersey City
Medley {521 Washington Street}
Medley is a new sandwich and salad shop located at 521 Washington Street, aka the former Makai Poke spot. Focusing on greens and grains, sandwiches, and smoothies {according to its Instagram}, the shop serves breakfast all day long and makes a pretty amazing avocado toast.
You’ll also find classic menu items like a kale Caesar salad and specialty items like a brie and prosciutto sandwich {cue the mouth-watering} and a California Fresh Bowl — filled with quinoa, romaine, charred corn, cherry tomatoes, Cotija cheese, lime wedge, red onion, black beans, pineapple, cilantro, chipotle agave vinaigrette, and sour crema — yum.
Now open for delivery on Seamless, Delivery.com, and GrubHub, Medley’s special COVID hours are Monday through Sunday from 10:00AM-3:00PM.
Monroe’s Cocktail Bar {36-42 Newark Street}
Monroe’s officially opened in the Mile Square in early 2020, taking over 36-42 Newark Street. The former Biggie’s space is now a bonafide cocktail bar where patrons can also order New American Asian cuisine including squid rings, sliders, and a bourbon and passion fruit liqueur drink called the HBKN SMASH. Open during quarantine for both takeout and delivery every day, Monday through Sunday, from 3:00PM-8:00PM, you may have noticed that the sushi and cocktail bar has decor inspired by the famous Marilyn Monroe. There’s also a tuna roll called the Monroe Combo and a Kennedy Burger…enough said.
Shokudo Japanese Ramen + Udon {61-63 14th Street}
Shokudo Japanese Ramen + Udon opened in the Mile Square back in March at the start of the pandemic and has remained open during the coronavirus quarantine. Now offering takeout and delivery, the Shokudo menu features tonkotsu broths and shio or shoyu broths {for ramen dishes}, and classic Japanese fare such as rice bowls, edamame, and more.
Thomas’ Ice Cream Café {214 Jefferson Street}
A new ice cream shop called Thomas’ Ice Cream Café took over the former The Little Grocery spot back in August. However, because of the coronavirus situation, Thomas’ hadn’t been able to reopen for the 2020 season until a little later than anticipated. As of the first week in May, Thomas’ Ice Cream Café is now open once again! While Hobokenites have other ice cream spots in town — Ben and Jerry’s and Cold Stone Creamery — home owned and operated ice cream shops are few and far between.
Jersey City
Bang Cookies {128 Newark Avenue}
{Photo credit: @bangcookies}
One Bang Cookies location just isn’t enough. Luckily, the owners opened a second outpost for their all-organic cookie company in Downtown Jersey City. Located at 128 Newark Avenue, the second Bang opened back on March 13th.
The local cookie shop recently adjusted to COVID hours — the Heights location is open from 11:00AM-11:00PM and the downtown location is open from 10:00AM-10:00PM and local delivery is still available until midnight. The delicious menu features moist and crumbly gems such as Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk, Kitchen Sink, and boozy cookies like Cinnamon Whiskey Crackle.
Oh, and don’t forget to use the code HOBOKENGIRL for 20% off your first online order {and check out our deals directory for more noteworthy deals!}.
Milk and Cream Bar {175 Newark Avenue}
{Photo credit: @milkandcreambar}
No need to wait for the sound of the ice cream man! Delicious ice cream-cereal hybrid creations are now available at Milk and Cream Bar at 175 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. The ice-cream-shop-with-a-twist opened back on Thursday, May 28th.
The original Milk and Cream Cereal Bar can be found on Mott Street in Manhattan. That may be where the shop originally took the traditional idea of an ice cream cone and flipped on its head, adding delicious, nostalgic-inducing cereals like Apple Jacks, Cap’n Crunch, Fruity Pebbles, Trix!, and more.
As the newly-opened ice cream shop will be open during these unprecedented times of #SocialDistancing, the owners want everyone to know that safety is indeed a concern they take seriously.
“Safety is our number one priority! To ensure the safety of our customers and staff, we’ve created a plan to operate responsibly,” the owners wrote on Instagram. “We’ll be implementing procedures that prioritize cleanliness, sanitization, and measures for social distancing.”
Lackawanna Coffee {325 Warren Street}
{Photo credit: @lackawannacoffee}
You may have noticed that Lackawanna Coffee already has outposts at 140 Bay Street to 295 Grove Street but this year, the popular coffee shop opened a third. Located inside The Lively at 325 Warren Street, Lackawanna specializes in hot, cold, iced, and organic beverages, as well as various pastries and toasts. Lackawanna is open for takeout only.
Clove Garden of India {353 3rd Street}
Formerly Third and Vine, a new restaurant called Clove Garden of India came to 353 3rd Street in Jersey City earlier this year. Offering Indian Frontier cuisine, the eatery has already opened for takeout and delivery.
Closed on Mondays, Clove Garden of India is open all other days from 3:00PM-9:00PM for delivery and takeout. According to the menu, the restaurant offers a vast array of vegetarian starters — from tamarind eggplant {crispy eggplant slices with chickpeas, mint, and tamarind} to lasoon gobi {cauliflower florets tossed in sweet chili garlic sauce}, non-vegetarian starters {like chicken lollypop and lamb pepper fry}, south Indian sizzlers, tandoor sizzlers, and so much more.
Read More: 6 Must-Try Edgewater Restaurants for Takeout Delivery
Freetown Road {640 Newark Street}
{Photo credit: @freetown_road_project}
A new Caribbean-West Indian eatery called Freetown Road recently opened in Journal Square, moving into the former medical office at 640 Newark Street. Spearheaded by Chef Claude Lewis, a Food Network Chopped winner, the menu features different kinds of curry, braised oxtail, grilled goat, fried fish, and small West Indian-inspired bites.
Freetown Road is currently open from 2:00PM-10:00PM for takeout.
The Grind General Store {293 Sundyam Avenue}
{Photo credit: @thegrindgeneral}
A new general store endeavor is coming soon to JC from the owners of The Grind Coffee Shop in Jersey City. The second outpost in JC, The Grind General Store, will be located at 293 Sundyam Avenue and plans to open sometime in July 2020.
In an email to Hoboken Girl, co-owner Mike says, “We decided to open now due to the current challenges COVID has brought on. We’ve seen and listened to members of our community and decided to push up the open date to be able to offer staple fridge and pantry items that have been challenging to find here. With news of a potential second wave hitting us this fall, we felt it was essential to open,” Mike adds. Read more here.
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