The beauty of Latin cuisine is that every country and island has its own way of cooking, and its own signature dishes. Many of these countries and islands make dishes that are completely unique, and they’re pretty delicious, too. If you’re in the mood for some comida Latino, we’ve got you covered.
The bulk of the restaurants on this list are what people would consider “hole-in-the-walls,” but these unexpected gems are packing delicious, savory, and authentic cuisine that would be found in their native countries. One thing that all of these restaurants have in common is that they all serve their food in generous portions. It’s about providing meals to customers that they would provide for their own families — hearty, flavorful food that leaves you full and happy. Although the cooking techniques in the Latinx community are distinctive, the community as a whole is united through the common appreciation for comida deliciosa. Here are some local places to try ASAP.
(Photo credit: @changokitchen_official)
Hoboken
Baja Mexican Cuisine | 104 14th Street
Cuisine style: Mexican
Recommended dish: The Jalapeño and onion rings with jalapeño sauce
This restaurant, located at 104 14th Street, has been the charbroil Tex-Mex destination for locals since 1987. This is the place to go for delicious Mexican grill combinations, top-notch margaritas, and blue agave tequilas.
Chango Kitchen | 301 Willow Avenue
Cuisine Style: Cuban
Recommended dish: Chuleta ahumada (smoked pork chops) with white rice
This downtown spot had a major facelift in 2020, including adding outdoor seating. Patrons can enjoy traditional Cuban food plus a daily special, and brunch is served on the weekends. This restaurant is a BYOB. A plate of huevos rancheros plus a $10 pitcher of margaritas sounds like a perfect weekend day.
Charritos | 518 Washington Street
Cuisine style: Mexican
Recommended dish: Fresh guacamole made tableside, served with salsa
The menu at this beloved restaurant boasts authentic and vegan Mexican cuisine with vegetarian items (items with dairy are clearly marked). Owned by the Arias family, some of the popular dishes are the Enchiladas Verdes, a sweet corn chowder, and the Chilacayota.
East LA | 508 Washington Street
Cuisine Style: Mexican
Recommended dish: Frozen margarita of any flavor
This is one of the OG Hoboken spots, best known for its margaritas. We’re partial to the frozen ones, but everyone will enjoy the incredible variety of flavors to choose from. Mix flavors together for a truly custom drink. This spot has no-frills casual Mexican food like endless chips and salsa, lots of apps, and tacos.
Empanadas Cafe | 123 Washington Street
Cuisine Style: Argentinian
Recommended dish: Sweet plantain and cheese empanada
Here, the empanadas are pre-baked, and then warmed up for a delicious dining experience upon ordering. There’s an empanada for every kind of craving, sweet and savory. A few flavors to consider are the spicy chicken, spinach, dulce de leche with bananas, pork, and fig.
Read More: Dos Amigos: Delicious, No-Frills Food in West New York
La Casa | 54 Newark Street
Cuisine Style: Latin fusion
Recommended dish: Sancocho, a traditional broth with large pieces of meat, tubers, and vegetables
The food here is made to order and the menu includes daily lunch specials, sandwiches, fresh salads, dessert, breakfast, and a kid’s menu. The menu reads, “el amor empieza por la cocina” which means “love starts in the kitchen,” and you can tell with every delicious bite.
La Isla | 104 Washington Street
Cuisine Style: Cuban
Recommended dish: Pan Con Bistec: thin steak, lettuce, tomato, onions, and potato sticks
This family-owned spot has been around for over 20 years and has a cult-like following in Hoboken and beyond. The restaurant serves traditional Cuban food made from the freshest, most genuine ingredients. Some of the most popular and beloved dishes include the ropa vieja and churrasco con chimichurri.
Orale Mexican Kitchen | 1426 Willow Avenue, Hoboken + 341 Grove Street, Jersey City
Cuisine Style: Mexican
Recommended dish: Breakfast Nachos for the table, served with crisp duck confit, salsa, cheddar, black beans, radish, crema and pico de gallo, + two fried eggs
Orale’s diverse menu and cocktails have been a draw to the restaurant since its inception. And, the ambiance is pretty cool too: the interior design is vibrant and eye-catching in both locations. The OG margarita is called Nuestra Casa, which translates to “our house,” but the bar has a colorful array of different marg flavors and offerings.
Pico Taco | 70 Hudson Street
Cuisine style: Mexican
Recommended dish: Chilaquiles: fried corn tortilla chips simmered in a brothy sauce
With hand-crafted tacos and freshly-made tortillas, Pico Taco provides customers with the freshest ingredients and highest-quality meals. The Mexican eatery also offers sustainable packaging for to-go options, as well as a menu of $3.50 tacos and authentic Mexican beverages.
The Cuban | 333 Washington Street
Cuisine style: Cuban
Recommended dish: El Clásico: roasted pork shank, rice, garlic orange mojo, yuca con mojo, sweet plantain, and pickled red onions
Aside from apps, entrees, and dessert, this spot also offers Cuban brunch and family platters. This locale has an extensive menu that caters to everyone, as well as well-made drinks, and live Spanish music.
Jersey City
Angel Azul Bakery | 460 Central Avenue
Cuisine style: Colombian and Ecuadorian
Recommended dish: Ecuatoriano: green plantain patties stuffed with cheese, two eggs any style, and a roll
This spot is a staple in the Jersey City Heights, so much so that the morning line spans down the block with locals waiting to get their hands on the delicious coffee and treats. From Colombian coffee to authentic Latin American dishes and pastries, this bakery is unmatched.
See More: Cocina Candela: Authentic Puerto Rican Food in Montclair
Cupcakes By Jeannie
Cuisine Style: Puerto Rican & American
Recommended dish: Tres leches cupcake
Cupcakes by Jeannie is a pastry truck that parks in Jersey City, mainly in the downtown area or McGinley Square. Owned by Jeannie Colon and operated alongside her sister Sonia Vasquez, the Jersey City BNR sisters create unique cakes, cupcakes, and other treats for personal and corporate celebrations as well as holidays. The truck carries cupcakes of all flavors, some of which include tres leches, dulce de leche, salted caramel, chocolate cookies and cream, and much more. To locate the truck, follow the sisters on Instagram, as they post where they are parked.
Casa Latina | 112 Ocean Avenue
Cuisine style: Dominican
Recommended dish: Mondongo: Dominican-style tripe stew with beef tripe, onion, garlic, peppers, carrots, potatoes, tomato sauce, and cilantro
Albeit a small space, the food here is packed with flavor. The employees are welcoming and willing to help with any suggestions or questions, and the restaurant also offers family-size dishes that are perfect for when you don’t want to cook at home. The meals here average at $8 per person and the portion sizes are generous.
Dulce de Leche Bakery | 376 Central Avenue
Cuisine Style: Argentinian
Recommended dish: Dulce de leche chantilly: chocolate cake with layers of dulce de
leche and whipped cream
This gem is a modern Argentine bakery-cafe that has been thriving in the heart of Hudson County since 2007. Inside there is ample seating and chic ambiance where you can grab a quick bite or sit down and stay awhile. The bakery offers custom cakes, freshly-baked sweets, and catering services.
El Gordo | 291 Central Avenue
Cuisine Style: Peruvian
Recommended dish: Pollo a la brasa: Peruvian roasted chicken
After 15 years in business, the Armero family is still serving authentic Peruvian food in Passaic, Union, and Jersey City. The menu is extensive, offering appetizers, traditional Peruvian dishes, soups, entrees, seafood, and side orders.
El Pio Pio | 449 Central Avenue
Cuisine style: Cuban
Recommended dish: Picadillo Criollo: ground beef in creole sauce
This local gem serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and also offers weekday specials. The dishes are inexpensive, substantially sized, and come with two sides, some of which are rice, beans, and maduros. The restaurant even delivers to the opposite side of the city in the downtown area. The atmosphere is cozy, and there’s almost always a soccer game playing in the background.
El Pollo Supremo | 254 Central Avenue
Cuisine Style: Mexican, Venezuelan, and Cuban
Recommended dish: Roasted chicken and maduros
This staple has been serving cities across the country for 30 years, four restaurants in Hudson County alone. The chicken is marinated overnight with the original top-secret Alvarez family recipe and is then char-broiled to perfection in the grill. Aside from the house specialty, El Pollo Supremo offers freshly-prepared local favorites such as churrasco steaks, authentic rice and beans, yuca, tostones, light salads, kid-friendly options, and much more.
El Rinkoncito Peruano | 501 Central Avenue
Cuisine Style: Peruvian
Recommended dish: Jalea: crispy mixed seafood served with fried cassava
This restaurant boasts Peruvian cuisine with a large menu that consists of Peruvian chicken entrees, Peruvian seafood, Peruvian grilled dishes, salads, soups, and dessert. The combo options are great for when you’re in the mood for a full meal and a reasonable price.
Read More: 6 Delicious Colombian Restaurants on Bergenline Avenue
El Sabroso | 414 Central Avenue
Cuisine style: Puerto Rican
Recommended dish: Mofongo: fried green plantains mashed together with garlic and crackling pork rinds, also known as chicharrón
Patrons can enjoy authentic Puerto Rican and Caribbean food at inexpensive prices at this long-standing establishment. The restaurant is spacious and casual with friendly service, and although the place gets busy on weekends it’s worth the wait for the savory dishes.
El Rey del Sur | 115 Bowers Street
Cuisine style: El Salvadoran and Honduran
Recommended dish: Pupusa mixta: corn tortilla stuffed with beans, cheese, and pork
Pupusas, a thick griddlecake or flatbread made with cornmeal or rice flour, are sacred in the El Salvadoran and Honduran cultures. They are a staple, and yet, not everyone can master them. However, this spot has done just that. This restaurant is known for its authentic, homemade pupusas that come in several flavors.
El Sazón De Las Américas | 305 Grove Street
Cuisine style: Dominican
Recommended dish: Dominican arepa: a cornmeal and coconut cake
From breakfast to entrees, seafood, and fresh-pressed juices, there’s something for everyone here. The family combos include a whole or half of a rotisserie chicken, a large portion of rice, a medium serving of beans, green plantains, salad, and a 1-liter soda for $22.95. Desserts include Dominican cake, tres leches, bread pudding, and more — go on, indulge a little.
El Sol de Caribe | 150 Sterling Avenue
Cuisine style: Dominican
Recommended dish: Oxtail with rice
This spacious restaurant allows patrons to sit back and enjoy a home-cooked meal, but if you’re in a hurry, fret not, the staff pumps the food out quickly here. From beef stew to empanadas, the kitchen makes all of the classics found on the island of the Dominican Republic.
Gusto Latino | 745 West Side Avenue
Cuisine style: Dominican
Recommended dish: Pernil (shredded pork) with rice
Serving up delicious Latin comfort food, Gusto Latino offers large portions for low prices. Every meat dish comes with two sides, some of which include rice, beans, maduros, tostones, yuca, mac and cheese, and more. Oh, and everything here is freshly made for some serious authenticity.
Hard Grove | 284 1st Street
Cuisine style: Cuban
Recommended dish: Cuban sandwich
The restaurant features a brunch, lunch, and dinner menu filled with many popular Cuban dishes as well as some classic delights that showcase the incredible work of owner Carmen Mendiola and chef Evelyn Padin.
Kikiriki | 301 Central Avenue
Cuisine style: Peruvian
Recommended dish: Pork ribs with fried rice
This quaint restaurant, nestled on the busiest street in Chilltown, has a crowd most days, and that’s thanks to the food. The dishes are straightforward and simple, but sometimes that’s all you need, a no-frills, simply satisfying meal. Pro tip, always ask for the green sauce, it’s made in-house and compliments every dish.
La Concha | 384 Central Avenue
Cuisine style: Dominican
Recommended dish: Beef stew
This longstanding, neighborhood favorite had been turning out savory Dominican cuisine for years. It’s best to visit earlier in the day, as a lot of the food they prepare the morning of, is sold out in the evening. The lunch specials are a great option to try a dish at a low cost.
Los Cuernos |499 Washington Boulevard
Cuisine style: Mexican
Recommended dish: Enfrijoladas: warm tortillas covered in bean sauce + chorizo + creama + queso
The vibrant interior here sets the scene at this local joint with vintage movie prints, iron chandeliers, and hand-painted walls that give off a California vibe. Everything is curated by the husband-and-wife team/owners. The large restaurant has three separate sections where patrons can enjoy a sit-down dinner, grab drinks at the bar, or host a private event in the upstairs loft equipped with a private bar.
Los Tres Chilitos | 456 Central Avenue
Cuisine style: Mexican
Recommended dish: Chicken gorditas: shredded meat simmered in spicy tomato salsa
This Mexican gem is one of the best-kept secrets in The Heights. This popular restaurant is known for Mexican comfort food, large portions, and low prices. Plus, the flavors here are authentic and will have you going back for more.
Mi Mariachi | 213 Sip Avenue
Cuisine style: Mexican
Recommended dish: Tacos dorados: fried tacos
Not only does this vibrant and colorful space serve up authentic Mexican cuisine, like tacos, chilaquiles, tamales, fajitas, huaraches, and tostadas, it also makes classic breakfast sandwiches and platters to satisfy any food craving any time of the day.
Noches de Colombia | 231-233 Central Avenue
Cuisine style: Colombian
Recommended dish: Pechuga empanizada: breaded chicken, rice, house salad, soup or beans
A Colombian staple through and through, Noches de Colombia along with its other locations throughout New Jersey, is a favorite among locals. The restaurant includes items from the bakery, salads, appetizers, sides, as well as chicken, beef, and seafood options.
O’LaLa Empanadas | 600 Communipaw Avenue
Cuisine style: Latin fusion
Recommended dish: Aztec empanada: shrimp and chipotle sauce filling
One word: empanadas. Family owned and operated since 2014, the here mission is to pay tribute to the world’s cultural infusion and flavors by sharing the family matriarch’s delicious, classic, and unique recipes. This restaurant brings over 20 delicious empanadas and Latin fusion dishes to the neighborhood. Many of the meals were inspired by Latin countries, but also have Italian and Asian influence depending on the dish.
Restaurante y Panaderia Guatemalteco | 311 Pacific Avenue
Cuisine style: Guatemalan
Recommended dish: Mangonada: a spiced up slushie made with mangoes
This spot doesn’t stop at hot and hearty meals, it also whips up beautiful cakes and pastries from its bakery. It’s a one-stop-shop for all of your party needs. The restaurant itself is spacious and bright with a large mural adding to the ambiance and a TV for entertainment.
Rinconcito Copaneco | 15 Jordan Avenue
Cuisine style: Honduran
Recommended dish: Carne asada: seasoned skirt steak
The vibe here is lively, with bright orange walls and white touches. The menu is impressive, as it boasts several options for breakfast, entrees, soups, and sides like pupusas, soup, and baleadas, Honduran tacos. Needless to say, the options are endless and the meals are hearty.
Rumba Cubana | 235 Pavonia Avenue
Cuisine style: Cuban
Recommended dish: Tostones Rellenos: stuffed plantain chips
Patrons come here for three reasons: the food, the vibe, and the friendly service. The Lopez family came to America from Cuba in 2000 with a dream of using their family’s recipes to serve the community. Judging by the almost-nightly full house, the Lopez family has succeeded in bringing that dream to fruition.
See More: Latinx-Owned Businesses to Support in Hoboken + Jersey City
Sabor a Maiz | 408 Central Avenue
Cuisine style: Venezuelan
Recommended dish: Cachapa: pancake-like cake made from fresh corn batter with some pieces of corn kernels
This spot serves up authentic Venezuelan meals and street snacks, perfect for when you’re on the go or looking to relax in a spacious, bright, and airy backyard space. From arepas, cachapas, pastelitos, and traditional desserts, this restaurant has the perfect finger-food option for any mood.
Sol Azeteca | 328 Montgomery Street
Cuisine style: Mexican
Recommended dish: Enchiladas
Sol Azteca originally started its journey at 239 Barrow Street, but then moved to Montgomery Street in 2017. From enchiladas to tacos to burritos and bowls, there’s something for everyone at this authentic Mexican spot.
Tacos Victoria | 324 1/2 7th Street
Cuisine style: Mexican
Recommended dish: Chicken quesadilla
The vast Mexican food options here keep customers coming back for something new. Additionally, the owners have a food truck that is usually parked near Exchange Place and serve up fresh and flavorful lunch dishes to the business crowds.
Tamborim Bar & Grill | 130 Newark Avenue
Cuisine style: Brazilian
Recommended dish: Barriga de porco recheada
The menu at Tamborim Bar & Grill will bring in flavors from all over Brazil. The dishes are vibrant and flavorful and the restaurant is stunning. It will transport you out of Jersey City to a small town in Brazil.
Torico | 20 Erie Street
Cuisine style: Puerto Rican
Recommended dish: Passion fruit sorbet
Since 1968, this Puerto Rican-owned ice cream shop has become a staple for tasty homemade ice cream in the area. The name Torico loosely translates in Spanish to a slang term for “todo rico,” meaning, “it’s all good.” Inspired to create the same delicious flavors found on the island, Torico makes ice cream using tamarind, passion fruit, and coconut: all authentic, tropical flavors.
