Surviving the wintery stretch between New Year’s Eve and St Patrick’s Day is easier to do when you have something to look forward to. Everyone in Hudson County is invited to attend this year’s Jersey City Restaurant Week which highlights longtime dining destinations and new eateries in Jersey City. Locals can experience restaurants with takeout and contactless delivery as well as in-person dining promotions from Monday, March 7th through Sunday, March 20th. Keep reading to learn more about the event and which restaurants will be participating.
Jersey City Restaurant Week was born from the passion of Carmen Mendiola, Rachel Sieg, and Melanie Rudin. Carmen is a fierce advocate for Jersey City and its restaurant owners. Rachel is the Director of the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District (HDSID) and a dedicated architect of Downtown Jersey City’s vibrant event scene, with the goal of driving business and new visitors and residents to the city. Melanie Rudin of MiT Communications, and a former NYC baker and caterer, joined the team to assist in getting the message of great Jersey City dining to as many businesses and diners as possible.
This iteration of restaurant week varies from those held in the past as it embraces innovative technology. Thanks to the new website, diners can easily search for restaurants by neighborhood or use QR codes to find out about offers and opportunities to dine locally.
“We are offering a wide range of promotions to encourage residents and visitors to experience new dining options and old favorites,” Carmen told Hoboken Girl. “This Jersey City Restaurant Week is a new version of itself as it leverages technology to broaden the ability to reach every corner of Jersey City – from Greenville to Grove Street.”
New Flavors Throughout Jersey City
In such a diverse city, there are endless options for flavor-packed cuisine, so while you hit up your favorites, Jersey City Restaurant week is a great time to branch out and try something new.
“We’d like to encourage people to explore options all over Jersey City,” Carmen shared. “Check out The Barge Inn in Downtown Jersey City, Harry’s Daughter in Bergen Lafayette or LoDG on Central Ave, The Sicilian Food Truck in Port Liberte or The Franklin in Van Vorst Park.”
When you participate in Jersey City Restaurant Week make sure to use #JCRESTAURANTWEEKHG with all your foodie posts for a chance to win a $100 gift card. The winner will be announced on Monday, March 21st on Jersey City Restaurant Week’s Instagram.
“The restaurant industry was hit hard during the pandemic with many businesses forced to close or operate at significantly reduced capacities. In Jersey City we continued to support our restaurants with the help of the City of Jersey City, Mayor Fulop, JCEDC, Special Improvements Districts, particularly Rachel Sieg, and now with the help of the MiT Communications we are bouncing back,” Carmen said. “We have some of the best restaurants in Jersey City and we welcome all to join us March 7th to 20th for Jersey City Restaurant Week.”
The event will benefit the HDSID charity partner for 2022, New City Kids Inc. This organization provides teen leadership, development and performing arts opportunities to at-risk, low-income children and teenagers in Jersey City. 20 percent of each participating restaurant’s application fee will be donated to help young people in our community through this work.
Ani Ramen House
Participating Restaurants
Ani Ramen House | 218 Newark Avenue
Ani Ramen-District Kitchen | 210 Hudson Street
Barge Inn | 324 3rd Street
Box Cafe | 115 Palisade Avenue
Bricklane Curry House | 136 Newark Avenue
Carvao BBQ | 686 Bergen Avenue
Carvao BBQ
Casa Cubana | 1007 Summit Avenue
El Rancho Taqueria | 382 2nd Street
Emma’s | 4 Path Plaza
Fire + Oak | 485 Washington Boulevard
Franklin Social | 298 Barrow Street
Freetown Road Project | 640 Newark Avenue
Freetown Road Project
Hard Grove Restaurant | 284 First Street
Harry’s Daughter | 339 Communipaw Avenue
Hudson Hound Jersey City | 8 Erie Street
ITA Italian Kitchen | 682 Bergen Avenue
Just Beclaws | 280 First Street
Krewe of McGinley Square | 673 Bergen Avenue
Latham House | 299 Marin Boulevard
Latham House
Lokal Eatery + Bar | 2 Second Street
Luna | 279 Grove Street
Marty’s | 488 Central Avenue
Mi Bandera Heights | 408 Central Avenue
O’Leary’s Publik House | 788 Garfield Avenue
Paulie’s Brickhouse | 264 Central Avenue
Poor Man Vegan | 90 Monticello Avenue
Roman Nose | 125 Newark Avenue
Rosita’s Yah | 203 Academy Street
Rosita’s Yah
Skinner’s Loft | 146 Newark Avenue
The Sicilian Guy | Food Truck
Tino’s Artisan Pizza Co. | 199 Warren Street
Wingin It | 122 Ocean Avenue
Wurstbar | 516 Jersey Avenue
Wurstbar
Don’t forget to use #JCRESTAURANTWEEKHG when posting on social media about your Jersey City Restaurant Week eats for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Click here to see the full list of restaurants, light bites, or to become a Restaurant Week sponsor. You can call 917-548-4049 or email [email protected] with any questions.
Jersey City’s Milk Sugar Love Expanding to Asbury Park
Milk Sugar Love, the beloved Jersey City-based ice cream shop known for its handcrafted treats, is expanding to the Jersey Shore. In June 2025 the artisanal creamery will open a new location in Asbury Park, New Jersey, bringing its signature small-batch ice cream to the beach. The woman-owned ice cream parlor — founded by chef-owner Emma Taylor — is known for using high-quality, all-natural, and organic ingredients to create classic and seasonal flavors. The Asbury Park location promises to be a sweet addition to the seaside scene this summer. Read on to learn more about Milk Sugar Love’s new location opening in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
The Details
Milk Sugar Love is set to open at 1319 Memorial Drive in Asbury Park, New Jersey in June 2025. The new shop will feature an expanded production kitchen, walk-up window, and café-style seating for 12, including a few coveted counter seats where guests can watch their sundaes, affogatos, and ice cream specialties being expertly prepared.
Read More: The Cafe at Journal Squared: Jersey City’s Newest Coffee Shop
The Asbury Park location's expanded menu will showcase house-made ice cream available by the scoop, artisanal soft serve, specialty coffee drinks such as affogatos and cold brew floats, and a full take-home menu including ice cream sandwiches, celebration ice cream cakes, and fresh-baked treats. Milk Sugar Love’s ice cream flavor options span from standards like strawberry and vanilla to one-of-a-kind tastes such as lemon olive oil and guava cream cheese.
The Monmouth County expansion marks an exciting milestone for the brand, which has been delighting dessert lovers at its storefront in Jersey City since 2014. The announcement of the future Jersey Shore location was made in tandem with a reflection and celebration of its tenth year in business.
“It’s been 10 years of Milk Sugar Love and I still deeply believe in what we’re doing – making inventive and delicious ice cream from scratch using locally sourced, all-natural ingredients. You help me continue to live this ice cream dream of mine with every post you share, with every pint you bring home for the family, with every friend you bring to visit the shop. I am excited for another year of making ice cream for you in Jersey City and soon, in Asbury Park too!” founder Emma Taylor announced on the Milk Sugar Love Instagram.
The new location in Asbury Park is fitting because, like most Jersey girls, Emma spent her summers down the shore where her love of ice cream blossomed.
"I moved to Asbury Park a few years back and have been inspired by the city’s live music scene, its close-knit small business community and of course, all its delicious food," Emma shared in the official press release. "I'm thrilled for Milk Sugar Love to join this creative community.”
The flagship Milk Sugar Love location is at 19 McWilliams Place in the Hamilton Park neighborhood of Jersey City. Previously, Milk Sugar Love operated a second location in the Jersey City Heights neighborhood at 394 Palisade Avenue, however, this location closed in 2022. Fans can expect the same dedication to quality and creativity that has made Milk Sugar Love a local favorite in Jersey City down at the shore.
Emma and the Milk Sugar Love team will be popping by Berg’s Smoked Meat + Poutine in Belmar, New Jersey on Saturday, January 25th from 12PM-2PM to celebrate the two businesses’ collaboration. The team will be scooping up the limited edition flavor, Caraway Crunch, serving up free samples. Pints will be available for purchase to enjoy at home. Berg’s Smoked Meat is known for its Montreal-style smoked meat and poutine. The Berg’s team worked with Milk Sugar Love to create the flavor, which is sweetened with brown sugar and crunchy-, all-butter smoked meat toffee pieces mixed in.
Be sure to follow @milksugarlovejc on Instagram for updates on the new Asbury Park, New Jersey location.
See More: New Businesses Coming to Montclair + Essex County in 2025
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