Good vegan food is sometimes difficult to come by, so when we find a place that’s whipping up good vegan eats, we’re gonna share the love. Tea NJ {located at 5606, 262 Newark Avenue in Jersey City} offers an extensive tea menu complete with bubble tea, almond chai, ginger soy latte, matcha latte and soy lavender latte, this family business also offers so much more {like a good Cuban coffee} — including vegan dishes.
William and his wife Jeyra opened Tea NJ five years ago in Union City. After their first year in business, they jumped on the opportunity to move their home cooking to downtown Jersey City, where a ripe vegan population lives. Read on to learn more about this spot and how they are transitioning their menu:
100% Vegan Cafè Plans
Tea NJ is slowly transitioning to become a 100% vegan cafe. Vegan hotdogs have always been a popular staple on the menu, but one by one, carnivorous dishes are being replaced by all things vegan. You will now find vegan teriyaki “chicken” on a bed of spinach {a new favorite}, vegan drumsticks with sugar cane for the “bone,” vegan chili, vegan “chicken” noodle soup, vegan burgers, and vegan sausage.
READ: Where to Find the Best Vegan Soups in Jersey City
Comfort Food
Originally from Ecuador with background experience working at Moby’s {the musician} Tea NY vegan street cafe in NYC, owner William enjoys “veganizing” Ecuadorian dishes that traditionally contain meat. Daily specials include vegan Guatita {a peanut stew} and vegan Bolon de Verde {green plantain balls}.
If you’re new to the area and missing home, there’s no cure for homesickness like a home cooked brunch {one that’s served all day, too}. Tea NJ’s breakfast platters will warm your soul with different combo platters that contain perfectly cooked potatoes, scrambled tofu, vegan bacon or sausage and homemade hot sauce.
Supporting the Community:
Tea NJ not only serves upstanding vegan food, treats and drinks, but this cafe also serves as a community center for local artists. Home to the popular Jersey City Slam, a poetry slam event that takes place every second and fourth Thursday, Tea NJ offers an intimate environment for poets to express themselves with absolutely no cover charge to audience members. The event commences with an open mic where all performance art is welcome. And of course, all poets are encouraged to show up and add their name to the list.
See More: Vegan Food in Jersey City: Subia’s Vegan Cafe
Also supportive of Jersey City’s underrated art scene, the Tea NJ family recently had an unveiling of their new tables, which are all painted by popular local artists. Tea NJ takes pride in hosting art shows for local artists as well as fundraisers for various charities. Artists are only required to contribute a small percentage of sales to a charity/nonprofit of their choice.
Bonus: You will always feel welcome at Tea NJ by William, Jeyra and their children, William Jr. and Jessie. Free wifi is available so that you feel encouraged to stay a while.
Have you been to Tea NJ? What did you order/like? Share with us in the comments!
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Book Clubs to Join in Hoboken, Jersey City, + Bayonne
Reading is one of those activities that never gets old — no matter where you are, who you’re with, or what’s going on in your life — it’s a constant comfort and a way to escape reality for a few hours. For some, reading is a quiet hobby, filled with solitude, but for others, it’s a way to meet people with similar interests. And if you’re in that second camp, you’re probably looking for book clubs in the Hoboken + Jersey City area — so we've rounded up all of the best book clubs to join locally. Read on for our growing list of book clubs to join in Hoboken, Jersey City, and Bayonne.
Hoboken
Completely Booked Book Club
Run by The Hoboken Girl's very own Jordan, this virtual book club meets monthly and celebrates the diversity of all readers and authors. The author of the book pick joins the conversation live each month. Get more info on her Instagram, @_completelybooked.
Little City Books
Little City Books in Hoboken hosts monthly book club meet-ups open to all. Participants vote on each book and can engage in-person at the store. Attendees can also receive 15% off of the current book selection in-store. Aside from the usual LCB Book Club meetings, there is also a Little City Queer Book Club which highlights reads by queer authors. For more info visit Little City Book's event page.
Read More: A Guide to Bookstores in Hoboken + Jersey City
Lit in Hoboken
Lit in Hoboken is a community organization that connects women through reading. This book club was recommended to us in the Hoboken Girl Insiders Facebook group. For updates on book choices and meeting times follow along with @litinhoboken on Instagram.
Hoboken Public Library
The Hoboken Public Library hosts a variety of themed book clubs that are completely open to the public. Currently, the library hosts a Romance Book Club, Mystery Book Club, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Club, "What's New" Book Club, and the Hoboken Public Library Friends and Foundations Book Club. No registration is required to attend and drop-ins are highly encouraged. For more info visit the Hoboken Public Library website.
Symposia Bookstore
Symposia is a Hoboken staple loved by locals. Aside from the expansive collection of used books, the store also hosts a variety of community events. Recently, Symposia announced the start of the Bookworm Baddies Book Club on Instagram which will take place each month. Follow along with @symposiabookstore for more book club updates.
Jersey City
Books, Brunches + Booze
Books, Brunches + Booze is a book club with chapters all over the U.S. and Canada. In New Jersey, readers can participate in the Jersey City, Asbury Park, Morristown, Princeton, and Mahwah chapters. Books, Brunches + Booze is built on the idea that "community creates a space for building new friendships and celebrating old ones over good food, cold brews, and lots of laughs through Meet-Ups held by chapters all over the world." To join visit Books, Brunches + Booze's website.
Fashion on The Beat
Fashion On The Beat is a local blog that shares worldwide narratives and local experiences with a focus on fashion, art, and design. The site recently announced that a fashion-focused book club will be launching soon and is currently accepting members through an online questionnaire. Follow along with @fashiononthebeat for more updates.
Hudson County Ladies Book Club
Hudson County Ladies Book Club is a 300+ member public Facebook group that was spotted on our Hoboken Girl Insiders Facebook group. The Hudson County Ladies Book Club admin releases frequent updates about meet-up spots and book selections. To stay up to date be sure to join the group on Facebook.
Jersey City Book Club Babes
Jersey City Book Club Babes is home to "all the book nerds," according to the group's private Facebook group. This Jersey City-based book club meets once a month and has members vote collectively on new reads. For more info, follow along with Jersey City Book Club Babes on Facebook and Instagram.
Jersey City Public Library
The Jersey City Public Library Pavonia Branch hosts recurring monthly book clubs for those who are 19 years of age and older. The Adult Book Club meets on the fourth Monday of every month and explores a wide variety of literature. For more info, readers can email [email protected] as registration is required.
WORD Bookstores
WORD hosts several monthly community-based events in both the Brooklyn and Jersey City locations. From author talks, to book launches, open mic nights, and story time every Saturday, WORD knows how to bring people together. Word currently hosts four book clubs titled: Multiplicities (virtual), Romance, Well-Read Black Girl (virtual), and Queer Me Out. In addition, WORD also has four partner book clubs in collaboration with Polished Gems, Jersey City Mamas, Jersey City Moms, and Page Turners JC. Participants can receive 10% off when purchasing book club reads through WORD the month prior to the meeting.
See More: This 3-Story Bookstore in Montclair is One of the Largest in the Tri-State Area
Bayonne
Bayonne Public Library
Every month the Bayonne Public Library hosts the Bayonne Book Club. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. The library offers eBook and eAudiobook copies of the monthly reads as well as copies of the physical books. There are 50 seats available for each meeting and participants can register in person or online via the Bayonne Public Library website.
The Little BOHO Bookshop BookClub
The Little BOHO Bookshop hosts a monthly book club of roughly 30 members that has gained great popularity over the years. Members meet in-person on the last Tuesday of every month. Interested readers can email [email protected] to learn more about joining as space is limited.
