From fine dining restaurants to excellent casual breakfast and lunch spots, Jersey City treats its visitors with a diverse selection of flavors. Sample dishes inspired by Italian, French, and Spanish cuisines, order American favorites like burgers, sliders and steaks, and order delicious tapas and paellas at one of these outstanding restaurants on our list. You may also like: 23 Beautiful Weekend Getaways in New Jersey. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.
1.Satis
Satis is a popular fine dining restaurant that welcomes guests for dinner with a seasonal menu. Dishes consist of artistically combined flavors and draw inspiration from French, Italian and Spanish cuisines. Chef and owner Michael Fiorianti trained under culinary masters such as Thomas Keller.
Chef Michael believes that truly delicious food is the result of simplicity and quality ingredients that result in natural flavors that have not been overworked. The interior design of Satis is very welcoming, featuring high ceilings and distressed tiled walls. The outdoor seating area has a pleasant, laid-back ambience. Drop by and ask for some of the menu’s finest dishes: try a selection of salumi and ricotta gnocchi.
212 Washington Street, Jersey City, New Jersey, Phone: 201-435-5151
2.Brownstone Diner & Pancake Factory
Brownstone Diner & Pancake Factory serves American and Greek comfort food for breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner. Ever since 1968 when former Greek farmer Harry Paxos opened this establishment, it has been a family business. Today, Harry’s daughter Irene and her husband Peter own and manage Brownstone. The two treat their guests with friendliness and warmth, making the cozy restaurant a great choice for family outings.
With its casual American decor, vintage booths, and Tiffany lamps, the venue exudes the charm of old school diners. The menus are quite expansive, and it’s hard to choose from among the many culinary delights, all of which sound appealing. However, you can never go wrong with the banana walnut pancakes, the corned beef hash, and the curly fries.
426 Jersey Ave, Jersey City, New Jersey, Phone: 201-433-0471
3. Raval
Raval is a tapas bar and cocktail lounge that gives guests a taste of El Raval, one of Barcelona’s most inspiring neighborhoods. Executive Chef Michael Fiorianti (the mastermind behind Satis bistro) came up with the concept for this intriguing restaurant, which offers a surprising yet delicious mix of Spanish cuisine with New Jersey influences. The tapas, charcuterie selection, and the paella are all tasty options that will make you feel as though you’ve taken a delightful Spanish holiday.
The venue displays an artistic mix of Spanish architecture and design symbols such as striking mosaic tiles and the memorable entrance and seating area. There are also beautiful art displays and charming vintage touches like red leather booths and beautifully refurbished wood. Yet another appealing feature of Raval is the downstairs area, which becomes a lounge where guests may enjoy a live DJ program after dinner.
136 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey, Phone: 201-209-1099
4.Orale
Located right in the middle of Jersey City’s downtown, Orale is a restaurant that serves flavorful Mexican cuisine with American influences. The venue opens at 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday and at noon Friday to Sunday. The modern, hip restaurant features a design that has been taken to the next level with edgy, tiled wall graffiti, giving the establishment a slightly rebellious feel.
Still, the venue is a fine choice for both private and corporate gatherings as the accommodating staff will cater to your every need and ensure everyone in your party has a great time. The guacamole and the oysters are exceptional treats for your taste buds that you simply can’t afford to miss.
341 Grove St, Jersey City, New Jersey, Phone: 201-333-0001
, From LA5.Porto Leggero
Porto Leggero is an elegant, upscale Italian restaurant located in the Harborside Financial Plaza V at the corner of Hudson Street and Pearl. The venue is open for lunch and dinner during the weekdays and for dinner on Saturday. Co-owner Michael Cetrulo, an experienced chef who has worked and trained in Michelin restaurants, took special care in creating the menu at Porto Leggero. It is no surprise that guests rave about the many fantastic traditional dishes like Chef Cetrulo’s delicious rigatoni Gorgonzola or the excellent mussels.
When you dine at Porto Leggero, be sure to pair your meal with a choice from their incredible wine list, which holds some very rare and velvety vintages. The perfect combination of delectable cuisine and an exquisite wine selection will surely make your culinary experience a memorable one.
5 Harborside Financial Centre Platform, Jersey City, New Jersey, Phone: 201-434-3200
6.Light Horse Tavern
Light Horse Tavern is a modern American restaurant located on 199 Washington Street that is named after Henry Lee III, a historical figure from the 18th century American Revolution who was also known as Light Horse Harry. The establishment welcomes guests for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
The charming venue has quite a few stories from its Prohibition days when it used to be a speakeasy tavern. Still, what makes this restaurant popular today is the great food, which is carefully prepared and created by Chef David Drake. Chef Drake uses local and seasonal products to ensure his dishes are both healthy and flavorful. Be sure to try the fresh oysters, which are brought over daily from Fishers Island.
199 Washington Street, Jersey City, New Jersey, Phone: 201-946-2028
7.Edward's Steakhouse
Located in the historical downtown area, Edward’s Steakhouse is a premium, upscale restaurant with a warm, inviting atmosphere. The establishment accommodates guests for lunch and dinner on weekdays and for dinner on Saturday. The venue has tasteful decor and features two elegant dining rooms, and a Prohibition bar enhances the character and appeal of the restaurant.
Live jazz music makes this restaurant even more enchanting on Wednesdays and Thursdays when musician Danny Bacher performs his beautiful solos. The menu is, of course, centered on beef and it offers a wide variety of cuts. However, if you are in the mood for something lighter, take advantage of the raw bar and enjoy some delicious, fresh seafood.
239 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey, Phone: 201-761-0000
8.City Diner
City Diner is an American restaurant that mixes modern and traditional cuisine with Mediterranean influences. Here, guests may enjoy a scrumptious breakfast, which is served all day long, as well as lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch dishes. This casual, charming venue has modern decor with striking features such as gorgeous hard wood floors and cushioned booths.
The restaurant is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing foodies to satisfy their cravings any time of day. So, if you are in the mood for a midnight omelet, a spicy meatloaf dinner, fish and chips, or some nice waffles, this is the place for you.
31 Montgomery Street, Jersey City, New Jersey, Phone: 201-721-5331
9.Amelia's Bistro
Amelia’s Bistro is a pleasant, cozy restaurant whose delicious, new American cuisine continues to attract eager patrons. The bistro is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. With its delicately painted walls and Tiffany lamps, the restaurant has a casual, tasteful setting that is particularly warm and inviting, making it a great choice for a business lunch or an evening with friends.
The outdoor seating area is very comfortable and great for relaxing. Amelia’s Bistro takes pride in its homemade pasta and breads, as well as in its fine wine list, so don’t pass up a plate of homemade gnocchi or the short ribs, accompanied by a smooth glass of red wine.
187 Warren Street, Jersey City, New Jersey, Phone: 201-332-2200
More vacation ideas: 23 Beautiful Weekend Getaways in New Jersey.
12 Best Romantic Jersey City Restaurants
- Satis, Photo: Satis
- Brownstone Diner & Pancake Factory, Photo: Brownstone Diner
- Raval, Photo: Raval
- Orale, Photo: Orale
- Porto Leggero, Photo: Porto Leggero
- Light Horse Tavern, Photo: Light Horse Tavern
- Edward's Steakhouse, Photo: Edward's Steakhouse
- City Diner, Photo: City Diner
- Amelia's Bistro, Photo: Amelia's Bistro
- Cover Photo: Courtesy of Satis
More Ideas: Liberty Science Center
The Liberty Science Center is an immersive science museum and educational center in the heart of Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Established in 1933 as New Jersey's first major science museum, the science-based learning center features the largest IMAX theater and dome in the country, a variety of science-focused exhibits and educational resources, and the Hoberman Sphere, a famous engineering-based artwork designed by Chuck Hoberman that is driven by computers.
Exhibits
The Liberty Science Center spans nearly 300,000 square feet, which includes the country’s largest IMAX Theater and dome, numerous science-based exhibits, displays and interactive experiences, and the Hoberman Sphere artwork.
The Liberty Science Center's permanent exhibitions include ‘Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact,’ the world’s largest exhibition on some of the world’s tallest buildings with a collection of fascinating objects and items such as artifacts from the 9-11 World Trade Center disaster, and a glass-Schindler Traction elevator.
‘Eat and Be Eaten’ explores the predator and prey relationship between animals and features several live animals, including puffer fish, vipers and more. ‘Communication’ explores human communication in four areas, namely signs, symbols, and writing, the human body and language, and the media – audio, video, print, signals, and networks. Visitors can enjoy Language Karaoke where they are taught to say phrases in different languages like Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Cockney, or Spanish.
‘Infection Connection’ presents a greater understanding of how individual actions have an effect on global health issues through a film about various infectious diseases and a ride on the IC Express.
‘I Explore’ is an exhibit for under six-year-olds and their caregivers that explore the world around them. The fun-filled exhibition features a climbing structure, water feature, a streetscape, microscope, and a rock xylophone made from hanging rocks.
‘Our Hudson Home’ explores the ecology and the wildlife of the Hudson River and features an observation deck with breathtaking views of the river, while ‘Wonder Why’ displays many of the Museums earliest displays.
‘Energy Quest’ explores different types of energy and the modern technologies used to harness these powers, and ‘Wildlife Challenge’ is a seasonal outdoor exhibit that gives guests the the opportunity to partake in a variety of outdoor activities designed to simulate different animals' environments, such as zip lines and balance beams.
The ‘Rubik's Cube’ exhibition celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Cube and features artifacts and items that highlight the history of the Cube and the massive cultural influence it played and continues to play in popular culture today.
Temporary Exhibits
The Liberty Science Center is also home to various temporary exhibits that change throughout the year and with the seasons. Such exhibitions include ‘Islamic Science Re-Discovered,' ‘Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear’, ‘Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age,' and ‘Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.’
Education
The Liberty Science Center offers a variety of educational programs for children and students of all ages, as well as exceptional resourced for educators and teachers. Programs at the Center include focused lab-based programs for Grades Pre-K to 12, watching real-time interactive surgeries, science-rich homeschool curricula, middle school and high school programs for students, Center Stage Science programs, and Scout Programs.
Field trips are run by expert Field Trip Specialists and include science-based adventures, educational projects and off-site and online education programs. Field Trip add-ons include Laboratory workshops, ‘Live from Surgery’ presentations and films in the state-of-the-art IMAX Theater.
‘Live from Surgery’ presentations give students the opportunity to experience a live surgery in real time in the High Definition Interactive Theater, followed by a discussion with members of the Operating Room team about the procedure, medical equipment, anatomical models, and more.
Visitor Information
The Liberty Science Center is open to the public from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm from Monday through Friday and 9:00 am to 5:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Located on the second floor of the Center, Café Skylines offers delicious and nutritious meals and snacks including oven-fired pizzas, handcrafted sandwiches, homemade soup, daily entrée specials, and a gourmet salad bar. Diners can enjoy beautiful views of lower Manhattan from a large group dining room or two smaller dining rooms, as well as the Governors Hall. There are also vending machines snacks and cold drinks in the group dining hall.
Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305, Phone: 201-200-1000
