12 Best Romantic Jersey City Restaurants

By VI Staff on February 5, 2020

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.

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

5.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.