Restaurants in Jersey City, New Jersey

Jersey City has experienced a building boom in the first decade of this century, bringing young professionals and new restaurants to the area. Many of the restaurants feature outdoor dining from spring into fall. Several are in pedestrian-friendly Newport, whose riverfront walkway now extends from the marina and ferry launch all the way up to Hoboken and offers hikers a pleasant workout.

Café Spice

Café Spice bistro is located on Jersey City's Restaurant Row in the Newport area just south of Hoboken and few paces from the Hudson. Most of the restaurants on Restaurant Row feature seasonal outdoor dining, including Café Spice, which aims at the market between fine dining and low-end curry shops, according to the website. The NYC chain is expanding so fast that the site doesn't even mention the Newport location.

Café Spice
537 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07310
(201) 533-0111
cafespice.com/

Olé Mexifunk Cocina

Olé Mexifunk Cocina is also on Jersey City's Restaurant Row. Bad reviews for Olé in 2008 gave way to positive reviews in 2009 after the restaurant was placed under new management. Olé features Mexican food, several TVs for sports viewing, and outdoor dining.

Olé Mexifunk Cocina
564 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07310
(201) 626-6646

Dorrian's Red Hand

Dorrian's Red Hand is also on Jersey City's Restaurant Row. It is a spin-off of the NYC chain and features Irish and American food, as well as several screens for watching sports. It features seasonal outdoor dining. In warmer weather, a pool table is set up outside.

Dorrian's Red Hand
545 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07310
(201) 626-6660

Marco and Pepe

Marco and Pepe is a popular restaurant across from City Hall in downtown Jersey City. The atmosphere is like a French café. Zagaat describes the food as New American with accents from France and Spain. No reservations are accepted, and indoor tables are closely packed like NYC restaurants across the Hudson, so the seasonal outdoor seating is welcome.

Marco & Pepe
289 Grove Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 860-9688
marcoandpepe.com

The Embankment

The Embankment is on 10th Street, just one block north of Hamilton Park. It offers seasonal outdoor dining and boasts high ceilings and an eco-sensitive menu. See an explanation of this eco policy at theembankmentnj.com. The Embankment serves as a welcome neighborhood dining alternative, since the Hamilton Park Ale House one block away closed down in October 2009.

The Embankment
234 10th Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 222-6115
theembankmentnj.com

Article Written By Paul Dohrman

Paul Dohrman's academic background is in physics and economics. He has professional experience as an educator, mortgage consultant, and casualty actuary. His interests include development economics, technology-based charities, and angel investing.

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