The best Jersey City restaurants

For dinner and drinks, Dullboy satisfies cravings for a finely-crafted cocktail, indulgent oysters or a bone-marrow burger. At the creative, literature-inspired restaurant, you can find snacks like duck fat tator tots and cocktails like the Biddy (mescal, vermouth, amaro and apple bitters).

If your appetite for brunch includes room for bottomless Bellinis and mimosas, look no further than Fire & Oak. It’s tucked into the Newport Westin, serving up waterside views of the Hudson and Manhattan skyline, and offers a wide selection of salads, burgers and seafood entrées.

The ideal location for a special event, whether you’re booking a room or a table for two, Liberty House has some of the best NYC views this side of the Hudson. Even better, the menu will make it so you don’t miss Manhattan for a second, with fresh, farm-to-table offering like safron braised mussels and whole Mediterranean Branzino.

If the building itself—restored and airy—or the restaurant’s historical ties (it’s named after Virginian patriot Henry Lee III, aka “Light Horse Harry”) don’t immediately draw you in, the food sure will. Opt for items from the raw bar or heartier plates like classic meatloaf or grilled, aged rib eye.

Ben Byruch and chef Leah Cohen, proprietors of acclaimed Lower East Side Southeast Asian eatery Pig & Khao, debuted this pan-Asian gastropub concept in September 2017. The menu here is naturally playful—think sriracha buffalo wings, pho-inspired disco fries and Filipino spring rolls, or lumpia—to go along with a selection of 12 on-tap brews. Beyond the plate, the best part of eating here is grabbing a sidewalk table to soak up right-on-the-water views of the Manhattan skyline from Harborside, the sprawling development in which the restaurant is located.

There’s no better place to dine alfresco with an oaky glass of wine, an indulgent charcuterie board and your best friend.

Nestled in the heart of the Grove Street neighborhood—and elevating your dining experience with towering ceilings, exposed-brick walls and a romantic rooftop—Skinner’s Loft is a family-run joint that brings elegance and a relaxed evening out to the table. Dinner and brunch menus include modern dishes like a whiskey-smoked beef brisket or red-velvet pancakes.

“Dale Talde’s signature morning bowl, the breakfast ramen, is served in a brown-butter–and-pork broth with honey-glazed bacon and a beautiful soft-boiled egg,” explains Kim Nowacki. “It’s rich and buttery and has the perfect balance of a French-toast sweetness mixed with a touch of salt that the bacon adds, and then the egg brings it all together. I once watched a video of how to make this at home, but then decided to never try it at home and just leave it to the professionals. Bonus: If you’re doing a boozy brunch, don’t miss the Bellini (made with homemade Five Alive juice) and the pork dumplings with a pretzel wrapper.”

It’s everything you could want from an American eatery, without any of the excess frills you don’t have time for. Burgers are the focus at both locations of this homegrown chain, with options like an eight-ounce Pat La Frieda blend topped with aged cheddar and sugar-cured bacon, and a veggie variety with avocado and chipotle mayo.