The best Jersey City restaurants

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.

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.

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.

For dinner and drinks (or one or the other), 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).

Top Chef alum Dale Talde slings fare that stays true to his Asian-inflected ethos at this Jersey City outpost of his titular Charleston-inspired eatery. Think a selection of noodles—crispy oyster and bacon pad thai and mayitake mushroom dan dan—and Singapore chili clams—and more composed entrees that range from garlic soy butter skirt steak to hot and sour crispy salmon. Pro tip: The space is also home to the subterranean speakeasy Miss Wong’s, which hosts parties on weekends.

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.

You can expect a complete experience when you come to Satis Bistro, whether you opt for tapas at the wine bar or a table in the cozy, rustic dining room. Higher-than-high ceilings and a Mediterranean-inspired menu make a meal here an exercise in elegance, whether you’re dining out for brunch, dinner or dessert.

The best of the ‘70s—especially the legacy of rock, funk and soul—serve as the inspiration at this gastropub newcomer. The colorful decade also informs the menu: Order nachos, mozzarella sticks and even a house take on a TV dinner as a throwback. Ten-buck cocktails help ease the transition from dinner to dancing.

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.

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.