Let’s continue our tour of cuisine through Hudson County with A Taste of Hudson County, which is part of our Meet the Neighbors series. This series showcases Hudson County’s local business owners, restauranteurs, and artists. We’ve gone behind the scenes to highlight the restaurants and culture of each of our twelve municipalities, and we are proud to have added four more interviews with the chefs, owners, and founders of these incredible eateries. Check out all the videos to learn about the multicultural makeup of our neighborhoods through the phenomenal food you’ll find here.
JERSEY CITY
At Jersey City’s Skinner’s Loft, 146 Newark Avenue, you’ll find fresh and contemporary cuisine crafted by a family with roots going back well over a century in Hudson County. Here, the American bistro tradition is alive and thriving with local and regional farm-fresh food that can be feasted upon on their rooftop patio or accompanied by live jazz music.
KEARNY
This family-owned restaurant at 102 Kearny Avenue in Kearny, has been the go-to place for pleasing and piquant Peruvian cuisine in Kearny for the last two decades. Here, you can experience the incredible diversity of Peruvian food, from coastal classics like paella-style mixed seafood rice to inland delicacies like shredded chicken simmered in aji amarilllo pepper sauce.
BAYONNE
Come for the food and stay for the drinks, as Mezcal Kitchen’s award-winning mixologist and extensive cocktail and tequila menu perfectly complement their authentic Mexican cuisine. Though you’ll find a bit of everything on the menu in their 482 Broadway, Bayonne and 665 Newark Avenue, Jersey City restaurants, they’re especially known for their tasty tacos, including a dozen options like beef birria, skirt steak, cauliflower, and mushroom.
HOBOKEN
Not only does Antique Bar & Bakery, at 122 Willow Avenue in Hoboken, have its roots in a 125-year-old bakery in Hoboken, but its 125-year-old coal oven is the largest in the United States and is used for far more than bread baking. This 425-square-foot oven cooks everything from coal-fired steaks, burgers, and mac & cheese to oven-seared bread pudding topped with caramel sauce.
NORTH BERGEN
Cuban immigrants Alan and Nairelys Lopez came to the US as teenagers and worked their way up through the ranks of restaurants in New Jersey before opening Rumba Cubana in 2009. Here, Cuban classics like ropa vieja (seasoned shredded beef) and lechon asado (roasted pork), pair perfectly with the bar’s mojito, which was originally invented in Cuba. Though Rumba Cubana started as a single restaurant in North Bergen in 2009, the minichain now has locations in Guttenberg, North Bergen, and Jersey City, so you’re never too far from a great meal.
SECAUCUS
Forget the crowds of Midtown Manhattan, as the world-famous Carnegie Diner now has a branch in Secaucus. Voted one of the best diners in 2022 on OpenTable, Carnegie prioritizes high-quality ingredients like organic meat and locally sourced eggs, which they use to craft classic and upscale versions of traditional diner fare. Come for the buttermilk pancakes and lobster mac and cheese and stay for the 24-layer chocolate cake and skyhigh waffle-topped milkshakes. Breakfast and brunch are served all day long, and you can also add unlimited mimosas or creative alcohol-free mocktails.
GUTTENBERG
New Jersey is famous for its Italian population and cuisine, and GP’s Restaurant is Italian-American food at its finest. This old-school “red sauce” Italian joint has been serving quintessential Italian-American cuisine since 1934, from its hearty meatballs with spaghetti to its indulgent chicken parmesan. Not only has the restaurant been perfecting recipes for decades, but some of its friendly staff have even been here for 45 years. The ambiance is relaxed and intimate and the food is soul-warming. GP’s restaurant feels like home and that’s exactly why people keep coming back.
HARRISON
This Spanish standby has been winning hearts through its seafood, steak, and sangria since 1976. Initially opened by Antonio and Estrella Martinez, Spanish Pavillion was the first Spanish restaurant in New Jersey, specializing in a new-to-the-area cuisine that the surrounding community wasn’t yet accustomed to. As no Spanish menu is complete without paella and tapas, Spanish Pavilion offers both, including more modern and non-traditional tapas, such as small beef empanadas and blue cheese and bacon-wrapped dates.
EAST NEWARK
Pic Nic at 224 Grant Ave in East Newark brings the authentic flavors of Portugal right to your plate. For over twenty years, they’ve been serving the Hudson County community with fresh, simple, and delicious traditional Portuguese and Spanish dishes, including cod fish, octopus, BBQ, and seafood. All of their dishes pair perfectly with refreshing cocktails, sangria, and espresso martinis. Enjoy hearty Portuguese classics and a robust wine list, all served in an inviting setting with charming old-world decor.
UNION CITY
Vale’s Kafe & Kitchen, owned by Union City locals Vanja Blagojevic and Pablo Mendoza, brings fresh and healthy eats to Hudson County. Start your morning with a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a perfectly made chai, paired with a stack of their famous churro waffles. The diverse and creative menu features high-quality, healthy ingredients that will have you coming back for more! Sit and stay for a while in the inviting ambiance, where every dish is crafted to leave you satisfied and energized.
WEEHAWKEN
There’s nothing quite like enjoying high-quality sushi while taking in the stunning views of the New York City skyline at Robongi Sushi Wok Grill & Ramen, located in the NY Waterway Ferry Terminal in Weehawken. For over 20 years, they have been serving up fresh sushi, wok stir-fries, and hot dishes made from the finest ingredients. With a state-of-the-art, all-glass design and million-dollar views, every meal here is truly an unforgettable culinary experience.
WEST NEW YORK
Since 2018, Parker Cafe at 6504 Park Ave in West New York has been the neighborhood hotspot for breakfast, lunch, and brunch! A true staple on their menu is the Millionaire’s French Toast, topped with blueberry sauce and mascarpone whipped cream. No matter what you’re craving, everything pairs perfectly with their homemade lemonades. With charming indoor and outdoor seating, this friendly cafe keeps locals and visitors coming back for more!
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