Ben’s guidebook
Local Jersey City restaurants and Bars
This is right up the block! Super people run this place.
Good place to get an egg sandwich in the morning.
Delicious homemade muffins
Place to get sundry items like milk, eggs, paper products, dish or laundry detergent in a pinch.
Open until 9:30-10pm except Sunday which is 8pm
13 locals recommend
Dixon Deli
358 Varick StThis is right up the block! Super people run this place.
Good place to get an egg sandwich in the morning.
Delicious homemade muffins
Place to get sundry items like milk, eggs, paper products, dish or laundry detergent in a pinch.
Open until 9:30-10pm except Sunday which is 8pm
We think they are the best bagels in the NYC area!
Rival any you might find in the city.
They have assortment of spreads and make bagel sandwiches
Muffins available too.
Open early am through lunch time.
If you're going to try some bagels while you're in the area you should give these a try!
122 locals recommend
Wonder Bagels
517 Jersey AveWe think they are the best bagels in the NYC area!
Rival any you might find in the city.
They have assortment of spreads and make bagel sandwiches
Muffins available too.
Open early am through lunch time.
If you're going to try some bagels while you're in the area you should give these a try!
Delicious bakery that has a nice assortment of French breads and pastries.
Espresso bar
highly recommend
65 locals recommend
Choc•O•Pain French Bakery and Cafe
530 Jersey AveDelicious bakery that has a nice assortment of French breads and pastries.
Espresso bar
highly recommend
A BYOB pasta restaurant.
Makes their own pasta fresh daily
Very popular locally
15 locals recommend
Pasta Dal Cuore
527 Jersey AveA BYOB pasta restaurant.
Makes their own pasta fresh daily
Very popular locally
If you are looking to have a burger while you're in town we highly recommend Left Bank
Have a running assortment of special burgers that are quite delicious
I'm a big fan of their 'Sushi' burger (ground tuna patty with avocado, asian slaw and an asian sauce. think I'm going to go get one now....
63 locals recommend
Left Bank Burger Bar
194 Newark AveIf you are looking to have a burger while you're in town we highly recommend Left Bank
Have a running assortment of special burgers that are quite delicious
I'm a big fan of their 'Sushi' burger (ground tuna patty with avocado, asian slaw and an asian sauce. think I'm going to go get one now....
Wood fired pizza and meats, pasta and a lively bar scene.
Big open space that has a rooftop bar during warmer months.
Fun space, good food
156 locals recommend
Porta Jersey City
135 Newark AveWood fired pizza and meats, pasta and a lively bar scene.
Big open space that has a rooftop bar during warmer months.
Fun space, good food
Really great artisinal wood fired pizzas!
Very popular. If you don't want to wait you'll need to get there early.
Worth it
125 locals recommend
Razza
275/277 Grove StReally great artisinal wood fired pizzas!
Very popular. If you don't want to wait you'll need to get there early.
Worth it
Legendary local Frech Bistro.
Good food and atmosphere
Just a few blocks away on 4th street
90 locals recommend
Madame Claude Bis
390 4th StLegendary local Frech Bistro.
Good food and atmosphere
Just a few blocks away on 4th street
Good local Japanese place but not fancy
Right outside the Newport PATH station.
Sort of on the water
Friendly staff
22 locals recommend
Komegashi Too
99 Town Square PlGood local Japanese place but not fancy
Right outside the Newport PATH station.
Sort of on the water
Friendly staff
Cool local bar in a space that used to be the local pet shop, hence the name
33 locals recommend
Pet Shop
193 Newark AveCool local bar in a space that used to be the local pet shop, hence the name
New club/performance space that recently opened up. Books local and national acts. Cool place. Has a wine bar in the basement.
59 locals recommend
White Eagle Hall
337 Newark AveNew club/performance space that recently opened up. Books local and national acts. Cool place. Has a wine bar in the basement.
Third & Vine
353 3rd StWine bar with interesting small plates. cool spot
The Archer
176 Newark AveFunky dark space with an interesting bar menu.
335 Newark Ave
335 Newark AvenueThis place is new and was recommended to us by locals. Haven't been yet
transportation directions
To get to the PATH station for travel to NYC,
walk out of the apt and take a right. At the corner by the Deli, take a right on Christopher Columbus BLVD Follow that for 3 blocks and you'll see the sign for the entrance at Grove Street. There is a elevator at the entrance on the southeast corner and an escalator on the plaza.
There are 2 train lines, The WTC line will take you to lower Manhattan via the Oculus station at the World Trade Center. You can connect to numerous subway lines there to get you on your way most anywhere in NYC. The 1,2,3, A,C,E, N,R,W are all accessible here. When you return from here you'll want to take the PATH train going to Newark.
FYI, at the Oculus station there is quite of few shops and restaurants and the Freedom Tower and 911 museum is right outside. Worth a trip.
The other PATH line at Grove that takes you to the city is the 33rd st. train. In NYC this line travels up 6th ave to 33rd. The first stop in the city is Christopher st. which is in the West Village. The other stops are 9th street (West Village). 14th and 23rd (Chelsea) and lastly 33rd (Herald Square). The 33rd station is just a block away from the Empire State building. Also the historic Macy's flagship store is right there as well as Madison Square Garden to name a few things. At 33rd you can transfer to subway lines B,D,F,M,N,R,W if you are looking to go farther uptown to the upper west side or perhaps over the the east side to check out Madison Ave and the Museums (like the Metropolitan or Guggenheim).
A must see if you have the time. An overwhelming amount of fantastic works of art and design. Also right on Central Park.
To get there take the 33rd street path to 33rd. Follow sign to transfer to the uptown R train. Take this to the Lexington Ave/59th st station and transfer again to the uptown 4 train which you'll take to 86th st.
From there it is a short walk to 82 and 5th Avenue. You might also consider taking the Path into the city then taking a Cab or an Uber.
2653 locals recommend
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th AveA must see if you have the time. An overwhelming amount of fantastic works of art and design. Also right on Central Park.
To get there take the 33rd street path to 33rd. Follow sign to transfer to the uptown R train. Take this to the Lexington Ave/59th st station and transfer again to the uptown 4 train which you'll take to 86th st.
From there it is a short walk to 82 and 5th Avenue. You might also consider taking the Path into the city then taking a Cab or an Uber.
On a clear day the observation deck is pretty spectacular.
1787 locals recommend
Empire State Building
20 W 34th StOn a clear day the observation deck is pretty spectacular.
Rockefeller Center is a fun place to visit. There's the skating rink during the winter. lots of shops and restaurants around. NBC studios is there where the Tonight Show is filmed. As well as the Today Show. Radio City Music Hall is across the street. It is also close to the area of Madison Ave that has lots of high end shops.
423 locals recommend
Top of the Rock
30 Rockefeller PlazaRockefeller Center is a fun place to visit. There's the skating rink during the winter. lots of shops and restaurants around. NBC studios is there where the Tonight Show is filmed. As well as the Today Show. Radio City Music Hall is across the street. It is also close to the area of Madison Ave that has lots of high end shops.
At the heart of lower Manhattan. This is the Freedom tower and the 911 museum are right there. This is where you end up if you take the WTC PATH train into the city. From here you can grab other subway lines or walk to the Wall Street area, Battery Park, City Hall and if you're adventurous walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn. There is a walking/biking path on the water that you can take all the way up the west side of the city on the Hudson. Very scenic. You can rent City Bikes here and many other places as a fun way to get around.
385 locals recommend
One World Trade Center
285 Fulton StAt the heart of lower Manhattan. This is the Freedom tower and the 911 museum are right there. This is where you end up if you take the WTC PATH train into the city. From here you can grab other subway lines or walk to the Wall Street area, Battery Park, City Hall and if you're adventurous walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn. There is a walking/biking path on the water that you can take all the way up the west side of the city on the Hudson. Very scenic. You can rent City Bikes here and many other places as a fun way to get around.
Things to see
General list of places worth seeing
Empire State Building
20 W 34th StThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th AveThe Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd StreetSolomon R. Guggenheim Museum
1071 5th Ave
American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park WestLiberty Science Center
222 Jersey City BlvdLiberty State Park
1 Audrey Zapp DriveStatue of Liberty Museum Shop
1 Liberty Island - Ellis IslandGet off at Christopher St or 9th and wonder around the West Village area of the city. There are still a few funky shops, bars and restaurants to see. The architecture runs the gamut, but some of the old cobblestone blocks still are reminiscent of the 1800s. Lots of cafés around.
224 locals recommend
West Village
Get off at Christopher St or 9th and wonder around the West Village area of the city. There are still a few funky shops, bars and restaurants to see. The architecture runs the gamut, but some of the old cobblestone blocks still are reminiscent of the 1800s. Lots of cafés around.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
West 46th StreetA park that was built on the elevated train tracks that run from about 14th Street and 10th avenue up to about 34th street.
19 locals recommend
High Line
High LineA park that was built on the elevated train tracks that run from about 14th Street and 10th avenue up to about 34th street.
East village square with a lot going on. Has a farmers market that is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday filled with area produce and baked goods. A lot of stores and restaurants surround it. Lots to see.
987 locals recommend
Union Square
East village square with a lot going on. Has a farmers market that is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday filled with area produce and baked goods. A lot of stores and restaurants surround it. Lots to see.
West Village/East Village eats
Some neighborhood favorites.
Historic location. An iconic hole in the wall off the beaten path in the West Village. Pretty good food. Cool Divey vibe. Been around forever.
47 locals recommend
Ear Inn
326 Spring StHistoric location. An iconic hole in the wall off the beaten path in the West Village. Pretty good food. Cool Divey vibe. Been around forever.
Fun Texas bbq joint in the West Village that's totally homey and fun. Has been around a while.
24 locals recommend
Cowgirl
519 Hudson StFun Texas bbq joint in the West Village that's totally homey and fun. Has been around a while.
Supper
156 E 2nd StOut of the way Italian in East Village. Great Food and Atmosphere
Lavagna
545 E 5th StReally cozy and great food at this East Village Italian.
A Joe Bastianich restaurant. Mid-priced in the village. Delicious Italian. Need Reservation.
45 locals recommend
Lupa
170 Thompson StA Joe Bastianich restaurant. Mid-priced in the village. Delicious Italian. Need Reservation.
Corner Bistro
331 West 4th StreetWest Village bar that's known for their burgers
A bit upscale Italian place in the old meatpacking district. Good food, cobble stone street, cool vibe.
60 locals recommend
Barbuto
113 Horatio StA bit upscale Italian place in the old meatpacking district. Good food, cobble stone street, cool vibe.
Cozy West Village Seafood place that's kind of a neighborhood place. Good for lunch or dinner.
60 locals recommend
Mary's Fish Camp
64 Charles StCozy West Village Seafood place that's kind of a neighborhood place. Good for lunch or dinner.
Near the Christopher St. PATH stop. Delicious homey Italian that specializes in piadina's. (a baked flat bread that hold various toppings) really good
50 locals recommend
Malatesta Trattoria
649 Washington StNear the Christopher St. PATH stop. Delicious homey Italian that specializes in piadina's. (a baked flat bread that hold various toppings) really good
a small eclectic neighborhood place near the Christopher street PATH stop that serves a rather British inspired menu (bangers and mash, steak and kidney pie). but has a good salmon burger and sandwiches. also serves omelets throughout the day. Usually a good pureed vegetable soup of some sort as well.
8 locals recommend
Oscar's Place
466 Hudson Sta small eclectic neighborhood place near the Christopher street PATH stop that serves a rather British inspired menu (bangers and mash, steak and kidney pie). but has a good salmon burger and sandwiches. also serves omelets throughout the day. Usually a good pureed vegetable soup of some sort as well.
Cool geek inspired place that was the original home of Shopsin's. Good neighborhood vibe.
16 locals recommend
Snack Taverna
63 Bedford StCool geek inspired place that was the original home of Shopsin's. Good neighborhood vibe.
il Buco
47 Bond StGreat atmosphere. Delicious Italian food. A bit pricey.
Moustache Pitza
29 Bedford StWest Village Neighborhood middle eastern cuisine. Good lunch spot
Great spot near the 9th st PATH stop that serves Mediterranean inspired small plates. Cool bar and atmosphere. Highly recommend.
44 locals recommend
Alta
64 W 10th StGreat spot near the 9th st PATH stop that serves Mediterranean inspired small plates. Cool bar and atmosphere. Highly recommend.