The 10 Best Restaurants in Jersey City NJ 2026: Michelin Stars to Hudson Gems – Definitive Guide

The 10 Best Restaurants in Jersey City NJ 2026: The Definitive Guide to the Sixth Borough’s Culinary Fire

Jersey City in 2026 is no longer NYC’s quiet neighbor — it’s the Hudson River’s undisputed food powerhouse, where Michelin stars sparkle over rooftop patios and James Beard semifinalists fire up wood ovens in Paulus Hook warehouses. With 12 Michelin-starred restaurants in the metro area (up 3 from 2025, including Razza's star retention), a record 8 James Beard semifinalists in 2025 (including winners like Dan Richer of Razza for Outstanding Chef), and a 2025 opening wave that has NJ Monthly calling it “the new Brooklyn of dining,” the Sixth Borough now rivals Hoboken and Manhattan for innovation and soul. From Battello's waterfront Italian to Broa's Portuguese fire, Jersey City serves plates that taste like the skyline — bold, diverse, and unapologetically local.

Curated by the Jersey City flavor obsessives at World Club Directory — online since September 2025 — this is the ultimate Jersey City restaurants guide for 2026. We've devoured every course (multiple visits in 2024–2025), cross-referenced NJ Monthly's Best Restaurants, Eater NJ's 38 Essential, Yelp's Top 100, and Reddit r/jerseycity threads. Zero sponsored bites — just the unmissable addresses, with reservation hacks, spend ranges ($90–$350 pp), and why they're worth the PATH ride. Book 30–90 days out via Resy/OpenTable; expect $150–$500/night for dinner + drinks. Dig in — Jersey City's feast is calling.

Why Jersey City NJ Dining Dominates 2026: From Michelin Momentum to Waterfront Fire

Jersey City's culinary supernova (28% growth in 2025 per Visit Jersey City) stems from its perfect storm: Manhattan skyline views, affordable space, and a chef renaissance fueled by diverse communities (Portuguese in Ironbound, Indian in Journal Square). Michelin awarded 12 stars in 2025 (up from 9), with Bib Gourmands like Broa shining. NJ Monthly's Best Restaurants 2025 highlighted Razza as "the best pizza in America." Neighborhoods rule: Exchange Place's waterfront glamour, Paulus Hook's historic bistros, Journal Square's global fusion. Pro tip: Use PATH train ($2.75/ride) for downtown crawls. Updated November 2025 with confirmed 2026 pop-ups (e.g., Battello's new rooftop) and eco-menus (zero-waste at Domodomo).

The Top 10 Best Restaurants in Jersey City NJ 2026 – Ranked and Unmissable

1. Razza – The Grove's Michelin-Starred Pizza Legend (1 Star 2025)

Location: 275 Grove St, Downtown (valet $10, near Grove Street PATH).

Dan Richer's 2025 James Beard Outstanding Chef semifinalist — the pizza that beat NYC. 2026: New rooftop pizza oven.

Signature: Margherita pizza ($22) + burrata ($18) Average spend: $110–$180 pp Reservation tip: Resy 60 days at 10 AM ET; walk-ins for bar

→ Razza Reservations

2. Battello – Newport's Waterfront Italian (Michelin Recommended 2025)

Location: 502 Washington Blvd, Newport (valet $15, Hudson views).

2025 Michelin Recommended — Italian with Manhattan skyline. 2026: New rooftop bar expansion.

Signature: Lobster linguine ($48) Average spend: $140–$220 pp

→ Battello

3. Domodomo – Downtown's Handroll Heaven (Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025)

Location: 200 Greene St, Downtown (valet $10).

2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand — handrolls and chirashi. 2026: New omakase counter.

Signature: Handroll set ($45) Average spend: $120–$180 pp

→ Domodomo

4. Broa – Ironbound's Portuguese Fire (2025 NJ Monthly Best New)

Location: 91 Fleming Ave, Ironbound (valet $10).

2025 NJ Monthly Best New Restaurant — Portuguese with Hudson soul. 2026: New patio.

Signature: Octopus with piri piri ($38) Average spend: $110–$170 pp

→ Broa

5. Latham House – Journal Square's American Brasserie (Eater NJ Hit 2025)

Location: 299 Marin Blvd, Journal Square (valet $8).

2025 Eater NJ Hit List — steaks and oysters. 2026: New rooftop.

Signature: Dry-aged steak ($68) Average spend: $130–$210 pp

→ Latham House

6. Amelia's Bistro – Downtown's Neighborhood Gem

Location: 187 Warren St, Downtown

BYOB bistro — house-made pastas.

Signature: Short rib ragu ($32) Average spend: $90–$140 pp

7. Taqueria Downtown – Paulus Hook's Taco Legend

Location: 236 Grove St, Paulus Hook

Authentic tacos — al pastor that rivals Mexico City.

Signature: Al pastor tacos ($4 ea) Average spend: $70–$110 pp

8. Light Horse Tavern – Paulus Hook's Historic Pub

Location: 199 Washington St, Paulus Hook

Since 1850s — elevated pub fare.

Signature: Fish & chips ($24) Average spend: $80–$130 pp

9. Cellar 335 – Downtown's Tiki Speakeasy

Location: 335 Newark Ave, Downtown

Tiki cocktails and small plates — 2026: New rooftop.

Signature: Zombie cocktail ($18) Average spend: $90–$140 pp

10. Hamilton Pork – Downtown's Texas BBQ

Location: 247 10th St, Downtown

Texas-style brisket and ribs — 2026: New smoker series.

Signature: Brisket plate ($28) Average spend: $80–$130 pp

Jersey City Restaurants 2026 Comparison Table

Rank & Restaurant Neighborhood Cuisine Avg. Spend pp 2026 Highlight 1. RazzaDowntownPizza$110–$1801 Michelin Star 2. BattelloNewportItalian$140–$220Rooftop bar 3. DomodomoDowntownJapanese$120–$180Bib Gourmand 4. BroaIronboundPortuguese$110–$170Best New 2025 5. Latham HouseJournal SquareAmerican$130–$210Eater Hit

How to Book Jersey City's Hottest Tables in 2026

• Razza → Resy 60 days at 10 AM ET
• Battello → Tock 45 days out
• Domodomo → OpenTable 30 days
• Broa → Walk-ins for bar; dinner 21 days

Ready to Dine Like a Sixth Borough Insider in 2026?

From Michelin pizza to waterfront Italian, Jersey City's plates are world-class. Subscribe for first access to 2026 openings and secret reservations. Pair with our Jersey City Hotels 2026 Guide for the full experience.

Bon appétit, Hudson style.

World Club Directory – Online Since September 2025