With a population of around 250,000, Jersey City is the second largest city in New Jersey — and it’s a dining destination for international cuisines, as it’s so diverse that it rivals Queens. Look for any category of restaurant there, and you’re likely to find it.
Jersey City is partly defined and most would agree overshadowed by its seat next to New York City, but it holds its own when it comes to restaurants. A few things that make it a standout city: In addition to its stellar views and waterfront parks, it features a growing Chinese population that shaping the city into a destination for regional Chinese fare. There’s also India Square, one of the largest South Asian shopping strips in the region, with around 25 restaurants. There are two
competing Filipino neighborhoods with bakeries, cafes, produce stands, and food stores. There’s a transplanted hamburger restaurant — White Mana — erected for the the 1939 World’s Fair, that opened ahead of McDonald’s (and it’s owned by a onetime manager of Mike Tyson). Perhaps its Downtown is changing the most, with the explosive growth of residences and retail, including a selection of bars, bistros, and artisanal food producers — including a Krispy Kreme, where you can watch the doughnuts as they’re made.
There are multiple ways to get there by ferry, bus, car, or the PATH subway. And once you arrive, a light rail snakes across the landscape to neighborhoods that might otherwise seem remote. So give Jersey City a try, if you haven’t already.
