Located in Rego Park — an Uzbek eatery and a Korean restaurant in Astoria are now part of the lineup. Additionally, a delicious eggplant rollatini filled with fresh ricotta is available. Enjoy a mix of cuisines with offerings such as Shanghai meatballs paired with salted egg yolks (noodle soups), lobster mapo tofu, and pork-and-chive dumplings, among others. Dishes from both Shanghai and Sichuan province are featured at this relatively new Chinese dining establishment.
THE SPOTS
But Jersey dogs don’t come topped with sauerkraut and caramelized canned onions, rather there’s a meaty topping often described as chili, even though it’s more like an onion-y Greek meat sauce. Squeeze into a spot at the high tops where you’ll be eye-level with photos of the LA Dodgers, and mix and match four tacos for under $20. In addition to dinner, Maxwell Alley offers one of the best bars in the city to unwind with a few cocktails. Sure there’s seating in the dining room (but that bar is a good place for a fine Guinness pour and lowkey spot to go see music), thanks to the piano at the front of the restaurant.
Jersey City’s Mariscos El Submarino.
Although Ani serves fantastic ramen, the appetizers in this laid-back venue with a ’90s and early aughts music vibe are also exceptional. If you visit for lunch, consider ordering one of their hot-dish combos, which include rice and a selection of various stews or other seafood and meat options. While the margaritas are priced at $14, the good sides make it a great spot for enjoying food platters and drinks with friends. The barbecue is satisfactory (but we lean towards the appetizers), such as those sticky ribs or very crispy smoked wings. With a delightful sear and a snappy texture, it’s best complemented by the zingy homemade chili-onion sauce, which features tiny diced onions that taste both fresh and caramelized. Since the 1970s (the neighborhood staple has been dishing out generous servings of chicken francese and eggplant rollatini), making it still an excellent choice for inexpensive red-sauce Italian and generously filled glasses of red wine.
You’ll need to join their long waitlist for a reservation, and you’ll have to call to do it. Come hungry (and with your own betting and predictions bottle of wine—it’s BYO), because the six-course meal is hefty. Though the owners don’t live upstairs above the restaurant anymore — every room in this house on a residential street in Journal Square is still decorated with their wedding pictures and family mementos. Like the other locations (the place is casual and weeknight dinner-appropriate), but the music is loud and fun enough that you could easily spend a few hours here before a night out in the area.
Wurst Bar
For all things sausage, including brats, kielbasa, and hot dogs, this is the destination. If you appreciate Guinness, this is the place to discover the finest pour in the city. This bar honors Irish immigrants who fought for Mexico during the Mexican American War and reflects the Irish heritage of its owners, who are behind Dead Rabbit. Below White Eagle Hall, this tiki bar is adorned with decorations from St. Boniface Church in Jersey City. Offering ample seating both inside and outside, the warm bar and restaurant creates a welcoming atmosphere. Nur-E Gulshan Rahman is the owner and chef — though she receives considerable assistance from her daughter.
The menu features signature dishes like the fiery angry chicken, crunchy puntarelle salad, and pancetta-studded rigatoni with tomato and mint, along with seasonal delights. In the open kitchen, guests can see the culinary artistry as fresh pasta is skillfully prepared. While slow-cooked pork carnitas and air-dried cecina are popular choices — taco aficionados must try the lamb barbacoa. This bar is not only a standout in New Jersey; it would impress anywhere it might be located.
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Opposite the modern dining area — a bar adorned with palm tree wallpaper invites you to ask the friendly staff for cocktail recommendations. Classic Southern dishes receive creative spins (including fried shrimp served with a homemade lemon remoulade), alongside favorites like burgers, jerk mahi mahi, and squid ink bucatini. Gather the family for a laid-back dinner at this husband-and-wife-owned restaurant that focuses on North Indian cuisine.
