Not long ago, the quest for vegetarian and vegan food in Hoboken + Jersey City was quite the undertaking. But in recent years, the health-conscious, animal-conscious mindset of both residents and restaurant owners has drawn quite an array of vegan eateries into the area (or at least restaurants serving up vegan and vegetarian options). Since we know it’s a lot of work to scope them out, we’ve rounded up some top-notch vegan-friendly food spots in Jersey City for you to enjoy. Keep reading to discover vegan-friendly food spots in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Alfalfa | 160 1st Street + 2 Locations in Hoboken
Originally starting at a farmer’s market and then quickly expanding to a pop-up and then fully-fledged store, this Hoboken-founded restaurant now has locations as far away as Santa Monica, California. As a build-your-own style salad place, there are loads of vegan combinations to make, but if salad is not your thing, Alfalfa also has The Sunflower, which is a vegan wrap.
The Alps | 351 Palisades Avenue
This bar in The Heights serves up light bites with several vegan options. Pair a cocktail or glass of wine with the vegan Cold Peanut Noodle Salad or Mushroom Banh Mi to strike a perfect balance for the night.
Bengali Sweet Corner | 836 Newark Avenue
This Indian restaurant serves vegan-friendly dishes like bharwa baingan (Indian-style eggplant curry made by simmering small eggplants in a spicy onion masala), white chole (chickpeas and tomatoes are simmered with a mixture of fried garlic, ginger, onion, and serrano chiles plus traditional Indian spices), and aloo paratha (whole wheat flatbread).
Brick Lane Curry House | 136 Newark Avenue
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With a deep passion for authentic Indian cuisine, Brick Lane Curry House has loads of options for anyone looking for a wide range of vegan choices. From appetizers such as the Lassuni Gobi (crispy cauliflower tossed in a tomato + garlic sauce) to main dishes including Moilee Curry and Madras Curry (South Indian tomato coconut curry), Brick Lane Curry House has you covered.
Read More: Where to Find the Best Vegan Soups in Jersey City
Bubby’s Burritos | 440 Jersey Avenue
Although this eatery specializes in burritos, the spot has a vegan and vegetarian option called the Super Mission Bay Burrito that is made with rice, beans, corn, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa, and served with house salad or chips. Additionally, fresh juices are available like daily detox juice (cucumber, carrots, lemon, apple, and ginger), and the vampiro juice (celery, pineapple, apple, beetroots, and carrots).
Busy Bee Organics | 451 Palisade Avenue
Busy Bee is a fan-fave for its plant-based, nutritionally balanced meals and delivery services. Patrons can expect flavorful vegan and vegetarian meals, nutrient-filled bone broths, gluten-free bakery items, and many more unique items.
Cafe Dolma | 270 Grand Street
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This cafe serves up Turkish cuisine with a modern twist in a beautiful and charming space. The salad options are packed with flavor and are vegan-friendly. Options include quinoa and veggie salad (quinoa, grilled vegetables, split peas, radish, and artichoke), a string bean salad, and a spinach and green apple salad. The spot also sells coffee and fresh-pressed juices.
The Cliff | 38 Congress Street
Most notable at The Cliff is the vegan burger, which tastes more like meat than vegetables. Order it with their truffle shoestring fries, which are not only vegan but are some of the best in Jersey City. Other vegan items include the famous acai bowl (ask for it without bee pollen), quinoa wrap (ask for it without feta), kale salad, and tofu scramble. If it’s a nice day out, make sure to eat on the adorable patio in the back.
CAVA | 30 Montgomery Street
CAVA is a Mediterranean restaurant that gives you the option to make your own bowl, salad, or pita by picking a base and then piling it high with your choice of toppings, dips, spreads, and proteins.
Dosa Hut | 777 Newark Avenue
This spot serves up three flavors of lassi (fresh smoothies), including mango, aloo banda (South Indian snack made of sweet potato, tapioca, grated pineapple, green peas, and other veggies), and other options, as well as vada pav (deep fried potato dumpling placed inside a bread bun), pani puri (crisp fried dough balls are stuffed with potatoes, sprouts, spicy tangy water or sweet chutney), and more.
Gaia + Loki | 346 Grove Street
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Serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this restaurant is 100% vegan and is on a mission to support sustainability + end animal cruelty by creating fully vegan food that strengthens our bodies while embracing the elegance of plant-based food. With dozens of options to choose from, you can either look at choosing a traditional dish with a vegan take on it, such as the Linguini + Meatballs, or go for something completely unique such as the Butternut Squash Hero Sandwich.
Gringo’s | 12 Coles Street
Gringo’s is not your traditional Mexican restaurant. The dishes embody a fusion of traditional Mexican cuisine and modern American-Mexican cooking that creates unique, delicious dishes. For vegans, the spot have a clearly laid out menu that indicates all of the options, ranging from appetizers like Elote (a roasted corn on the cob tossed in vegan chipotle mayo + queso, and tajin) to main course dishes such as the OG Quesa-Dilla and Quesabirria tacos.
The Kitchen Step | 500 Jersey Avenue
Kitchen Step has a few delicious vegan options on the menu (quality over quantity is never a bad thing). Start with the marinated olives and candied almonds, and enjoy the main vegan dish — a miso-glazed portobello mushroom, ginger-scented carrot purée in a spicy coconut emulsion.
Koro Koro | 538 Jersey Avenue
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Koro Koro is a rice ball spot in town serving Japanese-style rice with various fillings wrapped in a nori sheet. Vegan options include The Indian, The Moroccan, The Umeboshi, and The Mediterranean. This spot also has a homemade miso soup chock full of squash, hearty and satisfying. The spot also almost always has a vegan soup of the day that will blow you away. Pro-tip, opt for the cucumber dill soup, a black bean soup, and a plantain soup. Koro Koro also has an amazing herbal detox tea on tap and carries vegan ice cream from a popular local spot, Milk Sugar Love.
Mathews | 351 Grove Street
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Mathews is a vegan-friendly restaurant where vegan items are noted on the menu, and many items can also be made vegan. Most noteworthy on the menu: the white bean purée and the 5-Bean Cassoulet.
Mithaas | 795 Newark Avenue
This eatery serves up traditional Indian street food and sweets. Small and simple eats like vegetable samosa (potato-stuffed pastry), mixed vegetable pakora (veggie fritters), vada pav (potato dumpling), and manchow soup (a popular Indian and Chinese soup) are must-tries.
Orale | 341 Grove Street + 1426 Willow Avenue
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Orale is a stellar Mexican restaurant in the area, hands down one of the best in JC. Known for its frozen margaritas, Orale has not only a great beverage menu, but a uniquely modern twist on Mexican fare. The spot makes it own seitan in-house for its vegan tacos and has numerous guacamole options. Celebrating Meatless Mondays, Orale also adds more vegetarian options to the menu on Mondays. Since opening in Jersey City, the spot has since added a location in Hoboken. HG pro tip: Order the “vegetales” for an artisanal display of colorful vegetables.
Pet Shop JC | 193 Newark Avenue
Almost everything on the menu at Pet Shop can be made vegan upon request. Crowd pleasers for both vegans and non-vegans include the Buffalo Cauliflower, Fried Green Tomato Sandwich, Bollywood Fries, and the Pulled “Pork” Sandwich. Another mouthwatering vegan item to note — the impossible burger (pictured above).
Pinwheel Garden | 318 Communipaw Avenue
Pinwheel Garden is a family-owned restaurant that serves a combo of Asian-American food that’s influenced by Taiwan, Japan, Korea, India, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Italy, France, and America. For an app, opt for the Spinach Pie Dumplings. For a main, opt for the Coconut Curry (spicy and slightly sweet Thai/Indian-spiced coconut milk curry with hints of kaffir lime, lemongrass, and housemade curry blend served with organic tofu, peppers, onions, and cilantro).
Porta | 135 Newark Avenue
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Porta is a beautiful brick oven pizza venue with the best crust in town — originally hailing from Asbury Park (JC is their second location). They usually have two vegan options available, switching them up seasonally.
Power Plant Cafe | 60 Christopher Columbus Drive, 336 2nd Street, + 361 Newark Avenue
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With three locations in Jersey City, Power Plant Cafe is a great place for vegans to stop when looking for a smoothie, juice, or acai bowl. As an added bonus, the spot also has a small selection of warm food, such as the Sausage Egg + Cheese and Bacon Egg + Cheese, which are also all made with plant-based ingredients.
Sapthagiri | 737 Newark Avenue
This local favorite specializes in both north and south Indian tastes. The menu boasts traditional dishes packed with flavors. A popular vegan dish is the Vegan Thali is made with kootu, poriyal, sambar, rasam, rice, channa masala, aloo masala, chapati, papad, and pickle. Other house favorites include the Set Dosa (set of two thin butter pancakes served with a portion of mashed potato and green peas curry), Idili (steamed rice cake), and Aloo Bonda (spicy round-shaped dumplings made of potato, onions, and cashew nuts dipped in chickpea batter and deep-fried).
Sri Ganesh Dosa House | 809 Newark Avenue
Sri Ganesh Dosa House is an Indian vegetarian restaurant serving up south Indian home-cooked food. Patrons can find several flavors of idly (Indian rice cake), vada (Indian-style donuts), bhaji (spicy snack made of rice flour, gram flour, green chilies, green chili, and lemon juice), curd rice, vegetable biryani, and many more delicious eats here.
Subia’s Vegan Cafe | 506 Jersey Avenue
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Notable favorites here include the Subia’s burger, Garden Zen Tempeh sandwich, and Philly Cheese Steak. Super healthy favorites include the raw salad, the raw wrap, and the lentil soup. Everything served at Subia’s is organic, and the spot has the most amazing fresh juices and smoothies, including a cleansing juice selection. Customers can also purchase some unique items like vegan cheese, Miyoko’s Kitchen, and purple Japanese yams (great for the skin).
Sweetgreen | 90 Hudson Street
With locations throughout the country, this is Sweetgreen’s first New Jersey location. The menu is made up mostly of warm bowls, salads, and make-your-own salads from the base to the toppings. House favorite salad options include the spicy Thai featuring tofu, Kale Caesar, and Guacamole Greens. The Hummus + Tahina and Lentil + Avocado salads are made up entirely of veggies. The curry cauli and peppercorn tahina is a great side dish.
Tony Boloney’s | 363 Grove Street + 263 1st Street
Tony Boloney’s is known for its innovative menu items — and for good reason. This popular spot also has vegan-friendly dishes as well. Some of the choices include the Kaliente (with roasted kale, Mexican black bean hummus, avocado, cilantro, + homemade salsa verde), Yogi (with coconut curry tikka masala, mushrooms, broccoli rabe, + cilantro chutney), and more.
See More: Where to Find Vegan Food in Montclair
Two Boots | 133 Newark Avenue
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Two Boots is a popular pizza joint in all of Manhattan known for its cornmeal crust and many vegan options. The spot always has the V For Vegan available by the slice, but other vegan choices must be purchased by the pie. Opt for the Larry Tate, a white pizza with spinach, tomatoes, and garlic.
Vibez | 83 Hutton Street
Vibez is a juice bar and 100% vegan cafe dishing out soulful vegan cuisine. The spot has fresh organic juices, veggie patties, and fresh-baked pastries. At Vibez, vegan cuisine is a lifestyle, and the cafe hosts health seminars, live entertainment, private booking, and kids’ activities.
Whealth Kitchen | 615 Pavonia Avenue
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Specializing in farm fresh food, you know that this place not only has great vegan options, but also fresh ones. From vegan smoothies to soups, salads, + farm plates, it is hard to go wrong with Whealth Kitchen.
The Best Bars to Catch NFL Games in Hoboken, Jersey City, + Beyond
Some enjoy watching their favorite football team from the comfort of their own couch, while others prefer to catch the game at a bar surrounded by other fellow fans. Whether cheering on your favorite team or just waiting for the broadcast team to cut to the celeb suites, there is no shortage of local spots to take in all of the excitement — especially with Super Bowl LIX happening this weekend. Read on to plan a football-centric outing in Hoboken, Jersey City, and beyond.
Hoboken
For Buffalo Bills Fans: The Shannon | 106 First Street
The Shannon is home to the Hoboken Bills Backers and it is the ultimate day party. With bar games like grown-up Connect 4, Giant Jenga, and two pool tables, as well as NFL scattered across various TVs and a live DJ, this bar is sure to get as wild as an actual tailgate in Buffalo.
For Dallas Cowboys Fans: Mike's Wild Moose Saloon | 92 River Street
Hoboken’s only country bar is also home to the Dallas Cowboys and the Sunday Huddle party. As part of the Sunday-only special, visitors to the saloon can enjoy $.50 wings. Locals can also find tailgate fare like burgers, mozzarella sticks, sliders, tacos, and more at this spot.
Read More: A Guide to Sports Bars in Hoboken, New Jersey
For Pittsburgh Steelers Fans: Texas Arizona | 76 River Street
Fans should get in before the game to enjoy all kinds of Sunday food + drink specials. Texas Arizona is known for its corner party scene and Sundays are no different. This bar fills with a sea of black + yellow Pittsburgh Steelers fans by game time.
For Philadelphia Eagles Fans: Mulligan’s | 159 First Street
Mulligan’s is probably best known as the place to catch a European football game, but in the back room on Sundays, Eagles fans fill the scene. The bar opens early on Sundays so wake up, throw on a jersey, and get cheering.
For New England Patriots Fans: McSwiggan’s | 110 First Street
Hoboken keeps the party rolling on First Street with a trip to McSwiggan’s. The Irish pub is home to New England Patriots and the famous Phoenix Shot. Locals can grab a seat on the patio for game time when spring rolls around.
For New York Giants Fans: Black Bear Bar + Grill | 205 Washington Street
That constant buzz, which can erupt into a loud roar at any moment on Sunday afternoons, can be found at Black Bear Bar + Grill on Washington Street. This spot is always overflowing with action and good times. Blackbear is nestled right in the heart of Hoboken and has some of the best burgers in the area, as well as a great atmosphere for watching the G-Men.
For Teams That Don't Have a Bar: Wicked Wolf | 120 Sinatra Drive
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The quintessential sports bar right on the Hoboken waterfront, Wicked Wolf, has plenty of beers on tap and countless televisions to ensure that none of the action is missed. The menu includes the game-day staples like wings and burgers, but the beer batter mozzarella sticks, fried pickles, and cheesesteak egg rolls are delicious options with a tall beer, and football, of course.
Jersey City
For Tennessee Titans Fans: Boots + Bones | 116 Newark Avenue
A quick trip to Nashville for a game may be out of the question, but locals can head to Newark Avenue for a little football and a little honky tonk in the heart of Jersey City. Titans fans can line dance up to the bar, or cozy up in a booth and sip some whiskey while cheering for victory. Boots + Bones is the perfect alternative to taking a flight to Nash Vegas.
For New York Jets Fans: Irving Public | 135 Summit Avenue
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It’s hard to go anywhere in the area without finding a place to catch the Jets, but Irving Public is the place to go in Jersey City. The Public House is located in The Heights in the former Blarney Pub spot. The space has a chill vibe with plenty of beers on tap and pool tables to stay entertained at the half.
For Teams That Don't Have a Bar: The Ashford | 145 Newark Avenue
With over 100 TVs mounted on its walls, The Ashford is the place to post up for a full day of football. Jersey City locals can try Sunday Specials like $3 mimosas, $15 select domestic pitchers, $5 green tea + $6 Jameson cold brew shots, $5 select apps + domestic drafts, and more.
See More: The Best Bars to Catch NFL Games in Essex County + Beyond
New York City
For Kansas City Chiefs Fans: John Brown BBQ | 27-20 40th Avenue, Queens
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This one is a bit out of the way for us 6th borough folk, but for those who are really stanning Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, this is the official Kansas City Chiefs bar in NYC. Go hungry because this place serves Kansas City-style BBQ, saving guests an actual trip to the Midwest. There’s also a beer garden and live music.
