Hoboken and Jersey City are popular food destinations in New Jersey. Not only are restaurants known for their diverse food selections, but there is also no shortage of establishments with well-curated wine lists. Restaurants have also kept up with trending movements in the wine world such as natural wines — wines made without any additives — making the local wine experience more explorative. Read on to find some of the restaurants with great wine menus in the Hoboken + Jersey City area.
Pro Tips: Sometimes the size of the wine list can be overwhelming. We recommend starting with what you are familiar with, such as the grape varietals or the wine-producing region, and it always helps to ask the sommelier for recommendations that are in your budget.
Hoboken
Bin 14 | 1314 Washington Street
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First opened in 2008, Bin 14 is Hoboken’s first wine bar and remains an extremely popular hangout for Italian-inspired tapas and aperitifs. The exceptional sparkling wine selection pairs well with cheese boards, bruschettas, and pizzas. The red and white list consists mainly of Italian and French labels with a handful of bottles from Spain, Portugal, and the New World. Additionally, there is a bottle list ($100 and above) that exclusively features Napa Valley producers.
The Brass Rail | 135 Washington Street
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The Brass Rail features a vibrant bar scene on the street level and an upstairs dining room serving a New American menu. The restaurant has an extensive wine list, with options available by the glass or by the bottle. The wine selection is categorized into international choices, such as those from Italy, and domestic varieties.
City Bistro | 61 6th Street
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City Bistro boasts an exciting bar scene, particularly on the rooftop deck, which is perfect for a nice day. The spot serves up fantastic cocktails, including frozen sangria, chocolate martinis, and spicy margaritas, alongside an extensive wine list where customers can order either by the glass or bottle.
Read More: Your Guide to Breweries + Outdoor Beer Gardens in Hudson County
Court Street | 61 6th Street
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Court Street, known for its seafood dishes and American classics, has been a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence recipient since 2016. This award is given to restaurants with a variety of great wines across multiple wine-growing regions. The Court Street wine list is strong in new world wines — it features Californian cabernets and merlot for reds, as well as a variety of whites from New Zealand, California, and New York. After a two-year pause due to the pandemic, the restaurant has recently brought back its wine-tasting events. In each session, guests sample ten wines from a selected vineyard.
Del Frisco’s Grille | 221 River Street
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The wine menu at this waterfront steakhouse has been a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence pick since 2016. In a 2018 blog post, Del Frisco’s Vice President of Beverage Gretchen Thomas wrote that when selecting new wines, she looks for three things — good value, the history behind the wine, and “something unique that contributes to the whole wine list”. The wine program, with over 300 bottles, is strong in California selections. A bold and rich bottle, such as a Cabernet or Malbec, pairs well with steak.
Grand Vin | 500 Grand Street
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Grand Vin has a crowd-pleasing menu that features contemporary Italian and American dishes. The wine selection consists mainly of bottles from traditional winemaking regions in Italy, France, and California. But more interestingly, there are a handful of bottles from non-California US, including a light-bodied, highly drinkable co-ferment of four grapes made in upstate New York (‘Barry Family Cellars Four Track Demo Red Blend Finger Lakes’). Grand Vin also has a private label chianti made from organically farmed Sangiovese with notes of cinnamon and berries. The restaurant also hosts wine-tasting events.
Il Tavolo di Palmisano | 700 Clinton Street
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Il Tavolo di Palmisano is a beloved restaurant known for serving delicious Italian family recipes such as spicy rigatoni and breaded chicken cutlets. The restaurant also has a wide selection of wines to perfectly complement your Italian meal. HG also loves the martini happy hour deals here.
Sorellina Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar | 1036 Washington Street
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Sorellina, known for its simple and creative pasta dishes, has an exclusive Italian wine program that has been recognized by Wine Spectator every year since 2017. It features a rotating selection of 30+ wines by the glass and over 120 labels served by the bottle. This includes wines made from rare, indigenous varietals produced by small winemakers, as well as a ‘Riserva’ list which indicates premium quality. The wine list is organized by style rather than country or region. “If you know you typically like full-bodied reds with ripe fruit, you should choose from our ‘Full & Fruity’ section. Our staff is also very well educated on our list and can always help make recommendations,” owner and sommelier Gabi Lombardi told The Hoboken Girl. The restaurant frequently hosts wine dinners with producers from Italy. Sorellina also has food and wine pairing options on a daily basis.
Jersey City
Battello | 502 Washington Boulevard
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This fine-dining restaurant serves Italian-influenced dishes and is particularly strong in seafood. The wine program has been a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence pick since 2014 (except in 2017 and 2018 when the restaurant was closed due to pier repair.) In an earlier interview, owner and wine director Cory Checket said Battello provides lower-than-average markup and various bottle formats including magnum and half bottles. The diverse selection includes wines with significant age, such as vintages dating back to the 1980s; wines from organic producers and family-owned wineries; and wines from not only famed wine-producing regions in Italy, France, and California, but also South Africa, Switzerland, Lebanon, Austria, and Greece.
Bistro La Source | 299 Marin Boulevard
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Bistro La Source, a popular French restaurant, boasts a large wine menu. Owner Bill Spitz helps curate the menu with featured hand-picked wine selections. With over 60 bottles of wine to choose from, the menu highlights regions in Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and — of course — France. There are also a few New World wines sprinkled throughout — there’s even a Riesling from Seneca Lake, New York.
Felina Steak at Hudson House | 2 Chapel Avenue
Felina Steak House, situated on the first floor of Hudson House in Jersey City, serves up classic Italian cuisine with stunning Hudson River views for an ideal dining experience. The wine menu here complements their exceptional steaks + chops. HG especially enjoys pairing a glass of red wine with a filet.
Frankie | 264 Grove Street
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This wildly popular Australian-style cafe draws inspiration from cuisines around the world and serves up creative dishes such as fish curry, lamb kofta, and kimchi fried chicken. But what sets it apart from other cafes is its natural wine-focused wine program. Natural wine refers to a trending style of winemaking that involves organic farming and minimal intervention (meaning no or little sulfites or other additives). The list features a large variety of Australian wines, as well as bottles from famed wine-producing regions in Europe and South Africa. We’d recommend a very aromatic Australian Grenache for red, or a bright, floral Savagnin for white.
Maddy Rose | 76 Audrey Zapp Drive Floor 1
Maddy Rose, a Jersey City restaurant and bar, serves elevated coastal cuisine, craft beverages, and a vibrant atmosphere — all HG-approved. As part of the Landmark Hospitality Group, Maddy Rose consistently provides a great dining experience with exceptional cuisine and an excellent wine selection.
See More: Amanti Vino: An Award-Winning Wine Store in Montclair
Porta | 135 Newark Avenue
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The restaurant makes excellent Neapolitan-style pizza as well as creative Italian dishes that rotate by the season. The small but mighty wine menu features mainly labels from famed wine-producing regions in Italy. Some notable items include a fresh, fragrant Nebbiolo from Piedmont that makes an excellent pasta wine, and a bright, zesty Vermentino from Sardinia that pairs beautifully with fish or cheese.
Satis Bistro | 212 Washington Street
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This chic bistro serves seasonal Southern European dishes such as pasta, grilled fish, and steak frites. The wine list has an excellent French selection that features bottles from, among other regions, Loire, Burgundy, Rhone, and Bordeaux. A Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with the restaurant’s many fish dishes and a Pinot Noir is great with the cheese board.
6 Hoboken + Jersey City Spots With Country Vibes
Hudson County is usually known for its proximity to one of the world’s largest and most cosmopolitan cities, not for a rural, country feel. However, there are several restaurants and bars bringing the down-home country vibes to the Garden State. If tunes from Luke Bryan, Dolly Parton, The Chicks, and even Beyonce are in order, look no further than these Hoboken and Jersey City establishments. We’ve rounded up places in Hudson County that will have you screaming yee-haw by the end of the night. Read on to learn more about where to find country music and southern food in Hoboken and Jersey City, New Jersey.
Boots + Bones | 116 Newark Avenue, Jersey City
Boots + Bones is conveniently located just steps from the Grove Street PATH Station. The menu instantly transports diners to the Deep South with brisket burnt ends, cornbread, and Grandma’s Southern Chicken. Boots + Bones is always jamming with a full lineup of events and live music. Patrons can stop by for country bands, line dancing or DJs while sipping on drink specials. The restaurant also serves brunch on the weekends. The Cowgirl Brunch includes a brunch item and four brunch cocktails for just $40.
Read More: Julietta Gelato Cafe Soft Opening in Hoboken on 2/20
Hamilton Pork | 247 10th Street, Jersey City
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BBQ, tacos, and tequila…say less. Hamilton Pork is a Jersey City favorite nestled in the heart of the Hamilton Park neighborhood. The restaurant gives homey, comforting vibes and the food matches the rustic aesthetic. The menu has a wide variety of classic Tex-Mex and BBQ including over a dozen taco options. BBQ staples like pulled pork and brisket are on the menu along with sides like mac + cheese and classic slaw. The restaurant is available for private events and catering for all special occasions.
House of 'Que | 340 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken
“We smoke only the good stuff,” is House of Que’s tagline. And they smoke a lot of it. House of 'Que, created by an award-winning pitmaster from Texas, serves over 4,000 pounds of smoked meat weekly. Some crowd favorites on the menu include 48-hour smoked wings, Frito pie, and the Sloppy Texan, which is a brisket and beef burger with all the fixings. And, let’s face it, any restaurant with a full section of the menu dedicated to French fries can do no wrong. In addition to the authentic BBQ, House of 'Que is well-known for its events. The crowds for the restaurant’s weekly Dueling Pianos can be seen (or heard) singing karaoke favorites on Saturdays. Other events include weekly karaoke and trivia nights as well as weekend brunch.
Mike's Wild Moose Saloon | 90 River Street, Hoboken
Mike’s Wild Moose Saloon is one of Hoboken’s most popular bars. Its proximity to the Hoboken terminal and downtown nightlife makes it a great stop on any night out. The bar’s weekly events include Country Karaoke Thursdays, Nash Fridays, and Saddle Up Saturdays. Each night has drink specials, and the bar promises no covers, ever. Mike’s Wild Moose is perfect for a quick late-afternoon beer or a Sunday Funday with friends.
South House | 149 Newark Avenue, Jersey City
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South House was recently made famous as a filming location in the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends with Us starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, but Jersey City residents know it’s been serving up classic BBQ and stand-out drinks well before its big screen debut. The vibey, date night spot is all about good food, good drinks, and southern hospitality. The restaurant itself gives country-meets-uptown girl and the food is down-home cooking. Diners can begin the night with starters like loaded deviled eggs, queso, and spicy fried pickles. The main courses provide nearly every type of Southern, food from Tex-Mex fajitas to Big Southern Plates like fried catfish and baby back ribs. End the night with southern desserts like banana pudding or a nightcap from the extensive bar menu.
See More: These Restaurants + Bars in Montclair Will Wow Your Visitors
The Stewed Cow | 400 Adams Street, Hoboken
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Laid-back, classic, and rustic are all words used to describe The Stewed Cow. This Hoboken staple recently got a facelift, and guests are loving the new look, but a familiar feel. The Stewed Cow leans the closest to Tex-Mex of all of the country offerings in the area with a section of the menu dedicated to homemade tortilla tacos and options for fajita entrees. The restaurant keeps the Instagram page updated with upcoming events like live bands and NFL gameday specials. Walk-ins are welcome, but a reservation is highly suggested.
