With hundreds of bars and restaurants in the Mile Square alone, Hudson County is a food lover’s paradise. But you don’t just have to settle for a dinner reservation — some of the area’s most popular eateries offer hands-on classes in everything from sushi rolling to latte art. Maybe you’re actively trying to step up your cooking game — or maybe you’re just looking for an activity that will entertain your friends and feed them at the same time. Read on for 10 unique food and drink-making classes in Hoboken and Jersey City.
Hoboken
Sushi Rolling at Saku {936 Park Avenue}
Sushi lovers are missing out if they haven’t stopped by this Asian-fusion spot for a wasabi-infused cocktail and a Guac Is “Extra” Roll. On the first and last Tuesday of every month from 7:00PM-8:30PM, the “dark room” is reserved for a hands-on sushi tutorial aptly named “Rolling with the Homies.” Learn to make a tuna roll, a California roll, and a salmon-avocado hand-roll. Tickets cost $45. Sign up with a friend {or a date!} at eventbrite.com.
Cocktail Classes at The Winston {72 Hudson Street}
{Photo credit: @thewinstonhoboken}
Head underground for a mixology lesson from the pros at this Hoboken speakeasy {which recently got a tiki makeover}. The Winston regularly hosts themed classes dedicated to specific spirits or drink styles.
Baking and Cookie Decorating Workshops at Sugarsuckle {600 Newark Street}
{Photo credit: @sugarsuckle}
This custom cake and dessert shop doubles as a studio where guests can learn to make show-stopping sweets. The team regularly holds classes for adults and kids, covering topics like cake construction, pie making, and cookie decorating. You can also reserve the space for private baking lessons or group workshops to celebrate a birthday, shower, or pals’ night out. Subscribe to the email list at sugarsuckle.com for class updates or email [email protected] to schedule an event.
Read More: A Definitive List of Hoboken Desserts You Must Eat ASAP
Cake Decorating at Carlo’s Bakery {95 Washington Street}
{Photo credit: @carlosbakery}
Learn to decorate like a {cake} boss from the team at Carlo’s Bakery’s flagship location. People travel from all over the world for this two-hour class, which is the closest you can get to a tour of the famous bakery: It’s held in the second-floor kitchen where Buddy used to bake on Cake Boss, and members of the famiglia are known to stop by. Each student {adults and kids welcome!} gets a prebaked cake, a Carlo’s Bakery apron, and everything they need to create their own design. Instructors demonstrate techniques like wrapping fondant and hand-painting flowers. Classes are held every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00AM-11AM. Tickets start at $125 {check Groupon for deals} and can be booked by emailing [email protected] or calling 201-659-3671.
Baking and Pastry Classes at Choc-O-Pain {157 First Street}
{Photo credit: @chocopainbakery}
The beloved bakery offers lessons for a variety of classic French treats, including macarons, croissants, and eclairs, at its downtown Hoboken location. If guests don’t have much of a sweet tooth, check out the artisanal bread-making class, which covers techniques like kneading, proofing, shaping, and baking for three different types of bread. Students get to leave with a few tasty creations. Classes start at $90 {discounts available for pairs and groups} and are best for adults and older kids; book a spot at chocopainbakery.com.
Cooking Classes at Hudson Table {1403 Clinton Street}
{Photo credit: @hudsontable}
Of course, this guide wouldn’t be complete without Hoboken’s original {and most comprehensive} cooking studio. With courses dedicated to Filipino barbecue, handmade pasta, Mexican surf and turf, vegan desserts, and much more, Hudson Table has something for the aspiring chef in everyone. The studio also offers special workshops and demonstrations for team building events and private parties. Bonus: It’s BYOB. Visit hudsontable.com for upcoming classes and booking information.
French Macaron Class at Baking Mama {88 Hudson Street}
{Photo credit: @iambakingmama}
Tina Rivera {a.k.a. THE Baking Mama} is the perfect teacher for newbie bakers — and not just because she’s known for making stunning macarons in flavors like Nutella and green tea. A former banker, Tina taught herself to bake while pregnant with her son back in 1994, embracing mistakes as she mastered her craft. Her small, unintimidating classes make a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member. Email [email protected] to schedule.
See More: Hoboken of Girl the Week: Tina Rivera {of Baking Mama}
Jersey City
Latte Art at Hidden Grounds {148 First Street, Jersey City + 700 Garden Street, Hoboken}
{Photo credit: @hiddengroundscoffee}
For those that have wondered how baristas make Instagram-worthy drink designs, sign up for Latte Art Level 1 at Hidden Grounds in Hoboken or Jersey City. There, participants will learn the way around an espresso machine as well as how to steam milk and pull espresso shots before tackling designs like the classic rosetta. Expect a little friendly competition: Class ends with a latte throw down and prizes for first and second place. Tickets cost $50 and can be reserved at eventbrite.com.
Cocktail Classes at Liberty House {76 Audrey Zapp Drive}
{Photo credit: @libertyhouserestaurant}
This Jersey City institution has it all: waterfront views, gorgeous wedding packages, and, yes, even mixology classes once a month {usually on a Wednesday or Thursday night}. Mix two to three drinks while munching on light bites. Tickets cost $45 and can be reserved by calling 201-395-0300 or by emailing [email protected].
Kids’ Gelato Pop-Making Class at Bucket + Bay Craft Gelato Co. {150 Bay Street}
{Photo credit: @bucketandbay}
Kids ages six to 14 can learn to make their own cool creations with the help of the gelato experts at Bucket + Bay’s Jersey City location most Saturdays from 11:00AM-12:00PM. After molding their pops, kids can get creative with marshmallows, sprinkles, gummy bears, and other toppings. The fun continues while the pops freeze with coloring and other activities. Parents can even hang out until class is over and get a 20 percent drink discount. Keep an eye out for an adult version in the future, too. Tickets cost $24 and can be booked through eventbrite.com.
Have you tried one of these fun cooking classes yet? Let us know in the comments!
Hoboken to Hold Public Hearing About Former Uptown Pizzeria Space
In April 2024, the abrupt closure of Uptown Pizzeria at 54 14th Street in Hoboken left residents with many questions. After following a paper trail, The Hoboken Girl confirmed that the once-beloved spot was permanently closed. In February 2024, an application to demolish the site and replace it with high-rise condos was submitted to Hoboken's Zoning Board of Adjustment. There have been no developments regarding this situation — until now. According to a notice sent by the Zoning Board, there will be a public hearing to discuss and review the existing application on February 25th, 2025. Read on for what we know about the recent developments to convert Uptown Pizzeria's former location at 54 14th Street in Hoboken into high-rise housing.
The Details
Uptown Pizzeria, the once go-to spot for all of Hoboken's pizza cravings, suddenly closed for good in April 2024 with the plan to turn the 54 14th Street location into a six-story building.
The application was submitted by the property's owner and proposed to knock down the existing structure and "build a six-story mixed-use development with ground floor and basement-level commercial spaces and residential dwelling units on each upper floor," according to the Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment's meeting agenda for February 27th, 2024.
Read More: Water Main Repaired in Jersey City, Hoboken Boil Water Advisory Still in Effect
Within the past few days, nearby Hoboken residents have received a notice from the board informing them about a public hearing to discuss this application, which they have kindly shared with The Hoboken Girl.
As per the notice, the application has changed to five stories instead of six and four residential dwelling units instead of five. The commercial space is also now confirmed to include a restaurant with a kitchen and a vent for the restaurant's exhaust, which residents are concerned could omit odors into the courtyard at 1400 Hudson Street and neighboring apartments.
According to the ZBA agenda item, the applicant, NTT Properties LLC, is seeking variances to allow the property to have zero parking spaces instead of the required one, be 55 feet tall, exceeding the permitted height of 52 feet, have 100% lot coverage on the ground floor and 85% in the upper floors when 60% is the maximum allotted, have a 0% rear yard setback of lot depth while 40% is the required minimum, and include 20.8% aggregate coverage of roof appurtenances when 10% is the maximum.
This public hearing will take place in person at 7PM on February 25th at Hoboken City Hall, located at 94 Washington Street. Hoboken residents are encouraged to attend and ask questions or give comments regarding the application.
The Hoboken Girl has reached out to 2nd Ward Council Person Tiffanie Fisher and will update this piece with any further information.
About Uptown Pizzeria Closure
On April 1st, 2024, HG received a DM from a reader, saying “Just saw that Uptown Pizza was closed and it looked like it may be permanent.” Looking to confirm or deny the news, we called the pizza spot but were met with a Verizon message saying that the call could not be completed and the line was dead. We then reached out to Uptown Pizzeria's sister location in Dumont, Uptown Pizzeria II, but the employees were not able to share whether or not the Hoboken location had closed.
The Hoboken Girl then took the investigation on foot. Upon walking by the 14th Street location, we confirmed that the restaurant was closed for good. There was nothing inside the storefront but empty pizza boxes and on the outside of the door, we saw a a water service termination notice.
See More: Yemeni-Style Coffee Spot, Qahwah House, Opens in Montclair
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