After Newark, Jersey City is the second most populated city in the state of New Jersey, so you know you can find a plethora of eateries there. And being right on the Hudson River as well as the New York Bay, you can imagine the number of fresh seafood dishes to enjoy from freshwater bass to saltwater flounder.
If you fancy a basket of fried cod and chips or want to try something different like boiled eel or fried calamari, you can find them in Jersey City too. They even have jellyfish head snacks, squid-ink pasta, and sea urchins. Find a good luggage storage site in Jersey City to drop off your bags so you can go eat!
Best Spots for Fish and Chips
- The Chippery
With a name like The Chippery, you know they have some awesome fish and chips. In fact, just follow the locals who go there often. The fish is tender and flaky on the inside and crispy on the outside. They also have chicken & chips, shrimp & chips, and clam & chips as well as chipwiches like the fishwich and crabwich.
- Frankie Eats
This unique spot is the dream of Rowen and Rebecca, who love travel and food. They add an Australian touch to fish & chips with wild cut pollock, Cooper’s red beer batter, and house cut chips. The lemongrass tartar sauce is a delightful twist as well. What makes it even better is that the place is named after their Chihuahua.
- A Salt & Battery
Taste how they do it in the UK at A Salt & Battery where the locals say they have the best fish & chips west of London Town. The thick-cut chips with tangy malt vinegar and sea salt are fabulous. Get your choice of cod or haddock or try sole, whiting, or shrimp. They even have battered sausage and mushy peas.
Who Shucks the Best Oysters?
- Light Horse Tavern
Light Horse Tavern is known for its impressive raw bar with four different types of oysters. They have Glidden Point, which is a meaty oyster from Maine, Wellfleet oysters from Cape Cod with a sweet flavor, Island Creek oysters from Massachusetts with a buttery flavor, and Blue Point with a salty brine flavor.
- Battello
For a more upscale oyster experience, Battello is a stunning establishment with an award-winning chef who knows how to mix things up and make them taste unbelievable. Inside a huge and airy dining room with vaulted ceilings and a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline, this place is perfect for a night out.
- Honshu Lounge
If you would rather try your oysters deep-fried, head over to Honshu where they serve a scrumptious fried oyster roll. They take fried oysters straight from the bay and roll them in either brown or white rice and add secret seasonings that your tongue will never forget. Add scallions, jalapenos, or mango for a twist.
Crab and Lobster Restaurants to Try
- Justbeclaws
You won’t have to look far to find a fantastic lobster or crab restaurant in Jersey City. Try the fresh Dungeness crab in Cajun Vietnamese style at Justbeclaws. In fact, they have four types of crab including king, snow, and blue crab as well. Or get the lobster with their special spices with garlic butter on the side.
- Fire & Oak
If you want to be served in style, try Fire & Oak where you can get all sorts of mouthwatering seafood dishes. The shrimp, lobster, and crabmeat pasta is doused in a plum tomato cognac sauce and tastes like nothing you have ever had before. Or get the lobster macaroni & cheese with toasted breadcrumbs.
- Surf City
Dine right on the beach at Surf City on the harbor. You get a fabulous view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline while eating some delicious seafood. The creamy and rich lobster bisque is sublime or try the lobster claw quesadilla with pepper jack cheese. They even have fries topped with crab meat!
Dining in Style in Jersey City
- Maritime Parc
Right on the edge of the Liberty Landing Marina, Maritime Parc is an upscale coastal seafood restaurant where you can dine in style and feel like family at the same time. One of the favorites is the halibut in celery dill sauce with yuzu braised artichokes and fingerling potatoes. Or try the short ribs and scallops with gribiche sauce.
- Edward’s Steak House
Edward’s may be a steakhouse, but you will find the best seafood in the city in this historic 1800s building. The raw bar boasts clams on the half shell, oysters, and crab meat cocktail. Or get the Chilean sea bass, sea scallops, sesame-crusted ahi tuna, South African lobster tails, or stuffed shrimp.
- Porto Leggero
At Porto Leggero, you’ll be in awe of the mahogany arches and white linen tablecloths and the kitchen staff is visible through a wall of glass for a unique take on dinner. Some featured dishes include Cape Sante Toscano, which is scallops in a white bean and rosemary broth, and Cozze Fradiavalo, which is steamed mussels in tomato sauce.
While you are in Jersey City, be sure to see at least some of their main attractions like the Statue of Liberty, the Empty Sky Memorial, the Newkirk House from the 1600s, and Liberty State Park with its iconic Liberty Science Center IMAX Dome theater. And be sure to take a lot of pictures to share with your friends on social media.