NJ Restaurants with Jaw-Dropping NYC Views

Nothing pairs with a good meal like an epic view. Bring your camera (and your appetite) to these next-level spots in northern NJ that boast gorgeous views of the Big Apple.

Blu on the Hudson

1200 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken
201-636-1200

The restaurant’s outdoor patio will be open this season, giving you spectacular views of the New York skyline during brunch and dinner service. Executive Chef Juan Carlos (JC) Ortega puts his focus on fresh seafood, house-made pastas, world-class steak, crafted desserts, plus an extensive wine list.

Blue Eyes Restaurant

525 Sinatra Dr., Hoboken
201-683-6861

Named after Hoboken’s most famous and beloved crooner, Blue Eyes sits along the Hudson. Soak up views of the Freedom Tower as you sample from a menu of Italian dishes like grilled branzino with fresh herbs, orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe and fresh pizza napoletana.

Charrito’s Taqueria

518 Washington St., Hoboken
201-216-9201

Get your fix of Mexican at this casual spot boasting fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, tostadas and other staples. Vegan at the table? The menu has highlights like potato crispies, pan-fried plantain rolls stuffed with cheese, and veggie burritos and fajitas.

Chart House

1700 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken
201-348-6628

This date night haven is all about seafood. Start with cornerstones like crab cake topped with avocado corn relish and lemon shallot butter, pepper-seared ahi tuna tartare tacos or watermelon carpaccio. Follow up with panko-crusted chicken, spiced sofrito swordfish, lemon herb crusted salmon or Portuguese summer stew.

Del Frisco’s Grille

221 River St., Hoboken
201-653-0195

Thanks to a partnership with Double Eagle Steakhouse, you can expect next-level hand-cut beef in the form of filet mignon, prime ribeye and prime rib. Other highlights include shrimp fettuccini, lemon dill salmon, grilled celery root steak or steak frites.

The Exchange

2 Exchange Pl., Jersey City
201-469-1234

Within the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson, The Exchange offers breathtaking views all day long, from breakfast to late night cocktails, including a menu of American tapas.

Haven

2 Main St., Ste. G, Edgewater
201-943-1900

Talk about a romantic night out. You can’t go wrong with a breezy summer night by the water savoring dishes like creamy seafood risotto, pan seared Chilean sea bass over white soba noodles and enoki trumpet mushrooms and lamb shank with cauliflower and potato garlic mash. Enjoy the views during Happy Hour on weekdays or brunch on the weekends.

Lokal Eatery & Bar

2 Second St., Jersey City
201-222-6800

The focaccia here is so light, fluffy and flavorful that families will drive up to 2 hours for this garlicky, rosemary starter. But don’t stop there – the menu focuses on food that is locally sourced: modern American food with a Mediterranean twist, drawing from Italy, France and the Mediterranean belt. There are seafood, meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes, with everything from a raw bar to flatbreads to mushroom fettucine to Za’atar-crusted halibut.

Maddie Rose at Liberty House

76 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City
201-395-0300

This is arguably one of the state’s most raved-about al fresco spots. With craft cocktails like Liberty Punch (gin, green chartreuse, lime, chamomile tea and rosemary), events like mixology classes and special food tastings and a sustainable, seasonal menu with tons of local ingredients, you can’t go wrong with a warm night on the patio at Maddy Rose. Scour the raw bar, bring your appetite for Berkshire pork schnitzel, charred cauliflower steak or spring lamb shoulder.

Maritime Parc

84 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City
201-413-0050

Think old-school fish house gone mod. Watch your plate be prepped in the open kitchen, sip at the outdoor bar on the split-level patio or make a date for brunch. If you splurge on dinner, try brined king salmon with leek and potato hash and spiced baby carrots, ginger glazed sea bass with shitake mushrooms in a coconut broth, or a duo of a NY strip steak plus braised short rib created by Chef Chris Siversen.

Molos

1 Pershing Rd., Weehawken
201-223-1200

Greek and Mediterranean is always a win, but it doesn’t get better than Greek and Mediterranean with views of NYC through floor-to-ceiling windows on two floors. Signature dishes include the whole fish, which is displayed in the fish market, and saganaki flame served tableside. The restaurant’s full bar features wines from Greece.

Rooftop at Exchange Place

1 Exchange Pl., Jersey City
551-256-7850

This stunning giant consists of multi-level indoor and outdoor spots to hang, The Rooftop and The Terrace. While the food is top notch (think roasted wild mushroom toast, baked crab fondue or fried Amish chicken wings), the star of this spot is the cocktail list. Sip Jersey-inspired libations like the Green Tea Long Island (vodka, gin, white rum, Nonino Amaro, green tea lemonade, lemon simple syrup) or Where’s Waldo (Knob Creek rye, absinthe, cognac, Demarara, Peychauds, walnut bitters).

Rumba Cubana

Guttenberg, North Bergen, Clifton, Jersey City, Rochelle Park

Paradise isn’t as far away as you think. Come for show-stopping tropical drinks (mojitos and pina coladas, people!), authentic and reimagined Cuban food and lively music. Guttenberg’s location serves up the Instaworthy views of the city. Go for Cuban standards like Ropa Vieja (shredded beef simmered in a tomato-base sauce), carne con papas (beef and potato stew) and croquetas de jamon (ham croquettes). For dessert, savor flan de coco or head downstairs to the attached Cuban bakery.

Son Cubano

40-4 Riverwalk Pl., West New York
201-399-2020

Get a taste of 1950s Cuba from acclaimed NJ Chef David Burke: the glamour, elegance, music and, of course, the food. Sit in one of the two luxurious dining areas before making a trip to the bar for cocktails like Chili Chili Bang Bang (Don Julio Blanco tequila, ancho reyes chile, passionfruit and ginger beer). Take a seat on the patio or walk down to the water’s edge for stunning views of Manhattan after getting your fill of dishes pernil pork shank or filet mignon medallions. If you are coming with a group, consider sharing paella or a parrillada mixta (steak, filet mignon and shrimp with asparagus, chorizo and manchego fries). Before heading there, take note of the dress code requirements.

Surf City

1 Marin Blvd., Jersey City
201-516-9000

Get all the cozy magic of a Jersey shore bar without the traffic. Peep the Statue of Liberty as you explore all five on-the-water bars (including one completely devoted to frozen tropical drinks!) Keep it simple with classic bar food featuring chicken wings, burgers and, most importantly, sea fare like mussels, steamed clams and beer-battered cod with fries.

Waterside Restaurant and Catering

7800 B River Rd., North Bergen
201-861-7767

Start off with a bang, whether it be the raw bar or cheese. Follow up with ricotta stuffed zucchini blossoms, crispy braised beef brisket with creamy polenta or baked lobster mashed potatoes. For your main, go for the seafood capellini, homemade spaghetti with littleneck clams, bone-in veal chop parmesan or gnocchi in a tomato pesto pork ragu. Oh, and you’ll want to leave room for dessert. Three words: Banana bread pudding.

Editor’s Note: Most photos are courtesy of the respective restaurants or their Facebook pages.

* Jennifer Amato contributed to this story.

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