JCGuide
The Best Indian Restaurants In Jersey City
photo credit: Nisha Vedi Pawar
Jersey City is one of the country’s most ethnically diverse cities, and that’s one of the things that makes it so fun to dine in. And with over 27,000 Indian residents—the highest of any major U.S. city—there’s no shortage of incredible Indian food. Craving pani puri? Covered. Missing tandoor night? Not a problem. Indo-Chinese or a late-night Biryani run? You got it.
You’ll find most of them in India Square/Little India inside the Journal Square neighborhood. For a lot of people who live here, this small area of Jersey City is a center of gravity: a place filled with produce that reminds you of home, chaat corners for any and all snack cravings, bright street art and colorful mithai shops, and the smell of sandalwood and masala that fills the air.
But Jersey City’s Indian food scene isn’t limited to Little India. New restaurants are popping up all over, and the downtown area of Jersey City has recently added some notable Indian restaurants and food trucks that are also worth checking out. In short, there are dozens of Indian restaurants in Jersey City. Here are 10 of the best.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Nisha Vedi Pawar
Bring the family for a relaxed sit-down dinner at this husband-and-wife-run restaurant that specializes in North Indian food. You can’t miss their tandoor items—the tandoori chicken and paneer tikkas are a must. Head there early (or better yet, preorder in advance through their website) if you want to score their paneer ke sholay that’s made of thin paneer sheets wrapped around finely chopped, braised vegetables like cabbage, peppers, onions, and carrots. They’re incredible, but sell out often.
photo credit: Nisha Vedi Pawar
The weekend rush can feel a bit chaotic, but this canteen-style dosa spot has so many delicious breakfast and brunch options. Swing by on a Sunday morning with a few friends and enjoy their crispy rava dosas, the unlimited sambhar, and their slightly nutty and fresh coconut chutney. For a rainy day treat, order their madras coffee and onion-chilli-bajji.
photo credit: Nisha Vedi Pawar
Mithaas has an extensive food and sweets menu that includes North and South Indian dishes, but we go for the Indo-Chinese, a type of cuisine that’s a mix of Chinese spices with traditional Indian ingredients. Our go-to order: the vegetable hakka noodles, chili paneer, and Schezwan fried rice. Head here for a sit-down lunch or casual dinner, and make sure to grab a few sweets from their mithai selection, like a beautiful golden box filled with motichoor ladoo, kesar peda, and malai chop.
photo credit: Nisha Vedi Pawar
Tucked in a corner of India Street, you’d never guess this paan and smoke shop has an entire section dedicated to street foods of India. Walk in towards the back and lined up on a table you’ll find a live pani puri station with the most incredible flavors, including pudina, hajma, jal jeera, garlic, and our favorite, green mango. For some more snacking, try their Mumbai misal pav and Bombay sandwich.
photo credit: Nisha Vedi Pawar
A long-time resident of Grove Street, this Downtown Jersey City Indian-Pakistani restaurant has become a neighborhood favorite. While their interiors and menus have been updated over the years, their biryani remains a classic, along with their chicken karahi and reshmi kebabs. Make sure to save room for dessert here—their gulab jamuns are buttery soft when eaten hot.
photo credit: Nisha Vedi Pawar
This food truck parked on Christopher Columbus Drive between Marin and Warren Street makes amazing dosas and kati rolls. The pepper chicken kati roll, masala dosa, and Indian coffee are the must-orders, but you’ll have to time it all accordingly—they’re only open from 6:30 to 10pm every evening, so plan to get there early to ensure you’re not stuck waiting in line.
This North Indian spot is located in the pedestrian plaza area of Downtown Jersey City and is a fun place for creative drinks and snacks. If the weather’s good, grab a table outside and order the goat cheese vadas along with lasooni gobhi. For drinks, toast your friends or a date with an Island Kuri or Miss India. And for dinner, be sure to try the basil or jalapeño and cheese naan.
photo credit: Nisha Vedi Pawar
This vegetarian restaurant’s menu has grown over the years, but our favorites are their South Indian specialties. They have the most-crispy paper dosas, fresh poriyals, an expansive breakfast buffet with a live dosa station, puri bhaji, rava kesari, and more. Don’t leave without a cup of their Indian-style coffee.
Rasoi is one of the many great options in Jersey City’s Little India. It focuses on dishes from Northern India, and is one of our favorite places in the area for group dinners. Get a few orders of puri and a bunch of shareable entrees, like the tender, deeply spiced lamb rogan josh or a platter of various meats and vegetables cooked in a tandoori oven. Families and larger groups are most often seen here, but if you’re running solo and craving some samosas, you can place an order to-go as well.
photo credit: Nisha Vedi Pawar
If you’re craving street food, swing by this deli-style mini mart that's tucked in the Hamilton Park neighborhood of Jersey City to pick up vada pavs and samosas. (They also have an entire chaat and meal menu if you’re feeling a little hungrier.) If you’re planning a party, they also offer catering for larger gatherings and will deliver right to your door. Do that, and you’ll be the star of your friend group for the rest of the year, minimum.
