7 Best French Restaurants in and Around Jersey City

Picking a good restaurant can be pretty tricky. So many factors come into play. It’s even more complicated if you are new in town and don’t know it well yet. Well, if you find yourself in Jersey City and are a fan of French cuisine, you came to the right place. There are many great restaurants to choose from. But we picked only the seven best French restaurants in Jersey City. 

Jersey City is the second most populous city in New Jersey. Not to mention, it is also one of the most diverse ones. So many immigrants came to Jersey City and turned it into a cultural melting pot. They brought their rich cultures and traditions with them and created a wonderful community full of different types of cuisines. So it’s no wonder Jersey City has some of the best French restaurants.

• Madame     
• Bistro La Source
• Barbes
• Uncle Momo
• Box Cafe
• Cafe Madelaine
• Elysian café

Madame

390 4th St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Madame under the same owners of Cellar 335 is the trendy version of a classic French bistro, offering shareable plates and handcrafted cocktails. A menu full of traditional French dishes and some of the best French wines will leave you enamored with French cuisine. 

La Source Bistro

85 Morris St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Bistro La Source is a little French bistro located in the Paulus Hook neighborhood of Jersey City. One of the great things about this place is that it’s not too expensive. Therefore, if you want a little taste of French cuisine but are on a budget, this is the place for you. It’s great for people who have kids to have family dinners and celebrations. It has consistently got great reviews about its food, service, and atmosphere. You can choose to dine in, have outdoor seating, or have the curbside pick-up. 

Uncle Momo

289 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Uncle Momo is a restaurant that mixes French and Lebanese cuisine. The founder Wissam El Missari set out to bring that fusion of tastes to New Jersey. The thing that makes the food so delicious is that everything is handmade from fresh ingredients. They offer vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. Also, 20% gratuity for six people or more and gift cards. They offer dishes like Makanek, Chicken Tajine, Muhalabia, and Baklavas. You can always visit because it’s open seven days a week. You can hire them to organize events for you like birthdays, parties, and even weddings. On top of that, catering is also an option. 

Barbes

1300 Park Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

The thing that makes Barbes one of the best French restaurants in Hoboken is the atmosphere. Named after a Parisian neighborhood in Sacre Coeur, it brings a little taste of Paris to New Jersey. It’s a beautiful mix of French and North African cuisine. It offers some traditional French dishes like French Onion Soup, Salade Méditerranéenne, Plat De Fromage, Briouats, Tomate Montrachet, Escargots, Calmars Grillés, and Brochette De Merquez. It’s affordable for most people. They also offer gift vouchers. Dining in, curbside pick up, and delivery are also available. 

Box Café 

115 Palisade Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

Another restaurant owned by a couple that will fulfill all your French cuisine fantasies is Box Café. It’s owned by Linda and Sean Kerly and is right next to their home. It was a labor of love for them. Linda said they opened Box Café to provide a “welcoming place to gather, eat, and enjoy each other’s company.” The menu is made up of traditional French dishes and some house specialties. They have a great option of making your own lunch box with a sandwich and a salad. You can dine in, order online, or pick up your food. 

Café Madelaine

34 Coles street, Jersey City, NJ, 07302

Café Madelaine was founded by Anne Dufour. She comes from a long line of French chefs. She opened this café in honor of her grandmother, Jeanne Madelaine. Cafe Madeleine offers all the traditional French cuisine, but as a bonus, it is also an excellent bakery. The staff is friendly and eager to make your French experience in Jersey City unforgettable. Café Madelaine is appealing because everything is baked in-house according to authentic French recipes. The café is beautifully decorated in Parisian style. 

Elysian Café

1001 Washington St. (10th St.), Hoboken, NJ 07030

Elysian Café is one of the oldest-owned restaurants in Hoboken and one of the best. With its unique and authentic decoration, it transports you right into France. There is a beautiful garden for outdoor dining. It can be an excellent place for a romantic dinner outside or grabbing a quick bite with friends inside. You can enjoy delicious French dishes such as Soup Du Jour, Skirt Steak Apoivre, and Oyster du Jour. A bonus feature is the children’s menu. Delivery and pick-up are available. 

As you can see, these were some of the best French restaurants in Jersey City. We rated them based on the quality of their food, atmosphere, and service. You can always check out the reviews customers left. But the best option is to go and experience it for yourself. But we are willing to bet that you will find something to your liking in one of the seven restaurants we listed for you. Now go and make your reservation!

Author Bio:

Angie Sims used to work in the traveling industry for six years and now works in the relocation industry. For the last three years, she has been specializing in helping people with their domestic and international relocation. She is also a full-time mom and a part-time blog writer. From her own experiences, she writes about traveling and moving with children on her blog.

Updated Oct 16, 2024