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The Best Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Jersey City, NJ

Avocado Toast at The Cliff in Jersey City, NJ
Avocado Toast at The Cliff in Jersey City, NJ | © Emily Tan

Jersey City’s rich diversity brings countless amounts of culinary options. From Italian to Indian food, picking a place to eat may be your biggest problem. Despite the variety, vegetarian-friendly restaurants were once few and far between—until now. Find out where to go if you are vegetarian or vegan.

Pet Shop

Bar, Vegetarian, Vegan

Pet Shop in Jersey City, NJ
© Pet Shop

Pet Shop has a little bit of everything. The Downtown Jersey City watering hole not only has a stocked bar but also has a fully vegetarian and vegan menu that will make your meatless dreams come true. It also has a special menu for Taco Tuesdays. If you’re craving wine over beer, you’ll find PS Wine Bar downstairs with a great selection of natural wines. And to top it all off, Pet Shop also hosts a number of concerts each week in the back by the glowing neon birdcage.

Subia’s Vegan Cafe

Cafe, Restaurant, Smoothie Bar, Vegan

Vegans and vegetarians can rest assured that Subia’s Vegan Cafe can take care of all of their foodie needs. From breakfast to dinner, the Downtown Jersey City spot has a selection of fresh juices, smoothies, sandwiches, tacos and burgers that will make you forget that it’s all plant-based. The Reuben sandwich, buffalo tempeh sticks, and California Dreamin’ Burger are big winners on the menu.

Chutneys

Restaurant, Indian

Vegan and vegetarian dishes abound at Jersey City’s Chutneys. With a variety of vegan options to choose from and plenty of traditional Indian foods on the menu as well, you can’t go wrong. Customer favorites include their dal lentils and samosas.

The Cliff

Cafe, Restaurant, American, Vegetarian

Avocado Toast at The Cliff in Jersey City, NJ.
© Emily Tan

The Cliff is a neighborhood spot where you can get your morning coffee and sit down for a fresh and hearty meal. Whether you’re in the mood for their avocado toast with mushroom bacon or a comforting Mex Bowl, they have a variety of plates that will satisfy every palate. The Cliff also serves fresh juices, including the watermelon mint. During warmer days, patrons can sit in the backyard that’s decorated with a roof of colorful umbrellas.

Short Grain

Cafe, American, Asian

Short-Grain-EmilyTan
© Emily Tan
This small café in downtown Jersey City attracts everyone from locals and New Yorkers to tourists. And while they do boast a good slow-roasted pork belly sandwich, vegetarians can savor a number of items such as the tofu spring rolls, the lemon ricotta hotcakes, and simple yet addictive kale salad. If you want something more filling, try the roasted cauliflower sandwich or bowl.

Razza

Bar, Restaurant, Italian

Razza-Pizza-JerseyCity-EmilyTan
© Emily Tan
Razza offers its guests a locally sourced menu, earning it a great reputation. Owner Dan Richer has turned pizza-making into an art form and makes sure every item that comes out of the kitchen is fresh and of the highest quality. You can start your meal with the homemade bread and butter followed by one of their seasonal salads. As for pizza, he keeps things simple like a Margherita. But if you’re feeling bold, try the Di Natale with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, olives, pine nuts, raisins, garlic, basil, and chili oil.

Sapthagiri

Restaurant, Indian

Vegetarian Indian foodies, rejoice! Sapthagiri has an exclusive, vegetarian-only menu that serves mainly northern-style Indian cuisine. Enjoy their relaxed interior, warm ambiance, and the breakfast buffet.

Porta

Bar, Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub, Italian

PortaJC_Rooftop3_AndrewHoltz
© Andrew Holtz / Courtesy of Porta

The Neapolitan-style pizza at Porta is delicious and draws many people to this cozy, casual and fun space. There are more than 10 pies on the menu, including five vegan pies and three vegetarian ones. If you want something a little lighter, then try one of their seasonal salads or an order of the homemade mozzarella with Italian bread.

About the author

Emily Tan is a writer, photographer and all around web nerd. Not limited to one beat, she enjoys writing about music, pop culture, travel and food. Emily has contributed to the Village Voice, Yahoo! News, MySpace, AOL Music, PopCrush and NBC Asian America. When she's not hunting for the best coffee and ice cream, you'll find her snapping photos of her globe trotting adventures at @cessemi.

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