9 Restaurants to Try in Harrison and East Newark, NJ

Harrison and East Newark are two of the smallest towns in Hudson County, but they pack a lot of good food into a few square miles. Between the new towers near the PATH station, the old blocks along Harrison Avenue and the stretch of Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard, you can eat your way through Peru, Portugal, Spain, India, Cuba, Korea and Mexico without leaving town.

Here are 9 places worth a visit, eight Harrison NJ restaurants plus one East Newark favorite, whether you are grabbing dinner before a match at Sports Illustrated Stadium or just want something new close to home. Hours change, so check each restaurant’s site before you go. Want more ideas? See our best restaurants in Bayonne and our favorite Hudson County bakeries.

1. Urban Tandoor

Urban Tandoor at 206 Harrison Ave. serves Indian food in a modern dining room with a full bar. The restaurant says it opened nearly a decade ago and has picked up Best of NJ recognition along the way. Its tableside butter chicken is a signature, and there is a happy hour Tuesday through Thursday. Note that it is closed on Mondays. Learn more at urbantandoornj.com.

2. Spanish Pavillion

Spanish Pavillion at 31 Harrison Ave. has been family owned in Harrison for 50 years. The family traces its roots to 1963, when Antonio and Estrella Martinez opened what the restaurant calls the first Spanish restaurant in New Jersey. Expect paella, tapas, fresh seafood, steaks and sangria, plus an outdoor bar called El Patio. Happy hour runs 3 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. on weekends. Learn more at spanishpavillion.com.

3. Joia Restaurant

Joia at 1100 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South mixes authentic Portuguese cooking with classic American dishes. Think grilled octopus, broiled cod, stuffed salmon, flame grilled chorizo and big seafood platters, plus cocktails and sangria. You can reserve a table online, and Joia also handles catering and group parties. It is closed on Tuesdays. Learn more at joiarestaurant.com.

4. Leña y Carbón Restaurant & Bar

Leña y Carbón at 414 Bergen St. is a Peruvian restaurant and bar started by Peruvian immigrants who wanted to bring the food they missed from home. The menu covers charcoal chicken, ceviches, saltados and more, with a lively bar and TVs in the dining room. It also does catering and private parties. Learn more at harrison.lenaycarbonrestaurants.com.

5. Eleazar Steakhouse

Eleazar Steakhouse at 618 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. North is the pick when you want a proper steak dinner. The menu leans on grilled cuts like T-bone and New York strip with sides such as asparagus and mac and cheese. It is open daily from noon to 11 p.m. and also hosts private parties, events and catering. Learn more at eleazarrestaurant.com.

6. Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge

Mambo at 705 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South brings Cuban classics to Harrison, with a second location in Union. Look for ropa vieja, churrasco and a crispy whole fried snapper. Learn more at mambocubanrestaurant.com.

7. Juicy Platters

Juicy at 406 Bergen St. serves Mediterranean-inspired food made with halal ingredients. Build a plate of rice, salad, a wrap or a pita, then add plenty of the signature white sauce. It is a quick, filling option, and you can order ahead online. Learn more at juicyplatters.com.

8. Takorea BBQ

Takorea at 805 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South mashes up Korean and Mexican food, in a casual, colorful setting. Bonus for drivers: the restaurant offers validated two-hour parking at the Element Harrison hotel for dine-in guests, except on stadium event days. Learn more at takoreabbq.com.

9. Pic-Nic Restaurant (East Newark)

Just over the line in East Newark, Pic-Nic at 224 Grant Ave. serves authentic Portuguese food with a focus on meats and seafood. Pair dinner with Portuguese wine or a pitcher of sangria. It also sells party packs if you are feeding a crowd at home. Learn more at picnicrestaurant.com.

Make a night of it

Pair dinner with something from our Hudson County weekend guide, or see which local spots readers are voting for in the Best of Hudson County. Know a Harrison or East Newark restaurant we should add next time? Tell us.

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