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India Square is Jersey City’s Little India, a lively stretch of Newark Avenue in the Journal Square section between Tonnele Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard. It is packed with Indian restaurants, sweet shops, grocers and clothing stores, and it is one of the best places in the region for dosas, chaat and fresh mithai.
Here is our local guide to visiting India Square, from a little history to the spots worth a stop and how to get there. If you are new to the area, our guide to the 12 towns of Hudson County is a good place to get your bearings.
About India Square
Over the past few decades this part of Newark Avenue grew into one of the largest Indian American enclaves in the United States, and it is often called the heart of Indian life in the New York area. Walk the strip and you will find sari and jewelry shops, Bollywood music, spice markets and Hindu temples alongside the restaurants. A decorative archway sign welcoming visitors was installed in 2023, and a large Bengal tiger mural is another local landmark worth a photo.
Most businesses sit on Newark Avenue itself, with a few more on the side streets and just east of Kennedy Boulevard. Plan to graze: grab a dosa at one spot, chaat at another and a box of sweets to take home.
Where to Eat, Snack and Shop in India Square
Sri Ganesh’s Dosa House, Jersey City
This no frills South Indian counter is a longtime India Square favorite for dosas, with a long list of fillings and styles to choose from. It is casual and quick, which makes it an easy first stop on a food walk down Newark Avenue.
- Address: 809 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
- Website: Order online
Sapthagiri Taste of India, Jersey City
Sapthagiri is a pure vegetarian restaurant serving both South and North Indian dishes, from dosas to paneer makhni and malai kofta. It also handles catering for weddings and parties.
- Address: 737 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
- Hours: Daily, 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Website: sapthagiri.biz
Rajbhog, Jersey City
Rajbhog is a 100 percent vegetarian Indian restaurant and sweet shop with plenty of vegan choices. Come for chaat, fresh lassis and namkeen snacks, then leave with milk cakes or a gift box of sweets.
- Address: 812 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
- Hours: Monday to Friday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Website: rajbhog.com
Bikanervala, Jersey City
The Jersey City outpost of this well known Indian brand stocks traditional sweets, namkeen and bakery items, plus vegetarian snacks and beverages. It is a go to for festive gift hampers.
- Address: 815 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
- Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Website: bikanervala.com
Amritsar Mithaiwala, Jersey City
This North Indian mithai shop focuses on freshly made sweets in the style of Amritsar, from barfi and kaju katli to gulab jamun and jalebi. It is a great place to pick up a mixed box for a holiday visit.
- Address: 779 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
- Website: amritsarimithaiwala.com
Swadist, Jersey City
Just east of Kennedy Boulevard, family owned Swadist opened in 2019 and serves a multi cuisine menu of Indian, Chinese and Thai dishes. It is a relaxed sit down option if you want a full dinner after browsing the strip.
- Address: 715 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
- Website: swadistmeal.com
Patel Brothers, Jersey City
The India Square location of the famous Indian grocery chain is the place to stock up on spices, lentils, rice, snacks and fresh produce. It is open every day, so it is easy to finish your visit with a shopping run.
- Address: 780 to 782 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
- Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (holiday hours may vary)
- Website: patelbros.com
Festivals in India Square
India Square is famous for its street Navratri, the nine night Hindu festival of music and dance that fills Newark Avenue with garba and dandiya each fall. Organizers bill it as New Jersey’s largest street Navratri, and entry is free. In 2026 the celebration ran on Friday and Saturday nights, October 16, 17, 23 and 24, so watch IndiaSquare.org next fall for the 2027 dates.
The neighborhood also comes alive around Diwali, when shops stock up on sweets and gift boxes. For dates of other community events this season, check our things to do in Hudson County in November list.
How to Get to India Square
The easiest way in is the PATH to Journal Square, then a short walk north to Newark Avenue. Several NJ Transit bus routes also stop at the Journal Square Transportation Center. Street parking on Newark Avenue fills up fast on weekends and festival nights, so transit is the stress free choice.
Planning more outings? Check our best restaurants in Jersey City and our things to do in Jersey City this weekend roundup.
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Featured photo: Kiran891, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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