While I was on vacation a month ago, I was on the beach with nothing but a notepad and a pen and started dreaming about my favorite dishes in Jersey City. Normal people would probably nap, tan, read a book, but I wrote down a list of my top favorite dishes because… food. I was probably also very hungry. My initial list had 30 spots!! but for the sake of keeping things short and sweet I trimmed it down to 15. So here are my favorite bites in Jersey City for 2016.

1. Vegan ramen from Union Republic

I have an emotional connection to the Vegan Ramen at Union Republic. Even though everything on their menu is delicious I ALWAYS order the Vegan ramen. It really hits the spot, and it’s like a warm hug every time. I’ve tried other vegan ramen’s in JC and they are great but the UR one, is just extra special. Hard to explain in words. I was so heartbroken when UR stopped serving lunch!! hint hint, cough cough… I am right across the street guys!!

2. Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese and Lox at Wonderbagel

If there could be one thing I can eat for the rest of my life it would be either bagels or pizza #carbs4life. I grew up in Montreal and the bagels there are probably the best in the world (I don’t care if you don’t agree, this is my blog ok?! thank you) so since moving to the U.S I’ve been on the hunt to find something equally satisfying. Wonder bagel is so fresh, they make the bagels every single morning! You can literally smell them down the block…. and Lox is a must. I am a jew after all and this is what we live on. That salty yummy goodness. I could just eat a dozen right now.

3. Carbonara Pizza at Porta

That runny egg tho. Another JC staple, once a month I need to have this pizza… like all to myself. It’s on another level. It’s sex on a platter. Enough said.

4. Wings at Park and Sixth

Fun fact, I used to NEVER eat wings. In fact I thought they were kind of gross… until the Park and Sixth wings walked (or flew?) into my life. Oh man, the wings are smothered with sauce and cheese, they have the perfect kick to them too. There was a phase where I would make a salad at home (healthy) and pick up a dozen of these wings (protein) and have a food party. The healthy salad cancels the wings FYI.

5. Kale Salad at Short Grain JC

Speaking of salads! The best salad in JC in my opinion is the Kale salad with a fried egg and turkey (added protein). The kale is perfectly seasoned, it isn’t bitter or hard. It doesn’t really feel like you’re eating a boring salad. It’s one of my favorite lunch bites because it’s filling, satisfying and I feel like I can do 100 pushups right after. There was a point where I would have it every day… a close second is the Avocado toast which is pretty banging and always hits the spot. Short gain is also probably the most instagrammable food spot in JC.

6. Chocolate Chip Ice Cream at Torico’s and the Thai Ice Tea Ice Cream at Milk Sugar Love

I have a love affair with Ice Cream, when I was pregnant with min-chicpea I would have a scoop every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. These days I have it at least twice a week… I can’t live without it.

It was hard to choose between Torico’s and MSL because I really love both of them! Generally my favorite flavor is chocolate chip, which satisfies the kid in me. When I crave it, the one at Torico’s really hits the spot. The Thai Ice Tea flavor at MSL satisfies the adult foodie in me (so do all her other flavors).

7.  Paglia e Fieno with Shrimp and Scallops in a Vodka Cream at Laicos

I ate at Laicos for the first time a few months ago and it was absolutely incredible. I dream about the Pasta I ate. I can literally taste it!! It was THE best pasta dish I’ve ever had in my life. I swear to you. If you haven’t been there yet don’t go because I don’t want to have to wait for a table. LOL. J/K

8. Sunday Morning Burger at Burger Eatery

This was a tough choice, because I flip flop between Left Bank Burger “Ghostface Killa”  Park Tavern’s classic burger and White Mana. I had to go with the Sunday morning at Burger Eatery because I really dig the way they cook the burgers, it has a very different flavor. It’s the type of burger you just can’t stop at one.

9. Anything with Nutella in it at Prato Bakery.

You know what… EVERYTHING at Prato Bakery is delicious. Everything they make is baked fresh in house, it’s like your in Italy. Who needs to travel when you have places like that not far from where you live, am I right?! On weekends we like to come here, order a cappuccino, order a sandwich, a stuffed bread with nutella and just chill. Great food and a super cute spot.

10. Whole Branzino from Rumi’s Turkish Grill

This one probably unexpected. I am a huge fan of whole grilled fish, with the head and the bones… the whole thing. Which is not always easy to find, especially in Jersey City! Rum’s Turkish Grill has it on the menu and we actually order take out from them on a regular basis. It is delicious, super satisfying and healthy!

11. Ribs from The Hamilton Pork

Two years ago I was a vegetarian and now Ribs are on my list of my favorite things to eat… boy do things change! The Ribs at Hamilton Pork are fall off the bone delicious, so succulent and well seasoned. Ever since my interview with them, the ribs became my favorite JC dish! I was never a rib kinda girl. Now I am a convert, thanks HP!

12. Montgomery Roll from Honshu

Every other lazy Friday, I order Sushi from Honshu. I always get their Montgomery roll and a seaweed salad. Totally obsessed.

13. Falafel and Hummus Pita at Ibby’s Falafel

Kind of an obvious choice…Chickpeas 4 life. Chickpeas on everything. To be real, the best hummus and falafel I’ve ever eaten was in the holy land but Ibby’s really hits the spot on the JC front. I eat here whenever the intense falafel craving hits (ok that happens like all the time). In fact, I am eating it while I write this. I took this photo 3 minutes ago.

14. Pernil at La Concha

Ever since I ate here a year ago, I dream about Berta’s pernil and chicken. It’s made with so much love! Whenever I go back there I feel like I am at home in my aunts living room (if my aunt were Dominican). It’s a great spot. Anyone down to come with me next week for some lunch?!

15. Paneer at Rasoi

Last but not least, the dish I try to avoid at all costs because I always end up over eating to a point of sickness. The paneer at Rasoi in India Square is beyond amazing. Last summer, I went to eat there 4 days in a row. It was a legit problem, I couldn’t stop myself!! LOOK AT THIS. ok I am hungry.

Do you have a favorite dish? Comment below!!