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15 Best Restaurants in Irvington, NJ

This article was written by local contributor August Hill & edited by the Travel Lens team.

August Hill

Jul 2, 2023 • 11 min read

If you ever find yourself in Irvington, New Jersey, you're in for a treat!

This bustling and diverse town is home to a fantastic array of restaurants with flavors from all corners of the globe.

Whether you're in the mood for a fancy night out or a quick, casual bite to eat, you'll find it all here in Irvington.

So, I've compiled a list of the best restaurants in Irvington, New Jersey, for you to try next time you're in town.

Flava Wingz Spot

Just last week, I decided to give Flava Wingz Spot a try, and wow, I was not disappointed!

The moment I walked in, I could tell that the food would be amazing.

I ordered a cheesesteak with shrimp and beef and added their famous Henny sauce.

Trust me, it was so good that I'm already planning my next visit.

Not only was the food top-notch, but I also had the pleasure of encountering some really great customer service.

On the day of the Super Bowl, I decided to order wings from Flava Wingz Spot again, knowing full well that there would be a wait.

Despite the crowd, the team of three people working there made it happen and handled the massive amounts of orders with ease.

Plus, the garlic honey flavor quickly became my favorite.

Royal Taste Caribbean Restaurant

I've always been on the lookout for good Jamaican food since moving to Jersey City from Flatbush, Brooklyn.

I am more than happy to have found my go-to spot in Royal Taste Caribbean Restaurant!

Check them out on their Facebook page.

When I first stepped into the restaurant, I was impressed by the clean dining area, with tables spaced out well for dining in.

The counter service was efficient, and they had a hot case filled with assorted patties and a few desserts.

The beverage case offered a wide variety of Caribbean and American options, which was a pleasant surprise.

The food at Royal Taste Caribbean Restaurant is consistently phenomenal.

The curry goat is excellent, the mac and cheese is so good and cheesy, and the rice and peas are delicious.

Even the jerk chicken is on point. Recently, I tried their new addition – honey garlic chicken wings, and they were beyond amazing.

I seriously believe they need to expand and be featured on the news.

Abby's Deli

One of my favorite things about living in this area is having Abby's Deli just around the corner.

I can't tell you how many times I've stopped in for a quick lunch or ordered takeout for dinner.

The sandwiches are simply divine!

My personal favorite is the hot pastrami sandwich - the meat is so tender and flavorful, and the bread is always fresh.

The balance of ingredients in their sandwiches is just perfect, and I even love their fries.

They taste like real fresh potatoes!

I also had the pleasure of ordering a couple of platters of corned beef and pastrami sandwiches for a work event once.

The presentation was top-notch, the delivery was on time, and my team couldn't stop raving about how tasty everything was.

PT JUST JERK

As a regular visitor to PT JUST JERK Jamaican Cuisine, I can confidently say that this spot is a hidden gem in our neighborhood.

The first time I visited this place, I was greeted with a warm welcome and was tempted by the delicious aroma of Caribbean food.

Check out their Facebook page to get a glimpse of the mouth-watering dishes they serve.

I vividly remember ordering the stew chicken with rice and peas, and cabbage, which was ready in just about 15 minutes.

The flavors were incredibly authentic, and the rice and peas were cooked to perfection.

My friends who accompanied me also enjoyed their meals, and we have been returning ever since.

Karlito's

Just the other day, I decided to head over to Karlito's for lunch.

I had been hearing a lot of positive things about the place, and I wanted to see for myself if it lived up to the hype.

I was not disappointed!

I had a hard time deciding what to order, but I finally went with the bigger plate with chicken and shrimp over rice.

To my delight, the portion was quite large - I ended up saving half for later!

For only $12.50, I got a tasty and satisfying meal that lasted me for two servings.

The food was pretty good, and I was really impressed by the value for money.

The collard greens were also delicious and deserve a special mention.

I would rate them 10/10!

Bones Kitchen Inc

I recently discovered Bones Kitchen Inc through Uber Eats, and I'm so thrilled I did!

Their delicious oxtails are not only fresh and clean, but they're also the least expensive in the area.

I'm grateful that they're cooking such amazing food and pricing it fairly.

You can check them out on their Facebook page.

The first time I ordered, I went with white rice and ground provision—produce like green banana, yuca, Yautia, and potatoes.

I was blown away by the flavors and can't wait to try their oxtail with the ground provision and steamed veggies next time for a full keto meal.

Even their white rice is delicious!

Gino's Pizza

One evening, I decided to treat myself and my brother to some pizza, so I thought of trying out Gino's Pizza, which I found on Google Maps.

I ordered a beef pepperoni pizza for myself while my brother went for one of their other options.

When the pizza finally arrived, I must admit that I was mindblown!

The beef pepperoni was tasty and cheesy.

My brother also enjoyed his pizza.

I also observed that their other customers seemed to be enjoying their meals as well.

SweeetShop

I have been to SweeetShop a couple of times, and I must say, my experiences have been a mix of both good and not-so-good.

The place can be easily located on Google Maps.

On my last visit with my boyfriend, we spent nearly $50 on our breakfast order.

All the food items were up to my expectations.

My waffle was hot and filling.

My pork sausage was also delish.

The eggs and bacon egg and cheese were quite good, and my partner enjoyed his meal, especially the French toast.

Other Restaurants Nearby

Qsina 8's Unique Culinary Fusion

I recently dined at Qsina 8, and I must say, it is not your typical fast food joint.

This sit-down, made-to-order restaurant took me on an unforgettable culinary journey through Filipino and Taiwanese dishes.

The food was undeniably fresh and upscale compared to other Filipino restaurants in town.

The modern and clean atmosphere was a pleasant surprise as well.

My partner and I went on a Wednesday night without a reservation, and we were delighted with the recommendations they provided.

We tried a variety of dishes, including SISIG with pork, cumin slider appetizers, wings with 5 spices, and a grilled chicken dish (whose name escapes me).

The standout drink of the evening was a refreshing mango and passion fruit concoction that left me wanting more.

To top off our meal, we enjoyed sizzling sweet rice with ice cream - a unique take on rice pudding that my partner absolutely adored.

Modupe African & American Restaurant

I stumbled upon Modupe African & American restaurant while doing Uber Eats deliveries, and I got intrigued by the delicious aroma coming from the place.

I decided to give it a try, and let me tell you, it was totally worth it!

I've tried a variety of dishes from their menu, but my absolute favorite has to be the fried shrimp.

They are seasoned to perfection, and I dare say, some of the best shrimp I've ever had.

The batter is just right, making it even better than many seafood and soul food spots I've been to.

I've tried their crab macaroni & cheese and lobster macaroni & cheese, and they were both amazing, with generous portions of crab meat and lobster.

The prices are quite reasonable, too, with a ten-piece shrimp meal costing around $12 and the macaroni dishes priced at $13.

Plat Creole

As a resident of New Jersey, I'm always on the lookout for new local restaurants that offer delicious and authentic cuisine.

I recently stumbled upon Plat Creole Haitian American Cuisine, and I can honestly say it's the best Haitian food I've ever had!

I was so impressed by the kindness and sweetness of the ladies running the place.

Even though I didn't go on the right day for the dish I initially wanted, I still had an amazing meal.

The food was not only good and fresh but also incredibly affordable.

One thing that stood out to me was my phone experience when calling in.

They didn't assume I knew how to speak Creole and greeted me in English, which made the communication process smooth and comfortable.

I didn't have to wait for them to find someone who spoke English, and that was a nice touch.

Golden Rice Bowl

I am always on the lookout for great food spots.

One day, I stumbled upon Golden Rice Bowl, and I must say, it has become my go-to spot for delicious Chinese cuisine.

I remember the first time I went there with my friend for a late lunch; the prices were sensational, and the food quality exceeded our expectations.

I ordered General Tso's chicken with veggie fried rice, and to my surprise, it had fresh-looking mushrooms in it.

The chicken was full of flavor, perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

My friend tried their wonton soup and claimed it was the best she's ever had.

9ja Buka Restaurant

Just recently, I stumbled upon 9ja Buka Restaurant in my neighborhood, and I have to say it was a pleasant surprise!

I've always been curious about Nigerian cuisine, so I decided to give it a try.

They were all so friendly and made me feel right at home.

I decided to dine in with my daughter, and we both wanted to try their Fufu and Egusi soup.

To our delight, the food was simply amazing!

The Fufu was fresh, and the Egusi soup was full of flavor.

Even my kids absolutely loved it.

Your Ultimate Patty Place

I recently paid a visit to Your Ultimate Patty Place (Y.U.P.P.), and oh, was I in for a treat!

Having heard so much about this spot from friends and online reviews, I finally decided to give it a try.

Being a huge fan of patties, I was excited to sample their unique offerings.

I couldn't help but notice that each patty had their distinct logo stamped on it, which added a personal touch.

I opted for a vegan curry patty with curry mashed chickpea filling and a side of coco bread.

The total cost was just a little over $6, which I found to be quite reasonable.

As soon as I took my first bite, I knew I had made the right choice.

The patty was scrumptious, with a flaky crust that had a perfect mix of flavors.

The coco bread was a delightful addition to the meal.

Now, I can't wait to go back and try their oxtail patties next time.

Burkindi

I've come to appreciate the unique culinary experiences available, and one of my favorites is Burkindi.

This intimate spot offers traditional rice and fish dishes from Burkina Faso, and it has quickly become a go-to for me when I want something different and delicious.

You can check out their menu and location at their website, burkindinj.site.

I was blown away by the amazing flavors and the affordable price.

Now, I find myself coming back almost once a week to satisfy my cravings.

The portion sizes are generous, and it's an exceptional value for the money.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Irvington, New Jersey, has a diverse and vibrant food scene that I've been fortunate enough to enjoy over the years.

From the delicious African dishes at Modupe and 9ja Buka to the mouthwatering Caribbean flavors of Royal Taste and PT JUST JERK, there's always something new and exciting to try.

So, whether you're a fellow resident or just passing through, I highly recommend giving these restaurants a try – you won't be disappointed!

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