Razza is to Jersey City what The Eiffel Tower is to Paris or Britney Spears is to Kentwood, Louisiana. It’s one of the first things people mention when talking about the city, and it draws crowds from all over the country. That’s because it’s home to some of the very best pizza we’ve ever had, and that’s saying quite a lot. The pizza has a thin, springy crust and excellent toppings like pine nuts and raisins on the Di Natale and raclette and leeks on the Potato Pie.

This corner spot on Grove and Grand is almost always the answer to “What’s next?” on a given Thursday night after 9pm. The menu is as straightforward as their plating: you can mix and match four tacos for under $15, which you’ll either receive on a paper plate or in a plastic basket lined with wax paper. The carnitas, bistec, chorizo, and barbacoa are a winning combo, but you could certainly swap out two of those for the nopalitos or lengua.

A long-time resident of Grove Street, this downtown Jersey City Indian-Pakistani restaurant has become a neighborhood favorite. While their interiors and menus have been updated over the years, their biryani remains a classic, along with their chicken karahi and reshmi kebabs. Make sure to save room for dessert—their gulab jamuns are buttery soft when eaten hot. Head here for a sit-down lunch or casual dinner any day of the week except Mondays, when they're closed.

The menu at Mathew’s is big and varied, which makes it a great place to take an indecisive friend group that can barely decide on what movie to watch, much less a restaurant for dinner. There are twists on classic Southern dishes, like fried shrimp with a homemade lemon remoulade, plus squid ink bucatini, burgers, a pimento cheese BLT, and jerk mahi mahi. The decor is equally eclectic and the staff is a fun bunch that’ll eagerly suggest the best cocktails.

Yes, Ani makes fantastic ramen, but their appetizers are top-notch, too. If you can handle some heat, order the spicy miso ramen: a chicken broth-based ramen with miso tare, roasted vegetables, and pork belly. (And if you can’t, stick with the shoyu.) We also love the shrimp bao, chili charred edamame, and the pulled pork donburi rice bowls. This is a casual spot that’s great for meeting up with a few friends for lunch over good food, drinks, and music.

Kitchen Step is a warm, familiar-feeling spot that’s great for an intimate dinner with someone you’re close with, like a partner you’ve been seeing for at least four months, college friends you still like, or your parents when they’re in town for a visit. Mismatched plates and bowls look like they came straight out of a kitchen cabinet, and the menu includes classic comforts like pork chops, chicken breast, brussels sprouts, branzino, and mac and cheese.

It’s hard to walk by Uncle Momo and not get pulled in by the smell of their kebabs. During the afternoon, this French Lebanese bistro is consumed by the mid-day hustle and whirr of an espresso machine. Things slow down at night, when couples on third dates who are about to have the “are we dating-dating?” conversation can be found chatting over the candle-lit tables. The Moroccan slow-cooked lamb tajine ranks high on our list for its tender shanks and rich, savory broth.

Battello is located at the end of a pier, and its view of the Manhattan skyline is one of the best in town. It’s a popular spot for weddings—so popular that their website has an entire page for the days you won’t be able to eat or drink there unless you’re attending one. The menu is seafood-focused and on the pricier side for the area: a plate of buttery-smooth scallops costs $46, but portion sizes are decent.

Domodomo, which you may know from its original Greenwich Village location, is one of the first sushi spots to bring omakase-style dining to Jersey City. If the six-course “Domokase” isn’t the vibe you’re going for, you can have a more casual experience by ordering the sushi and handroll course for a little bit of everything: a seared salmon over guacamole appetizer, nine pieces of chef’s choice sushi, and two hand rolls (we’re partial to the shrimp tempura topped with housemade mango salsa).

On weekends when the weather’s nice, you’re guaranteed to see two things in the brownstone-filled neighborhood of Hamilton Park: parents taking their kids to the playground, and crowds standing outside Hamilton Inn waiting for their brunch reservation. Menu highlights include their cornbread french toast (three perfect, lightly charred squares topped with cinnamon butter and homemade blackberry jam) and their eggs benedict (though you can't go wrong with the Inn Burger, either).