Jeff B.

(Dined 07/13/2023 TH @ 2:00pm): This French-style cafe in a box was a nice touch to the neighborhood! A local realtor recommended Box Cafe as a convenient place for our initial in-person meet-and-greet. This place was less than a ten-minute walk for me from my friend's place which was great and allowed me to further familiarize myself with the neighborhood. Generally speaking, I wasn't much of a cafe person, but I was usually open to eatery exploration. Would I enjoy this box meal!? PURCHASE S. Pellegrino Essenza Tangerine & Wild Strawberry Flavored Mineral Water ($3.50): A very effervescent refreshing drink with hints of tangerine and strawberry aromas and flavor. This is truly one of my favorite brands of sparkling water whenever I was in the mood. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=bmvXPItKXDrxg8qOJJmmag&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Grilled Cheese ($12.00): Made with melted cheddar, smoked paprika, tomato, and shallot all between buttery toasted sourdough bread, this wonderful lunch sandwich was massive as amounts of cheese slowly squeezed out as I took a bite each time. The crunchy crusty crust was amazing and had so much targeted butter and burnt cheese. As simple a meal this was, it was impressive and pleasurable. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Zd2aA9xinXDQoQ8VDEEP3Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw SERVICE As I opened the front door, co-owner/wife Linda was preparing a corner window round table for our party of three as she warmly greeted me. We were provided with individual menus and eventually glasses of water and a filled bottle as we decided what we wanted. She returned minutes later, took our respective orders, quickly returned with our canned drinks with glasses filled with ice, and about ten minutes later all of our food arrived. After that, we were left alone as we conducted our meeting and consumed our drinks/food. By the time we finished past their 3:00pm closing time, she had stepped out and never returned, while co-owner/husband Sean closed our bill with some quick chit-chat, and wished us a nice rest of our day - thank you! PARKING (Street Only; N/A this instance) I walked from my friend's nearby place. Otherwise, as was the case for much of "The Heights" in Jersey City, there were plenty of spots along the main drag of Palisade Ave. and all surrounding streets if you were lucky enough to find an empty spot, or you took public transportation which stopped nearby - nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE A quaint boxy café (it's name!) with charming French accents, several cozy tables, a handful of paintings and floral arrangements hung about, and a counter that displayed various baked goods. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=QLdRHqxlzl02eyQ3DpjlEg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Good natural lighting came through the front windows and door while soft electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were no TVs while soft music played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=j73l6YgtEWFQxbOxuNanxw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL Box Cafe was a blissful find, and I definitely would like to return! My food was lovely while the salads the realtors ordered looked healthy and yummy. The drinks https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Sy7A9gA9e8Zau5l-JGwXmg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw and food https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=iusdDbDdbz1hF236bZ5lew&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw menus were limited but varied enough. No alcohol was served, but they allowed BYOB without any corkage fees. Their hours are breakfast through lunch with dinner only a couple days a week. The prices felt reasonable, the portions very good, and the service casual yet attentive enough. I found total value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $17.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

Carter C.

Good, service, AMBIENCE! Very intimate, delicately lit. Handful of small tables. Live music tonigjt! Had a salad cause I just came fr another event. Great salad though! Caesar-y please hold the croutons. Thx Tribe of Uncles for enlivening this romantic space. It's 100 degrees outside but this summer salad helped cool me off.

Dara R.

What a great hidden gem!! We moved to JC several months ago and always passed this spot by thinking it's just a cafe but it's so much more! The staff is so friendly and when we went on a Sunday morning the place was basically empty but the server was attentive and polite. We loved the furniture and seating which looks like it came from an antique shop. It creates a cozy place to enjoy coffee. We were most impressed at the full menu of eggs, French Toast and other delights that are served in a healthy portion. Everything tastes fresh and comforting. Definitely recommend trying this place on the reg and spending time appreciating the art and ambiance. A great hidden gem in the nabe!!!

Leslie S.

Lovely lunch. Really good veggie omelet -nice options. One of the owners took our orders + told us about their live music Fridays. A nice neighborhood place including a warm vibe.

Sara G.

We came in close to closing on a Saturday for tea and a cake pop. Both were delightful, as was the service! We sat on the sofas and enjoyed the retro decor while plotting our next move. There are a few larger tables in the back that seem great for work/study. A group was enjoying brunch while we were there and sounded pleased with their food as well.

Rivi B.

Charming Place, special ambiance cafe with a nice variety of foods sandwiches, and salads. The house coffee is great! A nice warm inviting small neighborhood restaurant and an awesome addition to the Jersey City heights venues.

I hired Sean and Linda from Box Cafe to cater my housewarming party in May. My expectations were completely over exceeded and their execution was perfect. I was looking for a mix of classy high end hors d'oeuvres meets chic barbecue and they nailed it. An eclectic and gorgeous charcuterie table took over my kitchen island for grazing. A choice of smoked salmon pastry puff with horseradish cream, slice sirloin toasts, and bruschetta points were the starting hors d'oeuvres. The main food consist of gourmet beef sliders and impossible sliders, dressed with a signature box cafe house sauce, a variety of flat bread pizza's, their signature bechamel mac and cheese, a savory harvest pasta salad with roasted and blanched vegetables, a half of a salmon, lamb chop lollipops, and two choices of either greek salad and their famous caesar salad. Sean remained on site and monitored the flow of food and guests, continuing to replenish and make sliders and pizza's for all new incoming guests. I could NOT have been HAPPIER with the outcome of this event and I owe it to them!

Aisha S.

Absolutely loved the interior and menu options. Kind of gives me speakeasy vibes! The lady who took my order was very sweet and told me about they host fun events. Will be bringing a few friends to join me here!

Natali A.

Delicious food - we had the croque monsieur, croque madame, seasoned potatoes, iced coffee, egg and cheese croissant, cookies, creme brûlée, and French toast. It was all perfect. All of it. Run, don't walk!! High recommend. Thanks, Linda!! Can't wait to come back.

Brad G.

Home of the Best burger in the jersey city heights. Everything is good (especially the super friendly owners) but the burger gets the crown.

Alfie S.

What a cute little addition to the neighborhood! Stopped in here weeks ago when they first opened with my partner and got two drinks to go: an iced latte and a regular coffee. Both drinks were good, though the iced latte apparently could've been better (it got watered down when poured directly onto the ice, which promptly melted). Overall though, it's definitely worth stopping in. Also, their decor is so cute and cozy, yet spaced apart enough to feel safe during the pandemic. You've gotta love it! Plus, I think I saw some outdoor seats, which is nice! If you're at the hospital or in the area and in need of a pickmeup, this is the spot!