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    Island Central

    4.0 (19 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    ISLAND CENTRAL ATMOSPHERE

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    Storefront (06/24/25). @IslandCentral.NJ #JerseyCity @InTheJCHeights #FilipinoFood #Pinoy
    Jeff B.

    (Tookout 06/24/2025 TU @ 5:30pm): This island was more central to where I was staying for some Filipino food! In my quest to explore the various cuisine scenes and things to do throughout Jersey City and specifically the Heights, I finally had a chance to try Island Central after I noticed their recent opening several months prior when I was in this part of the country for work. Being a proud Pinoy, I tried my best to support all Filipino businesses (especially restaurants)... as long as the staff didn't shame me for not being able to speak or understand Ilicono or Tagalog - LOL! I've patronaged the local Filipino business nearby along Newark Ave. and Journal Square, but Island Central was now the closest to where I stayed. Would I mind being stranded on this island eatery in the Heights on Central Ave.!? PURCHASE 12pc Pork Shanghai Lumpia ($9.95): I always loved these puny pork snacks and could've easily eaten them all in one sitting. But... where was the sweet chili dipping sauce!? https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=xghTaVQaFHqvGEH8_fwcCw Pancit Canton + Chicken ($12.99 + $4.00): I've grown to understand that no two pancits were alike, but apparently, I've never had this version before! Made with noodles, sliced hard-boiled egg, celery, carrots, cabbage, scallions, green beans, and for good measure I added thick chunks of chicken, this was heavy on the vegetables and light on the noodles. I almost felt like I was eating a salad. Having said that, everything was fresh, and I felt healthier eating this version, but I had to get used to it. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=u2I0kPSA2VYllCqA2p20bw Fried Whole Tilapia ($14.99): This was one big meaty fish, and I loved it! It was lightly seasoned, the crispy skin was delectable, and I could've eaten everything, bones and all. This was finger-licking good... but where were the dipping sauces or vinegar!? https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=c0UrDPmk-Fo0WMIbVzC8FA Lechon Kawai ($18.99): My favorite of the dishes I ordered today, there were a ton of thick pork chunks with a good ratio of fat-to-meat, crunchy skin, and a nice light seasoning of vinegar. I would've gladly swapped the lemon slices for some dipping sauce. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=FZ2WAuaIeu4_FO15_VR7iA Steamed White Rice (INCLUDED w/Entrees): Fluffy, warm, and plentiful, I used it with everything! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=kKMu5IdIlCZasVh3eL7wPQ Credit Card Fee 4.00% ($2.44): I understood; I was actually surprised they took AMEX! SERVICE I was warmly greeted by a young man as I entered, and then I was helped by a friendly young woman as I placed my order. I was offered a glass of water while I waited on this hot day. About 30 minutes later, everything was securely packed up and ready to go - salamat po! PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance) This was an easy flat 20-minute walk from my friend's place. Otherwise, the only option was the plenty of spots along the main drag of Central Ave. and all surrounding roads - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE A clean vibrant somewhat snug layout with many tables throughout https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=zgFzZv5bqkiHwgWQ93PW5Q and a live performance and music area https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=xE4qxuHiXpXZ3lawuRpk0w at the front. I loved the assortment of country nationality pride decorations and apparently some trinkets https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=mNLcqeXAmqSky-eb3DB7eg for sale. Plenty of natural lighting came through the large front windows and while a mix of bright electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were no TVs while early 1980s pop music (e.g. Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers "Island In The Stream", Kim Carnes "Bette Davis Eyes") played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=oLK2CjKN5NTaqcBptf-o9w ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL I loved Island Central and couldn't wait to try more off their expansive menu, especially the adobo, halo-halo, and sisig! Everything smelled and tasted amazing, the portions were huge, the prices very affordable, and the service was friendly and straightforward. Plus, they had an interesting dine-in weekend special of unlimited rice https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=VwnDbtjgQ-SQJCbsjjwC9A - go figure! And, I always loved supporting small businesses whenever possible. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $68.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

    Jolina E.

    Ordered a "crispy palabok" from their online menu and paid extra for shrimp, but they gave me shredded fish instead. I tried calling, but no one answered.

    Pork Sisig
    Kevin A.

    The atmosphere is reminiscent of Filipino hospitality and family cuisine. The enjoyed the food so much it was better than expected. Portion sizes were more than enough, and the staff were attentive on a busy Friday night. The live music was enjoyable, but too loud for a small intimate venue. I would bring my friends and family again just to relive my food experience!

    Lumpiang Shanghai, Tokwa't Baboy, and Chicken Wings.

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    7 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Very authentic. Very good environment. Workers are really nice. They also have live music sometimes.

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    6 months ago

    Great service and very generous portions! Would definitely recommend as a Filipino :)

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    1 year ago

    excellent food and plenty of it. wide selection of food, especially beverages and bubble tea.

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    1 year ago

    Food was delicious and staff were wonderful. They were helpful and super nice. Definitely will get food from here again!

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    Theboil

    Theboil

    3.8(272 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$$

    Passed by this spot by chance a few weeks ago. Have been wanting to try seafood boil for a while…read moreso gave it a shot. Stopped by after work but unfortunately happy hour was over at that point (I think we arrived at 6:30PM ish). Did not make a reservation but were sat down super quickly. The service was quick and attentive. Loved the ambiance and theme throughout the establishment. The bar in the front still gave that grove street vibe. We ordered Combo A (crawfish and headless shrimp) with their special seasoning plus fried catfish with sweet potato fries. Those sweet potato fries were amazing, best I've ever had. They were seasoned so well, I think cajun seasoning, and nicely crisp. The boil was good, wish it came with more of the sauce/seasoning. I liked the shrimp but was not a fan of the crawfish. Definitely going to return to try a different combination..

    I've been meaning to check this place out for a while -- it's the only restaurant specializing in…read moreseafood in the Grove street pedestrian path area. What you may not know is that in addition to sidewalk seating in the front, they have a cute courtyard area as well more within the restaurant. It is a bit more intimate and quiet than being in the front. The food is good! They have a nice selection ranging from lobster to crawfish. I ordered the shrimp basket which was delicious. I really enjoyed their home made lemonade as well. Price wise the place is reasonable given its location. I would definitely come back again.

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    Theboil
    Theboil
    Theboil

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    Bareli's Restaurant & Bar

    Bareli's Restaurant & Bar

    4.3(223 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$$

    Always a pleasure to dine at Bareli's. We were four for dinner recently. The pork chop was amazing…read moreas always. There was a seafood special with squid ink pasta that everyone tried at the table and raved about it. Staff and cocktails were on "point" as usual!!

    Bareli's in Secaucus makes a fantastic first impression. The restaurant sits on a busy route with…read moreeasy access in and out, and the parking lot is large enough to accommodate many vehicles. The interior is visually impressive: elegant table linens, comfortable leather chairs, and a dining room that looks polished and upscale. When we arrived, what appeared to be the owner was greeting guests at the entrance. Since he was welcoming everyone and dressed differently from the rest of the staff, we assumed he was the owner. It was a great touch and immediately raised our expectations. Unfortunately, the experience did not fully match that first impression. We started with drinks: a glass of wine for me and an Old Fashioned for my wife. As happens too often in restaurants, the stronger drink was automatically assumed to be mine, and the drinks were delivered incorrectly. It's a small detail, but one that reflects attention--or lack of it. Bread arrived quickly, followed soon after by the food. I ordered the gnocchi with meat sauce. The dish was acceptable, but nothing extraordinary. My wife ordered the house seafood salad, which was very good--fresh, flavorful, and easily the best dish we had that night. Our waiter spoke limited English. Once he realized we also spoke his language, the service became noticeably more relaxed and somewhat overly familiar. He immediately tried to guide us toward the most expensive items on the menu. When I declined coffee after dinner, he responded by saying something along the lines of: "Well, that's your choice, but the coffee here is very good," which felt unnecessary. We also had a small issue with the Old Fashioned garnish. The orange peel looked unusual, so we asked for the drink to be replaced. The waiter did replace it, though he first tried to explain that what we thought were worms were simply marks on the fruit peel. For dessert we ordered the tiramisu, which the waiter promoted heavily as the best dessert to try. Unfortunately, it didn't deliver. Instead of the classic layered presentation, it arrived more like a cup full of cream with a few pieces of soaked bread and very little coffee flavor. The issue was not just the dessert itself, but the expectations created when it was described. Bareli's is a beautiful restaurant with a great location and atmosphere, but the service details and execution didn't quite match the level suggested by the setting.

    Photos
    Bareli's Restaurant & Bar - Lovely ambiance!

    Lovely ambiance!

    Bareli's Restaurant & Bar - Complimentary Bread

    Complimentary Bread

    Bareli's Restaurant & Bar - Started dinner with a Limoncello Lemond Drop Martini  delicious

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    Started dinner with a Limoncello Lemond Drop Martini delicious

    The Hutton - Spice Rubbed Onion Rings w/Goat Cheese $15.00 (04/01/25). @TheHuttonJC #JerseyCity #SportsBar #FoodPorn

    The Hutton

    4.3(454 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    The Hutton has been on my list of spots to try for so long, but out of sight out of mind sometimes…read more We finally took a short walk and landed here for dinner over the weekend. On a Saturday evening there was quite a long wait for the patio but the 3 picnic tables outside were free and clear...perfect! Delicious food Great cocktails Kindest staff that brought water out for our pup All good things. We got the apple guac to start and loved that it was like a sweeter, chuckier guacamole. It was served with plantain chips and great for a hotter night app. For my main, I got the Grain Bowl. So good, so filling and I had plenty left over for lunch the next day. It had quinoa, tofu, chickpeas, yams, and a green goddess dressing. This will officially be added to the rotation of lunch/dinner spot. Cannot wait to come back.

    Finally stopped at the Hutton for some food. I've been walking past this place for the past year or…read moreso. We ordered the burger LTO and the chicken caprese. The sides were Caesar salad and fries. It was delicious, the server was quick and attentive making sure we were happy with our meal. The presentation of the food was superb it was a nice stop and I am sure I'll be back at some point. Seemed to be a nice dive bar in the heights not many places like this in the area.

    Photos
    The Hutton - Indoor bar

    Indoor bar

    The Hutton - Jerk Fried Calamari w/Pickles Tartar Sauce $16.00 (04/01/25). @TheHuttonJC #JerseyCity #SportsBar #FoodPorn

    Jerk Fried Calamari w/Pickles Tartar Sauce $16.00 (04/01/25). @TheHuttonJC #JerseyCity #SportsBar #FoodPorn

    The Hutton - Camp Fire Old Fashioned - part of their winter cocktail menu

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    Camp Fire Old Fashioned - part of their winter cocktail menu

    Exotic Eats - Blueberry cornbread (side included in meal)

    Exotic Eats

    4.8(11 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    I have to come right out and say it-- I've never been so enthusiastic about a "take-out" place…read moreafter just 1 meal. Ever. At work, the Godfather wanted to order (unusual for him to suggest it; usually I'm the 1 pushing for us to order out, and he's invariably resistant, although ultimately, he's acquiescent, although just as invariably he blames me for "pushing him into it" as he gobbles down whatever food it was we've ordered). I was willing but wanted to try something different than our usual fare (burgers, Chinese, Japanese, sandwiches). Someone else mentioned Exotic Eats, as a younger co-worker had ordered from there recently and seemed to enjoy what he had eaten. I asked, "Does this younger co-worker have a discriminating palate?" (Not actually being quite the jerk I oftentimes seem to be, I did of course use less pretentious, overblown verbiage in asking my question.) The reply was, "He's young; he'll order almost anything and like it." So...it might be great; it might be horrible. So we took a chance. They deliver, and I was intrigued by their on-line menu. I can't remember what the Godfather ordered, or another co-worker who wanted us to include him in what had once been known as the Lunchbox Mafia, but I ordered "the Island Bowl." Sliced jerk chicken breast on a bed of Mac & Cheese with jerk BBQ sauce. Being hungry, I ordered a side of blueberry cornbread, and the dessert of banana pudding cheesecake. All of it washed down with my ever-present bottle of Poland Spring water. We didn't have to wait long for it to be delivered. As I mentioned in my introductory remarks, I found the food fabulous. The jerk chicken in its BBQ sauce had a tangy sting, but it wasn't unpleasant or pain-producing. And I have to say-- the Mac & Cheese was the best I've had since my late mother used to make it for me in childhood. It's a baked "dry" Mac & Cheese as opposed to the overly sauced (and bland) version you get in most restaurants these days (all it was missing was the crumbled crackers that my mother used to put on top of it). Pure deliciousness, as they say. The blueberry cornbread was the perfect accompaniment, and the banana pudding cheesecake was wonderfully smooth, creamy, and decadent. I wasn't feeling bloated to the point of discomfort once I had finished it all, but I definitely felt "well fed." My fellow partakers were equally as enthused. Prices were fair, portions were immeasurably more than adequate, and the meal was luxuriously satisfying on every single level. As mentioned, delivery didn't take long at all, and it arrived hot. I'm not entirely sure how to classify the cuisine. The website described it as "Soul Food" with a "Caribbean Spirit." A long-time friend of mine is Jamaican, and she used to throw a big feast for friends and family every summer (I was usually the only white person invited, which was never any sort of a problem, although once a little kid of 4 or 5 looked at me with hostility and said, "What are YOU doing here?"), before health issues sidelined that annual event. She was a great cook, and everything was fresh-- jerk chicken, fish, ackee that always reminded me of scrambled eggs, breadfruit, sorrel liquor, etc. Despite the quality of the food served, I never really acquired a taste for Jamaican cuisine (I ventured out once to a Jamaican restaurant in Perth Amboy with friends; they were enthusiastic about it but it wasn't of the same quality as my friend served, and obviously didn't transform me into a "fan"), but I don't know that Exotic Eats is Jamaican per se. But I know that what I had was delicious and filling, and I can't wait to order from Exotic Eats again. Obviously, very highly recommended.

    Execution: The mac & cheese showed strong flavor, thickness…read moreand proper texture. The collard greens were well-seasoned. The chicken was crispy and packaged in aluminum foil to keep it from turning cold. Flow: Ticket pacing was efficient, with food arriving in approximately 8-10 minutes without sacrificing quality. Hospitality: Service was attentive and composed throughout the visit. FOH member showed confidence in the menu and maintained strong awareness of the room. Guest interaction felt genuine and well-trained. Structure: The menu offers variety without unnecessary additions. Final Standard: A soul food operation where flavor, timing, and hospitality was well executed.

    Photos
    Exotic Eats - Handyman profesional servecis.

    Handyman profesional servecis.

    Exotic Eats - Jerk Chicken Breast Dinner (~$25) with oxtail gravy (+$2)

    Jerk Chicken Breast Dinner (~$25) with oxtail gravy (+$2)

    Exotic Eats - Blueberry cornbread (side included in meal)

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    Blueberry cornbread (side included in meal)

    Blu On The Hudson - BLUEFIN TUNA TARTARE - meyer lemon, kaluga caviar, spiced crackers

    Blu On The Hudson

    4.2(472 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$$$

    Blu on the Hudson is the perfect place for date night, girls night out, or celebrations. It has a…read moresleek and modern esthetic, a sophisticated vibe, and the service and food match the ambiance perfectly. One thing I loved about the cocktail menu were the detailed descriptions and photos. It made it really easy to decide, and I wasn't disappointed by my choice. I had the Don't be Shy, which was vodka-based and had soju. It was very refreshing and was mixed perfectly. Since the restaurant iis known for sushi and pasta (and steak), I decided to try one of their Lincoln Harbor rolls which had crab, bluefin tuna, avocado, and wasabi yuzu. It had a kick to it and the fish was very fresh. I also had a side of the lobster mac and cheese, which was creamy and filled with lobster. My mate had the bolognese pasta dish and it was finished very quickly, which is always a good sign. All in all, I had a fantastic meal with excellent service and look forward to returning soon.

    Was able to get last minute reservations (15 minutes before) on a saturday evening. Place was…read morepretty busy and upscale. I had to use my chase sapphire dining credits and this restaurant was part of it, and I happened to be nearby. Everyone was dressed nicely, meanwhile I come in with my orange spyder jacket (it was raining) Anyway, food was pretty good. Octopus- it was pretty good as I love octopus legs but thought the texture needed a bit more bounce to it. I still enjoyed it. Steak delmonico- decently good as well. I ordered it medium rare and thats the way it came. I didnt order any sauce on the side for it but maybe u should. I figured the whipped potatoes and truffle creamed spinach would be good sides that can double as sauces. But their truffle butter sauce sounds pretty good. Chicken parm- it was surprisingly good. The cheese complimented the chicken so well. I think I liked this more than my steak. Whipped potatoes- delicious Truffle creamed spinach- pretty good as well Overall, i had a nice evening here. Ambiance is slightly dark and romantic. Waiters were nice.

    Photos
    Blu On The Hudson - Private Dining Room

    Private Dining Room

    Blu On The Hudson - Classic Carrot Cake (~$16)

    Classic Carrot Cake (~$16)

    Blu On The Hudson - Whisky is so smooth and addictive

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    Whisky is so smooth and addictive

    Island Central - filipino - Updated June 2026

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