It's been a minute since I've graced the Yelp pages...but in the words of the great Usher, daddy's home. Light Rail Cafe sits nestled right around the corner from my house in my Jersey City neighborhood. Conveniently located by the Light Rail, this space is a welcome site to folks that simply want to kick back and have great drinks with great friends. The moment you step in, you feel like family. They even have the owner's mom who sometimes manages the bar greeting and mingling with guests...she even asks that you call her "mom"...and everybody does. The drinks are very potent and reasonably priced. They also have a number of drink specials as well. So far I have had the calimari which is great, but still not the best I have ever had. There Rasberry Bbq wings are amazing and sweet/tangy...the hot wings are creamy and the Jerk wings are tad bit too spicy but still wonderful. I love this place. The service just as much as the food. read more

Love this spot! The drinks are great, the food is tasty and the staff is friendly and helpful. Will definitely be back. read more

Four stars. Nice place, clean as a whistle, nice patio for the smokers amongst us (much better than walking in the front door through a cigarette haze from those standing outside), my favorite bartender Brittany at the helm making great cocktails. Food is quite good. As a first time visitor I was made to feel quite welcome from Shirley the manager and the regulars were accepting as well. Parking can be difficult (we've tried several times in the past and couldn't find a spot nearby) but once Berry Lane Park is open it'll be an easy walk. The Light Rail Café will be in my normal rotation I think. One minus-no draft beer, though. Can something be done about that? read more

I must say the Lightrail Cafe shocked me. I came here on a Monday night with some friends and family, just to hang out. They have a full bar which is decently stocked. I ordered a margarita-sangria which was good; it's on the sweet side. Everyone else ordered a variety of things. As far as food goes, their kitchen closes at 11pm and we had arrived around 10:30ish so the kitchen was only doing fried items. We ordered the Sweet/Spicy Thai chicken wings. They have great flavor and just the right balance of sweet and spicy--- I personally could go for a little more of the spice; I like my food with a bit of a kick. We also had fried jumbo shrimp. They really are JUMBO! And they also have good flavor and are served with a homemade tartar sauce. The tartar sauce was good and that's saying something because I typically do not like tartar sauce. The mood is intimate, it's good for small groups and the bartender that night (Jay) was very friendly and good looking-- also married. Lol I'm going to go back! read more

Went for brunch. The food was delicious, served fast, and reasonably priced. Staff was friendly and helpful. Overall great experience!

I've come to this restaurant several times, and although the food and drinks are on point the service is not. You are virtually ignored upon entering and have to go to the bar to get someone's attention andto get menu's after sitting at a table waiting for a waiter to notice you. Even sitting at the bar one evening, it took the waiter far too long to take our order. There were two bartenders taking food and drink orders, and while one young lady was quite pleasant the other seemed as if she hated her job and everyone in the restaurant. This restaurant has great drinks and good food but the service leaves a very bad impression read more

See all

Tried Light Rail Cafe for first time during Sept. 2015 with girlfriend. Visited for dinner and not for the bar. About six other patrons were in attendance. The restaurant is attractive - nice flooring, tables, and welcoming entrance. Place looks nice from the outside. Love the stone look. Ordered mini Nacho Supreme appetizer. Then we ordered entrees. Parmesan with Shrimp and Quesadilla with Chicken. Unfortunately, the bartender, who doubles as the waiter, did mess up the order. We did not bother mentioning it. We received a Grande Nacho Supreme appetizer rather than the mini we ordered. Suspected this when we got it, but did not know for sure. Confirmed it when we got the bill. However, the nachos are excellent. The other mistake is that we received the Parmesan with chicken rather than shrimp. Did not complain as we were hungry enough to not want to wait for another order. The chicken was not so good. Not sure if it was just over-beaten and made rubbery or if it was re-heated (i.e microwaved) from frozen. This goes for the chicken in both the Quesadilla and the Parmesan entree. My guess is it was just thin breast slices that were over-beaten and over-cooked. I would order nachos again, especially for take-out. I'll likely give the place another chance as I do like the menu, venue, and prices. Just not sure if the establishment is invested in the place as a restaurant. That is, the emphasis may be more on serving drinks than on serving entrees. read more

This is my favorite local neighborhood spot south of Communipaw. Food is great, crowd is always entertaining, and it has a great chill vibe. read more

Great neighborhood bar/restaurant, great drink specials, nightly entertainment during the weekends, and an amazingly friendly staff. read more

Light Rail Cafe - Light Rail Cafe - Bars Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Great customer service. Great food. Very professional. Also very clean and safe. This is a restaurant you want to go to!

Excellent!!!! Everything is excellent.... The food, the drinks, the atmosphere, the staff and the regulars! 2 thumbs up! read more

Light Rail Cafe - I love it! - Bars Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

See all

Food is good but takes way too long to come out. I'm one of the few sitting at a table and I've been waiting 40-45 min for my food. Ten minutes ago the bartender said he was waiting for it to be ready but I still haven't gotten anything. There really isn't any reason that a simple order should take this long when they aren't busy. read more

Bartender was extremely friendly, drinks were great and affordable. I would recommend the dark and storm for the guys and the jolly rancher for the girls for drinks. The food was very good try the calamari for app it was crunchy and came with an addicting sauce. My date and I had the salmon which was seasoned very well and came with Cooke sauté spinach and Cajun fries which were amazing! The vibe was nice very modern and comfortable atmosphere along with friendly people as well. Stop for a bite there before you hit the night life. Looking forward to coming back when they complete their renovations and turn the top floor into a lounge! Only downside is the area outside is not so safe! Take an uber or park close by at night! read more

Light Rail Cafe - Salmon with spinach veg and wonderful Cajun fries! - Bars Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

See all

WoW! The food in this place is amazing....been here twice so far and all my co-workers were sharing their entrees cause everyone had to sample a little it just smelled so delicious. That day tried the Grilled Tilapia Sandwich, Shrimp Quesedillas, Cajun Chicken Sandwich, BLT and the LRC Wrap....it was all superb. Breakfast and Brunch coming soon as well as full coffee bar. Gigi our wonderful beautiful host/bartender/waitress was swamped and did an amazing job tending to us. They just need a few more workers there to help out with the wait time and this place would be 5 stars easy. BTW they have homemade Sangria that is out of this world and a cute little gimmick of a Sangria card... P.S. Thanks for the advice to come to The Grind Shop for espressos they really hit the spot! read more

Great service. We got some pasta to go with the garlic alfredo and chicken. Yummmmmy. And did I mention the amazing garlic cheese bread that came with it!?! We'd go back for sure next time we come visit. Mom liked the lemonade but I thought it was funky tasting (I couldn't quite place why though). It's a small place so it was a little noisy but hey that's some people's cup of tea. Overall great experience, good food, good prices, and good service! read more

When this place first opened, it was my goto spot in the neighborhood. The food is still amazing. The cheesesteak on Texas toast cannot be beat. The raspberry wings are solid too. The service and atmosphere varies. read more

Haven't been here in about four years but I assure you whenever I'm in the area I point it out and say "that spot has amazing wings" if I remember correctly I love the Caribbean jerk anddddd maybe a dry rub they had , anyway just go in one day and have a cocktail and wings you'll thank me lata . TRY It !! read more

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING FOOD! I went to this place one time and came back 3 times all within a 2 month period! The Food is Amazing! Burgers, Wings and the Salmon! The prices are right and the atmosphere is great! The menu is full of options and everything I've tried I loved! read more

Since the re opening nothing has been the same from the service to the food . Imagine having dinner with your friends and you all receive your orders at a different time on top of that everything but the rice and beans was horrible the garlic bread tasted like it came straight out of the freezer my girlfriends penne vodka was like soup mines was thick and not tasteful pork was super dry and everything took forever to come out . read more

I ordered a chicken quesadilla and was told by a waitress named Tammy, that the kitchen was closed. Tammy went above and beyond the usual customer service. She offered me her chicken quesadilla, that she was taking home.... I gladly accepted Thanks again TAMMY for the GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! read more

I am in love with this place. From the drinks to the food to the staff and especially my favorite bartender Apple.... happy hour + her= GOOD TIME !!! I've been a regular here for some time now and it just keeps getting better. read more

Lightrail Cafe is the full package. From the great drinks, amazing food, grade A service and awesome happy hour, I've never left here disappointed. Every bartender I've come in contact with has showed me nothing but great customer service, ESPECIALLY Apple. She is such a delight. Her smile & laugh alone will literally put you in a good mood. The energy and mood is always positive and uplifting. Always a good time here, whether it be a weekday afternoon or a Saturday night. Kudos to the owner Jermaine! read more

This is an cool neighborhood spot with quality, cost friendly food, a personable staff, comfortable environment and music that adds to the good vibe. My wife and I happen to discover this place while visiting the area and were very pleased. Our server, Pedro, treats everyone like family and makes great mimosas! We highly recommend the chicken stew and zucchini pesto pasta. read more

A small spot not really that crowded for lunchtime. I had the catfish sliders w/ fries which were decent. Servers were friendly and attentive and the place was clean. read more

Being a New Yorker now translplanted in NJ, its hard to find that same city like vibe in a local cafe/bar. This is why I keep coming back to my "cheers". The LRC continues to be a great, friendly spot with great food,drinks and service staff. From Shirley and Chelsea to the cooks Jay and Alfonso. Everything I order has always been exceptional. I appreciate that they allow me to order off the menu to accomodate my special diet. They have now incorporated cigar night which has been a success thus far. I can't wait to see what extras the new renovations will bring. Murielle read more

This place cant keep.it together. As a customer ya uh nope as employee...1 question? Ever worked at a job for month a year and not once had a scheduele, staff of 5. Staffs fault bc staff talks to each other socially. Food is so so jason great chef far to good for there. As an owner to put all errors mistakes failures on your staff while onky time owner available is to spend hours of his knowledge experience figured out meaning if life. To bad bc good amt if customers great ppl, hey i learned he'll never be satisfied bc well m may be starts with him. Got my own place after years and staff customers soon to follow. Respect gained by intimidation or lack of acceptability arent friends at all. Wooo saaa i feel free so quickly successful canr wait to see these great customers at MY bar read more

One star because they are cash only and no working ATM. They sell food and alcohol and hold parties there but no one walks around with mounds of cash on them anymore. read more

Nice little spot for locals. I had the house salad with grilled chicken and raspberry vinaigrette dressing and it was very good, I was surprised actually. Not a spot I would hit on the regular but I wouldn't mind going again if I didn't feel like dressing up to go anywhere but didn't want to stay in the house. Warning: They don't take credit/debit card here -__- first place I been to in a few years that didn't....but like I said, its a small spot for the locals. read more

Friendly staff, good food and great bar; wish we had one like this in our neighborhood!

Service was slow and most the people working were rude. Took forever for one coffee only for it to be filled half way. Food was good when it finally came out. read more

Wow absolutely amazing! Stopped by for a pickup order of Lemon Pepper and Buffalo Wings. Both full of flavor and prepared to perfection.Great atmosphere inside, actually wanted to stay and dine in however didn't have the time....But I'll be back for the boozy bar specials ($7 Sangria/5 Margaritas ) and beautiful and welcoming Bartenders! JERSEY CITY MUST TRY!!! read more

The light rail cafe was a very great experience . The food was amazing and the drinks were awesome .. There happy hour is from 11am-7pm m-f .. Great place for you to just hang out with some friends good music (pretty loud)... Just an overall fun environment .. Will go back very soon read more

My friend took me here on a Friday night. The food was good, not much to say about bar snacks. Music was good. The service was incredibly slow... I think it might've had something to do with the bartenders also serving the tables surrounding the bar, or their friends were there and so they got all the attention. Either way... I'm on the fence about if I'd go back. Definitely would be worth it if service was better. read more

We always have a great time and don't let me start with the bartender, Apple....She's amazing. She brings so much energy to the restaurant. Each time we come, it is always a good time; if it's not the other diners or the bartenders. I have brought my friends and they had the same raves. Come by and check out the fun!! read more

Today we came to light rail cafe to enjoy the Knick game and we ended up with amazing service from "Trish" good food , good convo , and great service. I'm from Brooklyn I will definitely return because of her. She has amazing energy and we love her!!!! Thank you read more

The food is good, the staff is very friendly, the drinks are great, but the service is incredibly slow. It took 30 min for or food too come out after we ordered. It could be a great place if they sped up service. read more

After waiting 30 minutes for an order of wings and an entree, one of our three orders was rang in incorrectly. As we had already waited a long time for the food and my friends were already eating their meals, I decided to cancel mine so as not to wait an additional 30 minutes. The bartender whom I told to cancel the order was very rude about the matter and quickly canceled the order, no customer service or follow up. As this is a neighborhood restaurant that I frequent, I'm very disappointed and will not be returning. read more

This is a delightful spot. The environment is pleasant, people are kind, food is delicious. Also it's neighborly convenient.

When visiting our daughter in NJ we like to experience various venues that the "locals" frequent. Our bartender (Krista - forgive me if the name is not exact), was the most gracious and attentive young lady (and she also concocted a mean Daiquire!) By the time our daughter arrived to meet us, we already felt like honorary "locals!" This comment is becoming lengthy so just let me say that our meal was delicious, the service superb and the price was amazingly affordable. We can't wait until our next New Jersey visit. read more

Whenever you are in the mood for a gourmet meal and a good beer you most definitely have to come here. Chef Jake will seduce your taste buds, the Bar Maids (Chelsey, Brittany, Sherry and Jackie) will make you very comfortable. This is a "Must Visit" place for lunch!!! read more