When the clock strikes midnight and cravings kick in, New Jersey’s late-night food scene comes alive. But these aren’t your average after-hours bites. They’re bold, satisfying meals served with serious flavor, all well past typical dinner (and bed) time. Here is our debut list of NJ’s Best Late Night Eats.
The best late-night spots blend craveable comfort with a touch of chaos. We’re talking cheese fries smothered in gravy, kimchi tacos on the boardwalk, and retro counters slinging burgers 24/7. Every spot on our list is open until midnight or later, and a few never close at all. These are the restaurants for shift workers, night owls, and insiders who know that NJ’s best meals happen after dark.
(Editor’s Note: We decided to exclude diners from this list, so classics like Coach House and Somerset Diner won’t appear. We have a separate list of New Jersey’s Best Diners for readers specifically looking for those options.)
Quick Click Guide: Select an NJ Region to find the Best Late Night Eats nearby.
| North Jersey | Central Jersey | Jersey Shore | South Jersey |
North Jersey
10th & Willow
Where: Hoboken
Details: 10th & Willow has been curing (or causing) late night/early morning hangovers for more than a quarter century. The restaurant is closed one day a week (Tuesday), but is otherwise open until midnight or later every evening. Their menu features classic bar apps like boneless wings and quesadillas as we as plenty of sandwiches and burgers. In particular, we recommend either the Thanksgiving Turkey Wrap (with stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy) or the classic Burger Melt. 10th & Willow is also the spot in town for late-night cocktails.
Altas Horas Lanches
Where: Newark
Details: This tiny corner spot is open 24 hours, serving Brazilian cuisine along with burgers, sandwiches, breakfast, and more. Unique menu options include the X-Banana, a burger with mozzarella and banana, and their Hot Dog Combo. The combo comes with ham, mozzarella, bacon, egg, two sausages, corn, mayo, and potato sticks. For those craving a late night omelet, they have those too. They even have cakes for those early AM cravings, including tres leches, chocolate flan, and authentic Brazilian Bolo De Nozes. (Walnut cake.)
Basille’s Pizza
Where: Hoboken (Open until Midnight) | Jersey City
Details: With two locations, Basille’s Pizza corners the market on late night pizza cravings across both Hoboken and Jersey City. Locals love their specialty slices and pies, from the Vodka Margherita to the Buffalo Chicken or White Broccoli. Basille’s is open until midnight or later every day (they are open until 3:00 am from Thursday to Saturday). There’s nothing else to the menu but pizza, garlic knots, and soda, so don’t expect any other Italian restaurant entrees. Basille’s is truly for the post-bar crawl/late night pizza slice crowd.
Chicken and Shawarma Express
Where: Montclair
Details: Chicken and Shawarma Express is open from 11:00 am until 2:30 am, seven days a week. The restaurant offers shawarma wraps and bowls, smash burgers, sandwiches, kabobs, and more. Popular late night bites include the chicken shawarma sandwich, Chipotle smash burger, mozzarella sticks, and beef bowls over rice. Chicken and Shawarma Express can also satisfy early morning dessert cravings. The dessert menu features waffle sticks, dipped fruit (in milk or white chocolate), and Nutella crepes.
The Cornerstone Restaurant & Bar
Where: Hillsdale
Details: This casual, family-friendly restaurant is open until way past bedtime for younger members of the family. Open seven days a week until midnight or later — including until 3:00 am Thursdays – Saturdays — The Cornerstone has it all. The classic bar food menu includes wings, chicken tenders, mac and cheese, sandwiches, sliders, pizza, and more. Their special Late Night menu offers cheese fries & gravy, Asian dumplings, buffalo chicken wraps, mini burgers, and nachos; plus other early AM snacks.
Ed & Mary’s
Where: Jersey City
Details: Open every day until 2:00 am or later, Ed & Mary’s is a late-night lifeline in Jersey City. Their full bar features cocktails, scotches, whiskeys, and plenty of beer. For those early morning cravings, their menu boasts a number of apps, sandwiches, and big salads. Popular apps include the Buffalo Cauliflower Bites, Jalapeno Poppers, and Crispy Fried Pork Belly Bites. For sandwiches, we recommend either the Heirloom Grilled Cheese or the Roasted Chicken Melt with truffle Parmesan fries. (Both will satisfy late night hunger pangs.)
Gammeok
Where: Fort Lee
Details: Korean food may not be the first thing someone thinks of at 2:00 am in the morning; but Gammeok in Fort Lee is open and ready to serve either way. Menu highlights include their signature Gammeeok Bibimbap, with vegetables and ground beef over white rice. Other favorites from frequent customers range from the Spicy Pork BBQ to the Abai Sundae (homemade Korean blood sausage). The restaurant is one of the few remaining businesses in the state that remains open 24/7. 2025 marks their 35th Anniversary.
Juicy Platters
Where: Fair Lawn | Harrison | Paramus
Details: Juicy Platter is a local New Jersey franchise with three locations typically open until 11:00 pm or midnight. (Depending on the location.) They aim to serve “the food you crave at 2:00 am” with fresh ingredients and colorful, loud spices and sauces. The Halal Mediterranean spot is popular for their customizable menu options. Patrons pick a base (platter/salad/pita/wrap), then a protein (falafel/chicken/gyro/mixed); then select their toppings (hummus/plantains/cheese/tomato/etc.) and finally a sauce (choice of White or “Spicy AF”).
Pizza Town USA
Where: Elmwood Park
Details: This local landmark is known for being a late-night destination for the famished. The retro, counter-serve pizzeria is a go-to spot for slices and subs. Their menu features plenty of classic pizzas, from pepperoni and sausage to meatball and eggplant. But the signature “Pizza Town Special” is the go-to choice for fans. It features meatballs, mushrooms, peppers, sausage, and extra cheese. For patrons in the mood for a hot sub, we recommend the Sausage Parm. On the flipside, our cold sub of choice is the classic Italian hero.
Soosanghan Pocha
Where: Palisades Park
Details: This Korean restaurant is open until 2:30 am, seven days a week. Soosanghan Pocha is popular for its casual atmosphere, which often includes bouts of late night karaoke and dancing. The spot is quickly becoming a K-Town landmark, where locals go for great food and a good time. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, some of their late night favorites include cold noodles in broth and Sool Stew. (Spicy boiled pork in red oxtail soup.) We also recommend snacks like their bulgogi tacos, potato pancakes, and fried dumplings.
TROS Greek Street Food
Where: Hoboken
Details: This local franchise currently has three locations throughout North Jersey. But for this list, we’re specifically focusing on the Hoboken location; as it is the only one that is open late (closing at 3:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays). TROS serves Greek staples such as gyros, souvlaki, and specialty wraps. Popular menu picks include the Greek salad wrap, lamb souvlaki skewer, and Pork Yeero Pita Gyro with shaved, marinated pork. These also have sides like cheese croquettes and spinach feta spring rolls perfect for late night snacking.
Central Jersey
Destination Dogs
Where: New Brunswick
Details: For gourmet hot dog connoisseurs, there is only one place to go in New Jersey: Destination Dogs. The restaurant specializes in internationally-inspired, handmade sausages and hot dogs. Iconic options include the Rocky Bal-Boar-A with Italian sausage, cheese steak, onions, peppers, cheese sauce, relish, and scallion; the Kansas City Beefs, an all-beef hot dog with BBQ pulled pork, coleslaw, and scallions; and our favorite, the Brat Starr (Bratwurst, beer braised onions & sauerkraut, cheese sauce, yellow mustard, on a pretzel bun).
Smokin’ Fried Chicken and Pizza
Where: South Plainfield
Details: The name is a bit misleading, as Smokin’ Fried Chicken and Pizza actually has a far more robust menu. This super-late night spot is open until 4:00 or 5:00 am every day. The menu does feature plenty of pizza — with toppings like Gyro, BBQ Chicken Ranch, Meatball, and more — and fried chicken. But they also offer tons of sides like fries, potato wedges, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, and corn on the cob. Looking for a late night dessert? Try the sweet potato pie, banana pudding, pecan pie, or cheese cake.
Stuff Yer Face
Where: New Brunswick
Details: Stuff Yer Face has been a New Brunswick institution since 1977. The restaurant famously serves their Stromboli sandwiches, custom made for every order with any combination of fillings. These sandwiches come in three sizes: The Baby Boli (comes with soup or salad), the Large (a meal unto itself), and the Huge. The latter is a whopping eighteen inch, nearly two-pound Stromboli ideally made for sharing. Stuff Yer Face is open until 1:00 am on Thursdays, and 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays. (They close at 10:00 pm the rest of the week.)
White Rose Hamburgers
Where: Highland Park
Details: Anyone in Middlesex County who’s hungry for a late-night burger is heading to White Rose, no questions asked. The retro burger counter has been in town since 1957, delighting customers with a selection of breakfast and dinner options. Nothing beats the classic cheeseburger to cure late-night hunger, but we also recommend the Cali Bacon Cheeseburger. Just looking for a snack? Go for the hot wings, chili cheese fries, or popcorn shrimp. White Rose Hamburgers is famously open 24/7, and we hope that never changes.
Jersey Shore
Frankie’s Bar & Grill
Where: Point Pleasant Beach
Details: This classic bar and grill serves seafood, steaks, and other American favorites. With a kids menu, brunch options, and a full bar, they can accommodate just about any patron or family. Popular late-night picks include the Canadian Burger (Canadian bacon and Swiss Cheese) and Pork Roll & Cheese grilled sandwich. We recommend the potato skins and homemade onion rings to curb those midnight munchies. Frankie’s is open seven days a week from 11:30 am – 2:00 am. (Just keep in mind that the kitchen closes at 1:00 am.)
JR’s
Where: Long Branch | Red Bank
Details: JR’s is a late-night lifesaver along the Jersey Shore, with two locations. JR’s is open seven days a week until midnight or later (until 3:00 am on Friday and Saturday). The family-owned spot is a quick-serve restaurant with a firm focus on top quality ingredients. Their menu includes a mix of wraps, burgers, fries, and chicken. Popular items range from the Pepper Bacon Jr burger and buffalo chicken tenders to the Bacon Burger Cheese Fries. For late-night bites, we recommend the empanadas, coconut shrimp, or jalapeno poppers.
MOGO
Where: Asbury Park
Details: MOGO is open late until 3:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays, making it a prime weekend destination. (They have a second location in Long Branch at Pier Village, but it closes at 10:00 pm.) The restaurant specializes in Korean fusion tacos, including their signature bulgogi taco. But for a late-night snack, we recommend their K.F.C. (Korean Fried Chicken) wings. Wings come with a choice of up to three housemade sauces: Spicy, Soy-Ginger, and Buffalo Kimchi. Finish off the meal with a Korean Doughnut for a sweet treat.
Vagabond Kitchen & Tap House
Where: Atlantic City
Details: No trip to Vagabond is complete without ordering a burger, regardless of the time. Their gourmet burgers include hits like the Mexican Hottie, with bacon-wrapped, cream cheese stuffed jalapenos and mozzarella cheese. We also recommend the “Hot Mess” burger, topped with mushrooms and Swiss cheese and slathered with a rich demi-glace. Just be sure to order a side of their signature West Coast Fries, too. Vagabond is open until midnight or later seven days a week (until 1:00 am on Friday and Saturday).
South Jersey
Jay’s Elbow Room
Where: Maple Shade
Details: Like a good friend, Jay’s Elbow Room is there in times of need. (And by need, we mean hunger.) The bar and restaurant is open until 2:30 am every day of the week, and boats a huge menu. Anyone looking for a late-night drink can check out their rotating draft and bottled beer selection. As for the food menu, early-AM highlights include their assortment of fries, wings, and burgers. We recommend pairing their Mango Habanero wings with their sweet potato fries (or, for the more daring, Ghost Pepper Fries).
Iffy’s Hot Chicken
Where: Burlington
Details: New Jersey fans of Nashville hot chicken come to Iffy’s for unforgettable meals at a variety of spice levels. The restaurant is open until midnight every day, serving their signature tenders, sliders, wings, and sides. The latter includes their popular loaded fries, as well as mozzarella sticks, coleslaw, and single sliders. Sauces come in flavors like Ranch, Garlic Parm, Honey BBQ, Lemon Pepper, Sweet Chili, Buffalo, and Wow. In addition to their Burlington location, fans can find Iffy’s in Clementon and Edison.
The Jug Handle Inn
Where: Cinnaminson
Details: The Jug Handle Inn is already one of our picks for NJ’s Best Chicken Wings. So it’s not too surprising they’re making another appearance here, given the kitchen is open until 2:00 am. (Thursdays through Saturdays, open until midnight every other day of the week.) We obviously recommend ordering some of their famous wings, always made fresh to order. Signature sauces include Buffalo Garlic Parm, Sriracha Honey, Carolina Buffalo, Hot Asian Chili, and their rotating flavor of the month.
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