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Light Horse Tavern, Jersey City, NJ

Light Horse Tavern

4.6 (1487)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
199 Washington Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Make a reservation

A photo of Light Horse Tavern restaurant

Light Horse Tavern

4.6
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Jersey City

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 37 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
Opened in 2002, this local favorite has become an institution. Light Horse Tavern brings a new exciting vision to the Jersey City culinary scene. The chef's philosophy is to source out seasonal ingredients and to preserve the integrity of the product when cooking.

The seasonal menu always includes a variety of fresh oysters and clams, as well as lighter fare such as the grilled octopus salad, fresh market fish, and heartier favorites such as the prime steaks.

Whether settling in at the bar for a pint or indulging in the spectacular cuisine, you are sure to become addicted to the experience. Visit any day for lunch, weekend days for brunch, and always for exquisite food, people watching and pristine outdoor seating.

Light Horse Tavern, a revolutionary dining experience!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Seafood, American
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30 am–5:00 pm Dinner Mon 4:30 pm–11:00 pm Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Light Horse Tavern can do catered events. For more information please ask to speak to our Private Events Coordinator.
  • Private party facilities
    Light Horse Tavern offers a private dining room available for brunch, lunch and dinner events as well as cocktail receptions.
  • Neighborhood
    Jersey City
  • Cross street
    Morris Street
  • Parking details
    Street parking is available around Light Horse Tavern. We also offers discounted parking for three hours at the ProPark Madox Building. The parking garage entrance is located one block west of the us on Morris St. The address of the parking garage building is 198 Van Vorst Street. Bring your ticket and ask to have it validated at the restaurant.
  • Public transit
    Light Horse Tavern is conveniently situated next to several public transit stops. The Essex Street stop on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail is two blocks from the restaurant. The Exchange Place Path station is a 10 minute walk. The Paulus Hook Ferry terminal is a 10 minute walk. The Grove Street Path station is a 15-20 minute walk.
  • Entertainment
    Light Horse Tavern Live Music Series:Showcasing Different Artists Throughout The Week: Mondays & Wednesdays-- Live Guitar, Tuesdays-- Live Piano, Sundays-- Live Piano & Bass.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

What 1,487 people are saying

Light Horse Tavern reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Hudson

    Kid-friendly

  • Hudson

    Neighborhood gem

  • Hudson

    Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Light Horse Tavern offers a delightful dining experience with "excellent food" and "wonderful ambiance." Guests appreciate the attentive service and cozy atmosphere, perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Highlights include "amazing devil's egg," fresh seafood options, and a "hip and fun vibe." A neighborhood favorite in Jersey City!
1,487 Reviews
  1. Robert

    New Jersey1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food, service and atmoshere was outstanding! Parking was a challange, but that is no fault of the resturant, just leave yourself some extra time! We will be back and often!

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  2. Ozge Gold

    Greater Boston9 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 5, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    The food is amazing. I truly was not expecting. Especially the duck and chicken were sooo delicious. However, stuff did not welcome us well, and was constantly late. If they do a better job on hosting, they are impeccable.

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  3. Mari Gold

    Tampa24 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 5, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food service and convenience! We went with our grand dog and sat outside where other patrons enjoyed their meal with their dogs. The Halibut and steak was out of this world.

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  4. Joni Gold

    Tucson89 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 4, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Always good service and delicious food. Nice sitting outside in good weather. Live music inside, but I don’t know if that’s every night.

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  5. Susan Gold

    Baltimore3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 22, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    excellent experience from start to finish! service, food, ambience were great. thank you!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Meagan Gold

    New York City12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 19, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful experience! Just would have liked to have had bread served / not sure if we had to order it!? Can’t wait to return!

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  7. Terry

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was excellent! The service was excellent! And the live music was an added touch to the ambiance.

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  8. Lauren

    New York City15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 16, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We all ways enjoy LHT. It’s our go to in Jersey City. Food an rinks are always solid and it’s not too loud where you can have a conversation.

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  9. Kim

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    When I moved to Jersey City 10 years ago, I had friends coming to visit, and we were going to Brunch. I had no idea where to go, and I just googled restaurants. For some reason, the name Lighthorse Tavern jumped out at me. After checking the menu and photos, I chose it for Brunch. Ten years later, it is still one of my favorites. I have eaten brunch, lunch, and dinner there numerous times, and will continue to do so. The food is great, and the vibe is hip and fun. It can be loud when both floors are occupied. And as with most restaurants, an "occasion" dinner, like New Year's Eve, was disappointing. That experience, however, doesn't change my 4-star rating of this restaurant.

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  10. Wei-Chia Gold

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 9, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our family went to the restaurant to pre-celebrate Mother's Day on Saturday. We love all the dishes we ordered. The devil's egg is amazing, and the seafood tower is offered at a reasonable price, featuring very fresh seafood. Francis helped us, was so kind, and provided very good service. Overall we had a great experience and would love to go back again!

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Seafood, American
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30 am–5:00 pm Dinner Mon 4:30 pm–11:00 pm Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Light Horse Tavern can do catered events. For more information please ask to speak to our Private Events Coordinator.
  • Private party facilities
    Light Horse Tavern offers a private dining room available for brunch, lunch and dinner events as well as cocktail receptions.
  • Neighborhood
    Jersey City
  • Cross street
    Morris Street
  • Parking details
    Street parking is available around Light Horse Tavern. We also offers discounted parking for three hours at the ProPark Madox Building. The parking garage entrance is located one block west of the us on Morris St. The address of the parking garage building is 198 Van Vorst Street. Bring your ticket and ask to have it validated at the restaurant.
  • Public transit
    Light Horse Tavern is conveniently situated next to several public transit stops. The Essex Street stop on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail is two blocks from the restaurant. The Exchange Place Path station is a 10 minute walk. The Paulus Hook Ferry terminal is a 10 minute walk. The Grove Street Path station is a 15-20 minute walk.
  • Entertainment
    Light Horse Tavern Live Music Series:Showcasing Different Artists Throughout The Week: Mondays & Wednesdays-- Live Guitar, Tuesdays-- Live Piano, Sundays-- Live Piano & Bass.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wine

FAQs

The dress code is casual dress. Guests commonly dine in smart-casual attire, comfortable but neat, which fits the restaurant’s casual-elegant style. If you’re planning a special date or event, business-casual is also perfectly appropriate.

Yes, guests frequently have seating requests honored (quiet tables, booths, seating by a TV, or outdoor tables). Staff have also accommodated dietary needs (a guest noted assistance with a gluten allergy). Because the hostess experience can vary, it’s best to call ahead to confirm seating, accessibility or allergy requests so the team can note them on your reservation.

Yes, Light Horse Tavern offers outdoor seating and guests mention enjoying outdoor tables during warm weather. The owner description highlights “pristine outdoor seating, ” and several guests say they sat outside and enjoyed the atmosphere. If you prefer outdoor dining, request it when you book, especially on busy weekend days.

It depends on your priorities. For live music and a lively vibe, Sunday evenings with piano/jazz are a favorite among guests. For a quieter, more intimate meal, opt for weekday lunch or an early weekday dinner. Weekend brunches are popular and can be busy, and peak evenings (holidays, NYE) fill up fast, book ahead or request a quieter back table.

Light Horse Tavern offers a mix of seating: a main dining room, a tavern/bar area, second-floor balcony overlooking the first floor, private booths, and outdoor seating for warmer months. Guests mention roomy tables with good spacing and some cozy corner tables that feel private. If you have a seating preference (booth, quieter back table, or outside), request it when you reserve.

Portions are generally satisfying, mains are often described as generous and well portioned, while some starters and salads can feel lighter. Guests note hearty entrees like skirt steak, prime rib, and lobster roll are filling; a few guests found salads or certain appetizers on the smaller side. If you want a larger meal, look for the heartier entrees or share an appetizer and a main.

Warm, cozy, and neighborhood-charming, guests frequently call Light Horse Tavern inviting, classy yet comfortable, and perfect for conversation. The restaurant often features live piano or jazz, creating a pleasant soundtrack. Note the tavern area can get lively and noisy on busy nights, while the back dining area and booths are quieter and more intimate. Overall the vibe is relaxed upscale with old-world charm.

Busiest: weekend brunches, Friday–Saturday dinners, holiday nights (NYE) and Sunday evenings when live music plays. Quietest: weekday lunches and early weekday dinners tend to be calmer and quicker. If you want a quieter experience, pick a weekday or request a back table away from the tavern area and the entrance.

Sunday is a standout if you enjoy live piano/jazz and a lively, musical evening. For a quieter visit, weekdays (Tuesday–Thursday) are excellent, lunch or early dinner will be less crowded. Weekend brunches are popular too if you want a festive daytime outing. Choose based on whether you prefer live music or a low-key meal.

Yes, guests report the restaurant running special holiday services (New Year’s Eve dinners, New Year’s Day brunch, and holiday evenings with carolers or seasonal cocktails). Official holiday hours aren’t listed, so call ahead or check their reservation channels for specific holiday openings and special-event menus.

Yes, Light Horse Tavern is a popular choice for date night. Guests frequently praise its cozy, classy atmosphere, live piano/jazz on Sunday evenings, and consistently well-prepared entrees and cocktails. The space feels intimate (booths and quieter back dining areas are available), and many guests mention attentive service and a warm ambiance that suits romantic dinners. For a quieter table, request a seating away from the tavern area or an early reservation.

How FAQ content is generated

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  2. United States
  3. New Jersey
  4. Hudson
  5. Jersey City

Make a reservation

A photo of Light Horse Tavern restaurant

Light Horse Tavern

4.6
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Jersey City

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 37 times today
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