As summer settles around New Jersey, my thoughts always turn to the water. The Jersey Shore is my second home this time of year, and it’s home to some excellent waterfront dining. For a swanky night out with that special someone, you might want something with a different vibe, and you’ll find it in Weehawken. This riverfront town, just minutes away from New York City, is known for its high-end atmosphere, so it’s no surprise it’s home to one of the best spots for waterfront dining in New Jersey.
This is Blu on the Hudson, an elite seafood restaurant offering a frequently changing menu with Italian and Japanese accents. The food is stunning, but the restaurant’s biggest attraction may be the view, as the dining room offers a panoramic vista of the Hudson River and the New York skyline, especially stunning at night.
What Makes Blu on the Hudson One of the Best Waterfront Restaurants in New Jersey
I personally think the Weehawken-to-Fort Lee corridor is one of New Jersey’s most underrated areas, offering stunning waterfront views of the city with fine dining aplenty, without the city’s crowds and intensity at times. It’s no surprise that this is where we find Blu on the Hudson, an acclaimed seafood-forward restaurant with a panoramic view of the city. While the swanky dining room offers an incredible vista on its own, the summer months also bring Blu’s outdoor patio, perfect for a sunny day with an even clearer view.
What To Expect When You Visit
Blu’s atmosphere is perfect for a fancy dinner out or an important business lunch. While the bustling dining room offers the best view, private dining alcoves are available if you want more intimacy. And of course, there’s the impressive bar. A look at that selection of spirits reveals that Blu on the Hudson is serious about its cocktail program. You can get all the classics, but also some unique seasonal drinks you can’t find anywhere else. Not sure what to order? The bartender or your server will be happy to recommend a signature cocktail, glass of wine, beer or mocktail to enhance your experience—whatever you may be there to celebrate.
Menu Highlights at Blue on the Hudson
While Blu on the Hudson has an extensive menu of steak and seafood classics, you might be surprised to see it has an equally impressive sushi selection. The restaurant offers several specialty rolls, such as the Blu Roll, which combines bluefin toro, spicy lobster, and avocado, and the Weehawken Roll, which features spicy tuna, scallops, and a potato crunch. The fried rice cakes topped with tuna, tobiko, and avocado are also a popular hot appetizer.
The menu at Blu on the Hudson is incredibly diverse, pulling influence from classic American, Japanese, and Italian dishes. A full steak and pasta menu is available for the landlubbers in your party, but the restaurant excels in simple preparations of fresh seafood with classic seasonings. The whole branzino for two might be the flagship item on the menu.
While dinner at Blu on the Hudson is a showstopper, it’s just the start. Blu is also Weehawken’s top spot for a special brunch, featuring pancakes, eggs Benedict, and steak frites, along with classic brunch cocktails. Blu on the Hudson is kicking off its summer season by expanding its hours to open for lunch at noon, Tuesday through Friday, while brunch continues as usual on the weekend. And if you can, don’t forget to save room for dessert! One of the signature items at Blue on the Hudson isn’t an entrée—it’s the tiramisu, which one recent diner described as “absolutely unforgettable.” Equally decadent is the carrot cake, made from scratch and worth planning an entire visit around…