Light Horse Tavern: A Classic New American Bar for Seafood Lovers

We happen to go to this beautiful restaurant on the perfect summer night … the food is great, the wine is reasonably priced and the service was excellent!! And it’s highlighted by the neighborhood… this little quite and unique area of Jersey City transformed the experience… we sat outside and watched life go by … sort of magical Put it on your list and enjoy !!! PS: the fish of the day and fried oyster were excellent

We were in the area and we were looking for a place to have dinner. We gave it a shot. It is a good option and the place is large enough that you might take the chance to go without reservation and find a table quickly, even if a party of 4 or more. We had the "Grilled Branzino" and "Spring Duck Breast". Out of the two, I recommend the duck. They also seem to have good cocktails but we did not order any.

I absolutely love the vibe at Light Horse Tavern — I’ve been here over six times, and it never disappoints. But this was my first time visiting in warm weather, and it gave the place a whole new charm. Usually, I come in the winter when the cozy, historic interior is the perfect escape, but there’s something magical about feeling the warmth in that same inviting atmosphere. This time I ordered a glass of wine, a Cosmopolitan, the burger, and the new spring salad. I used to be obsessed with their harvest salad, but sadly it’s no longer on the menu — though the spring salad is a fresh and delicious seasonal update. The burger was excellent — juicy, flavorful, and cooked just right. And to finish off the meal, I had the pecan pie, which was simply delicious. Sweet, nutty, and perfectly balanced — definitely worth saving room for. The waitress was super kind, and everyone there is always very welcoming. The whole vibe is effortlessly cool, and the space carries so much history and character. If you’re looking for a spot in Jersey City with charm, great food, and a timeless atmosphere, Light Horse Tavern is always a solid choice

Light Horse Tavern sets the bar on food excellence in Jersey City! I have visited Light Horse Tavern many times for lunch and dinner with co-workers over the years. The restaurant keeps impressing with food quality and its consistency every time we come. Whether it's a large group during a busy lunch rush or just a few of us on a quiet weeknight, Light Horse Tavern never dropped the ball. The food is always fresh, delicious, flavorful, perfectly cooked, and well presented. Thank you Light Horse Tavern! I highly recommend Light Horse Tavern if you are looking for top-quality American/European/French cuisine in Jersey City! Appetizers and Sides Tuna Tartare - perfect, delicious tuna tartare with interesting taste notes and beautiful presentation. French Onion Soup - very good. Close to what you get in France. Roasted Brussel Sprouts - excellent! Crisp, roasted just enough to avoid mushiness, perfectly complemented by shaved melted parmesan. Asparagus - expertly prepared! Crunchy, yet not chewy even at the base of the stalk. Perfectly complemented by shaved parmesan. Poutine - delicious! Certainly not healthy, but so savory, comforting, and satisfying! The portion is large enough to be shared by 2-3 people. Sandwiches and Burgers Grilled Yellow Fin Tuna Burger - excellent. Tuna was cooked perfectly and wasn't dry. French Dip (prime rib sandwich) - delicious! Generous amount of juicy flavorful thinly sliced prime rib in a fresh ciabatta, accompanied by crispy onion rings and au jus sauce. This was a satisfying meal! Fresh Fish Reuben - wow! Yet another amazing taste combo created by LHT! Soft warm poached salmon with melted cheese, sauerkraut, and some dressing between two whole wheat multigrain warm toasts! Accompanied by freshly made crunchy chips, that was so good! The portion was generous with no cutting on salmon. This is a must try! Rib-Eye Steak Sandwich - another wow! Tender, juicy steak bursting with fresh-off-the-grill flavor, perfectly paired with roasted mushrooms, caramelized onions, and a well-balanced dressing. The warm, fresh ciabatta brings it all together. After the first bite, I could hardly stop for another photo. This is a must try! Cod Burger - excellent! A warm, rightly-spiced delicious cod patty in a soft, fresh brioche, complemented by just the right amount of tangy tartar, roasted tomato, and crisp frisée, adding a delightful contrast of crunch and subtle bitterness. This was yummy! LHT Burger with Gruyère - the burger was juicy, meaty, and generously portioned. However, compared to other dishes I tried it fell slightly short of expectations. Ordered medium rare, it arrived closer to rare with only the edges seared, resulting in a lack of grill flavor. Gruyère and chipotle mayo on the side were awesome. I’ll give this burger another try. Sea Bass Sandwich with Ciabatta and Chips special - excellent. Entrees Fresh Cod - it was delicious! Tender, flakey, and flavorful! Crispy Fish & Chips - tasted great and fresh. The fish was so soft though that it was falling apart. Fennel Crusted Salmon - a friend of mine had it, and said it was excellent. Red Wine Risotto (+grilled chicken) - this item is passable. While Boucheron Goat Cheese topping is excellent, the risotto itself is quite tasteless, lacking flavor and expression. Caramelized Mushrooms where hardly present and didn't add any distinct taste. It's not worth $25 imo. Grilled chicken was added for extra $6 and it was excellent and flavorful. Best $ spent :) One piece was juicy, the other - a bit dry, but still good. Arctic Char - WOW! This was out of this world salmon! It was so juicy, soft, and flavorful! One of the best salmon dishes I ever had. Duck Breast du Poivre - perfectly cooked, tender, juicy, delicious! The portion was generous and fulfilling. Pan-Seared Duck Breast – surpassed the Duck Breast du Poivre entrée it replaced. The breast was thick, juicy and tender, medium-rare, with a glaze on top. Served on a complementing squash-and-spinach purée it tasted fantastic!

In the area for the weekend before departing on a cruise. I love everything about this place. The food, the atmosphere and the service were all phenomenal. We had the strawberry and whipped cream, squash soup and beet salad. Everything was delicious and they kept my water glass full. I highly recommend.

Enjoyed Crispy Calamari with a spicy tomato sauce to start. Fresh, not rubbery, delicious. Also started with a basket of fresh sesame seeded bread paired with a delicious garlic butter. For dinner, enjoyed the Prime Rib with Creamed Spinach and Fries. Every bite was delicious, flavorful - not at all dry nor tough - and not overly fatty. For dessert, an absolutely delicious warm Pecan Pie in a mini pie shell to share topped with homemade vanilla ice cream. Delicious! A good selection of craft IPA beers on draft as well. Exceptional service, wonderful ambience. I would highly recommend.

5/5 – One of the Best in Town This spot in Paulus Hook is a gem! The warm welcome and stylish decor set the tone right away. The food is excellent, and prices are reasonable. The place had a great vibe, with lots of families dining in. And don’t miss the Lobster Garage next door – perfect for catching up with friends. Highly recommend!

Our favorite local spot! I took my family last night for dinner. They loved so much and said the food was better than the ones we had in France! Gianna was amazing. Her service was above and beyond!