Jersey Avenue, Thursday to Sunday

Jersey City · 4–5 hours · any

Six stops along Jersey Avenue and Newark Avenue, from a family cafe to a French bakery, ending at a dim speakeasy-style cocktail bar that opens as the bakery closes. Scram Bakery is open Thursday to Sunday only, so the whole walk is too.

The route

1. The Hive
Downtown Jersey City
The one stop with a play space for little kids, plus a backyard patio. The cinnamon buns are sold Friday to Sunday and run out, so get there in the morning. The chai latte is decent.
3 min walk to the next stop
2. Scram Bakery
Downtown Jersey City
The egg tart is the move here, along with whatever sandwich looks good. Skip expecting much from the coffee itself. Closes at 3pm.
2 min walk to the next stop
3. Dames Coffee Espresso Bar
Downtown Jersey City
This is where the coffee is. Order the butterscotch espresso drink and take it with you, or carry it out to the garden.
3 min walk to the next stop
4. Vis à Vis Cafe & Bistro
Downtown Jersey City
The sit-down stop, with good wifi and tables inside and out on the Newark Avenue porch. Order the shakshuka and a latte, which was nicely pulled. Open until 8pm, 6pm on Sundays.
1 min walk to the next stop
5. Choc O Pain French Bakery and Café - JC Downtown
Downtown Jersey City
Take the pain au chocolat, flaky and airy with a moist inside. The cortado was a little under-pulled, so the pastry is the point. Small room with few seats, and the close is 5pm or 7pm depending on the listing.
1 min walk to the next stop
6. The Archer
Downtown Jersey City
The bar opens at 5pm, right as the bakery closes, and it is a minute down Newark Avenue. Dim, intimate and a little posh. Order the 40 Winks, mezcal-forward, and look at the small bites. Walk-ins, 21 and over.