Happy National Empanada Day! Here are 43 of the Best New Jersey Empanadas
April 8th is National Empanada Day, a holiday that should be embraced every year. Of course we need to celebrate by honoring the best empanadas in New Jersey.
What is an empanada? An empanada is a type of baked or fried turnover consisting of pastry and filling, common in Southern European, Latin American, and the Philippines cultures. They are crescent-shaped, savory pastries made of dough and filled with a variety of ingredients.
I sent out a request for your favorite empanadas in the Garden State and received a lot of great tips. From the obvious to the food trucks, and the hole-in-wall restaurants we love…here is the list that was composed of those responses plus my personal recommendations.
The Best New Jersey Empanadas:
4 Chicks Empanadas, Franklin
4 Chicks Empanadas boasts they have the best empanadas in town! More than just “baked fresh” daily, they make their empanadas on site to ensure the freshest and crispiest pastry possible. The 4 Chicks Original is made with beef, plantains, and cheese.
51 NJ-23, Franklin, NJ
Ada’s Gojjo, Asbury Park
Ada’s Gojjo restaurant features authentic Ethiopian and Dominican flavors. Their savory fried pastry served with homemade sauce comes in chicken or beef, or you can try their vegan empanadas which are Ethiopian spiced vegetable fritters.
1301 Memorial Dr, Asbury Park, NJ
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Bites and Bowls, Milltown
Their fusion empanadas celebrate flavors from around the world including empanadas like Chicken Florentine, Chicken Tikka, Philly Cheesesteak, and Potato Cauliflower.
28 S Main St, Milltown, NJ
Brisas Bakery & Restaurant, Elizabeth
With multiple locations in NJ, you can also find them in Harrison since they are the Official Empanada of the New York Red Bulls!
262-266 Morris Ave, Elizabeth, NJ
985 S Elmora Ave, Elizabeth, NJ
99 W Palisade Ave, Englewood, NJ
214 Somerset St, North Plainfield, NJ
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Chamos, Neptune
Chamos inNeptune City is a Bagel Shop that also makes very popular Venezuelan food. They have breakfast empanadas (including a pork roll, egg, and cheese), as well as traditional empanadas (chicken, beef, cheese). Try their “Pabellon” made with beef, black beans, plantains, and cheese.
1516 NJ-33, Neptune City, NJ
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Chilean Bakery, Roselle Park
222 E Lincoln Ave Roselle Park, NJ
Cocina Candela, Montclair
Their fusion empanadas come in Beef & Sweet Plamtain, Picadillo, Chipotle Chicken, Guava & Cheese, Buffalo Shrimp, Three Cheese, The Puerto Rican, and Vegetarian Picadillo.
706 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair, NJ
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Cuban Eddie’s, 3 Locations
Edward Sanchez, the owner of Cuban Eddie’s always dreamed of owning his own restaurant. He is a first generation American whose parents came from Santa Clara, Cuba. In 1957 they came to America in pursuit of a better life. They always instilled their passion for good food, family and hard work. Their empanadas come in Beef, Chicken, Cheese, Spicy Chicken, Beef & Cheese, Beef & Jalapeño, Ham & Cheese, Cheesesteak and Vegetarian.
216 Rivervale Rd, River Vale, NJ
110 West Shore Avenue, Dumont, NJ
21-04 Morlot Ave, Fair Lawn, NJ
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Division Cafe, Somerville
When I put out my request for the best empanadas in NJ, Division Cafe was the answer I saw repeated the most. They have 8 different empanadas including a Ham and Cheese, Spinach and Cheese, and Chipotle Chicken.
8 Division St, Somerville, NJ
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Dulce de Leche, Englewood
Ducle de Leche is a bakery cafe serving breakfast & lunch, an extensive variety of pastries & breads baked fresh daily, custom cakes and desserts and catering for all occassions. Their empanadas include Beef, Chicken, 4 Cheese, Ham & Cheese, Spinach, and Pepperoni.
55 W Palisade Ave, Englewood, NJ
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East Coast Empanadas, Food Truck
Popular empanadas include Spinach & Feta with Aji Sauce, Pulled Pork w/Honey BBQ, and Buffalo Chicken w/ Blue Cheese.
El Artesano, Union City
A family owned Cuban Restaurant serving the metropolitan area since 1974. Empanadas include Carne (Beef), Pollo (Chicken), Queso (Cheese), Jamón y Queso (Ham & Cheese), Guayaba y Queso (Guava & Cheese), and Cangrejo (Crabmeat).
4101 Bergenline Ave, Union City, NJ
El Lechon de Negron, Union and Denville
A very popular place for empanadas! Be sure to try their chicken, chorizo, BBQ pork, guava, and MAC AND CHEESE. They also introduce new flavors all the time, so be sure to stop by often.
23 E Main St, Denville, NJ
1331 Magie Ave, Union, NJ
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El Sabor Tropical, Paterson
An upbeat, unadorned BYOB eatery dishing up traditional Dominican specialties & tropical fruit shakes.
325 Totowa Ave, Paterson, NJ
Empanada Guy, Freehold (+Food Truck)
Empanada Guy is one of the fastest growing gourmet food trucks and restaurants in the United States. We specialize in empanadas and other traditional Latin dishes. They have a large list of empanadas with different meats and flavors including a lobster empanada.
568 Park Ave, Freehold, NJ
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Empanada Lady, Verona
With over 20 empanada flavors to choose from, you’ll definitely find something to enjoy a the Empanada Lady. Unique flavors include breakfast empanadas, loaded potato, Indian samosa, pizza, and apple pie.
20 Grove Ave, Verona, NJ
Empanada Mamas, West Cape May
Empanada Mama’s is a small mobile food operation that makes delicious handmade, freshly baked empanadas at local festivals and farmer’s markets. Empanada Flavors include Black bean and corn, Potato broccoli cheddar, Creamy spinach and artichoke, Classic chicken and cheese, Beef and caramelized onion, Sweet potato apple, and Pineapple guava. Also available for catering!
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Empanada Mania, Bergenfield
Empanada Mania is Bergen County’s first Empanada Specialty Restaurant. Since opening Empanada Mania has mentions among the Best in the tri-state maintaining a 4.5-star average rating, has been featured in The Record, NY Times, and The Star Ledger. Empanada Mania has also been featured in food blogs such as Boozy Burbs, Off the Broiler, and Devil Gourmet. Popular flavors include their bacon burger, Signature “Cakepanadas”, Thai Chilli Chicken, Spinach Feta, and more.
62 S Washington Ave, Bergenfield, NJ
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Empanadas or Nada, Montclair
Located in downtown Montclair, this popular empanada spot has a variety of savory and sweet empanadas. Unique flavors include Eggplant Parmesan, Buffalo Chicken, Plaki (vegan), Lentil + Potato (vegan), and Nutella & Banana.
454 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ
Empanada Shop, Wood-Ridge
The Empanada Shop proudly serves premium pastries with warm, homemade fillings served hot & fresh daily. In addition to their popular flavors they also offer an empanada of the day!
251 B Valley Blvd, Wood-Ridge, NJ
Empanada Spanish Grill, Clfiton
There are so many options! Plenty of different chicken, beef, fish, and vegetarian options…definitely something for everybody. I’m most impressed by their Dessert options – Guava & Cheese, Nutella & Cheese Cake, Fudge Brownie, Red Velvet Cheesecake, The Cookie (oatmeal chocolate chip dough), Nutella & Fresh Strawberries, Papaya Cheesecake, and Apple Pie.
8 Market Street Clifton, NJ
Food Architects, Piscataway
The Food Architects are a Gourmet Catering and Take Out operation based in Piscataway, New Jersey serving the Tri-State area for 16 years and counting. Their gourmet empanadas include breakfast and lunch options.
121 Ethel Rd W Suite # 5, Piscataway, NJ
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Fuze Eatery: Empanada House & Smoothie Bar, Eatontown
Fuze opens the floodgate to the carefully crafted, multigenerational recipes of Latin food, hand-made to coexist with the demands of American food culture.They have a full list of sweet and savory empanadas like “Jersey Shore”, Pizza, Plantains and Cheese, Quinoa and Kale, Dulce de Leche, and Peanut Butter.
180 NJ-35, Eatontown, NJ
Hotpanada, Hamilton
Options at Hotpanada include the Bisonada, Eggrollanada, Jerseynada, Shrimpanada, and Lobsternada (to name a few).
1087 White Horse Ave, Hamilton Township, NJ
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Jose’s, Spring Lake
Jose’s is a favorite because they feature healthy Mexican food cooked to order from scratch, plus their dishes are natural and low in fat.They use cholesterol-free soybean oil and all-white meat chicken. Their empanadas come in a choice of ground beef, chicken, and steak.
101 NJ-71 #2, Spring Lake, NJ
LaLa’s Puerto Rican Kitchen, Old Bridge
Each dish is prepared with all of the love that has been handed down from LaLa’s Abuela’s kitchen. Empanadas come in Beef , Caribe Chicken , Mac con Queso, Lobster Paella , Ropa Vieja, and Guava con Queso 3310 U.S. 9, Old Bridge, NJ
La Fogata, Elizabeth
Simple eatery specializing in Colombian & Venezuelan fare such as empanadas, arepas & grilled meats. They make Empanadas Venezolanas (Stuffed Venezuelan corn cake) and Colombian Empanadas.
336 Morris Ave, Elizabeth, NJ
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Main St Cafe, Hackettstown
Main St Cafe is a family business, offering authentic 100% Colombian coffee, pastries and food. They keep it simple by making amazing beef and chicken empanadas.
103 Main St, Hackettstown, NJ
Mambo Cafe Restaurant, Pleasantville
Featuring food from Central and South America, they keep it simple with super affordable chicken and beef empanadas.
226 S Main St, Pleasantville, NJ
Mambo Empanada, Rutherford
Mambo Empanadas and Latin Bistro is the expanded creation from the founders of Mambo Tea House specializing in Empanadas, Latin Rotisserie Chicken, and other dishes from Dominican Republic, Cuba, Peru and other Latin American countries. The husband and wife team have dedicated themselves for the last thirteen years in bringing a Latin flavor to their Rutherford community. They offer a variety of both savory and sweet empanadas.
313 Union Ave, Rutherford, NJ
Miti Miti, South Orange
Miti Miti specialized in Latin Street Food. They offer both Puerto Rican and Colombian stle empanadas like beef, shrimp, veggie and domino (black bean, queso feta)
10 Sloan St, South Orange, NJ
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Noches De Colombua, 8 Locations
Family-run eatery serving traditional Colombian fare. Featuring Chicken Empanadas, Beef Empanadas, Cheese Empanadas & Empanadas de Cambray.
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Paolo’s, New Providence
Paolo’s Kitchen was founded in 2009 with one word in mind CONVENIENCE. Chef Paulo wanted to offer handmade meals with natural ingredients. They offer six different types of empanadas including buffalo chicken and ham and cheese.
162 South St, New Providence, NJ
Red Ribbon, Jersey City & Bergenfield
Proudly Filipino-owned, Red Ribbon started in 1979 as a hobby-induced business in Timog, Quezon City. Today, Red Ribbon has grown to over 450 outlets all over the Philippines and over 30 stores in US with locations in California, Nevada, Washington, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, and Illinois. Their best-sellers are their chicken empanadas.
591 Summit Ave, Jersey City, NJ
10 S Washington Ave. Bergenfield, NJ
Raul’s Empanadas Town, Morristown
Known as the best empanadas in town, Raul’s offers traditional and unique empanadas in savory and sweet. They also offer a combo meal – 10 Empanadas For $25!
63 Morris St, Morristown, NJ
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Sizzle BBQ, Hackettstown
The Sizzle BBQ was established in 2017 by Maria with the help of her family. She was encouraged by her father, who had an empanada shop in Argentina for over 30 years, to open something up here in New Jersey. All Empanadas are handmade and made with love. They have 22 Flavors with their famous chimichurri and hot Sauce.
268 Main St, Hackettstown, NJ
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Stella’s, Kearny
With 26 flavors and seasonal empanadas, Stella’s has been voted one of the best empanada places in NJ 11 years in a row. Try their “secret” family recipe beef empanadas, Spicy Chicken made with their own Bombero sauce, or go savory with their strawberry cheesecake.
615 Elm St, Kearny, NJ
Surrenders, Woodbridge
Bright, simple outpost serving Puerto Rican favorites, plus other Latin & American dishes. Customers rave about their beef, chicken, and cheese empanadas.
695 Amboy Ave Woodbridge, NJ
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Tierra Colombia Restaurant, Pennsauken
5005 N Crescent Blvd, Pennsauken Township, NJ
Torres, Perth Amboy
At Torres Cafe they pride themselves in providing a tasty variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They are best known for our Empanadas and Mofongos Lechon Asad.
431 High St Perth Amboy, NJ
Under the Moon Cafe, Bordentown + Lambertville
Under the Moon Cafe was born in 2006 from the desire of Estela Buontempo Orosco and Santiago Orosco to create a restaurant with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that offers home-cooked style meals and the best desserts. The Orosco family, originating from Buenos Aires, Argentina brought the traditions, flavors and essence of family dining with them, to the United States, in 1991. Their beer or veggie empanadas are very popular.
23 N Union St, Lambertville, NJ
210 Farnsworth Ave, Bordentown, NJ
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Wich-One, Cliffside Park
Wich-one is a fast-casual Asian fusion featuring Korean-inspired sandwiches and bowls. Not the place you’d expect to find empanadas, but they offer both and chicken and come highly recommended.
529 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ
Zoelily’s Empanadas, Rockaway Twp
Zoelily’s promises to put a smile on your face. Helmed by Chef Rafael who family has made empanadas for 80 plus years. They use fresh ingredients and traditional methods to produce exceptional yellow corn empanadas, white flour empanadas, and korokkes. Popular empanadas include Mom’s Empanada (Ground Beef, Potato, Rice, Egg), Coca-Cola Infused Pulled Pork, Chicken Bacon Ranch, Nacho Beef, and Oreo Cream.
405 US-46, Rockaway Twp, NJ
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