In a city defined by diverse cultures sharing a common history, two women are attempting something ambitious: defining what Jersey City cuisine actually means. ☕
Alyce is the brainchild of Chef Tory Aunspach and co-founder Natalie Miniard, who opened this cafe in 2021 with a mission to reflect Jersey City as a whole rather than by each individual culture.
The woman-run establishment has evolved significantly, securing a liquor license and expanding to include a full-service cocktail bar alongside their globally-inspired menu. 🍷
How Alyce won Jersey City’s hearts
Alyce captured Jersey City’s devotion by celebrating the city’s multicultural identity through food that honors diverse traditions. 💜
Chef Aunspach’s decision to hire Jersey City’s best talents from a diverse set of cultures created authentic dishes rather than merely appropriating flavors—each staff member brings their heritage to the menu.
The bulgogi beef breakfast skillet became an instant hit, proving that Korean flavors paired with American breakfast traditions could create something entirely new yet familiar. 🍳
Their commitment to scratch-made everything from house-cured salmon to house-made sausage shows dedication to quality that customers immediately recognize and appreciate.
The cozy, candlelit dining room creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for lingering over thoughtfully crafted meals, making it feel like a special occasion even on ordinary weeknights. ✨
The innovative 1894 dinner series honors the building’s history as The Borden Condensed Milk Company through a 10-course meal that maxes out at 20 guests, creating culinary experiences people talk about for months.
The menu’s cultural variety, from shakshuka grits to bulgogi beef to butter chicken, ensures everyone finds something that speaks to their heritage while discovering new flavors.
Food Highlights
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BR Bulgogi Beef Breakfast Skillet: The most popular dish featuring bulgogi beef with house-made hash browns, poached eggs, green onions, sesame seeds, and garlic chili garnish that customers consistently recommend trying with an extra egg. 🍳
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Shakshuka Grits: An innovative fusion combining two poached eggs in slightly spiced rich tomato sauce with creamy Delta Grind stone ground grits that beautifully bridge Middle Eastern and Southern traditions.
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Biscuits & Gravy: Described as absolutely tasty with two buttery, flaky house-made biscuits covered in your choice of pork sausage or creamy mushroom gravy topped with poached eggs. 🥐
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Corned Beef Hash: Made with house-cured corned beef chipped and sizzled with house-made hash browns, topped with poached eggs, showcasing their commitment to making everything from scratch.
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Lox on Toast: Features house-cured salmon under two poached eggs on toasted sourdough with pickled red onions, capers, and house-made garlic dill cream cheese.
- Shrimp & Grits: Features three wild-caught U12 shrimp over Delta Grind grits with creamy Cajun sauce topped with two poached eggs, bringing Louisiana flavors to Jersey City. 🍤
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Crispy Bacon Fried Rice: A popular dish with wok-fired basmati rice tossed with snow peas, bean sprouts, carrots, mushrooms, green onion, bacon, and egg, topped with a poached egg and crispy bacon. 🥓
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Ribeye: A generous 20-ounce ribeye rubbed with house-made seasoning, perfectly prepared, hot, flavorful, not tough at all, served with yucca fries and sautéed snow peas. 🥩
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Scallops over Truffled Fettuccine: Described as fresh, delicious, hot, and flavorful with U-10 diver scallops over pasta in rich truffle cream sauce.
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Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani): Features roasted chicken thigh over jasmine rice topped with creamy butter tomato sauce, bringing authentic Indian flavors to the menu. 🍛
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Mojo Chicken: A Cuban Mojo marinated chicken thigh served over black bean puree with fresh pico de gallo and fried plantain chips alongside jasmine rice.
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Brisket Tacos: Two corn tortilla slow-cooked brisket tacos topped with peanut chipotle, avocado, and pico de gallo.
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Giant Cinnamon Roll: A homemade, fresh, warm, and delicious dessert that’s described as the best cinnamon rolls ever by multiple reviewers. 🥮
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Chocolate Croissant French Toast: Features chocolate croissants dipped in rich cream batter, cooked to golden perfection, and dusted with powdered sugar.
- Fried Chicken Sandwich: Made with pickle juice-brined chicken thigh, hand-battered and flash fried with pickled onion, mixed greens, Jersey tomato, and spicy mayo, served with house-made potato chips 🍗
- Jalapeño Eggrolls: Hot and delicious and not too spicy with a tasty dipping sauce, making them a perfect appetizer to share. 🌶️
Atmosphere
The dining room is cozy and candlelit, but not cramped, creating an intimate yet comfortable environment for all occasions. 🕯️
The vibe is welcoming and warm, with full of happy customers creating an energetic buzz that makes solo diners and groups equally comfortable.
The good beer and wine selection includes a full cocktail bar with happy hour from 3-6 PM, offering half-off everything at the adjacent bar.
Bottom Line
Visit Alyce for a woman-run cafe that defines Jersey City cuisine through diverse cultural influences and Chef Tory Aunspach’s commitment to scratch-made dishes, from house-cured salmon to house-made sausage.
Come for the bulgogi breakfast skillet, that’s the most popular item customers rave about, an intimate 10-course 1894 dinner series exploring culinary identity, and a full cocktail bar with happy hour, making it an all-day destination. 🌟
Address:
641 Montgomery St, Jersey City, NJ 07306
📞 (201) 434-9583
🕔 Open Mon, Wed-Thu, 10 AM–9 PM | Fri, 9 AM–10 PM | Sat, 9 AM–10 PM | Sun, 9 AM–8 PM (Closed Tuesday)