Classic neighborhood spot. We went on a Sunday around noon as a party of three without reservation, put our name on the waiting list, and were seated in about 20-25 min, which wasn't bad at all. The service was friendly and attentive throughout our meal. We started with the French onion soup, although it arrived at the same time as our entrees instead of beforehand. Even so, it ended up being my favorite dish of the meal. Rich and flavorful. For my entree, I ordered the steak and eggs. It was decent, but the quality of the steak wasn't quite what I expected. My mom had the chicken salad, which she said was satisfying, and my husband ordered the eggs, ham, toast and French fries, a solid classic breakfast that he enjoyed. We also had a side of bacon that were tasty and crunchy just I liked them. Overall, Elysian Cafe had a cozy neighborhood atmosphere and good service that makes it a pleasant place to spend a.weekend brunch. That said, I found some of the food to be underwhelming. If you're looking for a charming local bistro, it's worth a visit, but if your main priority is exceptional food, there are stronger brunch options in Hoboken . read more

Elysian Cafe - Steak and Eggs with French fries and French Onion Soup - New American Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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We went here for a special event with a tasting menu and wine pairing and had so much fun. The vibes of the place are great and there is a combination of modern pub with some classic design elements and molding on the walls and ceiling. The menu we had was specific to the tasting even but all made by the same everyday chef. The first course was white asparagus with a hollandaise sauce and that was so tender and delicious but light enough that I wasn't full at all. The second course was halibut with risotto and crab and there was so much meatiness. It was my favorite place and the flavors went so well together. Next was grilled oysters and I've never liked oysters but these were amazing! The bacon and breadcrumbs that had a slight lemon flavor went so well with the oysters. Next was lamb loin with stewed white beans and carrots. The lamb was medium rare, I could have skipped the beans but that's me. Dessert was a strawberry Terrine which was full of fresh and authentic strawberry flavor. I would come back and try their normal menu and also do a tasting again as it was delicious and reasonably priced. read more

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Have to say, I've tried this place out a couple of times, and sadly I continue to be unimpressed with the food. Yesterday, my family and I came for breakfast/brunch. We ordered the lobster roll, the caesar salad, eggs benedict, french toast, and french onion soup. So a nice variety of different dishes. The only thing that didn't taste average was the French onion soup. It's not a terrible place to dine for breakfast, but I'm just saying there are probably better options in Hoboken. Service is great as always, though! read more

Elysian Cafe - New American Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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Nice brunch, no complaints. Interior of restaurant is vintage styled and well maintained original architecture. Cute outdoor seating area. I enjoyed their lobster roll, served with a nice size salad and tasty fries. Great location, will be back. read more

I was a bit underwhelmed by the variety of options since it was very sandwich focused and I was looking for something light without it being a salad. Landed on the fish and chips and a burger. The fish was cooked incredibly but it needed salt and the batter was too thick for my liking, it overshadowed the fish. The burger was good, but nothing to really write home to. My drink was SO strong that I couldn't drink it. Flavors were good but it was pure liquor (which I'm sure others wouldn't mind!) Service wasn't bad, our waiter was nice, but it did take a long time to get our check. It's worth trying out again for some of their specialty items, but more lackluster than I expected after wanting to come for years! The ambiance is what really takes the cake. Elegant but cozy with lots of green. read more

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A neighborhood gem. Great food and it's beautiful inside. Excellent service too. Beautiful outdoor seating

We came for our somewhat weekly bogo Monday dinner. As always, no disappointment here! I was shocked at how delicious the avocado and artichoke salad was. The prime sandwich was flavorful, fresh and hearty. I didn't try the fish tacos but my boyfriend said they were a bit soggy and oily. He was upset but probably wouldn't order them again. To no surprise, great staff and service and always a pleasant atmosphere. read more

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Elysian Cafe is a wonderful place to grab brunch at with my Jersey friends. I rarely go to Hoboken anymore, but I wanted to check out my good friend's restaurant for so many years now and finally got around to do it! The exterior is gorgeous as well as the interior with all of its original molding and designs on the ceiling. I am a huge fan of that! The service was great and the food was amazing. I went with the steak and eggs and my friend went with oatmeal and then we shared an order of French toast and bacon. Everything was exceptional. Highly recommend coming here for a meal if you're ever in Hoboken! read more

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We love this place! We have been many times. We have not been in a while, but finally got back there tonight. The food is always excellent! My husband is obsessed with the cheese platter and the steak frites. We met a new waiter named Benny who was very nice and helped me figure out what gluten free options to get. The hero of the night was Manuel. He came to our aid when a girl who bought us a drink and took our appetizer dishes, never replaced our silverware. Manuel was very apologetic and quickly got us silverware. He was very nice and friendly as well! All in all it was a great meal and we will be back soon! read more

Elysian Cafe - Chicken & veggies - New American Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

French Onion soup was outstanding 5 stars Bangers aka Sausage delicious 4.5.26' Easter Brunch read more

I have wanted to come here for years and finally did just that when randomly in the area. I always see it so busy which is enough to turn me away when super hungry. However, on this lucky day it was early enough I hadn't hit the rush that showed up after I had sat down. We ended up sitting outside Al Fresco and let me tell you! The staff were super attentive, and the food was so good. My steak was perfect at a medium finish and the fries were fried to perfection that I couldn't stop eating them. My sandwich was also simple but flavorful, I'll never turn down a ham&cheese. read more

Elysian Cafe - Steak & Eggs - New American Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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A Hoboken favorite for me! The atmosphere is lovely, food is always delicious. And on Mondays their 2 for 1 menu always hits. Huge discount with a lot of options. Even if you don't go on Monday though it's worth paying full price for the delicious food and cocktails. I highly recommend making a reservation in advance. read more

Elysian Cafe - Chicken sandwich and brisket Mac and cheese - New American Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Amazing brunch. Generous portions it was like even better than I remember the drinks and the service were very good

A dear friend sent me a text recently with a link to Elysian Cafe and as soon as I saw photos of the interior, I was IN. I love old architecture and interior design and having brunch in a restaurant that is in a space that was once a hair salon during prohibition was right up my alley! I did not have a reservation, but the staff was very cool about making one for about a half hour later (when my friend would arrive). Once I went inside I was in love with the interior. The bar is all wood and has an elaborate and ornate design that you just don't see in modern construction anymore. Across from the bar are a few seats for 2-3 person parties. Go deeper into the restaurant and you have the main dining area which can easily fit 20+ people. There is also outdoor seating right now (in the summer) creating another 15+ seats (based on a rough count). My friend and I sat in the back room and it's really stunning! The ceiling has beautiful designs on it and gorgeous retro style light fixtures. The walls have sculpted designs in them (including a feline head roaring). It really feels like stepping back in time. Service is fantastic. The waitstaff, the bus boys and the host are all super attentive and friendly. Our food was prepared quickly and they were very cool about bringing extra items I asked for including a cup of ice (it was HOT outside). My friend and I shared two dishes and I had one additional dish on my own. Here's what we had: Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal (Dried Seasonal Fruit Compote, Brown Sugar) I am a big fan of oatmeal and I was in the mood for it so I had to try this. I must say, this was some of the best oatmeal I've had in ages. The actual oatmeal itself was perfectly cooked with a nice chew. The compote was perfectly sweet and the fruit made it nice and hearty. That said, I would have cut the apricots into smaller pieces. to better distribute it in the oatmeal itself. Either way, if you dig oatmeal, definitely get this dish. Steak & Eggs (Grilled Skirt Steak, Two Eggs, Lyonnaise Potatoes or Pommes Frites, White Toast) There's a bit of customization with this dish. We had the steak medium rare and the eggs over easy. We chose the Potatoes over the Frites. The steak was perfectly seasoned and cooked (I wound up cutting it with a butter knife without issue). The potatoes were tasty and the toast was handy in absorbing the delicious yolk from the eggs. We did have to get extra toast as we only got one slice. Cinnamon-Amaretto French Toast (Strawberry Sauce, Sausage, Ham or Bacon) We ordered this dish with the bacon, and that was definitely the way to go. The bacon was wonderfully crisp and tasty with a hint of sweetness. The French Toast itself was good. Not the best I've ever had, but definitely good flavor and a nice amount of syrup helped. Overall I loved my experience at Elysian Cafe. I'm very much looking forward to returning! read more

I love the place and I will always do so. But posting for the management to notice. Cracked coffee cups, broken water glasses that spilled water and even a noticeably long hair strand in the food (that could have flown in of course as it was open seating). Also the staff seemed distracted - it was busy of course. Wishing that they keep doing well and stay nice. The experience overall is still very positive. read more

Elysian Cafe - Cracked cup - New American Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

This restaurant sucks. Do not go here. After I went, everyone said I should have got the chicken sandwich. Why do you open a restaurant to only serve one good thing......... The muscles were disgusting, I could only imagine what the raw oysters looked like. The chefs special pork was all breadcrumbs, very dry. The steak frites didn't even come with a sauce.... Let alone the quality of the meat. read more

My go to spot. Best burger in Hoboken, hands down! Bartenders are awesome and super attentive. Adriana our server, is the best!!

We arrived on a Saturday for a late brunch although we didn't have a reservation. Upon arrival, the hostess told us that she could squeeze us in, but we'd have to be sure to leave within an hour and a half because the table was reserved for someone else. Although there were 4 of us, I knew we could make this happen! The restaurant itself is super cute! I loved the atmosphere as it reminded me of some of the cafes and restaurants I've been to in Paris. There was a baby shower taking place in the private area in the back, so that's good to note. As for the food, it was pretty good! Nothing extraordinary, although I did love the potatoes that I ordered with my omelette. The service was quick, which was super helpful for us to ensure that we were finished on time so as not to get the hostess in trouble. Whew! All in all, a great brunch with our friends. Thanks, Elysian Cafe! read more

I came here with my friend for brunch on a Saturday morning. We made reservations for 10:30am. By 11:30am, the place was packed, so definitely plan accordingly! We sat outside because the inside of the restaurant was very cold, I had an egg white omelette, which comes with some fruit and the choice between lyonnaise potatoes or French fries. The food was delicious and reasonably priced, and the staff were great! read more

Steak Fries $36 Don't come here for steak, it's doesn't taste good... I ordered medium rare and came medium / medium well. I can't really get the beef taste, texture wise it's quite chewy, and it's not seasoned well, you have to add salt & pepper yourself. The thyme butter doesn't really add much. read more

Elysian Cafe - Steak Frites - New American Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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A solid mid-level choice for brunch or a dinner. If you appreciate the historic nature of the decor, it's worth a try. It's not the fanciest and the food is "good." It has a charm that many appreciate. I consider it solid mid-level all around. There is a nice bar for those seeking cocktails. Not far from the north side of town, and a pretty long walk from the Path Train. Not really that convenient if coming in via Path. read more

One of my favorite restaurants on Washington Street in Hoboken. What's not to like about a Parisian-influenced restaurant featuring a casual ambiance in a historic space, great service, and freshly-prepared, tasty food that's very reasonably priced? Elysian Cafe is a modern neighborhood tavern that's very popular with regular customers from the neighborhood -- brunch outings with a fully-stocked bar and knowledgeable bartenders, families seeking a quick meal comprised of tasty and filling meals at a very reasonable price, or couples looking for a quick 'date night' in the neighborhood. Elysian Cafe has an extensive menu that strikes a rare balance with equal emphasis on simple, casual, and made-to-order dishes on the "Bar Menu" and upscale dishes on the "Premier Plat" and "Entree" sections of the menu served by genuinely friendly staff. My 'go to' dish at Elysian Cafe is the Grilled Chicken Sandwich ($17), a very generous serving of perfectly charred grilled chicken with bacon, lettuce, tomato, herb mayonnaise, and avocado slices served on rosemary focaccia with a side of french fries. YUM. My dining companion is a big fan of the Smoked Salmon Club Sandwich ($22), with what feels like a pound of smoked salmon and avocado served on focaccia with a side garden salad. One of my favorite places in the area and a great option for a casual meal with friends or family. Will be back soon. PRO TIP: Elysian Cafe doesn't have a private parking lot, but there is plenty of on-street parking off Washington Street. Bring change or use the ParkMobile app for the meters ($6 per hour) Monday through Saturday from 9am til 9pm; all street meters are free Monday through Saturday after 9pm and all day on Sunday. read more

Cozy little place- reading the other reviews wish I would have looked around at the decor. However, we sat by the bar in the first room. Had the burger that came out raw- but didn't ask them to cook it more even if I asked for medium. It really had no taste at all but raw. The fries were not crispy but also raw on the bottom of the cylinder cup. The staff was courteous and there for extra ketchup, etc. There's specials each night. Tuesday you can save $10 on children. I found that a steep price for babies on a Wednesday when its mussels half price. Their menu offers a wide variety of foods. The short ribbed Mac/cheese looked good but I didn't want the calories. Bathroom was clean but not fond of the old fashioned air blower hand dryer. Very unhappy there was no soap in the bathroom. read more

I can't believe it's been since 2013 since I last reviewed this place. Let me start off with Tommy the bartender as making this experience beyond expectations. The food, service and vibes make this French cafe a gem of Hoboken. Simply good food and a high quality ingredients make it exceptional. Note it's the oldest continually operated bar restaurant in Hoboken for a reason! read more

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This place was cute and the food was good. Service was good, the smoked salmon club was delicious. We also had fantastic lighting from our table by the window so all the food looked even more amazing read more

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I am a lifelong resident of Hudson County. I've listen to so many wonderful things about Elysian throughout my whole life, and yet never had the opportunity to eat here until a few days ago. My expectations were understandably high, but my parents (lifelong residents of Hoboken, NJ) warned me that this place may not be all its cracked up to me. I'm sorry to say they were right. I am so genuinely bummed and disappointed with my experience at Elysian. I'm a bit gobsmacked at these stellar 5-star reviews and wonder if the people who've eaten here actually have taste buds. My biggest complaint is the food, hands down. I wanted to be blown away. I was not. And being that the bill was nearly 500 dollars, I needed to be blown away and it was not even remotely memorable - in fact, it was forgettable. There are several better restaurants in the area that I would choose over this place. Some pros - the interior is lovely, and it's hard not to be in awe at the beauty of this preserved space. You immediately notice the classic decor, warm wood, and plastered high ceilings coming in...the restaurant is immediately eye catching, and makes for a very charming dining experience. Beyond the bar area is another separate, small dining room. The service was also fine. Not spectacular, but suitable. My one friend had some intense dietary restrictions and the waitress handled everything with poise. I just wish she would have taken an order for another round of drinks instead of having us wave her down. Also, I did like that we received both the bar menu and the classics menu upon sitting down. The bar menu was more my speed, but I love a good steak frites and I know Elysian is known for just that. We began with drinks (the cocktails are admittedly creative, even at the standard 15 dollars a pop) and ordered some apps. I opted for the French onion soup and some of my tablemates got the mussels in white wine that came with frites. I'm not a mussel girl, but I am a fry thief, and I happened to sneak some from my friend's plate because the mussels came with fries. They were fine, but disappointly from a bag. I would expect Elysian to have a fry option with little more pizazz like hand-cut fries. (After all, if you're doing 'fancy French,' a true hand-cut fry can go a long way.) Also, the French onion soup was fine - again, not mind blowing, because any solid NJ diner can make a fantastic French onion soup for a lot less. Now for the entrees...to me, they were the most disappointing of the lot. Three members of our table opted for steak frites - while it did come with a ton of fries, the steak itself just seemed mediocre and tough. Two members asked for steaks medium-rare and for sure got medium / medium well, and one steak was so tough that a member of my party literally could not cut through it. It ended up BOUNCING out of the plate and on to her lap because she could not cut it. As for me, I opted for the chicken sandwich - grilled chicken, bacon, avocado, and herb mayo. The chicken was positively bland and had zero flavor. While it was clearly fresh, thinly pounded chicken, there was absolutely no seasoning on it whatsoever. Apparently, it was served on homemade focaccia - and my goodness, the break was so stogie and stale that I literally left most of it on the plate and just ate the bacon and avocado in the middle. On top of all this, they added a 20% gratuity to our party of 5. Didn't love that. I'm a fairly generous tipper but I don't think the service warranted 20 percent - 18, sure, but not 20. Also, their credit card fee was over $10.00 which is insane. I know my gripes are not the worst a restaurant could offer, and I could give this three stars, but I just can't bring myself to do it. After seeing the plethora of five star reviews...I am scratching my head. How? As my parents said, it's not all its cracked up to be. When a reputation proceeds you, you have to knock it out of the park every time. A well-known staple like Elysian should be spectacular out of the gate, especially for the money that I'm shelling out, and this just was not it. read more

Great food. Perfect crispy fries! Service was good. Lovely ambiance. Would recommend. read more

Elysian Cafe - Fish and Chips - New American Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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The service is great ! Place is small and the food mediocre. The Caesar salad was dry and French toast was burnt. Nothing French in this establishment. read more

We went to enjoy a holiday lunch together and festive ambiance added a great touch. We both had the prime rib sandwich with the French onion soup. The sandwich wasn't as hot as I would have liked it but it was tasty. The soup was probably one of the most flavorful for French Onion. The pomme frites we added as a side could have been better for a French restaurant, it was more like shoestring fries. Definitely worth a visit. read more

Just a quick lunch...first time; outdoors. Fish and chips...served hot and crispy (fish)...batter was heavy but "frys out" and you can eat all or none as you wish, to go with the perfectly cooked (not overcooked) inside. fries were great too Side of string greens and salad were also perfectly cooked and presented. Service was very good even with the novice waitstaff. read more

They need a new chef. The food is seriously under seasoned and not worth eating. Huge disappointment. It used to be a go to place. Not anymore. read more

Great drinks and dinner! I had the largest Caesar salad with chicken I've ever had for a very reasonable price. Everyone in my party enjoyed their food and drinks and service was very good. read more

I've been here a couple of times for the special event wine pairings. Have enjoyed both times, though it gets pricey to do every month, at $100 a pop. Very good food, fine wines, and a nice touch with the backgrounds on each vino. read more

Grilled Chicken! Garlic Parm Truffle Fries?!?!???! Yes!!!! Whether a private or business lunch or dinner or cocktail hour... this place delivers!!! read more

Elysian Cafe - Bar area - New American Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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We were looking for a cute place to sit and eat in Hoboken and saw Elysian Cafe. I've always seen the name and heard people talk about so we decided to give it a try. We ordered the chicken Ceasar salad and the Elysian steak sandwich. The steak sandwich was really good, the bread was crispy and fresh and the steak seasoning was good. However it was far too much cheese and the steak wasn't cooked evenly. The chicken Ceasar salad was disappointing; the chicken didn't have any flavor, not even salt, and was chewy/rubbery. The restaurant was somewhat clean, the bathroom didn't have toilet paper. Overall service was quite slow to order and get the bill but the food came quickly. read more

Elysian Cafe - Elysian Steak Sandwich - New American Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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Soda is $2.50 dollars for a cup of ice with a little bit of soda in it and no free refills. I'm not aware of many restaurants that don't give free refills on soda these days, but there are a few so I had asked a waitress if they do refills before ordering a second one and she said yes. When the bill finally came I was charged $5 for two sodas, which were a small glass with mostly ice and a couple sips of soda in it. I Mentioned it to the waitress and she just said oh yeah that's five dollars is $2.50 per soda. that was it. Won't be going back. Food was ok but prices a bit steep (even for Hoboken) and service was slow even though most of the tables in the room were empty. Didn't notice the interesting decor people talked about. read more

Mami's Margarita & Mussels & Frites. That's all you need to know! Time and time again my husband and I come to Hoboken, with the intentions of going to a new restaurant. 9/10 times we end up back at Elysian. You just can't beat it! If the weather is good we almost always sit outside. It's decorated so nicely! Come in the evening and you can enjoy the string lights. The employees are always kind and service is prompt. We will always go back to Elysian Cafe! read more

Elysian Cafe - Mami's Margarita - New American Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Dog food ahh, don't eat here Service and everything else was good just not the food. Improve food quality. I'm eating at Napoli's now read more

Elysian Cafe - Steak & Eggs - New American Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

The food is so good here! The service is fantastic too. We sit outside with our dog sometimes too. The house salad is amazing! So is the chicken sandwich! I highly recommend! read more

Our first visit! Belated birthday brunch!! Loved the decor! Great service! Brunch was yummy! Recommend! Free street parking on Sunday! read more

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