There are enough things to stress about for a first date or reunion with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. A loud restaurant making it difficult to hear about their favorite spot for an espresso martini in Hoboken or go-to route for a jog around Jersey City shouldn’t be one of your concerns when you sit down for your meal. Avoid straining to hear the server list dinner specials and asking the rest of your dinner party to repeat themselves for a fifth time by choosing a restaurant with a reasonable volume level. There are dozens of excellent spots around Hoboken and Jersey City that serve great food and provide a comfortable environment where you won’t have to shout across the table. We saw the New York Times do this and wanted to create our very own version for Hoboken + Jersey City.

Serving up Middle Eastern-inspired foods, Ali Baba has a welcoming and quiet environment. It’s BYOB and the menu is full of dips, sandwiches, and salads.

Amanda’s serves dinner Wednesday through Saturday and brunch on weekends. The restaurant has been part of the Hoboken community for over three decades. All year round, musicians will come to perform live, setting the scene for a nice meal with loved ones. Plus, guests can sit outside when the weather is nice.

A brunch staple in Hoboken, Anthony David’s has a comfortable environment to enjoy a meal with friends and family. The establishment has been open for over 15 years, serving Italian classics and New American creations. 

This casual restaurant is a great spot to break bread with a fun group of friends. No, really; everyone needs to try any of the bread, but definitely the Traditional Hoboken Italian Bread. The chill environment makes it so the entire party can hear each other without having to worry about yelling across the table.

For those lucky enough to get a table, Augustinos is a Hoboken favorite. This cash-only Italian restaurant serves up pasta, fish, and meat dishes. The music and commotion aren’t too loud, so diners won’t have to yell at each other to pass the meatballs.

This sushi bar on Washington Street serves fresh sushi and smiles. Plus, it has a separate area for hibachi, so the lunch and dinner shows won’t distract other diners.

This spot is “a melting pot of Parisian and North African culture and cuisine.” On weekends, there’s live jazz and soul music, which could raise the noise levels in the restaurant. Visit at the start of the week for a more low-key vibe.

This is a nice spot for a cocktail or a meal with a friend. The crowd can get lively, but guests are still able to have a nice conversation without yelling over the noise.

Cafe Michelina is another BYOB restaurant in Hoboken. It has both outdoor and indoor seating for those looking to get away from the chaos of the city. The family-owned restaurant has been serving delicious Italian food since 1994.

Traditional Cuban and Latin foods are served at this casual spot on Willow Avenue. On weekends, there’s a special brunch menu to pair well with one of the many cocktails on the menu.

Court Street has been serving classic American dishes since 1981 in Hoboken. The white-tablecloth space creates a cozy space that doesn’t get too loud. People can enjoy a pleasant conversation with friends and family while enjoying a glass of wine or two over a delicious meal.

Stepping through the doors of this classic steakhouse is like stepping back in time. Some of the details include a 150-year-old clock, stained glass designs, and a tin ceiling. There is live music on weekends, so for a quieter meal, visit during the start of the week.

This is the oldest continually operated bar and restaurant in Hoboken. Whether a crew is sitting at the bar or at one of the tables in the dining room, the noise levels are quiet enough to share a story or two.

This BYOB spot on Jefferson Street has a ton of pasta options for guests to enjoy in a welcoming environment. It has a cozy interior and a great menu. Whether guests are on a date or just catching up with a friend, they won’t have to raise their voice to be heard above the noise.

A grand Italian restaurant on Grand Street. Diners won’t have to worry about shouting over each other in this Italian spot, as long as they don’t visit on weekend nights with live music.

Gotan serves Mediterranean foods in a cozy coffeehouse setting. For those looking to have a coffee chat with friends or colleagues, this spacious restaurant keeps the volume at a reasonable level so no one misses any details of the conversation.

For a fun pizza night, Johnny Pepperoni is the place to be in Hoboken. This spot has the classic red and white checkered tablecloths and a menu full of Italian eats. Plus, the large restaurant’s space and outdoor seating mean people can speak at a normal volume to chat and place their orders.

For those looking for some Indian food, Karma Kafe serves up authentic eats in a comfortable environment. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating, so no one at the table will miss a detail of the conversation.

This Hoboken favorite serves traditional Cuban food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The small space is BYOB friendly and has a welcoming environment. While it may be on Washington Street, the space is quiet enough that parties can hear each other without having to yell over the traffic and pedestrian noise outside.

This is a homey breakfast and lunch spot serving classic Latin comfort foods. The cozy place is covered in beautiful flowers and keeps the volume at a quiet level, so the waiter won’t have to shout to share the specials of the day.

Leo’s has been serving authentic Italian food in Hoboken since 1939. Good food and good service are what guests can expect when they walk into the restaurant. Plus, it doesn’t get too loud, which makes for a comfortable dining experience.

The vibe at Martha’s in Uptown Hoboken is casual and friendly, making it a lovely setting for a girl’s lunch or family dinner. The well-lit restaurant keeps the noise levels pretty low, so shouting isn’t necessary.

Olivia’s is an Instagram-worthy spot on the corner of Garden and 11th streets. It has a welcoming vibe where guests can enjoy the company of their parties and not worry about having to yell over any loud noises. It’s a lovely spot for a nice dinner or a brunch with the girls on weekends.

This Japanese eatery serves sushi, noodle soups, and other Asian inspired dishes. It’s a good spot to visit for a calm and relaxed meal with friends or a date.

For pizza night, visit San Giuseppe for a taste of the coal-fired pizzas and traditional Italian dishes. The restaurant has a welcoming vibe, and for those looking for a private space, the private space in the back is great for a special event.

Sirenetta serves fresh seafood and provides a fun environment for a fun girls’ night or a cute first date. The noise levels aren’t too loud, so conversations flow easily in this space over some fresh oysters or lobster biscuits.

This inviting family-run restaurant is a fun spot for a seafood meal in Hoboken. The menu features classic cocktails, oysters, and other raw-bar eats. There’s a good energy in this space, making it easy to hear other people at the table.

Zack’s serves up delicious burgers, salads, and other mains all day long. There’s seating inside and outside, so guests can avoid the street noise or embrace the quiet buzz of Willow Avenue.

Cellar 335 is a nice spot to visit before heading to a concert or show at White Eagle Hall. The menu is mostly Asian inspired cuisine. HG pro tip: Split the Charred Edamame with a friend over a glass (or two) of white wine.

Located in the heart of the family-friendly Hamilton Park neighborhood is Chickie’s. The menu is full of tasty Italian dishes, and the charming restaurant has plenty of space inside and outside for a catch-up with a group of friends or a lovely dinner date.

On the corner of Barrow and Mercer is Franklin Social. This cozy spot has a reasonable volume level, so everyone in the party won’t have to yell over each other while enjoying their burgers and drinks.

The Hutton is a restaurant and bar in The Heights. There is live Irish music on Sundays and other live events during the week, so make sure to check the schedule online before going to make sure you get a quiet night. But, its backyard space has a tranquil, secret-garden vibe all the time.

This spot in McGinley Square serves Italian foods like pizza, pasta, and meatballs. The restaurant space is quaint and lively, making it a nice setting for a good meal with good friends.

Laico’s is another great Italian restaurant in this part of Hudson County. It first opened in the 1970s and continues to serve the Jersey City community plenty of pastas, pizzas, and more classic Italian dishes. The restaurant is lively but still has a reasonable volume to enjoy a good dinner conversation.

This tavern serves lunch and dinner during the week and has a brunch menu on weekends. It’s located in Paulus Hook and provides a welcoming environment for a good meal with family and friends.

This spot has beautiful views of Manhattan without all the noise of the city. Lokal has a large dining room with plenty of space, plus an outdoor patio for a quiet sunset dinner and drinks. HG pro tip: stop by with a group of friends during Happy Hour Monday through Sunday from 4PM- 6PM for $1 oysters.

It’s been called New York’s Best Pizza. This pizza restaurant in Downtown Jersey City is a lovely spot for a good conversation over good food and wine. Lucky enough to score a reservation, will enjoy some wood-fired pizzas.

This is a Cuban restaurant nestled in the heart of the Hamilton Park neighborhood. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, ideal for a cozy meal inside or happy hour drinks outside on the patio.

Satis is a charming European-style cafe in Jersey City that serves dinner during the week and brunch on weekends. There is plenty of seating both inside and outside for when the weather is nice. For those looking to host a party without loud music bumping, consider booking a private event for a special occasion.

There are two White Star locations in Jersey City, and both have reasonable volumes for conversation over some burgers and fries. The casual neighborhood spots serve American food and have a list of different craft cocktails.