Bread & Salt

435 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307, United States
+1 201-500-7338
$$$ Bakery , Coffee shop , Italian grocery store , Restaurant
(561 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Bread & Salt sits on Palisade Avenue in Jersey City’s Heights neighborhood, blending an Italian bakery, a coffee shop, a grocery, and a casual restaurant into one focused spot. The vibe feels informal but crafted — a place where local residents can drop in for a morning espresso, grab a thoughtfully made sandwich for lunch, or pick up pantry essentials with an Italian twist.

Many come specifically for their coffee offerings and pastries earlier in the day. It’s the kind of place where you might enjoy a well-pulled cappuccino or a latte macchiato alongside a seasonal pastry like a ricotta and lemon curd brioche. The front counter hums with steady activity, and you’ll often find a line around midday, reflecting a steady crowd mostly local to the Heights and nearby neighborhoods.

Lunch leans toward fresh Italian-inspired sandwiches and slices of pizza by the slice, such as their pepperoni or the red sauce–based Pizza Rossa. The focaccia sandwiches, especially those with mozzarella and prosciutto or fennel salami and pecorino, carry the kind of straightforward quality that makes you linger on the crispness of the bread and the balance of toppings. Seasonal soups and rotating specials, like chickpea soup or citrus salad, offer an extra layer of variety for those coming back more than once in a week.

Atmosphere-wise, the space feels honest and unpretentious, mixing a bit of urban hustle with warmth — staff are often described as knowledgeable and friendly, giving recommendations that reflect an attention to quality ingredients. While some mention that lunch service can be slow during busy times, the communal mood remains laid-back rather than rushed, making it a spot where locals might catch up with friends or pick up a meal to go on their way.

For visitors, Bread & Salt works best as a casual stop for a coffee break or a straightforward Italian-style meal that doesn’t stray far from everyday comfort. It’s an especially good fit for those familiar with Italian flavors or looking for a reliable, no-frills spot in a neighborhood not often known for standout dining. Early visits are ideal if you want pastries and coffee, while lunchtime is for sandwiches and pizza slices if you don’t mind a bit of a wait on busy days.

What they serve
Serves coffee
Best for
Serves breakfast
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Parking
Free of charge street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

Closed

Friday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

561 Reviews
C

02 Jan 2026

I don’t know what they put into their stuff, but truly every time we have gone, we are very satisfied. The bombolini, focaccia, tortas - all so good, flavorful & well seasoned. Kind staff with great recommendations. Even my harshest critics have loved everything I’ve brought home from here!

Matthew Guido

17 Dec 2025

The best in the business. The attention to detail is extraordinary. They bring in the top ingredients and a staff to match. There can be a line but well worth it. Good things come To those who wait. Thanks to Nick, Alberto, Paul, Rick and anyone I missed

Dominique Marevai

06 Dec 2025

Got a prosciutto & mozzarella sandwich…literally tasted exactly like a sandwich I had in Italy. So delicious. Bread was perfectly crispy, mozzarella & prosciutto super fresh and soft…honestly exceeded my expectations a LOT.

Liz

20 Nov 2025

I love coming here whenever I’m in the Heights because there’s always something new on the menu. If you’re grabbing a bite around lunchtime, you cant beat the focaccia and sandwiches– but the rotating soups/stews on the menu are like a hidden gem. If you come earlier, get one of their delicious cappuccinos and a sampling of pastries. Pictured is a brioche filled with fresh ricotta and lemon curd. Just perfect!

joseph moon

09 Nov 2025

A shining light in a sea of death. This area is not a good place to eat or drink. Sub par food, terrible ambience, I sincerely do not understand how business can stay afloat here with such mediocre food. Except this place. Amazing donuts and high quality goods. The lunch takes forever to come out and is meh. The metrics are also weird. You have 5 people in front while only 2 in the back cooking? They’re open fri-sun, limited time slot, usually long lines but it’s worth it. The coffee, pastries, and ingredients are high quality. They just need to fix their service and signage (don’t know what the hell things are sometimes) and they will continue to be a Goliath in the dearth desert known as jersey city heights.

Ray Yin

26 Oct 2025

Omg incredible experience! I live in the Heights and love how conveniently close this unique eatery is to our place. My partner and I come here pretty often to pickup food; they had a special today - bread with a puree of tiny fish and spicy tomato sauce. It was incredible - a spicy flavor explosion in my mouth!! Overall, the quality of everything on their menu is exceptional. I always keep coming back for their specials. If you appreciate an eatery that prioritizes nuanced and deep flavors + quality above all else, this is your place and is money well spent!

William M.

16 Oct 2025

Bread and Salt = Fat and Happy! The focaccia is simply phenomenal and the bread, donuts, pastries and house-made Italian desserts are fantastic. You might spend a bit of money but it's well worth the quality of ingredients and the care taken with the baking process.

Join the Bread & Salt Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.