Maxwell Alley FAQs

 

What kind of restaurant is Maxwell Alley? 

 

We are a neighborhood restaurant, serving downtown Jersey City with coffee and breakfast and lunch options, weekend brunch and dinner service every night.  We have a full bar and wine list.  Our menu is modern American, utilizing the freshest and healthiest local ingredients we can find, with virtually everything prepared in-house.  Homemade breads, pastries and pastas.  Fresh made sauces and flavorings.  All house-made, always fresh.

What days are you open?

 

We are open everyday!  Our program and hours are different on different days though, so make sure you check the website or Google for our exact hours.

Do you serve brunch?

 

Yes, we have brunch every Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11AM.

Do you take reservations?

Yes, we use Resy as our reservation platform.  We accept reservations for up to 30 days into the future.  Parties of 6 or less can book their own reservations.  For larger parties, please use our Private Events form on our website or email us at [email protected].

Walk-ins are welcome.  Like most restaurants, we are busiest on weekends and between the hours of 6-9PM.  Walk-ins are encouraged anytime but off-peak hours are best for ensuring that you will get a table or seat at the bar.  The bar is always walk-in only.

Do you host private events?

 

Yes!  We delight in hosting birthday parties, wedding receptions, business dinners, and other private or business events.  We offer full service dining, standing receptions, buffet and family style meals, complete with beverage packages.   Our entire restaurant can be booked for private events up to 100 guests, and we also have a private dining room that can hold 30 guests.   Start by completing our event form at https://maxwell-alley.com/private-events/

Do you allow dogs or other pets in your restaurant?

 

Service animals are welcome at any time.  Jersey City health codes do not allow us to permit other animals, including emotional support animals, inside our restaurant.  Well-mannered dogs are welcome on our patio.

Are you kid and family friendly?

 

Yes, we have highchairs, a kids’ menu and plenty of space for strollers and big families.   We do encourage families with children to come on the earlier side – 5-7PM for dinner and 11AM-12PM for brunch, but children are welcome anytime.

Do you have a liquor license?  Can I bring my own wine (BYOB)?

 

Yes, we do have a liquor license.   We have a full bar, with excellent craft cocktails.  We have a highly creative wine list, curated in collaboration with our fellow wine team at CoolVines, with over 20 wines by the glass as well as a 150+ bottle list.  While we do not encourage BYOB, we do offer it, with a $30 corkage fee.  Please contact us at [email protected] if you wish to bring your own wine.

Do you have outdoor dining?

 

Yes, we have a lovely enclosed patio that is open seasonally.  It has a sunshade but no protection from rain or cold.  We accept reservations and walk-ins for patio seating.  If you book a reservation and the weather at the time of your booking is not conducive to sitting outdoors we will do our best to move you indoors at the earliest possible time.

Do you have take-out and delivery service?

 

Not at the moment but we anticipate offering take out and delivery starting in April of 2026.

I have a special diet – gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian – can you accommodate me? 

 

Our menu, while not specifically tailored for restricted diets, always has options for gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian diners.  Additionally, some, though not all, of our menu items can be modified to accommodate these preferences. In general, though, our pastas and breads are made with wheat flour and are therefore not gluten-free.

Do you have on-site parking?  If not, what are the best parking options nearby?

 

We are in a residential neighborhood and free street parking is available, though it is not guaranteed.   There are several large public parking lots very close to the Grove Street Path station.  From there it is a 5-10 min walk.  We are also easily accessed by Path train from NYC, Hoboken, Newark and other areas.  We are 5 minutes’ walk from the Grove Street station.  Maxwell Alley (the alley itself) offers a very convenient drop off and pick up zone for Uber, Lyft and other ride shares.

Do you have a dress code?

 

While we do not have a formal dress code, we encourage our guests to dress in a smart, but causal manner.  You will see guests at our restaurant dressed in fancy attire, as well as some in very casual attire.  Be yourself but don’t hesitate to go all out with your best outfits and accoutrements!  We love it when you look snazzy!

Do you sell gift cards?

 

Yes, these are available in any amount.  Physical cards can be purchased at the restaurant from our hosts.  Virtual cards can be purchased and emailed to your recipient at www.maxwell-alley.com.

What forms of payment do you accept?  Is there a surcharge/fee for credit cards?

 

We accept most major credit cards, debit cards and cash.  For credit cards, we charge a 2.9% fee, which is less than what we are charged by our credit card processor.  There is no charge for debit cards.