New Jersey has quietly become a great place to chase a good empanada, from small-town counters in Morris County to busy South Jersey storefronts. The best ones share two things: a golden crust and a filling that reaches every corner.
This list covers seven spots that get both parts right, including Argentine shops, a Venezuelan kitchen with gluten-free options, and a few places that bake instead of fry. Some are perfect for a quick solo lunch, while others are great for grabbing a dozen for the family.
Prices stay friendly, menus run from classic beef to Philly cheesesteak fillings, and dessert empanadas show up more often than you might expect. Whether you live near Lodi or Haddon Heights, there is probably a stop on this list closer than you think.
Save it for your next lunch break, or send it to the friend who always asks where to eat.
1. Empanadas NJ, Boonton, NJ
Baked, not fried, is the whole idea at this family-operated Argentine shop on Main Street. The empanadas come out hot, golden, and noticeably heavy with filling, without the greasy finish that fried versions can leave behind.
The menu runs wide, with savory options alongside dessert empanadas. Vegetarian Cuban empanadas and vegan veggie empanadas share space with a Jamaican beef patty, so mixed groups have plenty to choose from.
I like this stop for budget lunches. Prices land in the $1 to $10 per person range, and the casual, quiet counter-service setup makes it easy to eat solo or grab a bag to go.
Coffee is a strong part of the menu too, which helps explain the morning traffic. Hours run 8:30 AM to 8 PM every day of the week.
A few practical notes: the shop does not take reservations, and parking along Main Street can be tricky, so give yourself a minute to circle. Dogs are welcome inside, and delivery is available if you would rather stay home.
2. The Crazy Argentinian Empanadas & Restaurant, Nutley, NJ
Soft, golden dough with a flaky edge is the calling card in Nutley. The fillings are generous without overflowing, and the variety makes it tempting to order five different kinds at once.
Sweet beef, mushroom and cheese, and spinach and cheese are popular picks. The classic beef empanada holds down the savory side, while the Buenos Aires Napolitana gives vegetarians a solid option.
Here is where the place stretches beyond a quick snack. It is a full restaurant with table service, breakfast and brunch, and traditional milanesas, including a milanesa cutlets sandwich.
Pernil shows up on the menu as well.
Save room for dessert. Flan and The Crazy Chocoflan are both standouts, and there are pastries for anyone who wants something to go with coffee.
Hours run late on weekends, until 10 PM Friday and Saturday. Unlike most spots on this list, it accepts reservations, has a kids’ menu, and usually has plenty of parking nearby.
3. Stella’s Empanadas & Argentine Grill, Kearny, NJ
Philly cheesesteak, buffalo chicken, and BBQ pulled pork are not the fillings most people expect at an Argentine grill. Stella’s mixes them right in with the classics, and that playful lineup is a big reason it earns a spot here.
Traditionalists can stick with beef, beef and cheese, spicy beef, or spicy chicken. The mozzarella, garlic, and parsley option and the potato and cheese are easy wins for vegetarians.
The empanadas are made to order with a golden brown crust and a light, soft interior. This is a small, clean, hole-in-the-wall kind of spot on Elm Street, and the focus stays squarely on the food.
Plan ahead on timing. Stella’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM and closed Sunday and Monday, so arriving earlier in the day is the smart move for the freshest batch.
Ordering a dozen is an option, which makes this a handy stop before a game night. There is free Wi-Fi, and catering is available too.
4. Nosh Empanadas, Lawrenceville, NJ
Crispy, crunchy, and flaky all at once, the empanadas at Nosh are built for anyone who cares about texture. Each one is handcrafted and freshly baked, with savory and sweet fillings on the menu.
The Loaded Potato empanada is a strong pick. It is well seasoned and packs plenty of flavor, which is not always a given with a potato filling.
Nosh leans into takeout, and service moves fast. Curbside pickup and delivery are both available, so this works well for a weeknight dinner run.
Staying to eat is possible, too. There is seating inside plus outdoor seating, and dogs are welcome outside.
Parking is one of the easier situations on this list, with a free lot and free street parking. Hours start at 11 AM daily and run until 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, with an earlier 7 PM close on Sundays.
5. Lula’s Empanadas, Haddon Heights, NJ
Station Avenue in Haddon Heights is a pleasant small-town strip, and Lula’s fits right in as a casual lunch or dinner stop.
The pastry is the headline. It bakes up delicate and crispy on the outside, and the fillings are carefully put together, juicy and full of layered flavor.
The menu covers both savory and dessert empanadas, with a full vegetarian lineup. That makes it an easy choice for a group where not everyone eats meat.
Outdoor seating is available, along with dine-in and curbside pickup. Note that Lula’s does not offer delivery, so plan on stopping by.
Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Saturday and 11 AM to 4 PM on Sunday, with Mondays off. Free lot and street parking keep things simple.
6. Que Ricas, Haddon Township, NJ
Gluten-free empanadas with one of the crispiest crusts around? That combination is what sets this Venezuelan kitchen apart from the Argentine spots on this list.
The beef empanadas are a favorite, but the fun is in the variety. Look for the besito empanada and the jawn empanada, a Philly cheesesteak filling that nods to the South Jersey location.
Guasacaca, a bright Venezuelan avocado-based sauce, comes alongside for dipping. The six-for-$15 empanada deal makes it easy to sample several fillings.
Beyond empanadas, the handmade arepas, cachapa, tajadas, and gluten-free yuca fries are all worth a look. Pabellon plates come with shredded beef or chorizo, and gluten-free churros cover dessert.
Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu. Que Ricas is closed Mondays, open 11 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 6 PM Sunday.
7. Empanadas NJ Cafe, Lodi, NJ
A sign promising empanadas baked fresh daily hangs at this Lodi cafe, and the kitchen backs it up. Orders arrive hot, quickly, and packed with meat or cheese.
The pulled pork empanada is a strong choice, as is Italian sausage. The spinach empanada covers vegetarians, and house chimichurri adds a kick.
Prices stay friendly, with a three-for-$12 setup making a filling lunch easy on the wallet. Jamaican beef patties and an extra-large ham and cheese croissant round out the counter.
As the sister location to the Boonton shop, it shares the same baked approach, but leans more toward cafe life with premium coffee and breakfast.
Open 8 AM to 8 PM every day, it has a free lot and street parking, plus dogs are welcome inside.
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