A good tamale is a small package with a big job. It has to carry generations of family cooking inside a corn husk or banana leaf, and the best ones in New Jersey do exactly that.
This list covers seven shops across the state, from a Passaic tamaleria with a bold motto to an Oaxacan market in Lawrenceville that makes its own tortillas. Some are full restaurants, while others are bakeries, grocery stores, and tortillerias where tamales show up next to bread, produce, or fresh masa.
You will find Mexican styles, a Colombian specialist, early morning openings, and at least one spot that saves its tamales for the weekend. Each stop earned its place for a specific reason, whether that is a rare flavor, a late closing time, or a menu that goes well beyond the basics.
Grab a cooler bag and start planning your route.
1. Doñas Tamaleria & More, Passaic, NJ
Any shop that calls itself the Casa de las mera meras tamaleras is making a bold promise. Roughly translated, it means the home of the truest tamale makers, and this small Passaic business puts that claim right on its storefront.
The flavor that gets people talking is the zarzamora tamale. Zarzamora means blackberry, so this is a sweet tamale that stands apart from the savory fillings most shops focus on.
I would grab one for dessert and a few savory ones for the actual meal.
Doñas sits at 80 Market St, and it opens at 7 AM every day of the week, closing at 6 PM. That makes it an easy breakfast stop.
The setup is casual and quiet, with counter service, some seating, and table service when you want to stay.
Most people seem to take their tamales home, and the shop makes that simple with takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery. Prices typically land between $10 and $20 per person.
A quick tip on timing: Saturdays, Sunday afternoons, and Monday mornings tend to be the busiest. Street parking is paid, so keep some change or a parking app ready.
2. Pasteleria El Payaso, Camden, NJ
Late-night tamales are rare, so a bakery open until 10:30 PM every day deserves attention. Pasteleria El Payaso on Federal Street in Camden keeps its doors open from 7 AM until well after dinner.
The shop is a Mexican bakery first, with fresh bread, cakes, and self-serve pastries you pick yourself. The tamales are the reason it lands on this list, though.
People make the trip from nearby towns like Deptford just to load up on tamales and sweet bread together.
That pairing is the smart move here. Grab a few tamales, add a bag of pan dulce, and pick up a coffee for the ride home.
Keep in mind this is a takeout spot with no dine-in seating and no delivery. Plan on a quick in-and-out visit.
The bakery also has a clean, well-kept reputation, which matters when you are choosing pastries off open trays.
Weekday mornings are the calmest time to stop by. Sundays stay busy from morning to evening, and Saturday nights pick up too.
Expect to spend around $10 to $20 per person.
3. Tortillería Los Comales LLC, Perth Amboy, NJ
Weekend planners, this one is for you. Tortillería Los Comales sells tamales on Saturdays and Sundays, and that schedule has turned it into a regular weekend habit for many Perth Amboy families.
The shop is a tortilleria at heart, which means masa and corn are the daily business. Tamales fit naturally into that world, since they start with the same foundation.
You will find it at 182 Fayette St. Hours run from 6 AM to 7 PM daily, so an early weekend run is very doable. Sunday mornings into the afternoon are the busiest stretch, so arriving early gives you the best shot at your favorite fillings.
This is a quick shopping stop rather than a sit-down meal. In-store shopping and pickup are available, and delivery is offered too.
I like the honesty of a place that sticks to a weekend tamale routine. It keeps things simple and gives you something to look forward to after a long week.
4. Rossy’s Mexican Grocery And Deli, Red Bank, NJ
Red Bank is better known for its downtown theaters and riverfront than for tamales. Out on Route 35, though, a family-run grocery has quietly become a go-to source for them.
Rossy’s Mexican Grocery And Deli describes itself as a family store that welcomes everyone. It combines a market with a deli, so you can shop for groceries and pick up prepared food in one trip.
The produce section is a highlight, which makes this a handy stop if you are cooking at home. The tamales, meanwhile, travel well.
They are the kind of thing friends bring over to share, and that is a pretty good sign.
Hours are generous, from 6 AM to 9 PM every day. Saturday and Tuesday mornings are typically the quietest times to visit, while evenings early in the week get busier.
I would save this stop for a Shore-area day when you want to bring dinner home without much fuss.
5. Tamaleria Vega, Union City, NJ
Some foods taste like childhood, and Tamaleria Vega leans right into that. The Union City shop focuses on the classics: tamales, tortas, and fresh coffee, served fast.
The menu is small, which keeps things moving. Look for the Tamal de Comino and the rajas tamales, filled with strips of pepper.
To drink, the champurrado is a thick, chocolate-based corn drink that pairs naturally with a tamal.
For something heartier, try a torta with egg and longaniza sausage. It is a filling breakfast before a busy day.
Doors open at 6 AM daily. Closing time is 7 PM most days and 8 PM on Wednesdays.
Breakfast and lunch are the main draws, and service is quick, with dine-in or takeout options.
Reservations are not accepted, and there is no delivery. Street parking is paid on New York Ave. Expect to spend about $20 to $30 per person, especially if you stock up.
6. La Tamaleria Colombiana NJ Elizabeth, Elizabeth, NJ
Not every tamale on this list comes from Mexico. La Tamaleria Colombiana brings a Colombian take to Elizabeth Avenue, and it is a fun change of pace.
Colombian tamales are generally larger and wrapped in banana leaves. The Tamal Tolimense is a signature here, and there is a vegetarian version on the menu.
The restaurant is also known for lechona, a Colombian stuffed roast pork dish.
Then there is the Tamalchon, a big combination plate that brings tamal and lechona together. Come hungry for that one.
The rest of the menu goes deep. Options include Cono de Lechona, Tacos x3 Lechona, Caldo de Costilla, Ceviche de Chicharron, arepas, empanadas, and hot chocolate.
Pay close attention to hours. The restaurant is closed Wednesdays and opens at 1 PM on weekdays, while weekends run from 10 AM to 9 PM.
Sundays are the busiest. Live music, group-friendly tables, and options like curbside pickup and delivery round out the appeal.
7. El Sabor Oaxaqueño #2, Lawrenceville, NJ
Oaxaca is often called the land of seven moles, so it makes sense that mole is the star at El Sabor Oaxaqueño #2. This Lawrenceville eatery and market builds its menu around handmade tortillas and its signature mole.
The chicken mole tamales are the obvious order. Oaxacan-style tamales round out the lineup, and the kitchen also turns out tlayudas, tortas, mole enchiladas, and tacos al pastor.
Practical perks make this an easy road trip stop. There is a free parking lot plus free street parking, free Wi-Fi, and a fireplace inside.
It also accepts reservations and offers catering, which helps if you are planning a party.
Hours run from 6 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday, and 7 AM to 8 PM on Sunday. Saturdays get busy, while midweek is usually calmer.
Prices typically fall between $10 and $20 per person.
As a final stop, it sends the list off on a strong note. Tamales, fresh tortillas, and mole under one roof are hard to beat.
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