Union City has been called Havana on the Hudson for a reason, and you can see it on almost every block of Bergenline Avenue. Cuban bakeries here open before sunrise, and the sandwich press stays busy from the first coffee order until evening.
Some of these spots bake their own Cuban bread, which is a big deal when the bread is half the sandwich. Others mix classic pastelitos with modern coffee drinks and fancy cakes.
This list covers six places where you can grab a pressed Cubano, a guava pastry, or a cafe con leche without much planning. Most are cheap, quick, and open early, so they fit a commute, a lunch break, or a weekend stroll.
If you live in Hudson County or just pass through, these are the counters worth knowing about. Bring an appetite and maybe a little cash for street parking.
1. Cortaditos, Union City, NJ
A Celia Cruz mural is a pretty clear sign you have found a Cuban spot with personality. Cortaditos, at 4501 Park Ave, is the most modern stop on this list, with a walk-up window, outdoor tables, and indoor seating.
The sandwich lineup sticks to the classics. The Cubano comes on fresh bread with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, and the Pan con Bistec is a strong second choice.
Baked empanadas are a big draw here, including a lomo and cheese version. Pastries run from almond croissants to flan, and the coffee menu covers everything from cappuccinos to the Cortadito Leche y Leche.
I like this one for a longer stop, since there is free Wi-Fi and plenty of people working on laptops. Hours run 6 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 8 AM to 9 PM on Sunday.
Saturdays get busy, so a weekday morning is calmer.
2. Cuba Bakery, Union City, NJ
Good Cuban sandwiches start with the bread, and Cuba Bakery makes its own. Both the Cuban sandwich bread and the softer medianoche bread come out of this kitchen on Summit Avenue.
That makes the sandwiches here a solid order. Breakfast is another reason to stop, especially the pan y mantequilla, which is Cuban bread toasted with butter.
The pastry case leans traditional, with guava and cream cheese pastries as a standout. Pair one with a Cuban coffee and you are set for a few dollars.
Prices mostly fall in the $1 to $10 range. The bakery opens at 6 AM on weekdays and Saturdays and 7 AM on Sundays, closing at 5 PM on weekdays, 6 PM Saturday, and 2 PM Sunday.
Plan Sunday visits early.
3. Las Cubanitas Bake Shop, Union City, NJ
Early risers, this one is for you. Las Cubanitas opens at 5 AM every single day and stays open until 8 PM.
The bake shop at 3704 Bergenline Ave covers the basics well. Expect Cuban bread, guava pastries, croquetas, empanadas, and pressed Cuban sandwiches that many in town rank near the top.
Cafe con leche is the natural partner here. Most items stay under $10, so it is easy to grab breakfast and a sandwich for later.
Mornings stay steady all week, and weekends are busier. It is a takeout-style quick stop, so do not expect to camp out.
4. El Fenix Bakery, Union City, NJ
Late sandwich cravings are covered at El Fenix, which keeps the counter open until 8:30 PM daily. Doors open at 5 AM Monday through Saturday and 6 AM on Sunday.
The setup is simple and counter-serve. Fresh Cuban bread anchors the menu, and it shows up in Cuban-style sandwiches and breakfast egg sandwiches.
Sweets get equal attention. Pastelitos and tres leches cakes are two of the reasons to linger at the display case.
The shop is known for keeping things clean and fresh. Sunday morning is the rush, while weekday evenings are generally relaxed, which makes this an easy after-work stop.
5. La Unica Bakery & Cafe, Union City, NJ
Down at the southern end of Bergenline Avenue, at number 1701, La Unica plays the role of a true neighborhood bakery. It opens at 5:30 AM Monday through Saturday and 6:30 AM on Sunday, closing at 8 PM.
Cuban sandwiches on fresh Cuban bread lead the menu. Bocaditos, the small party-style sandwiches, are a fun extra, along with empanadas and a full breakfast lineup.
Cakes are where this place stands apart. Carrot cake and other layer cakes are known for being moist and consistent, and guava pastelitos round out the case.
Finish with an espresso and you have the full routine. Free street parking is sometimes available nearby, which is a nice bonus in Union City.
6. Las Chicas Bakery & Cafe, Union City, NJ
Need a birthday cake and a Cuban panini in one trip. Las Chicas, at 4707 Bergenline Ave, handles both.
The dessert case is the fanciest in this roundup, with decorated cupcakes, fruit tarts, cheesecake, cannoli, and a tres leches dulce de leche slice. Custom birthday cakes are a specialty too.
Savory food holds its own. The pressed Cuban panini, beef empanadas, cheesy egg sandwiches, and croissants all make good reasons to stay for lunch.
Coffee drinks include cappuccinos and cafe con leche, plus a solid tea selection. Seating has grown, but weekend afternoons still fill up fast.
Hours are 7 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 8 AM to 8 PM Sunday.
Six bakeries, one city, and plenty of pressed bread to go around. Pick one near you, then work your way down Bergenline.
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