On Thursday, September 24, at four in the afternoon, the heavy doors at 120 River Street will unlock.
Inside, the low amber light of the dining room catches the rough grain of dark oak tables, the matte glaze of hand-thrown plates, and the tall glass casement windows that have watched over Hackensack for more than seventy years. The air carries the aroma of chiles, simmering piloncillo, and masa warming on the comal.
After months of stripping back this former 1950s newspaper facility to its honest bones—poured concrete, industrial steel, and weathered brick—Azul is ready to welcome you.
Walk In, For Now
For opening, we are keeping things simple: we are not taking reservations yet.
We would rather get the room right before we start holding tables, so every seat on opening night goes to whoever walks through the door. Reservations will open later—we will announce it here when they do.
Whether you are stepping in off River Street for a single pour of mezcal at the bar, sharing a weeknight dinner of fresh tortillas and slow-simmered mole, or gathering four friends around an unhurried feast on a Saturday evening, our room operates entirely on a first-come, first-served basis.
When you arrive, our hosts seat you as tables open. If there is a brief wait during peak hours, our bar team will place a neat copita or a balanced mezcal cocktail in your hand while the energy of the room unfolds around you.
What Sits on the Table
Azul is anchored in the culinary geography of regional Mexico—drawing from the deep valleys of Oaxaca, the historic convents of Puebla, and the coastal fires of the Yucatan. Every plate on our opening menu honors centuries of ancestral technique, executed with clean, modern discipline:
- The Comal: Tortillas come off the comal hot, seconds before they reach your table—never out of a bag warmed under a lamp. Our flour tortillas are made in house.
- The Depth of Mole: Our Mole Poblano is built on mulato and ancho chiles, Mexican dark chocolate, plantain, toasted seeds, and warm spices—reduced slowly until it coats the back of a wooden spoon like dark velvet.
- The Agave Shelf: Behind the bar sit mezcals and tequilas chosen because we like drinking them, alongside Abasolo, a whisky distilled from Mexican ancestral corn. No exclusives, no allocations—just bottles worth pouring.
Nothing is rushed. Nothing is masked behind artificial smoke or theatrical garnishes. The food is confident, bold, and rooted in the land.
Opening Week Hours & Arrival Details
We officially open our doors for dinner service on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
Here is what you need to know before joining us:
| Day | Dining Room & Mezcal Bar Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Saturday – Sunday | 2:00 PM – Midnight |
- Address: 120 River Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 (near the corner of River & Mercer, moments from Route 4 and the Court Street Bridge).
- Seating Policy: Reservations are now available online for parties up to 8 (or by phone or email for larger parties and same-day bookings). Walk-ins are always welcome in the main dining room, high-top lounge, and mezcal bar.
- Telephone: (201) 375-4040 to 42.
Step Into the Room
A restaurant is not truly built by architects or interior designers; it is brought to life by the hum of voices, the clink of glassware, the aroma rising from the comal, and the warmth of people sharing a table.
To our neighbors in Hackensack, throughout Bergen County, and across Northern New Jersey: our doors are unlocked, the comal is hot, and your seat is waiting.
Walk in, pull up a chair, and let us cook for you.