In the obscure — and not easy to get to — northwestern corner of Hoboken lies what may be the metropolitan area’s most perfect German beer garden. The sprawling 19th century factory that houses it is full of hulking brick-lined rooms with appropriate signage, but even more glorious is the paved outdoor area, where smoke curls up from a barbecue grill. The list of beers on tap, in bottles, and in cans will satisfy any beer fan. The food is also spot on, from schnitzels and wurste to things you might not expect, like a lamb burger and a pudding made of pretzels.

On a quiet corner among stately townhouses, with flower-bedecked outdoor seating areas, Barbes is a classic French bistro, offering a combination of Moroccan and Parisian fare. Sure there are mussels, a salade Nicoise, and steak frites, but diners will also find tajines, couscous, triangular briwats, and the pillow-shaped chicken pastry called pastilla, prettily criss-crossed with cinnamon and powdered sugar, for the sweetest main courses around.

M & P Biancomano is one of at least six delis in Hoboken that make their own fresh mozzarella, affectionately known as “mutz” (though you’ll sound foolish using that term if you don’t hail from Hoboken). Eat your hero at the cheery indoor dining area or at the outside tables if weather allows. The list posted above the prep counter — over which salamis and hams hang — runs to 55 hot and cold heroes. On your first visit, get one of the lettered ones, which feature multiple Italian cold cuts.

Founded in 1938, Benny Tudino’s is one of Hoboken’s oldest pizzerias. The fixtures inside are well worn, with pizza ovens in front and wood-clad dining room up a few steps in the rear. Tudino’s has survived all these years partly because of a gimmick — its slices are humongous, enough to easily make a big doughy meal, and the cheese flows like a raging stream at winter’s end. Pizzerias often pull this oversized slice trick in DC’s Adams Morgan, but rarely venture this far north.

At one time, Hoboken’s most famous baked good was tomato focaccia, a thick, red-sauced flatbread something like a pizza, but also something like a round bread, and one with many potential uses — including just putting it in the oven topped with some of Hoboken’s famous mozzarella. Descended from a long line of focaccia bakeries, Dom’s is the last one standing, and worth visiting from anywhere in the metropolitan area. Other Italian breads and pastries also for sale.

Old German Bakery is not really very old at all, but it has nailed the classic European pastries with an emphasis on Teutonic and fruit-bearing varieties— though a few are savory. The apple strudel comes in individual servings, with a flaky crust and sweet filling. Turnovers heavily encrusted with granular sugar, black forest cakes, crumb cakes, and rye and pumpernickel breads are also recommended. Seating provided, making it a good place for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

This handsome casual restaurant with massive amounts of seating indoors and outdoors offers spectacular views of the Hudson River, and is a great destination for beer and cable sports. Though the barbecue itself is sometimes just so-so, the drinking snacks are often fabulous. The burgers are big and smoky, the hot dogs sluiced with smoked brisket chili, crema, and pico de gallo, served with decent french fries (tuck a few in the bun for a spectacular meal). Nachos, wings, and mac and cheese are also above average for a bro-y hang of this sort.

Specializing in seafood, with plenty of modern American brasserie fare thrown in — such as clam chowder, chorizo flatbread, multiple raw bar selections, corn agnolotti, and smoked chicken — Halifax is Hoboken’s most ambitious restaurant. Located in the W Hotel, the dining room offers views of the Manhattan skyline. For dessert, don’t miss the freshly fried apple fritters with maple sauce.

While most empanadas around here can be identified as Dominican, Spanish, Central American, or Colombian, the version at Empanadas Cafe is staunchly Argentine: Flaky baked crescents with a braided spine and no sign of greasiness. Yet, they are far from austere, with a rich filling that in the signature beef pie runs to ground meat, green olives, eggs, and onions, with a spicy orange dipping sauce served on the side. Many other fillings available, some international in outlook.

This splendid Cuban diner — with prices below what you’d expect given the quality of the food you’ll find on a stretch of the Hudson sometimes called Little Havana. The pressed sandwiches are a particularly good deal, of which pan con bistec is a local favorite. But also consider the voluminous blue plate specials varying by day, which include the pulled and seasoned pork roast lechon asado.

The days when New York City had a ready supply of good Malaysian restaurants is long gone, and this Hoboken holdover seems like a throwback to that era. The L-shaped interior is compact, clad in bamboo, and extremely comfortable, and a nifty lunch special attracts a crowd. The regular menu is expansive and doesn’t pull its flavor punches, as I found recently when I enjoyed the classic nasi lemak, featuring fragrant coconut rice with curry chicken and various condiments.