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"There is no city on earth quite like this one — and I say that as someone who has the great fortune of calling it home. New York does not ease you in. It hits you immediately — the noise, the scale, the impossible density of human ambition packed into a few square miles — and then, somehow, it becomes the most natural place in the world to be. This is a city built entirely by people who arrived from somewhere else, who brought their food, their languages, their football allegiances with them, and layered them on top of everything that came before. Which is precisely why it will be one of the great World Cup host cities in the history of this tournament. The world is already here. The world has always been here. And this summer, just across the river in New Jersey — where the games will be played, where the Final will be decided — the world will gather one more time and feel completely at home. We are overjoyed to share just a few of our fans' favorite places to eat, drink, watch and explore across this extraordinary region. New York. New Jersey. The center of the universe, as modestly as I can put it." — Rog

Teams playing

Brazil
Morocco
France
Senegal
Norway
Ecuador
Germany
Panama
England

Match Schedule

June 13, 2026/Group C
Brazil
vs
Morocco
June 16, 2026/Group I
France
vs
Senegal

STARTING XI

11 places our fans recommend to eat in New York and New Jersey…starting with pizza, of course.

eat divider

L'Industrie Pizzeria

(Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Eateat_tag

254 S 2nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

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L'Industrie Pizzeria
L'Industrie Pizzeria
L'Industrie Pizzeria
L'Industrie Pizzeria
L'Industrie Pizzeria

A French-named Italian slice shop on a Williamsburg sidewalk that has quietly become one of the most recommended pizza spots in NYC. Our fans mention the prosciutto burrata slice as their favorite, the fig bacon jam slice is what the internet loves. They have a bigger location in the West Village, a few blocks up from the legend they may be chasing, John’s of Bleecker. We asked what your favorite pizza spots in the city were, and none were mentioned more than this. From New Yorkers, that’s high praise worth checking out.

Fans recommend: Prosciutto burrata slice. Spicy salami slice. Fig jam bacon slice.

"L’Industrie makes the best (pizza) with L&B Spumoni Gardens right behind" - Louis

Mama's TOO!

(Upper West Side)

Eateat_tag

2750 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

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Mama's TOO!
Mama's TOO!
Mama's TOO!
Mama's TOO!
Mama's TOO!

A golden-ceilinged slice shop on Broadway in the Upper West Side - with a West Village location as well -  that walks the line between New York and Detroit-style pizza. Our fans talked about the thick, audacious crust - squares doused in pecorino and parmigiano, poached pear with hot honey, fried chicken, spicy salamia - and the creativity of the rotating toppings. The vibe is immaculate as well…patterned ceilings and floors, wooden counters, no chairs - you eat standing up, the best way to eat pizza in New York. A place very likely to find Roger Bennett in if you happen to go.

Fans recommend: Angry Nonna slice. Poached pear with hot honey. Spicy salami

"New school: Angry Nonna at Mama's Too." - Nick

Razza

(Jersey City, NJ)

Eateat_tag

275-277 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

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Razza
Razza
Razza
Razza
Razza

A wood-fired restaurant pizzeria in downtown Jersey City that has been making an argument for New Jersey pizza supremacy since 2012. Local ingredients combo’d with an Italian background in pizza making has earned this spot three stars from the New York Times and a 50 Top Pizza Best in North America nod. Our fans say you can’t quite call it neapolitan, but it’s some awesome thing close to it. Sit down and enjoy a Jersey City gem, your most recommended Jersey pizza.Margherita. Yellow Margherita. Seasonal specials.

"Have a negroni and a whole pie at Razza." - Sean

Katz's Delicatessen

(Lower East Side)

Eateat_tag

205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

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Katz's Delicatessen
Katz's Delicatessen
Katz's Delicatessen
Katz's Delicatessen
Katz's Delicatessen

The delicatessen in Lower East Side that has been feeding New York since 1888, when the neighborhood was still the beating heart of Jewish immigrant America. You love it for the classic, massive pastrami on rye with spicy mustard and pickles on the side — quite possibly the greatest sandwich in America’s greatest city. The brisket, corned beef, and knishes are all not far behind. The preparation is part of the theater. A classic New York spot in a classic New York neighborhood worth exploring. Don’t worry about the line, this is a place where the build up is part of the experience.

Fans recommend: Pastrami on rye with spicy mustard. Corned beef. Knishes.

"Touristy? Yes. Expensive? Yes. But there are few better vestiges of old NY." - Nick

White Manna

(Hackensack, NJ)

Eateat_tag

358 River St, Hackensack, NJ 07601

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White Manna
White Manna
White Manna
White Manna
White Manna

A tiny slider joint on River Street in Hackensack that started life as a diner exhibit at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Now it’s a New Jersey burger institution and one our most recommended places to eat. The sliders are small - order at least three -  made from fresh beef delivered daily, cooked with thinly sliced onions on the griddle, served on a Martin's potato roll. There’s a good reason both Anthony Bourdain and Guy Fieri have featured this place. And it’s only 20 minutes from the stadium.

Fans recommend: Sliders with onions and cheese.

"White Manna in Hackensack — Burger." - Greg

Lhasa Fast Food

(Jackson Heights, Queens)

Eateat_tag

76-03 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

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Lhasa Fast Food
Lhasa Fast Food
Lhasa Fast Food
Lhasa Fast Food
Lhasa Fast Food

A tiny Tibetan restaurant tucked behind a cell phone store in a Jackson Heights shopping corridor that our fans love. It’s got creamsicle orange walls, laminated menus, framed photos on the wall and some of the best momos in New York City. Owner and chef Sang Jien Ben is from Tibet and has been making beef and chive dumplings and hand-pulled noodle soups here for years. Jackson Heights is one of the most diverse neighborhoods on earth and this place is a perfect reason to get on the 7 train and go exploring.

Fans recommend: Boiled beef and chive momos

"Lhasa Fast Food. Momos, boiled. Tibetan, and a favorite of Anthony Bourdain in the Queens episode of Parts Unknown." - Charlotte

River Road Hot Bagels

(Fair Lawn, NJ)

Eateat_tag

13-30 River Rd, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410

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River Road Hot Bagels
River Road Hot Bagels
River Road Hot Bagels
River Road Hot Bagels
River Road Hot Bagels

A takeout-only bagel shop on River Road in Fair Lawn that has been hand-rolling and baking since 1988. About 12 miles from both Midtown Manhattan and MetLife Stadium, this is your most recommended Jersey bagel. Opens at 6am, closes at 3pm, moves fast. The everything bagel seems to be the play, but the french toast bagel got a few nods from the faithful. New Jersey has a legit claim in the bagels debate, and this place is a big reason why.

Fans recommend: Everything bagel. Taylor Ham egg and cheese.

"Everything bagel at River Road Bagel in Fair Lawn NJ (is the best)." - Marcella

Golden Diner

(Two Bridges / Chinatown)

Eateat_tag

123 Madison St, New York, NY 10002

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Golden Diner
Golden Diner
Golden Diner
Golden Diner
Golden Diner

A diner tucked underneath the Manhattan Bridge in the Two Bridges neighborhood, where Chinatown meets the Lower East Side. It takes the classic American diner format and runs it through the flavor traditions of the surrounding neighborhood. Golden pancakes are the star, they’re also known for a great chicken katsu club and matzo ball soup. Our fans love it as a way to start your day in Lower Manhattan.

Fans recommend: Honey butter pancakes.

"Morning pancakes at Golden Diner in Chinatown, post match oysters and beer at Upstate in the East Village." - David

Island Shack

(Fort Greene, Brooklyn)

Eateat_tag

87 S Elliott Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217

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Island Shack
Island Shack
Island Shack
Island Shack
Island Shack

 A Trinidadian restaurant on South Elliott Place in Fort Greene, opened in 2022 with the stated mission of serving non-gentrified Caribbean food that makes you feel like you're at home. Our fans love it for the corn soup and the Bake and Shark Bites. The vibe runs from casual dinner to DJ nights depending on when you show up. Spike Lee's studio is next door and one your favorite soccer bars - Fancy Free - is across the street. Between the jerk chicken and the football, you could lose an entire afternoon here.

Fans recommend: Corn Soup. Bake and Shark Bites

"Island Shack in Fort Greene Brooklyn. It's the best Trinidadian food outside of Trinidad." - Damian

Charrito's

(Weehawken, NJ)

Eateat_tag

974 Blvd E, Weehawken, NJ 07086

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Charrito's
Charrito's
Charrito's
Charrito's
Charrito's

An Oaxacan Mexican restaurant in Weehawken, right on the Hudson River Palisades with a panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline. Our fans love it as much for the authentic food as the amazing view. Filiberto and Genoveva Arias came from Putla, Oaxaca and built this place from scratch in 1992 and it’s become a New Jersey hidden gem. Get the Flautas. Get the Enchiladas Oaxaqueñas. And if you’re in Manhattan, hop on the ferry to get there.

Fans recommend: Tableside guacamole.

"Charrito's in Weehawken NJ. Amazing Mexican food and THE BEST view of NYC you could have while eating. The window seats here are always taken." - Ian

Annamaria's Deli

(East Rutherford, NJ)

Eateat_tag

216 Hoboken Rd, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

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Annamaria's Deli
Annamaria's Deli
Annamaria's Deli
Annamaria's Deli
Annamaria's Deli

A family-owned Italian deli in East Rutherford that makes its own mozzarella and gets fresh bread delivered from Brooklyn every day. Open 9am to 4pm. Our fans mentioned the sandwiches here more than any other place in Jersey. And the proximity to MetLife makes it an ideal spot to hit before or after a game.

Fans recommend: Any of the sandwiches. Roast pork with provolone on semolina.

"Go to Annamaria's Deli, less than 2 miles down the road from MetLife in East Rutherford, and get any of the sandwiches. Top notch Italian deli a stone's throw away — a true hidden gem." - Janel

FIVE A SIDE

Five places the locals say to drink - a short list of watering holes, dives and pregame spots our fans love.

eat divider

Redd's Biergarten

(Carlstadt, NJ)

Drinkeat_tag

317 Washington Ave, Carlstadt, NJ 07072

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Redd's Biergarten
Redd's Biergarten
Redd's Biergarten
Redd's Biergarten
Redd's Biergarten

A German-American biergarten a short drive from MetLife that has been the Meadowlands' go-to pregame destination since 2002. Long communal tables, over 35 screens, an outdoor biergarten, and a park-and-ride shuttle straight to the stadium. The original in Carlstadt was founded by fans for fans - which we obviously love -  as the ideal place to go before a game. The concept worked so well it’s expanded to stadium-accessible locations in Newark and New Brunswick. This will be a main hub during the tournament…get there early and be at one of the Jersey tournament epicenters.

Fans recommend: The park-and-ride shuttle to MetLife.

"Redd's in Carlstadt. It may be packed but this is the place to pregame." - Kevin

Blarney Station

(East Rutherford, NJ)

Drinkeat_tag

258 Park Ave, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

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Blarney Station
Blarney Station
Blarney Station
Blarney Station
Blarney Station

An Irish pub on Park Avenue in East Rutherford that fans told us is another pregame go-to for MetLife. A mile and a half from the gates, it's close enough to walk if you're feeling ambitious, and the atmosphere - live music, a full food menu, a proper pour - rewards the detour. A great place to walk to after the game and let the crowds die down.

Fans recommend: Fish and Chips. Shepherd’s Pie.

"Blarney Station in East Rutherford is a great vibe! Try the steak." — Sean

Peter McManus Café

(Chelsea)

Drinkeat_tag

152 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011

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Peter McManus Café
Peter McManus Café
Peter McManus Café
Peter McManus Café
Peter McManus Café

The oldest family-run bar in New York City, holding down the corner of 19th and 7th in Chelsea since 1916. While the rest of Chelsea has transformed around it, McManus’s has stayed the same: torn booth seats, Christmas lights, a jukebox stocked with soul and some of the cheapest drinks in the neighborhood. It’s one of the under-the-radar Manhattan icons that our fans recommended most.

Fans recommend: The stout. The burger. The jukebox.

"Peter McManus pub has sneaky great drinks and bartenders who have been there for decades." — Kevin

Jimmy's Corner

(Theater District)

Drinkeat_tag

140 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

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Jimmy's Corner
Jimmy's Corner
Jimmy's Corner
Jimmy's Corner
Jimmy's Corner

A narrow, boxing-mad, legendary dive bar wedged between the Broadway theaters on West 44th Street in the heart of Times Square. Founded in 1971 by Jimmy Glenn, a former trainer and cutman who once worked with Muhammad Ali two blocks away at the Times Square Boxing Club. The walls are floor-to-ceiling signed photos, gloves, and fight posters that Glenn collected over a lifetime in the sport. Robert De Niro filmed the final scenes of Raging Bull here. Our fans love it as a must-stop if you find yourself in the center of the city.

Fans recommend: The jukebox. The cheap drinks.

"Jimmy's Corner. Only bar in Times Square worth going to." - Ben.

Spring Lounge

(Nolita)

Drinkeat_tag

48 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

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Spring Lounge
Spring Lounge
Spring Lounge
Spring Lounge
Spring Lounge

What locals call Shark Bar - for the taxidermied sharks hanging inside - has lived on the corner of Spring and Mulberry since the 1920s when it operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Why is it one of your favorites? Probably because it’s one of the few bars in the city that opens at 8am and doesn't close until 4am. It attracts a cross-section of Nolita and SoHo that no other bar in the neighborhoods can claim and is surrounded by some of the best restaurants and shopping in the entire city. Bop over here from Katz’s or Russ & Daughters and call it a day.

Fans recommend: The early hours.

"Spring Lounge on Spring Street, it opens at 8am every day, a proper boozer that's always busy!" — Jay

FIVE A SIDE

Five places our local fans say are the best spots to watch the games.

eat divider

Mulligan's Pub

(Hoboken, NJ)

Watcheat_tag

159 1st St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

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Mulligan's Pub
Mulligan's Pub
Mulligan's Pub
Mulligan's Pub
Mulligan's Pub

Paul Dawson moved to the US from Dublin in 1990, spent a decade watching soccer get overlooked by American bars and on July 4th, 2000 opened his own on First Street in Hoboken. Twenty-five years later, Mulligan’s is the standout soccer bar in an area with more bars per capita than almost anywhere in the country. Three rooms, 20 TVs, Irish breakfast served all day and a mural on the outside wall of the greatest players to ever play the game. What more do you need? And just a quick PATH train ride from Manhattan.

Fans recommend: The Irish breakfast. The wings.

"Mulligans is what Soccer Pubs in Heaven are made of." — Gabriel

The Football Factory at Legends

(Midtown Manhattan)

Watcheat_tag

6 W 33rd St, New York, NY 10001

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The Football Factory at Legends
The Football Factory at Legends
The Football Factory at Legends
The Football Factory at Legends
The Football Factory at Legends

Across from the Empire State Building on 33rd Street, the Football Factory occupies the basement of Legends to make up what our fans say is the best soccer bar in NYC. It’s home to over 30 supporter’s clubs, has the largest collection of football memorabilia in the US and shows more than 100 live matches every week across 20 big screens. If you can get there for your game early enough, this is the haven.

"Legends. Specifically the basement known as the Football Factory. No better soccer vibes in downtown Manhattan. Close to everything." — Charlie

Smithfield Hall

Chelsea/Flatiron)

Watcheat_tag

138 W 25th St, New York, NY 10001

Smithfield Hall
Smithfield Hall
Smithfield Hall
Smithfield Hall
Smithfield Hall

Named after an old Dublin market that housed the Jameson Distillery, Smithfield Hall was founded in 2012 and has grown into one of the great soccer bars of NYC. It reps supporter clubs for Man U, West Ham, Bayern, Barca, Forest and more. The 70-foot bar inside is made from reclaimed wood salvaged from an old Chelsea warehouse and is lined with screens in front of every seat. Our fans were also keen to mention the great service and food. It’s a high-functioning, sports-watching pub machine.

Fans recommend: Giant Pretzel. The craft beer selection.

"Big fan of being able to order and start a tab on your phone from your table. It’s great service. Huge game changer during a crowded match.” - Ani

Banter Bar

(Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Watcheat_tag

132 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

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Banter Bar
Banter Bar
Banter Bar
Banter Bar
Banter Bar

The soccer bar that Brooklyn built - founded in 2009 by a group of passionate fans on Havemeyer Street in Williamsburg. It opens early for prem games on weekends and has the brunch to go with it. The copper bar, brass chandelier and 24 taps create what you guys said was the best soccer vibe in Brooklyn. Last World Cup, they offered beers from 28 different countries.You can trust they’ll be ready to go this summer.

Fans recommend: The bacon egg and cheese pie.

"Banter Bar Williamsburg - feels like Europe." - Charlotte

Turnmill

(Flatiron/NoMad)

Watcheat_tag

119 E 27th St, New York, NY 10016

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Turnmill
Turnmill
Turnmill
Turnmill
Turnmill

On East 27th Street in Flatiron, just east of Madison Square Park sits the official home of NYC Evertonians. No surprise it was one of our fans’ most recommended places to watch. The bar is owned by Evertonians, run by Evertonians, and decorated accordingly: dark wood, leather booths, walls lined with blue memorabilia built up over more than two decades of Saturday mornings. Everton won’t be playing this summer, but if you want somewhere that will make you feel like it (Rog Note: if that’s a good thing!), Turnmill is the place.

Fans recommend: Jazz nights on Wednesdays.

"The Turnmill is an Everton FC bar but beyond that it's just a really nice pub!" — Emma

FIVE A SIDE

Five places from our fans to do more than eat, drink and watch while you’re in New York and New Jersey.

eat divider

Kearny, NJ aka Soccertown USA

Exploreeat_tag

40 Patterson St, Kearny, NJ 07032 (Scots American Club)

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Kearny, NJ aka Soccertown USA
Kearny, NJ aka Soccertown USA
Kearny, NJ aka Soccertown USA
Kearny, NJ aka Soccertown USA
Kearny, NJ aka Soccertown USA

Fifteen minutes from MetLife and unknown to the outside world sits the town that built American soccer…Kearny, New Jersey. In the 1870s, the Clark Thread Company of Scotland opened its mills along the Passaic River and brought thousands of Scottish immigrants - and their football - with them. By 1885, Kearny was hosting the first international match outside Britain: US v. Canada. The field they played on is now a parking lot for Tops Dinner, where locals told us you should start. The banners on Kearny Ave still read Soccertown USA and the pints at Scots American Club are still poured like they were when John Harkes, Tony Meola, and Tab Ramos grew up there. The birthplace of American soccer, five miles from where the World Cup is being played.

Fans recommend: The Scots American Club, Tops Diner. Clark’s Thread Mill.

"NJ has deep soccer history. Kearny is the heart of soccer in America. Our diversity means you'll find fans for every team in the World Cup in this area, and people here know the sport." - Janel

Strand Bookstore

(East Village / Union Square)

Exploreeat_tag

828 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

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Strand Bookstore
Strand Bookstore
Strand Bookstore
Strand Bookstore
Strand Bookstore

Opened in 1927 for $300 by Lithuanian immigrant Benjamin Brass, The Strand on Fourth Avenue was part of Book Row, a six-block stretch of Greenwich Village that housed 48 bookstores. Every one of those stores is now gone, but The Strand remains, now at Broadway and 12th. It’s still family-owned across three generations, now carrying over 2.5 million new, used and rare books across 18 miles of shelves. It is the largest independent bookstore in NYC and the cultural institution you recommended the most.

Fans recommend: The rare and antique book section. The dollar book carts outside.

"The Strand is an amazing bookstore — the original downtown location is worth a visit, even just to look around. They have an antique book section and miles of shelves to wander around." — Rachel

Saturdays Football

(SoHo)

Exploreeat_tag

45 Crosby St, New York, NY 10012

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Saturdays Football
Saturdays Football
Saturdays Football
Saturdays Football
Saturdays Football

A soccer and clothing shop on Crosby Street in SoHo, Saturdays is equal parts vintage jersey archive, community living room and general soccer hang. Walls of kits spanning every era from the 1970s to today, two leather couches, a giant screen playing matches old and new…and a foosball table of course. Half the inventory is vintage - they have one of the largest collections of vintage football jerseys in the country - and half is Saturdays' own streetwear line. In a city with a lot of vintage shops and a lot of old soccer jerseys floating around, this was your most recommended place to peruse.

"Go to Saturday's Football on Crosby St in downtown NYC to score vintage soccer kits." — Alex

A-1 Record Shop

(East Village)

Exploreeat_tag

439 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009

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A-1 Record Shop
A-1 Record Shop
A-1 Record Shop
A-1 Record Shop
A-1 Record Shop

Open since 1996 on East 6th Street in the East Village, A-1 is one of the great surviving record shops in a neighborhood that has lost many of it’s musical institutions.  Their specialty is dance music - jazz, funk, soul, hip hop, disco, house, techno - curated with the precision by the experts who run the place. It’s been featured as one of the world's best record shops and our fans said it’s one of New York's finest vinyl destinations. A lot of record shops hit our recommendations, none was mentioned more than A-1. Check out some music with your football this summer.

"A-1 Record Shop is my go-to when in the area. You can find a hard to find piece of vinyl or you can build your collection with the bargain bins underneath the main racks. Just make sure you stretch before getting down there." — Jason

The Ironbound - Ferry Street

(Newark, NJ)

Exploreeat_tag

Ferry Street, Newark, NJ 07105 (World Cup Corner Mural)

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The Ironbound - Ferry Street
The Ironbound - Ferry Street
The Ironbound - Ferry Street
The Ironbound - Ferry Street
The Ironbound - Ferry Street

Four square miles of Newark bounded by railroad tracks, the Ironbound has been a landing place for immigrants since the 1800s — Portuguese, Spanish, Brazilian, Ecuadorian — and Ferry Street is its spine: over 170 restaurants, bakeries and bars. Our fans say to start at Teixeira's Bakery for a pastel de nata, then walk and eat. The World Cup Corner — a massive three-wall mural by Newark artist and MiB fan Unicorn151 — celebrates the 2026 World Cup through the Ironbound's Afro-Latino soccer culture. Then walk across the Jackson Street Bridge into Harrison and Kearny.

"Must visit Ferry Street in Newark and visit all the Portuguese restaurants. Get the Rodizio." — Unicorn (Ira)

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