I may be a bit biased, but few states do beaches better than New Jersey. (Ocean City was voted best beach town in America by Coastal Living magazine.) We also have a top notch food scene. (New Jersey was ranked as the best state for foodies by Saveur magazine.) What could be better than combining the two for a true culinary delight? These 11 beachfront restaurants in New Jersey offer fantastic food and spectacular scenery, listed below from north to south, so you can cruise your way down if you’d like. These are all tasty spots that you’ll want to add to your bucket list!
- Woody’s Ocean Grille, Sea Bright
Facebook/Woody’s Ocean Grille
Facebook/Woody’s Ocean Grille Steps from the ocean, this restaurant serves up the best in seafood and southwestern cuisine. You’ll find a fun, flavorful menu and great deals like Baja Tuesdays - choose from sliders or tacos paired with a glass of wine or the signature Orange Crush for just $15. Check out their whole menu on their website, where you’ll be greeted with entrees that will make your mouth water!
- Beach Tavern, Monmouth Beach
Facebook/Beach Tavern
Facebook/Beach Tavern Enjoy lunch, dinner and drinks at this sushi/seafood spot on the shore. Choose from spectacular small plates, a raw bar and much more. To dock and dine, call the restaurant 30 minutes before arriving by boat. This is definitely one of the restaurants with the best views in New Jersey. Make a reservation right on their website to be sure you get a seat at one of the best spots in town!
- Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant, Long Branch
Facebook/Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant
Facebook/Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant The crab burger here is almost as spectacular as the views, and the tuna bruschetta is loaded with flavor. Enjoy outstanding happy hour specials (like 75 cent clams and select $7 appetizers) and live music 4 days a week. They’ve won the “Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator, so you know that the drinks will be just as heavenly as the food. Don’t miss out on this waterfront dining in New Jersey!
- Avon Pavilion, Avon-By-The-Sea
Facebook/Avon Pavilion
Facebook/Avon Pavilion This BYOB joint is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The pavilion also offers and old-fashioned ice cream parlor. The casual spot serves up American favorites from both the land and sea. Located right on the boardwalk, this earns itself the title of one of the most scenic places in New Jersey. There’s no better place to brunch!
- Playa Bowls, Belmar
Facebook/Playa Bowls Fresh, flavorful fruit bowls on the beach, could life get any better? Playa Bowls has several shore area locations including Belmar, Manasquan, Long Branch and Bay Head, along with a food truck. Can’t miss menu items include the Nutella Bowl, Electric Mermaid and pretty much everything else. Their bowls are stacked with premium ingredients, and are primarily plant based and full of flavor. You can’t go wrong with these fruit bowls!
- Shipwreck Point, Point Pleasant Beach
Facebook/Shipwreck Point
Facebook/Shipwreck Point Enjoy steak, seafood and more at this fantastic spot just steps from the ocean. The service, steak and crab cakes all stand out. This wonderful institution in New Jersey is a fantastic place to grab a meal. Follow along on their Facebook page and stay up to date on their hours of operation!
- Jimbo’s Bar and Grill, Seaside Heights
Facebook/Jimbo’s Bar and Grill
Facebook/Jimbo’s Bar and Grill This retro spot on the Seaside boardwalk serves up a varied menu of comfort foods and more. Enjoy everything from pizza to steamed clams. This waterfront dining in New Jersey offers some of the best food on the boardwalk, and all with ‘50s themed flair!
- Landshark Bar and Grill, Atlantic City
Facebook/Landshark Bar and Grill Life’s a beach at this Atlantic City hot spot. Enjoy American favorites by day and a booming beach bar at night. For a flavorful kick, try the Sriracha Crunch Burger. From margaritas to Burgers In Paradise, you’ll love the outdoor seating and fun and funky vibe of this great spot.
- Oves Restaurant, Ocean City
Image/Oves Restaurant This casual spot on the Ocean City boardwalk offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and bike rentals. The varied menu serves up something for everyone at prices that will keep both your stomach and wallet full. Open seasonally, you’ll want to make sure this is at the top of your dining list this summer.
- Twisties Tavern on the Bay, Strathmere
Facebook/Twisties Tavern on the Bay
Facebook/Twisties Tavern on the Bay Legend has it that Al Capone dined here during Prohibition, and countless others have come over the years to enjoy this casual eatery. Come for lunch or dinner at this top rated restaurant (by Zagat) and bop along to the beats blasting from the retro jukebox. This incredible historical spot has been a tradition for over 92 years, so you know the food is great!
- Mack’s Pizza, Wildwood
Facebook/Mack’s Pizza
Facebook/Mack’s Pizza Fancy? No. Fantastic? Yes. This pizza shop is a shore favorite, with loyal customers who keep on coming back. Will you be their next big fan? Stay tuned to their Facebook page, where you can ogle these cheesy pizzas and stay up to date on hours and specials.a
Which of these tops the list of the beachfront restaurants in New Jersey? Are there any we missed? Make sure to let us know in the comments below. I know there are so many great spots, I tried to feature a few lesser known gems.
Facebook/Woody’s Ocean Grille
Steps from the ocean, this restaurant serves up the best in seafood and southwestern cuisine. You’ll find a fun, flavorful menu and great deals like Baja Tuesdays - choose from sliders or tacos paired with a glass of wine or the signature Orange Crush for just $15. Check out their whole menu on their website, where you’ll be greeted with entrees that will make your mouth water!
Facebook/Beach Tavern
Enjoy lunch, dinner and drinks at this sushi/seafood spot on the shore. Choose from spectacular small plates, a raw bar and much more. To dock and dine, call the restaurant 30 minutes before arriving by boat. This is definitely one of the restaurants with the best views in New Jersey. Make a reservation right on their website to be sure you get a seat at one of the best spots in town!
Facebook/Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant
The crab burger here is almost as spectacular as the views, and the tuna bruschetta is loaded with flavor. Enjoy outstanding happy hour specials (like 75 cent clams and select $7 appetizers) and live music 4 days a week. They’ve won the “Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator, so you know that the drinks will be just as heavenly as the food. Don’t miss out on this waterfront dining in New Jersey!
Facebook/Avon Pavilion
This BYOB joint is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The pavilion also offers and old-fashioned ice cream parlor. The casual spot serves up American favorites from both the land and sea. Located right on the boardwalk, this earns itself the title of one of the most scenic places in New Jersey. There’s no better place to brunch!
Facebook/Playa Bowls
Fresh, flavorful fruit bowls on the beach, could life get any better? Playa Bowls has several shore area locations including Belmar, Manasquan, Long Branch and Bay Head, along with a food truck. Can’t miss menu items include the Nutella Bowl, Electric Mermaid and pretty much everything else. Their bowls are stacked with premium ingredients, and are primarily plant based and full of flavor. You can’t go wrong with these fruit bowls!
Facebook/Shipwreck Point
Enjoy steak, seafood and more at this fantastic spot just steps from the ocean. The service, steak and crab cakes all stand out. This wonderful institution in New Jersey is a fantastic place to grab a meal. Follow along on their Facebook page and stay up to date on their hours of operation!
Facebook/Jimbo’s Bar and Grill
This retro spot on the Seaside boardwalk serves up a varied menu of comfort foods and more. Enjoy everything from pizza to steamed clams. This waterfront dining in New Jersey offers some of the best food on the boardwalk, and all with ‘50s themed flair!
Facebook/Landshark Bar and Grill
Life’s a beach at this Atlantic City hot spot. Enjoy American favorites by day and a booming beach bar at night. For a flavorful kick, try the Sriracha Crunch Burger. From margaritas to Burgers In Paradise, you’ll love the outdoor seating and fun and funky vibe of this great spot.
Image/Oves Restaurant
This casual spot on the Ocean City boardwalk offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and bike rentals. The varied menu serves up something for everyone at prices that will keep both your stomach and wallet full. Open seasonally, you’ll want to make sure this is at the top of your dining list this summer.
Facebook/Twisties Tavern on the Bay
Legend has it that Al Capone dined here during Prohibition, and countless others have come over the years to enjoy this casual eatery. Come for lunch or dinner at this top rated restaurant (by Zagat) and bop along to the beats blasting from the retro jukebox. This incredible historical spot has been a tradition for over 92 years, so you know the food is great!
Facebook/Mack’s Pizza
Fancy? No. Fantastic? Yes. This pizza shop is a shore favorite, with loyal customers who keep on coming back. Will you be their next big fan? Stay tuned to their Facebook page, where you can ogle these cheesy pizzas and stay up to date on hours and specials.a
New Jersey has some seriously good food. If you’d like to visit more great outdoor and waterfront dining picks, check out 16 Incredible Waterfront Restaurants Everyone In New Jersey Must Visit and 14 New Jersey Restaurants For A Magical Outdoor Dining Experience. It will be hard to choose where to eat!
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Address: 1 E Church St, Sea Bright, NJ 07760, USAAddress: 33 West St, Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750, USAAddress: Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant, 100 Ocean Ave N, Long Branch, NJ 07740, USAAddress: 600 Ocean Ave, Avon-By-The-Sea, NJ 07717, USAAddress: 803 Ocean Ave, Belmar, NJ 07719, USAAddress: 20 Inlet Dr, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, USAAddress: 4th Street &, Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226, USAAddress: 715 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751, USAAddress: 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USAAddress: 3218 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260, USAAddress: 236 Bayview Dr, Strathmere, NJ 08248, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Beachfront Restaurants In New Jersey April 19, 2021 Megan McDonald What kind of food is New Jersey famous for? Sloppy Joes, sliders, cheesesteak: there are so many tasty food dishes that come out of New Jersey that we all know and love. But there’s not one person who lives in this state who won’t rave about the pizza! New Jersey pizza is in a class of its own, and deserves a spot right at the top. What’s the best seafood to order in New Jersey? Situated right on the Atlantic, New Jersey is famous for surf clams and ocean quahogs. These seafood options are actually famous world wide, and are frequently used in sauces, chowders, and even breaded clam strips. They’re so good you’ll be coming back for more!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Beachfront Restaurants In New Jersey
April 19, 2021
Megan McDonald
What kind of food is New Jersey famous for? Sloppy Joes, sliders, cheesesteak: there are so many tasty food dishes that come out of New Jersey that we all know and love. But there’s not one person who lives in this state who won’t rave about the pizza! New Jersey pizza is in a class of its own, and deserves a spot right at the top. What’s the best seafood to order in New Jersey? Situated right on the Atlantic, New Jersey is famous for surf clams and ocean quahogs. These seafood options are actually famous world wide, and are frequently used in sauces, chowders, and even breaded clam strips. They’re so good you’ll be coming back for more!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Sloppy Joes, sliders, cheesesteak: there are so many tasty food dishes that come out of New Jersey that we all know and love. But there’s not one person who lives in this state who won’t rave about the pizza! New Jersey pizza is in a class of its own, and deserves a spot right at the top.
What’s the best seafood to order in New Jersey?
Situated right on the Atlantic, New Jersey is famous for surf clams and ocean quahogs. These seafood options are actually famous world wide, and are frequently used in sauces, chowders, and even breaded clam strips. They’re so good you’ll be coming back for more!
