NJShore Guide

Best Seafood Restaurants in Somers Point

5 hand-picked seafood restaurants in this atlantic County beach town

Looking for the best seafood restaurants in somers-point? We've curated the top spots based on quality, value, and local reputation. From budget-friendly options to upscale experiences, here are our top picks for seafood restaurants in Somers Point.

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What to Look For in Seafood Restaurant

The Jersey Shore is synonymous with fresh seafood. From dock-to-table catches brought in daily by local fishing fleets to legendary raw bars serving briny oysters and clams, the shore offers some of the best seafood on the East Coast. Many restaurants have their own fishing boats or relationships with local captains, ensuring the freshest possible catches.

Insider Tips

  • Look for restaurants near fishing docks or marinas - proximity often means fresher seafood
  • Ask what came in that day - good restaurants know their daily catch
  • BYOB restaurants often have better food quality (savings on liquor license go to ingredients)
  • Check if they source from local boats like Viking Village in Barnegat Light

Off-Season Tips

Quieter dining with more personal service. Many chefs experiment with seasonal menus. Some restaurants close, so call ahead.

Top 5 Seafood Restaurants

1

Anchor Inn

$$

Bay Avenue staple with waterfront deck, live music, and classic seafood. Popular sunset spot.

seafoodamerican
waterfrontlive musicdeckbar-grill
2

Clam Bar

$$

Casual seafood spot on Bay Avenue specializing in clams and local catches.

seafoodcasual
seafoodcasuallocal
3

Clancy's By The Bay

$$

Waterfront dining on Maryland Avenue with bay views and fresh seafood.

seafoodamerican
waterfrontbay viewsseafood
4

Crab Trap

$$

Casual waterfront seafood spot known for crabs and bay views.

seafoodcasual
waterfrontcasualseafood market
5

Gregory's Restaurant & Bar

$$

Iconic waterfront restaurant and bar with outdoor deck. A Bay Avenue institution since 1946.

seafoodamericanbar-grill
waterfrontoutdoor seatinglive musicsunset views

Our Top Picks Reviewed

Best Overall: Anchor Inn

Anchor Inn stands out as our top pick for seafood restaurants in Somers Point.Bay Avenue staple with waterfront deck, live music, and classic seafood. Popular sunset spot. At $$ pricing, it delivers excellent value for the quality. Notable features include waterfront, live music, deck. Specializing in seafood and american, this spot is perfect for both locals and visitors.

Best Value: Clancy's By The Bay

For those watching their budget without sacrificing quality, Clancy's By The Bay offers exceptional value at $$ pricing.Waterfront dining on Maryland Avenue with bay views and fresh seafood. This is our go-to recommendation for families and groups looking to experience great seafood restaurants without breaking the bank.

Best for Special Occasions: Clam Bar

When you're celebrating something special in Somers Point, Clam Bar delivers an memorable experience.Casual seafood spot on Bay Avenue specializing in clams and local catches. Even at moderate pricing, the quality and atmosphere punch above its weight.

What to Know Before You Go

The seafood restaurants scene in Somers Point varies by season. During peak summer months (June through August), wait times at popular spots can exceed an hour, especially on weekend evenings. We recommend making reservations at least a week in advance for weekend dining. Off-season visitors (September through May) will find it much easier to secure tables, and many establishments offer seasonal specials and promotions.

Price-wise, expect to spend between $15-30 per person at $ spots, $30-50 at $$ establishments, $50-80 at $$$ venues, and $80+ at $$$$ fine dining locations. Most Somers Point seafood restaurants are BYOB-friendly, which can significantly reduce your total bill if you bring your own wine or beer.

Quick Comparison

NamePriceBest ForHighlights
Anchor Inn$$Families & Groupswaterfront, live music
Clam Bar$$Families & Groupsseafood, casual
Clancy's By The Bay$$Families & Groupswaterfront, bay views
Crab Trap$$Families & Groupswaterfront, casual
Gregory's Restaurant & Bar$$Families & Groupswaterfront, outdoor seating

Seafood Restaurant Tips for Value

Get more for your money with these local insights for seafood restaurants in Somers Point.

  • 1BYOB saves $30-50 on wine - many top seafood spots are BYOB
  • 2Lunch menus often have the same fish at lower prices
  • 3Counter service spots often have better prices than sit-down
  • 4Fish tacos and po'boys are budget-friendly ways to enjoy fresh catches

Planning Your Visit to Somers Point?

Check out our complete guide to Somers Point with beaches, events, parking info, and more.

View Somers Point Guide →

About Somers Point

Somers Point answers a question that Ocean City visitors eventually ask: where do you get a drink in a dry town? The answer is across the 9th Street Bridge, where Bay Avenue's waterfront bars have served Ocean City's alcohol needs since Prohibition ended. This bayside city functions as Ocean City's mainland counterpoint—everything the family-friendly island intentionally lacks, concentrated along a half-mile of waterfront decks overlooking Great Egg Harbor Bay. Bay Avenue is legendary for a reason. Gregory's Restaurant & Bar has anchored the strip since 1946, serving fresh seafood on outdoor decks where the sunset views compete with any beach town. The Crab Trap handles steamed crabs in no-frills fashion. The Anchor Inn books live music on summer weekends. Charlie's Bar operates as the neighborhood tavern for locals who live here year-round. Figure $20-35 for casual waterfront dining, with bar tabs adding whatever you choose. The scene runs until 2am on summer weekends. The boating access gives Somers Point utility beyond bar-hopping. Multiple marinas offer slips and boat ramps into Great Egg Harbor Bay—the back-bay system that connects Ocean City, Margate, and Longport. Fishermen launch here for flounder, weakfish, and crabbing that requires no ocean boat. Kayakers and jet skiers rent equipment at the marinas. Sunset cruises depart from the commercial docks. The geography creates an affordable accommodation strategy. Somers Point's Residence Inn and other mainland hotels run 30-40% cheaper than Ocean City beachfront properties, with the barrier island 5 minutes across the bridge. Families who prioritize pool and suite space over oceanfront proximity find the value proposition convincing. Shore Medical Center, the primary hospital serving the beach communities, sits in Somers Point—a fact that matters more to year-round residents but explains the city's infrastructure beyond tourism. Somers Point works best for Bay Avenue bar-hoppers who want waterfront drinks without Ocean City's dry-town limitations, boaters seeking back-bay access to Great Egg Harbor, budget travelers willing to trade beachfront for value, and anyone who appreciates that the best shore nightlife sometimes sits on the mainland. Skip Somers Point if you want beach access from your doorstep—cross the bridge for that. But for the bayside city that figured out how to serve Ocean City's forbidden pleasures while building its own waterfront identity, Somers Point delivers exactly what the barrier islands can't provide.

Why Somers Point for Seafood Restaurants?

Somers Point in Atlantic County has become a destination for seafood restaurants lovers thanks to its unique blend of waterfront, nightlife, boating vibes. Whether you're looking for waterfront dining, hidden local gems, or family-friendly options, this atlantic County beach town delivers.

What Makes Somers Point Special

  • waterfront atmosphere
  • nightlife atmosphere
  • boating atmosphere
  • convenient atmosphere
  • lively atmosphere

Planning Your Visit

Somers Point is accessible from major cities, making it perfect for day trips or weekend getaways. For the best seafood restaurants experience, consider visiting during shoulder season (May-June or September-October) when crowds are lighter but most establishments are open.

Getting to Somers Point

  • From NYC: 2hr 15min
  • From Philadelphia: 1hr 15min
  • From Newark: 1hr 45min

Local Tips

  • Parking: Free parking throughout town. Some lots near Bay Avenue restaurants.
  • Best Time: Weekday lunches offer shorter waits at popular spots.
  • Reservations: Book ahead for summer weekends, especially waterfront venues.

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