Jersey Shore Dining Guide
From fresh-caught seafood to boardwalk classics, discover the best places to eat at the shore.
What Are You Craving?
Fresh Seafood
From dock to table - the freshest catches on the coast
Pizza
Boardwalk slices and classic pizzerias
Ice Cream
Frozen custard, gelato, and sweet treats
Boardwalk Food
Iconic shore eats you can't miss
BYOB Restaurants
Bring your own wine and save
Brunch Spots
Start your beach day right
Best Breakfast
Top-rated breakfast spots
Date Night
Romantic restaurants for special evenings
Family-Friendly
Kid-friendly spots the whole family will love
Waterfront Dining
Dine with stunning water views
Best Seafood
Top-rated seafood restaurants
Best Italian
Top Italian restaurants and trattorias
Best Mexican
Tacos, burritos, and margaritas
Late Night Eats
Food after midnight
Open in Winter
Year-round restaurants
Accessible Dining
Wheelchair-friendly restaurants
Dining by Town
Monmouth County
Atlantic County
Cape May County
Popular Dining Searches
Featured Restaurants
Lobster House
Cape May • Seafood
Legendary waterfront seafood since 1954. Fresh catches, raw bar, and stunning harbor views.
More Cape May restaurants →Mikes Seafood
Sea Isle City • Seafood
Family-run market and restaurant with the freshest catches. Try the lobster bisque.
More Sea Isle City restaurants →Marucas Tomato Pies
Seaside Heights • Pizza
Boardwalk institution since 1950. The original Jersey Shore tomato pie.
More Seaside Heights restaurants →Moonstruck
Asbury Park • Mediterranean
Upscale Mediterranean with an award-winning wine list. Romantic ambiance.
More Asbury Park restaurants →Knife & Fork Inn
Atlantic City • American Fine Dining
Historic steakhouse dating to 1912. Classic elegance and impeccable service.
More Atlantic City restaurants →Kleins Fish Market
Belmar • Seafood
Fresh-off-the-boat seafood with casual waterfront dining. BYOB.
More Belmar restaurants →Some links may earn us a commission. Learn more
Shore Dining Tips
Make Reservations
Summer weekends book up fast. Call ahead for popular spots, especially for parties of 4+.
BYOB Saves Money
Many shore restaurants are BYOB with no corkage fee. Bring your own wine and save.
Eat Early or Late
Peak dinner hours (6-8pm) have the longest waits. Try 5pm or after 8:30pm.
Ask About Catch of the Day
Local fish specials are often the freshest and best value.
🍷 The Jersey Shore BYOB Guide
BYOB is a Jersey Shore institution. While most states limit it, New Jersey embraces it—especially in shore towns with limited liquor licenses. Understanding the culture saves you serious money.
What It Means
Bring Your Own Bottle—you supply the wine, beer, or spirits; they supply the glasses, ice, and openers. Most NJ shore restaurants charge zero corkage fee.
Your Savings
A $30 bottle of wine at a restaurant costs you $12 at the liquor store. Multiply that by a week of dinners and you've saved $100+ easily.
Is It Legal?
Perfectly legal in New Jersey. Restaurants must be licensed for BYOB (most are). You can bring wine, beer, and spirits unless posted otherwise.
Best Towns for BYOB
Ocean City
Dry town—no alcohol sold anywhere. BYOB is the only option, so every restaurant is set up for it. Pack a cooler.
Cape May
Limited liquor licenses mean most restaurants are BYOB. Victorian charm + your own wine = perfect dinner.
Sea Isle City
Tons of casual BYOB options. Stop at Circle Liquors on the way to dinner.
Stone Harbor
Upscale dining, BYOB pricing. Bring a nice bottle and enjoy white tablecloth without the markup.
Avalon
Family dining and fine dining alike embrace BYOB. Less pretense than other upscale towns.
BYOB Etiquette
Don't bring cheap wine to nice restaurants
Match your bottle to the restaurant quality. A $10 bottle at a $50/plate restaurant is awkward.
Bring enough for your party
One bottle serves 4-5 glasses. Budget 1 bottle per 2 people for dinner.
Tip as if you ordered drinks
Your server still opens, pours, and manages your drinks. Tip on what the bill would have been with alcohol.
Ask about corkage before ordering
Most shore spots are free, but a few charge $5-15. Confirm to avoid surprises.
Coolers are normal—don't be shy
Walking into a restaurant with a cooler bag is completely acceptable at the shore.
Where to Stock Up
Circle Liquors
Sea Isle City
Best selection in South Jersey. They'll recommend pairings.
Canal's
Multiple locations
Huge warehouse selection. Good prices on cases.
Joe Canal's
Egg Harbor
Near AC. Great for stocking up before heading south.
Collier's
Cape May
Walking distance from restaurants. Convenient but pricier.
💰 Shore Dining Price Guide
Shore dining spans from $8 pizza slices to $80 lobster tails. Here's what to expect at each level—and how to get the best value.
$ — $15-25/person
Best for: Families with kids, beach day refueling, late-night cravings, budget-conscious visitors.
Boardwalk food, pizza shops, casual seafood shacks, diners. Counter service or fast-casual. Paper plates and plastic forks.
Insider Tips:
- ✓Boardwalk pizza slices are huge—one slice often feeds two kids.
- ✓Seafood shacks have fresher fish than you'd expect at this price.
- ✓Look for early bird specials at diners—full meals for $12-15.
Examples: Mack's Pizza, Curley's Fries, Mustache Bill's Diner, any boardwalk stand.
$$ — $30-50/person
Best for: Most visitors most nights. Good food without financial stress.
Casual sit-down restaurants, family seafood spots, pub fare, most BYOB restaurants. Table service, real plates, modest ambiance.
Insider Tips:
- ✓BYOB at this tier saves the most money percentage-wise.
- ✓Lunch specials are often 30% cheaper than dinner for the same dishes.
- ✓Share appetizers—portions are generous at shore restaurants.
Examples: Klein's Fish Market, Mike's Seafood, Dock Mike's, most local pizza restaurants.
$$$ — $60-90/person
Best for: Date nights, special dinners, visitors who prioritize food quality.
Upscale casual dining, waterfront restaurants with views, quality steaks and seafood. Reservations recommended. Nice but not formal dress.
Insider Tips:
- ✓Ask about tasting menus—better value than à la carte at this tier.
- ✓Waterfront tables are often first-come; request when booking.
- ✓This is where chef creativity shines—order specials, not standards.
Examples: Lobster House, Washington Inn, Knife & Fork Inn, Moonstruck.
$$$$ — $100+/person
Best for: Anniversaries, proposals, once-a-trip splurges, serious foodies.
Fine dining, tasting menus, celebrity chef restaurants (mostly AC casinos). Formal dress recommended. Multi-course experiences.
Insider Tips:
- ✓Casino restaurants often have off-menu experiences—ask.
- ✓Tasting menus are the way to go—you're paying for the chef's vision.
- ✓Book 2-3 weeks ahead minimum for Saturday nights.
Examples: Chef Vola's, Buddakan, Gordon Ramsay Steak, Il Mulino.
📅 Planning Your Shore Dinner
A great shore dinner requires some planning—especially in peak season. Here's how to navigate reservations, timing, and expectations.
The Reservation Game
Fine dining ($$$+)
Book 2 weeks ahead for summer weekends. 1 week for weekdays. Call directly—OpenTable doesn't have all spots.
Popular casual ($$)
Book 3-5 days ahead for weekends. Walk-ins work on weekdays except July 4th week.
Boardwalk/pizza ($)
No reservations taken. Arrive before 6pm or after 8pm to avoid peak lines.
Pro Tips:
- •Party of 6+? You're limited to specific tables. Book early or expect to split up.
- •Ask about outdoor seating when booking—waterfront tables go first.
- •Mention special occasions—restaurants often accommodate with better tables.
- •No-shows ruin it for everyone. Cancel if plans change.
Avoiding the Rush
| Time | Crowd | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00-6:00pm | Light | Early bird specials. Mostly families with young kids. Quick seating. |
| 6:00-7:30pm | Peak | Everyone wants dinner now. Waits of 30-60+ minutes without reservations. |
| 7:30-8:30pm | Heavy | Still crowded but starting to thin. Second seating at popular spots. |
| 8:30pm+ | Moderate | Late diners, couples without kids, post-beach crowd. Often best service. |
💡 Best Strategy: Eat a late beach lunch (3pm), have a drink at 7pm when everyone else is eating, dine at 8:30pm in peace.
What to Wear
Boardwalk & casual ($)
Anything goes. Swimsuit coverups, flip-flops, sandy feet—all fine.
Sit-down casual ($$)
Shorts and nice t-shirts work. Most people are beach-casual. No swimwear at tables.
Upscale casual ($$$)
Collared shirts for men, sundresses for women. No flip-flops. Beach towns are relaxed but not sloppy.
Fine dining ($$$$)
Business casual minimum. Some AC restaurants require jackets. Check when booking.
🎉 Special Occasions at the Shore
The shore is made for celebrations. Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, or proposal, here's how to make it memorable.
Birthdays
Kid birthdays
Boardwalk dinner + ice cream cake from Kohr's or Springer's. Kids don't need fine dining—they need fun.
Milestone birthdays
Book a private room at Lobster House or Washington Inn. Call ahead to arrange cake and decorations.
Birthday surprises
Tell the restaurant when booking. Most will bring a complimentary dessert with candle.
Anniversaries
Romantic waterfront
Sunset dinner at The Lobster House's outdoor deck or Moonstruck's garden. Request waterside seating.
Victorian elegance
Washington Inn in Cape May. Old-world charm, impeccable service, BYOB a special bottle.
Casino glamour
Buddakan or Old Homestead in AC. Dress up, people-watch, feel like celebrities.
Proposals
Private moment
Book a corner table at a BYOB in Cape May. Less staff interruption than AC restaurants.
With an audience
Sunset at the Cape May lighthouse, then dinner at The Ebbitt Room. The walk after sets the stage.
Pro tip
Tell the restaurant. They'll time courses, give you space, maybe comp champagne. They love proposals.
Dietary Restrictions
Vegetarian/Vegan
Asbury Park has the best plant-based scene—Talula's, Toast, and Porta all have strong options.
Gluten-free
Most upscale restaurants accommodate easily. Call ahead so the kitchen is prepared. Avoid boardwalk (cross-contamination risk).
Seafood allergies
Harder at the shore (obvious reasons). Italian restaurants and steakhouses are your safest bets.
🦀 Seafood Season Guide
Spring (Apr-May)
Flounder, striped bass, soft shell crab
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Lobster, blue crab, tuna, mahi-mahi
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Scallops, oysters, striped bass
Winter (Dec-Mar)
Oysters, clams, cod, monkfish
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