Jersey Shore Boardwalk Food Guide
Pizza, funnel cake, salt water taffy, and all the classics that make a shore trip complete.
Boardwalk Food is an Experience
It's not about fine dining - it's about the smell of pizza wafting down the boards, eating funnel cake while watching the waves, and bringing home a box of taffy. Boardwalk food is summer in edible form.
Pro tip: Come hungry and pace yourself. The best strategy is to share everything so you can try more.
Boardwalk Classics
Pizza & Tomato Pies
NJ-style boardwalk pizza is its own thing - thin, crispy, and meant to be folded. Tomato pies are the Jersey original.
Where to Try:
Funnel Cake
Deep-fried dough, powdered sugar, and optional toppings. The smell alone is half the experience.
Where to Try:
Salt Water Taffy
Invented in Atlantic City, this chewy candy comes in dozens of flavors. Watch it being made.
Where to Try:
Sausage & Peppers
Italian sausage with grilled peppers and onions on a roll. The quintessential boardwalk lunch.
Where to Try:
Soft Serve Ice Cream
The iconic orange-vanilla swirl. Kohr Bros is the standard, but every town has their favorite.
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Cheesesteaks
We're close enough to Philly that shore cheesesteaks are legit. Wiz wit or without?
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Lemonade
Fresh-squeezed lemonade is the official boardwalk drink. Look for stands where they squeeze it in front of you.
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Fried Oreos & Sweets
Deep-fried everything: Oreos, Twinkies, candy bars. Peak boardwalk indulgence.
Where to Try:
Boardwalk Food by Town
Wildwood
Longest boardwalk, most variety
Best For:
Tip: Walk the full 2 miles - different sections have different food vendors.
All Wildwood diningSeaside Heights
Classic Jersey Shore experience
Best For:
Tip: Maruca's has limited hours - check before you go.
All Seaside Heights diningOcean City
Family-friendly, alcohol-free
Best For:
Tip: Johnson's Popcorn is addictive - buy an extra bucket.
All Ocean City diningPoint Pleasant
Compact but packed with classics
Best For:
Tip: Get there early on weekends - parking fills up fast.
All Point Pleasant diningAtlantic City
Historic boardwalk, salt water taffy origin
Best For:
Tip: White House Subs is a must, even though its not technically on the boardwalk.
All Atlantic City diningAsbury Park
Revitalized with upscale options
Best For:
Tip: More foodie than classic boardwalk - but excellent quality.
All Asbury Park diningBuild Your Boardwalk Food Crawl
Plan your eating adventure with these suggested progressions:
The Classic Tour
- 1. Pizza slice
- 2. Lemonade
- 3. Funnel cake
- 4. Salt water taffy
Sweet Tooth Special
- 1. Soft serve
- 2. Funnel cake
- 3. Fried Oreos
- 4. Taffy
- 5. Fudge
Savory Crawl
- 1. Pizza
- 2. Sausage & peppers
- 3. Cheesesteak
- 4. Clam strips
Boardwalk Eating Tips
Bring Cash
Many boardwalk stands are cash-only. ATMs on the boardwalk charge high fees - hit your bank first.
Share Everything
Portions are huge. Split items so you can try more variety without feeling sick.
Avoid Peak Hours
Lines are longest 12-2pm and 6-8pm. Go early evening for the best combination of short lines and atmosphere.
Take Treats Home
Taffy, fudge, and popcorn travel well. Buy extra as gifts or for the ride home.
Beyond the Boardwalk
Looking for sit-down restaurants? Explore our other dining guides.