What are the best brunch spots at the Jersey Shore?

Top brunch spots include Cross & Orange in Asbury Park (Best Brunch Central Jersey 2024), The Mad Batter in Cape May for Victorian charm, Toast for trendy vibes, and Uncle Bill's for classic pancakes.

Are there BYOB brunch spots at the Jersey Shore?

Yes! Many shore brunch spots are BYOB including Blue Pig Tavern at Congress Hall in Cape May. Bring champagne and OJ for DIY mimosas at a fraction of restaurant prices.

Do I need reservations for brunch at the shore?

For upscale spots like Cross & Orange or Shutters, reservations are recommended, especially for groups of 4+. Classic diners and pancake houses are first-come, first-served.

What time should I go to avoid brunch crowds?

Peak brunch is 10am-12pm on weekends. Beat the crowds by arriving at 8am for early birds or after 1pm for the late brunch crowd.

Best Brunch at the Jersey Shore

From pancake houses to boozy brunches with ocean views, start your beach day the right way.

10+Top Spots

4Vibes

BYOBOptions

Find Your Brunch Vibe

🥂

Boozy Brunch

Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and creative cocktails

Try: Cross & Orange, Langosta Lounge, Toast

🥞

Classic Pancake House

Old-school breakfast diners with big portions

Try: Uncle Bill's, George's Place, The OB Diner

🌊

Oceanfront

Eat with a view of the water

Try: Langosta Lounge, Shutters, McLoone Pier House

🏡

Victorian Charm

Historic settings and garden seating

Try: Mad Batter, Blue Pig, Ebbitt Room

Top Brunch Spots

Cross & Orange

Asbury Park • Upscale Brunch

$$$

Serves Alcohol

Named Best Brunch in Central Jersey 2024. Creative menu, excellent cocktails, and beautiful presentation.

Must Try: Duck Fat Potatoes, Breakfast Burger

Reservations: Recommended

The Mad Batter

Cape May • Victorian Brunch

Serves Alcohol

Charming Victorian setting with a menu that mixes classic breakfast with creative twists. Garden seating available.

Must Try: Eggs Carroll, Stuffed French Toast

Reservations: Walk-in friendly

George's Place

Cape May • Classic Breakfast

No-frills Greek diner that locals swear by. Huge portions, reasonable prices, and friendly service.

Must Try: Greek Omelet, Blueberry Pancakes

Reservations: No - expect a wait

Toast

Asbury Park • Trendy Brunch

Serves Alcohol

Trendy spot with Instagram-worthy dishes. Known for creative benedicts and strong coffee.

Must Try: Any Benedict Variation, Avocado Toast

Reservations: No - first come first served

Uncle Bills Pancake House

Multiple Locations • Classic Pancake House

Shore institution with locations in LBI, Ocean City, and Cape May. Classic breakfast done right.

Must Try: Pecan Pancakes, Eggs Benedict

Reservations: No

Blue Pig Tavern

Cape May • Hotel Brunch

Serves Alcohol

Congress Hall iconic restaurant. Elegant brunch in a historic setting. BYOB.

Must Try: Crab Cake Benedict, Bloody Mary (bring your own vodka)

Reservations: Recommended for weekends

Langosta Lounge

Asbury Park • Beach Brunch

Serves Alcohol

Right on the boardwalk with ocean views. Latin-inspired brunch menu and creative cocktails.

Must Try: Huevos Rancheros, Churro French Toast

Reservations: Walk-in friendly

The Committed Pig

Manasquan • Breakfast Sandwiches

Famous for over-the-top breakfast sandwiches. Casual counter-service with big flavors.

Must Try: The Whole Hog, Pork Roll Egg & Cheese

Reservations: No

Shutters at the Banks

Long Branch • Upscale Brunch

$$$

Serves Alcohol

Elegant oceanfront dining with a refined brunch menu. Perfect for special occasions.

Must Try: Lobster Omelet, Champagne Brunch

Reservations: Required

Starving Artist

Ocean City • Eclectic Breakfast

Quirky decor, creative menu, and a loyal local following. Known for massive portions.

Must Try: Giant Cinnamon Bun, Breakfast Quesadilla

Reservations: No - expect a wait

Brunch Tips

Make Reservations

Popular spots book up, especially for groups of 4+. Call ahead for weekend brunch.

Go Early or Late

Peak brunch is 10am-12pm. Beat the crowds by arriving at 8am or after 1pm.

Check BYOB Status

Many shore brunch spots are BYOB. Bring champagne for DIY mimosas and save.

Bring Cash

Some classic diners are cash-only. Have backup just in case.

Brunch Budget Guide

Category	Per Person	Drinks	Wait Time
Classic Diner/Pancake House	$12-18	Coffee included	15-30 min
Casual Brunch Spot	$18-28	Coffee, juice extra	20-45 min
Boozy Brunch	$30-50	Cocktails $10-15 each	30-60 min
Upscale Brunch	$45-75	Champagne service $50+	Reservation required

When to Go: Beat the Crowds

Saturday

Peak:

10 AM - 12 PM

Best Time:

Before 9 AM or after 1:30 PM

Hardest day to get a table without waiting

Sunday

Peak:

10:30 AM - 1 PM

Best Time:

Before 9:30 AM or after 2 PM

Slightly easier than Saturday afternoon

Weekday

Peak:

10-11 AM (summer only)

Best Time:

Any time works

Best day for walk-in at popular spots

Holiday Weekend

Peak:

All morning

Best Time:

Make reservations

Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day - book ahead

Common Brunch Mistakes

Showing up at 10 AM on Saturday without a reservation

Hour-plus wait at popular spots. Standing outside hungry while tables turn slowly.

✓ Make reservations for groups of 4+ or arrive before 9 AM. Alternatively, go after 1 PM.

Not checking if the spot is BYOB

Paying $15/mimosa when you could've brought a $12 bottle of champagne.

✓ Call ahead or check our BYOB guide. Bring champagne + OJ for DIY mimosas.

Ordering the full cocktail list at boozy brunch

$100+ brunch bill and an afternoon nap instead of beach time.

✓ Pace yourself. Two drinks with food is plenty for a beach day ahead.

Bringing a large group without calling ahead

Split tables, long wait, or turned away entirely. Groups of 6+ are hard to seat.

✓ Call ahead for groups. Many spots take reservations only for 4+ anyway.

Assuming everywhere takes cards

Classic diners are often cash-only. Awkward ATM run after eating.

✓ Bring $40-50 cash as backup, especially for old-school spots.

BYOB Savings Calculator

See how much you save bringing your own at BYOB brunch spots:

Item	Restaurant Price	BYOB Cost	You Save
Restaurant Mimosa (each)	$12-15	$3-4	$8-11
Bottle of Champagne	$45-75	$15-25	$30-50
Bloody Mary	$14-18	$5-6	$9-12
Bellini	$14-16	$4-5	$10-11

A group of 4 can easily save $50-100 by going BYOB!

BYOB Brunch Hack

Many Jersey Shore brunch spots are BYOB. Pick up a bottle of champagne or prosecco and some orange juice for DIY mimosas at a fraction of restaurant prices.

Best BYOB brunch spots: Blue Pig Tavern, The Mad Batter, and many others. Check our BYOB guide for the full list.

Brunch by Region

North Shore (Monmouth)

Asbury Park leads the pack with trendy spots like Cross & Orange and Toast. Long Branch has upscale oceanfront options.

Explore Monmouth County

Central Shore (Ocean)

Point Pleasant and LBI have classic pancake houses. Manasquan offers The Committed Pig for breakfast sandwich lovers.

Explore Ocean County

South Shore (Cape May)

Cape May is brunch heaven with Victorian charm at Mad Batter and Blue Pig. Ocean City has Starving Artist and Uncle Bill's.

Explore Cape May County

Atlantic City Area

Casino hotel brunches offer buffet options. Tony's Baltimore Grill is a 24-hour classic for late-night breakfast.

Explore Atlantic County

Looking for the Best Breakfast?

Check out our ranked guide to the best breakfast spots at the Jersey Shore. From classic diners to upscale brunch, we've rated them all.

See Best Breakfast Rankings →

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