Waterfront Restaurants at the Jersey Shore
From oceanfront decks to marina docks, dine with spectacular water views and fresh sea breezes.
Dining on the Water
Nothing says "Jersey Shore vacation" like fresh seafood with water views. Whether you want oceanfront surf and sand, a marina deck watching boats, or a bay-side sunset dinner, the shore delivers some of the best waterfront dining on the East Coast.
Pro tip: Bay-facing restaurants (west) offer the best sunset views. Ocean-facing spots (east) are perfect for sunrise brunches or daytime ocean watching.
Types of Waterfront Dining
Oceanfront/Beachfront
Dine with Atlantic Ocean views
The Windrift, Langosta Lounge, Avenue
Sunrise views (east-facing)
Marina/Dock
Watch boats and fishing action
The Lobster House, 2 Mile Landing, Mud City
Often great sunset views (west-facing)
Bay View
Calmer waters, dramatic sunsets
Inlet Cafe, Bahrs Landing, Plantation
Best sunset views
Canal/Inlet
Boat traffic and local flavor
Wharfside, The Crab Trap, Dock Mike's
Varies by location
Best Waterfront Restaurants
The Windrift
Avalon • Beachfront Casual
Dine with your toes in the sand at this iconic Avalon beachfront spot. Deck seating right on the beach with Atlantic Ocean views.
Must Try: Fish Tacos, Sunset Cocktails
Reservations: Recommended for dinner
The Lobster House
Cape May • Dock-Side Seafood
Cape May institution since 1954. Dine on the schooner or dock while watching fishing boats unload the day's catch.
Must Try: Lobster, Clam Chowder, Raw Bar
Reservations: No reservations - expect a wait
2 Mile Landing
Wildwood Crest • Marina Restaurant
Watch boats come and go from this marina restaurant. Fresh seafood, huge deck, and spectacular sunset views over the bay.
Must Try: Steamed Crabs, Fried Seafood Platter
Reservations: Walk-in friendly
Inlet Cafe
Highlands • Bay View Seafood
Stunning views of Sandy Hook Bay and NYC skyline in the distance. Fresh seafood with one of the best water views at the shore.
Must Try: Lobster Roll, Crab Cakes
Reservations: Recommended
Bahrs Landing
Highlands • Historic Seafood
Historic 1917 seafood restaurant with panoramic bay views. Three levels of dining and an outdoor deck.
Must Try: Steamed Clams, Fried Calamari
Reservations: Recommended for weekends
Langosta Lounge
Asbury Park • Beachfront Latin
Right on the Asbury Park boardwalk with ocean views. Latin-inspired menu and creative cocktails.
Must Try: Fish Tacos, Margaritas
Reservations: Walk-in for lunch, recommended for dinner
The Crab Trap
Somers Point • Bay View Crab House
Classic crab house with stunning bay views. Outdoor deck, casual atmosphere, and fresh steamed crabs.
Must Try: Steamed Blue Crabs, Seafood Platters
Reservations: Walk-in friendly
Avenue
Long Branch • Oceanfront Mediterranean
Sophisticated oceanfront dining with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Elegant setting with direct ocean views.
Must Try: Grilled Branzino, Pasta
Reservations: Required
Plantation Restaurant
Harvey Cedars • Bay View BYOB
LBI favorite with stunning bay views and famous sunsets. BYOB adds value to the upscale experience.
Must Try: Seafood Specials, Sunset Views
Reservations: Required
Mud City Crab House
Manahawkin • Casual Crab House
No-frills crab house with outdoor seating by the water. Get messy with steamed crabs and cold beer.
Must Try: Steamed Crabs by the Dozen
Reservations: Walk-in
Dock Mike's Pancake House
Sea Isle City • Waterfront Breakfast
Breakfast and lunch with marina views. Watch boats while enjoying classic breakfast fare.
Must Try: Pancakes, Eggs Benedict
Reservations: No - expect a wait on weekends
Wharfside Restaurant
Point Pleasant Beach • Marina Seafood
Casual marina dining at the Point Pleasant Canal. Fresh seafood and boat watching.
Must Try: Fried Clams, Fish & Chips
Reservations: Recommended for dinner
Waterfront Dining Tips
Book for Sunset
Reserve 30-45 minutes before sunset for the best views. West-facing bay spots have better sunsets.
Request Outdoor
When booking, specify outdoor/deck/waterfront seating. These tables book first.
Check the Weather
Outdoor waterfront dining is weather-dependent. Have a backup plan for rainy days.
Arrive Early
For no-reservation spots like Lobster House, arrive 30-60 minutes before your ideal dinner time.
Go Bay Side
Oceanfront spots face east (sunrise). Bay-side spots face west for sunset views.
Bring Layers
Even in summer, waterfront decks can get breezy at night. Bring a light jacket.
Sunset Dinner Timing Guide
When to book your reservation for the perfect sunset dinner:
| Month | Sunset Time | Book For |
|---|---|---|
| May | 8:00-8:15 PM | 7:00-7:15 PM |
| June | 8:25-8:30 PM | 7:30-7:45 PM |
| July | 8:15-8:30 PM | 7:15-7:30 PM |
| August | 7:45-8:15 PM | 7:00-7:15 PM |
| September | 7:00-7:30 PM | 6:15-6:30 PM |
Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunset to order drinks and enjoy the full show.
Waterfront Budget Guide
| Experience | Per Person | Atmosphere | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual Crab House | $25-45 | Paper tables, mallets, bibs | Mud City, Crab Trap |
| Family Waterfront | $20-35 | Outdoor deck, casual | 2 Mile Landing, Wharfside |
| Upscale Waterfront | $45-75 | White tablecloth, refined | Avenue, Plantation |
| Special Occasion | $60-100+ | Premium views, elegant | Inlet Cafe, Lobster House |
Waterfront Dining by Region
Sandy Hook Bay (Monmouth)
Highlands has some of the best bay views at the shore. Inlet Cafe and Bahrs Landing offer panoramic views of Sandy Hook Bay with NYC skyline in the distance.
Best sunsets at the northern shore
Explore Highlands DiningAsbury Park & Long Branch
Oceanfront boardwalk dining with Atlantic views. Langosta Lounge in Asbury and Avenue in Long Branch offer sophisticated ocean-side experiences.
East-facing ocean views
Explore Asbury Park DiningLBI & Barnegat Bay
Bay-side restaurants on LBI offer spectacular sunset views over Barnegat Bay. Plantation in Harvey Cedars and Mud City nearby are local favorites.
Premium sunset destination
Explore LBI DiningCape May & Wildwoods
The Lobster House in Cape May is legendary for dock-side dining. 2 Mile Landing in Wildwood Crest offers marina views and great sunsets.
Marina and harbor dining capital
Explore Cape May DiningWaterfront Dining Picks
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Waterfront Dining FAQ
What are the best waterfront restaurants at the Jersey Shore?
Top waterfront spots include The Windrift in Avalon for beachfront dining, 2 Mile Landing in Wildwood Crest for marina views, Inlet Cafe in Highlands for Sandy Hook Bay, and The Lobster House in Cape May for dock-side fresh seafood.
When is the best time for sunset dinner at the shore?
For summer sunset dinners, make reservations for 7-7:30 PM (sunset is typically 8-8:30 PM in July). West-facing bay and marina spots often have better sunset views than oceanfront locations.
Do I need reservations for waterfront restaurants?
Yes, especially in summer and for weekend sunset times. Book 1-2 weeks ahead for prime waterfront tables. Specify that you want outdoor or waterfront seating when reserving.
Are waterfront restaurants kid-friendly?
Many are! Dock-side restaurants like 2 Mile Landing and The Crab Trap have casual atmospheres perfect for families. Some upscale oceanfront spots may be better for adults or special occasions.
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Dine with spectacular water views at the Jersey Shore.