Restaurants near Ocean Grove

During the summer, you should always make reservations if you want to dine out. There are hundreds of great places to eat - please leave notes about any good ones you find in the guest book. All Ocean Grove is "dry", but the better restaurants are happy to uncork any bottle you bring. Here is a sampling:

Within Walking distance

1. Day's Ice Cream/Starving Artist Cafe (732) 988-1007 Best place in town for breakfast or lunch. Also serves my favorite ice cream. BYOB. Good food, friendly service. 47 Olin Street, Ocean Grove

2. Stella Marina (732) 775-7776 http://stellamarinarestaurant.com Fine Italian restaurant on the boardwalk just beyond the Casino. Hip decor, unusual food that is well prepared and attractive. Enjoy a great Italian wine as you watch the moon rise over the ocean. Can be noisy near the bar, so sit upstairs on the deck if weather permits 1200 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park

3. Clancy's Tavern (732) 988-4500 Just outside the Grove in West Grove Square, this is a family restaurant with decent inexpensive food and drinks. Mom likes the reuben, my cousin likes the potato soup. 35 S. Main St, Neptune.

4. The Victorian Tea Room (732) 988-1216 http://www.lillagaard.com/tearoom.html In the Lillagaard Hotel. Lunch and High Tea. 5 Abbott Avenue, Ocean Grove.

5. Luigi's Restaurant & Pizza (732) 502-0015 http://www.luigispizzaandrestaurant.com Family pizza & Italian restaurant. Great for eat in, takeout or delivery. Stop in and select from their Italian specialties. For a crowd, I'd order in advance. BYOB.

6. Sea Grass (732) 869-0770 Eclectic, interesting food, lots of seafood. BYOB. 68 Main Avenue Ocean Grove. http://www.seagrassnj.com

7. Taka (732) 775-1020 http://www.takaapnj.com/ Trendy and popular. Sushi and other Japanese standards. . My grandkids love this one the best – they are sushi fiends. 660 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park.

9. Prohibition (732)455-3808 http://www.prohibition.net Housed in the former Steinbach's Department Store building, features a large bar, outdoor seating, speak-easy vibe. Live music nightly. 541 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park

10. Reyla (732)455-8332 https://www.heyreyla.com/ Asbury Park’s newest ‘small plates” sensation, specializing in Mediterranean food. Wow! 605 Mattison Ave, Asbury Park.

11. The Brick Wall Tavern & Dining Room (732) 774-1264. Tavern atmosphere, very dark, not much besides burgers but ok family fare. 522 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park

12. Brando's Citi Cucina (732)-774-2222. Fine Italian dining. I've been twice and have not been disappointed. http://www.brandosnj.com/ 162 Main St (at Cookman) Asbury Park

13. Moonstruck (732) 988-0123 Elegant surroundings overlooking Wesley Lake and the Grove; classy and pricey. Food not as great as the ambiance. One of my guests thought it was too noisy. 517 Lake Ave., Asbury Park

14. Cubacon (732)774-3004 Cuban food on the Boardwalk. I love the ambiance, upbeat music, although Dan thinks it's a little noisy. Sit outside if the weather permits. 800 Ocean Ave, Asbury, in the first block of buildings after the Casino. http://www.cubacan.net/

15. Isabella's Ristorante (732) 988-5522 Casual family-style Italian food. 632 Cookman, Asbury Park

16. Tim McCloone's Supper Club and Mcloone's Asbury Grille (732) 774-1155 http://www.timmcloonessupperclub.com and http://www.mcloonesasburygrille.com/ In the former Howard Johnson's near Convention Hall. Boardwalk at 5th Street, Asbury Park. Dinner and a movie or entertainment upstairs at the supper club, visit the web site for schedule. Dinner & drinks downstairs at the Grill, great views of the water. Food is so-so. (Not shown on the map)

17. Porta Pizzeria (732)776-7661. Picnic-style seating inside and out, full bar, mostly pizza. I was not impressed, but others love it. Pizza is much better than the Ocean Grove Pizzeria. 911 Kingsley, Asbury Park

18. Langosta Lounge (732)455-3275 langostalounge.com Live jazz music some nights. Varied menu. Best if you get a seat outside on the boardwalk when the moon is rising! 1000 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park

19. Hotel Tides Restaurant (732) 897-7744. Thehoteltides.com Fabulous tiny restaurant hidden inside this hotel on the north side of Asbury. New American cuisine, you will not be disappointed. 408 7th Ave., Asbury Park

20. Barrio Costero (732)455-5544 http://www.barriocostero.com/ Beautifully prepared food that is amazingly delicious. Try it! Mexican-fusion small plates. You must try at least one of the taco versions. 610 Bangs Ave., Asbury Park.

21. Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten (732) 997-8767. asburybiergarten.com. Okay, you know you will go here at least once. The top deck has a great view of Ocean Grove; seating is at picnic tables shoulder to shoulder with other patrons listening to the live music. You'll have a choice of brats, cucumber salad, and amazing pretzels. And beer -- lots of beer -- and other drinks. Downstairs is cavelike, but you'll have a better choice of menu items. 527 Lake Ave, Asbury.

Restaurants: Further away, car needed, but worth it!

1. Mr. Shrimp (732) 681-7855. Great seafood, portions are huge. They cater, deliver, and do take out. This is a moderately priced, nice family restaurant. BYOB. 1600 Highway 71, Belmar. http://www.mrshrimp.com

2. Vic's Italian Restaurant & Pizza: (732) 774-8225. This is where the locals go for Italian food. My brothers love the thin crust pizza; my husband loves the seafood linguine; I love the family atmosphere. Take out or eat in. http://www.vicspizza.com/ 60 Main St., Bradley Beach.

3. Mr. C's Beach Bistro (732) 531-3665. mistercsbeachbistro.com. Right on the beach, great views from the deck or dining room. American cuisine, done well. Allen Avenue on the Ocean, Allenhurst.

4. Fins (732)897-8600. Mexican via Hawaii & Japan. Wraps, tacos. Burritos, enchiladas, salads. Eat-in, takeout and delivery, menu is in desk. 120 Main Street Bradley Beach, right next to the movie theatre. http://www.finsusa.com

5. Bamboo Leaf (732)774-1661 Thai food, well prepared and authentic. BYOB. 722 Main St, Bradley Beach.

6. Ollie Klein's (732) 681-1177 Best fish on the shore, great views of the Shark River from the terrace. Now serving sushi. You can also purchase extremely fresh fish and shellfish at the market. 708 River Rd, Belmar (take Main Street south, first right after the bridge) www.kleinsfish.com

7. Grand Tavern (732)774-0120 http://www.thegrandtavern.com/ You will think this place is a dive from the front – but step into the rear patio covered in sparkly lights and be ready for amazing food and drinks. Take Main St. (Rt. 71) south, turn west after the Bradley train station, go a block past the tracks. 1105 6th Ave., Neptune.