A Guide to
Restaurants Near
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 – most within ½ mile of the house!:
Within Walking
distance – approx. ½ mile
1. Day’s Restaurant/Starving Artist Café (732) 988-1007
Best place in town for breakfast or lunch. Also serves ice cream. Good food, friendly service.
2. The Secret Garden Restaurant (732) 775-0616
Inside the Manchester Hotel. Jazz breakfast buffet on Sunday mornings.
25 Ocean Pathway,
Ocean Grove
4. Dorian’s On the Beach (732) 988-3330
Family fare. Overlook the beach or ocean from this boardwalk restaurant.
New owners in 2008. Service was great, food good even if a little predictable.
4 North Boardwalk, Ocean Grove
5. The Victorian Tea Room (732) 988-1216
In the Lillagaard Hotel. Lunch and High Tea.
6. Raspberry Café (732) 988-0071
I’ve heard this is wonderful but tiny. Must reserve your table in advance!
Closed Monday.
7. Bia (732)775-6100
In the Majestic Hotel.
I don’t know anything about this one.
8. Sea Spray (formerly Captain Jack’s) (732) 869-0770
Eclectic, interesting food, lots of seafood. Closed Mon & Tues.
9. Taka (732) 775-1020
Trendy and popular. Sushi and other Japanese standards. Food is not the greatest,
but atmosphere is nice. Service was slow when we were there. Bring your own bottle –
they don’t serve alcohol but are willing to provide glasses for a corking fee. 632 Mattison, Asbury
10. Carmine’s (732) 774-2222 http://www.carminesnj.com/
Italian, upscale, fabulous presentation. Outdoor seating. Closed Mondays.
11. Bistro Olé (732) 897-0048 http://bistroole.com/
Latin-infused Spanish/Portuguese cuisine, dine al fresco when the weather allows. Closed Mondays.
12. Old Man Rafferty’s (732) 774-1600
Housed in the former Steinbach’s Department Store building, features a large bar, outdoor seating.
a wide variety of food. Portions were huge, which left no room for the
amazing desserts.
13. Sister Sue’s (732) 502-8383
14. The Brick Wall Tavern & Dining Room (732) 774-1264
15. Market in the Middle (732) 776-8886 http://www.kitschens.com/
Mediterranean comfort foods. Also houses a small deli, wine shop, and gourmet world
market.
The food and wine are some of the best in Asbury Park, decor nice, usually
featuring a local artist,
but the chairs are a little uncomfortable. Outdoor seating
on the sidewalk or back in a private patio
also available (with more comfy chairs!).
16. The
Haven’t visited yet, looks elegant. American fusion.
17. Moonstruck (732) 988-0123
Elegant surroundings overlooking
Food not as great as the ambiance.
Closed Mon-Tues.
18. Synaxis (732)897-9700
Greek/Mediterranean food. Elegant décor, prices to match. Pick your fish from those displayed on
ice, pair it with an intriguing
selection of wines, and don’t miss the spanikopita.
19. Isabella’s Ristorante (732) 988-5522
Casual family-style Italian food. 632 Cookman,
Further away, car needed, but it’s worth it!
20.
New night spot supper club, surf & turf, live
music. In the former Howard Johnson’s
near Convention Hall. Boardwalk at
21. Iko Iko Sushi Bar
@ Asbury Lanes
“Iko Iko is a food joint
inside the coolest bowling alley/bar/rock n' roll club….The menu is awesome,
the sushi is killer and she has a whole array of interesting sandwiches to
choose from.”
22. Jimmy’s Italian Restaurant (732) 774-5051 jimmysitalianrestaurant.com
I’ve never been there, but there is always a huge crowd. Valet parking.
23. Draughting Table (732) 988-8727
Eclectic.
My
favorite restaurant in the area.
Half pub, half dining room with an extraordinary range of food: great
burgers, salads, wraps, steaks, fish.
Don’t miss the sweet potato fries. (No convenient parking, you may have
to park a block away; the lot next to it belongs to the Beach Plum ice cream
place and they tow).
24. Ollie Klein’s Fish Market and
Best fish on the shore, great views from the terrace of
boats traveling the
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