Looking for a nice place to take my wife for her birthday. $$$ doesn't matter as it's her birthday, Italian or seafood preferred with view of the ocean, a nice / classy place. Any recommendations?
Restaurants on the water in Atlantic Highlands / Asbury Park
- Thread starter JayDogSmooth
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Do NOT go to Cubacan on the Boardwalk in Asbury. Nice-looking Cuban place, but the service is a disaster and the food is bland and mediocre.
Moonstruck in Asbury has a view of Wesley Lake, you can eat on the balcony and has very good food.
Also Brando's in AP is very good for Italian although it is not on the water you can walk down to the boards after dinner.
Was not sure if you would consider towns between Atlantic Highlands and Asbury Park.
McCloone's Pier House in Pier Village in Long Branch
Ama Ristorante in Sea Bright
McCloone's Rum Runner just reopened in Sea Bright. On the north side of the restaurant, you have views of the river, the beach/ocean, and on a clear evening, you can see the NYC skyline.
McCloone's Pier House in Pier Village in Long Branch
Ama Ristorante in Sea Bright
McCloone's Rum Runner just reopened in Sea Bright. On the north side of the restaurant, you have views of the river, the beach/ocean, and on a clear evening, you can see the NYC skyline.
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Just had dinner there about 2 weeks ago, it was very good..... Not by the ocean, but there is a view of a lake/ waterway.
Skip the above suggestions & drive to exit 98
http://sandbarbrielle.com
http://riverrockbricknj.com
http://www.reelsat281.com
http://sandbarbrielle.com
http://riverrockbricknj.com
http://www.reelsat281.com
Yes.
What's the name of the outdoor upstairs bar next door? Nice place to get a cocktail first.
Yes too.
La Dolce Vita in Belmar is right on Ocean Avenue.
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Watremark is the cocktail lounge right next to Stella Marina
All of the places mentioned have just ok food and some have seen better days ie Bahrs......
Moonstruck has excellent food but does not take reservations. Excellent view outside of the Lake though and would be my choice. If you get there early wait will be about 20-30 min on a Friday or Saturday night. Any later than that and its 30 min plus and outdoor tables are a premium.
We actually really like small place in Ocean Grove called Sea Grass . You can get a reservation and its BYOB sadly not on the water...
Moonstruck has excellent food but does not take reservations. Excellent view outside of the Lake though and would be my choice. If you get there early wait will be about 20-30 min on a Friday or Saturday night. Any later than that and its 30 min plus and outdoor tables are a premium.
We actually really like small place in Ocean Grove called Sea Grass . You can get a reservation and its BYOB sadly not on the water...
It's been a destination for at least 5, if not 10 years. Others are finally waking up. Away from the Boardwalk, Cookman Avenue is jamming in the evening.
Serena in Long Branch. Fantastic food and cocktails. Beautiful setting right on the boardwalk in Pier Village. Good place for a special occasion date night.
As someone else mentioned stay away from Cubacan. I have been probably five times, for some reason a friend likes it, and each time it has gotten progressively worse.
As someone else mentioned stay away from Cubacan. I have been probably five times, for some reason a friend likes it, and each time it has gotten progressively worse.
I did a small bar crawl last weekend on Cookman and the Biergarten.
Lots of fun, much better than I had expected.
Didn't see any violent crime either, which is what the detractors always reference.
Biergarten is a blast. There are too many good restaurants in that area (and now too many darn people!). It keeps getting better every year, and it was a long time coming. Cookman just came of age in the last few years.
Mr C's Beach Bar in Allenhurst.
Had drinks,but haven't eaten there. Right on the beach. Great view
Had drinks,but haven't eaten there. Right on the beach. Great view
Not a big fan of McCloone's, his restaurants are nice, not thrilling, but nice.
Ama in Sea Bright has very good food but the atmosphere is a little loud.
Serena or Stella Marina are both very good. I believe they are at least partially owned by the same people.
Ama in Sea Bright has very good food but the atmosphere is a little loud.
Serena or Stella Marina are both very good. I believe they are at least partially owned by the same people.
Just ate at Porta a couple weeks ago. It was fun. Went to the Silverball Museum as well and liked that too.
Windnsea and the Inlet Cafe right next to each other on the Bay in the Highlands.
I agree, Bahr's sucks and is way over priced for the quality.
Too many orange license plates crowding the town now, although if I was in my 20s, I'd definitely want to live in the cookman section of town.
This! Pascal and Sabine is also very good and romantic but not on the water.
It's become like Belmar in the 1980's/1990's before Belmar cracked down on the rowdies. There was a story in the Asbury Park Press about fights, people defecating on the sidewalk, etc.
Forget about all the millennial suggestions touting hipster Asbury, Long Branch, etc and reach outside the box for a truly special dining experience with your wife.
Arrive an hour before sunset and check out On the Deck in Atlantic Highlands on the harbor for a drink overlooking the water and view the NYC skyline, Sandy Hook Lighthouse and the ferries arriving from Manhattan. Then walk across the street to Copper Canyon, Christine's or another in town restaurant for a great dinner in a quiet setting.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g29751-Atlantic_Highlands_New_Jersey.html
LOL. Hipster millenials? While I agree with the suggestions for Copper Canyon and Christine's, it is far from romantic to watch all of the investment bankers departing the ferry and driving out of town in their BMW's, Benz' and Audis with reckless abandon.
Stella Marina in Asbury Park is a solid recommendation, as are the three restaurants in Pier Village in Long Branch. Also, McCloones Rum Runner in Sea Bright has spectacular views in a brand new restaurant.
This seriously may be the first time I've ever heard the words "Long Branch" and "hipster" used together...
This traveler certainly appreciated their hospitality. I came back from Monmouth Park after a good beating at the parimutuels. The shuttle bus got us there about an hour before the boat back to The Seaport. It was happy hour at Bahr's. $2 Coors Light pitchers and complimentary hors d'ouerves, a plenty. I headed back to Manhattan with a whole different outlook. Definitley not a special occasion spot, though.
Long branch do drinks at Wine Loft in Pier Village for happy hour 4-7( 1/2 price wines by the glass) then walk to Rooneys or Avenue. Atlantic Highlands, would do Copper Canyon, but its not on the water. In Highlands, overlooking Sandy Hook, like Windnsea and they have a Tiki bar for drinks before or after. Monmouth Beach has Beach Tavern, overlooking Channel Club Marina and there is a tiki bar a short walk from restaurant. Don't love the food at any of the McLoones but would have drinks at McLoones in Sea Bright on the water and then go for dinner at Angelicas.
Angelicas? Good luck getting into there. You've got to call 2 weeks in advance for a Friday or Saturday reservation, but it is worth the try. They've got the best most authentic Italian food this side of the Driscoll Bridge. I just wished they served polenta and meatballs.
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