Monmouth GuideWhere to eat in Asbury Park, NJ
28 restaurants, cafes and bars, hand-picked.
28 places to eat and drink in Asbury Park, Monmouth County, picked and described by Monmouth Guide. For events, beaches and parks, see things to do in Asbury Park.
Restaurants in Asbury Park
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Ethiopian & Dominican · New Jersey Monthly best in Asbury Park
Black-owned spot pairing Ethiopian stews and injera with Dominican classics like mofongo, with plenty of vegan dishes.
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Wood-fired pizza · Lakeside BYOB (Infatuation pick)
BYOB wood-fired pizzeria in a renovated 1959 cabin on Deal Lake, with seasonal vegetables and lakeside outdoor seating.
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Pizza · From a 10-time world pizza champion
Brooklyn pizza champion Nino Coniglio's shop (opened June 2026) turning out sourdough-forward rounds, grandma pies and an upside-down Sicilian.
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New American gastropub · Voted Best Brunch in Central Jersey 2026 (NJ Monthly readers)
Gastropub by Kennedy Park serving American classics like burgers and buttermilk fried chicken, known for its weekend brunch.
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Northern Italian · Yelp top-rated in Asbury Park
BYOB northern Italian spot for homemade pasta, short rib and house-made desserts like pistachio cheesecake.
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El Rey Rosticeria y Restaurante
Mexican · Yelp top-rated in Asbury ParkRelaxed BYOB Mexican spot known for birria tacos, tortas, huaraches and rotisserie favorites.
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Deli / Luncheonette · Iconic Jersey pork roll sandwich
Cash-only family luncheonette open since 1960, famous for towering pork roll, egg and cheese sandwiches.
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Japanese omakase · Omakase counter
Intimate BYOB omakase counter serving 12- or 18-course sushi tastings, the first of its kind at the Shore.
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Seafood · Ocean views year-round
Oceanfront boardwalk seafood house from the McLoone group with a raw bar, craft cocktails and ocean views from every seat, open year-round.
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Italian · Asbury institution since 1982
Old-school red-sauce Italian (since 1982) with booths, a classic bar and a '50s-'60s atmosphere, plus valet parking.
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Italian-Jewish · Three-time James Beard nominee chef
Chef David Viana's Jersey-style Italian restaurant with a Jewish lens (think matzo ball soup and roast chicken) plus a cocktail lounge, inside The St. Laurent hotel.
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Korean fusion · Late-night favorite
Beloved Korean fusion taco shop (since 2012) known for bulgogi and spicy pork tacos and K.F.C. wings, open until 3am on weekends.
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Palmetto Southern Kitchen + Bar
Lowcountry Southern · Ocean views on the boardwalkSouth Carolina-inspired boardwalk restaurant across from the Stone Pony, with a raw bar, fried chicken and Lowcountry seafood.
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French brasserie · Infatuation & NJ Monthly best in Asbury Park
European-style brasserie in a historic gas company building, known for steak frites, cocktails and Sunday jazz brunch.
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New Orleans / Cajun · Known for its crab beignets
New Orleans-inspired West Side spot known for crab beignets and gumbo, with live jazz and a greenhouse dining room.
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Middle Eastern / Mediterranean · New Jersey Monthly best in Asbury Park
Industrial-chic spot for shareable Middle Eastern plates like lamb burgers and three kinds of hummus, with cocktails and weekend brunch.
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Japanese / Sushi · New Jersey Monthly best in Asbury Park
Chef Taka Shimizu's Japanese restaurant and lounge (since 2005) for sushi, seasonal small plates and one of the area's largest Japanese whisky and sake lists.
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Mexican
Coastal Mexican restaurant on Bangs Avenue with a seasonal menu of tacos, shared plates and an agave-heavy cocktail list.
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Italian / Pizza
Craft-casual Cookman Avenue Italian with fresh pasta, New York-style pizza and seasonal cocktails, turning into a late-night lounge on weekends.
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Mediterranean
Romantic Victorian house on Wesley Lake serving Mediterranean-inspired dinners, with a piano lounge and porch seating.
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Pizza
Lively Neapolitan pizza hall a block from the boardwalk, with weekend brunch and late hours on Friday and Saturday.
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Pizza
Downtown sourdough pizza spot with wood-fired pies, weekend brunch, a full bar and a dedicated gluten-free oven.
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The Robinson Ale House (Asbury Park)
American GastropubOcean Avenue ale house from the McLoone's group with craft beer and pub fare near the boardwalk.
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Breakfast & Brunch
Brick-walled Cookman Avenue cafe that's been a local breakfast and brunch favorite since 2011.
Coffee, bakeries & sweets in Asbury Park
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Coffee · Infatuation best in Asbury Park
Award-winning specialty coffee shop in the Steinbach Building with expertly pulled espresso, house-made syrups, toasts and pastries.
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American
Bright daytime cafe for breakfast and brunch plates, toasts and house-made pastries, with a kids menu for dine-in.
Bars, breweries & wineries in Asbury Park
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American tavern · Downtown Asbury revival original, reopened 2026
Revived 2006 Cookman Avenue tavern (reopened summer 2026) serving comfort tavern food, classic cocktails and an all-American beer list.
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British gastropub · New Jersey Monthly best in Asbury Park
British-style gastropub in a historic building serving Scotch eggs, bangers and mash and fish and chips with a deep beer list.
Quick answers
Where should I eat in Asbury Park, NJ?
Local picks include Ada's Gojjo, Brickwall and Cafe Volan. This guide lists 28 places to eat and drink in Asbury Park, including ethiopian & dominican, american tavern, coffee, wood-fired pizza, pizza and new american gastropub.