The North Atlantic Coast boasts an array of fresh seafood options. Whether you’re looking for buttery shellfish or a hearty, center-cut Yellowfin tuna, the shore is sure to provide. We’ve compiled a list of the best Jersey Shore seafood restaurants that you’ll want to visit during your next trip. For an exclusive guide to all of the best happenings and restaurants in Ocean Grove, access our complimentary Vacation Guide!
Your Guide to Ordering at Jersey Shore Seafood Restaurants
The shore is an ideal spot for seafood lovers of all sorts due to its combination of laid-back, umbrella-drink restaurants and upscale, NYC-esque eateries. Half the battle is finding the restaurant that suits your tastes and the other is deciding what to order! We’ve taken care of both for you. Here are our top choices for Jersey Shore seafood restaurants.
The Shrimp Box is the perfect place to watch the fishing boats come in while sipping on a fruity, uniquely made cocktail. The restaurant is not too extravagant, but not too informal, either. Its views are unparalleled as it sits on stilts above the harbor and flaunts panoramic views of the water.
What to order:
Locals love the New England clam chowder. Although Jersey is just below New England, the restaurant is as authentic as it gets for the beloved creamy soup. Pair it with hot, buttered rolls, and you may not even need the main entrée!
- Asbury Oyster Bar | Oysters on the Half Shell
Asbury Oyster Bar gracefully combines freshly harvested seafood with a trendy, (but comfortable) waterfront atmosphere. Come for happy hour and enjoy $2 oysters, $1 clams, and the best drinks on Ocean Avenue. The oyster bar is the perfect stop before a night of exploring Asbury Park.
What to order:
Oysters, of course! The menu at Asbury Oyster Bar isn’t overwhelming as they maintain a light and simple feel. However, the quality is top-notch and the oysters are as fresh as they get. Sit back with a Mediterranean mule and order as many shucked oysters as your heart desires before heading out on the town.
- Mud City Crab House | Crab Cakes
With an ever-changing chalkboard of daily fresh catches, you can be sure you’re getting the real thing at Mud City Crab House. This restaurant combines local flair with an easygoing ambiance, making for a relaxing dining experience underneath the strings of Edison lights. Grab a microbrew at the Airstream-turned-bar or chow down on a bucket of crab legs at the paper-covered tables.
What to order:
While a pot of crabs seems like the obvious answer — and trust us, you can’t go wrong there — you must get an order of the jumbo lump crab cakes. They were voted “best in New Jersey” by New Jersey Magazine, and for good reason. These crispy cakes are crafted with a heaping portion of fresh lump crab, seasoned with just the right amount of Old Bay, and baked to plump perfection.
- Shore Fresh Seafood Market & Restaurant | Shrimp Po’ Boy
Shore Fresh Seafood is a must-see in Point Pleasant. Pop in and grab a tuna steak out of the ice block cooler at the market or stay a while in their quaint, nautical-themed restaurant. You can expect friendly oyster shucking service and straight-from-the-sea catch.
What to order:
The shrimp po’ boy is a staple at Shore Fresh. This classic sandwich is made with all of the typical ingredients — fried shrimp, crispy lettuce, a juicy tomato, and robust remoulade sauce — but what sets this sandwich apart from the others is the untouched quality of the shrimp.
- Hooked Up Seafood | Fish Tacos
If you’re willing to venture south from Ocean Grove, Hooked Up Seafood guarantees your most authentic seafood experience. The family-owned restaurant dishes out fresh catches from their waterfront walk-up window. The paper plate loving hideaway is unpretentious in every way and aims to satisfy its customers with quality Atlantic seafood.
What to order:
The fish tacos at Hooked Up are unrivaled. Order at the window, pull up to an oceanside picnic table, and dive into a crispy fish taco topped with pineapple mango salsa and crunchy slaw. Pair your tacos with an order of tangy onion straws and enjoy the breezy ocean view.
Come Back to Ocean Grove
Are you finished with your culinary tour of the Jersey Shore and ready to rest your belly? Dive into the Caribbean-themed, down-feathered sheets of a Deluxe Queen Room. Pets are accepted at the Ocean View Inn, which features a quintessential wrap-around porch and all-encompassing views of the ocean. Or, treat yourself to modern luxury in The Ocean Plaza Hotel’s Bradley Suite.
Explore all that Ocean Grove offers, from top things to do to the best restaurants. We can’t wait to indulge your inner foodie at the Jersey Shore!