Emma Wallace 
A new oceanfront restaurant is bringing a taste of coastal vacation life to the Jersey Shore. The Reef Club recently opened at 1A Allen Avenue in Allenhurst and serves scenic ocean views, a fun atmosphere, cocktails, sushi, and dinner dishes inspired by Mediterranean and American flavors. The Jersey Shore Girl stopped by to check it out – and we’ll be back. Read on for more about The Reef Club’s coastal-inspired menu, oceanfront setting, + beach club vibe.
What to Know
The Reef Club, located at 1A Allen Avenue in Allenhurst, has only been open for about a month, but it’s already making waves along the Jersey Shore. The restaurant sits immediately adjacent to the Allenhurst Beach Club, putting guests just steps from the ocean. The restaurant’s menu changes with the seasons, with ingredients sourced from local fishermen, farms, and trusted producers. Diners can expect a mix of coastal and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, sushi, cocktails, + other dinner options.
By 5PM, the restaurant already had a lively atmosphere. Music from an on-site DJ on the outdoor patio created a club-like energy that transitioned into more of a traditional dinner vibe as the evening went on. The outdoor area features a beautiful round bar surrounded by greenery and plants. Tables are shaded by umbrellas that provide relief from the sun while also featuring a palm-leaf design underneath — another pretty coastal touch.
Guests who time their visit right can watch the sunset from the restaurant. Between the ocean views, greenery, outdoor bar, + sea breeze, the setting feels a bit like a coastal vacation without leaving New Jersey.
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Inside, large round booths fill the dining area, while stone-colored tones and warm lighting give the space the feel of an upscale seaside resort. There’s also a long bar overlooking the ocean and a sushi bar serving rolls and bites like the Kamikaze Roll, Yellowtail Ponzu, + Salmon Cucumber Reef Handrolls.
The Menu
No oceanfront dinner is complete without a few cocktails and delicious food. The drink menu has a wide selection of specialty cocktails, along with non-alcoholic options. In addition to a classic espresso martini, The Reef Club serves its signature Pinche Mule, made with Redemption Bourbon, white peach, mint, lemon, + ginger beer. The bar also has a selection of wine and beer.
For appetizers, the Ceviche Peruano was a standout, featuring fluke, red onion, cilantro, cancha, sweet potato purée, + leche de tigre. It was fresh, flavorful, and a great way to start the meal.
The Greek salad with green goddess dressing was another favorite of the night. For an entrée, the Chicken Milanese is a standout, made with a thin, pounded chicken cutlet topped with arugula and tomato salad and finished with that same delicious green goddess dressing.
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The sushi was another exciting element on the menu. Along with a tuna coconut roll, the toro salmon, + yellowtail nigiri were all fresh and flavorful.
Always Room for Dessert
Dessert was a sweet way to finish the meal, with the carrot cake taking the top spot of the night. Other delicious options included the key lime pie, which made for a light and refreshing finish, and the flourless chocolate cake served with vanilla gelato. One final touch was an espresso with sambuca, an Italian anise-flavored liqueur. It was served in small espresso cups and was a fun way to wrap up the evening.
The Reef Club is currently open Tuesday through Thursday from 5PM to 10PM. On Friday through Sunday, lunch is served from 12PM to 4PM, followed by a one-hour break before dinner service from 5PM to 11PM.
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