Jenna Giustino 
There’s something liberating about dining solo. Still, we know that eating alone can sometimes feel a little vulnerable, and everyone has different preferences about what makes a restaurant feel comfortable for a party of one. Some solo diners want an interactive dining experience, while others prefer a restaurant that lets guests reserve a seat at the bar, eliminating the awkward search for an open stool. Communal tables can make it easier to strike up a conversation for those wanting to make friends, while a cozy corner or casual breakfast spot might be ideal for the solo diner embracing some alone time. With all of that in mind, we found Jersey Shore restaurants and bars with features that make dining alone a little more inviting. Read on for our list of the best restaurants and bars at the Jersey Shore for solo diners.
Solo Dining Perk: Lets You Reserve a Seat at the Bar
Grand Tavern | 1105 6th Avenue, Neptune City
Grand Tavern is a restaurant and bar beloved by locals in Neptune City. Its location is off the beaten path, which feels fitting for the solo diner. The inside is cozy, with a dimly lit environment that’s welcoming for those eating alone. Another perk is that you can reserve a seat at the bar ahead of time, so no need for the awkward where-to-sit moment (click here to snag an assigned bar stool).
Raia’s Restaurant | 224 Westwood Avenue, Long Branch
Raia’s Restaurant is in Long Branch. Its menu features coastal Italian food – everything from seafood to handmade-style pastas to salads and more – all of which are comfort options for anyone eating alone. The bar here is pretty, as are the cocktails, with comfortable seating and reservations available to reserve a spot (click here).
R Bar | 1114 Main Street, Asbury Park
R Bar is a New Orleans-themed bar and restaurant in Asbury Park. The theme here is fun for anyone dining alone, and we suggest the greenhouse as a cute spot for grabbing food and cocktails, as its intimate vibe and welcoming bartenders can lessen the intimidation of a larger space. The solo diner also has the option to reserve a seat by the bar (click here), and there’s often jazz bands playing. JSG pro tip: go on a Monday to see the Ocean Wave Stompers.
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Solo Dining Perk: There Are Menu Conversation Starters
Copper Canyon | 51 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands
Copper Canyon is a restaurant and bar in Atlantic Highlands. Its menu features Southwestern grub with fun plates like stuffed jalapeño chiles. Still, its extensive tequila list makes Copper Canyon an easy bar to spark a conversation with someone nearby. There are over 150 tequila selections, and for the solo diner, that leaves plenty of questions for the bartender.
Gourmand | 641 Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach
Gourmand is a modern, upscale American restaurant in Point Pleasant Beach. It has interesting plates like wagyu lasagna and birria ramen. Gourmand also has tableside mocktails made right in front of you, which is a definite reason to start a conversation with a neighbor.
Olea Restaurant | 700 NJ-71, Spring Lake
Olea Restaurant is in Spring Lake. Its menu feels over-the-top with items like the Olea Board, featuring a 48oz Prime Tomahawk, king crab legs, lobster tails, Roasted Bone Marrow, all sauces, broccoli rabe, and crispy potatoes (fitting for leftovers). The cocktails are also easy to chat about, with the Spicy Rig-a-tini martini that literally makes you feel like you’re drinking pasta.
Solo Dining Perk: Nook Seating
Kyuramen | 1419 Long Beach Boulevard, Surf City, 1 NJ-37, Toms River, + 3885 US-9, Old Bridge
Kyuramen is a Japanese-style ramen restaurant with locations in Surf City, Toms River, and Old Bridge. It’s known for its semi-private, two-story honeycomb seating nooks, which are ideal for the solo diner who wants some privacy. JSG recommends trying some fun selections like its matcha tiramisu or its baked sweet potato (with vanilla ice cream on top).
Scarborough Fair Restaurant | 1414 Meetinghouse Road, Sea Girt
Scarborough Fair Restaurant is in Sea Girt. It has staircase alcove seating available for those who want to dine alone without an audience. Scarborough Fair Restaurant also has weekly events and themed decor that add to the solo dining experience.
Tally-Ho | 4118 NJ-33, Tinton Falls
Tally-Ho is an Italian restaurant in Tinton Falls. It has a family feel that is inviting for solo dining, and the menu has comfort plates like cheese ravioli, chicken parm, and more. Tally-Ho has tables tucked into an enclave by windows, which help embrace the table-for-one experience.
Solo Dining Perk: There’s an Interactive Dining Element
First Avenue Playhouse | 123 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands
First Avenue Playhouse is in Atlantic Highlands. It’s a dessert theatre with shows covering comedies, dramas, mysteries, and musicals. The solo diner can also have cake, coffee, and tea before the show, which creates an indulgent night out.
Hadaka | 527 Bangs Avenue, Asbury Park
Hadaka is an Omakase restaurant in Asbury Park. Each tasting here is curated with seasonal ingredients prepared right in front of all diners, which provides an interactive element to the solo dining experience. Hadaka has chefs who are always innovating new plates, and they create a friendly atmosphere, alongside the bar-side seating, which makes the solo diner feel included.
Haute Feast | 483 E. Bay Avenue, Barnegat
Haute Feast is a waterfront farm-to-table restaurant in Barnegat. The dishes here are cooked outdoors over an open fire, and each visit is different, featuring oysters, seafood, and vegetables that are prepared at their peak. Haute Feast seating is welcoming for the solo diner, with picnic-style seating where dishes are shared.
Spiaggetta Restaurant | 9800 3rd Avenue, Stone Harbor
Spiaggetta is a BYOB classic Italian restaurant in Stone Harbor. On Thursdays, Cacio e Pepe pasta is prepared tableside, which creates a fun experience for a table of one. Spaghetti also hosts cooking classes, which are a fun activity for those wanting to join in an activity solo.
Solo Dining Perk: There’s Communal Seating
Bird & Betty’s | 529 Dock Road, Beach Haven
Bird + Betty’s in Beach Haven. It makes the list for its communal-seating vibe on its rooftop patio. Plus, the waterfront view is pretty for solo dining and is ideal for sunset.
Porta | 911 Kingsley Street, Asbury Park
Porta is in Asbury Park. It has rustic, communal picnic tables for dining, which mix parties and provide an opportunity for the solo diner to meet someone new. Porta National Park is its outdoor dining experience, which opens up in the warmer months, and it has a similar picnic table-style eating scene that creates a lively vibe.
Watermark | 800 Ocean Avenue Second Floor, Asbury Park
Watermark is a rooftop bar in Asbury Park. It has comfortable, lounge-style seating both inside and out, making it easy to mingle with others when going out alone. Watermark’s communal seating is ideal for someone going out alone and wanting to make friends.
Solo Dining Perk: Breakfast Favorites in a Casual Setting
The Buttered Biscuit | 700 Main Street, Bradley Beach
The Buttered Biscuit is a cozy breakfast and lunch spot in Bradley Beach. It has stuffed French toast and other breakfast classics, along with comfort plates for lunch like meatloaf. Bradley Beach also has bar stool seating available for those dining alone, which makes it a casual outing.
The Committed Pig | 165 Main Street, Manasquan
The Committed Pig is in Manasquan. It has classic American-style breakfast, brunch, and lunch items. The Committed Pig has an upstairs with a cozy, intimate setting and a bar for ordering casual eats.
Klotz Kitchen | 2247 Bridge Avenue, Point Pleasant
Klotz Kitchen is in Point Pleasant. It’s a family-operated diner that gives casual vibes. Klotz Kitchen has all the classic breakfast and lunch comfort plates, which a solo diner can choose to eat at the counter.
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