Jenna Giustino 
Asbury Park is known for many things: Bruce Springsteen, the historic boardwalk, and of course, The Stone Pony. Over the years, this city by the sea has transformed into a foodie haven, featuring a mixture of versatile restaurants. Of course, the JSG team found it critical to compile a list of our favorite local culinary spots, each with standout menu items we suggest you try. Read on to learn more about the best Asbury Park restaurants.
Ada’s Gojjo | 1301 Memorial Drive
Ada’s Gojjo is an Ethiopian and Dominican restaurant in uptown Asbury Park. Menu highlights include injera, an Ethiopian flatbread that serves as the base for many of the restaurant’s vegetable and meat entrees. On the Dominican side of the menu, we suggest trying the mofongo, served with Ada’s homemade sauce.
AP Rooftop | 1200 Ocean Avenue North
AP Rooftop is located on the boardwalk at Asbury Park. The views here are unreal, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering ocean views and outdoor seating under twinkle lights, plus, in the summer, a concert arena with bleacher seating for performances. As for the food, the boozy brunch is a fun time (try the tiramisu pancakes), and for dinner, the salads, pizza, and warm dips are always a good option.
Read More: The Best Brunch Spots at the Jersey Shore
Barrio Costero | 610 Bangs Avenue
Barrio Costero is a Mexican restaurant in downtown Asbury that has a cool vibe. Of course, we have to point out the deals, including Taco Tuesday (3 tacos + 1 margarita for $15), Thursday all-night happy hour, and Sunday happy hour from 4:00 PM to close. Barrio’s nachos are a must-try, and the restaurant is a shared plate concept, so make sure to bring foodies who will appreciate the plates.
Belmonte’s | 632 Cookman Avenue
Belmonte’s is a cozy Italian restaurant on Cookman Avenue. The menu features all the classic items you’d expect – everything from chicken parm to fettuccine alfredo to fried calamari. Other highlights include BYOB and 25% pasta on Monday and Thursday.
Brando’s | 162 Main Street
Brando’s is an upscale Italian restaurant with subtle French influences. The antipasto options here are endless, and we suggest the eggplant tower. For dinner, the wood-fired pizza is a classic, and for those wanting to go all out, there are also 35-day dry-aged steak options.
Capitoline | 639 Cookman Avenue
Capitoline is a craft-casual restaurant serving rustic Italian food. The restaurant has an industrial-chic aesthetic, and there are always weekly specials to check out. Of course, the pizza and pasta are staples, and the kale Caesar with crispy eggplant is another highlight.
CatBird | 1215 Sunset Avenue
CatBird is a wood-fired pizza and kitchen on Sunset Avenue. It’s set inside a cozy cabin, with a deck revealing lake views. The restaurant is BYOB, and it specializes in artisan wood-fired pizzas and a rotating seasonal menu featuring daily specials (an honorable mention is the G-burger). CatBird was also the 2025 winner of The Jersey Shore Girls’ Best of Jersey Shore in the BYOB category.
Dolce Fantasia | 521 Cookman Avenue
Dolce Fantasia is a northern Italian restaurant on Cookman Avenue. The experience feels authentic, with items like short rib and tiramisu. Dolce’s house-made spinach lasagna, seasonal appetizers, and brunch menu are also beloved.
El Rey Rosticeria y Restaurante | 708 Emory Street
El Rey Rosticeria y Restaurante is a relaxed Mexican restaurant located just steps away from downtown. If dining here, the birria is a must – whether in the form of tacos, quesadilla, or pizza. As for the atmosphere, in the summer, the outside seating feels festive with hanging lights and tiki umbrellas.
Frank’s Deli + Restaurant | 1406 Main Street
Frank’s Deli + Restaurant is a family-owned, cash-only luncheonette. The food is NJ-style, featuring pork roll sandwiches and overstuffed deli sandwiches. The roast beef and corned beef are classics, and the breakfast plates are over-the-top.
Hadaka | 527 Bangs Avenue
Hadaka is an omakase restaurant on Bangs Avenue. The 12-seat restaurant feels like an intimate experience, with the chef preparing sushi right in front of you. Hadaka has three tiered options of 12, 15, or 18 courses, so the dining is customized.
Homesick | 522 Cookman Avenue
Homesick is a chic restaurant serving New American cuisine. It’s a go-to spot for brunch or dinner, and there are often jazz performances that add to the chill atmosphere. Homesick’s aesthetic includes cute pink umbrellas outside and multicolored lights hanging over the bar that make for a fun girls’ night.
Iron Whale | 1200 Avenue North
Iron Whale is a seafood restaurant on the boardwalk. It has a rustic yet contemporary aesthetic. Iron Whale menu highlights include the raw bar, crab cakes, and lobster mac and cheese.
Jimmy’s Italian Restaurant | 1405 Asbury Avenue
Jimmy’s Italian Restaurant is an old-school-style Italian restaurant. We suggest trying the mozzarella sticks, imported pasta, and Jimmy’s special steak. Jimmy’s menu even suggests wine pairings for certain meals (which is trusted advice).
Judy + Harry’s | 408 7th Avenue
Judy + Harry’s is an Italian-Jewish restaurant located inside the St. Laurent hotel. Signature items at Judy’s include the roast chicken savoy, the parm, and Judy’s matzo ball soup. After dining at Judy’s, JSG suggests heading to Harry’s, the attached cocktail bar with a sophisticated feel and innovative drinks.
Loteria | 632 Mattison Avenue
Loteria is a festive Mexican restaurant downtown. The menu features Mexican street-style eats, including tacos and burritos. Loteria has à la carte tacos and vegan queso, which we suggest trying.
Moonstruck | 517 Lake Avenue
Moonstruck is an upscale American + Mediterranean restaurant. The environment feels romantic and set up for a date night, with the Victorian-style house and lakeside views. The menu has daily specials to check out, and staple plates include everything-crusted salmon and short rib ragu.
Mutiny BBQ | 808 Fifth Avenue + 1300 Ocean Avenue
Mutiny has two locations in Asbury- one inside Convention Hall and the other in uptown. The craft smokehouse is inspired by the flavors of Texas, the Carolinas, Memphis, Kansas City, and Louisiana to create a craft, one-of-a-kind BBQ experience. The pulled pork, St. Louis ribs, and chopped brisket are standouts.
Pascal + Sabine | 601 Bangs Avenue, Suite 401
Pascal + Sabine is a French restaurant downtown. There’s everything from happy hour to brunch, dinner, drinks, desserts, and more. JSG suggests caviar, charcuterie, and steak frites.
Plaza Tapatia | 707 Main Street
Plaza Tapatia is a colorful, old-timey cafe tucked behind a Mexican market. The main dining room of the restaurant is currently closed for renovations, and the taqueria is open, so catering, takeout, and pickup are still available. As for menu items to try, we recommend the fajitas and caldos (Mexican soup).
Porta | 911 Kingsley Street
Porta is a lively restaurant known for its artisan pizza. Reservations at Porta are recommended, as it’s a go-to place on the weekends. Besides (of course) the pizza, we suggest trying the meatballs, house-made mozzarella, and breaded chicken cutlets.
R Bar | 1114 Main Street
R Bar is a New Orleans-inspired restaurant. The aesthetic here features a greenhouse, a corner stage for jazz bands, and a cool backyard with festive seating. R Bar’s menu features Cajun-style food, and we love the gumbo, cauliflower steak, and loaded baked potato.
Reyla | 603 Mattison Avenue
Reyla is a Middle Eastern restaurant on Mattison Avenue. On Saturdays and Sundays, we recommend brunch, and on Wednesdays, there is an all-night happy hour. Reyla’s food is meant to be shared, and the cod, pork chop, and Turkish hummus are repeat orders for JSG.
Shucked by Local 130 | 1300 Ocean Avenue
Shucked by Local 130 is a seafood restaurant inside the convention hall. The oyster specials are always worth looking forward to, and the raw bar, poke, and grain bowls are fun additions. Shucked by Local 130 is also a convenient spot to catch a quick lunch or dinner after the beach.
Taka | 660 Cookman Avenue
Taka is a Japanese restaurant. There is a huge bar that is comfortable for dining and drinking, and the modern aesthetic creates a cool environment. Taka’s raw bar and sushi rolls are a staple; we personally love the spicy salmon roll.
Talula’s | 550 Cookman Avenue #108
Talula’s is a staple restaurant in the Asbury Park foodie scene. Its menu revolves around its sourdough bread and pizza, with salads, wheat-free grain bowls, pasta, and made-in-house desserts. There are always vegan options on the menu, and we highly recommend customizing a pizza with its many add-on topping options.
The Black Swan | 601 Mattison Avenue
The Black Swan is a European-inspired gastro-pub. The floral decor, mixed with the traditional pub aesthetic, creates a comforting atmosphere. The Black Swan menu features British/Irish-inspired plates like the Shepard’s Pie and steak + chips.
Tim McLoone’s Supper Club | 1200 Ocean Avenue North
Tim McLoone’s is located on the boardwalk. Its menu covers it all – from burgers to salads to flat breads, a raw bar, and mains. Tim McLoone’s has outdoor seating with beachfront views, making it a fun spot for a bite to eat on a beach day.
See More: The Best Diners in Bergen County, New Jersey
Follow @thejerseyshoregirl_ on Instagram for the latest Jersey Shore updates, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 40+ events weekly to peruse.