Jenna Giustino 
The only thing worse than a long Doomscrolling session is one that ends with a rabbit hole of photos and videos of what seems like everyone you know who is currently on vacation in Europe. We get it, Europe has backdrops like the Amalfi Coast and cafés with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Still, for those of us who can’t make the trip overseas for financial, work, or “I hate flying” reasons, the Jersey Shore has plenty of coffee shops and restaurants that can easily transport you to those admired European locations without having to pay for a flight. Keep reading for our guide to European-style cafes + restaurants at the Jersey Shore.
Albariiño Restaurant | 508 Broad Street, Shrewsbury
Albariiño Restaurant is a Spanish-inspired restaurant and tapas bar in Shrewsbury. Albariño is the Galician name for the wine grape used in northwest Spain to produce white wines. The restaurant is dedicated to crafting a menu that seamlessly blends seafood and wine, featuring Spanish tapas as small plates meant to be shared with others alongside a carefully crafted cocktail. Albariño’s paella plates are also so authentic you may forget you aren’t actually in Spain (at least for the time being).
Read More: 13 Classic Bars to Visit at the Jersey Shore
Amici Gelato + Caffe | 630 Mattison Avenue, Asbury Park
Amici is a charming shop in Asbury Park featuring gelato, coffee, and Italian pastries. Father-and-son owners Ralph and Joseph Castore bring their Italian heritage to the curated menu, which feels authentic to a café that could be found in Italy. JSG recommends an espresso (made with house-ground ILLY beans, imported from Italy) or the affogato (espresso served over a scoop of your choice of gelato flavor). Other items that cater to cravings for genuine Italian flavors include its cannoli, Sfogliatella (cheese-filled Italian puff pastry), and, of course, its gelato.
Anjelica’s Restaurant | 1070 Ocean Avenue, Sea Bright
Anjelica’s is an Italian restaurant in Sea Bright; it has a comfy yet lively vibe, especially in the summer. The menu at Anjelica’s is inspired by its family heritage, which has roots in southern and northern Italy, specifically, Avellino, Sicily, and Lombardy. The restaurant’s menu has plenty of standout items, and JSG loves its Olives all’ Ascolana, which are deep-fried stuffed olives, and its Polpette (pork meatballs). FYI: Anjelica’s is BYOB, and its outdoor seating is so pretty it creates a Euro-vacation aesthetic.
Biergarten Atlantic City | 2701 Boardwalk, Atlantic City
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Biergarten Atlantic City is located on AC’s boardwalk. It has German-based comfort food, beers, and cocktails. Biergarten brings a large selection of German and European draft beers from some of the world’s oldest breweries to the Jersey Shore. It also has traditional German dishes, including Kielbasa and Schnitzel, and there are lawn games and live music that evoke the spirit of Oktoberfest.
The Black Swan Public House | 601 Mattison Avenue, Asbury Park
The Black Swan Public House is a European gastropub in downtown Asbury Park. The Black Swan aims to bring a traditional pub experience to the Jersey Shore, featuring a rustic aesthetic with a modern twist and a bar that often showcases sports on its TVs. The Black Swan has a menu featuring popular British and Irish dishes, such as Shepherd’s Pie and fish and chips. JSG Tip: For a pub-like experience, go to its happy hour, available on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4PM-6PM + on Tuesdays from 4PM-10PM. The deal is 50% off drinks (except bottles of wine), and its lively vibe is a chill Euro experience in Jersey.
Bread House | 335 US-9, Manalapan Township
Bread House is a casual Georgian restaurant in Manalapan. Bread House’s location is cozy with brick walls, lanterns, and white tablecloths that create a homey and authentic European vibe. JSG recommends this spot for anyone who hasn’t tried Georgian food; it’s an authentic first experience with menu items like its Matsoni (homemade yogurt), Georgian Salad, and various shish kebabs. A must-try item at Bread House is the Acharuli Style Lobiani, which is cheese and egg yolk in a bread bowl (yes, it’s as good as it sounds).
Cafe Noir | 261 97th Street, Stone Harbor
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Café Noir is a European-inspired café in Stone Harbor. Its Belgian-French style crepes are served all day, which already adds to the Mediterranean mentality of Café Noir. JSG’s menu item picks include its Nutella Coffee, any of its (many) paninis, or one of its baked (not boiled) gourmet bagels.
Cameo Love Market | 1213 Main Street, Asbury Park
Cameo Love Market is a bistro and café in uptown Asbury Park. The owner, Aja Leah Blue Feingold, has a vision for Cameo Love Market that stems from her experiences living throughout Europe and trying diverse cuisines overseas. Cameo Love Market has a romantic charm, featuring cute nooks for reading and cozy bar stools for chatting with new friends. There’s an Italian espresso bar, as well as fresh salads and sandwiches for dining. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a grab-and-go option, local and European gourmet groceries are available. FYI: There’s Kombucha on tap and fresh bread available on the weekends (the Italian baguette and Foccacia Du Jour are staple picks).
Dolce Fantasia | 521 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park
Dolce Fantasia is an Italian BYOB restaurant in Asbury Park. The menu, which is written in Italian with English translations, includes plates with ingredients imported from Italy. Dolce Fantasia’s standout food options include its Roman-style pizza, homemade pasta, and seasonal meat and fish dishes.
The Dublin House | 30 Monmouth Street, Red Bank
The Dublin House is an Irish pub and restaurant in Red Bank. Besides making the list for its Irish breakfast and various menu items, The Dublin House also has pub entertainment that is linked to a traditional pub in Ireland. On Thursdays (starting at 8PM) and Sundays (beginning at 7PM) in the summer, The Dublin House has local musicians at its Temple Bar. The Dublin House also adds to the authentic Euro vibe with English Premier League and Six Nations Rugby games playing on its ‘Dub’ TVs.
Filoncino Café | 111 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank
Filoncino Café is a casual Italian bakery in Red Bank. There are over 120 menu options at Filoncino Café, and all feel effortlessly connected to Italy’s roots. The sandwiches here are beloved — Filocino has fresh brick oven bread, imported prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and house-made balsamic glaze. Filoncino Café feels like a one-stop shop for a genuine Italian experience with espresso brewing, cannolis available, and vegan and vegetarian menu options.
The French Market | 114 East River Road, Rumson
Photo Credit: The French Market
The French Market is a gourmet café in Rumson. The French Market feels like a European experience – customers can shop for plants, flowers, and home goods before or after stopping by its café. The menu features a variety of French-inspired sandwiches served on a baguette roll. Other menu items that transport customers to France include crepes, paninis, and French toast. FYI: The croissant with Nutella is also a game-changer.
Lola’s European Café | 539 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park
Lola’s is a Euro-chic café and bar in downtown Asbury Park. Lola’s is designed to be an after-dinner destination; its menu has handcrafted cheese boards, cocktails, and homemade gelato, all of which create a café culture vibe reminiscent of Europe. Customers can savor the gelato, which has Italian roots, as a traditional dessert (available by the scoop) or enjoy it in an adult beverage (the gelato is used in its boozy milkshakes and martinis).
Pascal + Sabine | 601 Bangs Avenue, Asbury Park
Pascal + Sabine is a French upscale restaurant in Asbury Park. Its dinner menu features caviar, charcuterie, escargots, fish and chips, and, of course, French onion soup. Pascal + Sabine also hosts an Apero Hour on Fridays and Saturdays from 3PM to 6PM, featuring the Full Parisian happy hour option, which includes six oysters, frites, and a half-bottle of rosé or champagne for $55.
The Pierogi Place | 3116 Boardwalk + 4302 Boardwalk, Wildwood
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The Pierogi Place is a modern, quick-service restaurant with two locations on Wildwood‘s boardwalk. A family-run restaurant with owners of Ukrainian descent, The Pierogi Place serves traditional pierogies boiled in a homemade style, and the recipe has been passed down through the owners’ family for generations. The menu has sweet and savory pierogi options along with a selection of toppings to personalize each pierogi.
Santorini | 517 West Rio Grande Avenue, Wildwood
Santorini is a Mediterranean restaurant in Wildwood. While the name speaks for itself, Santorini’s blue and white painted buildings, along with a mural of Greece, hanging greenery, and Bougainvillea (the pink flower we all associate with Santorini), all contribute to making diners feel like they are no longer at the Jersey Shore. Besides its Euro aesthetic, Santorini’s menu features popular Greek food items, including tzatziki, Greek salad, moussaka (a layered eggplant and potato-based dish), and spanakopita (a Greek pie).
St. Stephen’s Green Publick House | 2031 NJ-71, Spring Lake
St. Stephen’s Green Publick House is an Irish pub and restaurant in Spring Lake. St. Stephen’s is named after an inner city public park in Dublin, Ireland, which is just one of the ways the restaurant aims to bring the rich history of Ireland to the Jersey Shore while creating an authentic Irish pub experience for all who visit. Its dinner menu features all the Irish favorites, and there’s an entire Irish breakfast menu. FYI: St. Stephen’s keeps up the pub vibe with a live music schedule, linked here.
Yianni’s Cafe |1213 West Brigantine Avenue + 847 Asbury Avenue, Ocean City
Yianni’s Café is an eatery with two locations in Ocean City. The owner, Yianni Siganos, was born in Crete, Greece, a region renowned for its culinary traditions and healthy lifestyle. Its menu is reflective of the clean eating promoted in Europe, featuring smoothies, avocado toasts, and refreshers that are gluten-free and vegan. If you’re looking for a breakfast spot that feels like it mimics whole-food, European-style dining, Yianni’s is a good pick.
See more: How to Have a European-Style Summer in Montclair
Yianni’s Greek Taverna | 645 Mantoloking Road, Brick Township
Yianni’s Greek Taverna is a Greek restaurant in Brick. Yianni’s Greek Taverna is a family-owned restaurant that has all the traditional Greek plates to satisfy any Mediterranean-style comfort food cravings. For appetizers, JSG loves the spicy feta (a cheese dip served with pita) and the grilled octopus. For a good spread, we love the hummus, and the gyro and falafel are must-tries for a complete, authentic meal.
