19 Jersey Shore Restaurants + Bars to Visit Before the Summer Rush
Everyone on the East Coast knows the Jersey Shore is the go-to destination for summer. As soon as MDW hits, summertime beach rentals begin, and the ocean towns that are low-key in the winter transform into festive spaces filled with visitors from all over the tri-state area. Because of this, JSG decided to compile a list of restaurants and bars known to be filled in the summer so we'd know how to appreciate them during the spring. Keep reading for a guide to Jersey Shore restaurants + bars to soak up before the summer rush.
Anjelica's Restaurant | 1070 Ocean Avenue, Sea Bright
Anjelica's is a restaurant located in Sea Bright. Locals see Anjelica's as a go-to spot for Italian food— it's beloved for its antipasti plates, seafood specialties, and homemade pasta (the ricotta and dough are made each morning for plates like its baked ravioli). While it's encouraged to get a reservation all year round, during the summer, Anjelica's is sure to get an influx of customers who want dinner after a beach day at Sea Bright, so JSG recommends visiting Anjelica's this spring. FYI: Anjelica's has the cutest alleyway for outdoor seating when it is warm enough.
Read More: Vibey Bars at the Jersey Shore for a Low-Key Night Out
10th Ave. Burrito Co. | 801 Belmar Plaza, Belmar
10th Ave Burrito is a Mexi-Cali restaurant in downtown Belmar. It's known for its habanero pineapple margaritas and homemade chips — which JSG recommends dipping in its freshly made guacamole. 10th Ave. Burrito has live music every weekend (with no cover) and daily specials. The happy hour deals are also well known in the area, and its center of downtown Belmar location makes this a must-stop before summer visitors arrive.
Bar Anticipation | 703 16th Avenue, Lake Como
Bar Anticipation is a staple restaurant, entertainment center, and bar in Lake Como. It has a complete American-style dining menu and a calendar of events like themed nights, DJ sets, and live bands available year-round. IYKYK: Beat the Clock Tuesdays (drafts start at 50 cents at 8PM and increase 25 cents every hour) are a Jersey Shore summer tradition; JSG suggests taking advantage of the deal before the peak-of-summer crowd shows up.
Donovan's Reef | 1171 Ocean Avenue, Sea Bright
Donovan's Reef is a bar and grill located in Sea Bright. During the summer, it's known for its tiki bar, which is beloved for its rum, tequila, and vodka buckets. It is located directly on the beach, making this a good location for someone who wants easy access to the bar while sunbathing. Donovan's Reef opens on April 17th, allowing locals to listen to live music and kickstart the summer early.
Joe's Surf Shack | 415 18th Avenue, Lake Como
Joe's Surf Shack is a laid-back bar in Lake Como. Joe's is a neighborhood spot open year-round and gives Jersey Shore dive bar vibes. The menu highlights include Joe's Infamous Fried Rice, a bunch of taco + handheld options, and its Happy Meals (choice of Big Mac burger or 10-piece nugget that comes with skinny fries and a toy). Joe's Surf Shack has plenty of fun events like DJs, happy hours, and performances from different bands scheduled for the spring that locals can enjoy before MDW.
Leggetts Sand Bar | 217 1st Avenue, Manasquan
Leggetts is a long-standing sports pub in Manasquan. It has a classic bar food menu, but a stand-out feature is its brick oven pizza options. Leggetts has daily specials and live music scheduled for the spring, so customers can take in the space before the beach crowd takes over.
Low Dive | 1000 Ocean Avenue North, Asbury Park
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Low Dive is a bar located directly on Asbury Park's boardwalk. It's known for its fun cocktails and live music lineup, which is frequent during the spring. Although it's always a go-to location to listen to good music, its proximity to Asbury Park's beach makes it even more popular in the summer, so there's even more reason to stop by now. FYI: The boardwalk boogie, which Foggy Notion DJ hosts, is a fun dance party at Low Dive that is a must-attend.
Martell's Tiki Bar | 308 Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach
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Martell's Tiki Bar is a beachfront restaurant, bar, + outdoor club located on Point Pleasant's beach. Martell's raised deck overlooks the water. It is a pretty view when drinking one of its well-known drinks like the tiki tea or its freshly squeezed OJ cocktails. It also has an American-style food menu and a stage for live performances. Martell's has a couple of opportunities to visit before summer, like its Easter Weekend live outdoor entertainment event on April 19th and April 20th, and on May 4th, there is the 2025 VIP Card exchange event. To learn more about its official season opening day, follow its Instagram page here.
Marina Grille | 905 NJ-35, Belmar
Photo Credit: Marina Grille
Marina Grille is a restaurant located on the Shark River in Belmar. It's a go-to spot due to its waterfront views and coastal-style dining experience. The menu has seafood options, a brick-oven pizza section, and light options like salads and handhelds. Marina Grille has an entire live music lineup for April, which makes this a good destination before summer hits.
Parker House | 290 1st Avenue + Beacon Boulevard, Sea Girt
The Parker House is a restaurant inside a Victorian beach home in Sea Girt. Its menu has beach fare dishes and seafood plates. It is a fun happy hour spot for a spring day due to its wrap-around porch good for sipping wine, beer, or a cocktail from its menu; FYI, there are 11 fully stocked bars. Parker House's opening day is May 9th, and it has already released its live music lineup, linked here.
Reef + Barrel | 153 Sea Girt Avenue, Manasquan
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Reef + Barrel is an off-the-beach restaurant and bar in Manasquan. Its menu has pub snacks and comfort foods; JSG loves its Longboard Mozzarella Sticks, which are massive in size and come with a side of homemade marinara. While its outdoor concerts are popular in the summer, its intimate indoor shows are equally fun during the off-season. JSG suggests going to its happy hour (which takes place Monday through Friday) and/or attending its Wednesday trivia, which are bound to get filled up come July and August.
Red Rock Tap + Grill | 14 Wharf Avenue, Red Bank
Red Rock Tap + Grill is in Red Bank. In the warmer months, it gets filled up with customers who love its upper deck with a view of the Navesink River, which JSG thinks would also be fitting for spring. Before summer arrives, customers can also check out its American-style menu options and live music events.
River Rock Restaurant + Marina | 1600 NJ-70, Brick Township
River Rock is a sports bar and American cuisine restaurant located on the river in Brick. The river view makes this a fun outdoor dining experience, so it's a known go-to location during the summer. In the meantime, customers can still enjoy its large menu, fun cocktails, and events like trivia and karaoke, which take place this spring.
The Columns | 601 Ocean Avenue, Avon-by-the-Sea
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The Columns is a restaurant + bar inside a Victorian mansion in Avon-by-the-Sea. Its menu has casual eats like mini burgers and upscale options like lobster. The Columns is known to be a go-to venue for live music after summertime days at the shore. There is a pre-season party on May 4th. May 10th is its official opening day, so customers can get in before the unofficial start of summer (MDW).
The Pig + Parrot | 201 Union Lane, Brielle
The Pig + Parrot is a Key West-themed bar and restaurant in Brielle. The beach decor sets a fun vibe, the water view is pretty, and the menu is good for after a beach day, which is why it's a popular location in the summer. But, before the rush, JSG recommends visiting and taking advantage of the live music all spring at The Pig + Parrot.
The Osprey | 201 1st Avenue, Manasquan
Photo Credit: The Osprey
The Osprey is a nightclub and beach bar in Manasquan. The Osprey is located across from Main Beach, making this a popular stop from Memorial Day until Labor Day. The Rock Room is for those who love listening to live bands, but there's the Boom Boom Room for those who enjoy a DJ. Although it's a staple location in the summer, The Osprey also has a lineup of music, fundraisers, and trivia prepared before MDW; click here to learn more.
Watermark | 800 Ocean Avenue, Second Floor, Asbury Park
Watermark is a rooftop bar and lounge on Asbury Park's boardwalk. During the winter, locals love the vibes at its inside bar, which has plenty of lounge seating, fireplaces, and tall windows revealing a view of the ocean. Once warmer weather comes, Watermark's outside deck has its own bar with seating that gives a view of the beach and a clear look into the Stone Pony Summer Stage and its concerts. JSG suggests visiting Watermark for one more cozy night at the inside lounge before summer festivities begin.
Waypoint 622 | 622 Green Avenue, Brielle
Photo Credit: Waypoint 622
Waypoint 633 is a restaurant and patio bar in Brielle. Its menu has gluten-free selections, wild-caught seafood, sushi, and a Sunday Brunch. When it's nice out, it's a good spot to view the Manasquan River and Hoffman's Marina, a good setting for a relaxing spring day.
See More: Your Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Dining in Montclair
Wonder Bar | 1213 Ocean Avenue North, Asbury Park
Wonder Bar is a classic Asbury Park restaurant, live music venue, and bar. When walking up to the 4th Avenue entrance of Asbury Park's beach, it's hard to miss its vibrant colors and massive mural of Tillie, the town's mascot. During the summer, Wonder Bar is known for its Yappy Hour — customers can bring their dogs and socialize with other dog owners while sipping on cocktails at its fenced-in outdoor space. Before Yappy Hour starts, JSG recommends visiting another of its main attractions — its live music lineup, which is linked here.
