Something about the fall and winter months brings about a more significant desire for gathering with friends and loved ones over comfort food. Whether it’s a Friendsgiving, a holiday work party, or a New Year’s gathering, there is nothing better than a family-style menu. The Jersey Shore Girl compiled a list of some of our favorite restaurants with big plates that can be easily shared with some of your favorite people. Keep reading for a guide to Jersey Shore restaurants with family-style menus.
Black Whale | 100 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Beach Haven
Black Whale is Beach Haven’s neighborhood bar. It also serves fun cocktails and is known as one of LBI’s beloved fish houses. Its menu features classic seafood dishes, such as jumbo lump crab cakes, bacon-wrapped scallops, and fried oysters served with a family-style salad and one side. Black Whale also has a significant plate portion, including items like house jambalaya and lobster bake for two that make sharing with others easy.
Blu Grotto Restaurant | 200 Port Au Peck Avenue, Oceanport
Blu Grotto is a beer garden + venue with pretty patios in Oceanport. It makes the family-style experience feel like an authentic Italian dinner as it’s only available on Sundays from 4PM to closing. The first course is a choice of one salad, and two appetizers served family-style for the table. Still, JSG’s favorite is the second course — the pasta course which is the table’s choice of three kinds of endless pasta. If that isn’t enough, the last course is a choice of dessert. FYI: Everyone at the table must participate in the Pasta Palooza to receive all the benefits.
Read More: The Best Happy Hours at the Jersey Shore
Buona Sera | 50 Maple Avenue, Red Bank
Buona Sera is an Italian restaurant located in Red Bank. It has four family-style event packages, ranging from $55 to $110 per person. The large plates include antipasto, pasta, entree, dessert, and raw bar selections. For those looking to add alcohol, Buona Sera also has a beer + wine or premium open bar package for an additional fee per person.
Carmine’s Italian Restaurant | 2801 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City
Photo Credit: Carmine’s
Carmine’s Italian Restaurant serves homestyle Southern Italian meals at the Tropicana Hotel + Casino — and its 20-year anniversary at the casino is coming up. It has all the indulgences one might want when spending a night in Atlantic City. Carmine’s has appetizers and plenty of proteins like veal, seafood, steak, and chicken; all served in huge portions big enough to feed a large group. It also has so many pasta options, salads, vegetables and sides, and desserts, making deciding on the menu selection a fun challenge for any party.
Jimmy’s Cucina | 301 Union Avenue, Brielle + 201 Broadway, Point Pleasant Beach
Jimmy’s Cucina serves pizza and Italian food at its two Jersey Shore locations — Brielle and Point Pleasant Beach. It has family dinner specials, which Jimmy advertises as perfect for mom’s night out. The first option is $49, serving two to four people, and the second option is $79, feeding six to eight people. Jimmy’s Cucina is available for pickup or delivery, and customers can choose from six different entrees, each with a side or salad.
Luigi’s Ocean City | 300 East 9th Street, Ocean City
Luigi’s is an Italian restaurant in Ocean City that will reopen in spring 2025. Its family-style option is available to go. The large plates can serve four to six people or 12-15 people. The menu items include all the classic Italian dinners like eggplant parmigiana, beef or veggie lasagna, and spaghetti meatballs.
Mangiare Tu | 600 Main Street Suite 3, Bradley Beach
Mangiare Tu is a hidden gem located in Bradley Beach. It has family-style portions of dishes such as baked clams, Sicilian meatballs, and fried calamari. Mangiare Tu has extensive entree options like its shrimp arrabbiata (which is jumbo-sized). FYI: a $12 share charge applies to all split entrees.
MonAlyssa | 1635 Bay Avenue, Point Pleasant
MonAlyssa is an Italian restaurant and pizzeria in Point Pleasant. The family-style packages range from $27 to $33 per person. The different packages have variations of menu item choices like appetizers, salads, pasta, vegetables, chicken or seafood entrees, and assorted desserts. MonAlyssa’s family-style dinner is available for parties of 10 people or more, and everyone in the party is required to participate.
Nonna’s Cucina | 448 US-9, Englishtown
Nonna’s Cucina has family-style dining with a pretty aesthetic created with fireplaces and painted murals. For those dining with four people or more, Nonna’s Cucina has two family-style packages — the Classico or Supremo. Both options have three courses of classic Italian plates.
Patricia’s Toms River/Downtown | 1922 Hooper Avenue Toms River + 244 Atlantic City Boulevard, Beachwood
Patricia’s has two Jersey Shore locations — one in Toms River and the other in Atlantic City. It has two family-style packages, one for $55 dollars a person and the other for $65. JSG’s favorite options include Nonna’s meatballs, the eggplant stack, and money bag pasta.
Patrizia’s | 28 Broad Street, Red Bank, 25 Morristown Road, Matawan + 2132 NJ-35, Holmdel
Photo Credit: Patrizia’s
Patrizia’s has several locations near the Jersey Shore, including the Red Bank, Matawan, and Holmdel restaurants. The $49 per person option has three appetizers, one salad, and two entrees, whereas the $59 selection gives customers one more appetizer and entree. JSG recommends the family-style money bag pasta. Patrizia’s also has a few different party enhancements for the family-style experience, such as the seafood or dessert platter.
Patroni’s 957 West | 957 West Avenue, Ocean City
Patroni’s 957 West is an Italian catering location set to reopen in March 2025. It has family-style trays serving eight to ten people or 15-20 people. JSG’s typical order includes the sausage, peppers + onions, lasagna, and stuffed shells. FYI: Make sure to order at least four hours ahead of time for lasagna trays and 24 hours ahead for all other family-style trays.
Porta | 911 Kingsley Street, Asbury Park
Porta has multiple locations in New Jersey, but its Jersey Shore restaurant is in Asbury Park. While it isn’t a traditional family-style restaurant, it has some fun options, such as large portions fitting for a group. First, JSG loves that its pasta comes as a single or double dish, depending on the customer’s preference. Plus, there’s a ‘for the table’ section of the menu that features comfort food items like breaded chicken cutlets and eggplant parmesan.
Reyla | 603 Mattison Avenue, Asbury Park
Photo Credit: Reyla
Reyla serves modern Middle Eastern food intended for sharing. JSG recommends the green falafel, lamb, and toastada. For those with a sweet tooth, the Turkish coffee cake and apple pie are so good that both are a must-order for the table.
Russo’s Italian Restaurant | 1415 Long Beach Boulevard #3, Ship Bottom
Russo’s is a family-owned and operated restaurant in LBI. The menu items are created in small batches; everything is made fresh daily. Russo’s has entrees, paninis + heroes, salads, and starters that locals say are made big enough to be shared amongst family and friends.
Sinner’s Steakhouse | 20 Inlet Drive, Point Pleasant Beach
Sinner’s Steakhouse is a Point Pleasant Beach restaurant serving prime-cut steaks and fresh seafood — it also has an extensive wine list, local draft beers + fun cocktails. JSG loves it as a family-style option for its menu items like the Sinner’s Seafood Tower. It is perfect for groups that can’t choose just one item from the raw bar. Sinner’s also has large portioned plate items like the Tomahawk ribeye for two, which makes a good option for a family-style meal out.
See More: Where to Get Thanksgiving Catering in Hoboken + Jersey City
Stella Marina | 800 Ocean Avenue North, Asbury Park
Stella Marina is an Italian restaurant located directly on Asbury Park’s boardwalk. It has family-style takeout with half or full-tray options. The selections include items like pasta, salads, proteins, and sides. FYI: make sure to order 24 hours ahead of time.
Viking Fresh Off the Hook | 1905 Bayview Avenue, Barnegat Light
While Viking Fresh Off the Hook is closed for dining inside during the winter, during the off-season, it emails weekly curated menus to those who sign up for email notifications. The weekly family-style menu has two entrees, desserts, and a few a la carte items. At Viking Fresh Off the Hook, menus go out on Fridays, and customers can schedule pickups and deliveries for the following Wednesday or Thursday. Those interested can sign up here.
50+ Ways to Spend a Winter Day at the Jersey Shore
Everyone knows the Jersey Shore is the place to be in the summer. But something everyone forgets is that those beloved shore towns still exist in the winter, as do many small businesses that make these neighborhoods lively during the warmer months. The winter is a fun time for locals to make a reservation at a restaurant that is always crowded during peak season or try out an indoor activity that is fun yet sometimes overlooked. Keep reading for a guide to spending a winter day at the Jersey Shore.
Asbury Park
- See a show at The Stone Pony, an anchor venue for the Jersey Shore music scene that has hosted national acts since 1974.
- Visit House of Independents, a versatile entertainment space featuring fun events such as live music, themed dance parties, and comedy shows.
- Bowl at Asbury Lanes, a vintage bowling alley and concert venue.
- Listen to live music at Soundbooth at The Asbury Hotel, a boutique hotel steps away from the beach.
- Take a cookie-baking or decorating workshop at Sweet Dani B, an interactive kitchen studio and cooking class studio.
- Try an immersive glass experience at Hot Sand.
- Play a pinball game at Silverball Retro Arcade, located directly on Asbury Park's boardwalk and is BYO.
- Go boutique shopping: check out the downtown Asbury Park shops, or keep warm at The Shoppes at the Arcade, the town's indoor shopping mall.
- Attend a themed book club meeting at Asbury Book Cooperative.
- Visit the lounge at Catsbury Park, New Jersey's first cat cafe, which helps at-risk cats gain a new lease on life.
- Take your dog on Asbury Park's boardwalk, or have your pup play with other local dogs at AP's dog beach; both are open to pets from September 15th through May 15th.
- Explore new restaurants with Taste of Asbury Food Tours.
- Mark your calendar to join the annual Asbury Park Santa Run + receive your own Santa suit with registration along with chip-timed results, a closed course in Asbury Park, and access to after-parties all over town.
Read More: 18 Alcohol-Free Activities to Try at the Jersey Shore
Atlantic Highlands
- Visit the Strauss Mansion, a 21-room Victorian Mansion with exhibits on local history.
- Take the Seastreak Ferry into Manhattan for the day.
- Go on a brewery tour of Carton Brewing Company.
- Experience First Avenue Playhouse, a dessert theatre that serves sweets with a show.
Avon-by-the-Sea
- Shop for macaroons at The Macaroon Shop, an Avon-by-the-Sea bakery beloved by locals since 1930.
- Stop by Meaberrie Market for breakfast, brunch, or lunch, and then browse its market for a curated selection of vintage and new homewares.
Belmar
- Experience an all-you-can-eat experience at Flames Brazilian Steakhouse.
- Take a candle-making workshop at Midnight Candle Company.
- Warm up at a hot yoga class at either Metta Yoga or Heatwave Hot Yoga, both studios located in downtown Belmar.
Bradley Beach
- Get a bar pie at Vic's Italian Restaurant, a staple to the Jersey Shore since 1947.
- Satisfy all those comfort-food breakfast cravings at The Buttered Biscuit, a cozy cafe serving biscuits known for being addicting.
- Get the ultimate BYOB brunch experience at Hatch 44 — a cafe with an aesthetic fitting for the start of a girls' day.
- Stay overnight at The James Bradley, a stylish boutique hotel with elevated rooms and private accommodations.
Long Branch
- Taste mead at Beach Bee Meadery.
- Explore Pier Village, an oceanfront shopping center with shops, retail, dining, live public events, and year-round activities.
- Test your problem-solving skills at Escape the Puzzle, an entertainment venue with themed rooms where visitors can unlock clues and solve puzzles to escape.
- Go to Whitechapel Projects, a versatile venue dedicated to incorporating art into everyday life through food, drink, performances, events, or other types of artistic expression.
- Relax during a luxury spa experience at Wave Resort + Spa — an oceanfront leisure retreat.
- Take a pottery class at Blue Skies Pottery.
Manasquan
- Grab handmade mozzarella or a gourmet sandwich from Joe Leone's Centro Market.
- Get vegan and gluten-free baked goods from Papa Ganache.
- Play darts, listen to live music, or watch sports at Leggetts Sand Bar, a staple to the Jersey Shore bar scene.
- See a show at Algonquin Arts Theatre, a local non-profit theatre hosting plays, concerts, comedians, and musicals.
- Go ice fishing at Manasquan Reservoir.
Ocean Grove
- Appreciate art at Main Avenue Galleria, an art gallery with classes, events, and art collectibles for viewing.
- Take in the nautical decor and BYOB to Seagrass Restaurant, a seafood restaurant open all year long in Ocean Grove.
Point Pleasant
- Visit Jenkinson's Aquarium to see exhibits such as Atlantic and Pacific sharks, coral reefs, penguins, and seals.
- Go to the annual indoor Holiday and Lights Spectacular, Sea of Lights, located inside the Jenkinson Pavilion and the Jenkinson Aquarium. This festive event features holiday entertainment and visits from Santa.
- Get competitive at Jenkinson's South Arcade or Jenkinson's Pavilion Arcade.
- Scout out antiques at Point Pleasant Antique Emporium or Canvas House Antiques + Design Center.
- Spend the night laughing at Uncle Vinnie's Comedy Club, a casual comedy club with a line-up of professional comedians and a dinner and show menu.
Sea Bright
- Get Italian food at Anjelica's Restaurant.
- Go to happy hour at The Rum Runner, a seafood restaurant with a pretty riverfront deck.
Sea Girt
- Get breakfast at Ray's Cafe, a hidden gem serving Sea Girt for over thirty years.
- Make it a date night at Scarborough Fair, a 19th-century farmhouse made into a special occasion restaurant.
- Receive a psychic reading at The Psychic Gallery.
See More: 12 Ways to Make New Friends in Montclair + Essex County
Seaside Heights
- Participate in the annual Polar Bear Plunge, which helps support the New Jersey Special Olympics.
- Try the pizza at Maruca's Tomato Pies, a Jersey Shore classic known for its signature tomato sauce swirl.
- Go to Lucky Leo's, a family-owned entertainment center open year-round in Seaside Heights since 1953.
Spring Lake
- Get your sugar fix at Third Avenue Chocolates, a homemade candy store that has been in business for over thirty years.
- Eat inside a grand Victorian hotel across the ocean at Amelia's by the Sea.
- Check out Bare Wires, a surf shop open year-round.
