Isiah Christie 
Each summer at the Jersey Shore comes with plenty of restaurants to check out, and Seaside Heights is welcoming two new spots to its dining scene. Chef Mike’s Legacy, which will be led by beloved Seaside local Chef Mike, and Pelicans Wharf, a seafood restaurant, have announced plans to open in the city. Read on to learn about these two new restaurants coming to Seaside Heights.
About Chef Mike’s Legacy
Chef Mike’s Legacy will be opened by Chef Mike Jurusz, a beloved cook in Seaside Heights. Once the head chef of 709, now known as B2 Bistro + Bar, in Point Pleasant Beach, Mike eventually opened Chef Mike’s Atlantic Bar + Grill in Seaside Park. Chef Mike’s ABG closed in late 2025, but this new restaurant venture will serve as a successor and bring another eatery to Seaside Heights.
According to Shorebeat, Chef Mike’s Legacy will open at the Hershey Motel in Seaside Heights, located on 1415 Boulevard. It is expected to be an upscale, dinner-only location with plans to open by Memorial Day Weekend 2026.
About Pelicans Wharf
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Pelicans Wharf, which will open at 419 Bayside Terrace in Seaside Heights, is led by Justin Carlisli, an experienced Jersey Shore chef who owns the restaurant Sunset Keys in Lavallette. According to its website, the menu will include seafood boils, lobster rolls, po-boys, clam chowder, and other seafood dishes. It will also feature a brunch menu. The Pelicans Wharf team has not yet confirmed an opening date for the restaurant, but we will update this article with more information as it is revealed. Be sure to check out its Instagram page for more information as well.
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