Things to do / Travel Guide
You won't want to miss out on the Jersey Shore's dining options. The region offers everything your hearts (and tummies) desire, and while you may pay a pretty penny for fine dining in Atlantic City, other Jersey Shore towns also offer a wide variety of restaurant options that are somewhat more affordable.
Atlantic City Casino Dining
Almost 100 restaurants are housed within the Atlantic City casinos. From snack bars to burger grills and seafood bistros to steakhouses, you'll find everything from casual fare to haute cuisine available, usually 24/7. Asian fusion, sushi, Chinese, Latin, as well as New American eateries are all available inside the casinos, and many offer lovely ocean and boardwalk views to boot. The Borgata Casino Hotel & Spa boasts some of the best cuisine variety among Atlantic City casinos. In addition, the upscale Cuba Libre, at the Tropicana Casino, features a Havana Street atmosphere, and the usual black bean and plantain favorites. Bacchanal at Caesars is an eating experience to write home about - Ancient Roman gladiators-turned-waiters add a special flare to your multi-course meal. Tropical fish ogle your seafood from inside their giant aquariums at Harrah's Fantasea Reef Buffet, but don't be self-conscious as you munch your way to satisfaction at this all-you-can-eat buffet.
Other Atlantic City Dining
Outside of the casino scene, Atlantic City has proudly procured quite a few of its own noteworthy restaurants. Babalu Grill on Atlantic Avenue was named one of the top 50 Latin restaurants in the country, and the Knife and Fork Inn, also on Atlantic Avenue, is a longtime, favorite famous for its steaks and fish. Naturally, you should be prepared to spend a bit before going out to eat at these fine establishments.
Dining in other Jersey Shore Towns
In many Jersey Shore towns you'll find a wide selection of Mexican and Latin, Chinese, Japanese, and Kosher restaurants, as well as Adriatic and Greek food eateries. Italian cuisine, too, is as ubiquitous as the seafood shacks and shanties; nearly every Jersey Shore town has a pizza and pasta shop as well as a gourmet Italian restaurant. Bradley Beach, for instance, is known for top-notch restaurants, particularly for Italian cuisine, and Spring Lake is known for its upscale, gourmet eateries. Trendy bistros, including vegetarian, Russian-Armenian, Asian, German, and Spanish-Mediterranean menus, are clustered around Red Bank's hip-and-happening downtown. The waterfront opposite Gateway National Park at Sandy Hook boasts many fine and fancy restaurants. Pier Village, in Long Branch, houses a number of gourmet restaurants in its posh, oceanfront complex. Cape May has often boasted the title “Restaurant Capital of New Jersey,” ranking first on the East Coast in commercial seafood restaurants. For a fun and “spirited” dining experience in Cape May, try the Haunted Mansion Restaurant at Elaine's Victorian Inn. While you slurp your soup keep an eye on your surroundings - specters and special effects are all part of the eerie ambience.
Seafood Dining on the Jersey Shore
If you seek seafood, you can't go wrong at one of the Jersey Shore's numerous seaside crab, oyster, and lobster houses; nearly every town has one. Specifically, at the seafood joints in Highlands, a self-proclaimed seafood hub, you will enjoy traditional restaurants and small mom-and-pop shanty-style seafood shacks, many of which have parking docks for hungry boaters. While Highlands may consider itself to be the Jersey Shore seafood center, Point Pleasant Beach places the crown on its own head. Home to one of the four commercial fishing companies on Jersey Shore, Point Pleasant Beach seafood restaurants and lobster shanties pride themselves on freshness and variety. Restaurants along Channel Drive, Arnold Avenue, Broadway, and Inlet Drive come highly recommended. Yet another seafood mecca, Cape May, is also known for a delectable and fresh selection - try the restaurants directly on the water, and don't miss out on Cape May crab cakes.
Jersey Shore Specialties
Commercial fishing companies in Belford, Point Pleasant Beach, Barnegat Light, and Cape May help make the Jersey Shore a bastion of sumptuous seafood. A local legend, Belford Seafood Co-op in Belford provides Jersey Shore and New York City restaurants with the day's best catch. You can go to their retail store and get your hands on the freshest fish (but be prepared to clean it and fillet it yourself). Point Pleasant Beach commercial fish markets are scattered along Channel Drive.
If you are a hot dog connoisseur you will be glad to know that the Jersey Shore's selection of sizzling sausages spans the coast. Try the stands along the piers and boardwalks or go to Long Beach, a north Jersey Shore town noted for this thin, meaty delicacy; on Ocean Boulevard and Ocean Avenue you will find the some of the most delicious dogs in the Jersey Shore. Windmill is perhaps the Jersey Shore's most famous hot dog joint - you'll find franchises in Long Branch and Belmar.
Sticky, sweet saltwater taffy (not really made with saltwater) has been an Atlantic City Boardwalk specialty since the late 1800s. While just about any shop along the boardwalk has an abundant supply of the stuff, you can actually watch saltwater taffy being made at Shriver's in Ocean City.
And though not indigenous to the region, you would be remiss if you left the Atlantic City Boardwalk without trying a famous Philly cheesesteak - a delicacy decidedly not for the faint of heart! Wash it down with a Jersey Devil - a southern Jersey Shore cocktail concoction made from cranberry juice, applejack, and rum.
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