Haifa’s Guide to Ocean Grove & Asbury Park
Food scene
Higher end French cuisine, with a beautiful bar. A little pricey, good for special occasions. They also do a good happy hour on weekdays.
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Pascal & Sabine
601 Bangs AveHigher end French cuisine, with a beautiful bar. A little pricey, good for special occasions. They also do a good happy hour on weekdays.
The only real seafood spot in town. It's gone a little downhill. We recommend going with the simpler menu items, like the raw bar or claw chowder.
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The Bonney Read
525 Cookman AveThe only real seafood spot in town. It's gone a little downhill. We recommend going with the simpler menu items, like the raw bar or claw chowder.
Beautiful old Victorian house converted to restaurant & cocktail bar. Try the key lime pie! Off season, they do a mid-week special 3 course menu for $39.
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Moonstruck
517 Lake AveBeautiful old Victorian house converted to restaurant & cocktail bar. Try the key lime pie! Off season, they do a mid-week special 3 course menu for $39.
One of the better restaurants on the boardwalk. Have dinner looking at the sea. Try the clam chowder or the fish tacos.
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Iron Whale
1200 N Ocean AveOne of the better restaurants on the boardwalk. Have dinner looking at the sea. Try the clam chowder or the fish tacos.
Tino's Pizza on Ocean Grove Main Ave. Very good wood-fired pizzas using natural ingredients, you can also get takeout or delivery. The pizzas are definitely the star here, the other menu items are just okay.
Osteria Procaccini
50 Main AveTino's Pizza on Ocean Grove Main Ave. Very good wood-fired pizzas using natural ingredients, you can also get takeout or delivery. The pizzas are definitely the star here, the other menu items are just okay.
Taka
660 Cookman AveSushi and fusion with good cocktails.
Old-school Italian. Fantastic pasta, and a very good wine list. Portions are huge, so come with an appetite!
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Brando's Citi Cucina
162 Main StOld-school Italian. Fantastic pasta, and a very good wine list. Portions are huge, so come with an appetite!
Breakfast & brunch. They have red velvet pancakes, people. Can be packed on weekends. Now also does catering for events.
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Toast Asbury Park
516 Cookman AveBreakfast & brunch. They have red velvet pancakes, people. Can be packed on weekends. Now also does catering for events.
Yummy pizzas, comfort food and salads. And cocktails. Worth a visit, especially good for lunch. Also good for people-watching if you sit outside.
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Talula's
550 Cookman AveYummy pizzas, comfort food and salads. And cocktails. Worth a visit, especially good for lunch. Also good for people-watching if you sit outside.
When you want a quick bite. They also have a stand on the boardwalk during the summer season.
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MOGO Korean Fusion Tacos
632 Cookman AveWhen you want a quick bite. They also have a stand on the boardwalk during the summer season.
Odyssey Coffee
50 Main AveGrab an ice coffee and head to the beach. Or sit by the windows and people-watch.
American, seafood forward, locally sourced. Bring your own wine (Ocean Grove is dry). We find the starters generally better than the entrees, order a few of those and share! Dollar oysters on Mondays, and half-price food on Wednesdays during low season.
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SeaGrass Restaurant
68 Main AveAmerican, seafood forward, locally sourced. Bring your own wine (Ocean Grove is dry). We find the starters generally better than the entrees, order a few of those and share! Dollar oysters on Mondays, and half-price food on Wednesdays during low season.
Great views over the boardwalk & ocean. Reserve a seat by the huge windows or on the upstairs terrace for a romantic evening. The seafood & meat entrees are of mixed quality, but the pasta is excellent. Try the papardelle with fennel seeds.
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Stella Marina
800 N Ocean AveGreat views over the boardwalk & ocean. Reserve a seat by the huge windows or on the upstairs terrace for a romantic evening. The seafood & meat entrees are of mixed quality, but the pasta is excellent. Try the papardelle with fennel seeds.
Days Ice Cream
48 Pitman AveRetro ice cream store in classic Victorian building
Bars & Nightlife
Yappy Hour! Highly recommend for both dogs and owners. Also a nice outdoor space to catch some sun, away from the bustle of the boardwalk. Has some live music, check their listings.
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Wonder Bar
1213 N Ocean AveYappy Hour! Highly recommend for both dogs and owners. Also a nice outdoor space to catch some sun, away from the bustle of the boardwalk. Has some live music, check their listings.
Iconic gay club (all welcome!) at the Empress Hotel. Dance by the pool, or catch the super fun drag shows.
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Paradise
101 Asbury AveIconic gay club (all welcome!) at the Empress Hotel. Dance by the pool, or catch the super fun drag shows.
Sleeker rooftop lounge bar on the boardwalk, with great oceanfront views. Catch the sunset at their huge picture window or on the outdoor deck.
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Watermark
800 Ocean AvenueSleeker rooftop lounge bar on the boardwalk, with great oceanfront views. Catch the sunset at their huge picture window or on the outdoor deck.
Old-school, low key gay bar - one of the best dive bars in town. Look out for their drag brunches, karaoke nights, and parties during Pride Month.
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Georgies
810 5th AveOld-school, low key gay bar - one of the best dive bars in town. Look out for their drag brunches, karaoke nights, and parties during Pride Month.
A unique experience. Taste their spirits made on-site, and sample good cocktails. Not to be confused with the Bierhalle 'sports bar' next door, a very different evening!
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Asbury Park Distilling Co
527 Lake AveA unique experience. Taste their spirits made on-site, and sample good cocktails. Not to be confused with the Bierhalle 'sports bar' next door, a very different evening!
Essentials
Grocery availability in Asbury & Ocean Grove isn't the best. Your best option is to order delivery from Fresh Direct or Whole Foods. Or you can drive or Uber to Stop & Shop Neptune - they have good selection of produce.
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Stop & Shop
116 NJ-35Grocery availability in Asbury & Ocean Grove isn't the best. Your best option is to order delivery from Fresh Direct or Whole Foods. Or you can drive or Uber to Stop & Shop Neptune - they have good selection of produce.
Rite Aid
75 S Main StYour nearest larger pharmacy
Ocean Grove Bake Shoppe
55 Main AveCute local bakery. Try the sourdough loaf, and the pastries. Yum.
Excellent fresh fish & seafood store. You can get delivery, order on their website.
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Local 130 Seafood
1305 Memorial DrExcellent fresh fish & seafood store. You can get delivery, order on their website.
Very good local wine & liquor store. Great prices too. You can also schedule home delivery.
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Lush Wines - Beers & Liquors
700 Cookman AveVery good local wine & liquor store. Great prices too. You can also schedule home delivery.
The best food store in Ocean Grove. Good selection of cheeses and accompaniments. Make a cheese board and enjoy with wine on our front porch :)
Cheese On Main
53 Main AveThe best food store in Ocean Grove. Good selection of cheeses and accompaniments. Make a cheese board and enjoy with wine on our front porch :)
Pathway Market
42 Pilgrim PathwayVery basic local corner store. When you need some daily essentials.
Shopping
Antique Emporium Of Asbury Park
646 Cookman AveGreat antique shop with many small vendors.
INCREDIBLE huge vintage warehouse. One of the largest in NJ, it's a little off the beaten track but worth the trip. Furniture, decor items, old stained glass windows, 70's lamps.... a treasure trove.
Salvage Angel By The Sea
Ridge AvenueINCREDIBLE huge vintage warehouse. One of the largest in NJ, it's a little off the beaten track but worth the trip. Furniture, decor items, old stained glass windows, 70's lamps.... a treasure trove.
Gorgeous mid-century furniture at reasonable prices. Newly opened flagship store in Ocean Grove. Delivery available to NJ, NY and PA.
Flux Modern
658 Cookman AveGorgeous mid-century furniture at reasonable prices. Newly opened flagship store in Ocean Grove. Delivery available to NJ, NY and PA.
River Street Sweets
Cute retro candy store. Try the saltwater taffy in dozens of flavors.
Local Specials
Boutique hotel with rooftop bar. In the summer they have DJs, and do summer film screenings on the roof too. Check their web site for details.
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The Asbury Hotel
210 5th AveBoutique hotel with rooftop bar. In the summer they have DJs, and do summer film screenings on the roof too. Check their web site for details.
Iconic music venue, many great bands have played here. Check their listings, buying tickets in advance is recommended.
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The Stone Pony
913 N Ocean AveIconic music venue, many great bands have played here. Check their listings, buying tickets in advance is recommended.
Asbury Lanes
209 4th AveCute retro diner with bowling and concert venue.
Surf lessons for adults and kids. Locations in Asbury and Bradley Beach.
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Summertime Surf School - Asbury Park
Surf lessons for adults and kids. Locations in Asbury and Bradley Beach.
Swim day passes are available at this new spot ($40 weekends, $25 weekdays, 21+).
The St. Laurent Social Club
Swim day passes are available at this new spot ($40 weekends, $25 weekdays, 21+).
Stroll around and take in the truly unique architecture of Ocean Grove. It is the largest assembly of Victorian homes in the U.S.A., and has been deemed a National Historic Site.
Ocean Grove
Stroll around and take in the truly unique architecture of Ocean Grove. It is the largest assembly of Victorian homes in the U.S.A., and has been deemed a National Historic Site.
For Kids
Asbury Splash Park
950 N Ocean AveWater park by the boardwalk.
Silverball Pinball Museum
1000 Ocean Avenue NorthRetro Arcade and Museum
The beach in Ocean Grove tends to be less busy than in Asbury. The waves are usually more gentle too, good for kids.
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Ocean Grove Beach
N Ocean AveThe beach in Ocean Grove tends to be less busy than in Asbury. The waves are usually more gentle too, good for kids.
Fun experience for adults and kids. Beautiful views of lakefront Victorian homes.
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Asbury Park Pedal Boats
Lake AvenueFun experience for adults and kids. Beautiful views of lakefront Victorian homes.
Asbury Eighteen Mini-Golf
1050 N Ocean AveMini-golf on the boardwalk.
Furry Friends
Dog beach at the north end of Asbury, near North 8th street. Open 24/7 from Sept. 15 - May 15. From May 16 - Sept. 14 only from 6pm - 8.30 a.m. **Please double check on their web site as rules may change** Please note dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk during the summer season.
Asbury Park Dog Beach
1738 Ocean Avenue NorthDog beach at the north end of Asbury, near North 8th street. Open 24/7 from Sept. 15 - May 15. From May 16 - Sept. 14 only from 6pm - 8.30 a.m. **Please double check on their web site as rules may change** Please note dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk during the summer season.
Yappy Hour at Wonder Bar. SO much fun! Check times on their IG or FB page. They also have days for small dogs only.
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Wonder Bar
1213 N Ocean AveYappy Hour at Wonder Bar. SO much fun! Check times on their IG or FB page. They also have days for small dogs only.
Paws Pet Boutique
658 Cookman AvenuePet store at the shopping arcade