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Wonder Bar in Asbury Park named one of USA TODAY’s Best Bars of 2024 Video
Check out Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ, named one of USA TODAY’s best bars for 2024.
In the catering industry, some things can be a double-edged sword.
One of them is third-party delivery apps, which deliver food to more customers but eat up a significant portion of restaurants’ profits.
The second option is Yelp, a user-driven review platform where satisfied and dissatisfied customers share their opinions. Bad reviews can come from people who have never visited the restaurant, restaurant owners say, or from customers who had a minor problem.
But good reviews can earn a restaurant a spot on Yelp’s “best of” lists, such as the recently released “Best Restaurants in New Jersey.” The list includes nearly a dozen restaurants in Monmouth and Ocean counties, from Rumson to Long Beach Island.
More: We asked AI about the best restaurants on the New Jersey coast. Here is the result
Are there any other restaurants in the area worth mentioning? Of course.
But for now, here are the 11 that deserve a place.
618 in Freehold Borough, No. 7
Chef Christopher Dutka creates dishes like buttermilk-fried lobster tail, truffle ricotta pasta pockets, and scallops with corn sauce in a restaurant also known for great cocktails and beautiful event spaces.
A little Yelp: What is the best restaurant on the Jersey Shore? Yelp ranks it among the top 10 in New Jersey
Go: 618 Park Ave., Freehold Borough; 732-577-0001; 618nj.com.
Aarzu Modern Indian Bistro in Freehold Borough, No. 19
Once called the place for the “best one-off meal in any state,” Aarzu is a popular spot for wonderful Indian food in an ambience that is upscale but not stuffy. When Archana Sharma opened the restaurant with executive chef Shravan Shetty, Sharma said, “I wanted it to be special.”
Go: 30 E. Main St., Freehold Borough; 732-333-0933, aarzu.com.
Spano’s Ristorante Italiano in Point Pleasant Beach, #32
Guests craving traditional Italian cuisine should head to Spano’s, where they serve free eggplant meatballs with dinner. Don’t be surprised if the chef and owner comes to your table to say hello.
Go: 719 Arnold Ave., Point Pleasant Beach; 732-701-1600, spanos.net.
More: What’s the best restaurant near you? Check out USA TODAY’s 2024 Restaurants of the Year.
Atlantic Deep Sea Fishing in Point Pleasant Beach, No. 35
A casual seafood restaurant operated by a commercial fisherman. The fishery’s seafood is delivered from the docks in Point Pleasant Beach. There is also a fish market on site.
Go: 212 Channel Drive, Point Pleasant Beach; 732-206-6958, atlanticfisherynj.com.
The Buttered Biscuit at Bradley Beach, #37
Buttery flaky biscuits, homemade corned beef hash, scrambled eggs with goat cheese, bacon and tomatoes, and crumb cake grilled and dusted with cinnamon sugar are favorites at this long-standing breakfast and lunch spot.
Go: 700 Main St., Bradley Beach; 732-807-4069, thebutteredbiscuitcafe.com.
Shut up and eat at Toms River, No. 45
Kitsch is the name of the game at this breakfast and lunch spot, where waiters in pajamas balance plates of pancakes, cleverly named sandwiches and mismatched coffee cups.
Go: 804 Main St., Toms River; 732-349-4544, shutupandeat-tr.com.
More: The best bars in America in 2024: See USA TODAY’s 27 favorite spots
The Chicken or the Egg in Beach Haven, No. 56
The incredibly hot chicken wings may be Chegg’s most famous dish, but the restaurant’s huge menu includes everything from pork roll, egg and cheese on French toast to garlic pub fries and chicken pot pie. On summer weekends, the restaurant is open 24 hours a day.
Go: 207 N. Bay Ave., Beach Haven; 609-492-3695, letschegg.com.
Xina Restaurant in Toms River, #57
Xina is a favorite for creative sushi rolls, using ingredients like crab, Jersey corn, chilies and spicy honey (the Khai Khon roll) and tempura olives, mortadella, cream cheese and tuna (the Emilia Romagna roll). Or try a spring roll with chicken Caesar salad, katsu with truffles or noodles with chopped cheese fat.
Go: 3430 Route 37, Toms River; 732-279-6327, xinarestaurant.com.
Mud City Crab House in Stafford, No. 69
One of Tide Table Group’s seven award-winning restaurants, Mud City is prized for its seafood and outdoor seating, complete with an Airstream bar.
Go: 1185 E. Bay Ave., Manahawkin section of Stafford; 609-978-3660, mudcitycrabhouse.com.
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Talula’s in Asbury Park, #73
At charming Talula’s, almost everything is made from scratch. Guests love the pizza—particularly The Beekeeper’s Lament with house-made mozzarella, spicy soppressata and honey—and vegan dishes like crab cakes made with hearts of palm and chickpeas and a plant-based Caesar salad. Don’t miss the gin and jam cocktail.
Go: 550 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park; 732-455-3003, talulaspizza.com.
Birravino in Red Bank, No. 92
The dishes of Italy are presented in Victor Rallo’s Birravino, where pork, beef and veal meatballs are served on homemade pasta, on pizza, in a panini or as a side dish.
Go: 183 Riverside Ave., Red Bank; 732-842-5990, birravino.com.
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing about all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to [email protected], Follow us on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
