Looking for a spot along the NJ coast where you can dock and dine? Look no further! Check out our list of suggestions. And if you have another recommendation, please add it to the comments!
Atlantic City
- Wonder Bar: Located just two blocks from the boardwalk on Albany Avenue, Wonder Bar offers its Sunset Room, which has a view of the back bay. Open until 5 a.m., Wonder Bar is a popular late-night spot that also offers a side Tiki Bar for outdoor drinks. 300 feet of floating dock space. Wonder Bar, 3701 Sunset Ave, Atlantic City, 609-344-8888.
Belmar
- Klein’s: Providing a wide selection of fresh food, Klein’s is a great waterfront spot for any craving. The Grill Room is perfect for indoor or outside dining, while the Waterside Café offers fresh seafood. Klein’s also has its own fish market and sushi bar in the restaurant. Klein’s, 708 River Road, Belmar, 732-681-1177.
Brielle
- Union Landing Restaurant: Another great stop at the Jersey Shore is the Union Landing Restaurant. With plenty of docking spaces available, the restaurant features a fresh raw bar and patio area with a scenic view of the marina and occasional live music. Union Landing Restaurant, 622 Green Ave, Brielle, 732-528-6665.
Cape May
- The Lobster House: Overlooking Cape May Harbor, the Lobster House sits waterfront next to a commercial fishing fleet, which provides most of the restaurant’s seafood. The Lobster House offers a raw bar with indoor and outdoor dining, along with the Schooner American—an outdoor cocktail lounge with a full bar and luncheon menu. The Lobster House, 906 Schellengers Landing Rd, Cape May, 609-884-8296.
Galloway
- Motts Creek Inn: With a spacious outdoor deck and live music on the weekends, this is a great spot for a casual outdoor dining experience. Six boat slips and one boat ramp. Can accommodate 4 to 10 boats. Motts Creek Inn, 200 E Motts Creek Road, Galloway, 609-652-1555.
Motts Creek Inn, Galloway (Photo courtesy of Motts Creek Inn)
- Oyster Creek Inn: Just 3.5 miles from historic Smithville, The Oyster Creek Inn is a family owned seafood restaurant in Leeds Point. Featuring a crab room and sushi bar, along with local music, the Inn is a relaxing hangout for waterfront dining. Oyster Creek Inn, 41 Oyster Creek Road, Leeds Point 609-652-8565.
Lake Hopatcong
- The Windlass: Located at Nolan’s Point in Lake Hopatcong, the Windlass is an Italian restaurant with a beautiful view of the largest freshwater body in NJ. The eatery is open Wednesday to Sunday in the summer and features an Italian patio where guests can eat outside. The docks are staffed to assist anyone arriving to the restaurant via watercraft. The Windlass, 45 Nolan Point Park Rd, Jefferson Township, Lake Hopatcong, 973-663-3190.
Manahawkin
- The Dutchman’s Brauhaus: This German restaurant, located on Bonnet Island in Manahawkin, has something for everyone. Aside from its regular dining room, The Brauhaus features The Upstairs, an entertainment room with live music, a Bavarian Tavern with draft German beers, and The Quelle, an outside bar. The Dutchman’s Brauhaus, 2500 E Bay Ave, Manahawkin, 609-494-6910.
Marmora
- Tuckahoe Inn: The restaurant’s Back Bay Cafe overlooks the Great Egg Harbor and features live music Wednesday through Sunday. Families are welcome and docking is available to boaters at their own risk. Tuckahoe Inn, 1 Harbor Road Beeseley’s Point, 609-390-3322.
Point Pleasant Beach
- Jack Baker’s Wharfside Patio Bar & Restaurant: Here are two local favorites where you can dine on the water and watch boats go by. The Patio Bar is a great outdoor spot, while the Wharfside Restaurant offers a more formal dining atmosphere. On weekends the Patio Bar also has live music. Jack Baker’s Wharfside, 101 Channel Drive, Point Pleasant Beach, 732-892-9100.
- Shrimp Box ‘Outside the Box’ Patio: The Shrimp Box patio bar offers a casual, relaxed setting on the Point Pleasant inlet and is open for lunch and dinner. 300 feet of docking space is available. Shrimp Box, 75 Inlet Drive, Point Pleasant Beach, 732-899-1637.
Somers Point
- Baia: The restaurant features three waterfront decks for any type of dining experience. The Upper Deck is perfect for larger gatherings and includes Baia’s full indoor menu. The Lower Deck provides a casual spot with lighter summer fare, and the new and improved Side Deck is covered and perfect for the weekly entertainment offered by Baia. Eight boat slips. Baia, 998 Bay Avenue, Somers Point, 609-926-9611.
- Crabby Jack’s (at The Crab Trap): Located behind The Crab Trap Restaurant, Crabby Jack’s provides beachgoers with a casual deck bar with entertainment that opens at noon, seven days a week during the summer season. Crabby Jack’s, 2 Broadway, Somers Point 609-927-7377.
Stone Harbor
- Water Star Grille at The Reeds at Shelter Haven: The upscale-yet-casual restaurant provides guests with a beautiful view and stylish surroundings. The Grille also offers a late-night menu from 10 p.m. to midnight and Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Water Star Grille, 9601 Third Avenue Stone Harbor, 609-368-0100.
Water Star Grille, Stone Harbor (Photo courtesy of Water Star Grille)
Toms River
- Baker’s Water Street Bar & Grille: Part of the Baker family chain, Baker’s Water Street is an ideal spot for waterfront dining, with live, local music on the weekends throughout the summer. Baker’s Water Street, 4 Robbins Pkwy, Toms River, 732-240-4800.
Wildwood
- The Boathouse: Specializing in seafood and steak, the Boathouse offers guests with plenty of seating. The indoor dining room is coupled with a spacious outdoor deck with an overhang and is built almost fully over water. The Boathouse, 506 W Rio Grande Ave, Wildwood, 609-729-5301.