There are steakhouses, there are seafood restaurants, and then there’s Drifthouse, a place that somehow pulls off both at a seriously high level while overlooking both the ocean and the Shrewsbury River.
Located on the second floor of the Driftwood Beach Club in Sea Bright, Drifthouse is open to the public year-round, giving diners a chance to experience one of the Shore’s most scenic dining rooms well beyond summer beach season. From the first cocktails at our table, we knew we were in for a special night.
Cocktails to Start the Night
My dining partner ordered the Pisco Sour, bright and citrusy with that smooth frothy top, while I went with the Blood Orange Old Fashioned, which had just enough citrus sweetness layered into the whiskey without overpowering it. Both cocktails were polished and thoughtfully made, the kind of drinks that instantly settle you into the night.
A Sushi Roll That Bridges Steakhouse and Seafood
When it came time to order appetizers, our server immediately recommended the Surf & Turf Roll and said it was her favorite on the menu. After one bite, it was easy to see why. The roll is stuffed with crab salad and topped with thin slices of tender filet, landing somewhere between a sushi spot and a classic steakhouse in the best way possible. It was a very filling appetizer, but so good we finished every bite.
One of New Jersey’s Most Striking Raw Bars
Before dinner even arrived, it was hard not to notice the seafood display near the raw bar. Drifthouse has this dramatic waterfall oyster display that we were told is the only one in New Jersey, immediately grabbing your attention when you walk into the dining room. The display features local oysters from the Barnegat Oyster Collective, adding a true Jersey Shore touch to one of the restaurant’s most striking centerpieces. Between that, the seafood towers, the glow of the restaurant, and the huge windows overlooking the water, the whole place has an upscale coastal energy without trying too hard.
The Dry-Aged Steak That Steals the Show
But the star of the night was absolutely the steak.
Drifthouse has become known for its dry-aged beef program, and after ordering the Dry-Aged Tomahawk Steak, it was easy to understand why. The steak arrived deeply charred on the outside, with that incredible dry-aged flavor that steak lovers chase – rich, nutty, and intensely beefy in the best way. Inside, it stayed perfectly tender and juicy. It’s the kind of steak that makes the whole table stare with envy.
Classic Surf and Turf, Drifthouse Style
On the side, we ordered the creamed spinach and scalloped potatoes au poivre, because if you’re doing a steakhouse dinner correctly, these are non-negotiable. The spinach was rich and velvety without feeling too heavy, while the potatoes arrived steaming hot with layers of creamy, cheesy goodness and that classic au poivre pan sauce.
We also added a 1 1/2-pound lobster to the table, perfectly cooked and sweet enough to hold its own next to a steak that good. Together, it turned into one of those classic steakhouse surf-and-turf dinners that Drifthouse masters.
House-Made Pasta Worth Ordering
We also couldn’t resist ordering the Cacio é Pepe with house-made bucatini, and it ended up being one of those deceptively simple dishes that sticks with you. The fresh pasta had the perfect bite, coated in a silky sauce built from pecorino, parmesan, and black pepper that delivered deep flavor without feeling heavy. In the middle of a dinner filled with steak and lobster, it was a reminder that Drifthouse pays just as much attention to the details beyond the grill.
A Tableside Dessert Finale
For dessert, we ordered Drifthouse’s take on a Baked Alaska, appropriately named the “Drifthouse Alaska for 2,” and it arrived with all the drama you’d hope for. The dessert layers homemade cake, gelato, marshmallow fluff, banana liquor, and chocolate sauce before being flambéed tableside, instantly turning heads throughout the dining room. Dig through the toasted exterior, and you get warm cake, cold gelato, and rich chocolate all at once, with the banana liquor adding just enough extra depth without overpowering the dessert. It’s playful, over-the-top, and exactly the kind of finale that fits a restaurant like Drifthouse.
What makes Drifthouse stand out is that it expertly cruises across several lanes. It’s a steakhouse with a serious seafood program. It’s a sushi spot with one of the best dry-aged steak selections at the Shore. It also has a cocktail program that easily keeps pace with the kitchen, from polished classics to creative seasonal drinks that make lingering over dinner even easier. Add in the ocean and river views, and it’s easy to understand why dinners here tend to turn into long nights.
Drifthouse Restaurant, Lounge and Bar
1485 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright, NJ 07760
