BEST MONMOUTH COUNTY RESTAURANTS

Updated March 2026

This comprehensive list of Monmouth County restaurants was curated through input from our readers and social media fans. We hope their recommendations will serve you well. Have a tip on a new restaurant opening or a suggestion for a restaurant we should try? Share it here.

Looking for a perfectly prepared cocktail? Check out our list for great cocktails in Monmouth County.

Some of the more popular towns in Monmouth County for dining are Red Bank, Freehold, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, but there are smaller, quieter towns with some great gems too, like Rumson, Manasquan, and Spring Lake.

Monmouth County also encompasses a generous amount of waterfront property, so if you are looking for a destination with a water view, you may just find it here.

We hope you enjoy these restaurants, categorized by type, for your dining adventures in Monmouth County.

pascal and sabine — Pascal & Sabine Asbury Park

Romantic Monmouth County Restaurants

Looking for a romantic restaurant in Monmouth County to take that special someone? Ultimately, a romantic restaurant should provide the opportunity for intimacy. The lighting, seating, music, and yes, even food, can all add up to a romantic night out. Here are our picks for places that will make for a great date. If you have a suggestion for this list, please submit here.

Avenue, Long Branch

Drifthouse, Sea Bright

Drifthouse Restaurant in Sea Bright stands out as one of the most romantic dining destinations in Monmouth County, pairing coastal elegance with a warm, inviting atmosphere. Set between the ocean and the Shrewsbury River, the restaurant offers stunning sunset views, an intimate dining room, and a cozy fireplace lounge, making it ideal for date night. The menu leans into house-made pasta, dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and a thoughtful cocktail program, making it easy to linger over dinner and drinks. Open year-round, Drifthouse is a go-to for everything from first dates to anniversaries and special celebrations that call for something a little more memorable.

Nonna’s Cucina, Englishtown

Pascal & Sabine, Asbury Park

Barbecue Restaurants

Jersey Shore BBQ, Point Pleasant Beach

Local Smoke, Red Bank & Neptune

Surf Barbecue, Rumson

Mutiny Barbecue, Asbury Park

Best Brunch in Monmouth County

Toast Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch — Toast City Diner in Red Bank and Asbury Park

Are you craving something sweet, like a steaming stack of pancakes, or something savory, like a pile of bacon, or maybe both? Hey, isn’t that what breakfast out is all about? These Monmouth County restaurants will not disappoint in the deliciously decadent department.

Avenue, Long Branch

B2 Bistro, Red Bank (Available Saturdays and Sundays 11am-2pm)

B2 Bistro’s weekend brunch is a playful, chef-driven lineup that puts a creative spin on classic morning favorites. The menu balances comfort and innovation with dishes like Shore Style Benedicts, Steak & Eggs in a Hole on brioche, and a Skillet Corned Beef Hash packed with bold, savory flavors. Sweet cravings are covered too, from Chicken & Waffles with sage maple glaze to indulgent S’more’s French Toast. Add in build-your-own omelets and bagels, vibrant huevos rancheros, and inventive brunch burgers, and brunch at B2 Bistro feels equal parts familiar, unexpected, and thoroughly satisfying.

Cardinal Provisions, Asbury Park (Brunch Sat/Sun. Breakfast/Lunch Mon-Friday)

Meemom’s, Wall Township

Molly Pitcher Inn, Red Bank (brunch). Their holiday brunches sell out quickly every year.

Toast, Asbury Park, Red Bank

Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch are served 7 days a week. Their Red Bank location is housed in a retro diner, while the Asbury Park location is a funky, fun restaurant on Cookman Ave right in the heart of Asbury’s downtown. Enjoy their signature Red Velvet or Carrot Cake pancakes, Eggs Benedict, Burgers, and so much more. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu at Toast.

Check out our list of Best Brunch Spots in Ocean County

B2 Bistro's Award Winning Burger — B2 Bistro’s Award Winning Burger

Best Burgers in Monmouth County

B2 Bistro + Bar, Red Bank

Bar A, Lake Como

Harpoon Willy’s, Manasquan

Barnacle Bill’s, Rumson

Monmouth County Pizza

If you’re in New Jersey, you are in the land of great pizza, and Monmouth County has its fair share of outstanding pizza places. You will find your very traditional pizza joints and the more experimental establishments. It just depends on what your pizza craving is at the moment.

B2 Bistro + Bar, Red Bank

Carmines, Neptune

Deninos, Aberdeen

Federico’s on Main, Belmar

Medusa Stone Fired Kitchen in Asbury Park

Pete & Elda’s, Neptune

Porta, Asbury Park Read Our Review

The Brothers, Red Bank

Vics, Bradley Beach

Zoni’s Coal Fired Pizza, Middletown Read Our Review

Monmouth County Restaurants Brandls Crispy Blackfish — Brandl’s Crispy Blackfish

Monmouth County Seafood Restaurants (not only seafood)

New Jersey and fresh seafood go hand in hand. With 5 commercial fishing ports to our name, there are plenty of places to go to enjoy fresh-caught New Jersey seafood. Whether you are searching for fresh Jersey flounder or mouthwatering mussels, you should be able to catch something to your liking at any of the following Monmouth County restaurants.

B2 Bistro + Bar, Red Bank (JBF Smart Catch Leader)

Bahrs Landing, Highlands

Brandl, Belmar

Catch 19, Red Bank

Klein’s Fish Market & Waterside Cafe, Belmar

Mr. Shrimp Seafood Restaurant and Market, Belmar

Navesink Fishery, Atlantic Highlands

Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant, Long Branch

Seagrass Restaurant, Ocean Grove

Shipwreck Grill, Brielle

The Inlet Cafe, Highlands

Monmouth County Restaurants Char Steakhouse, Red Bank — Char’s 35-day prime dry-aged Porterhouse

Monmouth County Steaks

There are not a lot of choices for traditional Steak Houses in Monmouth County. If you are in Southern Monmouth County you can pop over the Manasquan Bridge into Point Pleasant Beach where you will find two of Ocean County’s top Steak restaurants, Prime 13 and Shipwreck Point.

Char, Red Bank

Drifthouse, Sea Bright

Neil Michael’s Steak House, Hazlet

Vegan / Vegetarian Monmouth County Restaurants

Seed to Sprout, Avon Read our Review

Waterfront Restaurants in Monmouth County

One of the big attractions in Monmouth County is the many miles of waterfront property. Whether you are looking for an ocean view or a lazy, riverside lunch, Monmouth County has got you covered. If you have a favorite waterfront Monmouth County restaurant that didn’t make the list, send us your suggestion.

Bahr’s Landing, Highlands

Drifthouse, Sea Bright

Drifthouse Restaurant stands out as one of the best waterfront restaurants in Monmouth County, offering a rare dining experience with both ocean and river views in one stunning setting. Located in Sea Bright on the Jersey Shore, Drifthouse is known for its gorgeous sunsets, making it a favorite for romantic date nights, special occasions, and just-for-fun dinners that turn into memorable nights out. Open year-round, the restaurant offers relaxed coastal vibes in the warmer months and a cozy, intimate atmosphere in the cooler seasons, often centered on its inviting fireplace lounge. Whether you are celebrating something special or simply craving waterfront dining in Monmouth County, Drifthouse delivers scenery and atmosphere that elevate the entire experience.

Inlet Cafe, Highlands

Kleins Waterside Cafe, Belmar

McLoone’s Pier House, Long Branch

The Marina at Oceanport, Oceanport

Waypoint 622, Brielle

Cajun / Creole Restaurants

If you are looking for a little of that Cajun / Creole spice and traditional NOLA fare or just a place to celebrate Mardi Gras, there are a few fan favorites who have been delighting guests for years. It seems fitting that all of the restaurants listed are located by the water.

Drew’s Bayshore Bistro, Keyport

Clementine’s Restaurant, Avon-by-the-sea

Rajin Cajun, Belmar