Monmouth County Restaurants

This comprehensive list of 2022 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.

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 by category for your dining adventures in Monmouth County. You can check out our latest restaurant reviews for Monmouth County here.

Romantic Monmouth County Restaurants

Looking for a special place 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.

           Amelia’s By The Sea, Spring Lake

Avenue, Long Branch

    Blu Grotto, Ocean Township

Moonstruck, Asbury Park

Pascal & Sabine, Asbury Park

            The Black Swan, Asbury Park

Undici, Rumson

Jersey Shore BBQ, Point Pleasant Beach

Local Smoke, Red Bank & Neptune

Surf Barbecue, Rumson

Mutiny Barbecue, Asbury Park

Brunch Spots

Are you are 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

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.

The Black Swan, Asbury Park – A gorgeous location for a delightfully different weekend brunch. Start off with Mimosa flights and Bloody Mary carafes. In addition to their Full English Breakfast, their Brunch menu includes 3 egg omelets served with bacon cheddar tots and petite salad. Choose your stuffing – Ham & Swiss – Mushroom & Goat Cheese – Lobster & Brie. They also have classic Eggs Benedict and a Grass-fed Steak & eggs dish with creamed spinach, bacon cheddar tots and toast. Sides of bacon, rashers and bangers are also available.  Weekend Brunch is served 11am to 3pm. 

Toast, Asbury Park, Red Bank
Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch is 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 Benedicts, Burgers and so much more. You can’t go wrong with anything no the menu at Toast.

Best Burgers in Monmouth County

                   30 Burgers, Red Bank

B2 Bistro + Bar, Red Bank

Bar A, Lake Como

Harpoon Willy’s, Manasquan

Barnacle Bill’s, Rumson

   The Bonney Read, Asbury Park

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

Tommy’s Tavern + Tap, Sea Bright

Vics, Bradley Beach

Zoni’s Coal Fired Pizza, Middletown  Read Our Review

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

Restaurant Diomede, Little Silver

Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant, Long Branch

Seagrass Restaurant, Ocean Grove

Shipwreck Grill, Brielle

The Bonney Read, Asbury Park

The Inlet Cafe, Highlands

Monmouth County Steak Houses

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

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

Inlet Cafe, Highlands

Kleins Waterside Cafe, Belmar

McLoone’s Pier House, Long Branch

The Marina at Oceanport, Ocean Port

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

Irish / English Restaurants

           Dublin House, Red Bank

           St. Stephen’s Green Publick House, Spring Lake

           The Black Swan, Asbury Park

Latin / American Restaurants

Casa Comida, Long Branch

Cielito Lindo Mexican Restaurant, Manasquan

Barrio Costero, Asbury Park

Jose’s Mexican Restaurant, Spring Lake

Sushi Restaurants

         Mizuki Hibachi Asian Bistro, Wall

         Sushi by Kazu Japanese Restaurant, Freehold

         Taka, Asbury Park

         Tommy’s Tap and Tavern, Sea Bright