For many people living in the Northeast, especially those living in New York and New Jersey, the Jersey Shore is a popular vacation spot. It is a place for families, couples, and college students alike to enjoy a day at the beach, a few drinks, and some great food.
I consider myself something of an expert in Jersey Shore food. In November of 2021, my family purchased a small beach cottage in Point Pleasant, New Jersey on the border of Bay Head. Although we are frequent beach-goers, one of our favorite parts of owning this vacation house is exploring this new town and a number of different restaurants inside of it. Over the past two summers, we have managed to try a variety of different cuisines and are still waiting to cross other places off our list. To this end, if you aren’t a person who has been to the Jersey Shore, it can be overwhelming to decide where to eat and which of the hundreds of places has the best pizza, hamburger, or seafood. Therefore, I created this Jersey Shore food guide of some of my favorite spots for those specifically staying in the Point Pleasant or Bay Head area to make vacation a little less stressful and full of good eats.
Dune Grass Cafe
The Dune Grass Cafe is one of the cutest and most popular spots in the Bay Head area. They offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, and ice cream with your choice of indoor or outdoor seating. They not only make some of the best and fluffiest blueberry pancakes, but also cook up an incredible fish taco. Additionally, it is surrounded by a number of small shops, so when you are finished enjoying your meal, you can walk around and explore the town of Bay Head.
58 Bridge Ave, Bay Head, NJ 08742
Esposito’s
Esposito’s is one of the best pizza restaurants in this area. They have a very casual and relaxed atmosphere and give customers a choice of take-out or dine-in options. And, while they have delicious pasta dishes and appetizers, they are best known for their pizza with a sesame seed crust. Once you try it, you will never look at regular pizza the same.
233 E Main St, Manasquan, NJ 08736
The Beanery
The Beanery, located in the heart of Point Pleasant, feels like home the second you walk into it. With cozy decor and mismatched furniture, the interior feels welcoming and familiar. Their menu is extensive, casual, and, of course, delicious, including one of my favorite dishes, the Mozz-Foccacia, a sandwich made with fresh mozzarella, warm garlic focaccia, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, romaine, Romano cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette.
516 Bay Ave UNIT 1, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Sundaes
When I visit an ice cream shop, I want to see fun and unique flavors I couldn’t purchase at the grocery store. This is exactly what Sundaes delivers. They have a variety of options including hard and soft serve ice cream, sherbert, shakes, ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches, and more. They have something for everyone such as their flavor Dark Side of The Moon, which is made with chocolate ice cream, chocolate icing, and chocolate cookie swirl or Frosted Cupcake, which is made with cake batter ice cream, vanilla cake pieces, and rainbow sprinkles.
3217 NJ-88, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
The Wharfside
The Wharfside has a large amount of indoor and outdoor seating with a sizable outdoor bar located on the Manasquan River. It is a great place to party with friends or take your family for a nice dinner together. They offer a casual menu where I recommend ordering the nachos or the personalized cheese pizza.
101 Channel Dr, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Round Dough With A Hole
Round Dough With A Hole is many locals’ top choice for bagels in the area. They not only have the most fresh, doughy, and large bagels, but they also make fantastic coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee cake. They are very close to town and depending on where you are staying, is only a bike ride away.
400 Richmond Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Rella’s Italian Tavern
If you are looking for a nicer sit-down restaurant that is still affordable, Rella’s is perfect. Their menu includes a number of traditional appetizers, pastas, and main dishes with one of my favorites being their simple spaghetti pomodoro that comes with a ricotta dollop and a meatball.
601 Union Ave, Brielle, NJ 08730
John & Elaine’s
Walking into John & Elaine’s is like time traveling back to the 1960s. Every customer is given a place setting with a crossword, fun facts, riddles, town news, and the chance to win a cash prize if you can find the small icon of a man. They serve delicious breakfast with what I consider some of the best pancakes and best hot chocolate. However, remember to bring cash as it’s the only payment type they accept.
1103 Richmond Ave, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
The Ark Pub
The Ark Pub is your typical tavern. If you are in the mood for a great burger, any local will recommend this restaurant. They have a number of delicious appetizers, soups, sandwiches, juicy burgers, salads, entrees, and sides. Plus, they hold trivia night every Thursday, and even allow you to call ahead if you want them to cook seafood that you caught fishing.
401 NJ-35, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
B2 Bistro
B2 Bistro, located on the main street of Point Pleasant, is another great restaurant if you’re looking for something nicer and a little less casual. They offer an extensive list of handcrafted cocktails as well as a wide variety of wines. Additionally, their menu is full of delicious and diverse food choices for dinner and brunch too, including some of my favorites like the short rib grilled cheese and the peaches and cream Belgian waffles.
709 Arnold Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742