There’s not many places like the Jersey Shore. Between the beach, the boardwalk, and the TV show fame, there’s a reason why it’s one of the most famous places on the East Coast. When it’s time to take a break from the “T” in your GTL routine, these are some places to get the best eats Monmouth County has to offer.
1. Cookie Monster Ice Cream at Hoffman’s
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
Too long without this flavor and we turn into monsters, too.
2. Truffle Fries at D’Jeet
Photo by Hailey Maher
Typical fries get a major upgrade at this light, airy cafe. Enjoy the parmesan-topped goodness on the outside patio for the ultimate summer lunch.
3. Peanut Butter Ice at Strollo’s
Photo by Hailey Maher
This soft-serve/Italian ice mashup screams summer.
4. Classic Tacos at Surf Taco
Photo courtesy of @mb_theworst on Instagram
Keep it old-school at this beachside location, but don’t forget to add chips and guac for the perfect beach picnic meal.
5. Lemon Blueberry Dream Pancakes at Turning Point
Photo by Hailey Maher
Carbo-load for your beach darty with these light and fluffy pancakes, which use the season’s freshest blueberries.
6. Hangover Hookup Juice at Stay Gold Cafe
Photo courtesy of @staygoldcafe on Instagram
Recover at this beachside restaurant and juice bar. This hydrating blend can cure even the worst headache.
7. New Orleans Cold Brew at Rook
Photo courtesy of @rookcoffee on Instagram
Bring your Rook to the beach to keep your energy levels high through hours of sun.
8. Spring Breeze Roll from Kanji
Photo courtesy of @frankievolpetti on Instagram
Get tropical with this pineapple and avocado-filled roll.
9. Nutella Pizza from Porta
Photo courtesy of @pizzaporta on Instagram
Their regular pizza is delicious, but the Nutella-topped crust is where it’s really at.
10. Cookie Butter Crepe at Whipped Crêperie
Photo courtesy of @annniemartin_ on Instagram
Trader Joe’s favorite spread gets an upgrade at this spot, where you can get crepes both sweet and savory.
11. Breakfast Sandwich at Bagel Masters
Photo courtesy of @bagelmasters on Instagram
Bagel Masters has its name for a reason. These bagels are hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, and baked for the ultimate crispy exterior/fluffy interior combo. The variety is huge, from pumpkin to banana nut, but this NJ staple is the way to go.
12. Avocado Toast at Over Easy Kitchen
Photo courtesy of @oekitchen on Instagram
This brand new breakfast and lunch spot is a welcome addition to the 732’s brunch scene. Embrace your inner white girl with the avo toast.
13. Broadwalk Donut at Broad Street Dough Co.
Photo courtesy of @evannclingan on Instagram
If you’re tired of ice cream, get your vanilla-and-rainbow-sprinkles fix with this donut.
14. Pastries from Mumford’s
Photo courtesy of Mumford’s on Facebook
The delicious scent of baked goods is the first thing you notice when you walk into Mumford’s Kitchen. Follow your nose and order any of their baked goods, from chocolate chip cookie to coconut cake.
15. Margarita Pizza at Denino’s
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
New Jerseyans are passionate about their pizza, and Denino’s delivers big-time. Thin-crusted but still substantial, this tomato-and-basil-covered pie is a staple in any Monmouth County diet.
16. Chocolate Açaí Bowl from Dean’s Natural Market
Photo courtesy of @goldalamode on Instagram
Keep it healthy at this super-cute grocery store, whose in-store juice bar rivals the best of any specialty smoothie shop.
17. Pork Roll & Cheese at The Committed Pig
Photo courtesy of @thecommittedpig on Instagram
Spend your summer making your way through this section of The Committed Pig’s menu, which serves the NJ favorite as well as six fresh takes on the classic.
18. Chips and Guac from Juanito’s
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
It’s Cinco de Mayo all summer long at Juanito’s, which has some of the best Mexican food in the state.
19. Nutella Bowl at Playa Bowls
Photo courtesy of @playabowls on Instagram
Healthy enough to be breakfast, delicious enough to be dessert.
20. Thin-Crust Pizza from Pete & Elda’s
Photo courtesy of Pete & Elda’s on Facebook
Crunchy with just the right amount of chewy, Pete & Elda’s has mastered the art of thin-crust pizza.
21. Chocolate Chai at Inkwell
Photo courtesy of Inkwell on Facebook
This late-night coffeehouse hangout is perfect for summer nights, so get one of their caffeinated chai teas to keep your energy up for hours.
22. Beer at Beach Haus Brewery
Photo courtesy of @beachhausbeer on Instagram
$8 flights and a picnic table setup make this the perfect bar for a summer hangout.
23. Omelet and Home Fries at Park Place Diner
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
Somehow, breakfast food tastes best at 1 am.
24. Carrot Cake Pancakes at Toast
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
Carrots are a vegetable, so these must be healthy. Beach body, here we come.
25. Fluffiest Eggs Pizza from Talula’s
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
Start your day the right way: with pizza. And eggs, of course.
26. Apple Cider Donuts from Delicious Orchards
Photo by Hailey Maher
These donuts will bring back childhood flashbacks for any Monmouth County native, who undoubtedly celebrated the onset of fall with dozens of these donuts and cups of apple cider. Luckily, you can get your fix before apple-picking season at this must-try market.
27. Chicken Summer Roll at Ocean Cafe
Photo courtesy of Ocean Cafe on Facebook
If we could, we would drink the peanut sauce that comes on the side of this light but satisfying meal as soup.
28. Custom Pita at Greek Eats
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
Think Chipotle, but inside of a fluffy pita instead of a burrito. Stay cool with an order of iced Greek coffee.
29. Lemon Poppy Scones at the Scone Pony
Photo courtesy of The Scone Pony on Facebook
Perfect for the morning after a late night at the Stone Pony.
30. Grilled Avocado Sandwich from Seed to Sprout
Photo courtesy of @seedtosprout on Instagram
Think grilled cheese + avocado – gluten = 10000x delicious.
31. Tiramisu from Good Karma Cafe
Photo courtesy of @goodkarmacafe on Instagram
Somehow, the vegan remix beat the original.
32. No Place Like Home Eggs from My Kitchen Witch
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
Cheddar and apple eggs are deliciously unexpected, like most of the menu at this homey and healthy beach town café.
33. Any Breakfast Combo from Sweet Lew’s Cafe
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
So many breakfast foods on one plate. Amen.