Heather's Asbury Park Guidebook
Beaches
We usually head to 1st Ave beach in Asbury Park. It is the closest beach to our condo and we always find a really great spot! You can also hear the music from the Stone Pony Summer Stage, which is nice on a beach afternoon.
40 locals recommend
Asbury Oyster Bar
1300 N Ocean AveWe usually head to 1st Ave beach in Asbury Park. It is the closest beach to our condo and we always find a really great spot! You can also hear the music from the Stone Pony Summer Stage, which is nice on a beach afternoon.
Ocean Grove has beautiful and a bit quieter beaches. We like the one between Surf Ave and Bath Ave. There is. Bathroom right on the beach there that is very convenient.
21 locals recommend
Ocean Grove Beach
N Ocean AveOcean Grove has beautiful and a bit quieter beaches. We like the one between Surf Ave and Bath Ave. There is. Bathroom right on the beach there that is very convenient.
Music
Catch a show at the Stone Pony! There is always a great band playing whether it’s the middle of winter or on the outdoor Summer Stage.
69 locals recommend
The Stone Pony
913 N Ocean AveCatch a show at the Stone Pony! There is always a great band playing whether it’s the middle of winter or on the outdoor Summer Stage.
Asbury Lanes
209 4th AveBowl, catch a show, or have a meal at Asbury Lanes!
We’ve gone to comedy shows and dance parties here! We love the 90s by nature party and people of all ages enjoy it.
18 locals recommend
House of Independents
572 Cookman AveWe’ve gone to comedy shows and dance parties here! We love the 90s by nature party and people of all ages enjoy it.
The Saint
601 Main StWonder Bar
1213 N Ocean AveIconic Asbury Park spot and home to Tillie!
Food scene
Delicious seafood restaurant right down the block. Ward is our favorite server there!
29 locals recommend
The Bonney Read
525 Cookman AveDelicious seafood restaurant right down the block. Ward is our favorite server there!
English style pub right across the street. This is great for brunch, lunch, and dinner!
7 locals recommend
The Black Swan
601 Mattison AvenueEnglish style pub right across the street. This is great for brunch, lunch, and dinner!
Yummy Korean tacos for dining in or take out. This place is dangerously close! There is also a location on the boardwalk. Order on the app and skip the line.
26 locals recommend
MOGO Korean Fusion Tacos
632 Cookman AveYummy Korean tacos for dining in or take out. This place is dangerously close! There is also a location on the boardwalk. Order on the app and skip the line.
Order tacos and eat tacos! They have great drinks as well as an extensive tequila and mezcal list.
22 locals recommend
Barrio Costero
610 Bangs AveOrder tacos and eat tacos! They have great drinks as well as an extensive tequila and mezcal list.
Delicious Mediterranean food! I always get the lamb burger and my husband always gets the chicken shawarma. Wednesday is $10 wine bottle night and the wine is actually good for only $10. Yummy drinks too.
10 locals recommend
REYLA
603 Mattison AveDelicious Mediterranean food! I always get the lamb burger and my husband always gets the chicken shawarma. Wednesday is $10 wine bottle night and the wine is actually good for only $10. Yummy drinks too.
The best BBQ in the area, perhaps the state. Tom, the owner, is really passionate about his BBQ and explains how his food is made on the giant smoker. It’s a meal and a show! Bring some beers and enjoy.
8 locals recommend
Mutiny BBQ Company
808 Fifth AvenueThe best BBQ in the area, perhaps the state. Tom, the owner, is really passionate about his BBQ and explains how his food is made on the giant smoker. It’s a meal and a show! Bring some beers and enjoy.
Ethiopian and Dominican cuisine that is absolutely delicious. Go with a group and get the giant platter to share! Ada herself is always there and meeting with guests. Bring a bottle of wine and order it spicy like we do.
6 locals recommend
Ada's Gojjo
1301 Memorial DrEthiopian and Dominican cuisine that is absolutely delicious. Go with a group and get the giant platter to share! Ada herself is always there and meeting with guests. Bring a bottle of wine and order it spicy like we do.
No frills deli serving excellent sandwiches. One of Anthony Bourdain’s favorite spots in NJ!
34 locals recommend
Frank's Deli & Restaurant
1406 Main StNo frills deli serving excellent sandwiches. One of Anthony Bourdain’s favorite spots in NJ!
One of our favorite restaurants in AP! The food, service, and ambiance are great. We love eating on the porch when the weather is nice. They don’t take reservations, but we usually have a drink while we wait for a table.
35 locals recommend
Moonstruck
517 Lake AveOne of our favorite restaurants in AP! The food, service, and ambiance are great. We love eating on the porch when the weather is nice. They don’t take reservations, but we usually have a drink while we wait for a table.
The best Italian food in Asbury Park! The food and service are phenomenal.
24 locals recommend
Brando's Citi Cucina
162 Main StThe best Italian food in Asbury Park! The food and service are phenomenal.
Yummy sushi! We go with a group and order the 1.75 liter bottle of sake. It’s a fun time!
78 locals recommend
Taka
660 Cookman AveYummy sushi! We go with a group and order the 1.75 liter bottle of sake. It’s a fun time!
The Galley Pizza & Eatery
1313 Memorial DrThe best pizza we’ve ever had! Enough said.
Delicious Korean food for takeout or dining in. The hot stone bowl is my favorite and is dine in only. We bring some soju and enjoy a nice meal there!
Kimchi Mama
504 Main StreetDelicious Korean food for takeout or dining in. The hot stone bowl is my favorite and is dine in only. We bring some soju and enjoy a nice meal there!
We get breakfast and lunch takeout from here. They also have a small grocery section in case you need eggs or razors. DJ is usually there and a super nice guy.
8 locals recommend
DJ’s Delights Deli & Resturant
620 Mattison AveWe get breakfast and lunch takeout from here. They also have a small grocery section in case you need eggs or razors. DJ is usually there and a super nice guy.
Cookman Creamery
711 Cookman AveYummy ice cream and I don’t even like ice cream!
Very lovely French restaurant with a great wine list! I usually get the steak frites and my husband loves the escargot. Brunch on the weekend is also great!
43 locals recommend
Pascal & Sabine
601 Bangs AveVery lovely French restaurant with a great wine list! I usually get the steak frites and my husband loves the escargot. Brunch on the weekend is also great!
Irish pub with really yummy food! I get the patty melt every time.
13 locals recommend
Kim Marie's Eat n Drink Away
1411 Kingsley StIrish pub with really yummy food! I get the patty melt every time.
Delicious BYOB seafood spot in nearby Ocean Grove. They don’t take reservations and there is usually a wait on the weekends, so they recommend you get there early if you want to get seated right away. Linda, the hostess, is super nice!
29 locals recommend
SeaGrass Restaurant
68 Main AveDelicious BYOB seafood spot in nearby Ocean Grove. They don’t take reservations and there is usually a wait on the weekends, so they recommend you get there early if you want to get seated right away. Linda, the hostess, is super nice!
Cocktails!
These are the best cocktails I’ve ever had. They make everything from scratch there and the bartenders are artists! This place is also dangerously close to our condo.
22 locals recommend
Asbury Park Distilling Co
527 Lake AveThese are the best cocktails I’ve ever had. They make everything from scratch there and the bartenders are artists! This place is also dangerously close to our condo.
Hidden speakeasy with yummy cocktails! You can find Laylow in the basement of Reyla. The decor and theme are super cool.
8 locals recommend
Laylow Cocktail Lounge
603 Mattison AveHidden speakeasy with yummy cocktails! You can find Laylow in the basement of Reyla. The decor and theme are super cool.
Great selection of beers and seltzers. Grab a draft there or get some cans to go! We also like their swag. Kane is about a 10 minute Uber or Lyft ride away.
9 locals recommend
Kane Brewing Company
1750 Bloomsbury AveGreat selection of beers and seltzers. Grab a draft there or get some cans to go! We also like their swag. Kane is about a 10 minute Uber or Lyft ride away.
Tons of beers on tap! The rooftop is a fun place to hang out.
67 locals recommend
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten
527 Lake AveTons of beers on tap! The rooftop is a fun place to hang out.
Enjoy beachfront rooftop cocktails here! You also get a direct view of the Stone Pony Summer Stage so you can catch a show for free.
57 locals recommend
Watermark
800 Ocean AvenueEnjoy beachfront rooftop cocktails here! You also get a direct view of the Stone Pony Summer Stage so you can catch a show for free.
Brunch!
The Speakeatery
705 Cookman AvenueCreative and delicious sandwiches for breakfast and lunch!
Very yummy breakfast and lunch spot. Bring some Prosecco and enjoy some mimosas with your brunch!
31 locals recommend
Cardinal Provisions
513 Bangs AveVery yummy breakfast and lunch spot. Bring some Prosecco and enjoy some mimosas with your brunch!
Fun brunch spot on the weekends! Bottomless bloody’s and mimosas. They are a popular spot for weddings, showers, etc. so check their schedule.
7 locals recommend
Cross & Orange
508 Cookman AveFun brunch spot on the weekends! Bottomless bloody’s and mimosas. They are a popular spot for weddings, showers, etc. so check their schedule.
Breakfast and lunch diner with something for everyone. BYOB! There is always a wait on the weekends so go put your name on the list and they will text you when your table is ready.
41 locals recommend
Toast Asbury Park
516 Cookman AveBreakfast and lunch diner with something for everyone. BYOB! There is always a wait on the weekends so go put your name on the list and they will text you when your table is ready.
Enjoy brunch on their deck right on Deal Lake! The place is small but run by a very nice couple. BYOB too!
8 locals recommend
Sunset Landing Luncheonette
1215 Sunset AveEnjoy brunch on their deck right on Deal Lake! The place is small but run by a very nice couple. BYOB too!
Sweet and savory crepes for breakfast and lunch in nearby Ocean Grove. They package the crepes perfectly so they are very easy to eat at the beach!
The Porch Crepe Cafe
73 Main AvenueSweet and savory crepes for breakfast and lunch in nearby Ocean Grove. They package the crepes perfectly so they are very easy to eat at the beach!
Fun Stuff!
Great place for “kids” of all ages! They have pinball machines from every decade which is super cool. I can also play skeeball for hours. They have food too in case you get hungry.
51 locals recommend
Silverball Pinball Museum
1000 Ocean Avenue NorthGreat place for “kids” of all ages! They have pinball machines from every decade which is super cool. I can also play skeeball for hours. They have food too in case you get hungry.
There are super cool photos of artists of all genres! There are also a lot of Bruce. You can also enjoy live music there.
Danny Clinch Transparent Gallery
210 5th AveThere are super cool photos of artists of all genres! There are also a lot of Bruce. You can also enjoy live music there.
Asbury Splash Park
950 N Ocean AveFun spot to cool off on the boardwalk.
Asbury Eighteen Mini-Golf
1050 N Ocean AveLovely park for hiking, playing, and hanging out! This is a 13 minute drive away.
9 locals recommend
Shark River Park
1101 Schoolhouse RdLovely park for hiking, playing, and hanging out! This is a 13 minute drive away.
City advice
Getting around
Very walkable!
We park our car and then just walk everywhere in town! You can also download the Superpedestrian app and then scoot around town. This is a small fee for this, but it is so easy to get around and fun!
Book before you go
Make dinner reservations!
It’s best to make reservations in advance as restaurants book up quickly.