These 10 New Jersey Seafood Restaurants Are Worth The Hype
One New Jersey restaurant has served seafood since 1897, and a pianist plays there nightly. I’d book a table just for that detail.
Dinner with live piano? Yes, please.
Another spot has a bi-level deck facing the Atlantic Ocean. A different one cooks from a neighboring fish market and only opens for dinner.
One more serves a Mediterranean-influenced menu with a raw bar and a patio. I love that range.
New Jersey packs a lot of coastline into a small map. A few kitchens sit on the water, and a few sit miles inland.
Add the raw bars, the crab cakes, and the lobster bisque, and my list gets long fast. I’d start with the oysters.
Ten tables are waiting, and each one has its own hook. Even the menus read like a dare.
Which would you book first?
1. Oceanos Oyster Bar & Sea Grill
Ever met a seafood tower with its own brand name? The Oceanos Seafood Tower is on the menu at Oceanos Oyster Bar & Sea Grill in Fair Lawn, and it’s built for sharing.
The kitchen leans Mediterranean in spirit, with seafood and steaks in a modern bistro setting. A raw bar and a patio round out the picture.
Oyster Taster lets you sample the raw bar without picking just one. Tuna Tartar and Mussels Lyonnaise are solid ways to keep the starters moving.
Grilled Octopus brings the Mediterranean angle to the table. Day Boat Scallops and Chilean Sea Bass keep the spotlight on the fish.
Lemon Sole Francese is another name worth spotting on the list.
Organic dishes and a full vegetarian menu mean the table doesn’t have to agree on shellfish.
A fireplace adds some atmosphere when the weather turns. Free wi-fi is on offer, and valet parking is available.
Kids have high chairs and a menu, and dogs are allowed on the patio. A private dining room is ready for larger parties.
Doors open at noon each day, and Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest stretch. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
New Jersey has plenty of raw bars, but this one comes with Mediterranean-influenced flair. Curbside pickup is available if you’d rather take dinner home.
Catering is available too. It’s handy for parties that need seafood.
Address: 2-27 Saddle River Rd, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
2. Dock’s Oyster House
Since 1897, Dock’s Oyster House has been serving Atlantic City, and the piano has a nightly gig. The atmosphere is both historic and upscale.
Dinner starts at 4 PM, with Friday through Sunday service running until 9:30 PM. Expect a wait at times, so reservations are recommended.
Clams Casino and Oysters Rockefeller are classic seafood starters here. Fried Oysters and Fried Calamari add fried options for anyone who wants them.
Seared Sea Scallops and Grilled Octopus handle the heavier lifting. The menu lists vegan and vegetarian choices too, plus Dock’s House Salad.
Valet parking is available if you’d rather skip the hunt for a space.
A private dining room is available for groups, and takeout is offered. High chairs are on hand for little ones.
Dessert and coffee are both on the menu. Linger a while after the plates clear.
New Jersey’s shore has newer places, but few can match this timeline. Make it a dinner date, because the piano sets the mood.
Address: 2405 Atlantic Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
3. The Crab Trap
Where else can you eat crab bisque with a harbor view? The Crab Trap in Somers Point has an outdoor deck overlooking the water.
The mood is easygoing, and the menu stays focused on seafood. Doors open at 11 AM daily for lunch and dinner.
Clams Casino and Creamy Crab Bisque make solid openers. Shrimp, oysters, and clams with cocktail sauce make a chilled option for raw bar fans.
Deviled Crab Cakes are the name that stands out for crab lovers. The Fried Seafood Platter gathers several options in one order.
Rib & Lobster and Surf and Turf cover the land-and-sea crowd.
A fireplace and live music add atmosphere. Families are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs.
This spot doesn’t take reservations, and a wait is common. Show up with patience and a plan for the deck.
New Jersey’s South Jersey shore has plenty of crab cakes, yet few places pair them with a harbor view. A free parking lot and free street parking are both nearby.
Private dining is available for groups. Takeout is offered too.
Dessert is on the menu, so save a little room. Coffee is available too.
Seafood is the star, but the broader menu includes comfort food. Healthy options are listed as well.
Both solo diners and larger groups are served. Outdoor seating makes the deck a natural target.
Address: 2 Broadway, Somers Point, NJ 08244
4. Blue Point Grill
Fish markets usually sell dinner. At Blue Point Grill in Princeton, the neighboring market also supplies the kitchen.
This is a dinner-only spot, with seating indoors and on a patio. Doors open at 4:30 PM most evenings, and at 4 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Grilled Portuguese Octopus and Portuguese Sardines show off a Mediterranean angle. Smoked Tuna Pate and Fried Calamari round out the starters.
Swordfish and Falkland Islands Chilean Sea Bass headline the fish list. Pistachio and Parmesan Encrusted Trout adds a nutty twist.
Shrimp and Crawfish Etouffee brings a Louisiana accent, and Surf and Turf keeps meat lovers happy. A full vegetarian menu is available too.
Limited space is part of the deal, so reservations are recommended. A wait is usual, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Parking in the area can be tricky, so allow extra time. Free street parking exists, though spaces are often hard to find.
Dogs are allowed outside, and a gender-neutral restroom is available. A kids’ menu and high chairs help families.
Dessert is on the menu, and coffee is too. Counter service also appears among the dining options.
Takeout is available for nights you can’t linger. Outdoor seating is the better bet when the weather cooperates.
Address: 258 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542
5. Bahrs Landing Famous Seafood Restaurant & Marina
Since 1917, Bahrs Landing Famous Seafood Restaurant & Marina has kept its nautical theme and its straightforward approach. Highlands is the home port.
No-frills is the stated style, so the menu focuses on seafood dishes without fuss. Rooftop seating gives you another way to enjoy the marina view.
Stuffed Flounder is a menu staple, and Lighthouse Scampi nods to the coast. The Jersey Lobster Roll and Hot Lobster Roll let you pick a side in the lobster roll debate.
Yellowfin Nachos are a playful starter, and Shrimp Cocktail is the classic one. A Giant Pretzel is on the list for the vegetarian crowd.
Save room for Whole Key Lime Pie, which is vegetarian and listed on the menu. Live music is part of the offering, so plan on a lively evening.
Brunch, lunch, and dinner are on the schedule, with Sunday hours running from 11:30 AM to 9 PM. Friday and Saturday stretch later, until 10:30 PM.
Families get a kids’ menu and high chairs, and dogs are welcome outside. Reservations are accepted and recommended for brunch and dinner.
Curbside pickup and delivery are available if the marina is too far from your couch. New Jersey takeout doesn’t usually come with this much history.
A private dining room is available for parties. Catering is offered as well.
Free parking is on site, which keeps arrival simple. Plenty of spaces are usually available.
Address: 2 Bay Ave, Highlands, NJ 07732
6. Atlantic Offshore Fishery
Lobster nachos sound like a dare, and Atlantic Offshore Fishery in Point Pleasant Beach is happy to take it. The menu also lists a Lobster Taco and a Lobster Egg Roll app.
Lobster rolls with fries and fish and chips anchor the laid-back eatery. A fresh to-go market sits alongside the kitchen.
Fisherman Platter is the pick when you want variety. New England Clam Chowder suits cooler days.
Fried Calamari works as a shareable start. Salmon Lover Bowl is the lighter option for anyone avoiding fried food.
Kids Popcorn Shrimp and a kids’ menu keep young diners covered. High chairs are available too.
Orders can happen at the counter or at a table, depending on your mood. The menu runs from lunch through dinner, with doors open at 10 AM.
Outdoor seating gives you room to spread out. Reservations aren’t accepted, so plan for a casual walk-in meal.
Friday and Saturday evenings run until 9:30 PM. Other nights close at 8:30 PM.
New Jersey’s shore towns are full of lobster rolls, but few come with a market attached. Catering is available for parties.
A free parking lot is on site, and spaces are usually plentiful. Takeout is offered for beach days.
Quick bites suit solo diners, and groups fit too. Fast service is a listed highlight.
Dessert is on the menu. Save room.
Address: 212 Channel Dr, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
7. Salt Seafood & Oyster Bar
Two days off a week? Salt Seafood & Oyster Bar in New Brunswick closes on Sunday and Monday, so plan around that.
Tuesday through Thursday, service runs from 3 PM to 9 PM. Friday and Saturday stretch until 10 PM.
The restaurant is described as an upscale coastal seafood spot. A signature raw bar and creative fish dishes lead the pitch.
The dinner menu is the main event. Organic dishes and a full vegetarian menu widen the options.
Reservations are required, so book ahead.
Live music is listed among the highlights. A private dining room is available for special gatherings.
Parking comes in several forms, including a paid garage, a paid lot, and paid street spots. Plenty of space is usually available.
Curbside pickup and takeout are options for nights you can’t stay. Outdoor seating is available too.
Kids get a menu and high chairs. Solo diners are welcome as well.
New Jersey’s coast is far from these city streets, but this restaurant brings coastal cooking inland. Dessert and coffee are listed too.
Small plates are listed offerings. That makes it flexible for lighter appetites.
Lunch is listed among the dining options, though posted hours begin at 3 PM. Check ahead before you go.
Groups, families, and visitors make up the crowd. The room is described as romantic and trendy.
Address: 103 Church St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
8. Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant
A two-level deck with the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop is a bold way to open a restaurant. Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant in Long Branch pulls it off with a seafood menu that holds its own against the view.
Fixed-price dining is part of the picture, which helps when you like knowing the plan before you sit down. Lunch and dinner are on the schedule, and Sunday service starts at 10 AM for brunch.
Open with the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail or a bowl of Lobster Bisque while you take in the horizon. Fried Calamari and Tuna Bruschetta also make easy first bites for a group to share.
Rooney’s Crabcakes are a named favorite on the menu, and Lobster Mac & Cheese covers the comfort-food side. Wasabi Panko Tuna adds a little kick for anyone who wants something bolder.
Farmhouse Mahi Mahi gives fish fans another direction to explore. Live music is part of the experience, so the soundtrack comes included.
Dogs are welcome in the outdoor dining area, which is good news for four-legged beach walkers. Kids get a menu of their own, and high chairs are available.
A private dining room is ready for bigger gatherings, and catering is offered too. Reservations are recommended for brunch and dinner, so book ahead on busy weekends.
Few New Jersey restaurants pair ocean views with a fixed-price option. A free parking lot on site means you can focus on the menu instead of circling the block.
Address: 100 Ocean Ave N, Long Branch, NJ 07740
9. Denville Seafood & Codmothers Cafe
Seafood shoppers and seafood diners both have a home at Denville Seafood & Codmothers Cafe. It’s a longtime market for fresh-caught seafood with a classy restaurant attached.
Located in Denville, it serves fish, lobsters, and oysters. Counter service and table service are both options.
Fisherman’s Platter Fried is a dinner option, and Calamari and Shrimp Cocktail are easy starters. Fried oysters, fried shrimp, crab cakes, and broiled scallops also appear on the menu.
Lobster Roll and Lobster Bisque add some luxury. New England Clam Chowder is another bowl worth considering.
This spot is family-owned, and the setting is quiet and casual. The dining room is uncluttered.
Kids Fried Shrimp and Sweet Potato Fries keep younger and plant-based diners in mind. High chairs are available.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 8 PM. The market and restaurant are closed Sunday and Monday.
Delivery is offered, along with takeout. Outdoor seating is available too.
Reservations are accepted, and a free parking lot makes arrival simple. New Jersey fish lovers can also stock up at the market.
Catering is available for parties. Quick bites suit lunch breaks.
Healthy options and comfort food both appear on the list. That mix keeps the menu flexible.
Groups fit comfortably in the dining room. Evenings are busiest, particularly Friday and Saturday.
Address: 61 Broadway, Denville, NJ 07834
10. Cape May Fish Market
A name like Cape May Fish Market sets expectations, and the menu lives up to them. Local seafood is the focus, with a raw bar leading the way.
Local Cape May oysters are a highlight for raw bar fans. Clams Casino offers a baked alternative.
Fish and Chips and the Seafood Roll cover the casual side. The Lobster Roll and Fries Plate is a classic pairing.
Crab Cakes and New England Clam Chowder are menu staples. Grilled swordfish is another option worth ordering.
A 1½ lb Whole Steamed Lobster is the showpiece. Surf ‘n’ turf entrees add a land option.
Sandwiches and burgers help picky eaters. Kids have a menu and high chairs.
Outside tables are available, and dogs are allowed outdoors. Free street parking is available, with paid lots nearby.
Lunch and dinner are served, and solo diners fit in. Fast service is a listed highlight.
Bread is on the menu and marked vegan. Dessert and coffee are also available.
Cape May sits at New Jersey’s southern tip, so local seafood feels natural here. Groups and families are common.
Comfort food and quick bites are listed offerings. Small plates are available for lighter appetites.
Takeout is available when you want to eat elsewhere. Dine-in is the main format, with table service.
Seafood lovers who crave authentic coastal flavor have a clear target here. The menu keeps it simple.
Address: 408 Washington St, Cape May, NJ 08204