Top Restaurants in Ocean Township
Ocean Township Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Ocean Township
Discover the best restaurant in Ocean Township, United States including Piccola Italia, Avon Pavilion, Pete and Elda's Bar/Carmine's Pizzeria, Moonstruck, SeaGrass Restaurant, Day's Ice Cream, The Buttered Biscuit, mj's pizza bar grill of neptune, Del Ponte's Bakery, Purple Glaze
Things to do in Ocean Township
1. Piccola Italia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By jdemos - Middletown, New Jersey
We as a group of four went out to celebrate the completion of a backyard deck project we had been working on for a month. We ordered drinks right away, three Cabernet and one of their special drinks, a Vesper Martini. You can eat at their bar which is quite long and has many stools\seats. For starters\appetizers, we ordered two Corn Chowders that had four actual steamer clams on the bottom of the soup\bowl from their specials menu, quite a wonderful surprise, they sold out of it halfway through the dinner hour. Also their Caesar Salad that had white anchovies in it and a Stuffed Zucchini Flowers treat, this item is hard to find anywhere. At this point our great wait staff person Robyn brought out an Amuse-bunched plate for each of us of a single Chicken Croquette sitting in a white cream sauce. Main courses we had where Skate Fish off the night’s specials for the night menu and also pan seared Salmon, citrus grilled Shrimp Scampi and porchini dusted\seared Day Boat Sea Scallops. All of these items had great flavor and were delicious we all agreed. We did not have room for one of their fabulous desserts tonight, maybe next time when we come for an elegant dining experience evening again. The pace of the meal was not rushed and even after we finished and were still sipping our wine and martini, we didn’t feel any pressure to leave. Their menu has many unusual, interesting and unique items for the picky to the voracious eater, do take a look. Chef Brian circulated through the dining room and talked to every table. He talked with us at our table then also again on the way out, very good of such a busy chef to do this for everybody, it was very nice of him to take the time. Brian’s menu’s are inventive, creative and certainly worth all the accolades he has received and also the kudos year after year from Zagat. His meals are fresh, lovely presentations with excellent accompaniments that you can see in the pictures I have included. The wait staff here is efficient, helpful and knowledgeable. From the bar tender to our friendly gal Robyn they were all terrific. The bartender actually came out from behind the bar and helped change tables during the rush there. The dining room was quiet even when it filled up and was busy so we were able top talk normally without needing to shout to be heard as happens so often in most restaurants. Our group’s time there was relaxing and very enjoyable. There is plenty of parking right in front of the restaurant and throughout the shopping center they are located in. They are in an unassuming corner of the many stores making up the complex. It was well worth the trip here and we recommend this place to you if you want excellent fine dining meals. If you are a foodie this is the place for you. Service and food preparation this night along with marvelous presentations were impeccable, very elegant at its fine dining best. The textures and tastes were fantastic for all of our meals from soup to nuts. There was great atmosphere in the beautifully decorated dining rooms. This certainly is among the top fine dining places in the Monmouth County and shore area. We all enjoyed our meals and our time here. We all heartily recommend this wonderful restaurant and the enjoyable time we had here to all of you. Go, do enjoy.
2. Avon Pavilion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 294 reviews
Beachside restaurant with outdoor and indoor seating, serving breakfast, lunch and a more upscale yet casual, gourmet dinner experience.
Reviewed By RickNewJersey - New Jersey
The food just screams average. The descriptions sound much better than what you really get. For example under Starters, we had the Baby Back Ribs. They aren't sold buy the full or half rack. They're sold by full or half "order." A full "order" is half a rack. The Mardi Gras Crevette tasted like it was pre-made and not fresh. We wouldn't try again... Too many other places to eat at.
3. Pete and Elda's Bar/Carmine's Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 402 reviews
Reviewed By joe c
I went here on a recommendation for a work meeting. We had anti pasta salad, calamari, and split an XL pizza with pepperoni, black olives and cheese. Amazing ! The crust was on the thin side yet we plowed down a whole pizza and did not want to curl up in a ball and sleep afterwards.
The staff was great and welcoming. The place was full and everyone looked happy. This is a must if you are near by.
4. Moonstruck
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 579 reviews
Reviewed By justblu - Bronx, New York
We dined here on a friend's recommendation.
We arrived after 9pm on Saturday night without reservation as the establishment does not take reservations on parties of less than 12.
We were quickly seated to a very tight, small table right out side the kitchen and not far from where the silverware is kept so all we would have been hearing while dining would have been the annoying noise silverware makes when dropped. Additionally, all the hustle and bustle from the wait staff coming in and out of the kitchen would have been a major distraction from what we thought should have been a romantic dinner.
We asked if there was another table available and within five minutes we were moved to the third floor. We asked if we could sit at a larger table with a pretty view of the lake. We felt it was a very reasonable request considering it was already well after 9p plus there were plenty of other 4 seat tables available. The host told us it was not possible because "at any minute they could many more customers come in".
The host proceeded to sit by a table where they very obviously celebrating a birthday and a young lady at that table clearly had had too much to drink because she very loud.
For appetizers we ordered calamari which absolutely tasteless and Portuguese clams with chorizo chili peppers. I grew up eating chorizo and fresh clams. These clams and chorizo were bland and completely devoid of taste.
Our entrees were Sesame seared tuna which wasn't bad other than it was unevenly seared and a bit too much wasabi. My boyfriend liked the Thai grilled salmon.
Our waitress was pleasant.
The owners of this establishment should pay more attention to the taste and quality of the food than they do to the décor. We won't be returning.
5. SeaGrass Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 508 reviews
Reviewed By Bernadette P - Allamuchy, United States
Have eaten here several times always excellent. Last night clam chowder was tasty but not hot enough. Scallops with lobster and bread crumbs was disappointing. Lobster was over cooked and dry. Scallops were under cooked and fishy. Toasted bread crumbs were balls of butter and were not hot. The prime rib special was the way to go. Not sure I will go back. Service was mediocre.
6. Day's Ice Cream
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 227 reviews
Reviewed By Heidi D - Lambertville, New Jersey
This charming ice cream shop, located off the beaten path in Ocean Grove, serves excellent ice cream. There are several options in town, and I've definitely come to prefer this one. Outpost in the Dunes food court, but the Pittman location has the most atmosphere. Expect a line, but worth the wait. Today we had two seasonal flavors -- the pumpkin (very good and just the perfect spice) and the apple pie (big chunks of apple). Try it -- you'll be back.
7. The Buttered Biscuit
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By E C - Princeton, New Jersey
Went with a group on a weekday for lunch and it was packed. Food is authentic homestyle cooking so you cannot go wrong with anything! One person in our group asked for the meatloaf recipe because it was outstanding! They are very stringent on the closing time so allow plenty of time if you want to get in.
8. mj's pizza bar grill of neptune
Overall Ratings
4 based on 111 reviews
Three other locations: Middletown, Matawan and Tinton Falls
Reviewed By Chalindia - Paris, France
Went there for dinner&drinks. Ordered calamari for appetizers and their square signature vegetarian pizza. More than enough for two persons with enough to take home. The pizza arrived with its crust burnt but they replaced it quickly and without fuss. I would go back. Great for those who want to sit at the bar and watch the sports channel which could get noisy so ask for a quiet corner if you want to talk.
9. Del Ponte's Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Conveniently located right on Main Street in Bradley Beach, NJ. We specialize in cakes for all occasions, Italian pastry, cookies, bread and breakfast items. Open late for all your sweet tooth cravings!
Reviewed By dls1656 - New Jersey
Dessert last night was the highlight of the evening thanks to this bakery! The cannolis are great, as is their cream puffs - but those pignoli cream cookies? Wow - they are over-the-top delicious!!! We're sad and glad they're not located where we live - we'd be stopping there often!
10. Purple Glaze
Overall Ratings
5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By DAKC - Milford, New Jersey
Not a doughnut person. Walked over from the Grove to get a dozen over the holiday weekend for the kids. Worth the walk, worth the calories, worth the price. Like the donuts I got from the local bakeries in Newark back in the 60's as a kid.
