This map includes establishments that keep year round hours. Many aren't open every day in the offseason, so please confirm hours with the establishment before you go. For the full breakdown, see our offseason guide .
An LBI Locals Island Guide
The mainland spots we head to when the island quiets down, from just over the bridge to Spring Lake and Cape May.
I've spent countless hours celebrating the best of LBI's dining on this blog, from dockside dives to elegant destinations up and down our 18 miles. But what about the hidden gems a short drive away? The places without an ocean view that still serve a meal worth the trip?
This guide takes a detour inland to the local joints we year rounders enjoy when the island shuts down, when we want to dodge the summer crowds, or when we want to check out the competition in other shore towns. Grab your keys, roll down the windows, and go find the other side of great food.
A seasonal New American BYOB known for an incredibly creative menu, fresh ingredients, and stunning presentation. It's small and intimate, perfect for a special meal, and with weekly rotating dishes there's always something that feels new, well thought out, and expertly crafted.
Not a restaurant in the traditional sense. It's a cooperative of local oyster growers serving a true farm to table experience on site. They teamed up with Haute Feast and now offer an extensive raw bar and a rotating menu of the freshest seafood and local oysters you can find. A great stop for oyster lovers who want something unique and a little educational.
A classic seafood market that's much more than a place to buy fish. There's a full kitchen turning out perfectly prepared seafood, fried platters, and other classics. Extremely casual, with the focus squarely on fresh, high quality fish. It's a must stop on your way to or from the island, and don't leave without one of their key lime pies.
The quintessential off-island spot. A rustic crab house and local institution, famous for steamed blue crabs, fresh seafood platters, and a lively, high energy room. The perfect place for a loud, messy, delicious seafood feast with friends.
Mud City's sister restaurant, known for high end steaks and an impressive raw bar. It's a lively locals spot with a rustic chic feel and a great cocktail list. Ideal for a celebratory dinner with a group, or any night you want a top quality meal on the mainland.
When I'm craving high quality sushi and Asian fusion, Xina is the best option around. The room is sleek and always buzzing, and the menu runs deep with creative rolls, fresh seafood, and other Asian inspired dishes. It's a local favorite, so reservations are a good idea in the busier months.
Don't let the unassuming location fool you. It's another gas station, except this one is still pumping. This small but mighty Indian restaurant is an authentic hidden gem known for flavorful curries, biryani, and other traditional dishes. A delicious, affordable change of pace from typical shore fare.
For authentic Greek and Mediterranean, Kosta's is a must. They're known for traditional dishes like gyros and souvlaki made with fresh ingredients imported from Greece. Casual and family friendly, with generous portions and welcoming hosts.
A local (and TikTok) sensation known for creative, hefty smash burgers and breakfast sandwiches. They're in a permanent spot now but still have that fun, edgy food truck energy. If you find yourself on Route 9, it's a quick stop for one of the best burgers you'll ever have.
From the team behind LBI Locals
The north end starts turning its lights off shortly after Labor Day, and the south end follows shortly after Chowderfest. It always feels like that opens up a whole new wave of exploring, both on the island and off it. If a home here has been on your mind, September and October, along with April and May, are usually the highest inventory months of the year.
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The Guarino Team at Freeman & Co. · 609.467.4061
A more elevated seafood spot that feels refined and modern. The menu mixes ocean to table classics with inventive Japanese fusion and a full sushi list. They're famous for the tuna pizza, a crispy rice patty topped with spicy tuna. On top of the BYOB policy there's a fully stocked mocktail bar, which makes it a great pick for a slightly fancy night out.
A truly unforgettable steakhouse, if you're lucky enough to get a table. Known for high end dry aged steaks and a theatrical experience where you pick your own cut. The room is rustic and industrial, the cocktail menu is inventive, and it holds some of the hardest reservations to get in New Jersey.
A chic, modern take on rustic Italian with an upscale but lively feel. Handcrafted pastas, wood fired pizzas, and classic comfort dishes made with great ingredients. Perfect for special occasions, with a beautiful enclosed patio and an excellent wine and cocktail list.
A sophisticated take on classic American cooking with a strong focus on fresh ingredients. Refined but not pretentious. Dishes are beautifully composed, blending traditional coastal comfort food with elegant, contemporary touches. The menu feels familiar and special at the same time, which makes it a reliable spot for a memorable meal.
An Atlantic City landmark as famous for its history as its happy hour, widely regarded as one of the best in the state. High quality appetizers go for 50% off, a deal so good people literally line up early for a seat. Add strong pours and a lively bar and it's easy to see why. Beyond happy hour, the steaks and seafood are excellent and fairly priced, so it works for a Tuesday or a celebration.
A destination fit for a special occasion and worth the hour trek. This prix fixe, farm to table BYOB sits right on the Avalon dunes with views of the water, and the menu highlights seasonal ingredients from Cape May County. Reservations are tough to snag in summer, so book well in advance.
If you want a true Pine Barrens dive bar classic, this is it. Reachable by car or boat and tucked inside a wildlife preserve, it's rustic and casual with a legendary raw bar. Guy Fieri stopped by, and he wasn't wrong about the Jersey Devil Shrimp. About as far from fancy as it gets, and still a special experience.
Tucked into an 1840s carriage house, this place transports you to New Orleans. The cooking blends French and NOLA styles with Caribbean accents, with fresh seafood and mesquite grilled steaks. Ask for the canopied garden or the veranda when you book. Both are romantic and intimate, perfect for date night or a celebration.
A family friendly waterfront favorite with two restaurants in one spot: The Crab House and 2 Mile Restaurant & Bar. Go casual with blue claw crabs and live music on the deck, or go upscale with the raw bar and a steak dinner, same great water views either way. It's a perfect sunset spot on the marsh, and they're known for their Orange Crush. I can confirm it's hard to stop at one.
Just over the bridge, Clemmy's in Waretown, Mud City Crab House and Old Causeway in Manahawkin, and Skipper's Sea Dogs Grille and Barnegat Oyster Collective in Barnegat are all under a short drive from the Causeway. A little further out, Xina in Toms River, Kosta's Grill in Tuckerton, and Loving Kitchen in Eagleswood are local favorites.
Clemmy's in Waretown, Xina in Toms River, Kosta's Grill in Tuckerton, Spring Lake Seafood in Spring Lake, and Summer Salt in Avalon are all BYOB.
Mud City Crab House in Manahawkin is the classic pick, known for steamed blue crabs just over the bridge. Further south, The Crab House at Two Mile Landing in Wildwood Crest serves blue claw crabs on a waterfront deck.
The Butcher's Block in Long Branch and Summer Salt in Avalon are the toughest tables, so book well ahead. Xina fills up in the busier months. Clemmy's doesn't take reservations, so arrive early or plan to wait.
