The South Jersey Shore has a wide variety of fine dining restaurants with the Cuisine ranging from A to Z, but what most visitors want is “Seafood”. With this area being known for its fresh fish, scallops, shrimp, clams, crabs, and mussels, there are many places to find your favorites. I’ve been able to visit most establishments along the South Jersey Shore, and I’m going to share my three favorite Dive establishments. To clarify, when I call it a “Dive”, I’m talking about places with plastic utensils, rolls of paper towels, and plenty of good eating.

One small restaurant located on the intercoastal waterway in Somers Point NJ is Smitty’s Clam Bar. If you were to drive by Smitty’s and not know what they offered, you most likely would not stop. Unless of course you notice the hundreds of cars and people waiting to be seated. Smitty’s is known for it’s Clam Chowder, Baked Seafood including Scallops, Fish of the Day, and It’s atmosphere of an old time fishing dock. With a price range from $12-$20 for entrees, you can’t beat Smitty’s for great food, great price, and an all around great experience. (609) 927-8783.910 Bay Avenue, Somers Point, NJ. Kid Friendly and No Reservations allowed.

The Lobster House located at the foot of the Bridge coming into Cape May is world known for it’s fine dining and world cuisine. But what many do not know is about the Fish Market, which offers very similar food served in the Main Restaurant, but you can eat for about ½ the price and enjoy the atmosphere of the docks. What you do here is go into the Fish Market located at the front of the establishment, and you can order seafood any way you want it for a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere. Then you go around to the back of the dock and find a table if you can. During the peak times, you have to wait and hover to find a table, but that is part of the fun. My favorite meal is the broiled seafood platter where you get a petite lobster tail, scallops, & shrimp, all boiled and it comes with baked potato and cole slaw. The price for this runs around $13.00 and is absolutely delicious. You can pick up some fabulous crab soup, or U-peel shrimp, or oysters on the half shell. This unique place is a must if visiting the South Jersey Shore. (609) 884-8296. 906 Schellengers Landing Road, Cape May. Kid Friendly and No Reservations allowed.

Located on the Bay in Sea Isle City, Mikes Seafood has everything you could ever want in a menu. Mikes offers freshly cooked seafood, but what is unique about Mikes is that they have a homemade spaghetti sauce that is the best around. Combination dinners include fresh fish, scallops, shrimp, crabs, and many varieties for the seafood lover in you. Their homemade soups are wonderful, and the crab balls are the best around. Mikes Seafood does not offer alcohol, but you are welcome to BYOB, which can save you money on your tab. Meals range from $15.00 to $30.00 but worth every penny. If you are near exit 17 of the Garden State Parkway, Mikes will make you exit and head into Sea Isle for a dining experience you’ll never forget. (609) 263-3458. 4222 Park Road (on the Bay), Sea Isle City. Kid Friendly and No Reservations allowed.

The Bay Avenue Trattoria, located in Highlands, is similar to the trattorias of Italy with its quaint setting and colorful accents. With a blend of Italian and American cuisine, this restaurant serves up lunch, dinner and dessert—and also includes complete take-out and catering. Prices are reasonable here and the food feels like it came straight over off the boat.

Doris and Ed’s has plenty of seafood on the menu, Owner/operator Jim Filip and Executive Chef Russell Dare create masterpieces in the kitchen, the wine cellar and among the tables. With the Manhattan skyline sparkling across Sandy Hook Bay, this restaurant has been awarded countless dining awards and reviews, which have helped it to earn a positive reputation. Pan-Seared Wild Alaskan King Salmon and Crisp Black Sea Bass on Tomato-Basil Coulis are just some of the famous dishes here.

For a relaxing meal, head over to Beacon on the Bay. This cozy restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining, as well as entertainment on the weeekends and a lively bar. Beacon on the Bay is the sister restaurant to the Beacon Street Grille in Neptune. With a strong attention to detail and delicious Continental fare, the Beacon on the Bay is an exceptional restaurant with stunningly scenic details—enjoy a view of Manhattan’s skyline and dine in style.

Head down to Sea Bright and stop over to McLoone’s Rum Runner. Located on Ocean Avenue, this eatery serves up lunch, dinner and brunch. On the weekends, check out the notable piano bar. Prices are on the more expensive side, but dishes such as Saffron Mushrooms and Clams and Tequila Tilapia are well worth the trip.

The Copper Canyon serves up Southwestern American cuisine in the heart of Atlantic Highlands. Although lunch and dinner are on the menu, tequilas are huge here. Choose from more than 20 types of tequila. Dinner includes enticing gourmet quesadillas to fish enchiladas.

With so many coastal restaurants to explore, you’ll always find somewhere to eat in Sandy Hook. There are upscale restaurants and charming eateries that make for a satisfactory expeirence no matter which meal you’re ready for.

For great Italian food, Gabriella’s is the place to be although only in the summer. Located on Route 35 North and 1st Avenue, this restaurant offers the usual meals—all cooked to perfection. Experience the tastes of Italy with dishes such as Chicken Savoy and Eggplant Rollentini. Imported pastas are served wth everything from garlic and butter to homemade alfredo sauce. Prices are affordable and this is an ideal restaurant to enjoy a casual family meal.

Klees, located on The Boulevard, is a place kind of like Cheers—everybody knows your name here. Sit down with good friends and enjoy a casual meal that’s tasty and satisfying. From delicious beer to juicy burgers, you’ll find a traditional Irish pub menu here, plus great service. The restaurant also plays host to some of the Jersey Shore’s best entertainers, and also offers a private party room and catering services. So if you want that down-home good taste for your next special event, they can serve it up in style or bring it to you!

Also on The Boulevard is Hemingway’s Café. Here’s a place where you can enjoy casual dining in a relaxed atmosphere. The food is delicious, too! They serve up everything from steak to seafood and pasta. There are a large selection of hot and cold appetizers including sushi and brick oven pizza. Hemingway’s also offers a late night menu, after-work happy hours, great cocktails, cold drafts and a full wine list. There are 20 HD TVs to watch the games, billiard tables and dart boards and nightly entertainment—plus dancing. This is an ideal place to enjoy a meal and hang out afterwards for more fun!

You can also spice things up when visiting Seaside Heights by checking out Havanna’s. They serve up delicious Cuban cuisine, which offers something different when it comes to dining at the Jersey Shore. You can bring your own wine or beer here to add to a beautiful ethnic meal.

During the summer, seafood is a must. So a trip to the Seaside Crab House is in order. This oceanfront restaurant is located on the boardwalk and features delicious cuisine with enjoyable views. From their Crab Cake Sliders to Dungeness Crabs, you’ll like a traditional Jersey Shore dinner in the heart of Seaside Heights.

There’s plenty to do in this Ocean County town, so you’ll need a few nights (some over the course of years) to enjoy all that this lively town has to offer. While many restaurants here are open only seasonally, there are a few gems that stay open all year round.

Stop over to Casa Solar for an enjoyable night out complete with delicious food. Bring along a bottle of wine and get sangria to mix with it. At this Latin restaurant, you’ll enjoy a dinner from a fusion menu that has plenty of Latin specialties with an Asian twist. The menu is generously simple, with each menu item prepared to order. Rolls are freshly baked, piping hot and accompanied by a dipping sauce that’s unique in taste. Guava Glazed Ribs are among one of the most popular dishes. For lunch, dinner, or Friday and Saturday night jazz, Casa Solar is the place to be.

Head over to Brandl for fabulous American cuisine cooked to perfection. One of the hottest dining destinations at the Jersey Shore, Brandl has garnered a positive reputation for one-of-a-kind tastes, exceptional service and fresh ingredients. The atmosphere here is sleek and so is the view—located at Belmar Plaza and 9th Avenue, you’ll enjoy the lure of the beach along with delicious fare.

La Dolce Vita, located on Ocean Avenue, serves up fine wine, cocktails and delicious Italian meals. It is a family owned restaurant that is operated by two generations. This is a great place for lunch or dinner parties, catering, private parites, or just a simple cocktail. Enjoy the simplicity and artistry of fine Italian dining here.

Matisse offers sumptuous dining along the oceanfront, and has become a favorite for many tourists and locals. Choose from dishes such as Crispy Seared Red Snapper with Ginger, Garlic, Cilantro Soy and Sesame Sticky Rice or Crispy Seared Red Snapper with Ginger, Garlic, Cilantro Soy and Sesame Sticky Rice, you’ll find delcious meals here in a sleek ambiance. Matisse is available for business meetings, parties, rehearsal dinners, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, christenings, weddings, birthdays and more.

With a charming and funky downtown arena and plenty of places to dine along the Shark River and the ocean, Belmar offers a variety of dining options

The Brickwall Tavern is a great place to enjoy delicious American fare and fabulous beer. This place is a true Asbury Park Favorite. Located on Cookman Avenue, the family-friendly atmosphere is enjoyable and bustling. Plus, it’s a kid-friendly place so there’s no need for a babysitter to enjoy a night out.

Bring out your inner Manhattanite at Restaurant Plan B, which features a smaller menu that is full of exceptional tastes. There are funky flavors fused together in brunch and dinner dishes such as Smoked Salmon Benedict, Fennel Scented Spaghetti and Confit Chicken Spring Rolls. Dessert doesn’t get much better than at Restaurant Plan B—choose from desserts such as plum cake and caramelized banana custard tart.

For a flair of ethnic food, Taka is the place to go. The Japanese restaurant features fresh Japanese food made from only the finest ingredients. This eatery can get really busy in the summer, but the food makes it worth the trip and the possible wait. The staff is very polite, taking the time to open your wine and bring some rice crackers or edamame right away.

The Adriatic offers a fun, relaxing vibe with great food on the menu. The staff is friendly, the place is clean and the food is scrumptious. Plus, there’s a bar where you can kick back and hang out with friends. Located on Kingsley Street, this eatery is close to the beach and is the perfect place to enjoy an appetizing meal at an affordable price.

Carmine’s is a top destination for many people who come to Asbury Park for metropolitan chic dining. This elegant Asbury Park restaurant is located on Main Street. Chef Carmine Mazzone brings his Brooklyn restaurant experience to the Jersey Shore—and people continue to come back for more. Enjoy a cocktail in the swank cocktail lounge that boasts an appetizing raw bar. Carmine’s also has an extensive wine list with some of finest selections here.

This popular resort town is being revitalized with new shops, eateries, bars, and lounges. Come be a part of the action and grab a great meal while you’re here.

1. Washington Inn

The Washington Inn, located on Washington Street and only a few blocks from the center of town offers fabulous entrees you will savor time after time. Built in 1840, this property offers five distinct rooms from summer patio dining to cozy fireplace setting for those chilled evening. Prices for entrees range from mid twenties to low thirties, but worth every penny.

2. The Ugly Mug

The Ugly Mug, located in the heart of the Washington Mall offers
a fun filled bar with good bar food. This establishment offers everything a bar has to offer with music available several nights and food that fills and satisfies everyone’s needs. Make sure you try the Fried Broccoli.

3. 410 Bank Street

Nestled in a tropical setting, 410 Bank Street is located only two
blocks from the Washington Mall on Bank Street. This hidden treasure offers fine dining at its best. All of the tropical vegetation welcomes you and you feel like you are dining on an remote Island. The food is wonderful and you must save room for dessert. Prices for this fantastic dining opportunity ranges from the mid twenties to low thirties. You will savor every taste

4. Union Park Restaurant

Housed in the Hotel Macomber, Union Park Restaurant offers a wide variety of fine dining meals including Lamb, Duck, Lobster, and Steak. Prices range from upper teens to upper thirties. This establishment will have you coming back again and again.

5. The Lobster House

This may be known as one of the most visited restaurant in Cape May. The Lobster House, located at the Fisherman’s Wharf in the Cape May Harbor, offers several different ways to dine. You can eat at the fine dining Seafood Restaurant, the Raw Bar, Fish Market & Take Out, Coffee Shop, or on the Schooner America. The wharf offers casual dining from the raw bar or fish market, while the Seafood Restaurant has fine dining at its best.

These five dining establishments that range from a fun filled local bar, to five star dining will give you a taste of Cape May and will entice you to come back and experience other dining establishments in beautiful Cape May, NJ.

If you have ever dined at Sails, or the Waterfront in Somers Point, you know exactly where The Inlet is located. With magnificent views of the Bay and Ocean City, this restaurant/bar is the perfect location for those who not only want good food, but atmosphere with a view.

The Inlet recently opened and offers a great variety of appetizers, sandwiches, dinners, and desserts. Owner Marty Grims, who also owns the Moshulu in Philadelphia, hit a home run with this menu. He realized that a gourmet restaurant with prices of $100.00 or more for a party of two was not what residents and vacationers were looking for.

The menu, which ranges from up to $15.00 for sandwiches and appetizers and a max of $33.00 for the Filet Mignon and Shrimp, (most meals range in the teens to low twenties), gives opportunities to eat at this establishment time and time again. The previous owner of Sails only offered very high-end meals and unfortunately did not get the return business.

My wife and I went to “The Inlet” on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. We were pleased to see a menu that offered many different appetizing items, but also would not break the bank. We opted to sit on the deck where there was a cool breeze and we could watch the water traffic in the bay.

Our server, who was fairly new, (but everyone was because of it being new), tried her best to answer our questions, but most answers were wrong. But it did not matter because we enjoyed everything we were served and she was very pleasant. My wife had heard about the Lobster Grill Cheese, which was Maine Lobster, Toasted Brioche, Fontina cheese, Avocado salsa, and Tortilla Soup. She was very pleased with the sandwich, but the soup was a little spicy. I ate, or better yet, drank the soup. It was served in an over sized shot glass and you drank it. A very unique idea and although it looked like a small portion of soup, it was very satisfying.

I ordered the California Roll for an appetizer, which was crabmeat salad in a California roll, with wasabi vinaigrette dabbed on the side. I don’t usually order sushi, but this was outstanding. I could have had another serving and been totally satisfied. For my meal, I was served a Caesar Salad with shrimp. This was also very tasty. The shrimp were very good and the salad dressing was not over bearing. Sometimes Caesar dressing can be extremely strong and rampant with garlic. Both of my entrees were perfect.

When we finished, we ask to see the dessert menu with no intention of ordering from it. To our surprise, the lunch dessert menu was very unique and several items tempted us. This menu offered a Boardwalk Sundae, which had a trio of ice creams served over funnel cake with whipped cream and strawberry and caramel sauces, Tahitian Vanilla Crème Brulee, which was Macadamia shortbread, fresh sliced pineapple, and caramel cotton candy, and several other different but tasty treats. We decided to share the Chocolate Black Magic Cake with a trio of fillings, raspberry sauce, and Jack Daniels Chocolate Ice Cream. We were not disappointed. The cake was very moist, and the toppings were delicious.

Our lunch, along with a cocktail and dessert came to $68.00 for two, but worth every bit of it. We enjoyed watching the scenery, and were informed that bands will be playing on the deck in the evening, weather permitted. Sundays are Reggae night, while other nights would vary. We both look forward to returning to “The Inlet” with family and friends.