Finally we've left our school books behind to enjoy some fun in the sun. Now that it's summertime, you're happily obligated to go to the beach, sit back and relax, spend time with those you love and enjoy yourself. While you're out window shopping, or walking the streets of your town, or tanning on the beach, you'll naturally need to quench your hunger and thirst. But don't settle for anything less than you deserve, and this summer you deserve delicious food within walking distance of the water (and occasionally a beach front view). These are some restaurants that fit that description perfectly:
1. Windansea. Where: Highlands.
Windansea not only has great seafood, salads and drinks, but it also has an amazing view of the ocean. The restaurant features second-floor dining and a bar, with large glass windows overlooking a beach front view. Not to mention, an exciting nightlife on weekends that's fun for all ages.
2. Zoe's Vintage Kitchen Inc. Where: Atlantic Highlands.
Zoe's is a small, comfortable breakfast house located in the Atlantic Highlands neighborhood. It offers indoor and outdoor seating. Inside the walls are covered with old, vintage kitchen items. Outside you're welcomed by a beautiful little garden. They offer fresh fruits, along with classic breakfast meals and also some of their own classics. It's a quite and quaint place that leaves you feeling calm and relaxed the entire time.
3. The Corner Café. Where: Long Branch.
The Corner Café offers beachfront views at Pier Village, with amazing coffee's and tea's, panini's, salads, and don't forget about the smoothies and ice cream! The cafe is located alongside a bunch of other shops such as Nirvana and Molly & Zoe, so when you're done quenching your smoothie cravings you can walk next door and shop around. The cafe also occasionally features a band and/or singer who plays live music, which you'll get to enjoy as you eat.
4. Good Karma. Where: Red Bank.
Good Karma is a vegan cafe which features healthy alternatives for meals, such as their version of a Caesar salad, or buffalo soldier sandwich. The cafe is located in the heart of Red Bank, with stores surrounding you, and the bay only a few blocks away.
5. 10th Ave. Burrito Company. Where: Belmar.
10th Ave Burrito Co. is a Mexi-Cali bar and restaurant located a block away from Shark River. They have a fun nightlife, and obviously, delicious burritos. They also have 25 cent wings Thursdays and taco Tuesday's. 10th Ave. Burrito Co. was also featured on Diner's Drive-In's and Dives, so you know it has to be to die for.
6. Nancie's Ice Cream & Cafe. Where: Atlantic Highlands.
Nancy's Ice Cream offers a variety of ice cream choices and makes one of the best banana splits around. The staff is friendly and the cafe itself is simple and small. It's located a few streets from the Sandy Hook Bay.
7. Off the Hook. Where: Highlands.
Off the Hook is literally right off the hook of New Jersey, with views of Sandy Hook and the ocean beyond. It has indoor seating, as well as a slightly larger outside seating. But really, who wouldn't want to sit outside on a Thursday afternoon for lunch by the ocean? They offer seafood, sandwiches, salad and great alcoholic drinks. They also have an outdoor bar and indoor bar, with specials such as Wine Wednesday.
8. On the Deck. Where: Atlantic Highlands.
On the Deck is a few blocks from Nancie's, in the same beach town of Atlantic Highlands. They offer American cuisine with waterfront seating. They have indoor and outdoor seating; outdoor seating has a bar area and a dining area. The restaurant is upbeat on weekends but calm during the week. It's right next to the pier so if you go during dinner time you might even see the ferry pull up.
9. Sissy's at the Harbor. Where: Atlantic Highlands.
Sissy's is actually located right under On the Deck. It's a small diner with the same ocean front view as On the Deck. They have indoor and outdoor seating, and customers have a great view of all the boats at the harbor.
10. Stewart's Rootbeer. Where: Long Branch.
Stewart's offers classic American meals for great prices. They have a delicious buffalo chicken sandwich and, of course, a classic root beer float. It's located in Pier Village, right next to the beach.
11. SAWA Steakhouse & Sushi Bar. Where: Long Branch.
SAWA is also in Pier Village, a few steps from Stewarts. SAWA offers enticing sushi and steaks or hibachi. It's more on the pricey side, but isn't sushi worth it? SAWA puts on a great show for hibachi and not to mention the beach a few steps away.
12. McLoone's Pier House. Where: Long Branch.
McLoone's is also in Pier Village, except literally above the beach. The restaurant has the definition of ocean front views, with huge glass windows and the waves crashing in front of your face. McLoone's has a mouth watering lobster and heavenly alcoholic beverages.
13. Cupcake Magician. Where: Red Bank.
Cupcake Magician has the most magical cupcakes, naturally. They offer a variety of odd cupcakes such as french toast (which is actually absolutely savory), red velvet, a bacon cupcake and more. It's quite a few blocks from the water, but definitely walkable distance.
After careful venturing of the Jersey shore, these are some of the best places around. They are all unique, with different characteristics, menus and experiences. Almost all of these places offer indoor and outdoor seating, but the one thing they all have in common is that they are in walking distance to the ocean and/or bay area of the Jersey shore. So this summer in between all those road trips, and visits to the beach, don't forget to stop by one (or all) of these incredibly appetizing places.
