This article is part of the guide to FT Globetrotter in New York
Growing up outside of Chicago, I never imagined I would stuff my life and move to his hometown of New Jersey with my partner Chuck. My knowledge of New Jersey ended with the vision of the reality television cast at Newark Airport and the Jersey Shore.
But that’s not all the Jersey Shore has to offer. And little did I know, there was more throughout New Jersey. You can live in a relatively small state, urban life, farm life, or even shore life.
Chuck and I live on the Jersey Shore in Neptune City, near Asbury Park. This northern part is amazing. Just a quick, one-hour ferry ride will allow me to be in Manhattan and return to the tranquility of the beach just as easily.
Although summers are quite busy, it’s a great place to visit all year round, especially thanks to the food! This area is a real destination for food lovers.
Here’s what I recommend: We take the Seastreak ferry from New York to Atlantic Highlands and go for a long walk along the beach before eating. We’ve gathered some of my favourite places, from the old-fashioned butchers to the perfect diner. These places are not as suffocating as the coast. These are unpretentious, historically working class beach towns.
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For a true New Jersey breakfast counter
Frank’s Delis and Restaurants
1406 Main Street, Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712
Frank has the perfect classic Americana breakfast atmosphere. Walking over, you’ll find all the good things, including the long counter, booths, the smell of smoky bacon, and the warm welcome from the server. There is no music, but the restaurant sounds fill the space with calm topics. Forks Clank, the server calls orders, and eggs and hash browns bubble into the griddle.
Franks has been a staple of the Asbury Park area for 65 years and is a spot visited by locals and stars as well, from Anthony Bulldain to Jeremy Allen White (who was filming scenes from upcoming films about Bruce Springsteen). And for all reasons: no more restaurants like this.
I love their classic breakfast platter and breakfast sandwiches, but they also have delicious submarines. If I’m an expert on one thing, it’s a beach sandwich and I’d never mistake a classic Frank turkey from Jersey Shore Beach with Proborone. Pure bliss. Website; Directions
For the best secret cheesesteak
Palmer’s high quality meat
40 Steiner Avenue, Neptune City, NJ 07753
Palmer is everything you can hope for at a local butcher. Owned and run by a husband and wife duo, they cut fresh and beautiful meat every day. It’s the place where you feel like you’ve taken care of immediately. There is no intimidating butcher on leather aprons. Only friendly and skilled people who cut whatever they need and answer questions.
Palmers looks like a butcher, but they have regulations that use meat to make amazing sandwiches and source them from other local shops and farms. We go for cheesesteaks made with the finest quality meat. It is served in the perfect semolina sesame roll with melted American cheese, thinly sliced rib eye, caramel onion and hot cherry pepper spreads. Website; Directions
For bakers who really care about pastries and bread
A little peach bakery
126 Main Street, Bradley Beach, New Jersey 07720
Hey Peach Bakery just opened this year and I was already there many more times than I could count. It’s small and quaint, with a vast pastry case where the options change every day. The smell is attractive.
Owner couple Erin and James Kilker worked in a cafe. They are serious about baked goods. Erin focuses on bread pastries and James. Everything is baked small batches on the property. Find a freshly baked caneré (it has a small lamb-flavored pastry that looks like a 2-inch bunt cake, deep caramelized cracked crust – my favorite pastry) or a beautiful, thick rye bread perfect for making lunch throughout the week. Their coffee is also fun. I often head there just for caffeine, but always leave a small box of boxes. Website; Directions
For a perfect brunch with guests
Basic terms
513 Bangs Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712
If you’re looking for a fun, creative and seasonally driven branch, the cardinal clause is my go-to. Whenever I have family in town, I always bring them along and it was a must-see whenever they came back.
Cardinal Provisions is jointly owned by chefs Grace Crossman and Laura Bran. In 2016, they renovated an old deli on a long budget, and inside it built one of the area’s most beloved brunch spots. The space is cozy, filled with beautiful, warm sunlight, and there are vintage salt and pepper shakers on the table that always makes me smile. I recommend the Gravlax bagels and frying pan pancakes. Or for the best of both worlds: get some fun and delicious items and pancakes shared by the center of the table. Website; Directions
For unforgettable seasonal ice cream
Sandes
2211 NJ-35, Manasquan, NJ 08736 and three other locations
The area is known for its ice cream spots (after all, we are on the beach), but Sundaes holds a special place in my heart for just one reason and one reason: corn ice cream. As summer rolls, New Jersey has some of the sweetest corn, and Sunday uses it to make fun ice cream. It’s sweet, cornish, almost nutty, and the perfect expression of summer.
Sundaes is a family business and has been operating for over 30 years and has four locations. This allows corn to be directed down the coast all the way down. Website; Directions
For if-you-know-you-know pub
A magnificent tavern
1105 Sixth Avenue, Neptune City, New Jersey 07753
Hiding in the sleepy streets of Neptune City, Grand Tavern is small, but endures its name. The space looks modest from the outside – a white box packed with black paint. But inside, there is a welcoming, upscale, unpretentious restaurant centered around a luxurious U-shaped wooden bar.
Grand Tavern has a concise and advanced American menu that varies seasonally but is consistently good, with plates such as oyster au gratin, steamed snappers and stewed beef cheeks, but also wings and crab cakes. Regardless of the season, you can find lovely salads, great pasta, the most delicious pub-style burgers and fries. These three items are my dream meals and I hope you get back. Plus, they offer the best dried gin martini with the twist I’ve ever had. Website; Directions
For the ultimate traditional Italian joint
Vic’s
60 Main Street, Bradley Beach, New Jersey 07720
Bradley Beach’s Vic is a New Jersey facility and a microcoast. This is a classic Italian-American red sauce restaurant with green leather booths and knotted pine paneled walls that come back in time.
Vic’s makes my favorite bar pie on the beach. Very thin and undecorated pizza was cooked until crisp. The Vic version has been slightly changed since its completion in 1947. The herb blend of pie sauce and cheese is a family secret.
My grandmother was Italian-American. Vic’s cooking reminds me of her cooking and how it influenced many of my cookbooks: simple, homey, nostalgic food. Their bar pie is completely thin and crisp, while the chopped salad is cold and crispy iceberg, vinegary and just right.
My two orders are 2 pies and a large chopped salad (their pizza is so thin that you can easily finish a big pies yourself). Stack some of the salad on top of the slices and join in for a snack. They also have a nice retro bar where I indulge in dirty martinis from time to time. More often, I order icy cans of Birch Beer. Website; Directions
For a great gourmet pizza
Tarra
550 Cookman Avenue #108, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
New Jersey is known for its pizza and there are many different styles throughout the state. Tarla from Asbury Park creates a style of burning sourdough with killer wood with a perfectly chewy, polished crust. From pickled cherry peppers to Meyer lemons and garlic mashed potatoes, there are endless fun and unique toppings. And if you don’t believe me, take it from the boss. Like having multiple of these places, New Jersey icon Bruce Springsteen found eating there for lunch.
The Talula team constantly adds a variety of seasonal pies to their menu in the summer, like white pizza with Sungold Tomatoes and Schash Blossoms. Their staple foods, sopressata pie and honey, are always the charm of my request. They also offer great vegan options and Kale Caesar is a must. What can you say? I’m a bit of a pizza and salad gal. Website; Directions
For fish right from the sea
Atlantic offshore fishing
212 Channel Drive, Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey 08742
The Jersey Shore Food Tour is not completed without mentioning its amazing seafood. There are endless seafood spots to choose from, but my favorite is Atlantic offshore fishing. Half seafood market and half restaurant. This is a constant indication that the seafood is fresh. The restaurant is located across the road from the fishing dock. We enjoy lobster rolls with too much butter, thick clam chowder, or grilled mahi sandwiches so you can literally see fish that just came to the restaurant. That’s really everything! That’s also BYOB. Website; Directions
Hailee Catalano’s home recipes can be found on Instagram, Tiktok and on her website. Her first cookbook, “By Heart,” is now available
Are you heading down the coast? Have you been to Asbury Park in recent years? Share your own favorite food and drink spots in the comments below
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