The Best Restaurants on Long Beach Island

Long Beach Island has been affectionately referred to as a “Beach Lovers’ Paradise” for good reason. LBI boasts some of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast with a natural landscape that has avoided being overrun by tacky resorts.

After a long day enjoying your favorite LBI beach, it’s quite natural to have a voracious appetite and there are many local restaurant choices and hang outs that offer delicious cuisine to pick from!

• Andrew Giannattasio from GTG Custom Home Builders is a self-proclaimed “foody” and enjoys his LBI vacation beach home year-round!
• Local Robin Mainardi is not only your local real estate go-to, but you may find a few food pictures on the Instagram account she manages for The Adams Group on LBI!

Enjoy their personal quotes below and feel free to like and follow them on social media, and feel free to post about your own Long Beach Island culinary experiences!

Stefanos’s Seafood & Pasta

Stefano’s restaurant offers a fine dining experience of contemporary Italian and Coastal Cuisine located on the South End of LBI.

Robin: “They have award winning chowder from the Chowderfest and some of the best food on the entire island. This is not just my opinion, but almost everybody I know agrees. They are more upscale, so a reservation is required. They have a lot of gluten free options which I appreciate as I have a gluten allergy, but there is something on the menu for everybody. I go there often and have NEVER been disappointed.”

THE LOCAL Market & Kitchen

This Grab N’ Go has two locations, one in Manahawkin and one at Ship Bottom on LBI. They offer healthy yet gourmet prepared foods, and some amazing coffee drinks.

Robin: “It has become an absolute staple on the island in the short amount of time it has been here. The food is great, the coffee is great, and it is a good place for meeting friends or clients.”

Andrew: “The Local” has been all the rage last year and this year! Check it out.

Black Eyed Susan’s

Black Eyed Susan’s in Harvey Cedars is the perfect BYOB spot for diners looking for an elevated culinary experience. Proprietors use an environmentally friendly approach to creating delicious organic dishes. All ingredients used are sourced locally from farmers, fishermen, and local merchants. Favorites from Chefs Sanchez’s & Pellagrino’s menu include Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, Golden Tilefish, and Lamp Chop.

Robin: “Sometimes you need to make a reservation a month in advanced because they are THAT in demand.”

The Gables

For fine dining in an ultra-romantic atmosphere, choose this Zagat-rated Beach Haven restaurant, The Gables. The Gables is located in a fully renovated centuries-old Victorian inn. The ambience alone is stunning with crystal chandeliers, original wood plank flooring, and a wood-burning fireplace. Menus change daily with the restaurant serving dinner nightly starting at 5pm and Sunday brunch during the summer months. Produce is secured from local New Jersey farms, organic meats and poultry from nearby ranches, and award-winning wines from Bellview Winery.

Andrew: “Very unique. The kind of place you would expect to find in New York City but it’s in an old house!

Yellowfin

Robin: “Yellowfin is my personal favorite on the island right there with Stefano's. They always have new mouth-watering specials from locally sourced ingredients. It is upscale, reservation required. It doesn't have a liquor license, but you can bring your own bottle of wine and enjoy an absolutely incredible meal in the little corner of Surf City.”

Marvels Bakery

Andrew: “As a kid we went to get donuts. It was in a building 100 years old that had been through every storm…and it looked like it. They moved to a new very small shop but they brought their donut machine. You can stand and watch your donuts being made, coated with cinnamon and sugar and eat them while they are still too hot. There is a bench for little kids to stand on to watch the donuts, noses right against the glass! Great stuff.”

Daymark

Daymark has a vibe that can easily be described as “beach chic.” The menu consists of fresh, local seafood dishes and innovative cocktails that you won’t find anywhere else. The Barnegat Light spot always has a delicious oysters special and daily catch of the day that can’t be missed. For restaurant goers looking for an appetizing non-seafood dish, choose between the Long Island Duck Breast Cassoulet or the Braised Pork Shank.

Robin: “The Daymark is fantastic. The menu is also great but the giant bar is really an attraction in the summer. There isn't as much dining on the north end of the island so this is great for people who live in north beach and beyond. On top of that, upstairs they have a great room for events! They do weddings, bridal parties, rehearsal dinners or other private parties.”

Bowker’s South Beach Grill

Andrew: “Little dive deli… almost last street south on the island….”if you miss it you’re in the Ocean”. They make awesome crumb cake, always have.”

The Arlington

Robin: “The Arlington is a local and tourist favorite. The owners are also the owners of the Daymark. My partner Sean Adams brokered both of those deals and sold them both the Arlington and the Daymark. Their extensive drink menu features a lot of local brews, wines and cocktails. They also have great brunch specials including bottomless mimosas and Bloody Mary's until 2:30 pm. Pizza night on Thursday is always yummy. They feature live music not only in the summer but in the off-season as well which only adds to the awesome atmosphere. “

Kubel’s

When a restaurant can say they had a visit from renowned late chef Anthony Bourdain and a featured spot on his CNN original series “Parts Unknown,” you know it will be a dining experience you won’t soon forget. Kubel’s has been a treasured part of Barnegat Light since 1927 with a beautiful outdoor seating area that offers breathtaking bay views. Menu highlights are the Barnegat Light Sea Scallops, Crab Pie, and the Veal Osso Bucco.

Hudson House Bar

This truly local spot has 5-stars on TripAdvisor!

Andrew: “This local dive bar that is a must visit. Tourists don’t know about it unless you’re brought there with a local!!

Raimondo’s

Andrew: “The owners just sold the place! Definitely the best Italian Seafood restaurant on the island, probably my favorite restaurant in the world! When my father was alive we brought fish we caught that day and they cooked it! Also, they would make us a double cut veal chop with hot peppers, potatoes and brown gravy…unbelievable!