With temps still hovering in the high 70’s over the next couple days, it is hard to think about putting an end to your shore plans. The good news is, you don’t have to – lucky for us shore lovers, many restaurants, shops and businesses will remain open well into the holiday season.
We recently published a list of our “Top 10 things To Do at the Shore This Fall” and #8 on our list was “Go Out to Eat”. While some restaurants have already closed for the season, many others will remain open on weekends. Among these are dining establishments that will continue to offer al fresco dining (weather permitting), or at least stunning views to make you feel like you’re dining outdoors. Here is a list of our favorite restaurants in each town that are still open this fall.
Ocean City – Hula Restaurant
Say Aloha! to the vibrantly colorful and unassuming Hula Restaurant, tucked back off the main boardwalk between 9th and 10th Streets. The Hula is famous for its Hawaiian Chicken, sticky rice and other tropical-inspired delights. The food is fresh, healthy and delicious and will make you feel like you’re surfside in Maui. Take home a bottle of their famous Hula Dressing, Hawaiian Style Barbeque or Teriyaki Sauces (or all three!) Gift cards are available for purchase in the restaurant and will make a great holiday gift for Hula Restaurant fans. Outdoor seating available as weather permits; now open weekends until Thanksgiving. 940 Boardwalk.
Strathmere – Deauville Inn
Overlooking the bay between Ocean City and Sea Isle in beautiful Strathmere is the Deauville Inn, which has been delighting diners for decades. Boasting of an expansive dining room, a sports bar, an outdoor patio and bar area and, in the summer season, the bayside barefoot Beach Bar, the Deauville offers robust entertainment throughout the summer season. Their extensive menu ranges from burgers to fresh seafood and appeals to every taste. Now open weekends through December. 201 Willard Road.
Sea Isle – Carmen’s Restaurant
Noted as Sea Isle’s first waterfront restaurant, Carmen’s has been serving up delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1981. Their large menus offer something for everyone, not to mention the delectable bay breezes and authentic nautical ambience. This restaurant also offers endless waterfront entertainment – watch fishing vessels come back with their catch in the morning, wave to paddle boarders in the afternoon and enjoy a beautiful sunset in the evening. While the restaurant is open air, clear shades are used when necessary to keep out the weather and cool breezes while still allowing for the beautiful view. Now open through Saturday October 20th. 343 43rd Place.
Townsends Inlet – Sunset Pier
Come here any evening and you’ll see how this waterfront restaurant got its name. But the Sunset Pier doesn’t just delight in the evening – during the day, visitors can enjoy an acai bowl or freshly made smoothie from the juice bar, visit the tackle shop and rent back bay boats for crabbing, fishing, or joy riding. A 20-foot pontoon boat is also available for party rentals. If you’re just coming to eat, you’re in for a real treat – their food is delicious, their menu appeals to all tastes and the sunsets are free of charge. Indoor and outdoor seating available (weather permitting). You’ll have to wait until next year to enjoy a sunset here, though…the restaurant is now only open for breakfast and lunch on weekends (Friday – Monday) through Thanksgiving.
Avalon – Sea Grill
One of three restaurants owned by the wildly popular Princeton Bar and Grille, the Sea Grill offers the finest in steak and seafood in a gorgeous romantic setting. The Sea Grill gives diners a unique experience as they walk up to a window to order or their main and side dishes, and then help themselves to a salad bar amply stocked with fresh ingredients. Although not a waterfront venue, the Sea Grill’s candle lit, cozy ambience is a perfect place for date night or to celebrate an anniversary or birthday. Looking for lunch, a casual atmosphere or some lively entertainment instead? Head next door to the Circle Tavern (or in the summer head around the corner to the Princeton Bar and Grill – sadly, it is closed for the season). The Sea Grill and Circle Tavern are open year-round; Sea Grill (225 21st Street) opens at 5:00 pm daily and the Circle Tavern (2008 Dune Drive) opens at 11:00 am daily.
Stone Harbor – Stone Harbor Bar and Grill
The Stone Harbor Bar and Grill offers a fun and casual dining experience in the heart of the shopping district – a perfect place to take a break from shopping and have a drink or a bite to eat. Catch a game on one of 25 big screen TVs and enjoy a cool ocean breeze in summer when the large front windows are opened. Their menu offers top quality meats, freshly baked breads, locally-sourced seafood and refreshing signature cocktails. Now open Thursday through Sunday, 12:00 noon – 10:00 -m (8:00 pm on Sundays). 261 96th Street.
Wildwood – Two Mile Landing
On the way to Cape May from Wildwood, nestled back by the bay in Wildwood Crest and offering expansive waterfront dining and stunning sunset views is the Two-Mile Landing dining and entertainment complex featuring two restaurants – the Crab House and the Two Mile Restaurant and Bar. The Crab House has been specializing in All-You-Can-Eat Blue Claw Crabs since 2012 and offers a raw bar, “Crabatizers”, burgers, tacos and entrees that will appeal to both landlubbers and seafoodies alike. In 2013, Two-Mile Restaurant and Bar opened to offer upscale casual dining featuring 21 beers on tap, a wide selection of wines and delicious entrees. These waterfront establishments feature two decks with a stage and plenty of live entertainment throughout the summer. The Crab House remains open 7 days a week starting at 11:30 am, and Two-Mile Restaurant and Bar is now open Thursday – Sunday at 4:00 pm. Both restaurants will remain open through October 27 and will also be open on Thanksgiving. Gift cards are available. 1 Fish Dock Road.
Cape May – Lobster House
Located on the Cape May Harbor and situated right next to the dock where freshly caught seafood is offloaded every day, the Lobster House offers a unique nautical dining experience. For decades, the Lobster House has provided elegant waterfront dining consisting of five dining rooms, casual dockside dining, a raw bar, a take-out window and a fish shop where fresh seafood can be purchased and enjoyed at home. It also includes the permanently moored Schooner American, a 130-foot long sailing vessel which provides the perfect setting for an outdoor drinking and dining experience and features a full bar, luncheon menu and specialty appetizers in the evening. The Lobster House, Take-Out Shop and Fish market are all open year-round; the Raw Bar and Schooner American are only open May – October. Hours are as follows:
Lobster House – 11:30 am – 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm. (Year-round)
Take-Out Shop 11:00 am – 7:00 pm during winter months (9:00 pm in summer) (Year-round).
Fish Market 8:00 am – 7:00 pm (9:00 pm in summer) (Year-round)
Raw Bar 11:30 am – 10:00 pm (May – October)
Schooner American 12:00 noon – 10:00 pm. (May – October)
International
Coffee Talk (299 97th Street) Coffee Talk is a popular morning hangout where coffee and tea drinkers can choose from a large selection of hot beverages, as well as breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, bagels and smoothies. “Juice Girl”, a juice and wellness bar, is also located inside the cozy coffee shop environment where “coffee…comfort…conversation…” flows smoothly. Open daily 7 am – 9 pm.
Crespella Gourmet Creperie (261 96th Street) One of the most unique culinary offerings in Stone Harbor, Crespella Gourmet Creperie is a walk- up window snuggled in between boutique shops in Stone Harbor’s famous shopping district. The business started as a mobile operation in 2012, and even though it became a permanent establishment in 2016, the owners continuing to serve at farmers markets and they also provide a catering services including an on-site crepe station. Crepes are made to order from batter made fresh daily as customers watch on, and a wide variety of fillings and toppings are available. Open daily 9 am – 10 pm.
Uncle Bill’s Pancake House (304 96th Street) First established in 1962 in Stone Harbor, Uncle Bill’s expanded to several locations along the South Jersey coast over the years and is a popular breakfast destination for vacationing families and locals. Awarded as being the Best Breakfast at the Jersey Shore, Uncle Bill’s serves up breakfast all day long with over 15 different types of pancakes, waffles, French toast, omelets, farm fresh eggs and meats. Several locations also serve lunch and dinner. The staff tends to return each year, which is another mark of their success. Open daily 6:30 am – 1 pm.
Buckets Margarita Bar and Cantina (9631 3rd Avenue) Buckets is a taqueria style restaurant that offers delicious fare in a colorful dockside atmosphere. “No Shower Happy Hour” is offered daily 2-5 pm. Other specials include Margarita Mondays when classic margaritas are offered for $7 and Taco Tuesdays, when tacos are $5 each. Beautiful atmosphere overlooking the harbor and entertainment is offered each night in the summer. Open daily 8 am – 1 am.
Seven Mile Pies (261 96th Street ) Seven Mile Pies is considered by many visitors and locals to be the best pizza on the island. Their pizzas are made from homemade sauce and dough and the crust is thin and crispy. They also offer chicken wings, french fries, cheesesteaks, hoagies and salads. Open daily at 11 am.
Sax (Reeds at Shelter Haven, 9601 3rd Avenue) SAX is located off the lobby of the Reeds at Shelter Haven Hotel in a comfortable, contemporary fireside environment. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Sax food is deliciously fresh with an extensive offering of appetizer selections, salads, handhelds, flatbreads and entrees. Open daily 7 am – 11 pm.
Quahog’s Seafood Shack (206 97th Street) Featured in The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”, Quahogs looks like a tiny beachside shack but their small plate and main course offerings are both creative and classic. It features an amazing collection of seafood dishes including BBQ Pacu, Fish Tacos, Oysters, Clams and so much more, all prepared fresh. The restaurant offers inside and patio dining, the vibe here is laid back and casual. Open daily for take-out 11:30 am – 8:30 pm; dinner begins at 5 pm.
Water Star Grille (Reeds at Shelter Haven, 9601 Third Avenue) The Water Star Grille provides a sleek, harbor-side atmosphere perfect for having cocktails, sharing dinner with friends and enjoying a beautiful sunset over the water. Serving lunch and dinner, the Water Star’s signature offering is its shared plate menu, designed to allow patrons to share larger portion dishes. Seating is offered at a bar facing the bay, at an intimate table by the water, or gather around an outdoor couch on the perfectly manicured lawn. Open Saturday and Sunday 8 am – 10 pm, Weekdays 11 am – 10 pm.
Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream (9420 Third Avenue) Since Springer’s has been serving delicious homemade ice cream with unique flavor blends to visitors and locals alike. There are over 50 flavors, and there is always a long line snaking down the sidewalk during high summer season. Open daily 11 am – 11 pm.
The barrier island on which Stone Harbor is located was once a juniper forest occupied by the Leni-Lenape Indians. In 1722, the 2725-acre island was purchased for the equivalent of $380 by Aaron Leaming who thereafter named it Leaming’s Island. The Leaming family owned the island for approximately 100 years, during which time it was used as a cattle range and a source of timber. The island was sold by the Leamings, passed through several different owners and finally renamed “Seven Mile Island”.
Atlantic coast to assist swimmers and shipwreck survivors. The U.S. Coast Guard Station #35, known as Tatham’s Life Saving Station, was built in 1895 on what would later become 2nd Avenue in Stone Harbor. In 2008 the building, which still exists, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today it serves as an American Legion Post and museum where war memorabilia and maritime artifacts are displayed.
to 37th Street in Avalon but stopped because, beyond that point, the remaining island terrain consisted of only sand dunes and maritime forest lands.
The year of 1912 was important in Stone Harbor’s history as it was when many firsts occurred in the growing community. The first lifeguard and first police man were hired and the first volunteer fire department formed. 
In 1996, the surfers organized a surfing competition as a way to thank the Sisters for their generous use of their beach and to raise funds for the religious summer retreat. The competition, which is held each September, became so popular that its original purpose as a small-town event was lost. Now the event is by invitation only with some spots reserved for newcomers. It is a day-long event with concession stands selling food, drinks and merchandise and a dinner follows the day’s events. Each summer a new Nun’s Beach tee shirt is designed and sold. The motto of the event is “Pray for Surf”.
The Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary, a 21.5-acre nature preserve where birds of many species can feed and nest, was established in 1947. The area is registered as a National Landmark by the National Park Service.
As it’s motto suggests, Stone Harbor is a laid back beach town that offers the best in beachfront living. Like its swanky neighbor to the north, the borough of Stone Harbor is a quiet, upscale community that shares its home on “Seven Mile Island” with Avalon. This barrier island is approximately 36 miles south of Atlantic City and 20 miles north of Cape May. From north to south, it is (as its name suggests) approximately seven miles long and is roughly three to four blocks wide in most places.
Like other beach towns in New Jersey, Stone Harbor requires beach-goers to purchase beach tags.
meadows, sandy dunes and natural growth where many bird species rest during migration or have made their homes. Open year round, the sanctuary includes three paths that wind through lush vegetation, allowing visitors to see the feeding and nesting habits of egrets, herons and other bird species. Tours are offered throughout the summer season. Other wildlife can be seen here, including bats, butterflies and dragonflies.
The Wetlands Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of coastal and wetland ecosystems. The Institute provides a fun and interactive educational atmosphere for visitors who wish to learn more about wetlands and the many species that inhabit coastal ecosystems, such as diamondback terrapins, horseshoe crabs and shorebirds. Visitors can take classes, attend lectures, go on kayak tours, engage in interactive events such as the release of terrapin hatchlings and enjoy the Institute’s many festivals.
On the way out of town, many visitors include a stop in Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream, an iconic mainstay of Stone Harbor for years.
