FEAR NOT FELLOW FOODIES!
If you think suburban cuisine is limited to chain restaurants and diners, think again. Enjoy the taste of the good life outside of the city.
Monmouth County offers a taste of the good life with wonderful culinary delights from classic American comfort food to authentic ethnic dishes that will transport your taste buds around the world and back. Whether you’re craving food truck fare or fine dining, you will find it here.
So, make sure you come hungry!
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 MEALS!
We’ve got a very broad taste palette here and we want to share them all — it’s a taste of the good life.
The local diverse international options are sure to impress. From Mexican to Korean, Mediterranean to Japanese, Caribbean to Greek, Thai to Indian, Peruvian to Puerto Rican – there are so many restaurants that showcase the flavors of different cultures.
From Chinese to the best pizza, the most amazing burgers… check out our full list (which is constantly being updated.) We also have lists of the best purveyors: the best meats, the best seafood, the best farmer’s markets and more. And let us know your faves too! A taste of the good life can be an adventure!
“When we moved here from NYC almost 25 years ago, we weren’t sure if we’d ever eat well again,” said Tom McCormack, co-owner of Resources Real Estate. But to his surprise, he found himself indulging in some of the best food he had ever tasted.
A GROWING CULINARY LANDSCAPE
The county’s culinary landscape has only grown since then, offering an impressive range of options to satisfy all taste buds.
Added bonus: many restaurants are BYOB so if you’re inclined to enjoy a bottle of wine at dinner, you can bring your own, making picking up the tab much more agreeable. (Don’t worry cocktail enthusiasts, there are many that also offer full bar service.)
FARM TO TABLE
One local favorite is Barrel & Roost, the more comfortable evolution of award-winning restauranteur Nicholas Harary’s Red Bank eatery. Moving from the fine dining of this location’s previous iteration (Restaurant Nicholas) to its current relaxed farm- to-table vibe serving top notch brunch, lunch and dinner, as well as a great bar, has been a fun journey and worth checking out. And Nicholas is also a sommelier and wine purveyor, so you will always have a great glass of wine while you are there.
Some of the best sushi you will ever have… promise! At Yumi located in Sea Bright and Red Bank, NJ.
SUSHI, ANYONE?
Chef Shuenn Yang’s Yumi, with locations in Sea Bright and Red Bank, presents neo-Asian at its finest with truly extraordinary sushi, sashimi and pan-Asian inspired creations that are guaranteed to please. (So many favorites, but you must try the organic sushi… like buttah!)
Exceptional steaks and more at David Burke’s Red Horse in Rumson, NJ.
Chef David Burke has dining establishments from Sea Bright to Saudi Arabia and Monmouth County is lucky enough to be home to four of them: Red Horse in Rumson, Drifthouse in Sea Bright, The Goat in Union Beach, and The Dixie Lee Bakery in Keansburg.
MAMBO ITALIANO
There are amazing Italian restaurants like Anjelica’s in Sea Bright, Buona Sera in Red Bank and Federici’s in Freehold. And wonderful Indian cuisine at Mauka in Eatontown and Haldi Chowk in Middletown.
PLANT-BASED ALL THE WAY
For the vegetarians and vegans among us, there’s Seed to Sprout in Avon- by-the-Sea, Good Karma Cafe in Red Bank with flavors ranging from Tex- Mex to Indian and Thai and Kaya’s Kitchen in Belmar with dishes that will please even the carnivores in your crowd with Jambalaya, Coconut Mango Curry and Rocky Mountain Stew.
There are way too many favorite spots to list them all here and we truly love to share our favorite places to eat, so be sure to check out our online guide (which also includes the latest new stops in our ongoing dining adventures.) We’ve broken it down by cuisine and other features. Be sure to check it out and get your taste of the good life!
LET’S TALK ABOUT FOOD TRUCKS
Who doesn’t love a good food truck? Can a taste of the good life emerge from a four wheel vehicle?
These mobile eateries are perfect for a quick and delicious bite on-the-go. In Monmouth County, you can find food trucks serving everything from tacos to lobster rolls. One of the most popular food trucks in the area is Your Sister’s Balls.