HIDDEN GEMS
The restaurants below have received a Zagat rating for the food category only of 20 points or more which, according to the guide, makes them “Excellent to Extraordinary” choices for great food.
Aangan – Freehold Township – Rated 23
“Its lunch buffet is a deal and a good introduction to excellent
Indian cooking…”
Aby’s Mexican Restaurant – Matawan – Rated 22
“All the basics taste good at this Matawan Mexican BYO
storefront whose menu is a value…”
Anjelica’s – Sea Bright – Rated 25
“While you shouldn’t count on conversation (it’s loud) expect
consistently wonderful food and an enormous menu…”
Anna’s Italian Kitchen – Middletown – Rated 22
“Anna Perri fills her Middletown BYO by offering a variety of
good Italian food, including the best gnocchi…”
Atlantic Bar & Grill – South Seaside Park – Rated 24
“…expect well-prepared seafood and a terrific bar…”
Avenue – Long Branch – Rated 22
“…most seemed sated by Antonio Mora’s tasty fare and delicious
drinks at the sexy bar.”
Bamboo Leaf – Bradley Beach/Howell – Rated 24
“…guarantee delightful dining thanks to delicious dishes, none
of which disappoint…”
Barnacle Bill’s – Rumson – Rated 21
“…still slinging and serving patties that can’t be beat…”
Basil T’s – Red Bank – Rated 20
“…expect good pastas and pizzas…”
Bay Avenue Trattoria – Highlands – Rated 28
“…the fantastic American-Italian preparations are a cause for
rejoicing…”
Bayou Café – Manasquan – Rates 23
“This Manasquan BYO is still the go-to for wonderfully spicy
Cajun-Creole cookery…”
BayPoint Prime – Point Pleasant Beach – Rated 24
“…excellent steaks supplemented by seafood…”
Bella Sogno – Bradley Beach – Rated 21
“Look forward to a good Italian meal in a nice, quiet setting…”
Bienvenue – Red Bank – Rated 24
“…wonderful classics (among them cassoulet, crème brulee and
foie gras)…”
The Bistro at Red Bank – Red Bank – Rated 21
“…diverse, interesting, eclectic menu…”
Bistro Ole – Asbury Park – Rated 25
“…consistently delicious cooking…”
Brandl – Belmar – Rated 24
“…an incredible find for the Jersey Shore…terrific New American
preparations…”
Brennan’s Steakhouse – Neptune City – Rated 22
“…consistently solid steaks…”
Brioso – Marlboro – Rated 23
“…Fans love this Marlboro BYO…”
Café Colore – Freehold – Rated 21
“…you’re bound to leave well fed…”
Casa Solar – Belmar – Rated 25
“The kitchen sends out memorable meals…”
Chilangos – Highlands – Rated 21
“The food never fails followers of this cute Highlands Mexican
whose menu is priced reasonably…”
Christie’s – Howell – Rated 24
“The menu is wonderful and the setting charms…”
Christopher’s Café – Colts Neck – Rated 21
“The best place around for a satisfying breakfast…”
Clementine’s Café – Avon by the Sea – Rated 24
“…delicious Creole cookery treasured by Shore fans.”
Copper Canyon – Atlantic Highlands – Rated 25
“…impressive Southwestern food…”
Crown Palace – Marlboro/Middletown – Rated 22
“…extremely popular dim sum is an absolute hit…”
Dish – Red Bank – Rated 22
“Well-prepared New Americana served in a small space with
pleasant décor…”
Doris & Ed’s – Highlands – Rated 25
“…delightful seafood and menus (one traditional, the other more
modern)…”
Drew’s Bayshore Bistro – Keyport – Rated 28
“…excellent New American cuisine…”
El Meson Café – Freehold – Rated 24
“All the neighborhood seems to turn up for the good food and the
great bar…”
Far East Taste – Eatontown – Rated 26
“The kitchen turns out masterpieces…fantastic fish dishes…”
Federici’s – Freehold – Rated 21
“…a staple for terrific thin-crust pizza…”
Ferrari’s Ristorante – Freehold Township – Rated 22
“Enthusiastic servers make meals here feel like you’re eating at
home…”
Fromagerie – Rumson – Rated 26
“unique presentations of New American fare…”
The Harrison – Asbury Park – Rated 24
“…interesting New American items that turn out well-prepared…”
I Cavallini – Colts Neck – Rated 25
“Superior Italian dishes…”
Jimmy’s – Asbury Park – Rated 24
“…the best veal chops and other fantastic cooking…”
Jose’s – Spring Lake Heights – Rated 22
“Nothing fancy – just really good, homestyle Mexican…”
K.O.B.E. – Holmdel – Rated 25
“…focus is fish…beautiful presentation of the best sushi …”
Konbu – Manalapan – Rated 25
“…innovative takes on Japanese…”
Labrador Lounge – Normandy Beach – Rated 23
“…something other than the area’s standard eats…”
La Cipollina – Freehold – Rated 23
“…leisurely, upscale dining accompanied by eager-to-please
service and excellent cooking…”
Latitude 40N – Point Pleasant Beach – Rated 23
“…delicious dishes…fresh seafood…sit back and enjoy…”
LeFandy – Fair Haven – Rated 26
“…great BYO hideaway…impeccable French bistro…high-end food…”
Mahogany Grille – Manasquan – Rated 23
“Excellent fare accompanied by professional service…”
Main Street Bistro – Freehold – Rated 21
“…reliably good food…”
Manhattan Steakhouse – Oakhurst – Rated 22
“…good red meat and red wine…”
Market in the Middle – Asbury Park – Rated 23
“An interesting eclectic menu…good fare…wonderful bar…”
Matisse – Belmar – Rated 22
“Wonderful savories and sweets, and ocean views that are even
better…”
Metropolitan Café – Freehold – Rated 22
“…great cocktails and good Asian-Eclectic food…”
Mill at Spring Lake Heights – Spring Lake Heights – Rated 20
“…this American steak ‘n seafooder is now associated with a good
menu and romance…”
Molly Pitcher Inn – Red Bank – Rated 22
“…old world service and fine fare enhanced by terrific views of
the Navesink River…”
Moonstruck – Asbury Park – Rated 24
“…delicious Mediterranean meals…lovely bar…”
Navesink Fishery – Middletown – Rated 24
“A great steady-Eddie…maintains high standards with fish you
can’t find any fresher…”
Nicholas – Middletown – Rated 29
“Epitomizing ultrafine dining…utopia of food and wine…amazing
restaurant…”
Oyako Tso’s – Freehold – Rated 21
“…entertaining hibachi and fresh sushi…”
Pasta Fresca Café and Market – Shrewsbury – Rated 22
“…casual atmosphere and tasty fare…”
Portofino – Tinton Falls – Rated 25
“Excellent Italian cookery reigns at this Tinton Falls eatery…”
Posillipo – Asbury Park – Rated 22
“Exemplifying what class without fuss is all about…”
Raven and the Peach – Fair Haven – Rated 24
“…delightful New American food…”
Ray’s Little Silver Seafood – Little Silver – Rated 23
“Everything arrives piping hot and tastes delicious…”
Red – Red Bank – Rated 20
“…solid New American cuisine…as lounges go, the upstairs one is
great.”
Salt Creek Grille – Rumson – Rated 20
“…food is nicely cooked…wines are excellent…”
San Remo – Shrewsbury – Rated 22
“…good, solid specialties…”
Savanna – Red Bank – Rated 20
“Worthy tapas is dished up in modern, warmly comforting
quarters…”
Sawa Steakhouse & Sushi Bar – Eatontown/Long Branch – Rated 22
“Fans go back after sampling the offerings…entertaining hibachi
tables…”
Scarborough Fair – Wall – Rated 20
“…New American food is pretty good…small rooms guarantee
intimacy…”
Siam Garden – Red Bank – Rated 23
“…menu is large enough to cater to everyone, including children
and vegetarians…”
Sirena – Long Branch – Rated 23
“A fantastic setting overlooking the ocean partnered with high
quality cuisine…”
Sister Sue’s – Asbury Park – Rated 21
“…true Trini tastes…authentic Trinidadian cookery…”
Sogno – Red Bank – Rated 23
“Excellent Italian food fills the room…”
Sono Sushi – Middletown – Rated 26
“…super fresh, high quality raw fish employed in the beautiful
morsels…”
Spargo’s Grille – Manalapan – Rated 25
“…well prepared New American food that’s a bargain…”
Spike’s – Point Pleasant Beach – Rated 22
“Fabulously fresh catch…knows how to cook…”
Taka – Asbury Park – Rated 26
“…super fresh, cleverly assembled sushi and other excellent
Japanese delights…”
Takara – Ocean Township – Rated 25
“…deserves much praise…cooked Japanese fare is really good…sushi
is super…”
Teak – Red Bank – Rated 23
“The food’s very good, the drinks are better and the
people-watching is the best…”
Thyme Square – Red Bank – Rated 21
“…interesting Med menu…first-timers affirm they’ll be back…”
Tuzzio’s – Long Branch – Rated 21
“The veal parms are the best…the best in classic red sauce…”
Two if by Sea – Red Bank – Rated 22
“Backers insist the fare’s underappreciated…excellent wine
list…”
2Senza Ristorante – Red Bank – Rated 20
“…a cut above…good food and ambiance…”
Vic’s – Bradley Beach – Rated 20
“…excellent thin crust pizzas…perfect balance of crust, sauce
and cheese…”
West Lake Seafood Restaurant – Matawan – Rated 25
“…exquisitely pure Cantonese selections, especially fresh
seafood…”
Whispers – Spring Lake – Rated 27
“…a mecca of gourmet treats…memorable meals…polished servers…”
Windansea – Highlands – Rated 20
“…the food is fresh…families applaud the scene for lunch or
during early dinner hours…”
Yumi – Sea Bright – Rated 26
“Patrons walk away feeling wonderful after making their way
through the diverse offerings…”
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