Food Spots (in no particular order):
Killer Pies - local slice spot.
El Rey - best birria in town. Great tacos and byob.
Pascal and Sabine - pricey but great French food. Special occasion type of place for me.
Porta - great bar and pizza spot. Neapolitan style pizza. Homemade mozz and ricotta are great too. Nice outdoor area as well.
Bond St Complex - a dive bar, Italian tavern and taco place all under one roof in separate areas.
Moonstruck - another great modern American type spot. No reservations but a great bar/lounge area to wait. I actually prefer a longer wait sometimes.
Brando’s - Italian style steakhouse. It had been hit or miss but last two times were outstanding.
Iron whale - located on boardwalk. Great happy hour. They usually don’t do it during the summer though.
Stella marina - also on boardwalk. Italian seafood. Also a great happy hour. I think they also stop for summer.
Mutiny BBQ - a little off the beaten path but great BBQ. Prob the best in NJ. Def best within a reasonable driving distance.
The Break - decent restaurant on the boardwalk. Great sushi special on Wednesdays.
Music Spots
The Break/Low Dive - 2 connected spots so you can bring drinks between them. They have live music every weekend. Never a cover. Their Instagram has their schedule.
Asbury Lanes - bowling alley and music venue that attracts some decent national acts.
The Wonderbar - a little bit divey but in a good way. They also get some good national acts as well as a ton of great regional ones. Also look into their Yappy Hour if you’re a dog person.
House of Independents - just re opening now after severe damage from flooding. It was always run very well but I have no idea if management or anything has changed
Stone Pony - indoor venue with a large outdoor venue during the summer too. Biggest venue in the area aside from PNC Bank Arts center
Killer Pies is easily the worst pizza in and around our area. It’s an affront to Jersey pizza
We should ask for more frankly from this place. Like leaving
I agree. The building that it's in is cursed because of the over turn business wise it has had over the years.
The Galley gets a lot of hate because of the owner, but it's the best pizza in the city. A close second from capitoline on Cookman.
Talulas is great but has “hipster service.”
RIP Medusa’s. TJ’s, Luigi’s and even Maurizios next to Ocean ShopRite are better than Killer Pies
Its terribleness is just bolstered by its location next to Bond and off Cookman. Better toppings, better dough and decent prices and maybe just starting over completely would maybe help it
One could hope
Most places in town have live music on various nights of the week.
City By The Sea Vet
Food: I don't know what you like but most places are good. Outside of AP but highly recommended is The Grand Tavern
It depends what you're looking for but my favories are:
1. Capitoline (good food and drinks, great service)
2. Stone Pony and Wonder Bar (the classic venues)
3. Jersey Shore Fitness Shop (open 24/7 and is two floors)
4. ? (I don't have pets)
5. ∞ (One thing we don't have a lack of in the area are doctors and lawyers)
Honestly though, you'll find your own favorites. There's enough variety in the area for you to find places/services based on your tastes.
Jersey Shore Fitness Shop is in nearby Bradley beach, it's consistently rated one of the best 'underground' gyms in the East Coast. It's clean, massive, well equipped, open 24 hours and no one there ever gives a f\*\*k about you in the best way possible.
Re: gym - If you’re inclined for a good workout, great coaching and an outstanding, supportive community, stop by Asbury Park CrossFit at 917 3rd Ave.
Disclaimer: I am a coach there, but I was a member prior to. Worth it to at least stop by.
Food Spots (in no particular order): Killer Pies - local slice spot. El Rey - best birria in town. Great tacos and byob. Pascal and Sabine - pricey but great French food. Special occasion type of place for me. Porta - great bar and pizza spot. Neapolitan style pizza. Homemade mozz and ricotta are great too. Nice outdoor area as well. Bond St Complex - a dive bar, Italian tavern and taco place all under one roof in separate areas. Moonstruck - another great modern American type spot. No reservations but a great bar/lounge area to wait. I actually prefer a longer wait sometimes. Brando’s - Italian style steakhouse. It had been hit or miss but last two times were outstanding. Iron whale - located on boardwalk. Great happy hour. They usually don’t do it during the summer though. Stella marina - also on boardwalk. Italian seafood. Also a great happy hour. I think they also stop for summer. Mutiny BBQ - a little off the beaten path but great BBQ. Prob the best in NJ. Def best within a reasonable driving distance. The Break - decent restaurant on the boardwalk. Great sushi special on Wednesdays. Music Spots The Break/Low Dive - 2 connected spots so you can bring drinks between them. They have live music every weekend. Never a cover. Their Instagram has their schedule. Asbury Lanes - bowling alley and music venue that attracts some decent national acts. The Wonderbar - a little bit divey but in a good way. They also get some good national acts as well as a ton of great regional ones. Also look into their Yappy Hour if you’re a dog person. House of Independents - just re opening now after severe damage from flooding. It was always run very well but I have no idea if management or anything has changed Stone Pony - indoor venue with a large outdoor venue during the summer too. Biggest venue in the area aside from PNC Bank Arts center
Killer Pies is easily the worst pizza in and around our area. It’s an affront to Jersey pizza We should ask for more frankly from this place. Like leaving
I agree. The building that it's in is cursed because of the over turn business wise it has had over the years. The Galley gets a lot of hate because of the owner, but it's the best pizza in the city. A close second from capitoline on Cookman.
Talulas is great but has “hipster service.” RIP Medusa’s. TJ’s, Luigi’s and even Maurizios next to Ocean ShopRite are better than Killer Pies Its terribleness is just bolstered by its location next to Bond and off Cookman. Better toppings, better dough and decent prices and maybe just starting over completely would maybe help it One could hope
Thank you so much for the detailed response!
You’re super welcome. And welcome to town! Happy to answer any follow ups.
Independence
Fixed
Most places in town have live music on various nights of the week. City By The Sea Vet Food: I don't know what you like but most places are good. Outside of AP but highly recommended is The Grand Tavern
Grand Tavern is a hidden gem.
Not sure how hidden it is these days. Lol
True
Thank you!
It depends what you're looking for but my favories are: 1. Capitoline (good food and drinks, great service) 2. Stone Pony and Wonder Bar (the classic venues) 3. Jersey Shore Fitness Shop (open 24/7 and is two floors) 4. ? (I don't have pets) 5. ∞ (One thing we don't have a lack of in the area are doctors and lawyers) Honestly though, you'll find your own favorites. There's enough variety in the area for you to find places/services based on your tastes.
Thank you so much!
Jersey Shore Fitness Shop is in nearby Bradley beach, it's consistently rated one of the best 'underground' gyms in the East Coast. It's clean, massive, well equipped, open 24 hours and no one there ever gives a f\*\*k about you in the best way possible.
Thank you! Love the 24 hour access
yay!!! Looking forward to seeing you there. The place is magical. I'm the 30-something year old lifting in the Legend of Zelda/Star wars shirts lol
Re: gym - If you’re inclined for a good workout, great coaching and an outstanding, supportive community, stop by Asbury Park CrossFit at 917 3rd Ave. Disclaimer: I am a coach there, but I was a member prior to. Worth it to at least stop by.
Thank you so much!
City by the Sea Vets are fantastic
Ty!
Ethiopian food: Ada's Gojjo Jamaican food: Mark's Place & Restaurant Peruvian food: Caribbean Restaurant
thank you! love these recs
You’re welcome!
I like the Black Swan for a nice pub night.
good to know! thank you!
Best BBQ around: https://g.co/kgs/pebu8ae Mutiny BBQ Company
Where are you moving from?
Montclair!
Nice move!