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Ocean County’s best-loved restaurants sit right on the docks, the bay and the boardwalk, and many of them stay open long after Labor Day. Here are classic Jersey Shore restaurants in Ocean County, NJ, worth a drive this fall and winter, all open and serving this season.
Timely tip: Jersey Shore Restaurant Week runs November 6 to 15, 2026, and several spots on this list are taking part with special prix fixe menus.
The Shrimp Box
- Town: Point Pleasant Beach
- Where: 75 Inlet Drive
The land under The Shrimp Box was bought in 1940 to become a commercial fishing dock and fish market, and the restaurant grew from there. Today it is a waterfront seafood dining room on the inlet with full dining, sunset and happy hour menus.
Reservations are available online.
Atlantic Offshore Fishery
- Town: Point Pleasant Beach
- Where: 212 Channel Drive
The motto here is “From the Bottom to the Top.” The owners catch and hand-select fish from their own boats, then prepare and serve it in the restaurant, so it is hard to find seafood that traveled a shorter distance.
The Offshore Restaurant
- Town: Point Pleasant Beach
- Where: 225 Ocean Avenue
A longtime local favorite and meeting place known for fresh seafood and a friendly, comfortable room at a fair price. It is an easy walk from the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk.
Crab’s Claw Inn
- Town: Lavallette
- Where: 601 Grand Central Avenue
A Lavallette institution for seafood lovers. Its fall menu features shore staples like creamy crab or lobster bisque, hand-breaded crab balls and bacon-wrapped scallops.
Ohana Grill
- Town: Lavallette
- Where: 65 Grand Central Avenue
A cozy Hawaiian-themed restaurant known for fresh seafood, with steak, pork and chicken dishes too. It is a popular date night spot, and reservations are required for parties of more than six.
Bum Rogers Crab House
- Town: Seaside Park
- Where: 2207 Central Avenue
Completely rebuilt after Superstorm Sandy, Bum Rogers calls itself one of the oldest seafood houses at the Jersey Shore. Go for blue claw crabs and steamed lobster, or the slow-roasted prime rib and char-grilled steaks.
It is a natural stop after a winter walk at nearby Island Beach State Park.
Klee’s Bar and Grill
- Town: Seaside Heights
- Where: 101 Boulevard
A year-round Seaside Heights neighborhood bar and grill a short walk from the boardwalk. The kitchen posts winter hours starting at 11 a.m., so it works well for a late lunch after a beach walk.
The Grenville Hotel and Restaurant
- Town: Bay Head
- Where: 345 Main Avenue
Dinner at this historic beachfront boutique hotel feels like a getaway without leaving the county. The restaurant serves casual upscale American food, and it is BYOB, so bring a favorite bottle.
The Waterfront
- Town: Forked River (Lacey)
- Where: 361 East Lacey Road
Set right on the Forked River, The Waterfront pairs a relaxed coastal atmosphere with a menu built on seasonal ingredients and local seafood. It is a good pick for southern Ocean County diners who want water views.
Planning a Shore Dinner This Winter
- Winter hours at the shore can change week to week, so call ahead or check each restaurant’s site before you drive.
- Weekend reservations still matter in the off-season, especially during Restaurant Week and the December holidays.
- Make a night of it: Point Pleasant Beach, Lavallette and Seaside Park each have several of these spots within a short drive of one another.
More in Ocean County: bakeries for holiday treats, winter beach walks and holiday events are coming up across the county.
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