A few weeks ago I was writing the 5 Fun Things for the Fourth of July post and I sent an email to the organizers of the Fireman’s Fair in Atlantic Highlands. Shelly replied with the greatest information including details, photos, logos, etc. This makes for a very easy blog post which means it has a very good chance of being written. I had sent her a return email to let her know the post was up and she replied with yet again, another great email with details on Atlantic Highlands restaurants with personal recommendations. I have lived here just about a year and there are so many great places I have yet to get to, input is so helpful. I used her email as a shell for this post and I filled in content and details from the restaurants websites. Google Maps is one of my favorite things, so I created a Google Map with all of the restaurant locations. Each and everyone is an easy trip from the Comfort Inn Middletown.
“I visited the site and saw that on the right side you have a list of area restaurants. I didn’t see any in Atlantic Highlands which shocked me as we have several popular and well-reviewed establishments in town. I’d like to be so bold as to suggest a few that are my personal favorites with some of my favorite selections.” – Shelly Cummins Kennedy, Atlantic Highlands Resident If you check to the right, they are all there now.
Memphis Pig Out
Memphis Pig-Out “Babyback ribs, collards, Jack Daniels applesauce, and strawberry pie. Nuff said.” Mark and Connie Strassburg are owners of The Memphis Pig Out Restaurant.
“We came to Atlantic Highlands 21 years ago with the intent to introduce Memphis-style regional cooking to the Bay Shore area. We specialize in ribs and chicken cooked over hickory similar to the way it’s been done in Memphis for hundreds of years. According to Joan Hamburg, we make the best ribs in New Jersey. “-From the Memphis Pig out Website
The restaurant is casual dining with a kids menu and is open from 4:00pm to 9:00pm daily. Located at 67 First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands. To read their Zagat reviews, click here. To Call: 732.291.5533
Julia's Restaurant & Wine Bar
Julia’s Restaurant & Wine Bar is located at 91 First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands and is open Monday through Thursday from 4-10pm, Friday, 4-11pm, Saturday 5-11pm and Sunday 4-9pm. Reachable by phone at 732.872.1007.
The Mediterranean inspired menu features many Italian favorites along with creative innovations using only the freshest meat, seafood, and local produce. Owner and former Major League Baseball player, John Valentin, is a constant presence to assure you are well taken care of every time you visit. With a creative cocktail menu, wine list, homemade desserts, and daily specials, Julia’s is the perfect place for your special occasion or just an everyday night out on the town! – From Julia’s Restaurant & Wine Bar Website
You can find Julia’s on Yelp here and TripAdvisor here.
The Copper Canyon
The Copper Canyon – “NJ’s largest tequila bar! Creative Southwest foods prepared by owner-chef Michael Krikorian ‘try this‘ hint: southwestern crab cakes and white truffle risotto are to die for!”
Ever since Head Chef and Owner Michael Krikorian opened the doors to his culinary oasis The Copper Canyon, people say a little bit of the Southwest has landed on the Jersey Shore right here in Atlantic Highlands, NJ. Whether it’s his signature Southwestern Crab Cakes, NY Strip Steak, Spring Rolls or any of his other dishes you’re bound to have a great meal. But what is a great meal without great drinks? The Copper Canyon’s liquor cabinet boasts over 150 different tequilas for you to sample (we don’t recommend trying all 150 in one visit though). And who can resist the Copper Canyon’s famous Margaritas. –From The Copper Canyon Website
The Copper Canyon is Zagat rated which you can read about here and they are also listed on Yelp here.
On the Deck is located at 2 Simon Lake Drive, at Frank’s Pier, AH Harbor, (732) 872-1423. “Breathtaking bay views of four New York boroughs (Staten Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens), and the Manhattan skyline.
On the Deck
Friendly, fun. Gotta love the parrothead music on their website!”
On The Deck has made quite a name for itself since its opening in the summer of 2008. Located in Atlantic Highlands, On The Deck offers indoor and outdoor dining with spectacular views of the Shrewsbury River, Gateway National Park and the New York City skyline all year round. Conveniently located adjacent to the Sea Streak ferry terminal, On the Deck provides ample parking, handicap accessibility, friendly service and a warm casual atmosphere. On the Deck is the sister restaurant to the iconic Off The Hook in Highlands and possesses the same commitment to excellence. On The Deck features nightly specials and an extensive menu that has something for everyone. A lively bar setting, complete with 8 flat-screen TV’s and a wide variety of beer, wine and spirits, makes On The Deck the perfect place for lunch, dinner, happy hour or any special occasion.-From On The Deck Website
Casual dining for lunch and dinner, happy hour and they have a kids menu.
Kyoto “Wonderfully entertaining hibachi dining; excellent, fresh, chef-prepared delicacies at the sushi bar. White tuna sashimi, seafood salad, or shrimp hibachi dinner.”
“Our vision is to be socially responsible to our customers, community, and our environment. We make our very best efforts to support local farmers for our product. This means trying our best to use only chemical free produce, meat, fish and dairy.” – From the Kyoto Sushi & Hibachi Website
The reviews on Yelp are all favorable and it looks like a great place to bring a group. It is a BYOB, a point you don’t want to forget. Menu consists of sushi and hibachi items and it is suitable for family dining. Located at 2389 State Route 36 in Atlantic Highlands and by phone at 732.708.1088
Indulgence Cafe “Wonderful, intimate little cafe serving breakfast and lunch, with outdoor dining. Located on First Ave. just off the harbor. The café offers a warm and friendly atmosphere that is sure to please. Family owned and operated. Pets welcome outside when we bring our dog the staff gives doggie biscuits.”
Open daily for breakfast and lunch, patrons of the Indulgence Cafe can enjoy homemade soups, gourmet desserts and a wide selection of specialty coffees and teas.
Indulgence Cafe is located at 25 First Avenue, Suite 107 in Atlantic Highlands, NJ and by phone at732.708.9500.
From there we veer of to the Highlands which sneaks into the post because I just love that place and I recommend highly the crab cake sandwich and Greek Chopped Salad.
Inlet Cafe
“Also, in Highlands I love Inlet Cafe (I second that Shelly!) and frequently take visitors there; everyone loves it. A ‘must have‘ is the fried Maryland oysters!”
The Inlet Café is a second-generation family owned and operated restaurant. It is now owned by siblings Douglas Lentz and Robin Lentz-Sundstrom. The kitchen is now under the direction of Chef Alex Rogers, a graduate of the Academy of Culinary Arts. The Inlet Café was open in 1966 by our parents. Its original name was “The Lobster Pot”. The name “Inlet Café” was chosen because back in 1966, there was talk of building an inlet into Sandy Hook, across from the restaurant. The Inlet Café began as a local tavern with a small clam bar and four outdoor tables. The original building was destroyed in 1975 by a catastrophic fire that started in a neighboring hotel. The Inlet Cafe was quickly rebuilt and expanded into its present day form. In the late 70’s early 80’s we became famous for our “All You Can Eat” for $1.00 steamers nights. In those days steamers were plentiful in the local rivers. They were harvested by the hundreds of bushels daily. Unfortunately over harvesting coupled with pollution has led to the complete demise of steamer clams in the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers. There are no longer any local steamers available. Our steamers are now harvested in Maine and shipped to our restaurant. Now in 2010 our commitment is clear, we make every effort to provide the finest quality food and absolute guest satisfaction. We maintain extremely high standards for the products we purchase and strive to provide the freshest products available.- From the Inlet Cafe Website
The Inlet Cafe is a great place to stop on your way back from Sandy Hook. The Highlands has a number of great restaurants that I would love to put on here as well. If only someone would put them all in an email and send them to me like Shelly did (hint, hint… anyone?) The same goes for Red Bank. Shelly also said she would keep me in the loop on other Atlantic Highlands happenings so stay tuned and I’ll bring you what she sends. If you have experiences you’d like to share or restaurants to add, please leave them in the comments.
Comfort Inn Middletown-Red Bank - A Jersey Shore Hotel 