When The Stone Pony opened in Asbury Park in 1974, the music venue (a favourite of New Jersey “Boss” Bruce Springsteen) put the historic seaside city on the nationwide map. And whereas it has weathered its fair proportion of ups and downs, Asbury Park is as soon as once more a sizzling beachfront vacation spot due to a thriving culinary scene, a welcoming LGBTQ+ group, and a give attention to its lifeblood: music. “This city metropolis by the ocean optimizes cultural facets of metropolis life that aren’t typical of most Jersey Shore cities. It was that alone that attracted of us like me and chef David Viana to this city,” says Neilly Robinson, a New Jersey native and founding father of Heirloom Kitchen.

In 2016, Robinson partnered with fellow Backyard State native Viana. Since then the pair (in each enterprise and life) has opened the acclaimed Portuguese restaurant Lita and bar La Otra. Their latest challenge, Judy and Harry’s, gives another reason to make Asbury Park a go-to vacation spot. “Over time, Asbury Park has leaned into its wealthy historical past of music and artwork to construct a like-minded group of innovators,” provides Robinson. “That historical past bleeds into each piece of Asbury, together with each restaurant and bar.”

Judy and Harry’s

Named after Robinson’s dad and mom (who, we’re advised, are at all times the lifetime of the occasion), Judy and Harry’s is the most recent idea from Robinson and Viana. Situated throughout the historic St. Laurent Social Membership, the spacious, ethereal restaurant is the proper counterbalance to the horny, moody cocktail bar. “Count on Italian classics with whimsical, worldwide Jewish aptitude at Judy’s earlier than or after heading to its companion cocktail bar, Harry’s, for a drink,” says Robinson. Pair a plate of latkes or the decadent “Philly Roast Pork” pasta with a cocktail just like the Bergamot Margarita or the Olive Oil Bitter (grappa, darkish rum, marsala, honey, thyme, lemon, olive oil). Over at Harry’s, take pleasure in a preprandial aperitivo like their Garibaldi riff with Punt e Mes, mezcal, and fluffy grapefruit juice, or cease in after dinner for a nightcap just like the Bitter Harry (tahini-infused Cynar, candy vermouth, bourbon).

Bond Road

“Each metropolis wants a great dive bar, and that is it—a gritty spot good for a shot and a beer,” says David Viana. Situated, logically sufficient, on Bond Road, the bar opened in 2009 and has since change into a neighborhood establishment, internet hosting dwell music, comedy exhibits, block events, and usually cultivating good vibes. Go for a neighborhood drinks combo, like a shot of New Jersey’s personal Laird’s Apple Brandy and a beer from Final Wave Brewing, paired with the platonic preferrred of bar meals—which features a full menu of grilled cheeses. “Additionally they have one of the best burger round,” says Viana. “Or strive the patty soften in the event you’re an overachiever.”

Regular Hand Café and Collective

Lengthy functioning as a pop-up round Asbury Park, Regular Hand opened its first brick-and-mortar café this 12 months, the higher to spotlight their lengthy record of inventive espresso drinks, sodas, and different nonalcoholic drinks. “Owned and operated by Ashley Burk, Regular Hand is greater than a espresso expertise, it’s artwork,” says Robinson. “Ashley’s expertise attracts inspiration from meals and drinks loved whereas touring, plus a heavy dose of childhood nostalgia.” That features favorites like a Candy Corn Latte (made with native Jersey candy corn in the course of the summer season), a Burnt Orange Espresso Tonic (a spritz-like drink impressed by the Calabrian coast), and a juniper-pomegranate-hibiscus soda topped with espresso dubbed Persephone’s Return.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Burk spent years working within the espresso business in addition to the craft beer and cocktail spheres earlier than launching Regular Hand, in addition to her personal line of syrups. “My record of drinks runs lengthy and is endless,” says Burk. “We’re consistently striving to bridge the hole between the espresso and cocktail world.”

R Bar

“R Bar is a love letter to New Orleans,” says Viana, who appreciates the day-to-night meals menu, with a stable number of snack choices just like the Cacio e Pepe Deviled Eggs—a private favourite. Home cocktails lean playful comparable to a bourbon slushy made with cult-favorite Cheerwine soda, and the Abnormally Giant Little one with gin, pineapple, strawberry, citrus, and a Fruity Pebbles punch. Their aptly named Greenhouse bar upstairs is all home windows and sunshine (with a linked patio), whereas the downstairs bar brings the occasion with dwell music each week. “There are totally different vibes to be discovered primarily based in your temper,” notes Viana.

Talula’s

What started with a yard wood-fired oven has change into a neighborhood establishment from husband-and-wife crew Steve and Shanti Mignogna. “OGs of Asbury Park’s foodie second, Steve and Shanti have been pioneers on the town, constructing group by means of fermented dough, killer pizzas, bread, and pastries, and their well-known Gin +Jam cocktail, made with a house-made seasonal jam and lemongrass syrup,” says Robinson. Every little thing on the meals menu is pickled, fermented, baked, and preserved in-house, together with many of the cheeses, so strive a pizza just like the Pantera Rosa on sourdough crust with vodka sauce, aged mozzarella, pepperoni, pickled cherry peppers, gouda, and basil. And when you’ve tried the Gin + Jam cocktail, pattern different home faves just like the La Bodega Rosa (tequila, mezcal, manzanilla sherry, Aperol, falernum, ginger and lime.)

Laylow

Opened in 2019 beneath the Tradition Collective’s sister eating places of Barrio Costero and REYLA, Laylow payments itself as a cocktail lab for collaboration and experimentation. “It’s a speakeasy-style basement bar with a playful vibe and a menu impressed by music,” says Viana. With a brand new menu dropping each few months, common DJ units, and performances like Burtonesque gothic burlesque, there’s at all times a brand new expertise available. The spring menu explored Japanese spirits and flavors, with drinks just like the Rising Solar with Japanese gin, inexperienced tea shochu, sesame, and yuzu. The summer season menu, launched in July, goes full tiki, so embrace the island vibes and step proper down.

Grand Tavern

Technically positioned in Neptune, simply south of Asbury Park correct, Grand Tavern lives as much as its moniker. “Pulling inspiration from Montreal gastropubs and Manhattan’s Noticed Pig, this dimly lit house is cool and cozy, that includes a formidable seasonal cocktail record of classics and playful creations,” says Robinson. “It’s the proper midweek hang-out.” Tuck into some seasonal fare just like the tuna tartare with strawberry, yuzu, and basil oil, or the beloved home burger, full with American cheese and particular sauce, alongside a cocktail just like the Dove 15.0 (fennel-infused tequila, rhubarb, lime, fennel salt).

Strada

“Chef and I spend nearly each Tuesday at Strada. This place has a complete vibe, from the candles to their wooden burning oven,” says Robinson. “The most important draw is their bartender, Christopher James, a real OG of the New Jersey hospitality scene and making a number of the greatest cocktails round.” The ever-revolving drinks menu would possibly embrace a seasonal Margarita or an ideal Martini for pairing alongside forged iron-seared octopus, with fingerling potatoes, pickled fennel, and home romesco. “It’s proper down the road from the Atlantic Highlands Ferry—good if you’re coming from New York or in your approach dwelling from a weekend on the shore.”