Long Branch can build all the waterfront bistros, farm-to-table eateries, and chef-driven tasting menus it wants. But the best meals in this town will almost always involve a classic restaurant. The mark of a great spot is wonderfully simple: expect honest food, zero pretension, and the comfort of knowing you’re about to eat well. Whether you’re craving a perfect slice or a feast by the sea, here’s where to start.
Richard’s Deli
$ | (732) 870-9133 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a Long Branch strip shared with a Mexican kitchen that takes over after 4pm, Richard’s Deli remains one of the most authentic deli experiences in New Jersey. The food seems to vary dish by dish here, but you can always expect portions to be huge and service to be consistently excellent and courteous.
If you order the corned beef sandwich, you’ll probably end up savoring every bite of the moist, tasty meat on fresh rye bread before polishing off the homemade potato chips and coleslaw that come with the Reuben.
Sides Diner and Grill
$ | (848) 303-8290 | WEBSITE
Open for years in Long Branch, Sides Diner and Grill is a true local institution. They’re also one of the only spots we can think of in this shore town (that’s not a tourist trap or a trendy brunch place) where you can get a perfect pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwich and crispy pecan pancakes in one sitting. There’s a clean, cozy atmosphere, the coffee is always fresh, and we’re almost positive that the regulars at the counter know everyone’s name.
The well-laid out dining room with its mix of tables, booths, and counter seating is a fantastic place for a big Sunday breakfast, and fills up way faster than you’d expect for such a welcoming spot.
Long Branch BBQ LLC
$ | (732) 263-1773 | WEBSITE
Long Branch BBQ LLC is a no-frills barbecue joint that looks like it predates the invention of the gas grill (a long time ago.) But that’s not the case: this straightforward spot in Long Branch serves food that just tastes like it’s from the golden age of backyard cookouts. There are simple tables, the constant glow of the natural wood charcoal grill, and a separate counter area where you can simultaneously watch your order being cooked and inhale the incredible smoky aroma.
And apart from generous portions for groups looking to take advantage of Long Branch BBQ’s fair prices—often cheaper than fast food—this spot also serves solid barbecue classics, like the popular chicken and rib combo with perfectly cooked meats and the flounder with spinach and mashed potatoes with excellent flounder.
The Wine Loft
$$ | (732) 222-7770 | WEBSITE
Another Jersey Shore staple, this wine bar in Pier Village is perhaps the only beachside spot in the area where navigating the parking situation is effort well spent. Once settled, you’ll find a welcoming crowd full of regulars and visitors, genuinely attentive bartenders, and an atmosphere that simply can’t be duplicated. Whatever your expectations are about typical shore bars, set them aside. The Wine Loft is special and an evening everyone in Long Branch needs to enjoy at least once.
Caputo Italian Pastry Shoppe
$ | (732) 222-3838 | WEBSITE
Long Branch is a beach town where bakeries often survive only if they have a heavy-handed tourist appeal or awkward social media promotion. Caputo Italian Pastry Shoppe is an outlier. In a charming strip near the shore, this cozy spot is everything you want in a neighborhood bakery – zero pretension, affordable treats, and a friendly staff that shows up with nothing to prove. Come at the right time (mid-morning) and the small display case becomes the pastry case of your dreams.
Branch Cantina
$$ | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a fun spot in Long Branch with a pleasant atmosphere, you know exactly what Branch Cantina is – and you’re probably already planning your next visit. If you haven’t been yet, you still need to be eating there. Open for lunch and dinner, this nice restaurant has excellent dishes like the octopus that, depending on your taste, are completely worth ordering. The drinks are also a hit, with recommendations from friendly staff like Shannon and Dannell who provide great service.
As an added bonus, the attentive and friendly staff make for a wonderful dining experience that keeps you coming back.
Jersey Mike’s Subs
$ | (732) 222-4696 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a reliable lunch spot where everything just works, Jersey Mike’s Subs is where you should head. The bright, clean shop in Long Branch has a friendly staff and consistent quality. This is the kind of place you would go to grab a quick sandwich with your kids after soccer practice. Oh, they also have some of our favorite veggie subs in the area. Come weekends, this place is bustling with families enjoying their meals without any fuss.
simply greek restaurant & bar
$$ | (732) 571-0222 | WEBSITE
Long Branch has plenty of dining options for any kind of craving. That said, it struggles mightily when it comes to authentic Greek spots where you can always feel at home. Enter Simply Greek Restaurant & Bar, the neighborhood restaurant that’s remarkable mostly for being consistently excellent. This is the kind of place where you show up for a quick lunch special, then end up staying for happy hour.
The food is fresh, the staff will actually remember your name, and their lamb chops are one of our favorites in the area.
Gigi’s NY Style Pizza and Restaurant
$ | (732) 377-2468 | WEBSITE
Nowhere in Long Branch will you find a greater variety of pizza lovers than at this family spot. Located right in the heart of town, Gigi’s has been serving up slices for years and is a place where you can find hungry bikers grabbing a pie next to families celebrating birthdays and regulars wondering why they just tried the hot honey on Angri Pepi-Dew for the first time. Anything is possible at Gigi’s, and everyone’s here to enjoy the same perfect crust and welcoming atmosphere.
Applebee’s Grill + Bar
$$ | (732) 922-1300 | WEBSITE
In the same year that the first Applebee’s opened its doors and the concept of casual dining chains began to take hold, Applebee’s Grill + Bar established itself in Long Branch. Since then, Applebee’s has been a New Jersey dining staple, and a place with all the reliable comfort you’d expect from one of the most popular chain restaurants on the East Coast.
Come in any day of the week (evenings are definitely the best time) and you’ll quickly find yourself enjoying a satisfying meal with your family while you share plates of appetizers and desserts. You’ll appreciate the consistent quality and friendly service that keeps regulars coming back.
El Rincon de la Costa
$ | (732) 272-1902 | WEBSITE
After a long day exploring the Jersey Shore, you probably want some authentic Mexican food. Head to El Rincon de la Costa to get exactly that. The popular Long Branch spot is just the kind of place where you can kick back and feel like you’ve been transported south of the border. Everybody inside is enjoying flavorful fajita dinners, sipping on margaritas, and savoring warm corn tortillas – so it would be a shame not to join in on the deliciousness.
Max’s Bar & Grill
$ | (732) 571-0248 | WEBSITE
Max’s Bar & Grill sits in a strip of Long Branch that could easily be dismissed as just another casual spot for families and weekend visitors. And because of that, you might be tempted to overlook it. Don’t make that mistake. Max’s is a quintessential neighborhood hangout with an unaffected vibe full of regulars, a lively karaoke scene that keeps the energy up, and hot dogs we’d happily make a special trip to enjoy.
The Dog & The Pig—stuffed with cheese and topped with crispy bacon—is the kind of standout that makes you forget you’re eating at a bar. The mozzarella sticks are crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and exactly what you want with a cold drink. The owner often serves guests directly, adding a personal touch that makes the experience feel genuine.
Yes, the parking lot is small, and some items might occasionally be unavailable, but the Grilled Chicken Sandwich Wrap is consistently satisfying with tender, flavorful chicken. With its modern look, high ceilings, and ample space, Max’s delivers exactly what it promises: good food and a fun time without any pretense.
The Whitechapel Projects
$$ | (732) 963-9218 | WEBSITE
Stepping onto the back patio at The Whitechapel Projects on a summer evening is a delight for all the senses. The space feels like you’ve discovered a secret garden oasis: there are comfortable wooden tables, soft jazz playing through hidden speakers, and groups of friends enjoying craft cocktails under string lights. In other words, it’s an absolute sanctuary and the kind of place where you could linger for hours while the attentive staff ensures your glass is never empty.
The vegan pizza—crispy, flavorful, and surprisingly satisfying at around $18—arrives alongside a vegan Caesar salad that’s fresh and tangy. Even after a sudden rain shower, the atmosphere remains immaculate, with the staff quickly drying seats and maintaining the wonderful ambiance. While parking might require some patience during peak beach hours, it’s well worth the effort for this phenomenal experience.
Attilio’s Restaurant & Pizza
$ | (732) 870-2445 | WEBSITE
Long Branch has plenty of spots where you can drop $25 on a plate of artisanal pasta with truffle shavings. Attilio’s Restaurant & Pizza is not one of them. And although you won’t find a single thing here that involves microgreens or edible flowers – you will find hearty, delicious food (we recommend their Sicilian slice), clean dining areas, and a quiet atmosphere. And be sure to try their rigatoni with puttanesca sauce or the garlic and oil pasta for a truly satisfying meal.
Strollo’s Lighthouse
$ | (732) 222-1599 | WEBSITE
Strollo’s Lighthouse is not where you plan your beach day. It’s where you end up after a long afternoon at Seven Presidents Beach, when the sun has baked you through and you realize you might have one more sweet treat in you. Conveniently located near the shore, Strollo’s offers friendly staff who are patient with indecisive orders, a clean seating area that feels generous after hours in the sand, and a shockingly good variety of Italian ice flavors.
The short walk back to your towel with a blue raspberry Italian ice or vanilla soft serve is just the cherry on top.
Ocean Cafe
$ | (732) 222-2221 | WEBSITE
Thanks to some smart decisions in your life, you’ve likely never struggled to find parking at a Long Branch beach spot in July. That’s why Ocean Cafe, the reliably delicious restaurant in Long Branch, is one of our go-to places at the shore. The food arrives beautifully plated, the flavors are vibrant, and the atmosphere feels so welcoming that you’ll soak up the coastal vibe just by sitting there.
We love to visit during the summer for the full beach-town experience, but this remains a solid choice even when the season winds down. They’ve also got a great variety of dishes, and surprisingly good London Broil sandwiches and grilled tuna steak sandwiches, if you’re hungry.
Tiki Bar at Ocean Place
$$ | (732) 483-5788 | WEBSITE
Even with all the new condos going up, Long Branch still has that classic Jersey Shore vibe that feels like it’s been preserved since the 1970s. Tiki Bar at Ocean Place is doing everything possible to maintain that atmosphere. The beachfront spot at Ocean Place is actually more spacious than it appears from the boardwalk, with live music when the weather warms, a great patio for people who want to watch the ocean, and bartenders who remember your name.
Needless to say, your entire afternoon can disappear fairly quickly at Tiki Bar’s.
Johnny Piancone’s
$$ | (732) 229-0300 | WEBSITE
Johnny Piancone’s has been a Long Branch staple for years—which is immediately clear when you walk into this cozy Italian dining room. Worn wooden tables fill the space, vintage family photos line the walls, and warm pendant lights glow above everything. The crowd is a friendly mix of regulars and newcomers celebrating special occasions, and everybody is enjoying Chianti and some of the best Italian food in New Jersey.
Get the tender Veal Parmesan Chop and the housemade Rigatoni that comes topped with divine sauce, fresh herbs, and grated Parmesan.