Asbury Park Eats

When Travel + Leisure crowned Asbury Park the Best Beach Town in America, the honor didn’t just celebrate the legendary music scene or the mix of boardwalk nostalgia and indie creativity. It also recognized something locals have known all along: Asbury Park has become one of the most exciting culinary destinations on the Jersey Shore. Walk down Cookman Avenue on a summer evening and you’ll feel it instantly. The air hums with live music spilling out of bars, but it’s the aromas that stop you in your tracks. Wood-fired sourdough pizzas at Talula’s, brasserie fare at Pascal & Sabine, fresh sushi
from Taka, rooftop cocktails at AP Rooftop, and the smoky scent of ribs from Mutiny BBQ all blend together, creating a delicious soundtrack of their own. It’s proof that Asbury Park’s cultural revival isn’t just about art and music—it’s about food.
From Brunch to Boardwalk Bites Mornings here often begin at Cardinal Provisions, a café that redefined the Asbury brunch scene with imaginative twists on classics. Whether it’s a lox toast piled high with pickled onions or a seasonal salad topped with vibrant local produce, the menu feels fresh, playful, and unmistakably Asbury. For those chasing something more old-school, Frank’s Deli is still the gold standard, serving pork roll, egg, and cheese
sandwiches to generations of locals and beachgoers alike. By afternoon, the boardwalk calls. Seafood shines at spots like the Iron Whale, where ocean views frame lobster rolls and tacos that lean modern but comforting. Just steps
away, newcomers like Palmetto channel Southern coastal flavors, while high above the boardwalk, AP Rooftop offers Mediterranean-inspired small plates and a panoramic view of the Atlantic. With fireplaces glowing and the ocean breeze sweeping through, it’s one of the most unforgettable ways to savor a sunset in Asbury.
As day turns to night, downtown Asbury transforms. The dining scene becomes the city’s stage, each restaurant offering its own take on the town’s personality. Pascal & Sabine sets the mood with candlelit tables, French wine, and dishes that could be served in Paris. A short stroll away, Talula’s hums with the energy of communal tables, sourdough pizzas drizzled with local honey, and cocktails that balance creativity with fun. On Cookman, Taka brings a sleek, modern take on Japanese cuisine, where sushi rolls, ramen bowls, and craft cocktails draw diners who want something refined yet approachable. Just across town, Porta delivers a warehouse-style party atmosphere with Neapolitan pies, while Kimchi Mama introduces Korean comfort food to the mix with fried chicken that locals swear by. 

No Asbury food journey is complete without something sweet. At Milk Sugar Love, ice cream becomes art, with flavors like lemon olive oil and midnight cocoa pushing dessert into the unexpected. For those with a taste for European indulgence, Lola’s offers decadent chocolate gelato alongside perfectly crafted martinis—an elegant nightcap that feels both indulgent and timeless. And if the evening still has life in it, Asbury’s cocktail culture is thriving everywhere, from the swanky lounges of AP Rooftop to cozy local breweries tucked along the side streets. What makes Asbury Park’s food and drink scene so remarkable isn’t just the diversity of its restaurants—it’s the way they mirror the city itself. Just like Asbury blends grit with glamour, the dining here blends comfort with creativity. It’s a place where you can have a Jersey deli sandwich for breakfast, sushi and oysters for lunch, pizza and gelato for dinner, and martinis by night—all within a few blocks of the beach. As Travel + Leisure put it, “Asbury Park delivers both big city culture and small beach town charm.” The food scene is proof of that dual identity—worldly flavors, local pride, and a spirit of reinvention that’s made this Shore town a destination far beyond summer. So come for the music, stay for the ocean—but don’t leave without tasting what truly makes Asbury Park unforgettable.