Welcome to Asbury Park, where vibrant culture meets the timeless allure of the Jersey Shore. With fantastic food, eclectic boutiques, family fun, colorful nightlife and one of the best live music scenes arounds. The iconic boardwalk is a great place to start your journey here. The culinary experience here is diverse with endless options. Feeling something fancy to even pub style food, it's all here in this sweet town. The City Lifestyle team hit the pavement and explored a few places during the Asbury Park Restaurant tour, which happens every year. Here's some of our thoughts on what we had tasted.
Stop 1- Black Swan:
This spacious spot offers updated European gastropub serving British/Irish fare, imported beers, wines, and craft cocktails. We tasted Pasta in a Vodka sauce. It was a rather simple dish offered, but sauce is something you can easily mess up. This Italian editor was pleased with the flavors.
Stop 2- Confections of a Rockstar Bakeshop:
A bake shop that makes us want to air guitar and scream at the top of our lungs. Confections of a Rock$tar Bakery is literally rock n’ roll themed, using desserts as a way to honor rockstars such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles. What more can we say!
I did want to share that I got my mothers 70th birthday party cake from here. You literally tell them what you want and they make it happen, truly like rockstars! It weighed at least 50 pounds, but that's because they had to hold up the design. Everything is built carefully from the filling to the icing, we even still have a few pieces! When you give them something so specific, like you're mother as a cartoon on a film set, they executed it beautifully. Honestly, the best cake I've ever had, hands down! A place that literally rocks your taste buds.
Stop 3 - Taka:
Taka's design is modern & industrial ambiance that adds a layer of enjoyment to your meal. They presented us with one of my favorite dishes, Chicken Katsu. This beloved Japanese dish tantalizes taste buds with its crispy exterior and succulent, tender chicken inside. Traditionally made with breaded and deep-fried chicken cutlets, chicken katsu boasts a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. It sits on a bed of sticky white rice. If you're seeking plant-based options, Taka offers an impressive selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes. There's literally something for everyone.
Stop 4: Dolce Fantasia
Northern Italian and French is what you'll find behind these doors. John Djombalic, executive chef and owner has been running this joint since March 2023. From beautifully prepared dishes to smaller fare for the hungry and not so hungry. They put color and flavor into each dish.
Experiences are so important and Asbury Park has that to offer for new and old faces. Come hungry and ready! Asbury Park continues to grow and amaze us. It's home and we will continue to express our love! If you're just visiting for a day hit up all these suggested places above. After you've gotten your fill take a walk on the boardwalk and take a moment to take it all in. From the old wooden boardwalk to the vibrations of Stone Pony when a band is playing, this is the place to be. This town may be small but filled with great people and food. I just want to quickly close with a few thoughts. I grew up playing on that boardwalk, eating ice cream and playing with my cousins. Before and after Sandy things didn't stop this small community from thriving.
The iconic boardwalk is a great place to start your journey here.