The Garden State has 130 miles of gorgeous coastline, and, when combined with numerous resplendent rivers and lovely lakes, we definitely don’t have a shortage of waterfront restaurants in New Jersey. There’s not much better on a beautiful day than dining on delicious food while enjoying scenic views, and there are few better states to accomplish this than New Jersey, way say! And yet, with so many waterfront restaurants from which to choose, where does one begin? Well, with one of these 14 incredible waterfront restaurants in New Jersey, that’s where!
- Alice’s, Lake Hopatcong
Facebook/Alice’s
Facebook/Alice’s Enjoy delicious “new-American” cuisine, a full bar, live music on the lower level, and sprawling lakefront views. Dine indoors or opt for the outdoor patio at this bucket-list-worthy restaurant. Alice’s, 24 Nolans Point Park Rd, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849, USA
- The Black River Barn, Randolph
Facebook/The Black River Barn
Facebok/The Black River Barn The Black River Barn offers both indoor and outdoor dining along with casual pub fare. Music lovers will appreciate Black River Barn’s nighttime scene - karaoke, open mic nights, live shows, and more! Oh, and did we mention that the views here were jaw dropping? Black River Barn, 1178 Route 10, West St, Randolph, NJ 07869, USA The Black River Barn, Randolph
- Battello, Jersey City
Facebook/Battello
Facebook/Battello One of the best spots for NYC views, Battello serves lunch, brunch, dinner, and a light bar menu… and it’s one of the most romantic places to dine in New Jersey! You’ll find Italian fare here, but if you prefer American cuisine, check out their sister restaurant, The Kitchen Step. The same executive chef (Ryan DePersio) is behind both culinary gems. Battello, 502 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310, USA
- Chart House, Weehawken
Yelp/Keiko T.
Yelp/Chart House The reviews of this chain restaurant were so spectacular, it was impossible to leave Chart House off the list. The seafood spot also has an amazing hot chocolate lava cake. But what really sets this restaurant apart are, of course, the views! Chart House, 1700 Harbor Blvd, Weehawken, NJ 07086, USA
- McLoone’s Boathouse, West Orange
Facebook/McLoone’s Boathouse
Yelp/Maurice H. Look out on the reservoir at South Mountain Reservation while enjoying your meal. Brunch is a favorite at this lakeside spot in NJ. McLoone’s Boathouse, Cherry Lane, West Orange, NJ, USA
- Lambertville Station, Lambertville
Facebook/Lambertville Station
Image/Lambertville Station This restaurant and inn offers American cuisine, served on the banks of the Delaware River. Housed in a renovated 19th century train station, this scenic spot is a local favorite. Station Court, Station Ct, Lambertville, NJ 08530, USA
- Patriots Crossing, Titusville
Facebook/Patriots Crossing
Facebook/Patriots Crossing This casual American bistro offers great views of the Delaware River and D+R Canal. Enjoy indoor and outdoor dining and an attached liquor store. In terms of riverfront dining in New Jersey, Patriots Crossing wins! Patriots Crossing Tavern & Wine Shop, 1339 River Rd, Titusville, NJ 08560, USA
- Carlucci’s Waterfront Grill, Mount Laurel
Image/Carluccis
Facebook/Carluccis Located on the banks of the Rancocas Creek, Carlucci’s serves up Italian cuisine, steak and seafood. It’s one of the top spots for outdoor dining in the Garden State! Carlucci’s Waterfront, 876 Centerton Rd, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054, USA
- Curtin’s Wharf, Burlington
Facebook/Curtins Wharf
Facebook/Curtins Wharf Located in the charming and historic town of Burlington, this seasonal spot offers live music several nights a week and is located right on a marina. Curtin’s Wharf, 501 E Pearl St, Burlington, NJ 08016, USA
- Rat’s Restaurant, Hamilton
Facebook/Rat’s Restaurant
Facebook/Rats It’s hard to imagine a restaurant in a setting any more beautiful than Rat’s Restaurant in Hamilton, New Jersey. This fantastic French restaurant located on the Grounds for Sculpture may be the most whimsical on the list - it is inspired by a Claude Monet painting. Rat’s Restaurant, 16 Fairgrounds Rd, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619, USA
- The Chop House, Gibbsboro
Facebook/The Chop House
Facebook/The Chop House This lovely lakeside restaurant in New Jersey is picture-perfect, and regarded as one of the best steakhouses in New Jersey. The ChopHouse, 4 Lakeview Dr S, Gibbsboro, NJ 08026, USA
- Harpoon Willy’s, Manasquan
Facebook/Harpoon Willy’s
Yelp/Harry P. This waterfront dining spot offers some of the best burgers around. Enjoy live entertainment and other fun events here, too! Harpoon Willy’s, 2655 River Rd, Manasquan, NJ 08736, USA
- River Winds, West Deptford
Facebook/The River Winds
Facebook/Riverwinds Enjoy scenic Delaware River views with Philadelphia in the distance. Cuisine is a mix of seafood and modern American. Riverwinds Drive, Riverwinds Dr, West Deptford, NJ 08086, USA
- The Lobster House, Cape May
Facebook/The Lobster House
Facebook/The Lobster House This longtime reader favorite has some of the freshest seafood around. You have to check out the seasonal raw bar while you’re here. The Lobster House, 906 Schellengers Landing Rd, Cape May, NJ 08204, USA
Please note that this list is not a ranking, restaurants are listed primarily from north to south – each is amazing in its own way. There were so many more restaurants that could have made this, what other waterfront restaurants in New Jersey would you add? What are your favorite spots to visit? Let us know in the comments below!
Facebook/Alice’s
Enjoy delicious “new-American” cuisine, a full bar, live music on the lower level, and sprawling lakefront views. Dine indoors or opt for the outdoor patio at this bucket-list-worthy restaurant.
Alice’s, 24 Nolans Point Park Rd, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849, USA
Facebook/The Black River Barn
Facebok/The Black River Barn
The Black River Barn offers both indoor and outdoor dining along with casual pub fare. Music lovers will appreciate Black River Barn’s nighttime scene - karaoke, open mic nights, live shows, and more! Oh, and did we mention that the views here were jaw dropping?
Black River Barn, 1178 Route 10, West St, Randolph, NJ 07869, USA The Black River Barn, Randolph
Facebook/Battello
One of the best spots for NYC views, Battello serves lunch, brunch, dinner, and a light bar menu… and it’s one of the most romantic places to dine in New Jersey! You’ll find Italian fare here, but if you prefer American cuisine, check out their sister restaurant, The Kitchen Step. The same executive chef (Ryan DePersio) is behind both culinary gems.
Battello, 502 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310, USA
Yelp/Keiko T.
Yelp/Chart House
The reviews of this chain restaurant were so spectacular, it was impossible to leave Chart House off the list. The seafood spot also has an amazing hot chocolate lava cake. But what really sets this restaurant apart are, of course, the views!
Chart House, 1700 Harbor Blvd, Weehawken, NJ 07086, USA
Facebook/McLoone’s Boathouse
Yelp/Maurice H.
Look out on the reservoir at South Mountain Reservation while enjoying your meal. Brunch is a favorite at this lakeside spot in NJ.
McLoone’s Boathouse, Cherry Lane, West Orange, NJ, USA
Facebook/Lambertville Station
Image/Lambertville Station
This restaurant and inn offers American cuisine, served on the banks of the Delaware River. Housed in a renovated 19th century train station, this scenic spot is a local favorite.
Station Court, Station Ct, Lambertville, NJ 08530, USA
Facebook/Patriots Crossing
This casual American bistro offers great views of the Delaware River and D+R Canal. Enjoy indoor and outdoor dining and an attached liquor store. In terms of riverfront dining in New Jersey, Patriots Crossing wins!
Patriots Crossing Tavern & Wine Shop, 1339 River Rd, Titusville, NJ 08560, USA
Image/Carluccis
Facebook/Carluccis
Located on the banks of the Rancocas Creek, Carlucci’s serves up Italian cuisine, steak and seafood. It’s one of the top spots for outdoor dining in the Garden State!
Carlucci’s Waterfront, 876 Centerton Rd, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054, USA
Facebook/Curtins Wharf
Located in the charming and historic town of Burlington, this seasonal spot offers live music several nights a week and is located right on a marina.
Curtin’s Wharf, 501 E Pearl St, Burlington, NJ 08016, USA
Facebook/Rat’s Restaurant
Facebook/Rats
It’s hard to imagine a restaurant in a setting any more beautiful than Rat’s Restaurant in Hamilton, New Jersey. This fantastic French restaurant located on the Grounds for Sculpture may be the most whimsical on the list - it is inspired by a Claude Monet painting.
Rat’s Restaurant, 16 Fairgrounds Rd, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619, USA
Facebook/The Chop House
This lovely lakeside restaurant in New Jersey is picture-perfect, and regarded as one of the best steakhouses in New Jersey.
The ChopHouse, 4 Lakeview Dr S, Gibbsboro, NJ 08026, USA
Facebook/Harpoon Willy’s
Yelp/Harry P.
This waterfront dining spot offers some of the best burgers around. Enjoy live entertainment and other fun events here, too!
Harpoon Willy’s, 2655 River Rd, Manasquan, NJ 08736, USA
Facebook/The River Winds
Facebook/Riverwinds
Enjoy scenic Delaware River views with Philadelphia in the distance. Cuisine is a mix of seafood and modern American.
Riverwinds Drive, Riverwinds Dr, West Deptford, NJ 08086, USA
Facebook/The Lobster House
This longtime reader favorite has some of the freshest seafood around. You have to check out the seasonal raw bar while you’re here.
The Lobster House, 906 Schellengers Landing Rd, Cape May, NJ 08204, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfront restaurants in New Jersey May 12, 2022 Sarah M. What are some other places for scenic dining in New Jersey? The above list of waterfront restaurants by no means covers all the places for scenic dining New Jersey… not even close! In a state as naturally beautiful as New Jersey, with varied scenery and lots of shoreline, the options for scenic dining here are abundant. Nearly any restaurant along the Hudson River or Jersey Shore can guarantee you some incredible views, and of course, we also have dozens of restaurants with mountain and lake views, as well. One waterfront spot not mentioned above is the Jefferson House. This lovely restaurant on Lake Hopatcong offers indoor dining and a full bar along with an outdoor patio and tiki bar! Enjoy soups, salads, sandwiches, steaks, an incredible brunch buffet and boat tours of the lake. For those into art, Rat’s Restaurant is a must visit. Located on the property of Grounds for Sculpture gallery and gardens, Rat’s was inspired by the paintings of Claude Monet. You’ll feel as if you’re in a painting while dining in this chic French restaurant! What are the best restaurants in New Jersey? Amazing restaurants abound in the Garden State, and depending on whom you ask, you’re bound to get a different (and passionate!) answer about the best restaurants in New Jersey are. One thing we can all agree on, however, is our seafood game, and the restaurants on this list are some of the best. Some of our favorite seafood restaurants in New Jersey include The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House, Molos Restaurant, Mike’s Seafood, Oceanos Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill, Allegro Seafood Grill, and Uncle Vinnie’s Clam Bar. What would you add to the list?
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfront restaurants in New Jersey
May 12, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some other places for scenic dining in New Jersey? The above list of waterfront restaurants by no means covers all the places for scenic dining New Jersey… not even close! In a state as naturally beautiful as New Jersey, with varied scenery and lots of shoreline, the options for scenic dining here are abundant. Nearly any restaurant along the Hudson River or Jersey Shore can guarantee you some incredible views, and of course, we also have dozens of restaurants with mountain and lake views, as well. One waterfront spot not mentioned above is the Jefferson House. This lovely restaurant on Lake Hopatcong offers indoor dining and a full bar along with an outdoor patio and tiki bar! Enjoy soups, salads, sandwiches, steaks, an incredible brunch buffet and boat tours of the lake. For those into art, Rat’s Restaurant is a must visit. Located on the property of Grounds for Sculpture gallery and gardens, Rat’s was inspired by the paintings of Claude Monet. You’ll feel as if you’re in a painting while dining in this chic French restaurant! What are the best restaurants in New Jersey? Amazing restaurants abound in the Garden State, and depending on whom you ask, you’re bound to get a different (and passionate!) answer about the best restaurants in New Jersey are. One thing we can all agree on, however, is our seafood game, and the restaurants on this list are some of the best. Some of our favorite seafood restaurants in New Jersey include The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House, Molos Restaurant, Mike’s Seafood, Oceanos Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill, Allegro Seafood Grill, and Uncle Vinnie’s Clam Bar. What would you add to the list?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The above list of waterfront restaurants by no means covers all the places for scenic dining New Jersey… not even close! In a state as naturally beautiful as New Jersey, with varied scenery and lots of shoreline, the options for scenic dining here are abundant. Nearly any restaurant along the Hudson River or Jersey Shore can guarantee you some incredible views, and of course, we also have dozens of restaurants with mountain and lake views, as well. One waterfront spot not mentioned above is the Jefferson House. This lovely restaurant on Lake Hopatcong offers indoor dining and a full bar along with an outdoor patio and tiki bar! Enjoy soups, salads, sandwiches, steaks, an incredible brunch buffet and boat tours of the lake. For those into art, Rat’s Restaurant is a must visit. Located on the property of Grounds for Sculpture gallery and gardens, Rat’s was inspired by the paintings of Claude Monet. You’ll feel as if you’re in a painting while dining in this chic French restaurant!
What are the best restaurants in New Jersey?
Amazing restaurants abound in the Garden State, and depending on whom you ask, you’re bound to get a different (and passionate!) answer about the best restaurants in New Jersey are. One thing we can all agree on, however, is our seafood game, and the restaurants on this list are some of the best. Some of our favorite seafood restaurants in New Jersey include The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House, Molos Restaurant, Mike’s Seafood, Oceanos Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill, Allegro Seafood Grill, and Uncle Vinnie’s Clam Bar. What would you add to the list?
