Barrio Costero, Asbury Park, NJ:
A Restaurant Review
Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.
Barrio Costero: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: Coastal Mexican Cuisine
Price: Moderate - Expensive
Food Quality: Excellent. Serves a well-executed seasonal menu featuring coastal Mexican tapas --- unlike many of the popular Tex-Mex restaurants found in New Jersey. The fare is much lighter healthy, and eclectic than Tex-Mex.
Service: Friendly, attentive & efficient
Ambiance/Decor: Trendy, upscale, casual, industrial chic with a vibrant atmosphere.
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = Poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate - High
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy high end, sophisticated creations of Mexican tapas, in an attractive chic setting.
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who prefer heavier preparations of Tex-Mex food.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Bacon Belly Tyayuda with avocado puree, epazote, queso oaxaca, arugula Pescado Tapas (daily catch) with tomatillo, achiote créma, and cilantro; and The Scallops Yucatan with black quinoa, golden raisins, orange, and boquerone chimichurri.
Liquor: Full bar service bar. Includes local draft beers, wines ( many moderately priced wines by the glass). The highlight is their creative Mexican-influenced cocktails
Barrio Costero—Spanish for "coastal neighborhood"—is a contemporary restaurant in Asbury Park that offers an inventive take on coastal Mexican cuisine. With an eclectic and elevated menu, it's recognized as one of the area's premier upscale dining destinations.
The heart of Barrio Costero lies in its open kitchen, which turns out a seasonal menu focused on fresh, coastal flavors—distinctly lighter and healthier than the typical Tex-Mex offerings found throughout New Jersey. The culinary approach is refined and creative, drawing on both locally sourced seafood and produce, as well as authentic ingredients imported from Mexico.
The menu is designed for sharing, featuring small, medium, and large plates—perfect for those who prefer a more communal, interactive dining experience. Their specialty lies in sophisticated takes on Mexican tapas, offering a fresh alternative to the traditional appetizer-entrée-dessert format.
Barrio Costero’s ambiance is trendy yet relaxed, with an upscale, industrial-chic aesthetic. The front room features a sleek, softly-toned bar, while the adjacent dining area boasts high ceilings with exposed ductwork. In the back, guests can enjoy views of the bustling open kitchen, complete with counter seating and a communal table for a more social dining experience.
Beyond the food, the cocktail program—led by partner Jamie Dodge, formerly of Elements and Mistral in Princeton—is a standout. Dodge crafts cutting-edge, Mexican-inspired cocktails using exotic, high-quality ingredients that complement the cuisine beautifully.
During the warmer months, outdoor sidewalk seating offers a perfect spot to enjoy the ocean air.
Barrio Costero is open five days a week and is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.
(Updated: April 2025)
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