Best Outdoor Dining in New Jersey
Your Guide to New Jersey's Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants With Scenic Waterfront Views and Garden Settings
With an abundance of ocean and waterfront views, and restaurants with beautiful gardens and patio dining, and moderate spring, summer, and fall evening temperatures, NJ an ideal place to enjoy outdoor dining .
Due to the extra special amenities of dining outdoors in a scenic setting, be prepared to pay a little more for this experience.
COVID-19 executive orders in effect apply to indoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people, effective November 23rd: Outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 150 people
The following indoor gatherings are exempt and may continue under the current rules – limited to 25% of a room's capacity, up to 150 people:
- Indoor performance venues, including concert venues
- Restaurants with bars, and lounges that serve food and drink, however, must remove bar seating and close their indoor premises for business by 10 pm.
With near term cancellations occurring at a rapid rate, and despite trying to remove them as soon as we learn of the cancellations or restrictions, we recommend viewers contact the event sponsors before heading out to a listed event to confirm their status.
Best Northern NJ Outdoor Dining Restaurants
The Bernards Inn
Bernardsville, NJ
The Bernards Inn, set in a restored, historic Circa 1907 hotel, is an upscale dining experience, popular with millennials who enjoy meeting up with friends or family for drinks and food..
Dine outdoors on the Terrace and enjoy the cool breezes and evening stars.
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Bernardsville, NJ
The Bernards Inn, set in a restored, historic Circa 1907 hotel, is an upscale dining experience, popular with millennials who enjoy meeting up with friends or family for drinks and food..
Dine outdoors on the Terrace and enjoy the cool breezes and evening stars.
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Cafe Matisse
Rutherford, NJ
A destination restaurant for upscale fine dining and a great place to celebrate a special occasion or for an intimate romantic occasion. Dine in the "Secret Garden", a plush outdoor garden with fountains. The garden can also be viewed from the inside through floor-to-ceiling windows.
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Rutherford, NJ
A destination restaurant for upscale fine dining and a great place to celebrate a special occasion or for an intimate romantic occasion. Dine in the "Secret Garden", a plush outdoor garden with fountains. The garden can also be viewed from the inside through floor-to-ceiling windows.
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The Clean Plate Kitchen
Clinton, NJ
Serves healthy food using locally sourced, organic ingredients ---- and with the best view in town, this is the place to be.
In the warmer months try and get a seat on the outdoor patio with a view of the Old Red Mill on the Raritan River.
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Clinton, NJ
Serves healthy food using locally sourced, organic ingredients ---- and with the best view in town, this is the place to be.
In the warmer months try and get a seat on the outdoor patio with a view of the Old Red Mill on the Raritan River.
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Focacceria Ristorante
Liberty Corner, NJ
Popular with diners who come to enjoy well prepared homemade Italian food and cozy, outside dining in the warmer months. Located in an historic circa 1800's Colonial home, while the restaurant has been renovated, many of the original features have been maintained.
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Liberty Corner, NJ
Popular with diners who come to enjoy well prepared homemade Italian food and cozy, outside dining in the warmer months. Located in an historic circa 1800's Colonial home, while the restaurant has been renovated, many of the original features have been maintained.
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Highlawn Pavilion
Eagle Rock Reservation
West Orange
One of Northern New Jersey's top restaurants. Dine on the patio with scenic views of the New York City skyline and Eagle Rock Park. Enjoy lunch or dinner under the stars.
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Eagle Rock Reservation
West Orange
One of Northern New Jersey's top restaurants. Dine on the patio with scenic views of the New York City skyline and Eagle Rock Park. Enjoy lunch or dinner under the stars.
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Liberty House
Jersey City
A destination restaurant for celebrating special occasions, a romantic dining experience, and Sunday brunch without all the formal fine dining amenities. The scenic views of the skylines of Jersey City and Manhattan, (the Freedom Tower) are a major attraction. Outdoor dining on the terrace is a real treat.
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Jersey City
A destination restaurant for celebrating special occasions, a romantic dining experience, and Sunday brunch without all the formal fine dining amenities. The scenic views of the skylines of Jersey City and Manhattan, (the Freedom Tower) are a major attraction. Outdoor dining on the terrace is a real treat.
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Maritime Parc Restaurant
Jersey City
A destination restaurant for celebrating a romantic event, and for that special occasion that calls for trendy ambiance. Has scenic waterfront views of the Jersey City skyline, and marina. During the warmer months there is outside dining on a large stone patio with awesome waterfront, marina views.
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Jersey City
A destination restaurant for celebrating a romantic event, and for that special occasion that calls for trendy ambiance. Has scenic waterfront views of the Jersey City skyline, and marina. During the warmer months there is outside dining on a large stone patio with awesome waterfront, marina views.
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Restaurant Latour
Crystal Springs Resort
Hamburg
Located in the Crystal Springs Resort, a 4,000 acre high end Alpine themed hotel resort. Outdoor dining on the patio looking across the Kittatinny Mtns to the Delaware Water Gap and Pennsylvania. For that special ambiance, arrive for dinner in time to take in the sunset over the mountains.
Restaurant Review
Crystal Springs Resort
Hamburg
Located in the Crystal Springs Resort, a 4,000 acre high end Alpine themed hotel resort. Outdoor dining on the patio looking across the Kittatinny Mtns to the Delaware Water Gap and Pennsylvania. For that special ambiance, arrive for dinner in time to take in the sunset over the mountains.
Restaurant Review
Best Central NJ Outdoor Dining Restaurants
Avenue Restaurant
Pier Village
Long Branch
Elegance and energy in a restaurant are not often found on the Jersey Shore. Avenue is the exception. This upscale, oceanfront restaurant in the Pier Village area of Long Branch is all about ambiance with a trendy, Jersey Shore feeling.
Outdoor dining is on the Terrace facing the beach and ocean.
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Pier Village
Long Branch
Elegance and energy in a restaurant are not often found on the Jersey Shore. Avenue is the exception. This upscale, oceanfront restaurant in the Pier Village area of Long Branch is all about ambiance with a trendy, Jersey Shore feeling.
Outdoor dining is on the Terrace facing the beach and ocean.
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Avon Pavilion
Avon-by-the-Sea
Dining at this restaurant is a great way to experience the Jersey Shore. It's open air outdoor dining on the boardwalk with a view of the beach and ocean, and a nice vantage point for people watching.
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Avon-by-the-Sea
Dining at this restaurant is a great way to experience the Jersey Shore. It's open air outdoor dining on the boardwalk with a view of the beach and ocean, and a nice vantage point for people watching.
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Bareli's By The Sea
Grand Victorian Hotel
Spring Lake, NJ
A high end restaurant serving a creative contemporary Italian menu with scenic ocean and beach views. During the warmer months there is outdoor dining on the wrap around porch with scenic ocean front views.
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Grand Victorian Hotel
Spring Lake, NJ
A high end restaurant serving a creative contemporary Italian menu with scenic ocean and beach views. During the warmer months there is outdoor dining on the wrap around porch with scenic ocean front views.
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Erini
Ewing, NJ
An upscale, yet casual restaurant serving a well executed, artfully prepared menu.
The outdoor dining patio, open (weather permitting) May-September, is done-up with lots of greenery and plants. During the evening this becomes a magical setting with sparkly lights and space heaters reducing the chill on cooler late spring and early fall evenings.
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Ewing, NJ
An upscale, yet casual restaurant serving a well executed, artfully prepared menu.
The outdoor dining patio, open (weather permitting) May-September, is done-up with lots of greenery and plants. During the evening this becomes a magical setting with sparkly lights and space heaters reducing the chill on cooler late spring and early fall evenings.
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Inlet Cafe
Highlands, NJ
A casual sea food restaurant located along the inlet that connects to Sandy Hook Bay featuring awesome waterfront views of the dock and NYC Skyline. Dine on the outdoor deck and capture the waterfront ambiance for an authentic Jersey Shore experience.
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Highlands, NJ
A casual sea food restaurant located along the inlet that connects to Sandy Hook Bay featuring awesome waterfront views of the dock and NYC Skyline. Dine on the outdoor deck and capture the waterfront ambiance for an authentic Jersey Shore experience.
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Klein's Fish Market & Waterside Café
Belmar
A casual waterfront restaurant that serves up fresh seafood with a view of the Shark River inlet. Dine outdoors and view the passing fishing boats on the deck under large colorful umbrellas.
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Belmar
A casual waterfront restaurant that serves up fresh seafood with a view of the Shark River inlet. Dine outdoors and view the passing fishing boats on the deck under large colorful umbrellas.
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Lambertville Station Restaurant
Lambertville
The most popular, largest, and touristy of Lambertville's restaurants. The restaurant is located in a restored train station sitting prominently at the end of Bridge Street, overlooking the canal and the Delaware River. Dine outside on the beautiful canal side terrace.
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Lambertville
The most popular, largest, and touristy of Lambertville's restaurants. The restaurant is located in a restored train station sitting prominently at the end of Bridge Street, overlooking the canal and the Delaware River. Dine outside on the beautiful canal side terrace.
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On The Deck
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
On the Deck is a casual restaurant located on the waterfont near the Sea Streak Ferry terminal with scenic waterfront views of the marina and the NYC Skyline. It's one of the few places along the Jersey Shore where you can see the sunset.
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Atlantic Highlands, NJ
On the Deck is a casual restaurant located on the waterfont near the Sea Streak Ferry terminal with scenic waterfront views of the marina and the NYC Skyline. It's one of the few places along the Jersey Shore where you can see the sunset.
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The Shrimp Box
Point Pleasant Beach
A casual family style, seafood restaurant with outdoor dining on the deck with great river front views. This is one of the best places in Point Pleasant to enjoy a sunset. Serves fresh locally caught seafood, and "not break the bank."
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Point Pleasant Beach
A casual family style, seafood restaurant with outdoor dining on the deck with great river front views. This is one of the best places in Point Pleasant to enjoy a sunset. Serves fresh locally caught seafood, and "not break the bank."
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Moonstruck Restaurant
Asbury Park
One of the best, high end, fine dining restaurants in Asbury Park. Outdoor dining is on the front porches of the second and third floors. The setting overlooks Wesley Lake and the stately homes in Ocean Grove
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Asbury Park
One of the best, high end, fine dining restaurants in Asbury Park. Outdoor dining is on the front porches of the second and third floors. The setting overlooks Wesley Lake and the stately homes in Ocean Grove
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Rats Restaurant
Hamilton
One of the top romantic restaurants in Central New Jersey. Located on the Grounds for Sculpture, there is patio dining at the edge of a pond, overlooking the gardens. After dining, take a walk through the grounds....it's impressive.
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Hamilton
One of the top romantic restaurants in Central New Jersey. Located on the Grounds for Sculpture, there is patio dining at the edge of a pond, overlooking the gardens. After dining, take a walk through the grounds....it's impressive.
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The Robinson Ale House
Asbury Park
The restaurant sits on on the best boarwalk spot in Asbury Park. During the warmer months there is outside dining on the boardwalk with gorgeous views of the ocean, the beach and an excellent vantage point for people watching.
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Asbury Park
The restaurant sits on on the best boarwalk spot in Asbury Park. During the warmer months there is outside dining on the boardwalk with gorgeous views of the ocean, the beach and an excellent vantage point for people watching.
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Best Southern NJ Outdoor Dining Restaurants
Deauville Inn
Strathmere
Located on the bay side of Corson's Inlet with scenic waterfront and sunset views, the Deauville Inn is destined to becoming a premier dining/resort themed destination.
The Deauville Inn is a casual yet upscale restaurant with 1920s and '30s nostalgia and a good choice for diners to enjoy a bite to eat with friends and family, soak up some sun on the beach, or enjoy a sunset with your significant other over a glass of champagne.
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Strathmere
Located on the bay side of Corson's Inlet with scenic waterfront and sunset views, the Deauville Inn is destined to becoming a premier dining/resort themed destination.
The Deauville Inn is a casual yet upscale restaurant with 1920s and '30s nostalgia and a good choice for diners to enjoy a bite to eat with friends and family, soak up some sun on the beach, or enjoy a sunset with your significant other over a glass of champagne.
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McGlades
Restaurant On The Pier
Cape May
A casual, family style restaurant popular with diners on a limited budget who enjoy affordably priced traditional American food in a beach front, Jersey shore setting
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Cape May
A casual, family style restaurant popular with diners on a limited budget who enjoy affordably priced traditional American food in a beach front, Jersey shore setting
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Ristorante Toscana
Cherry Hill
A BYOB Italian restaurant with rustic Tuscan ambiance. A good place to come to celebrate a special occasion. With an attractive courtyard with Tuscan ambiance complete with overhead grape vines, flowers, and a waterfall. It's one of the top outdoor patio dining restaurants in South Jersey.
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Cherry Hill
A BYOB Italian restaurant with rustic Tuscan ambiance. A good place to come to celebrate a special occasion. With an attractive courtyard with Tuscan ambiance complete with overhead grape vines, flowers, and a waterfall. It's one of the top outdoor patio dining restaurants in South Jersey.
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The Surfing Pig
North Wildwood, NJ
North Wildwood's only bay front dining restaurant, is a summer hot spot enjoyed by diners looking for a casual Jersey Shore waterfront setting with great sunset views, live entertainment, full bar service, and a well prepared slow cooked smoked barbecue and seafood menu.
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North Wildwood, NJ
North Wildwood's only bay front dining restaurant, is a summer hot spot enjoyed by diners looking for a casual Jersey Shore waterfront setting with great sunset views, live entertainment, full bar service, and a well prepared slow cooked smoked barbecue and seafood menu.
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Two Mile Landing - The Crab House and 2 Mile Restaurant and Bar
Wildwood Crest
This popular family seafood restaurant with great waterfront and sunset views is actually two restaurants in one location: The Crab house and 2 Mile Restaurant and Bar, combines to offer two restaurants and four bars ---- in one facility. The restaurants have a backdrop of the marina, inland waterways, marshlands, and the sunset
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Wildwood Crest
This popular family seafood restaurant with great waterfront and sunset views is actually two restaurants in one location: The Crab house and 2 Mile Restaurant and Bar, combines to offer two restaurants and four bars ---- in one facility. The restaurants have a backdrop of the marina, inland waterways, marshlands, and the sunset
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Uries Waterfront Restaurant
Wildwood
A casual seafood restaurant. It's one of the best places in Wildwood for waterfront dining. A great place to experience that "Jersey Shore" feeling by sitting back and watching boats pass by while enjoying a drink at happy hour or staying on for a casual meal.
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Wildwood
A casual seafood restaurant. It's one of the best places in Wildwood for waterfront dining. A great place to experience that "Jersey Shore" feeling by sitting back and watching boats pass by while enjoying a drink at happy hour or staying on for a casual meal.
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