Picture this: You cruise up to a restaurant, get your mealto go, and enjoy your foodwith a view of the water.Only you came not by land but by sea.
Talk about social distancing.
If you have a boat or are friends with someone who does – and everyone needs a friend like that –dock and dine takes outdoor dining to a new level. Many of the restaurants lining New Jersey's waterways offer the service: Choose dockside pickup andeat your dinner while the boat gently bobs in a restaurant's slip or disembark for a meal at an outdoor table.
9th Ave. Pier, Belmar
Take Route 35 north through Belmar, and where the road hugsthe curve of the Shark River,the view of the water rivals that of the ocean a few blocks east. Keep looking and you will spot 9th Ave. Pier, where boat owners can dock and enjoy a meal and live music beneath umbrella-topped tables. The food is casual– coconut shrimp ($13), crab and spinach dip ($16), crispy flounder sandwich with housemade tartar sauce ($15), and a pico de gallo-topped black bean burger ($13) – and the restaurant is known for its rum buckets. Be sure to stick around to watch the sunset.
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Go:905 Route 35at the Belmar Marina; 732-749-3800, 9thavepier.com.
Back Bay Ale House, Atlantic City
Head to Back Bay Ale House for the beautiful views of the bay and stay for the massive mason jars full of booze. Located in Atlantic City's Historic Gardner’s Basin (where you can dock your boat), Back Bay Ale House has plenty of al fresco seating to host groups looking to kick back with a few co*cktails. Dine on summer standards such as garlic shrimp ($12.99), mussels in red and white sauce ($12.99), and jumbo lump crab cakes ($24.99) as you watch the sunset over the bay. Wash it all down with one of Back Bay’s signature mason jars ($12 for 16 ounces, $18 for 32 ounces), which are filled withmojitos, margaritas, mules and Long Island iced tea.
Go: 800 New Hampshire Ave., Atlantic City;609-449-0006;backbayalehouse.com.
Channel Marker Cafe, Lavallette
Slide into a slip at this restaurant on Barnegat Bay, which can accommodate vessels of all sizes, from personal watercraft to boats 50 feet long. Early risers can feast on blueberry buttermilk pancakes and Nutella French toast (both $14), and lunch and dinner diners enjoy lobster rolls ($19), a local shrimp po' boy ($16)and bowls of cioppino ($34). Eat your mealon the BYOB's outdoor patio or right on yourboat.
Also consider a visit to the cafe's summer pop-up, The Lobster Dock, at Jersey Tomato Italian Deli in Lavallette. There is no dock and dine, but there are steamers, peel-and-eat shrimp, crab cakes,lobster potsand raw barofferings from Barnegat Light-based Barnegat Oyster Collective.
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Go:3245 Route 35, Lavallette; 732-793-7559, channelmarkercafe.com.The Lobster Dock is at2304 Route 35 North.
Crabby Jack’s, Somers Point
Snuggled between beloved Somers Point restaurant The Crab Trap and Great Egg Harbor Bay is Crabby Jack, The Crab Trap’s less-formal,covered, outdoor bar area that has its own name and menu. And is it any surprise that that menu is chock full of seafood? Try crab cake tacos with spicy Sriracha mayo ($13), Cape May oysters on the half shell with tangy co*cktail sauce and lemon ($11), succulent scallops ($18)and meaty fried shrimp ($13). As for drinks, try the signature Oranj Crush, a refreshing blend of vodka, triple sec andfreshly squeezed orange juice with adash of Sierra Mist for bubbles.
Go: 2 Broadway, Somers Point;609-927-7377;crabbyjacksnj.com.
Klein’s Fish Market and Waterside Cafe, Belmar
Klein's has long been a go-to for fresh seafood and waterfront dining: The restaurant opened as a fish market in 1929. Those coming by boat can visit via the Shark River; pull up and park then follow the dock to the market and restaurant, where food is served on an outdoor patio. Try fried clam strips ($12.95), broiled local sea scallops ($28.95)and steamed king crab legs (market price), plus co*cktail buckets of coconut,pineapple and spicedrums, peach schnappsand juices ($15 for 32 ounces).
Go:708 River Road, Belmar; 732-681-1177;kleinsfish.com.
The Lobster House, Cape May
A trip to Cape May isn’t complete without a meal at the famous Lobster House. Opened in the early 1950s, The Lobster House is the place to get fresh seafood in Cape May. Everything is made daily in its kitchen, and the seafood is brought in from boats just a few miles away.
The Lobster House is located right along Fisherman’s Wharf, making it a favorite for dock-and-dine. It features a raw bar and a fish market, and tables are set up outside along the water so you can peel shrimp and crack crabs with a view.
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While indoor dining is closed because of COVID-19, The Schooner American, The Lobster house’s 130-foot vessel that’s docked next to the restaurant and includes outdoor dining and a wait staff, is open. Expect plenty of steamed shrimp, crab cakes, oysters, fried fish and burgers on the menu, as well as a selection of co*cktails.
Go: 906 Schellengers Landing Road, Cape May;609-884-8296,thelobsterhouse.com.
Parker's Garage, Beach Haven
Some restaurants are good. Others are great. A rare few leave you feeling like you justexperienced something truly special. From open-air seating with a view of the sparkling Barnegat Bayto its creative menu, Parker's Garage is the latter.
It was tricky to nab a reservation pre-COVID-19, andthe restaurant now is working with a limited number of tables on its sidewalk and decks. But boaters have an advantage: Call ahead for takeout and enjoy your meal onboard.Try the tuna cracker, a wildly popular starter made with raw yellowifn,avocado and citrus mayo ($14),New England chowder croquettes ($12), short rib lasagna ($33)or thelobster corn dog with smoked tomato mayo($18).
Go:116 Northwest Ave., Beach Haven; 609-492-1066,parkersgaragelbi.com.
Stone Water, Lake Hopatcong
Stone Water’s name was inspired by the lake it sits on. Hopatcong is thought to be linked to the Lenape Indian word for “stone over water,” a fact that owners Joe and Lisa Leifken used when naming their lakeside restaurant. The restaurant’s spacious deck, right next to the dock for boaters, offers a beautifulof the lake.
The menu focuses on modern American dishes such as wood-fired steaks, grilled Berkshire pork chops ($30) and plenty of seafood. Thirsty?Orderone of Stone Water'ssignature co*cktails, craft, domestic or imported beers, wines or one of its sangrias.
Go: 125 Route 181, Lake Hopatcong; 973-810-3858, stonewaternj.com.
The Tuckahoe Inn, Marmora
The Tuckahoe Inn is hard to find by land: It's at the end of a long, tree-lined road that looks a lot like the middle of nowhere. Butthose sailing in to dock and dine need only look for the massive, brightly lit Tuckahoe Inn sign reflecting off the water of Great Egg Harbor Bay.
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This locals' joint has been open since 1963, serving creamy clam chowder ($7), hefty cheesesteaks ($14), grilled rib-eye ($29), buttery scallops gratin ($25)and lemony red snapper ($29), along with refreshing, summery co*cktails. Grab a table under the shimmering string lights and enjoy.
Go: 1 Harbor Road, Marmora;609-390-3322,tuckahoeinn.com.
The Windlass, Lake Hopatcong
Opened originally as a luncheonette in 1963, The Windlass has been a Lake Hopatcong mainstay for decades. Formerowners the Spinelli family eventually transformed it into a popular Italian restaurant. In 2014, the property was bought by Alice Szigethy, and though it still offers some of those Italian dishes that helped gain its reputation, it has expanded the menu to a more eclectic selection.
The carne asada ($36) at The Windlass is a specialty: skirt steakwrapped in bacon and filled with garlic shrimp. An unassisted wood-burning stove cooks up the restaurant’s pizzas ($13 to $17), another popular order, while the staff recommends the calamari appetizer ($14).
Customers can sail up to the restaurant, dock, then grab a seat on the wraparound porch orin the large dining area, which features aboat-shaped bar, plenty of windows and bright white walls.Or, just set yourself on the benches situated on the dock — and wait for sunset.The sun sets directly over the water, making sundown an ideal time for a visit.
Go: 45 Nolans Point Park Road, Lake Hopatcong; 973-663-3190,thewindlass.com.
Other options
Baker's Water Street Bar & Grill, Toms River: Before outdoor dining resumed in June, Baker's Water Street was offering takeout to customers who arrivedby boat. The service continues, though boaters now are welcome to take a seat on the restaurant's waterfront patio and order appetizers, salads, dinners and wood-fired pizzas.4 Robbins Parkway; 732-240-4800;bakerswaterstreet.com.
The Crab House at Two-Mile Landing, Wildwood: Located at Two Mile Landing Marina near the bridge ushering visitorsin and out ofof Wildwood, this restaurant is a classic summer choice. All-you-can-eat garlic crabs are served with corn on the cob, a cheddar burger comes topped with popcorn shrimp, and cheesy Old Bay fries areserved on a keepsake Frisbee.1 Fish Dock Road; 609-522-1341,twomilelanding.com.
The Waterfront, Lacey: New owners meant a renovation for thisrestaurant overlooking the Forked River. Previously Joey Harrison's River House and Latitudes on the River, the restaurant serves lobster and crab cake sliders, bar pizzas, seafood baskets and sushi to dock and dine customers, as well as those seated in its open air lounge, courtyard, patioand rooftop deck.361 E.Lacey Road; 609-888-6063,thewaterfrontnj.com.
Wonder Bar, Atlantic City:Wonder Bar is a divey hang with plenty of character and an outdoor deck that’s open for the summer. Dock in the bay and head up for typical bar fare: burgers, fries, sandwiches, seafood, beer by the pint and a standard selection of co*cktails.3701 Sunset Ave.;609-344-8888;wonderbaracnj.com.
A lifelong Jersey girl, Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003. Send restaurant tips tosgriesemer@gannettnj.com.
