15 Best Restaurants in Toms River, NJ

Jomar Teves

Oct 9, 2022 • 11 min read

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Toms River is a thriving township in Ocean County, New Jersey.

It's primarily known as a prime destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, as it offers gorgeous views of Barnegat Bay and is home to several parks.

However, Toms River also boasts various excellent restaurants, ranging from casual diners to upscale lounges.

It's only right for an outdoor haven to have a selection of great restaurants to match, and Toms River does not disappoint.

If you're looking for the best places to eat in this quaint town, here are some of the best restaurants in Toms River, New Jersey:

Water Street Bar & Grille

Located along Robbins Parkway, Water Street Bar & Grille is a typical bar and grill.

However, what sets it apart is its location and view.

Situated right on the riverfront, this establishment offers guests a stunning view of the Toms River while dining.

There is indoor and outdoor seating, with the outdoor area perfecting for an al fresco meal on a nice day.

You can also enjoy a game of cornhole or giant Jenga while waiting for your food.

As for the food, Water Street Bar & Grille doesn't disappoint.

Their menu features all the American classics you would expect to find in a bar and grill, such as burgers, wings, and sandwiches.

In addition, they also serve classic American steaks and seafood.

They also serve tasty sliders that are great for dining with a group.

Water Street Bar & Grille offers various enticing desserts, such as chocolate lava cake and key lime pie.

Their selection of drinks and cocktails in their bar is also very impressive.

To top it all off, Water Street Bar & Grille has live music on Fridays and Saturdays to enjoy while dining.

Capone's Gourmet Pizza & Pasta

If you're craving Italian staples such as pizza and pasta, you should head to Capone's Gourmet Pizza & Pasta on Washington Street.

This restaurant serves some of the best pizza in town.

Capone's Gourmet Pizza & Pasta are made using informal Italian cooking methods to give their dishes an authentic yet unique flavor.

Their wood-fired pizza is a must-try, as it's cooked to perfection in their brick oven.

There's something about wood-fired pizza that makes it taste much better.

With over 20 different varieties to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice.

In addition to their delicious pizza, their pasta dishes are top-notch, with the chicken parmigiana being a customer favorite.

They also have a wide selection of appetizers and salads to choose from to start your meal.

Their commitment to perfection and quality ingredients make their dishes some of the best in town.

Bubby's Beanery

Bubby's Beanery is a great place to enjoy coffee while listening to good music.

This cafe on Washington Street is known for its large selection of coffees, teas, pastries, and desserts.

Their menu also features a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, and soups.

So whether you're looking for a quick snack or a hearty meal, Bubby's Beanery has got you covered.

Their most popular menu items include avocado toast, chicken club sandwiches, and BBQ chicken salad.

Their bestselling coffee is their cold brew, which is perfect for either hot or cold weather.

The interior has a unique attitude, with its walls adorned with local art and frames depicting some of the famous artists and singers from the area.

This gives the cafe a very artsy vibe.

To go along with its ambiance, Bubby's Beanery also has live music on some nights.

Crave

Crave is a restaurant on Main Street that serves a wide variety of food, drinks, desserts, and more.

They have a constantly changing menu to keep their customers coming back for more.

Their most popular dishes include omelets, sides, platters, and salads.

They also have a wide selection of drinks to choose from, such as frappes, smoothies, and milkshakes.

Top it all off, their dessert menu is to die for.

They have a wide selection of cakes, pies, cookies, and other sweets to choose from.

Crave's exterior design makes you think that it's a restaurant with a small space.

When you enter, you'll feel like you've been transported to a new world.

The restaurant is quite big, with multiple seating areas to choose from.

The atmosphere is ideal for casual meals or fun night outs with friends.

With their excellent food and service, you will surely have a great time at Crave.

Uncle Dood's Donuts

When it comes to donuts, Uncle Dood's Donuts is the place to go.

This no-frills donut shop on Robbins Street is known for its wide selection of flavors and unique and creative designs.

Their most popular flavors include their classic glazed, chocolate, and strawberry.

They also have unique flavors like maple bacon and cookies and cream.

If you're looking for something different, you should try their donut-croissant hybrid.

It's the perfect combination of two of your favorite breakfast foods.

Besides their donuts, Uncle Dood's Donuts has the best coffee blend in town.

Poppy's Place

Located along West Water Street, Poppy's Place is the go-to spot for everything for breakfast.

They have a wide selection of breakfast items, such as pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, and more.

If you're looking for something to drink, they have a wide selection of juices, coffees, and teas.

One of their bestsellers is their French toast, bacon, and corned beef with breakfast hash and sandwiches.

Their wide selection of breakfast items guarantees they have what you crave.

The diner-style interior gives the restaurant a warm and inviting feeling.

With its excellent food and service, Poppy's Place is sure to make your breakfast dining experience memorable.

The Office Restaurant & Lounge

The Office Restaurant & Lounge is an upscale neighborhood restaurant and bar on Main Street.

The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, and its menu is separated into five categories: Eats, Brunch, Drinks, Gluten-free, Bar, and Sushi.

So, it's safe to say that the Office Restaurant & Lounge has something for everyone at any time.

If you want to satisfy your sushi cravings, this is the right place.

This restaurant is well-known for its wide selection of sushi dishes, sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Their popular sushi dishes include their Oneta Roll, which contains crunchy Salmon, avocado, and scallions topped with spicy tuna, tobiko, and smokey wasabi.

That's just one of over 19 different sushi rolls to choose from.

Apart from that, you should also try out their other menu items and drinks.

Burger 25

Who doesn't love a good old-fashioned burger?

At Burger 25 on NJ-37 East, you can choose from 25 different burgers made with fresh beef.

Their burgers are served on toasted brioche buns and are topped with a variety of delicious toppings and sauces.

In addition, their patties are certified Hereford beef, known to be some of the best beef in the world.

Some of their most popular burgers include the BBQ Bacon Burger, topped with crispy bacon and a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, and the Avocado Burger, topped with fresh avocado slices and a zesty ranch dressing.

Apart from their staple burgers, they also serve chicken wings, fries, milkshakes, hotdogs, and salads.

You can also compliment your chosen burger with one or two of its delicious sides to elevate your burger dining experience.

If you're a certified burger lover, Burger 25 will give you a one-of-a-kind experience.

Rue 561 Bistro

Rue 561 Bistro is a local restaurant on Fischer Boulevard that offers an innovative touch to American classics.

They serve high-quality meats and seafood crafted to perfectly capture the Jersey Shore flavors perfectly.

This bistro is perfect for a night out with friends or family.

They offer an extensive menu with various items to choose from.

Their signature dish is their classic Salmon.

However, the dressing, which consists of apple and cranberry quinoa Insalata, butternut, and squash puree, unleashes a different dimension of flavors.

Their 16oz. Prime New York Strip is aged for 45 days and is served with a demi-glace and garlic confit.

This dish's combination of texture and flavor makes it a perfect choice for steak lovers.

Rue 561 Bistro has a casual yet sophisticated atmosphere, making it the perfect place to enjoy a meal with loved ones.

Aqua Blu Kitchen & Cocktails

Innovation is always the name of the game for several restaurants in Toms River.

Located along NJ-37, Aqua Blu Kitchen & Cocktails is one of these restaurants that takes pride in its inventive menu items.

It offers a unique combination of great food with a vibrant and friendly atmosphere.

The people behind this restaurant and bar believe good food isn't enough to create a great dining experience.

They also provide excellent customer service to ensure every guest leaves happy.

Their menu consists of classic American comfort food with a modern twist.

Some of their most popular dishes include their signature Aqua burger, local seared scallops, grilled branzino, mac n cheese, and much more.

In addition to their delicious food, they also have an extensive list of cocktails and wines that are sure to complement your meal.

If you're looking for a unique dining experience, check out Aqua Blu Kitchen & Cocktails—you won't be disappointed.

Baladina Mediterranean Restaurant & Cafe

Have you ever tasted authentic Mediterranean food?

If not, then you're missing out.

Luckily, Toms River has a great Mediterranean restaurant that will take your taste buds on a journey to the Middle East.

Nestled on Fischer Boulveard, Baladina Mediterranean Restaurant & Cafe offers a wide variety of delicious Mediterranean dishes that satisfy your hunger.

They use only the freshest ingredients to make sure that each dish is packed with flavor.

Mediterranean dishes are known for their use of spices and herbs.

This is why the dishes at Baladina are so flavorful and fragrant.

Some of their most popular dishes include chicken and beef kebab, koshari, lamb shank tagine, gyro platter, lamb chops, chicken shawarma platter, and more.

They also serve flatbread pizzas, fresh salads, sandwiches, and appetizers.

The atmosphere of this restaurant also fits the Mediterranean theme.

Baladina Mediterranean Restaurant & Cafe is adorned with beautiful paintings and tapestries from the region.

Final Thoughts

Variety is at the forefront of Toms River's restaurant scene.

You can find anything from classic American to Mediterranean cuisine.

There's always something for everyone to enjoy, so people keep coming back to Toms River to eat while experiencing the great outdoors.

If you're ever in the area, check out some of the best restaurants in Toms River, New Jersey.

The flavors and variety they bring to the table won't disappoint your tastebuds.

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