We hope you are able to spend the weekend celebrating with us and enjoying Long Beach Island, a magical island that is so very special to both our families.
FOOD
Polly’s Dock:
A casual eatery that doubles as a dock for boat rentals during the day. A hidden gem on LBI, considered to be the best place to catch some sunset views in LBI. It’s BYOB, occasional live music, and when you’re done eating you can finish your bottle of wine on one of their docked boats.
Must try: Dock master steam (50 steamed clams in a delicious sauce served to you right in the pan), fish (the cod) & chips, and their burgers
Ship Bottom Shellfish:
Alison’s favorite restaurant on the island. Be prepared to make some tough decisions on their lengthy menu packed with the freshest seafood varieties out there! The word is out on this casual spot so we recommend heading there an hour before you’d like to eat and sit outside with your favorite bottle of wine as this restaurant does not take a reservation. The restaurant will provide the bucket of ice and the chilled wine glasses!
Must try: White wine garlic bucket of muscles, their homemade garlic ranch dressing, Joe Petrillo’s all time fav: macadamia encrusted halibut
Parker’s Garage:
Make your reservation 1-2 months in advance for this popular BYOB restaurant. A good location for a group dinner, they have a large menu with many different options to share. Another good sunset view. We recommend you go next door when you’re done with dinner for drinks at Bird and Betty’s.
Must try: fried green tomatoes, brussel sprouts, the seafood combo, and the tuna crackers.
Blue Water Cafe:
Another LBI restaurant that doesn’t take a reservation, but is BYOB. Also a great breakfast/brunch/lunch spot (if you’re going for brunch, bring some champagne and have mimosas with their fresh squeezed orange juice).
Must try: surf and turf burger, lobster cobb salad
Stefanos:
A fancier establishment that takes a reservation (make it far in advance!). They are BYOB and have an extensive menu, but be warned that their portions are huge!
Must try: Chilean sea bass, their award winning chowder, Mediterranean fried calamari
The Chicken or the Egg:
The “Chegg” as the locals call it, is the ultimate open 24-hr diner meets wing joint. They have literally everything on their menu – from the “goshdarnwich” (a bacon egg and cheese on french toast sandwich) to wraps, huge salads, and the best chicken wings and fingers ever with 100s of sauce choices. Our favorite wings at LBI for all ranges of spice lovers!
Must try: The BCW, the “fat chegg”, bee sting wings
Country Kettle Chowda:
A little hole in the wall in the middle of Bay Village. You just walk in and order a cup or bowl to go. If you really want to go all out (which you should), ask for it in a bread bowl!
Must try: lobster bisque, mixing the red & white chowder together.
The Local:
Great grab and go location. A good place to pick up lunch/coffee before heading to the beach. Good place to work remotely and has a great, relaxed atmosphere. Fire pits are located outside for those who choose to stay while they eat.
Must try: Cuban sandwich, crustless quiche (for those keto dieters out there), speciality iced lattes
DESERTS & COFFEE
Skipper dipper:
The Petrillo’s go to ice cream spot for over 25 years. A classic ice cream shop with almost too many flavors to pick from. Pro tip: ask what their specials are before you order!
Crust and Crumb bakery:
A bakery in the heart of Beach Haven. You can’t leave the island without stopping here!
Must try: elephant ear (sometimes they have bags with broken ears, we love to get these), crumb buns, of course (the ratio of crumb to bun is insane- it’s mostly crumb which is the best part!)
How Ya Brewin:
This coffee shop is a favorite up and down LBI. With multiple locations across the island, the Surf City shop is both of our favorite. The newly expanded cafe includes a mocktail bar, cold brew / nitro brew station, and of course the traditional hot coffee and bakery basics. Our favorites include the coffee flavor shots and grabbing a seat on one of the comfortable couches. Great place to either relax, catch up with family or friends, or even as a remote working location.
DRINKS
The Arlington:
A Mills LBI favorite. A rustic home turned into a Ship Bottom staple. It’s one of the larger restaurants on the island and can usually accommodate a last minute reservation. Includes a formal dining room and also a separate large bar room for catching the game. They have one of the biggest craft beer selections on the island.
Must try: Paloma (on tap), Kane beer, wings, and the short rib with baby bok choy
Bird and Betty’s:
Eat the best clam pizza while looking out over the bay. And then go inside and play some skeeball, ping pong, pin ball or beer pong! Stay for the night to check out live bands / djs and bar scene.
Must try: Shipwrecker, jersey devils (deviled eggs with a fried oyster on top)
The Black Whale Bar & Fish House:
Great fish, great drinks, and a fun lively atmosphere. The black whale is part bar, part restaurant. A local hang out with a full bar and awesome menu. We recommend getting the garden salad and then mixing both of their homemade salad dressings on top of it—they’re famous for that!
Must try: Crab cakes, fried oysters
Hotel LBI Rooftop:
It’s a bar that looks out across the bay, and lots of games set up all around the roof (corn hole, jumbo sized checkers, etc.) Children welcome at this bar.
Must try: Blueberry Smash
The Seashell:
Often called “The Shell” by locals. Great day time drinking spot that will make you feel like you’re on island time with their palm trees and tiki bar. You can catch live music around 3pm on the weekends by their pool.
Must try: Painkiller, green tea shot