NORTH CAPE MAY
Harpoon Henry’s
View: The sunset over Delaware Bay is heralded nightly by a conch-blowing ceremony.
Food: Build-your-own burgers, seafood platters.
Drink: 250 frozen concoctions. 91 Beach Dr, 609-886-5529.
POINT PLEASANT BEACH
Jack Baker’s Wharfside
View: Gulls and fishing boats come and go as you look at the Manasquan River and Gull’s Island from the dining room, lounge and the patio bar (where bands hold forth).
Food: Raw bar, seafood, pizza, salads, baby backs.
Drink: Full bar. 101 Channel Dr, 732-892-9100.
Martell’s Tiki Bar
View: Behold ocean and beach from a brace of tropical-themed, food-and-drink stations—indoors, outdoors, including on the beach itself.
Food: Peel ’n’ eat shrimp, sushi, other finger food and a sit-down restaurant. Martell’s stayed open all spring while busily rebuilding post-Sandy and is now back in action.
Drink: Full bar, frozen cocktails, spiked lemonades, served in a beachcomber atmosphere splashed with neon. 308 Boardwalk, 732-892-0131.
RED BANK
Boondocks Fishery
View: The Navesink River flows past the restaurant’s dock, shaded by a tent without sides.
Food: Lobster specials, seafood, ribs, kabobs.
Drink: BYO. 1 Wharf Ave, Marine Park, 732-747-7177.
RUMSON
Barnacle Bill’s Grog Shop
View: Ponder the Navesink River, Oceanic Bridge and Rumson mansions from a weathered hut jaunty with nautical bric-a-brac.
Food: Seafood, pasta, salads, burgers.
Drink: Full bar, seven spiked coffees with whipped cream. 1 First St, 732-747-8396.
Salt Creek Grille
View: Cheek-by-jowl beside the Oceanic Bridge, Salt Creek affords views of the low, narrow bridge and the Navesink River from the second-floor dining room.
Food: Mesquite-grilled chicken, steak and fish, salads, chocolate ganache soufflé finished tableside with warm ganache, whipped cream, powdered sugar.
Drink: Full bar, signature cocktails, 34 wines by the glass, varied bottle list. 4 Bingham Ave, 732-933-9272.
SEA BRIGHT
Ama Ristorante
View: A month after Sandy, Ama stirred Sea Bright by becoming the first restaurant to reopen in the hard-hit town. Its second-floor dining room offers views of the ocean and the Shrewsbury River.
Food: Italian, from pastas to tiramisu.
Drink: Full bar, many Italian wines. 1485 Ocean Ave, 732-530-9760.
SOMERS POINT
Smitty’s Clam Bar
View: Great Egg Harbor Bay, just beyond the boats in Smith’s Marina, feels more present from the stools at the outdoor counters than from the dining room. Mornings, around back, you can see the water from the little breakfast room.
Food: Raw bar, chowders, fried clams, oysters, fish. Often a wait.
Drink: BYO. 910 Bay Ave, 609-927-8783.
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