Dorcas of Bay Head

Dorcas of Bay Head
58 Bridge Avenue, Bay Head
732-899-9365

Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Tues–Sun, 7 am to 3 pm; for ice cream, Tues–Thurs, 7 pm to 9 pm; Friday through Sunday, 7–10 pm.

Price: $$ (cash only)

Style: This charming sidewalk café is ideal for families returning from (or going to) the beach. One of the only eateries in town, it’s got both indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate locals and tourists alike. Dorcas is popular during the breakfast hours and again in the evening for its soda fountain and ice cream treats.

Don’t Miss: Come for breakfast served all day. A heaping stack of buttermilk pancakes ($7.95) is a perfect start. Omelettes are good—try the spinach, tomato and cheddar ($9.95), which comes with chunky, crispy home fries. The stuffed French toast ($10.95) is loaded with strawberry cream. For lunch, it’s all about the old standbys: the triple-decker turkey club ($10.95) is enormous; for a hot sandwich, order the tuna melt ($9.95) served open-faced on hearty white bread. Leave room for a thick milkshake ($4.75) or the enormous banana split ($7.50), big enough to share.

Heads Up: Decimated by Sandy, the historic Victorian building that houses Dorcas has been fully restored to its original charm. The perimeter of tall hedges was not replaced, so people-watching from the outdoor seating only got better. Parking can be tough, so walk or ride a bike.

The Scoop: Though always a popular spot in this summer beach community, Dorcas previously had limited hours, making it a bit frustrating—especially if you brought the entire family for ice cream, only to find it closed. New manager Shannon Havens (who leases the space from the original Dorcas—yes, there is an actual Dorcas) kept the name but extended the hours and the menu. At press time, dinner hours were in the works, so call ahead.