This summer, check out these new places opening up at the Jersey Shore in time for the season. From restaurants to a resort, there’s something fun for everyone.
Madison Resort Wildwood Crest
Wildwood Crest
The biggest resort in Cape May County opened in mid-May after a multimillion-dollar renovation. Combining the iconic Royal Hawaiian and former Oceanview Motel, it has 200-plus rooms, two pools, cabana and poolside seating for more than a hundred people and more. It also features rooftop event spaces and can host beachfront weddings. It pays tribute to Wildwood’s famed Doo Wop style of architecture as was seen at the Oceanview. Madison Resorts has poured $52 million into this project.
Buddy’s Boardwalk Empire
Atlantic City
Buddy Valastro’s newest concept is opening in Atlantic City this summer. Photo: Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City
“Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro—who became a pop culture icon when his family’s Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken became the subject of a TLC show in 2009—is launching a new restaurant concept in early summer at Harrah’s Resort. Located in the hotel’s main lobby, it features Jersey-style sandwiches, pizzas, a pasta station, and, of course, his amazing desserts.
Seaside Social House
Seaside Heights
As the Heights moves beyond its binge-drinking, bass-blaring past, the next generation of locals have opened the Seaside Social House in a former auto repair shop on Sumner Avenue. It’s a casual but stylish bar, restaurant and lounge with crafted cocktails, specialty pizzas, salads and sandwiches.
Asbury Park Brewery
Asbury Park
After closing its doors more than four years ago, Asbury Park Brewery has relocated and is back in business. The brewery originally opened in 2016 on Sewall Avenue, then closed in 2020, and the team has spent the past few years working to reopen a new and improved brewery. The new location, now on Cookman Avenue in the heart of town, opened Memorial Day Weekend. Craft beer and music is celebrated here, as there are over 8,000 vinyl records on display, walls collaged with photos of various musicians, and the owners themselves are local musicians. The brewery is open daily, and kids, pets and your own food is welcome.
Hard Rock Beach and Terrace
Atlantic City
Starting Memorial Day weekend, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is offering guests and Unity Card members a swanky new beach experience with lounge chairs, umbrellas and drink service. The hotel is also opening an outdoor venue, the Terrace, with live entertainment, food and drinks.
House of Independents
Asbury Park
The famed music venue in the famed music town of Asbury Park, which shuttered in November because of flooding, is reopening this summer, after being bought by music promoter Concert Crave. Events launch in early June.
The Beach Gallery
Keansburg
The Beach Gallery is a café, rooftop bar and lounge, brunch locale, tea room, event space, and art gallery all in one. It’s located in the heart of this Shore town’s historic district.
Samuel’s and Pearl & Mary
Atlantic City
Restaurateur Michael Schulson is opening two fine-casual restaurants at Ocean Casino Resort. Samuel’s is his modern version of a diner, while Pearl & Mary offers a raw bar and cocktails.
Open Green Space
Berkeley Township
Blackbeard’s Cave amusement park closed in 2020 and became an eyesore along Route 9. But in a nearly $6 million deal late last year, Ocean Township bought 27 acres of the land and is restoring it to open space. Demolition is complete, and the space is open for hiking and biking, though paths and signage may not be complete.
The Pier House
Cape May
La Mer Beachfront Resort’s onsite restaurant is now open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and each menu features plenty of fresh seafood options—from blue-crab eggs Benedict to fried calamari to miso-marinated salmon. From June through August, there will be BBQ weekends on the resort’s lawn. Reservations recommended.
River Pointe Inn
Rumson
This chic new dining concept fuses elegance with comfort, with seafood, contemporary classics and more. An extensive list of wine, martinis and house cocktails can be enjoyed with food or on their own at the bar. River Pointe Inn is the latest endeavor of Jersey restaurateur Victor Rallo—owner of Undici Taverna Rustica in Rumson and Birravino in Red Bank—and his son, Jake, a recent Cornell grad. (Rallo’s daughter, Eli, is one of our state’s top social-media influencers.)
Buttermee Pancakes
Asbury Park
This new fast-casual eatery is serving up made-to-order mini pancakes. Choose between signature flavors, like spiced banana, salted cookie butter or strawberries and cream, or build your own stack and cover it with your toppings of choice. There are also vegan and gluten-free options. Sizes include short stack, full stack or brunch box, which is intended to feed 3-4 people. Fresh cold brew and drip coffee is also available. Conveniently located right on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, visitors can choose to enjoy their mini stacks at one of Buttermee’s outdoor picnic tables, on the beach or while strolling the boards.
No one knows New Jersey like we do. Sign up for one of our free newsletters here. Want a print magazine mailed to you? Purchase an issue from our online store.