Best Restaurants in Spring Lake, NJ
Spring Lake has one of the most underrated dining scenes on the entire Jersey Shore. No chaos, no tourist traps. Just genuinely good food in a town that takes quality seriously. Here’s where to eat.
Whispers
The benchmark for fine dining in Spring Lake. Located inside the Hewitt Wellington Hotel, Whispers has been voted one of the top 100 restaurants in the country by OpenTable. The setting is intimate – chandeliers, plush seating, French-inspired decor — and the food matches it. New American cuisine with a rotating seasonal menu. BYOB, no corkage fee.
Address: 200 Monmouth Ave., Spring Lake
WHAT TO ORDER
- Lobster Crepe – a must order
- Pan Roasted Rack of Lamb – consistently called out as a standout favorite entree
- Key Lime Cheesecake – the dessert worth saving room for
Olea Restaurant & Lounge
Opened December 2025 inside The Shore Club and already the most exciting new restaurant in Spring Lake. Chef Bud Carter (formerly of The Butcher’s Block in Long Branch) brings a coastal-Mediterranean menu that’s serious about both steaks and pasta. Olive trees throughout the dining room, a full cocktail lounge, live music on weekends. Thursday through Sunday only.
Address: 700 NJ-71, Spring Lake Heights
WHAT TO ORDER
- Lobster Francaise – 10oz lobster tail, egg battered, white wine beurre blanc (the dish reviewers mention most!)
- Spicy Rig – rigatoni with Calabrian chili, vodka, Dinapoli tomatoes
- Charbroiled Oysters – signature Olea butter and parmesan (favorite app for the table)
- Buffalo Octopus – crispy octopus with house hot sauce and ranch
- Pan Seared Scallops – cavolo nero friti, pink peppercorn sauce
- Squid Ink Tonnerelli – king crab, saffron, lemon, butter emulsion
- Sprouts 2.0 – fried brussels sprouts with hot honey sriracha and hazelnut crunch (must order side)
Amelia’s By the Sea
Formerly Bareli’s By the Sea – same ownership, same oceanfront location inside the Grand Victorian Hotel, same kitchen. The owners rebranded after their daughter Amelia Rose. Contemporary Italian with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and sweeping ocean views. The wraparound porch for outdoor dining is the move in summer. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: 1505 Ocean Ave., Spring Lake (inside The Grand Victorian Hotel)
WHAT TO ORDER:
- Angry Lobster – the spicy Italian-style lobster that reviewers single out consistently
- Fresh pasta – house-made, seasonally inspired, changes regularly
- Tuna Puttanesca – sushi-grade seared tuna standout
- Outdoor porch table – not a dish but request it–> the ocean view is the whole experience
Spring Lake Seafood
A chic seafood market and restaurant on Third Avenue. Raw bar, tapas, fresh fish caught daily and dry-aged on-site. Chef Bradley Rodriguez sources from local fishing boats -> the quality is genuinely different. Coastal interior, excellent patio, and its BYOB.
Address: 1300 3rd Ave., Spring Lake
WHAT TO ORDER:
- Tuna Pizza – crispy rice base, feels like a Jersey Shore Nobu moment
- Oysters – a fresh selection of east and west coast oysters
- Shrimp & Grits – a New Orleans-influenced house favorite that regulars rave about
- Mahi Mahi – the owner’s pick and a consistent crowd favorite
- Lobster Dragon Roll – the sushi is better than you’d expect from a shore town
- Dorothy Marie raw bar tower – 12 oysters, 12 clams, 12 shrimp, 1 lobster –> the move for a group
Arugula
BYOB and wildly eclectic – the menu pulls from Italian, Indian, Brazilian, Thai, and more. George the chef is the whole show. He comes out, talks to tables, occasionally feeds you something off-menu. Tuesday is chicken parmigiana night with 30+ variations. Bring a great bottle.
Address: 306 Morris Ave., Spring Lake
WHAT TO ORDER:
- Chicken Parmigiana (Tuesday only) – 30+ variations (get it with the lobster sauce)
- Scallop Rockefeller – rich, creative, distinctly Arugula
- Tuna Tartare – fresh, well-executed, a consistent favorite
St. Stephen’s Green Publick House
The best Irish pub on the Jersey Shore. Consistently excellent food, generous portions, live music, and a warmth that’s hard to fake. Named after the Dublin park. Sunday Irish brunch is the move. Expect to become a regular after one visit.
Address: 2031 NJ-71, Spring Lake
WHAT TO ORDER:
- Homemade Meatloaf – some of the best meatloaf you’ll ever have
- Shepherd’s Pie – a pub classic done right
- Sunday Irish Brunch – the full spread
- Fish & Chips – consistent and generous, the right pub version
- Guinness – obviously
Marigold Market & Cafe
Run by the same family behind Sisters Cafe. Bright, fresh, seasonally influenced breakfast and lunch with house-made pastries baked daily. The kind of place that earns real loyalty.
WHAT TO ORDER:
- Duck Confit Hash– a standout that everyone comes back for
- House-made pastries – get there early – they sell out
Tom Bailey’s Market
A Spring Lake institution. Family-owned since 2005. Great for sandwich platters, deli staples, and grab-and-go. Locals order catering here for a reason.
WHAT TO ORDER:
- Deli sandwiches – the classics done right
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