By Bob Sacks | Food & Wine Columnist
It’s no secret that the past 10 years have seen a huge amount of change in the dining scene at the Jersey Shore. A number of old favorites have closed, and many new ones have opened.
However, the one thing that caused the biggest upheaval was the arrival of COVID-19. Restaurants struggled to stay open and serve customers who were skittish about dining out. Many eateries created outdoor dining areas and reconfigured indoor tables to allow for more space between diners.
Red Bank devised a plan to help the restaurants and businesses on Broad Street from West Front Street to White Street by creating Broadwalk, a pedestrian plaza from May to September, that allows for outdoor dining and shopping. What started as a pandemic-era fix has become a yearly tradition, even as some businesses outside the zone say Broadwalk is hurting them and are asking the borough to discontinue it.
Ten years ago, ordering online was a rarity. Sometimes you would call a restaurant (usually pizza places and Chinese restaurants) to place an order for delivery, but now you can order the entire menu from almost all area restaurants online and have Uber Eats, DoorDash or Grubhub deliver your food promptly.
Thanks to online apps, making reservations has also become far easier: you can book with Resy, Open Table or directly with the restaurant, no need to wait for the them to answer the phone during off hours or busy times.
The area also saw a shift in the cuisines offered in existing eateries and in new ones that opened. “Healthy foods” now have a more prominent place on area menus. There are far more vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and organic offerings than there were a decade ago, so diners with dietary restrictions can enjoy meals with family and friends.
Restaurant-goers in general are much more interested in exploring new tastes and experiences, and there is no shortage of establishments ready to fulfill their needs. Dining out has never been as interesting as it is now. Small plates have become a popular choice on many menus, allowing diners to sample a variety of dishes instead of the traditional appetizers and entrées. This permits a much greater understanding of the offerings. Menus at many places feature fresh, local seafood with Asian and South American flavors.
While those eating at restaurants have seen an increase in choices, restaurant owners have had a challenging time both finding employees and controlling prices amid ever-rising food costs. Sadly, while choices have grown, so have the prices on many menus.
Recent tariffs have added to the pressure of keeping dining out affordable.
All of these factors have meant the closure of many beloved local establishments. Front Street Trattoria in Red Bank closed after three decades, as did Modine in Asbury Park. This month, Salt Creek Grille in Rumson announced it will close its doors when its lease expires. Mr. C’s in Allenhurst has also closed, much to the chagrin of many longtime patrons.
Conversely, some noteworthy new places have opened. Emilio’s Kitchen in Atlantic Highlands, in the news lately when its owner and chef was detained by ICE, has opened a second location in Belmar. The restaurants serve organic Mexican cuisine with many tasty gourmet elements. Patrons can enjoy traditional dishes for breakfast and lunch, and an innovative dinner menu.
Another newcomer is Falcone in Lincroft, which opened in a restored chapel on Newman Springs Road. They offer a broad selection of Italian dishes. Locale, situated next to the train station in Little Silver, is family-owned and offers locally sourced food. Because of renovations, few patrons will remember that the building used to house a shoe store. It sports inside and outside seating and the food runs from pizza to gourmet Italian.
Wonder, in Shrewsbury Plaza, is but one of many outposts of this chain in the state. This operation offers food from the recipes of some of the best restaurants and chefs in the country for pickup or dine-in. The selection is vast and the service is exceptional; they promise an option for anything you are craving, from Greek to Thai food. Multiple cuisines can be ordered at once and delivered free.
In addition to food, many wine lists at local eateries now span the globe and offer a broad selection at all price points.
The past 10 years have seen many changes in dining, from food and wine menus to seating and delivery options. And as we mourn the old favorites we’ve lost, we’re excited to taste what’s new.
The article originally appeared in the December 18 – 24, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
