5 spots to dine and drink al fresco

By:  | April 26, 2024 |  Dining |  Monmouth County

By Ryan Loughlin

Is there anything better on a sunny Saturday day in the spring than heading to a fabulous bar or restaurant and enjoying a few drinks on the patio and maybe an app or two? The lovely temps in May allow us to do just that, and luckily Monmouth County is packed with great spots to bask in the al fresco experience. Here are five of our favorites.

Marina Grille, Belmar
This gorgeous restaurant sits right on the Shark River in Belmar and its sprawling outdoor space is second to none. The views are incredible whether you choose to enjoy them from a table or belly up to the bar for a livelier experience. Even those sitting inside can get a touch of the warm breezes as the restaurant boasts a series of garage door-style walls that can be opened when Mother Nature allows. Outside, a few blood orange margaritas for you and your friends are sure to go down smooth as will a pitcher or two of their awesome white sangria. Pair either with a few plates of locally caught clams from the raw bar or a pile of fresh ahi tuna nachos and you’ve got an afternoon worthy of anyone’s envy. MarinaGrilleNJ.com

Bahr’s Landing, Highlands
With more than 100 years in business, Bahr’s Landing has more than earned its stripes. Not only does it serve possibly THE best seafood anywhere on the Jersey Shore, but it’s serene waterfront views and old school nautical vibe make it an absolute joy to visit anytime. But when the weather warms up, the outdoor deck is the place to be, and frankly, we can’t come up with a better spot to enjoy a cold IPA and a cup of some of the world’s tastiest clam chowder than right here. Bonus for boat owners, you can arrive by sea and dock and dine! BahrsLanding.com

Bond Street Bar, Asbury Park
A wonderfully grungy dive bar, Asbury Park’s Bond Street Bar is a true gem. It’s well weathered interior is a great place to belly up for a beer and a shot any time of year, but when spring hits, we love to head out to the handful of tables right on the sidewalk for some of the finest people watching anywhere in the state. Don’t sleep on the menu here either, as the kitchen puts out a killer selection of sandwiches, burgers and bar munchies. An order of their fabulous beer-battered onion rings is never a mistake, nor is choosing any of the 6 superb grilled cheese sandwiches that take up their own subsection of the menu (we are partial to the frizzled onion, bacon and cheddar variety.) BondStreetAP.com

Red Rock Tap + Grill, Red Bank
Hanging out at the patio at Red Rock Tap + Grill always manages to feel like you scored an invite to a fabulous party where something exciting is about to happen at any minute. The crowd is friendly and lively, the beers are always flowing and you can even bring your dog should he or she not want to miss out on all the fun. Red Bank has a lot of great spaces, but few are as enjoyable on a beautiful night as this. Grab a seat at one of the many picnic tables that scatter the space and watch one of the live bands perform on the outdoor stage or you can catch the game on one of many TVs that flank the bars. RedRockRB.com

Metropolitan Cafe, Freehold
Upscale, yet casual, hip yet approachable, Metropolitan Café in Freehold checks a lot of boxes all at once. Situated in the hubbub of Main Street, the outdoor space in front of the brick exterior is covered, shielding you from the occasional sprinkle should it pop up, and serves as a relaxing and excellent location to kick back with a martini after a particularly obnoxious week at work. Its menu focuses on New American classics with a pacific rim flare, with standouts including the filet mignon spring rolls, duck quesadillas and their signature calamari and shrimp with sesame seeds. Sushi lovers can high-five over a long list of apps and specialty rolls like the awesome “Rock and Roll,” made with shrimp tempura and cream cheese topped with spicy tuna. MetroCafeNJ.com