Best Casual Restaurants in New Jersey

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

MiddlesexMonmouth

Neighborhoods

Asbury ParkAtlantic HighlandsColts NeckEast BrunswickEatontownEnglishtown

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

60 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Nicholas Barrel & Roost restaurant

1. Nicholas Barrel & Roost

4.7

Exceptional(4843)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Comfort Food • Red Bank

Booked 100 times today

Since the opening of their acclaimed Restaurant Nicholas in 2000, Chef Nicholas Harary and his wife, Melissa, modernized the concept of fine dining. This mainstay of Red Bank garnered some of the industry’s highest praise, including 15 straight years as Zagat’s highest-rated restaurant in New Jersey, a 4-star review in the New York Times, and a position on several national “best restaurant” lists.Now, with Barrel & Roost, the couple strips off the white tablecloths and serves up a bold new menu: made-from-scratch food that’s crazy-delicious, yet entirely accessible any night of the week. Set in a newly redesigned modern farmhouse interior, Barrel & Roost is just the place to enjoy Chef Driven Comfort Food with family, old friends, or a grab a drink at the bar for date night!

A photo of Semolina Restaurant restaurant

2. Semolina Restaurant

4.9

Exceptional(3270)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Red Bank

Booked 30 times today

Semolina Restaurant is a farm to table, BYO dining establishment serving simple, casual cuisine. Semolina's menu highlights the seasonality of fresh, local ingredients with a focus on fresh, made in-house pastas.

3. Buona Sera

4.7

Exceptional(1789)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Red Bank

Booked 27 times today

(Online reservations for 5 or more, please call us)** 2 hour min required for Pre Count Basie show reservations. The classy and elegant Buona Sera is located in Red Bank area of New Jersey. The dining room is gorgeous with carefully planned details and decorations that add a sense of refinement to the restaurant. You can also host an event or party in the Wine Cellar or Tuscan Room. Catering services can be ordered for in-house reservations as well as for outside events. Buona Sera is a full service bar and restaurant, and our menu is quite extensive, giving you a lot of lunch and dinner options to choose from. Start off with one of the large and flavorful appetizers, then continue to the main course. Entrées at Buona Sera include pasta, veal, choice steaks, chicken, pork chops, various types of ravioli and seafood. Veal chops from this restaurant are some of the most popular dishes on the menu and are worth trying.

A photo of Colts Neck Inn Steak House restaurant

4. Colts Neck Inn Steak House

4.2

Awesome(79)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Colts Neck

Booked 15 times today

Discover the culinary delights of Colts Neck Inn Steak House, a cherished landmark in Colts Neck. Our restaurant, rich in history and flavor, serves the finest steaks in town. From hand-cut, never-frozen steaks to meals made from scratch by our skilled chefs, we offer a dining experience like no other. Browse our menu below, filled with mouth-watering specials that will surely satisfy your cravings. Visit us to dine in or call (732) 462-0383 to place an order for pickup.

A photo of Triumph Restaurant & Brewery restaurant

5. Triumph Restaurant & Brewery

4.5

Awesome(576)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Red Bank

Booked 14 times today

Triumph Brewing Company, founded in 1995, is a full service restaurant and brewery with a seasonally changing gastro-pub menu driven largely by local farms. One guest described us as, "Upscale yet laid back. Cool but cozy. Refined but not pretentious." We're still blushing! We have live, original music Thursday- Sunday - never a cover charge and never a cover band. We have an outdoor patio for drinks and dining where dogs are welcome.Conveniently located on Bridge Avenue just in front of the acclaimed Two River Theater, a 2 minute walk from the train station and a 5 minute walk to the Count Basie Theatre. There is ample, free garage parking directly behind Triumph.

A photo of Il Colosseo - New Jersey restaurant

6. Il Colosseo - New Jersey

4.8

Exceptional(920)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Red Bank

Booked 19 times today

Old World restaurant serving authentic Italian dishes and traditional brick oven pizza in the heart of Brooklyn NY & Red Bank NJ ,Now serving Signature Cocktail and Imported wine from Italy

7. CJ McLoone's

4.6

Exceptional(454)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Tinton Falls

Booked 4 times today

CJ McLoone's features an intimate, American tavern experience for the entire family, offering lunch and dinner seven days a week; as well as a casual and spacious pub with 14 flat-screen TVs, perfect to relax and watch the game.

8. Elli’s Backyard

4.7

Exceptional(458)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Red Bank

Booked 8 times today

Step into the inviting ambiance of Elli’s Backyard, located at 45 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ, 07701. A cherished family-owned establishment, we've proudly been serving since our inception in 2021. Our diverse, inclusive menu features classic Italian and American dishes, as well as our signature favorites, such as the renowned pineapple bowl, dome-smoked burger, and our house ribs served in a wheelbarrow. With dishes available for those with dietary restrictions also available (Gluten-free, Vegan)Immerse yourself in the tranquil, backyard-like setting of Elli's Backyard, making it the perfect destination for creating memories with friends and family, no matter the occasion. We welcome you from 8 am to 4 pm for breakfast and lunch, and from 5 pm to 10 pm for dinner. For special gatherings, our private dining room is available, making Elli's Backyard an ideal choice for parties, rehearsal dinners, birthdays, and more. Your presence is invaluable to us, and we eagerly anticipate your visit!

A photo of Pearl at The Oyster Point Hotel restaurant

9. Pearl at The Oyster Point Hotel

4.5

Awesome(583)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Red Bank

Booked 47 times today

Dining at the intimate Pearl restaurant at The Oyster Point is upscale and serene – a perfect spot to relax and enjoy knock-out contemporary American cuisine with local seasonal ingredients.Dine on the deck and enjoy a gentle breeze, with sailboats skimming across the water and a view of picturesque Red Bank.Pearl is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and lite bites, so it’s a perfect choice for your business and social occasions.

A photo of Woody's -Tinton Falls restaurant

10. Woody's -Tinton Falls

4.5

Awesome(630)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Tinton Falls

Booked 18 times today

At Woody's Ocean Grille, we offer the area's top fine-casual dining destination. Our unique atmosphere at Woody's offers a somewhat upscale, yet very laid back environment. Our menu is California Coastal with a Southwestern flare, which includes our famous fish tacos, fresh seafood, and exciting southwestern creations. No matter what your taste, you will always find something at Woody's.Our specialty drink menu features Woody's signature cocktail, The Orange Crush - a must have! Also offering an extensive wine list that features an eclectic blend of regions and vintages specially designed to complement your dining experience.Come to Woody's and take your body where your mind's been all week. Mahalo

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
Christina
New Jersey •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Nicholas Barrel and Roost continues to delight with each visit. For my most recent meal, the beet/arugula salad was plentiful, and the halibut entree was also delish, a nice throwback to the restaurant's previous fine dining incarnation. The desserts are also a decent size to split between several people, for those who want to end the meal on a sweet note but don't want an individual portion. I always look forward to going back.
More info
Nicholas Barrel & RoostPrice: Expensive• Comfort Food• Red Bank
•
4.7
C
Christy
New York City •9 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
My husband and I ordered the charred colossal shrimp for an appetizer. Delicious just with it same with more than 3. I had the special caraway wild salmon with yellow beets and Swiss chard. It was very tasty but definitely small portions. My husband had the steak frites, it was good but not enough food for him. I just wish the food had bigger portions.
More info
Triumph Restaurant & BreweryPrice: Moderate• American• Red Bank
•
4.5
D
DK
New York City •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Great to see Tricia and as usual, food was incredible.
More info
Semolina RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Red Bank
•
4.9
J
JosephVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •13 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
Food was very good, very busy place. A tad pricey but great selections.
More info
Buona SeraPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Red Bank
•
4.7
L
LorenVIP
New York City •5 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
Great food! Seems a bit understaffed and a little noisy. Overall we enjoy going there 👍
More info
Colts Neck Inn Steak HousePrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Colts Neck
•
4.2

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