The Diving Horse

Name: The Diving Horse
Address: 2109 Dune Drive, Avalon, NJ, United States, 08202
Telephone: (609) 368-5000
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.9

4.9

1073 Reviews

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Top Tags:

The Diving Horse is a seasonal seafood-focused BYOB located at 21st and Dune Drive in Avalon, NJ. We serve an inspired and fresh menu, with ingredients sourced from local farms and day boat fishermen. The name “Diving Horse" pays homage to the horses who used to dive off the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, NJ, in the early to mid-20th century. Our intimate 70-seat restaurant features a modern farmhouse atmosphere and bright, oversized windows with views of Avalon’s quaint main street. We have ample outdoor seating on a patio that holds three large picnic tables for communal seating beneath strands of vintage Edison bulb string lights. Dinner reservations are highly recommended. The Diving Horse has received many honors since opening, including being named Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best Shore Hot Spot”, as well as receiving the OpenTable “Diner’s Choice” award.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 25, 2022

May 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

7:00 PM

Booked 43 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Delivery

Order online

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Farm-to-table, Seafood
Hours of operation
Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(609) 368-5000
Website
http://www.thedivinghorseavalon.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Alex Schiff

Location
2109 Dune Drive Avalon, NJ 08202
Neighborhood
Avalon
Cross street
21st & Dune Drive
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access

Popular dishes

Braised Creekstone Farm Short Rib$34.00
farmer's potatoes, braised greens, red wine tomato jus
Cape May Point Scallops$36.00
mixed mushrooms, chickpeas, shallot cream sauce
Local 130 Catch of the Day$34.00
Castle Valley Mills spelt, carrots, spiced yogurt
Housemade Pasta$32.00
blush vodka sauce, sundried tomatoes, asparagus

Sides

Fried Brussels Sprouts$10.00
homemade ranch, parmesan
Braised Greens$9.00
parmesan, olive oil
Roasted Asparagus$9.00
brown butter, almonds, lemon
Boardwalk Fries$9.00
old bay aioli, ketchup

What 1,073 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.9Service
4.9Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore
Most Booked
South Jersey Shore
Most Booked

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Filters

l
lleet
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent flavors- scallops were buttery melt in your mouth. Delicious !
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always Awesome!
P
Patti
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
As always, the food was delicious and the service sensational!
J
Joey
Philadelphia
68 reviews
vip
5.0
68 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
From the greeting at the door, to the service and the food everything was outstanding. Diving Horse remains our favorite restaurant at the shore.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We were very impressed with both the food and the service and will definitely be back!
KW
KarenW
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
Had a great meal as always. Great service from the staff! Two recommendations 1) lighten up on the salt seasoning on the boardwalk fries. I’m a person who likes salt. Way TOO much salt on them last night. 2) the bread served was very dry and crumbly. It seemed to be from the previous day. I still recommend TDH.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
147 reviews
vip
5.0
147 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was the best. Best table right at front window, best hostess, Emily, best server, Bella, best food. Thanks for the best start off to the season. Jack and Diane.
e
emib263
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious!
W
Winendine
Philadelphia
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Service was excellent, atmosphere was lovely and the food was beautifully presented and very good.
MC
MaureenC
Philadelphia
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on May 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was delicious. Great way to celebrate Mother's Day. Hannah was a good waitress.
b
bigbill32
Philadelphia
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great dinner. Our server, Bella, was excellent. Looking forward to coming back a few more times this summer.
CM
CMGgg
Philadelphia
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on October 16, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our favorite spot at the shore. Wonderful staff, food and fun vibe!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 16, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Scallops were great. Waitstaff very friendly and professional.
A
Alwayseatingout
Atlantic City
19 reviews
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on October 14, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience3
Food was great; server was great; would have preferred a smaller round table as it was hard to hear conversation with a speaker above our heads.
TR
TonyR
Atlantic City
13 reviews
vip
3.0
13 reviews
Dined on October 14, 2021
overall3food4service4ambience3
Totally over priced
j
joannep
Baltimore
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on October 9, 2021
overall4food5service5ambience4
On vacation. Food was good exceptional. Nice surprise.
LH
LisaH
Philadelphia
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on October 9, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent meal, service and ambiance. Highly recommend! It’s one of our favorites!
f
firsttimeinaruba
Baltimore
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on October 7, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our first experience here and won’t be our last. The menu is very well curated and there is something for everyone. Very good use of fresh local ingredients and everything we had was delicious. It’s BYOB which we failed to notice when booking but conveniently there is a liquor store right across the street with a great selection of wines. Lovely ambiance in their outdoor space and the team made us feel very welcome.
D
Delicious
Philadelphia
31 reviews
vip
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on September 30, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our dinner was delicious from start to finish. Service was excellent. Will be back for sure.
BO
BillO
Philadelphia
19 reviews
vip
4.0
19 reviews
Dined on September 27, 2021
overall4food4service5ambience5
We enjoyed a relaxing, wonderful evening with a delicious meal, great service and pleasant surroundings.
t
tony
Atlantic City
35 reviews
vip
5.0
35 reviews
Dined on September 27, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience4
3rd time this summer , good as the first’ time bread was outstanding this time tho very fluffy!! To me bread is the first indicator of how the Meal will be ! We got 2 apps “ corn fritters “ they were ok not bad but to much corn ! “Short rib ” was good! Kit-Kat Desert is always good! Overall a very nice place to dine at .
J
Jayne829
Philadelphia
20 reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on September 27, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
This restaurant is pricey, but the food is very good. We ate outdoors, and the ambience was wonderful. The portions are small, but just right for a woman. Everything tasted exceptional!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlantic City
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 26, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great restaurant with great food. A shade expensive but still enjoyed it immensely
NS
NancyS
Atlantic City
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 26, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our first time here and hands down one of best restaurants we’ve been to! The food was amazing and service was excellent which is hard to come by these days! We were unexpectedly treated to a free dessert and ice cream. Couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable night out! We are a 30 minute drive but well worth it! Highly recommend!
SL
StacieL
Washington DC
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on September 26, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience4
We Love the Diving Horse. The food is amazing and so fresh. The staff are super friendly and attentive. The atmospheres is awesome but it's always soooo loud inside. This is a "must go to" place in Avalon.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Orlando
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 25, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely fabulous experience. We frequent the diving horse regularly and decided to celebrate my moms birthday here. Everyone loves their first experience and the food and service was outstanding
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 25, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always consistently delicious!!!
f
foodaddict
New York Area
48 reviews
vip
5.0
48 reviews
Dined on September 25, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding service and unique menu. Everything was above par and delicious. Worth a road trip!
JF
JosephF
Tampa
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2021
overall5food5service4ambience4
great food, friendly service. Nice atmosphere for a special occasion
KW
KarenW
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and service. Very nice relaxing atmosphere. Only down side is I wish they were open year round.
j
justaguythateatsalot
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 23, 2021
overall4food4service5ambience5
This was my first time to Diving Horse and I was overall pleased with the meal. We started with Tuna tartar and it was delicious. For entrees, I ordered Skate, which was a special, and my spouse ordered the scallops. Neither of us enjoyed the glaze(sauces) on the plate. The differed slightly but neither complimented the dish at all. The actual fish and scallops were great. We found ourselves shying away from it. The french fries were amazing. Overall, it was a great meal but the sauces were just not good.
M
Mamasue
Philadelphia
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 23, 2021
overall3food2service4ambience3
Very limited menu. Skate special was “ammoniated” and returned . Replacement with different entree arrived quickly. Just not as good as pre-pandemic.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 23, 2021
overall3food3service2ambience3
The Brussels sprouts were salty and soggy. The scallops were good. Our waitress was haughty, not warm, not welcoming.
LC
LarryC
New York Area
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 21, 2021
overall4food4service4ambience4
Limited choices on menu. Nice atmosphere. Overall a very good meal.
l
llfekula
Philadelphia
39 reviews
vip
5.0
39 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Visited on my pre birthday! It was a fantastic experience! Wanted to go to Cafe Loren’ but the were not open. But experienced total, total best foodie experience at Diving Horse!!! Food, service, wonderful!!! Will definitely return for sure!!! 🐎!!!! Thank you for a wonderful birthday!!❤️
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very nice experience outside. Very good food with Celia as a great and pleasant server
LD
LaurieD
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 19, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
The service and the quality of the food was spectacular. Highly recommended for a special occassion.
f
foodie
Philadelphia
51 reviews
vip
5.0
51 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
We’ve always loved the diving horse but it was especially outstanding last night! The Brussels sprouts were the best we ever had as were the broccolini! Can’t wait to return!
LG
LarryG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 18, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food, service! Definitely will go back many times!
KH
KathyH
Philadelphia
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent BYOB. Fresh and local menu. Our meal was delicious.

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from The Diving Horse using the Order Online button.

The Diving Horse is rated 4.9 stars by 1073 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 25, 2022

May 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

7:00 PM

Booked 43 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Delivery

Order online

2109 Dune Drive Avalon, NJ 08202

Additional information

Cross street
21st & Dune Drive
Neighborhood
Avalon
Hours of operation
Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Cuisines
Farm-to-table, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Executive chef
Alex Schiff
Additional
BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access

Website
http://www.thedivinghorseavalon.com/
Phone number
(609) 368-5000

The Diving Horse

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Delivery

Additional information

Popular dishes

Fried Brussels Sprouts

Baked Oysters

Tuna Tartare

Menu

Starters

Tuna Tartare$16.00

Broccoli Croquettes$12.00

Baked Oysters$16.00

TDH Wedge$16.00

Mains

Braised Creekstone Farm Short Rib$34.00

Cape May Point Scallops$36.00

Local 130 Catch of the Day$34.00

Housemade Pasta$32.00

Sides

Fried Brussels Sprouts$10.00

Braised Greens$9.00

Roasted Asparagus$9.00

Boardwalk Fries$9.00

What 1,073 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Sort by

Filters

FAQs

Does The Diving Horse offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is The Diving Horse restaurant rated?

Is The Diving Horse currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Delivery

Additional information