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: 4.8

4.8

1204 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

Feb 4, 2023

7:00 PM

Order delivery or takeout

Options

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

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 1,204 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore
Innovative
Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore
Romantic
South Jersey Shore
Innovative
South Jersey Shore
Neighborhood gem
South Jersey Shore
Great for outdoor dining
South Jersey Shore
Romantic

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Filters

K
Karen1
New York Area
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The best! Duck spring rolls and cauliflower mash were excellent. Scallops never disappoint and pasta dish was amazing. Hate to see them close! See you next year
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Very good food. Very expensive.
D
Delicious
Philadelphia
36 reviews
vip
5.0
36 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Diving horse is one of our favorite restaurants in Avalon. Always accommodating, food alway delicious, service alway outstanding.
s
susan
Atlantic City
36 reviews
vip
3.0
36 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2022
overall3food4service4ambience1
If you are planning a romantic evening this is not the place to go. It is so loud you cannot have a conversation without raising your voice.
PW
PatWR
Philadelphia
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Diving Horse never disappoints! Great meal, great service, great atmosphere. Best restaurant on the island!!
DD
DisappointedDiner
Philadelphia
19 reviews
vip
4.0
19 reviews
Dined on October 16, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience2
The food was delicious, no complaints there. But the noise level! For the popularity of this restaurant, they could sure invest in some noise reduction panels on the ceiling. My husband and I could barely hear one another for the noise level. I guess in the summer months when the windows are open it’s not bad? But once they’re closed, it’s very bad.
NM
NelsonM
New York Area
38 reviews
vip
5.0
38 reviews
Dined on October 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always on point. Great food, great service and overall great dining experience - as always!
NS
NancyS
Atlantic City
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on October 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always great food! Service super friendly
SM
SusanM
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was amazing. They had just changed the menu and the food was spectacular!!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
4 reviews
vip
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 28, 2022
overall3food3service5ambience4
Limited menu, small portions. Food was good. Service was excellent
W
Wesley
New York Area
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 27, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience4
Duck dumplings were ok, pasta, scallops good
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Good food interesting food good service
OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlantic City
48 reviews
vip
5.0
48 reviews
Dined on September 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Friendly service great food small but interesting menu will return
M
Meaghan
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food here was amazing. Great service, very enjoyable evening!
JR
JessicaR
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food! A bit expensive but it’s all fresh and absolutely delicious.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Service and ambience are great! Food is A+ Highly recommend the wagyu short rib!
D
Delicious
Philadelphia
37 reviews
vip
5.0
37 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always a delicious meal. Never disappoints. Food, service outstanding.
C
Charming
London
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on September 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My favorite restaurant at the shore. Great chef and love the vibe.
L
Luv2eat
Naples
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on September 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was a Mother, daughter dinner date
OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlantic City
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
From start to finish everything was absolutely amazing! We will be going back again before they close for the season.
D
Dave
Philadelphia
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on September 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful food, good selection of fresh offerings. Great service.
PD
PatriciaD
Philadelphia
18 reviews
vip
4.0
18 reviews
Dined on September 19, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
Food was good. Can be loud in restaurant
g
gerards
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 19, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
delish! and they even had bug spray for a couple mosquitos at our outdoor table!
A
Angela
Philadelphia
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Quality seafood and a few meat options creatively prepared. The seared scallops were perfectly done and presented in a corn risotto with blueberries, an unusual combination that was out of this world. The short ribs, braised in root beer, were amazingly tender. We had their version of a KitKat bar for dessert, better than anything you ever got in your Halloween bag. Only complaint — you can’t see their sign from the street. We drove by it twice so just set your GPS for the address, park and go in even though it doesn’t look like a restaurant from the outside. You’ll love it. It’s a BYOB and there is outdoor seating as well.
BO
BillO
Philadelphia
23 reviews
vip
4.0
23 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
Our meals were delicious, served in a timely manner and hot. Our server did a very nice job taking care of our table through the night. The only negative was our table was quite close to the table next to us and it felt very claustrophobic.
BS
BethS
Philadelphia
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time at the diving horse. The food was delicious and service was incredible. Loved our waitress but can’t remember her first name. Will definitely go back.
J
Jeanc
Philadelphia
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We ate outside on a beautiful evening. Scallops excellent!
L
Luv2eat
Naples
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on September 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved the food and our waitress was great! Will be back again.
D
Dede
Philadelphia
6 reviews
2.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 14, 2022
overall2food1service3ambience2
Food was not up to past standards. Over the years, Diving Horse was one of our favorite places to dine but sadly we won’t be coming back.
TR
TonyR
Atlantic City
14 reviews
vip
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on September 13, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Always a solid meal!
LE
LEEPS
Washington DC
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on September 12, 2022
overall3food3service3ambience4
it’s expensive and the food mediocre. My quinoa was not thoroughly cooked, and one of my friend’s beef dish was tough. worse was the noise level. The Diving Horse has a lovely interior . It’s ashame that It’s reputation doesn’t hold up.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Nice atmosphere - farm to table with beautiful presentation. Loved that is was BYOB.
J
Joey
Philadelphia
72 reviews
vip
5.0
72 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We have been to the Diving Horse often over the years. It is and has been one of the best restaurants in the area for years.
A
Anachr
New York Area
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on September 8, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience4
We were happy to secure a reservation at this cute, popular dining venue. There is no parking lot, but aside from that everything was near perfect. Our server, Patrick, was excellent at his job! The chef was not able to accommodate a substitution, but the food was delicious. I would recommend this restaurant to family and friends advising them that the noise level is high.
l
luv2eat
New York Area
32 reviews
vip
5.0
32 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time and so happy ! Delicious food and great service !
TU
ThomasU
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great food and outstanding service. Both the appetizers and main courses were excellent. Always a special place for us.
PL
PatL
New York Area
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Patrick our waiter was very nice and attentive. Scallops were amazing
KP
KPSZ
Atlantic City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food, amazing service!!!
MM
MichaelM
Philadelphia
13 reviews
vip
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
Food and service were great as usual. We sat inside and the sound level was very loud (as usual).
J
John
Philadelphia
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Another amazing dinner at The Diving Horse. It is, by far, our favorite restaurant on 7 mile island.

FAQs

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

The Diving Horse is rated 4.8 stars by 1204 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

Feb 4, 2023

7:00 PM

Order delivery or takeout

Options

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

Options

Additional information

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 1,204 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

Options

Additional information