Restaurants in Keansburg

At South Fin Grill, the ocean breeze mingles with a menu of upscale seafood and steakhouse dishes praised by New York magazine. Amid what critic Ethan Wolff describes as a "priceless" ocean view, servers roll out lobster, crab, swordfish, and salmon incarnated as pasta, soup, and sushi dishes. The "turf" portion of the menu showcases grilled new york sirloin, filet mignon, and barbecued pork, but the focus once again turns seaside at a raw bar that features clams and oysters kept fresh by pearl-shaped breath mints.

Beams of purple, blue, and yellow lighting hover above the interior dining tables, each blanketed with a white tablecloth and centered with a flickering candle. Outside, the ocean deck's sea-blue umbrellas shelter views of the boardwalk, ocean, and seagull beach volleyball tourneys. The restaurant bolsters its elegantly plated cuisine with occasional entertainment acts, which have included DJs and ballroom dancing lessons.

Restaurateur Tim McLoone has left his mark all over the culinary maps of New Jersey and Maryland with his numerous gourmet grills, which distinguish themselves from one another with unique menus and ambiances that hew to the same level of upscale elegance. Most of Tim’s restaurants set a lovely spread for Sunday brunch with made-to-order omelets, waffles, and a carving station with plump, tender hams. The network of eateries regularly lures hungry passersby during the evening with the aroma of grilled steaks and seafood, and a winning lotto ticket attached to a fishing line. Select locations are also visited by nightly entertainment. The decor at each dining hall is inspired by its surroundings: naval themes prevail at the coastal locations in National Harbor, Sea Bright, and Long Branch, while McLoone’s racing-themed restaurants are located within the off-track facilities in Fords and Bayonne.

At The Original Primo Pizza & Grill, chefs whirl handmade dough and whole, peeled tomatoes into a variety of thin-crust pizzas. While the menu includes classic standbys such as the hawaiian pizza, customers can also create their own perfect pies from toppings such as garlic, mushrooms, pepperoni, and sausage. What really shines through, however, is the restaurant’s large selection of specialty pies: buffalo-chicken pizza is topped with chicken and zesty buffalo sauce; Nutella pizza with brown and powdered sugar; and the American-style pizza gets topped with steak, peppers, onions, american cheese, and a pervasive dislike of the metric system.

While pizza dominates the menu, diners can also explore traditional Italian entrees, including dinner specialties such as chicken scampi, veal milanese, and spaghetti with clam sauce.

In 2009, Raffaella Pagano and her son, Anthony, decided they wanted to start a new era of fine dining in Bradley Beach. Having already owned and operated a family restaurant on Ocean Avenue, the Pagano family saw their new enterprise as a way to carry on a legacy that had begun decades earlier. Today, their family torch burns brightly from within Pagano's Uva Restaurant & Wine Bar, where chefs craft innovative Mediterranean and Italian dishes using seasonal produce, seafood, and authentic oils and cheeses. Diners dive into those dishes while soaking in the ambiance of two distinct areas, including a cozy bar and lounge framed by dark woods.

With its amber and red tones, bronze waterfall, and pebble stone accents, Arisu immerses diners in an elegant, easygoing atmosphere. The restaurant's tranquil vibe reflects the meaning behind its name, "Great River," as well as the contemporary Japanese cuisine that it plates up daily. Upon sinking into Arisu's oversized banquet chairs, diners may fill up on an extensive menu that includes Japanese standards, such as sushi and sashimi, along with Korean barbecue ribs marinated in a sweet soy sauce and lobster teriyaki served with assorted veggies.

Mexican Post posts a classic menu of quesadillas, nachos, and burritos. Complimentary chips and salsa begin meals by blowing tiny tortilla trumpets, heralding the quesadilla fiesta of cheese, homemade salsa, and a choice of veggies, tofu, or chicken ($6.45). Diners can chomp down on two custom-stuffed tacos ($4.95) or devour an edible tortilla bowl brimming with taco salad ($6.95). Bottles of Mexican soda cool down mouths with flavors such as mango, guava, and strawberry ($2.50), and churros ($1.50) are sure to remind jaded taste buds why they're in the business.