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A special thanks to our Jersey guides, Alex & Juliana, who steered us in the right direction every step of the way!
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Asbury Park
Along a quiet residential street lies the St. Laurent, for those in the know. The property housed in an updated historic home includes the guest rooms, the St. Laurent Swim Club, and the cocktail bar/restaurant combo Judy & Harry’s (more on that later.) If you’re looking for an all-in-one relaxing getaway this place is it while still maintaining the feel and essence of an independent boutique hotel.
Ocean Grove
The newest addition to the Jersey Shore, Hotel Albatross reopened this Summer after an extensive renovation to the Victorian building a stone's throw from the beach. The cozy lobby cafe offers the best coffee in town alongside Balthazar pastries. Additionally, the hotel provides guests with a host of amenities to take advantage of the surroundings: beach access badges, bicycles, towels & chairs, plus a golf-cart ride to the beach!
Asbury Park
Our first meal in town was outside at Talula’s, a new-school pizzeria and Italian joint that is full of fun pies and natural wine. One recommendation: get the Rocket slice: a white pizza topped with tons of arugula and lemon juice…super fresh and bright, almost like a salad and a pizza had a beautiful lovechild.
Asbury Park
If Jersey is known for anything, it’s diner culture. Located just a few blocks from The St. Laurent is Frank’s – a no-nonsense, cash-only diner serving up classics like Pork Roll and hefty breakfast plates. Good coffee, great OJ, and affordable fare make this a favorite of Asbury Park’s most famous regulars: The Boss.
Asbury Park
Located within the ground floor of the St. Laurent is Judy & Harry’s: our favorite place for a drink and a fantastic meal in Asbury Park. Start at Harry’s for a drink, a swanky cocktail lounge that always has dim, moody lighting no matter the time of day or night. Afterwards, walk into the airy & window-filled space of Judy’s to enjoy a meal that is firmly rooted in Italian-American classics while remaining exciting and current. Our highlights of the menu are the fresh & bright Fluke Crudo, the best ragu we’ve ever had, and of course, “The Parm.” One word on the chicken parm…the cheese and sauce is broiled separately from the chicken to make sure the tender fillet remains perfectly cooked and crispy as it hits the table. Perfection!
Asbury Park
If you’re in a place with beautiful natural surroundings, you simply must enjoy at least one meal with a scenic view. The Iron Whale, with seating directly on the Asbury Park boardwalk, is the perfect place for this type of experience. Not only are the views incredible, but unlike many waterfront restaurants, the food here is fantastic. Get some Long Island Oysters, fresh Tuna Tacos, and a well-prepared cocktail to fully take in your surroundings. PS - If you’ve got a pup with you, the Iron Whale offers a “Yappy Meal” menu for our four-legged friends!
Asbury Park
Just off Cookman Ave, Asbury Park’s main shopping district, is Loteria. A traditional Mexican restaurant that also serves some of our favorite go-to Tex Mex dishes (aka QUESO.) With a large dining room and plentiful outdoor tables this is definitely a great spot for a larger group.
Ocean Grove
Much of Ocean Grove feels like stepping back into another era and Day’s Ice Cream is no exception. Opened 138 years ago, Day’s is the oldest continually operating business in town and having a cone on the lush porch and garden is everything Summer is meant to be.
Bradley Beach
One of our favorite things to do at the end of a trip is to load up at a bakery on the way home. Del Ponte’s offers tons of Italian-American classics like Taralli, Italian Cookies, Breads, and cakes. Next door they also have a gelateria and a coal-fired pizzeria.
Belmar
A few miles south of Asbury & Ocean Grove is the relatively larger town of Belmar that is packed full of great food. One of the hottest restaurants along the northern bit of the shore is Pizzeria ‘Lucci. The tight edit of pies are all served, “well done” and cannot be modified in any way…though that’s not stopping the crowds of loyalists who claim it to be the best in the state.
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Bradley Beach
This new-school coffee shop has an absolute vibe. From the modern and clean interiors to the colorful back yard, and requisite great coffee, Steady Hand is our favorite cup down the shore. During the summer months, they also have a coffee cart open in the backyard of The St. Laurent – perfect for a poolside caffeine jolt.
Asbury Park
If you’re sitting poolside, it’s only a matter of time before you need a bevvy in hand. Luckily the St. Laurent has it covered with the Pool Bar. Offering an edited cocktail menu, everything arrives in hand in record time…we’re talking under a minute thanks to the cute Italian mini car that’s been converted into this poolside bar offering cocktails on tap.
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Asbury Park
The multi-brand store is alive in Asbury at Interwoven. An edited collection of picks from cool girl brands like Ganni and Clare V are rounded out by their DIY charm bar and a small selection of menswear in the back. So good we visited twice while in town.
Asbury Park
With the rise of vintage influencers and antique hunters, many of the more traditional antique malls can feel picked over these days…however not Antique Emporium. Whether you’re looking for the perfect leather biker jacket or a rare Smiths record, the vendors here are filled to the brim with rare picks and fair prices.
Asbury Park
This small antique shop is clearly curated with a specific eye in mind. If you’re a fan of midcentury design pieces or vintage IKEA, fs20 is your playground. Come ready to negotiate!
Asbury Park
An independent boutique on Main Street, Patriæ features a unique mix of vintage and new pieces from womenswear to handcrafted goods from Costa Rica and Eastern Europe. At a point where many small stores seem to feel like they’re all pulling from the same stock list, Patriæ is a refreshing and unique collection that should be celebrated!
Ocean Grove
For mint-condition Mid-Century modern furniture and lighting, Flux is the spot for you. Eyeing a set of vintage George Nelson pendants from the road, we had to hold ourselves back from going broke here.
Belmar
Crate-diggers rejoice! Lofidelic is a small but mighty record store that has a huge selection of Hip Hop and Electronic records as well as a good mix of punk classics.
Asbury Park
What more is there to be said about one of the most legendary music venues on the East Coast? Some of the most legendary bands of all time have graced the stage, and in the summer their outdoor Summerstage concerts draw people from all over. Later this month you can catch indie favorites like Rilo Kiley and Whitney.
Asbury Park
Our favorite retreat in Asbury Park is the lush St. Laurent pool, located right behind the historic building. Between the attentive service, comfortable loungers, food, and drinks, this is the perfect spot for an all-day pool day, and you can join in as a guest of the hotel or by snagging a day pass!
Asbury Park
If you’re a pedal boat fanatic like we are…gear up. There are swan boats galore in this little lake between Asbury Park and Ocean Grove. Embrace your inner child and take one out for a spin when you hope from town to town.
Ocean Grove
One of the best parts about staying at Hotel Albatross is how close you are to the beach! The hotel team will give you passes and everything you need for a day at the beach. Beforehand, snag a ride on the hotel beach cruiser bikes for a ride around town gawking at the amazing Victorian Architecture and seaside views.
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