Bay Head is a really lovely town which some describe as “the East Hampton of New Jersey” with stunning beach front homes and equally stunning properties on Barnegat Bay. You might just see people in their old wooden boats on their way to dinner at the Bay Head Yacht Club. There is a small downtown area with a good bakery, several restaurants and shopping.
If you have a chance to go with a friend or to an event at the historic Bay Head Yacht Club from 1888, I highly recommend it. I just went back as a guest and enjoyed it as always. Following the damage from Hurricane Sandy, the clubhouse was raised up and totally restored.
If you have a chance to go out on a boat ride on Barnegat Bay, I highly recommend the experience.
Mueller’s Bakery, at 80 Bridge Ave., is a local institution. Stop in for crumb cake or one of their wonderful pies! They also serve coffee.
After 50 years, Dorcas Restaurant is now Dune Grass Cafe. This is a casual spot for ice cream, breakfast and lunch. 58 Bridge Ave.
Opened in 2016, is the upscale Charlie’s of Bay Head. This is a very welcomed addition to the dining scene in the area. It has a very attractive decor and great outdoor seating with nice views of Twilight Lake. They are open for lunch and dinner. For lunch they have a number of salads, soups, pizzas, burgers and entrees. The dinner menu is somewhat larger with pastas and more entrees. It can get crowded so make sure to book way in advance. I loved the food and enjoyed my lunch with local friends. The lobster roll with the tarragon mayonnaise was really excellent as was the quinoa salad bowl, made with quinoa, roasted corn, mint, orange slices, dried cranberries, diced cucumber and diced tomatoes served with a white balsamic vinaigrette and ricotta salata.
At 68 Bridge Ave. is Playa Bowls where you can grab a coffee drink, a smoothie, a juice or a bowl from their large menu.
Down the road is Shore Fresh Seafood Market & Restaurant. Though technically in Point Pleasant Borough, it is next to Bay Head. This is a fish market and restaurant that has a good menu featuring lobster rolls, sandwiches, salads, chowders and soups and more. I enjoyed a fun lunch on my first visit! I recently went back for lunch with friends and had a great fried flounder sandwich. They have expanded into more space with both indoor and outdoor seating. 703 Bridge Ave. Their second location is on Channel Drive in Point Pleasant Beach.
There is the attractive Noon Design Shop featuring handmade gifts, jewelry and soaps at 524 Lake Ave. They also have a coffee bar inside, Coffee at Noon.
Burkes Market & Fine Spirits is a new gourmet market offering prepared foods, wine and spirts, fresh local produce, butcher and deli items, Italian specialties, coffee and espresso drinks and gelato. They are open for breakfast, lunch and for takeout. The menu includes breakfast items, sandwiches and hot sandwiches 534-536 Maine Ave.
Across the street is one of my favorite new finds, Theresa’s South at 530 Main Ave. This is an upscale Italian BYOB restaurant with an elegant design and outdoor terrace. After reading about it in several articles, I went with family for my first visit and was very impressed with the food. I enjoyed the fried calamari and the swordfish special which was made with a coconut cream sauce and mango. The pastachio encrusted salmon was also good. To top it off the crème brûlée was excellent. I recommend that you try it. I will definitely go back.
Across the street is Port Coffee Roasters at 519 Main Ave. Started as a coffee roaster and selling locally at the Farm Market in Brick, they opened their first location in Bay Head in 2021. Here you can buy a large number of coffee drinks along with pastries and cookies. I really enjoyed meeting the owners!
