Best Breakfast at the Jersey Shore
From pancake houses and classic diners to upscale brunch with ocean views. Start your beach day the right way.
Top 5 Breakfast Spots at the Jersey Shore
Our expert picks for the best breakfast and brunch at the Jersey Shore, ranked by overall quality, atmosphere, and value.
Cross & Orange
Asbury Park • Upscale Brunch
Serves Alcohol
Named Best Brunch in Central Jersey 2024. Creative menu with globally-inspired dishes, excellent cocktails, and beautiful presentation in a stylish setting.
Must Try: Duck Fat Potatoes, Breakfast Burger, Shakshuka
The Mad Batter
Cape May • Victorian Brunch
Serves Alcohol
Charming Victorian setting in the Carroll Villa Hotel with a menu that mixes classic breakfast with creative twists. Garden seating available in season.
Must Try: Eggs Carroll, Stuffed French Toast, Crab Benedict
Toast
Asbury Park • Trendy Brunch
Serves Alcohol
Trendy spot with Instagram-worthy dishes and a hip atmosphere. Known for creative benedicts, strong coffee, and weekend crowds.
Must Try: Any Benedict Variation, Avocado Toast, French Toast Flight
Uncle Bill's Pancake House
Multiple Locations • Classic Pancake House
Shore institution since 1969 with locations in LBI, Ocean City, and Cape May. Classic breakfast done right with fluffy pancakes and huge portions.
Must Try: Pecan Pancakes, Eggs Benedict, Chocolate Chip Pancakes
George's Place
Cape May • Classic Breakfast
No-frills Greek diner that locals swear by. Huge portions, reasonable prices, and friendly service. Cash only. Expect a wait on summer weekends.
Must Try: Greek Omelet, Blueberry Pancakes, Corned Beef Hash
Find Your Breakfast Style
Classic Diners
Old-school Jersey diners with counter seating, Taylor ham, and all-day breakfast.
🥞Pancake Houses
Fluffy stacks, creative toppings, and family-friendly vibes.
🥂Upscale Brunch
Elevated breakfast with craft cocktails and creative dishes.
🏖️Beachfront Breakfast
Ocean views, outdoor seating, and that beach vibe.
🍾Boozy Brunch
Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and brunch cocktails galore.
🥪Breakfast Sandwiches
Pork roll egg & cheese and creative sandwich creations.
Best Classic Diners
Old-school Jersey diners with counter seating, Taylor ham, and all-day breakfast.
George's Place
Cape May
No-frills Greek diner that locals swear by. Huge portions, reasonable prices, and friendly service. Cash only. Expect a wait on summer weekends.
Try: Greek Omelet, Blueberry Pancakes, Corned Beef Hash
OB Diner
Ocean City
Old-school Jersey diner experience with chrome stools and classic breakfast fare. Open 24 hours in summer.
Try: Taylor Ham Egg & Cheese, Disco Fries, Belgian Waffles
Tony's Baltimore Grill
Atlantic City
AC institution since 1927. Open 24 hours, perfect for late-night breakfast after the casinos. No-frills, authentic.
Try: Submarine Sandwich (yes, for breakfast), Eggs & Sausage, Coffee
Joe's at the Jetty
North Wildwood
Family-owned diner steps from the beach. Classic breakfast at classic prices. Cash only.
Try: Pork Roll Egg & Cheese, Pancake Combo, Home Fries
Best Pancake Houses
Fluffy stacks, creative toppings, and classic shore breakfast.
Uncle Bill's Pancake House
Multiple Locations
Shore institution since 1969 with locations in LBI, Ocean City, and Cape May. Classic breakfast done right with fluffy pancakes and huge portions.
Try: Pecan Pancakes, Eggs Benedict, Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Best Boozy Brunch
Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and craft cocktails with your eggs.
Cross & Orange
Asbury Park
Named Best Brunch in Central Jersey 2024. Creative menu with globally-inspired dishes, excellent cocktails, and beautiful presentation in a stylish setting.
Try: Duck Fat Potatoes, Breakfast Burger, Shakshuka
Shutters at the Banks
Long Branch
Elegant oceanfront dining with a refined brunch menu at Pier Village. Perfect for special occasions with stunning views.
Try: Lobster Omelet, Champagne Brunch, Eggs Florentine
Toast
Asbury Park
Trendy spot with Instagram-worthy dishes and a hip atmosphere. Known for creative benedicts, strong coffee, and weekend crowds.
Try: Any Benedict Variation, Avocado Toast, French Toast Flight
Best Beachfront Breakfast
Ocean views, outdoor seating, and that perfect beach morning vibe.
Langosta Lounge
Asbury Park
Right on the boardwalk with ocean views. Latin-inspired brunch menu with creative cocktails. Perfect for a beach day start.
Try: Huevos Rancheros, Churro French Toast, Margarita
McLoone's Pier House
Long Branch
Waterfront dining with panoramic ocean views. Sunday brunch features both buffet and a la carte options.
Try: Brunch Buffet, Bloody Mary Bar, Lobster Roll
Sunset Pier
Cape May
Dockside dining on Cape May Harbor. Breakfast with boat views and fresh seafood options. Casual beach vibe.
Try: Crab Omelet, Shrimp & Grits, Bloody Mary with Shrimp
Breakfast by Region
North Shore (Monmouth County)
Asbury Park leads with trendy spots like Cross & Orange and Toast. Long Branch has upscale oceanfront options.
Central Shore (Ocean County)
Point Pleasant and LBI have classic pancake houses. Manasquan offers The Committed Pig for breakfast sandwiches.
South Shore (Cape May County)
Cape May is brunch heaven with Victorian charm at Mad Batter and Blue Pig. Ocean City has Starving Artist and Uncle Bill's.
Atlantic City Area
Casino hotel brunches offer buffet options. Tony's Baltimore Grill is a 24-hour classic for late-night breakfast.
Insider Breakfast Tips
Make Reservations
Popular spots book up, especially for groups of 4+. Call ahead for weekend brunch at upscale spots.
Go Early or Late
Peak brunch is 10am-12pm. Beat the crowds by arriving at 8am or after 1pm.
Check BYOB Status
Many shore brunch spots are BYOB. Bring champagne for DIY mimosas and save big.
Bring Cash
Some classic diners are cash-only. George's Place, Tony's Baltimore Grill - have backup.
Try Taylor Ham
It's called Taylor ham (not pork roll) at the shore. Get it on a hard roll with egg and cheese.
Weekday Wins
Summer weekday breakfast means shorter waits and more relaxed vibes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best breakfast at the Jersey Shore?▼
The best breakfast at the Jersey Shore depends on what you want. For upscale brunch, Cross & Orange in Asbury Park was named Best Brunch in Central Jersey 2024. For classic pancakes, Uncle Bill's is a shore institution. For Victorian charm, The Mad Batter in Cape May can't be beat. For ocean views, try Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park or Shutters in Long Branch.
What are the best pancake houses at the Jersey Shore?▼
Uncle Bill's Pancake House is the most famous, with locations in Ocean City, Cape May, and LBI. Other great pancake spots include George's Place in Cape May for Greek-style breakfast and Starving Artist in Ocean City for creative twists.
Are there beachfront breakfast spots at the Jersey Shore?▼
Yes! Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park sits right on the boardwalk. Shutters at the Banks and McLoone's Pier House in Long Branch offer oceanfront dining. Sunset Pier in Cape May has harbor views. Most beach towns have at least one spot with water views.
Which Jersey Shore town has the best brunch?▼
Asbury Park leads for trendy brunch with spots like Cross & Orange and Toast. Cape May excels at Victorian brunch with The Mad Batter and Blue Pig Tavern. Both towns are excellent for a dedicated brunch outing.
Where can I get boozy brunch at the Jersey Shore?▼
Cross & Orange, Toast, and Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park all serve craft cocktails with brunch. Shutters in Long Branch does champagne brunch. Many Cape May spots like Blue Pig Tavern are BYOB - bring your own champagne for mimosas!
What is Taylor ham and where can I try it?▼
Taylor ham (called pork roll in North Jersey) is a breakfast meat unique to New Jersey. It's typically served on a hard roll with egg and cheese. Try it at The Committed Pig in Manasquan, any classic diner, or most breakfast spots at the shore.
Complete Brunch Guide
For more brunch spots organized by vibe (boozy, oceanfront, Victorian), check out our dedicated brunch guide with tips on reservations, BYOB policies, and more.
View Brunch Guide →More Dining Guides
Explore all the ways to eat at the Jersey Shore.