Tony Kurdzuk | For NJ.com

This post was originally published in May 2018.

To many of us New Jerseyans, a pilgrimage to the Jersey Shore means "vacation" and "vacation" means "food."

And over the last decade, the revitalized beach-city burg of Asbury Park has cultivated an identity as the bar-none foodie destination at the Jersey Shore. It seems a trendy, new restaurant pops up on Ocean or Cookman Avenue every month, touting a stellar reputation and reviews.

So, how can you choose as you prepare your visit? Let me, an Asbury Park local and frequenter of the city's blooming food scene, be your guide as we rank all 34 table-service restaurants in Asbury Park, from worst to best. Which is your favorite? Tell us in the comments.

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34. Cielito Lindo

1206 Main St.

This new spot on Main Street looks pretty on the outside, but inside serves over-sauced, under-flavored and soulless Mexican cuisine. Barely passable as take-out, a huge letdown as a sit-down restaurant. BYOB.

You gotta try: Plaza Tapatia -- another Mexican restaurant down the street.

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33. Kim Marie's Eat N Drink Away

1411 Kingsley St.

A vaguely Irish restaurant on the northern end of the city, with a deathly quiet front dining room and food that's either terribly bland or greasy. The shepherd's pie was average at best, as was the service. Sorry to say the worst locale in our bar ranking doesn't fare much better here.

You gotta try: The pulled pork and cheddar grilled cheese ($11), with a side of Pepto Bismol.

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32. Capitoline

639 Cookman Ave.

When the locally worshipped dive Bond Street Bar and Grill first expanded to "The Complex" in 2016, its Italian cousin Capitoline was a gem: cheap, tasty pizzas, pastas and meatballs. The menu has since expanded, the prices have increased and the quality has plummeted. Easily the biggest disappointment on this list.

You gotta try: Two years ago, I would've said the meatball parm sub. Now, I'm at a loss.

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31. Belmonte's

632 Cookman Ave.

For years, I'd driven by this nondescript Italian restaurant on Cookman and wondered why I'd never tried it. Now I know: it's just okay. It's cozy inside, with a classic neighborhood feel, but our chicken was dry, pasta over-salted and the risotto was unfortunately undercooked. For the upscale price-point you can do much better around town.

You gotta try: The portobello mushroom appetizer, topped with spinach, grilled eggplant and mozzarella ($12).

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30. The Anchor's Bend

1300 Ocean Ave.

A serviceable, nautically-themed spot adjacent to Convention Hall, featuring a fun, warm-weather outdoor bar and a reasonably large menu touting American tavern food. Go for drinks and a quick bite here, otherwise you're likely to be let down by the average cuisine.

You gotta try: Stick to the daily specials.

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Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media

29. Toast

516 Cookman Ave.

From their mouths to breakfast-lovers' ears, "peace, love and pancakes" is the motto at Toast, a popular early-day eatery that also has locations in Red Bank and Montclair. The pancakes are definitely fluffy and delicious, the lunch options -- sandwiches and wraps, mostly -- aren't so bad either.

You gotta try: The red velvet pancakes ($7.95 for a shortstack)

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28. Pop's Garage

1000 Ocean Ave.

The location is prime at Pop's: dead-center on the Asbury boardwalk, with casual outdoor seating to give that vacation feel. The food isn't far behind; tasty Mexican fare with the predictable items -- guacamole, quesadillas, fish tacos -- with a few more daring and delicious options to try. The margaritas ain't bad, either.

You gotta try: The Skirt Steak Jalisco ($23)

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27. Asbury Ale House

531 Cookman Ave.

The city's most popular sports bar is big on beer -- more than 50 on draft -- and all sorts of comfort and game-day foods. It isn't for the faint of heart, but the Drunken Chicken (basically chicken smothered in vodka sauce) mac n' cheese bowl is a tasty bite. The burgers and wings are worth coming back for as well.

You gotta try: The Drunken Chicken mac n' cheese ($14)

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26. The Speakeatery

705 Cookman Ave.

As the popular sandwich joint The Speakeatery recently added wait staff and additional seating it qualifies for our list, so let's can gush once more about quirkily named and very delicious options like the Elliot Mess (turkey and roast beef) Old Steak Sang-Gweech (cheesesteak) and The B's Knees (black bean burger). If you're in AP for lunch and craving some of the best sandwiches in town, the Speakeatery is a can't-miss option.

You gotta try: The Elliot Mess: turkey, roast beef, muenster cheese, arugula, roasted red peppers, tomato, coleslaw, cranberry aioli and a horseradish mayo on a soft bun. ($8.50 for a half)

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Alex Remnick | For NJ.com

25. Langosta Lounge

1000 Ocean Ave.

Led by renowned Jersey shore chef Mary Schlossbach, Langosta Lounge serves up vacation-inspired cuisine -- mostly seafood and sushi -- with a mix of American, coastal and Asian flavors. The sushi is good, not great, and the cocktail menu is lacking considering the bar and live music crowd the space draws, but some of the seafood entrees are truly delicious.

You gotta try: The Shrimp Hail'imaile, with macadamia pesto cream sauce, rigatoni, asparagus, and aged gouda ($27)

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24. Loteria

632 Mattison Ave.

Like Capitoline, Loteria opened in 2016 with The Bond Street Bar and Grill expansion, but has instead improved with time, serving up very tasty and reasonably priced Mexican food. The fish and pork tacos are addictive, the burrito bowls are knockouts and the tequila cocktails are almost too good. The atmosphere is casual, too -- perfect for quick eats before a night out.

You gotta try: The pescado tacos, with blackened basa and mango guacamole ($5 each)

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Tony Kurdzuk | For NJ.com

23. Cross and Orange

508 Cookman Ave.

A well-to-do, middle-aged crowd tends to populate Cross and Orange, a seasonally inspired American restaurant just off Kennedy Park. It's a good-looking place with great natural light and location, a strong cocktail program and food that's mostly very good, though not quite as stellar as the price point might suggest.

You gotta try: The flat iron steak, with tomatillo sauce and fingerling potatoes ($26)

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22. Cardinal Provisions

513 Bangs Ave.

Asbury Park's answer to the "trendy brunch place" trope, with a bright and lively atmosphere -- the place is packed on weekend mornings -- and a menu loaded with tasty and unique items to derail your Sunday productivity. From artisanal hash bowls and chicken and waffles to a very, very good pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich and fresh pastries (and avocado toast, of course), this spot is worth the wait.

You gotta try: The Weird Hash, with roasted vegetables, home fries, sausage, pecorino, sunny egg & herbs ($12)

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21. Brickwall Tavern

522 Cookman Ave.

An old standard for the burger-and-beer crowd, opened in 2006 -- a lifetime ago in Asbury Park foodie years -- Brickwall is known for its rotating beer list and kitschy bar signage, but the full menu is something of a cult favorite for locals. The Burger Burger, essentially a restaurant Big Mac, is among the best in the city, the pierogi and wings are great finger foods, and the new Nom Nom Bowls are climbing up the AP food chain.

You gotta try: The Burger Burger, with two patties, American cheese, pickles, onion and a "special burger sauce" ($14)

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20. Robinson Ale House

1200 Ocean Ave.

First in Red Bank, now in Asbury Park and formerly Tim McLoone's Asbury Grille, the new-look Robinson Ale House has stepped up its game on the boardwalk with better food, service and atmosphere than its previous iteration. The outdoor seating provides a killer oceanfront view, indoors its elegant and welcoming, and in either place the burgers, flatbreads and lobster spinach dip are all can't miss.

You gotta try: The margherita flatbread ($13)

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19. At The Table

311 Bond St.

No frills, just food -- soul food, that is. A small, modestly decorated dining room and sparse wait staff are worth enduring for the classic chicken fried golden brown, smothered turkey wings and short rib. And oh, the epic sides -- the mac and cheese is dangerously addictive, the black-eyed peas, collard greens and mashed potatoes are all tasty supplements, too. It's a place most out-of-towners wouldn't find, either -- beat the beach chaos and chow down!

You gotta try: The southern fried chicken, with mac n' cheese and black-eyed peas

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Cathy Miller | For NJ.com

18. Porta

911 Kingsley St.

Even if you don't frequent Asbury Park, you've probably heard of Porta, the industrial-chic pizza and pasta restaurant that for the last five years has been one of the most popular locales at the Jersey Shore for dinner and dancing (a pulsing dance hall sits adjacent to the main dining room and bar). The list of Neapolitan pizzas, cooked in a wood-fired oven specially built by an Italian kiln company, are rich with flavor and locals go for the inventive salads and house-made meatballs, too.

You gotta try: The "14 ½" pizza, with San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, ricotta, hot soppressata, and Calabrian chiles ($17)

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Michael Persico

17. Modine

601 Mattison Ave.

The "low country" southern eatery Modine is the new kid on the Asbury block, just opened in January, and is off to a hot start with a menu of comfort food and a smoked fried chicken recipe that's worth the drive into town. Opened by friends of the famed Asbury pizza place Talula's and inspired by a trip to South Carolina and Georgia, Modine is the place to go if you're in desperate need of some hush puppies and buttery biscuits. The bar is loaded with craft beer cans (nothing on draft) and a list of cool bourbon cocktails.

You gotta try: The half smoked fried chicken, with hot honey drizzle ($24)

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16. Frank's Deli

1406 Main St.

In a city that's almost wholly reinvented its food scene, good old Frank's has remained the same; it's cash-only, small booths, a staff that treats you like family and a menu that's barely changed in 50 years. Locals flock to Frank's for breakfast and lunch, chowing down on massive sandwiches, breakfast plates a whole lot of pork roll. If Frank's ever closed, the city's old faithful would riot.

You gotta try: Frank's Overstuffed chicken salad club sandwich ($9)

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MaryAnn Spoto | For NJ.com

15. Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten

527 Lake Ave.

Yeah, yeah, you can get imported German and Czech drafts by the liter here and drink like a king, but the dinner menu at the Biergarten is one of the city's unsung heroes. All the Austro-Hungarian staples are terrific here, from the bratwurst, weisswurst and elk sausage, to the pretzels and wiener schnitzel. Even the burgers are some of the best around. I've eaten here a lot and haven't had a bad meal yet.

You gotta try: The wiener schnitzel, with potato and cucumber salad. ($19)

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14. Moonstruck

517 Lake Ave.

To most Asbury Park locals, the imposing Lake Avenue restaurant Moonstruck is a place reserved for special occasions. The price-point suggests as much for this long-standing eatery, opened first in Ocean Grove in 1995 then relocated to AP in 2002. It's an elegant -- if not impersonal -- space overlooking Wesley Lake, with helpful staff in dress shirts and ties, and there are several knockout dishes on a menu that identifies itself as "American-Mediterranean grill." Love the spring vegetable gnocchi and seafood linguine here.

You gotta try: The spring vegetable gnocchi, with fava beans, spinach, garlic, parmesan and cream ($24)

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13. Talula's

550 Cookman Ave.

Let's not mince words: people go freaking nuts for Talula's. Not long after its 2014 opening, this trendy pizza restaurant become the darling of the Asbury foodie scene, has been well-reviewed in the New York Times -- and by us -- and the casual dining room is packed most nights of the week with locals and out-of-towners alike chowing down on the sourdough pies, kale salads and signature cocktails: try the Gin and Jam. Though I'm throwing down the gauntlet to say is no longer the best pizza joint in the city (more on that soon).

You gotta try: The Beekeeper's Lament pizza, with hot soppressata and honey drizzle. ($17)

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12. Barrio Costero

610 Bangs Ave.

There's a ton of Mexican food in Asbury Park but nowhere has it been so refined and given a coastal spin as the cuisine at Barrio Costero, an eatery "rooted in Aztec tradition" and loaded with craft tequilas, cocktails to match, and a seasonal menu full of surprises. It's easy to go big here with entrees, but we recommend ordering a few small plates, sharing with friends and tasting as much as humanly possible inside this chic dining room.

You gotta try: The albondigas (Mexican chicken meatballs), with potato dumpling, watercress and lime ($15)

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Cathy Miller | For NJ.com

11. The Bonney Read

If you're a raw bar kind of guy or gal -- or if you really love a good fish soup -- run, don't walk to The Bonney Read, a popular neighborhood chowder house with an open kitchen, terrific seafood offerings for all appetites and a happy hour that might be the best in the city (especially Wednesdays when it runs all night). A beautifully built bar and restaurant gives the nautical theme but doesn't beat you over the bow with it, and the location in the historic Steinbach building at the corner of Cookman and Bangs Avenues places eaters in the center of downtown Asbury action.

You gotta try: The whole Maine lobster roll, overflowing with lobster and garnished with lemon, celery, dill, fries, coleslaw (market price, $30 when we ate)

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10. Plaza Tapatia

707 Main St.

Foodies across Monmouth County know and love Plaza Tapatia, an authentic Mexican spot on Main Street set away from the downtown bustle, but with flavors to match any place on the city map. The menu at Tapatia is thick with Mexican options, from the common tortas and tamales to combination platters, specials and seafood. And great daily specials here, too -- half-off Sangria on Tuesday, same goes for fajitas on Wednesday.

You gotta try: The Fajita Mixta Especiale, with steak, chicken and shrimp ($18.95)

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9. Medusa Stone-Fired Kitchen

711 4th Ave.

This one hurts to write, because we're giving away a well-kept secret. Talula's and Porta are great and all, but pound-for-pound, the best pizza joint in Asbury Park right now is Medusa Stone-Fired Kitchen on 4th and Main, a 20-seat BYOB place opened in 2016 by Aimée McElroy and Lauren Castellini, the former of whom worked at Porta and Talula's before founding this glorious, casual place with picnic tables outside in the summer and a great locals-only vibe. The pizzas are to die for, and the mussels, salads and other side notes are wonderful, too.

You gotta try: The Herb Pesto pie, with roasted Eggplant, smoked mozzarella and red sauce ($16)

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8. Jimmy's

1405 Asbury Ave.

You may recall Jimmy's as the restaurant that served Paul McCartney dinner last year. Well, Sir Paul has good taste; Jimmy's Italian Restaurant, situated on Asbury Avenue in the less gentrified part of town, has stood since 1982 -- through plenty of lean years in town -- and while the vibe is certainly old-fashioned and the dining room could use a bit of polish, the food is undeniably awesome. Huge portions, friendly staff. Great for a family dinner.

You gotta try: The chicken parm -- it's gigantic and maybe the best this lifelong Jersey guy has ever had. ($25)

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David Gard | For NJ Advance Media

7. Cubacan

800 Ocean Ave.

In terms of atmosphere, you won't find a more beautiful restaurant in Asbury Park than Cubacan on the south end of the boardwalk. The chic Cuban decor is transportive, the bar is lively, the outdoor seating provides a striking ocean view and the food is just terrific. The menu is loaded with flavorful roast pork and beef dishes, complimented by the more shareable empanadas and coquetas. Reservations recommended, this is a hot place with reasonable pricing and a lot to love.

You gotta try: The Lechon Asado: traditional cuban roast pork, peppers, onions, fried yuca and rice and beans. ($16.95)

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6. Stella Marina

800 Ocean Ave.

A stone's throw from Cubacan is another best bet on the boardwalk, the stellar Italian locale Stella Marina. It's a big, gorgeous space on the edge of all the beachfront action, with well-sized and generally delicious fare. The pasta is can't-miss here, as are the chicken and seafood entrees. The cocktail list is strong here, too -- what's better than a negroni in the dead of summer? If you go, ask to sit upstairs; the second-floor view overlooking the ocean is amazing.

You gotta try: The Chicken Scarpariello with sweet Italian sausage, broccoli rabe and rosemary potato ($27)

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5. Reyla

603 Mattison Ave.

Of all the brand-spanking-new places to open in Asbury Park in the last year, the best is easily Reyla, the modern Mediterranean restaurant that replaced Cibo E Vino on Mattison Avenue. Where to begin: the small plates, from hummus and olives to the flawless dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) and mussels, to the pork kabob and chop, which are off-the-charts delicious. The sparse dining room could stand a bit more decoration, but the food is an empire onto itself.

You gotta try: The pork chop, with pomegranate, mustard frill, charred scallion lebne and almond vinaigrette ($26)

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4. Taka

After years in a smaller location on Mattison Avenue, sushi virtuoso Takahiro Hirai moved his masterful Japanese Restaurant Taka to a larger spot smack-dab in the middle of downtown on Cookman Avenue in 2014, and the place has never been better. The long list of fresh sushi and sashima is superb, sure, but the entrees are killer, too. Taka is unquestionably one of the best upscale Asian restaurants in Monmouth County, with a gorgeous dining room, bar area, and sensational cocktails.

You gotta try: The Yamaguchi roll, with tuna, salmon, shiso leaf, yellowtail top, habanero masago and honey wasabi mayo ($16)

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Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media

3. Pascal and Sabine

601 Bangs Ave.

For modern French cuisine at the Jersey Shore, there's no restaurant finer than Pascal and Sabine, a welcoming and well-rounded European brasserie that's been reviewed by every food critic under the tri-state sun and come out shining on the other side. The dining room is chic yet quaint, the staff is incredibly helpful for those less indoctrinated in the way of fromage and frites, and the food -- from cheese platters and tartare to pork chops and rabbit legs -- is simply addictive. The circular lounge bar slinging martinis and cocktails is a winner, too.

You gotta try: The Coq Au Vin (braised chicken) with red wine, mushrooms, pearl onions, pommes purée ($24)

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2. The Restaurant at Hotel Tides

408 7th Ave.

This is the best-kept secret in Asbury Park, and it's not close. You'd never find the boutique inn Hotel Tides, nestled a few blocks from the beach on residential 7th Avenue on the city's north end, but the small restaurant inside the hotel is just spectacular. Locals go wild for the Tides' dining room -- and will probably kill me for writing about it -- but executive chef Julio Cruz shepherds a terrific New American menu, where flavor and plating are nearly unparalleled in town. The staff treats you like you're family; my friends and I joke that if we were to ever hit the lottery, this is the neighborhood spot we'd frequent most. Reservations recommended.

You gotta try: The cabernet braised angus short ribs, with black truffle crispy pancetta and pea risotto ($32)

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1. Brando's Citi Cucina

162 Main St.

The atmosphere: A warm, family-friendly Italian eatery merging modern effects and traditional hospitality. The service: The staff treats you like royalty, never missing a beat. The food: Some of the best you've ever had.

"Brando's is an 'osteria' in the truest meaning of the word," chef and owner Steven Botta writes on the restaurant website. "'Osteria' means a place where the owner hosts his guests." And that truly is the vibe at Brando's Citi Cucina on Main Street -- the bar-none best restaurant in Asbury Park.

For years, my friends and I have celebrated just about every special occasion here, and none of us have ever left less than thrilled -- and stuffed -- with the food, from gnocchi three ways and unforgettable pasta to epic chicken dishes, steaks, seafood and veal chops. If the world was scheduled to end on Friday, we'd go to Brando's on Thursday, order a cocktail, and wait it out with the mammoth meatballs.

You gotta try: The scallops, with zucchini "three-way" risotto and pistachio brown butter ($32)

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How we ranked them

Only restaurants with table service and that identify as restaurants and not simply "bars that sell food" were included. Counter-service eateries and cafes were excluded to keep the list manageable, hence the omissions of places like Mogo, Proven Poke, Twisted Tree Cafe and Crown Fried Chicken. Restaurants were judged on the following criteria: selection and quality of food, value for cost, atmosphere, service, drinks and overall creativity.

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Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier and Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.