This is somewhere between a 3.5 and 4 but I'm feeling generous so I will round up. Plus, the good certainly outweighs the bad. This place seems to be legendary among the locals and I can see why: The pros: gorgeous views of the Navesink. You should experience it at least once. There is limited seating outside but grab a drink at the bar inside and relax outside on a nice evening. This made the wait more tolerable which I will get to. The crew is friendly enough from the hostess down to the wait staff. Everyone is working very hard and it shows. Finally, what everyone comes here for: the burger. It's about a half pound, cooked to your liking on a flat iron grill behind the bar. It is very good and a right of passage if you live in the area. The cons: the wait is LONG. This could've been bc we came on a Friday night in the summer (around 6pm). If the weather wasn't nice, this would have been a brutal wait as the space inside is limited to tables as is the bar seating. The burger was good but not worth the wait. I love burgers but I can make a great one at home in the cast iron skillet so waiting almost 2 hours for one isn't ideal for me. I recommend coming early on a nice night. Don't go out of your way but if you live in Monmouth County, be sure to pay them a visit. read more

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The Icon of Rumson! Always has been and always will be. Great burgers and drinks with a totally cool vibe.

Fantastic burger. Brownie ala mode over the top tasty. A truly great local spot. Very hard to get in though.

Best burgers around, all the food is great. Great prices great place I go for lunch all the time. Packed in the summer so get there early

Barnacle Bill's is A Jersey Shore Legend. Located on the River in Rumson, the scenery is beautiful. Bill's is famous for their Steamers and Burgers. Unfortunately this was not a planned visit and I had grilled burgers the night before. The steamers were a generous portion and they were good looking, served with Broth and butter. Unfortunately they were super sandy even after having them soak and dunk in the broth. The serving is easily enough for 2 to 3 people. I had the crab cake sandwich for my entree which was top notch. Broiled nicely with a handsome percentage of lump crap on a awesome brioche bun. My wife had the linguini and clams which was a lovely plate, unfortunately the sauce wasn't seasoned. My daughter had the po boy which was disappointing, the shrimp were blackened while she was expecting fried. Service was slow. Next time I will check out their burger. read more

Barnacle Bill's - Nice views - Bars Near Me - Rumson, New Jersey

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Great place to grab a burger and some oysters! Fun atmosphere and service is very good!

Classic restaurant in the heart of Rumson. Great burgers (cheese sauce is a fav) and seafood dishes. Families have been coming here for generations and there is no sign of that trend stopping any time soon. I have to admit to being old enough that I remember the peanut shells on the floor ... I miss that as it gave the place a certain character which has been lacking ever since, but the food on its own is enough to bring you back time and time again. Full bar service here .... And a word to wise ... expect a long wait for a table during prime hours as this is definitely a destination place. Enjoy! read more

Loved it! Been coming here for years and always a great time! The burgers are the best!

Pet friendly outside. It's great with a view! We ordered fried oysters, yum! Clams on 1/2 shell were great. My husband got the broiled seafood. He enjoyed it. I had a scallop from his plate. Awesome! I am real particular about my scallops. They were fantastic. They weren't sitting in a nasty brine prior. They were fresh. I had the tuna. Tuba was cooked sushi style. I did order the Barnacle Bill Pepper way. It was good but I do perfect the dry pepper rub. read more

Barnacle Bill's - Tuna BB Pepper - Bars Near Me - Rumson, New Jersey

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Yummy salads and a grest location! Very crowded so be prepared to wait. A bit loud and music blaring was annoying.

The server forgot my drink I had to remind them. The burger was very hot and cooked very well, but It didn't have much taste and the bun was a little larger than the burger. Fun place and well know. Would go again. read more

Barnacle Bill's has been on my radar for years at this point due to its reputation for quality bovine. I wasn't in the mood for a hamburger though when I came here, and maybe that was part of the problem. Regardless, as often happens with places like this, I left feeling it was a bit overrated. My chum and I came here pretty famished after a hike this past Sunday in nearby Gateway/Sandy Hook. It was unseasonably warm and I was in the mood for some seafood to maximize the Jersey Shore experience. I'd say we got here around 3pm, so I was a little surprised at how crowded it was (though I don't think most people have a "normal" eating schedule on Sundays - brunch is tricky like that). The girl at the door told us it would be a 25-minute wait, so we made ourselves comfortable in some delightful Adirondack chairs outside right by the Navesink. Very pleasant, and we actually got the call for an available table after about 10 minutes. I love a dramatically overestimated wait time. The interior was exactly what I expected. It has kind of a touristy vibe with oodles of nautical shizzle on the wall, but it also felt like a place where rich locals would come to slum, or at least as close as you can get to doing that in Rumson. It was loud and crowded; we had to carefully maneuver around tables to get to our seats. Their bar setup is really unique - they actually have a cooking area on the side facing the wall where it looked like the burgers were being prepared. I did wonder if there were any potential health code issues with having a part of the kitchen right in the middle of the bar like that but decided to leave that question for someone much better educated on the topic. We opted to split the Old Bay Crab Dip appetizer ($15), and I selected the baked flounder entree ($24) with a side of baked potato. The crab dip was the star of the show. It's very tasty, though I didn't think it was the most visually appealing - it looked to have a lot of oily greasy pockets on the top. I'm not sure if that had anything to do with the Old Bay seasoning, which certainly gave it a darker, redder hue than I'm used to seeing with my crab dips. I thought the bread they used complemented the dip well; I'd say most of the time I've been given small loaves of sourdough, but this was slightly better in my opinion. Overall though, the best crab dip I've had in the area is at the Cloverleaf in Caldwell, and this doesn't quite reach that level. I'd order it again though. The flounder was fine, not too flaky, and pretty tasty. It was nothing necessarily to write home about, but I tend to think baked fish needs more seasoning than other types of prepped fish, so I'd recommend they focus on that going forward. We each ordered a cocktail. I got the Mai Tai ($11.25), and my chum ordered the Bartenders Margarita ($9). Neither of us were particularly enthused about the drinks. I felt like mine was kind of tasteless, which made me think they went light on the curacao or were using a different liquor entirely. Also aesthetics-wise (and this really wasn't important), both drinks were just in generic soda glasses with minimal if any garnish. If the visuals are a high priority for you, keep that in mind. The service was mediocre, unfortunately. Our early call from the girl at the door to come in was the high point and it went downhill from there. The waitress was civil but was noticeably overwhelmed/busy and distracted. We asked her multiple times for waters and never got them (I had to chug my water bottle in the car on the way home), and the second time I asked, she cut me off and said a little defensively that she would get the water for us. We may have just caught her at a bad time, but it definitely tainted the experience. The food itself came out pretty quickly, but anything involving direct interaction with the waitress was a bit of a crapshoot. Hopefully it was an aberration. We drove about six miles out of the way to come here, passing several other intriguing eateries. I'd probably stop at one of those next time. read more

Barnacle Bill's - Baked Flounder. - Bars Near Me - Rumson, New Jersey

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The food and the service were very good. Great value and the prices are reasonable. Good overall selection of food.

Good, not great. We were in the area for two weddings and had some time to sightsee (waterfront) and try a couple of local restaurants. We found this to be a decent lunch spot but not tremendously memorable. Hubby loves seafood and was really looking forward to our lunch here. He got the fried seafood platter - all in, right?!? He said it wasn't too flavorful, a bit disappointing. My lunch was a salad with the house dressing (which has chopped egg in it). The salad was good but the dressing was odd. The waitress also brought the house made tomato dressing, which I liked less than the house dressing. The atmosphere inside and out is great. Very nautical. And the service was really good, especially considering how busy they were. read more

Barnacle Bill's - Chopped salad with two dressing options, homemade tomato and house dressing with chopped eggs - Bars Near Me - Rumson, New Jersey

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Being someone who travels a lot for business, I have seen a lot of restaurants named Barnacle Bill's. It Is by no means a unique name. However, this restaurant is a decent offering and a good place to head over to. The food is nothing groundbreaking, but that might be part of the Allure of this place. There is something to be said about some of the staples of American cuisine. This is an establishment that I would definitely recommend. read more

Beautiful spot! Big space, and very popular in the area Our favorite was the sausage and broccoli rabe pasta! The sauce was fantastic and plenty to share The blackened mahi-mahi was done well! No bones, and had great flavor The waitress and staff were very nice, speedy delivery on items too Thanks for the meal! read more

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Best burger ANYWHERE ! Food is good too. Go early or late as it's very popular. Bar, outside and table seating and service, full bar read more

Great food amazing view of the navesink river and friendly bar tenders. A bit pricey but who isn't anymore?

After a 2 hour wait, we did have a great dinner at Barnacle Bill's. We had clams, burgers & both a Cobb & a Caesar salad. Everything was really good, but the burgers were exceptional. The staff is always really friendly, despite the fact that it's always packed here. read more

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The best burgers! I've been going to this place for well over 30 years and it never disappoints. The burgers are the best around. Great atmosphere and super friendly staff. Be prepared to wait, but it's well worth it. read more

Omg, delicious burgers. Ambience is typical dock bar, busy, bustling, etc. I can't recommend the burgers enough!!!

Best burgers in Jersey Krugs in a close second love this place . Gets very crowded be prepared to wait

We waited so long to come here. Had our hopes set high. Very disappointed. The crab cakes were more breadcrumbs than crab. Not sure there was any crab in it at all tbh. Salmon was mediocre. The restaurant looked dirty. Service was ok. Would never go back, as there are many more places with much better food within a mile of this restaurant. read more

I've been wanting to try this place for so long. A good friend of mine always raves about it. You can't beat the location,. This place sits on the Navesink River in Rumson. Their known for their fresh seafood, cheddar burgers, and wonderful Mai Tai drinks, and Long Island ice teas. . All seating is now outside do to Covid. They don't take reservations, There is usually a long wait, but worth it. I've met so many nice locals while waiting for my table. I've actually been here twice now and the staff is super friendly and they really try to accommodate everyone's needs. For seating outside there are picnic tables with umbrellas, and tables of two and four spaced out for social distancing around a grassy area. It is a great place to come and watch the sunset over the water. Since there was a long wait, I decided to wait on their deck and order a mai tai. After a long day in the hot sun at the beach it really hit the spot. FYI- you can only order drinks on their deck no appetizers. If you want to order appetizers while you wait you have to order it at the section with Adirondack chairs that face the water, or at your table once seated. I decided to order Steamers for appetizer. I shared them with my friend. It's around $23 for a full order. You get a large bowl served with a side of broth and butter. The steamers were very fresh and delicious. You definitely have to know how to pull off the end and then dip them in the broth and butter. For my entree It was suggested to me by several patrons to try their 10 Oz cheddar burger. It was cooked exactly how I like it, medium rare. It was served on a brioche bun with melted cheddar and sautéed onions and mushrooms. My cheddar burger came with potato chips, but I order a side of onion rings which were super crispy. It was very good. My friend ordered their Shrimp pó boy sandwich which she enjoyed. I didn't order dessert because I was full. I must say my hostess Beverly was so sweet. She came over and talked to us, she even found me bug spay bc when it got dark I had a few pesky bugs land on me bc I had some suntan lotion and coconut spray, and salt water on my skin from the beach. It totally did the trick. My waitress Stephanie was also so amazing! She was very attentive, made great suggestions to me and my friend. She constantly checked up on us to see if we needed anything. She was very pleasant to talk to. All the staff were very happy and I could hear them singing as they walked by with customers orders. Everything looked so good. You have to wear a mask when you walk around or go to the ladies room. Once seated, on the deck or at your table you don't have to, it's optional. All the staff wear masks. I will definitely be returning, I want to try their seared scallops which looked great! read more

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Always a good meal at barnacles. Consistency is key and they gave it down pat! Great burgers fabulous seafood and salads!!! It's our go to ! The service & staff are wonderful! read more

This place is always crowded and definitely not with Rumson people. It is really reasonable and better when the weather is nice so you can go outside. I wish they would improve the inside. It is so dated. The food is decent for a burger place and the only place I can get fried oysters around here. A good weeknight place. read more

Fun family restaurant, Great Burgers! We have been regularly eating here for years; It is an old school jersey restaurant that makes you feel welcome when you walk in door. Staff is super friendly and accommodating. Bar is always fun filled atmosphere with local entertainment; New upgrades to the outdoor seating has made a gem in the rough a diamond read more

Food was really good next. Time. Will sit inside outside tables are uncomfortable, Service was great.

Had an outdoor reservation for 4 on a weekend and had a 2 hour wait. The waitress Rebecca was very attentive for drinks, apps and entrees. We ordered drinks and steamers, clams and shrimp and everything was fresh. The shrimp seemed old but the steamers were plump and fresh. For entrees we had salmon, grouper and 2 custom classic Barnacle burgers. My grouper was a good portion but came very cold. The large crowd made everything seem like it sat and not cooked thoroughly. Barnacle's always has great food and service but this was a little lackluster due to high demand. Either way, great food and experience read more

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Amazing food and reasonable prices. Delicious craft beers on tap. Sometimes fun events. Once in a while crowded, otherwise five stars.

Good music and location but that's about it. place was jammed packed but we were able to get a seat at the bar. Bartenders were busy but not friendly at all. Drinks were mediocre. my fish tacos were cold so I sent it back and got a cheeseburger which was decent. my husband's crab cake sandwich was horrible. The crab cake was so small and overloaded with breadcrumbs. if we ever go back we will make sure we eat somewhere else and go for the band. read more

Grew up coming here! So glad to see its still here and with some new improvements - like the outdoor area. Came on a Friday night and there was a live band. Ordered drinks at the bar and waited outside under the Edison bulbs. Got a text for our table - super easy. Ordered steamers, the crab dip, calamari, fried zucchini and French onion soup. Nothing else to say than delicious read more

I love this place. Awesome location, great food and an absolute gem. Good service and great views of the river. Get the legendary Cheddar burger on a toasted English muffin, it takes it to a new level. read more

Best burgers on the northern Shore. Period. Have gone there for a long time, and still the best.

Neighborhood gem. Always delicious, consistent service, wonderful location. A. It noisy but that's what makes it so lively.

The beautiful river view was the best part of our experience eating at Barnacle Bill's as we sat outside on a picture-perfect day. The burgers my husband and son ordered were above average quality, served on crusty, tasty rolls. However, the chips were stale (the hungry duck who roams about didn't even want them!). The romaine in the salad was cut down too low on the stem but was oddly not as crunchy as it should have been. So, the burgers evened out to average. Now, to the totally unacceptable meal. It was disappointing that BB's was out of both the Lobster salad and soft-shell crab sandwiches. However, I happily ordered the flounder sandwich, only to be very disappointed when it arrived. First, it was the blandest flounder I have ever tasted (not sure if it was previously frozen?). The fish was served on toasted rye bread (the kind you get in the food store that lasts for weeks). The red onion on the lettuce was cut so thick that I just removed it completely (that was the only hope of flavor). The fries were inedible--cold and undercooked. There were no redeeming qualities about the meal. The service was just ok. We get it that there is a shortage of help for restaurants this summer, but the at least 45-minute wait (with some empty tables around us midday on a Sunday) for disappointing meals was inexcusable. Maybe BBs is "the place," as some reviewers claim, for ok burgers (with fresh chips, please) and beers. From our experience, if you are looking for fresh seafood prepared with regard for taste and presentation, BBs is not the place. read more

We arrived about 45 mins after opening on a rainy Thursday afternoon and the place was already packed. We sat at 2 of the last seats at the bar. A nice view of the water from our seats enhanced the experience. Our bartender was attentive and place seemed to have enough employees to handle the crowd. We ordered fried calamari which was not that great and a fried seafood platter which was good, not great. Not a bad place if you're in the area. read more

After almost 2 years we are back. Soups were good, quesadilla was ok, and cob salad was not good at all. Please bring back the Sunday brunch menu; it was great when you had it. read more

I love the food, environment, and the service. One of the best restaurants I've ever been to and I have a positive experience every time I'm there! I highly recommend going to this fine establishment for a night out! read more

Solid pub food and drinks. Service is generally reliable. Traditional pub ambience. Best known for burgers, but plenty of other options. A nice refuge after dealing with the beach crowds. read more