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    Inlet Cafe

    3.2 (412 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Inlet Cafe Takeout or Delivery

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    INLET CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Inlet Cafe

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    Cuban Sandwich
    Jim T.

    Despite living in the area for over 10 years, we somehow had never eaten here before so we decided to give it a shot on a beautiful summer Sunday. We got a great table outside with some shade and the view is unbeatable. The live music was good despite an annoying drunk guy at the bar repeatedly yelling during and in between songs. The food was good, we had the chicken sandwich and the cuban, zero complaints as both were solid. The beers were cold. However, I could not help but notice that they were operating in what I could only describe as pure chaos and disarray. Young, untrained and eager to help staff would linger around your table and circle, and circle AND circle over and over and over again. Our server stopped by our table no less than 15 times in our 30 minute lunch. He was so sweet and polite, we just didn't need to be asked how our food was 5+ times in 10 minutes or if we needed anything else 3x between ordering and waiting for our food. I hadn't even taken a bite of my sandwich before he stopped back to ask how it was. Such a nice young man, but I don't think he realized that his attentiveness was actually working against him at a certain point. It was the first time I'd ever noticed a place being overstaffed working against them and having a bit of the reverse impact I'm sure they hoped for on a busy Sunday afternoon in June. Honestly, it all made us feel a bit anxious as we laughed it off because they were great kids, but you could tell there was zero training or oversight. They even started clearing off our table and setting up for the next one as we stood up, literally instantly, hovering a few feet away. I'm sure it will get better as it's just the beginning of June and these kids will get more experience but I guess I'd wonder where the manager was to observe what we were seeing and give some corrective feedback or in general just train them a bit, maybe on a day they are closed, if there is one. Just my two cents.

    Marc K.

    Came last week for a very nice dinner. Came this week for a happy hour on Wednesday. Weather was dreary. So were the drinks. Second round was with tonic water and it tasted last all water. Totally flat tonic. Didn't bother to finish the drinks. Mentioned it to waitress and didn't seem to care at all. Went next door to PG and drinks were better. Stick to beer or wine at Inlet. Very disappointed sadly. Love the spot but was it good for happy hour especially with hardly anyone there on a rainy afternoon.

    Flounder shrimp clam strips

    Heard the original owners are back we decided to go for dinner see if it's true so happy service food and ambiance great THERE BACK!! We were so disappointed a few years ago when we went it was terrible so happy you guys are back

    View from the patio
    Kathy G.

    We heard that the original owners were back so we made it a point to go. For us it's a 45 minute ride south and we hoped it was worth it. We sat outside despite iffy weather. We always loved the outdoor patio overlooking Sandy hook and did not want to be inside. The menu was different and smaller. In talking with our server, Julian, who was top notch, we learned they were just getting back in the swing with new cook, etc. I ordered the clams as a meal, it was actually shown as an appetizer. My husband had the fried fish sandwich - I believe cod - with fries. Both really were good. I had a mixed drink, I don't remember the name but cucumber and lime, also very good. Julian went out of his way to make us feel like we were "back at home " after the travesty that had been the last owners and were terrible. Storms were coming and he gave us a heads up that we could move under cover or if we wanted to stay outside he was there to help if the weather did not hold. As we finished our meal the weather did take a turn for the worse. We moved in with Julian's help to have coffee and dessert. They still had the original campfire sundae with a toasted marshmallow on top. Coffee also very good. Julian said they were going to be trying different things on the menu. I'll say here that they need to hold on to Julian as he was very good at his job plus friendly and just super. So the bad weather did pass and we saw a gorgeous full double rainbow. I know this was not part of the restaurant but, hey, I believe in signs. Was it what it used to be? No. But we see a lot of promise and we will be taking that long drive again. I should have taken pictures of the menu but it's subject to change. Thank you Inlet Cafe for coming back!

    crab stuffed mushroom app (very filling, a bit sweet)
    Karly K.

    I don't understand why people aren't raving about this place?! A casual waterfront overlooking the stunning NYC skyline and Sandy Hook beach. The owners and staff are beyond friendly and accommodating every time. Fair prices and generous portions. Their menu is diverse, the seafood all fresh, plus nice drink options (the champagne sangria is lovely with a refreshing peachiness to it + they rightfully carry Big Man's Brew--the late Clarence Clemon's IPA which is hard to come by and smooth like he was). They have great happy hour specials in the summer. PSA: PLEASE GIVE THE COLE SLAW A CHANCE! One of the most overlooked accoutrements on a dinner table (not by me), but theirs is cream of the crop. It comes with their complimentary bread. Also, get the soup sampler! It comes with New England & Manhattan clam chowder and lobster bisque. They are all so flavorful with a nice balance of broth to substance. Right level of creaminess. Cup sizes for each are more than enough. There is somewhat of a long wait during the summer, but typically shorter than other establishments nearby. They have a large waiting area in the meantime that you can hear the neighboring restaurant's live band, so have a drink and relax!

    Complimentary bread and delicious cole slaw
    Deana B.

    Great views, food and drinks! If you're looking for a casual spot on the water, I would highly recommend. I loved that we were not rushed and could take our time to eat, drink, relax and take in the water views. They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait. Luckily you can grab a drink at the bar while you wait. There's also free valet parking available (just leave a nice tip).

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    14 days ago

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    Business owner information

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    Robin L.

    Happy to be back, thanks

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    3 months ago

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    3 months ago

    The website advertised Happy Hour prices on drinks and appetizers. They had neither. False advertising.

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    3 months ago

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    3 years ago

    Great spot to have a cocktail and enjoy the views, watch the boats go by! Good food too! Make you feel right at home!

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    Page 1 of 11

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    Went on a date night to Proving Ground on a beautiful summer night…read more We started with some sushi getting the shrimp tempura roll. It was delicious I was surprised they even had sushi. For mains we ordered the truffle mac and cheese and the steak sandwich. The steak sandwich was on garlic break, the steak was cooked perfectly and the added fries were a plus. The mac and cheese was also delicious not overly cheesy just an all around good meal. Definitely worth checking out we sat outside and admired the boats and sunset. The food came out quick and hot. Service was polite and genuine.

    I'm not usually a fan of dishes with a lot of tomato sauce, and unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this…read moreentrée as much as I had hoped. Maybe I misunderstood the description, but I expected the Creole flavors to come through more. Instead, the dish tasted heavily of tomato and seemed to be missing some of the additional seasonings I was expecting. The orzo was also overcooked, which made it very soft and easy to break apart. That said, the lobster bisque was absolutely divine, and the fries were perfectly crunchy. Despite my meal not being my favorite, the restaurant itself is beautiful. It was pouring outside during my visit, but the waitress was incredibly kind and attentive, which definitely added to the experience. I would still love to return and try some of the other items on the menu. I especially want to experience their outdoor seating--it looks absolutely gorgeous with the lighting! Overall, it's a beautiful restaurant with a lovely atmosphere, and I'm looking forward to giving it another try.

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    Bahrs Landing Restaurant

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    I have selected Bahrs Landing as my yearly visit for Soft Shell Crab (most commonly blue crabs that…read morehave recently molted their hard outer shell to grow. Caught immediately after shedding, the entire crab can be eaten...shell and all. They offer an intensely sweet, rich flavor and a delicate, crispy texture when cooked). Bahr's Landing prepares this sautéed crab with capers, mushrooms, lemon & butter, mashed potatoes and vegetables. My go-to appetizer is always the Grilled Cauliflower (Topped with tomato pesto, quinoa, and wild rice blend). The crispness of the cauliflower....brushed through the surrounding ingredients.....makes this the perfect starter. Aside from enjoying the mouth-watering food, you'll also feel as if you're dining on a ship, have great views of the pier, water, and the bridge leading into Sandy Hook Beach. Don't forget to visit their gift shop and view all of the maritime decor and beautiful woodwork.

    What a disappointment...been living in Monmouth County for over 45yrs...for most those years, my…read morefamily has dined here numerous times. Most recently, my older daughter, after college, married a young man from Long Island and moved there. My son-in-law and I have a friendly banter regarding who has the better seafood. They visited for the week and prior to them heading back to LI, I recommended going out to Bahrs, before they get on the parkway...easy and to prove my point, who has the better seafood...well, needless to say...my point was mute. First, let me set the stage, it's 4 adults and 3 children (7,5,3)....ordered steamers, mug of NE chowder, calamari, Caesar salad, linguine w/clam, kids cheese burger, pasta with butter, side of meatballs, fried founder and a Lava cake (baby girls bday-they were out of) replace it with a couple of scoops of ice cream...with a candle (best part). Mug of Chowder- $13 came out cold Caesar Salad- $15 couple of pieces of romaine, wishbone is a better dressing Linguine w/clam- $29 sauce was so think, uneatable (gave enough clams) still couldn't eat it Calamari- $17, only rings and rubbery, Costco has better frozen Kids cheeseburgers- $14.50 each, 4oz burgers It was a slider at best...no taste Pasta with butter- $14.50 dry, forgot the butter Steamers- $27....sandy and rubbery What has happened to this place...staff is summer help...inexperienced...it's not the fault of the help, it's the fault of the owners and management. For the record, we didn't complain to our waitress..it's not her fault. We tip her 25%, (my children worked locally, during the summers, not at Bahrs) Bill was over $300 with drinks...I'd rather spend that where I can get quality. There are many more options...guessing location plays a part...but, I'm a local and not a tourist. Sorry Bahrs, not returning......

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    Inside

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    Bahrs Blueberry crumble with vanilla ice cream

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    The Atlantic House - Grilled cheese brisket I believe

    Grilled cheese brisket I believe

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    On The Deck Restaurant and Bar

    On The Deck Restaurant and Bar

    3.6(291 reviews)
    2.9 mi
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    Everything was good here today. The view was excellent, & our service was wonderful as Kiernan was…read morea really good waiter. Good food and we were seated quickly. You can sit inside or outside here.

    3.5 stars I had seen…read morepictures of On the Deck courtesy of a few friends that had been to the restaurant and bar on the harbor. It always looked like such a cool place, and I had been really interested in checking it out. I finally made it there the other day, after a brief afternoon at a local beach. When we arrived around 6:30 pm on that Friday evening, we could see that the back deck was very full and that the parking lot was also close to capacity. We were able to, thankfully, grab a spot and walked over to the restaurant, climbing the stairs to the second floor where we met the hostess. We were told that the wait for outdoor seating was 40-minutes, while indoors was 30-minutes. Glancing around, the inside dining room was casual and nautically-themed. The tables and bar were bustling. The balcony was just as busy, but offered live music, so we determined that it would be worth waiting the additional time and added our name to the list. In the meantime, we decided to hang by the outdoor bar but were unable find a spot. Thankfully, a duo was vacating one of the few high-top tables in the bar section, which were first-come, first-serve. We grabbed that table and settled in to watch the beautiful sunset over the boats docked in the harbor. The staff and the few patrons we encountered during our visit were all very friendly, which only emphasized the laidback vibe of the waterside venue. The food, however, was mediocre at best. When our dinner was delivered, we did not receive any silverware, so we had to grab that from the bar, which was also from where we had placed our order. I had requested the Pan-Seared Salmon, which was well-cooked and served with thin stalks of asparagus, dry jasmine rice, and a huge amount of buttery garlic herb sauce. It made sense that the fish was served in a bowl, because there was so much greasy butter that it would have leaked all over if it was on a flat plate. Thankfully, the bartender had given me a few side plates, so I was able to move my food out of the oily bowl. My friend also had some issues with her meal. Her cup of New England Clam Chowder was flavorful, but watery and mostly broth. Her Fried Flounder Sandwich was heavily breaded and served with an unripe tomato and mushy, oily fries. From a beverage perspective, they had surprisingly interesting cocktails, but I was thrilled to see my favorite beer, Kane Head High, on tap. We simply loved the view, live acoustic tunes from P.D. Brody, and the overall relaxing atmosphere. However, we felt that the food could have been better executed. The menu offered all kinds of seafood and higher-end bar food, but the preparation left something to be desired.

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    On The Deck Restaurant and Bar - While this surf and turf special looks impressive don't be fooled. There were tiny steak medallions under all those fries and onion straws.

    While this surf and turf special looks impressive don't be fooled. There were tiny steak medallions under all those fries and onion straws.

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    Inlet Cafe - seafood - Updated September 2026

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