As other reviewers wrote, the food is nothing great. Only real attraction is it's convenient location right by the beaches of Sandy Hook and Atlantic Highlands. Service is ok, although I do notice some waitresses are rude as other reviewers also mentioned. I'd only return if the other restaurants are over crowded and I can get a table here easily. read more

Great local bar but a fun experience for friends and new comers. James, the bartender, will entertain and keep your drink filled. Try the specials or go with the Hooked Up Burger for a great time. Enjoy! read more

Perhaps it's because I'm too nice or just really optimistic, but I typically never give a one star review on yelp unless a restaurant is a repeat offender of offering up the heinous. In good conscious I cannot elevate this place's rating above a one star and the kindest thing I can really say about it as an establishment is that I wouldn't give it a 0 star if I could. When I first arrived here I was immediately assaulted with a live band in the outdoor patio area, blaring their crappy music and making it impossible to have a conversation without screaming at the top of your lungs while mere centimeter's from the next person's ear. To make matters worse, the bartenders weren't mindful at all of the people packed onto the patio and only paid attention to customers sitting at the bar. It took my party damn near 10 minutes to get a bucket of beer ordered, and then another 10 minutes for some chicken wings. The whole while this is going on, they have a misting system, which is fine for the unbearably hot days, but it was going non-stop and blasting at us due to the wind. The water was at least an inch deep on the floor, and honestly, the weather wasn't hot enough for it be warranted, so it was mostly just exceedingly annoying. They could have at least had it on a timer. When the wings showed up they were tiny and the sauce tasted really crappy and was poorly slopped on as an afterthought. We eventually went inside to have dinner where I ordered a vodka club to drink and an artisan flatbread pizza. Our waitress was nice but not very attentive to us. My drink was watered down and weak by a pathetic amount, and certainly not worth the cost. When my flatbread pizza arrived, I dug in, not expecting what I got because honestly, how hard is it to truly and utterly mess up a pizza? Welp, you'd have to ask Off the Hook about that because they managed to turn my pizza into a meal with the flavor profile of an exceptionally dry cardboard box. It was like someone found the most tasteless dough they could, sucked the flavor out of cheese and chicken, and tossed it on there. The sauce was pretty much non-existant as well.. even as a person who likes scanty sauce on their pies, this was just ridiculous. Even worse, despite the fact that I literally only had a nibble of my pizza before pushing it away, the waitress didn't a) ask if I liked it/what was wrong, and b) when I told her, didn't even offer an apology let alone an offer to comp it or get me something else. Luckily the rest of my party pitched in and let me have bits of their food, mostly fried fish, which actually was tasty, but my opinion is totally soured. How do you advertise your "artisan" pizzas the way they did and then give paying customers the shit I was served? Ridiculous. I was relieved to go and after languishing in the fridge for a few days, my "leftovers" went into the bin. Honestly, I feel awful for hating this place because my father-in-law wanted us to love it so much. I think my in-laws all had a great time but I'd never, ever return here of my own volition. read more

Food was awesome, tasty and good price service was not as good, drinks were never refilled.... Plastic chairs just a bit un comfy, the food was good enough to make up for most of it read more

Off The Hook Restaurant and Bar - Seafood Near Me - Highlands, New Jersey

See all

Off the hook is a fun neighborhood bar. Nice folks reasonable price . A great burger night and Prime Rib Special. It's decent reasonably priced place. Menus pretty old school but it's all prepared well and with quality ingredients. read more

Very small inside, but patio seating is available as well as an outdoor that is covered. Bar area for smoking is semi outside. Prices are a little expensive but it's a shore town. I normally get the blacken salmon which is very good. It's bar food with a seafood heavy menu. It's good, and it's a good place for a small group. Their sangria is also amazing by the pitcher. The view isn't as nice since the new bridge was built. In the summer there are a ton of motorcyclists there. I used live across the street from it, and it was loud and annoying. read more

Very good food. Shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, kids grilled chicken, cheeseburgers and steamed broccoli were very good. Cherry Gorgonzola salad with blackened chicken was excellent. Fries could have been better. Environment and ambiance is very nice. Beautiful setting. Reasonable prices as well. read more

Off The Hook Restaurant and Bar - Cherry Gorgonzola salad with blackened chicken. - Seafood Near Me - Highlands, New Jersey

Good seafood place with a view of the Shrewsbury river, Highlands bridge and Atlantic Ocean. Only giving 4 stars because some of the sauces in their dishes are super over powering. The seafood is so tender and fresh I don't see the reason to over power with a sauce. But friendly staff and place is clean, have 1 bar indoors and 1 outdoor bar that can be closed up in severe weather or for winter. read more

From a native Highlands person, this place is the best local staple. Unreal fish tacos. The waitresses and bartenders take care of you. It's a local beach bar. Gotta love it. read more

This is a difficult review for me to write as I've been going to Off the Hook for almost 20 years and usually have good food and service. Tonight I was dining there and ordered a salad with balsamic vinaigrette and a grilled fish taco. Salad comes with a citrus vinaigrette and when I called it to the attention of the wait staff they offered to remake the salad. I was half way through so I said it was fine. I work in a restaurant so I try not to send food back or complain as I know what that feels like in the kitchen. Next up my grilled fish tacos which was served to me blackened. At this point I was getting pissed off. The manager or owner was standing 6 feet away from me but never came by to apologize for screwing up BOTH parts of my order. If the kitchen can't get their act together on a Wednesday why would I go there on a weekend? Poor management. read more

Food is fine, but I am curious if the owners ever asked themselves whether blasting mainstream music into people's ears during during Sunday lunch brings them more business or less. read more

Not a bad place for a bite to eat. My issues is; your a shore restaurant and you only have certain beer. The staff was friendly but a little slow for a non busy night. I also wish they had a little more sea food. read more

Nope. Sure, the view is great and beer but the food is subpar. My friend was served chicken that was still pink inside and cold in the middle. This place has such potential but has been around for a while.. Perhaps Bar Rescue could lend them a hand and bring them into the 21st century. You have to give us better food. Unacceptable read more

Every time I come back to visit family and see the beach this place has become a tradition to catch up and tell only the truest of fish stories! read more

Off The Hook Restaurant and Bar - Mmm bisque! - Seafood Near Me - Highlands, New Jersey

One of our favorite restaurants in the area. Great views and casual vibes with a decent amount of outdoor seating. The mahi fish tacos and grouper sandwich are a must, but can't really go wrong here! read more

Food & prices are good -- and wait is reasonable (except for Saturday's where they don't offer pickup or take out). However 2 main complaints; the kitchen (which is visible from the parking lot) looks *dirty*. Also, the bus boys and women at the reception area don't wear masks. It's ironic when all the patrons are wearing masks, but the staff isn't. They need to get their act together. read more

I'm so disappointed. Went with a guy on my first date during lunch. Both ordered lobster sandwiches, this is what they are famous for. Well 23 dollars a piece and the sandwich sucked. It was so salty it wasn't edible. When I told the server she said I'll let them know. No manager came over, no deductions from the check. Won't be returning. read more

Negatives: * Quality of food and lack of flavor * Restaurant was not clean * Environment was less than inviting We were there with kids after a local hike, wouldn't suggest this place for children, local patrons didn't reserve their conversation despite young ears. read more

I went here during the entire summer! They make theeeee best Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. Their sauce is to die for...they also make a reallly amazing spinach dip that I always get when I go there. Overall a good time and good food. Okay service...but the food is great and always fresh read more

See all

Went here last night at 7:30 got a seat at the bar. Not to busy was surprised that it wasn't crowded. Full moon rise was at 8:30. Good food, reasonable priced drinks. I just had the shrimp cocktail and lobster bisque soup with margaritas to wash it down. Others had lobster avocado salad , fish tacos , fig salad & roasted clams all were satisfied with there choices. Beers and gin and tonics for drinks. Good view for the moon rise , a little noisy being so close to the hwy. Live band on this Friday night a lot of good songs. read more

I could've eaten better seafood at red lobster. We arrived around 9pm, the tables ad chairs were plastic which wouldn't have bothered me except the entrees cost upwards of 25 dollars. My husband orders a beer, the keg is kicked. We order an app, the calamari - mediocre, a bit salty. The waitress tells me she has no idea what kind of lobster they serve (maine, rock...what?) But that it is frozen!! The meal cost 25$, for frozen lobster? Isn't this the jersey shore? I order a broiled seafood platter, just so happens they gave me yesterdays menu....blasphemy! I reluctantly get the stuffed shrimp. Meal came w rice. Salad was not included w meal, neither was a veg. I asked for broccoli, she said it was 2$ extra. Ok no biggie but then my meal comes and no rice. So I was charged for broccoli even though they nixed the rice, which was not what I asked for? How does that make sense?? I couldn't eat my meal bc the waitress rushed us thru our salads bc our meals came like 4 mins after we got salad which came while we were eating our appetizer. All in all a 70$ bill for a 35 minute dinner!!. And not such a great atmosphere with frozen seafood. Totally ridic. Very disappointed! read more

My review echos so many others regarding their food. The location is cool but the snobby young waitresses who are more concerned about their short shorts and hair will serve you over priced nasty food at a very slow pace. That was the worst hamburger I've ever had in my life Bring your own food! read more

Why would any glass of house pinot noir cost $9 . I had. A near flavorless flounder sandwich and 2 glasses of the house piinot noir and my bill was over $30.. maybe why the restaurant was only 1/2 full on a Friday Also begs the question why the waitress did not inform of the pricing. My table mate had a martini which cost him only $ 5.. buyer beware read more

Try the Lobster Salad sandwich and tell me you have EVER had a better sandwich. Generous portion! I love the voodoo shrimp/scallop appetizer ~ seafood in a scampy sauce with hot garlic bread. My normal order is the grouper with sauteed spinach on the side...love the staff! Roasted clams also a favorite. read more

I'm convinced the 4 and 5 star reviews are from people who work here, or drunks. The service was fine but the food wasn't so good. My water tasted like old bath water. My "grilled" salmon was sauted, not grilled, and had no flavor and my rice was old and dry. And I was very surprised that my entree plate didn't come with a vegetable. Oh yeah, there was this weird random piece of lettuce and bell pepper on the plate. For aesthetics? I dunno. I won't be coming back. read more

Great lobster roll, if you ask they will put the lobster salad on a house salad, Generous with the portions. Love the crispy scallops. Really great staff. Definitely a local hang out off season. Gets a bit crowded in summer with tourists, but we still brave it during the week! read more

I stopped in on a Sunday afternoon and found that the local regular crowd has remained intact. Had a cold bottle of Bud and a Lobster Salad Sandwich. The sandwich was actually really really good. Better than I thought it was going to be. Perfect Sunday afternoon. There's no more smoking at the outside bar (which is the only place you should sit, btw) but I'm quitting anyway, so no big deal. One cautionary note: I pour a lot of Guinness. There's a right way to pour it, and a wrong way. I can't base my review on something someone else ordered, but I wouldn't order a Guinness here. Stick to the basic beach stuff and you'll be a Happy Camper, like me! I love Off the Hook! read more

Great atmosphere, Great sangria, delicious food. You can't go wrong. They're always packed for a reason!

I've been coming to this restaurant since it opened in 1999. Never once have I experienced my dissatisfaction as I did tonight when attending the restaurant. I sat at the outside bar and was completely ignored by the bartender. From the very beginning we had to beg for drinks, ask for placesettings,Wait for a refill our drinks to the point where I actually had to go inside and buy drinks from the inside Bartenter. Honestly this bartender should be fired. She was so awful. I suggest if you do go and the woman behind the bar with short blond hair is bartending that you give up an order from the inside bar. That is all. read more

I ordered lobster bisque and a flounder sandwich. The bisque way too salty.. and I like salty soup, and the lobster chunks were tough and cold. The flounder was over fried and dry. The fried we're also over fried and dry. Ugh! read more

My favorite place in Highlands. Nice view of the bay. Great food and friendly service. New England Clam Chowder, clams and shrimps are all delicious. Casual atmosphere and reasonable prices. Live music sometimes at night. Nice and casual bar. read more

A great place to go if you want great food and a laid back atmosphere. Clam chowder is off the charts... A bowl full of clams! I always get the grouper sandwhich blackened which is equally as good! A local place that is always welcoming to everyone! I highly recommend! read more

Went for the first time for dinner we were at a table in bar area. Bartender rude! 10 dollar Tacos were very good as well as the shark bites but tasty food only goes so far when the staff treats you like you aren't there ‍ read more

Off the hook was not quite off the hook. Although the service was great, the food was not. Crab dip was more like crab soup. Lobster rolls were way too salty. Ambiance was great and would come back for a beer- just not the food. read more

Nice little place to stop in and get a drink. Pleny of food and drink. Only thing that turned me off was the smoking on the outside deck. Hey to each is own and all but as a lifetime non smoker it bothers me especially where food is served. I still give it three stars noting that this is a self choice and not that of the establishment. read more

Not great food, even by bar standards. Good for a couple of drinks on the deck, but the food isn't the strength of this place.

Local joint at base of bridge to Sea Bright- good burgers, fresh seafood specials, good local bar. They offer a Catch and Cook option (my husband brings his stripers, porgies, blackfish and fluke there) chef prepares them so very very well! Clean and nice outdoor deck. read more

A group of us frequently go there after a bike ride on Sandy Hook on Wednesdays. And I always order the grouper sandwich. This Wednesday, the "grouper" sandwich was just a bun with an un-browned, thin piece of fish, likely flounder. No lettuce or tomato. Just a plastic side of tartar sauce. The fries were fine. The "amazing" nachos were not so amazing, just melted cheese on chips, with a few peppers sprinkled around. My wife said the salad had fewer cherries than usual. Probably just a new cook or a lapse of supervision by the owner. There are just too many decent restaurants nearby to dish up this food quality at the Hook. It was a beautiful night and the view from the deck was terrific as always. read more

Always good. I was pleasantly surprised at how good their food is. Pretty basic what you'd expect sort of menu but everything is good. The prices are very reasonable and the Lobster Salad is outstanding. ...so are the onion rings! Generous portions for both food and drink and service has always been fast and friendly which is saying a lot for a shore restaurant in the summer. read more

Great location friendly staff good food at reasonable prices Steamers were fresh and a good size Lobster bisque had plenty of lobster pieces ,blackened grouper is a mainstay Crab cakes were just ok read more