We stumbled upon Rise N Shine Diner completely by accident on our way to the beach. We just needed…read moresomewhere to grab a quick breakfast, but baby... this place ended up becoming part of the itinerary for the NEXT beach trip. We got there early, grabbed seats at the counter, and immediately started chopping it up with the owner about life and everything in between. While we're talking, I'm watching what's happening behind the counter and realizing... wwait. They're making EVERYTHING. Sauces from scratch. Compotes from scratch. Biscuits being made. Cornbread being made for the chili. Nothing felt like "open a package, heat it up and put it on a plate." Then the s'mores pancakes started getting made for another order and THE TORCH CAME OUT. At this point we didn't just get breakfast, we got a show! But let me tell you about these Banana Foster pancakes because THAT is what brought me back. Homemade caramel sauce, freshly sliced bananas, and fluffy pancakes. Not banana flavor. Not banana extract. ACTUAL BANANAS. The bacon was good, the home fries were good, the coffee was good... honestly, everything coming across that counter looked good. I was even peeking at other people's plates like because somebody had what looked like a sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, and that cross-section looked CRAZY. I almost ordered one, but I knew I was already doing too much. What also impressed me was how clean and organized everything was. Food was properly stored, labeled and dated, and you could literally watch things being freshly prepared. Their specials seem to be based on what's fresh, in season and what they've made that morning, which makes the experience even better. Fast-forward to our second visit, most recently. Mind you, we're not locals. I'm coming from NYC, so imagine my surprise when THEY REMEMBERED US! That's the kind of hospitality I love about smaller-town establishments. Of course I got those Banana Foster pancakes AGAIN, along with home fries and bacon. We also had an omelet with cheese and caught the homemade biscuits coming out fresh. Once again, everything hit. And the biggest compliment I can give a restaurant is this: I literally factored Rise N Shine into my second beach trip. It went from "let's find somewhere to eat on the way" to "we HAVE to stop at Rise N Shine."

2026 Fall Soups!…read more Last week my hubby and I saw soups listed on the white specials board (propped up on the wall behind the counter) while eating breakfast. When we paid, on our way out, I asked if they were prepared to sell the soup "to go". Yes they are ready with a 12 oz container with a lid. I was also told they would have two soups available each day. So today, 10/4/26, I had hubby pick me up a portion of one of today's specials which was potato soup as a "to go" for my lunch while he was picking up our "to go" breakfasts. Yum! My mom always made a variety of soup when I was a kid and then I made many kinds, for years, for my family of four. Now as an empty nester I am thrilled to find "homemade" soup at the Rise and Shine! As yummy as anything I and my mom cooked but I don't have to do the shopping, cooking and cleanup! The potato soup came with a small bag of oyster crackers which happens to be my favorite soup cracker because it doesn't change the flavor of the soup but does give it an immediate fresh crunch which I enjoy. The potato soup was thick, creamy and filled with chunks of potatoes cut into bite-sized pieces. There was also a handful of shredded, yellow cheddar cheese and crumpled, crispy bacon thrown into the middle of it which when stirred; then swirled throughout making the soup that much more filling and tasty! Well worth trying. I am already looking forward to the Cream of Turkey soup I was told would be one of the specials in November!

An Absolutely Spectacular Wedding Experience! We recently…read morecelebrated our son's wedding at the Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank, and I cannot say enough about the extraordinary experience we had. From beginning to end, everything was absolutely spectacular. The food was outstanding, the presentation was beautiful, and the service was simply immaculate. The staff, dressed in their elegant black-and-white uniforms with white-glove service, demonstrated a level of professionalism and attention to detail that was truly impressive. Having spent more than 40 years in the food service and hospitality industry, including owning my own restaurant for over two decades, I know firsthand what it takes to execute an event of this magnitude. I can sincerely say that the team at Oyster Point went above and beyond in every aspect. What impressed me most was how seamlessly everything flowed. The staff anticipated guests' needs, the timing was impeccable, and not a single detail seemed to be overlooked. It was evident that tremendous preparation, teamwork, and pride went into making this celebration exceptional. Most importantly, we were able to relax, enjoy the evening, and celebrate our son and his beautiful bride without a single worry. To the entire team at Oyster Point Hotel, thank you for helping create such a wonderful and unforgettable wedding celebration for our family. Five stars without hesitation. I would highly recommend Oyster Point Hotel to anyone planning a wedding or special event. John Kretkowski

This is a great hotel with excellent staff and the North Suite was a highlight despite some quirks…read more We stayed at The Oyster Point Hotel over Christmas while visiting family and had a very positive overall experience, even with a few hiccups along the way. The front desk staff was professional and courteous. One young man was clearly in training, and the young woman guiding him was extremely knowledgeable and polite which to me was a great example of mentorship done right. Unfortunately, our original room had a heater that was rattling loudly and had pooled water on top of it, which I recorded and showed to the front desk. To their credit, maintenance responded quickly, and the technician was friendly, professional, and even helped move my luggage. He brought us keys to a new room, and the front desk upgraded us to the North Suite, which was an incredibly thoughtful gesture. The North Suite was fantastic with a large space with a massive balcony and beautiful views, along with a comfortable seating area outside. Sadly, due to the season, it was too cold to enjoy the balcony, but we appreciated the feature. That said, the suite wasn't perfect: The shower area was oddly dark, with little lighting. There was no air vent in the bathroom, which seemed unusual. The sink was smaller than the one in the standard suite. Neither of the two TVs worked, though I didn't want to complain during the stay and just mentioned it at checkout. The bathroom door didn't latch, which was a minor but noticeable issue. The smoke detector is missing from the ceiling, which gave me pause. Despite those flaws, the service and staff stood out. I witnessed two bar employees being rudely berated by guests over late food (which obviously wasn't their fault), and they handled the situation with professionalism and calm. I was so impressed by their professionalism under pressure (and so thoroughly disgusted by that table of senior citizens who should know better than to act that way) that I tipped each of them $50 each on top of our drink tab to make up for how poorly they were treated. Speaking of which, the bar area is a wonderful little spot, with friendly staff and the occasional live music, making it a fun place to unwind without leaving the hotel. The cocktails are excellent as well. This hotel has long been our go-to when in town, and while there were a few issues this time, the staff's attentiveness and care truly made the experience special. We're already looking forward to our return in 2026. TIP: Be mindful of where you park! The handicap parking is limited, and one of the spaces is under a tree that's heavily populated with birds. Our car was completely covered in bird droppings. I mean absolutely covered. Avoid that spot if you can.

The restaurant has relatively little but generally upscale decor. Our server was attentive and…read moretook care of us, although she also had an angry scowl on her face most of the time we were there. Our portion sizes were fairly large and the food was delicious. We ordered the honey vanilla pecan stuffed French toast, the lemon blueberry stuffed French toast, and the Bavarian cream stuffed French toast. All three of us thoroughly enjoyed our food. On this off-season Thursday morning, the restaurant was not busy at all. Contrary to what others had warned, we had no difficulty and no delay in being seated or served.

Came up to Jersey for a basketball tournament at Hoop Group Headquaters and needed a place for…read morebreakfast. The Buttered Biscuit had high reviews and was extremely close. This place is located on the corner and parking appears to be street parking only. I stopped by around 11:30 and was able to be seated immediately. They have bar seating which is first come first serve as well as tables throughout. Bar seating was much quicker. After about 5 mins my waitress came and took my order. Challah French Toast, Homefries and Bacon. 15/20 minutes go by and my food came. The Homefries are a good portion. They are seasoned well. The bacon was warm and crispy as well. The challah French toast was delicious. I enjoyed my meal overall. Overall this is a good place that met my expectations. The food was as expected and the portion size was good as well. They do charge a fee for using your card as shown on my receipt. A tad bit tacky to me but I understand.

Thank you so much Esther for the beautiful days u provided us!!!! is the dreamed place... I wife…read morewas so happy fealing we were at the 18th century again... The place is like being in your own country house... Esther is so kind and attentive... They will wait for you for breakfast with a table specifically for you, breakfast is super homemade... not many options, but the ones there are, are great... A few blocks from beach... place super calmed... Thanks again! Santi, Kare and little Sammy (From Miami)

Ok , so here we go! If you want a bed and breakfast look and feel with a 5 star hotel type…read morehospitality this is it! So walking in you are met with Victorian style decor that is stunning in its own right. The owner met us at the door , giving us a run down of the amenities and the local sights and food. Breakfast was included and they don't hold back , we had eggs on a cloud the first morning which is an interesting play on eggs Benedict. We went to our room and saw a similar style the bathroom was huge , staying on there with the Victorian beach home theme. Tips: 1. I wouldn't recommend coming with children 2. This place is made for R+R it's calming and refreshing not really a party central. 3. Tons to do in the area read up before going or you will feel overwhelmed! She gives you a guide when you walk in but , the town is catered to going out so you have tons to choose from. 4. Extra pillows are in the closet. 5. You are super close to the beach! Pack a bathing suit if the weather calls for it.

DREAMY SPACE. DREAMY FOOD. DOG FRIENDLY…read more BRADLEY BEACH: Hatch 44 Cafe might just be one of the dreamiest breakfast & brunch spots we have discovered! Located right in the heart of Bradley Beach, Hatch 44 Cafe is an oasis of beautiful vibes, incredible food, amazing drinks, and genuinely wonderful service. BRIE APPROVES! Small dogs are welcome inside All dogs are welcome on the beautifully decorated, shaded patio Monday-Thursday Happy Hour: 8-10 AM with specials including lattes, cappuccinos, loose tea, coffee & even a juice-only cocktail! And the FOOD?! We had the incredible "This Chick Is Vegan" and "Lox Benny," but the real showstopper was the Dulce Plantain Pudding Latte -- complete with a crème brûlée plantain right on top! We grabbed seats at the coffee bar and got to watch barista extraordinaire Bethany work her magic, keeping the caffeine flowing while chatting with us. She was the absolute sweetest and Brie was OBSESSED. She even busted out her signature attention-getting dance!

Heard great things about this place so came on a Sunday around 11:30 am to see if it was worth the…read morehype. When I walked into the restaurant, there were 6 people standing ahead of us at the hostess stand. Tables were emptying out but no one even acknowledged our existence for - no exaggeration- 15 minutes. We made conversation with the people around us that it was almost comical that no one even said they'd be with us in a moment. It was odd and we almost left and walked to The Buttered Biscuit down the street, but we stuck it out. Once we were seated we were given a tiny placard to scan the menu with our phones. Service after being seated was surprisingly consistent after our long wait time to be seated with no acknowledgment from staff. I have a gluten allergy and the online menu did not have specific information showing what was GF or GFA. When I asked the sever about it she rattled off some GF options but of course I couldn't remember all of them, having them marked on the menu would be so helpful. I ordered the Birria Omelette but chose to have the tortilla strips on the side since they were in a shared fryer. The dressing for the side salad was light and tangy. The omelette was supposed to be French style but wasn't creamy in the middle. Birria meat was tender and kind of overwhelmed the overall taste of the omelette. I also had an iced decaf mocha latte and it was good, not too sweet and pretty much coffee flavored chocolate milk. My dining companion had the classic French toast, which looked delicious and he really enjoyed it but I didn't taste it because "gluten." Ambiance is really nice, tables are well spaced and the restaurant is well decorated. Not sure if I'll be back but glad I tried it!

Excellent service and food quality Looking forward to…read morereturning Distance is an issue but will look forward to returning when in that area again for sure!

We had a lovely breakfast outside. Beautiful space. Clean. Modern. Flavorful meals. Great service…read more An expensive breakfast but a good option for a special day.

This review is specifically for the Westwood location, and it's a 10/10, no notes…read more The breakfast biscuit sandwich is insane. My husband and I genuinely could not get over how good the biscuit was.....perfectly flaky, buttery. They also have an option covered in an espresso glaze, and it's just ridiculously good. I'm still thinking about it. Coffee was really solid (always matters), and the space itself is super cute and cozy. They also made Mickey Mouse pancakes for my daughter, and she was absolutely obsessed -- such a sweet touch and totally made her day. Westwood is a must. We'll absolutely be back.

Loved this adorable little spot. Wish i got a coffee. The OG chicken sandwich was pretty good. The…read morechicken had a few ick bites but I was a bit bummed out the bottom bun was totally soggy (we ate it there) My bfs chorizo egg burrito was a special I think and it came with those sauce that was actually addicting. so delish i still think about it. I picked up a blonde shallot chicken salad which was good too! They didn't have a price tag on the juices which were veryyyy pricey and I think it's someone else like selling their juices from their store and we got 2. $28.50 for 2 juices felt kinda like steep just put a sign plsss

Back again - this time with 4 additional Yelpers (we get together every month or so for dinner)…read more We started the meal, after opening our wines, with two orders of Polpetine di Pollo (chicken meatballs) and Fiori di Zuccca (Zucchini Flower). both were excellent ! Entrees consisted of Australian Striped Bass, Gnocchi Truffle, Pollo Impanato di Milanese, and 3 orders of the Chicken Cordon Bleu. we shared an order of Warmed Mascrapone Spinach. Everything was served in a timely fashion - piping hot. Desserts consisted of a delicious Fruit Tart, Pecan and Walnut Tart and their terrific Pistachio Creme Brulee. Espresso, Capuccino and Americano Coffees paired well with our choices. Our waiter, Cosmo, was terrific. He knows his menu and was able to guide us in making our choices. Remember, Dolce Fantasia is BYOB. The chef came to our table twice to gauge our reaction to our meals, always a nice touch. The space is decorated nicely and we will definitely return.

Asbury Park is one of my favorite food towns, and a huge reason is because it still has the ability…read moreto pleasantly surprise me. Case in point - this restaurant has apparently been in the downtown area for several years and I had no idea. I stopped by here for lunch on Memorial Day with the Millennial Chum, and in a totally risky move, didn't make a reservation anywhere and just decided to wing it. The Millennial Chum's only requirement was that it be a place neither one of us had been to before, so after a very quick search/walk, we noticed this place and also decided we had a hankering for Italian. Done. I don't know how to describe the interior, but "yellow" and "modern" comes to mind. This isn't a stodgy white tablecloth kind of place; it's vibrant and hip, I'm sure trying to capture that classic Asbury demo. Really unique. The weather was a little meh, which worked in our favor - although there was a decent amount of foot traffic in the downtown area 70% of which were pooches, only one other table was occupied in here. We were able to sit down and were served very promptly. We were both very intrigued by one of the apps on the verbal specials menu - mango burrata, which sounded like sort of a mess, but also worth a try. Definitely more of the latter. Never would have thought to combine these two ingredients together, but it was really excellent and an interesting palate pairing. The presentation was solid as well, and this...didn't last long, although given that we both ordered entrees perhaps we should have been more responsible in that regard. Something I'd recommend for the regular menu in the future for sure. A lot of the entrees looked interesting and pretty authentic; this isn't just spaghetti and chicken parm (I'm not actually sure either was even on the menu). The one that emotionally spoke to me the most was the Pappardelle (one of my fave pastas and always pleased to see it) Al Telefono Nostro. Really hit the spot, and as you can see a really hardcore portion. The tomato cream sauce was light and flavorful, and the only nitpick I had (just a personal palate preference) was the inclusion of the sliced tomatoes. I'm sure a ton of people love those, and it basically adds a level of authenticity to the dish that a barbarian like me just can't quite appreciate. I made sure the Millennial Chum had a few tomato pieces though. Really good dish and would order it again. Honestly not sure what possessed us to even look at the dessert menu much less actually order from it, but I thought Oreo Tiramisu sounded interesting, despite the Millennial Chum's yowling that she despised tiramisu. It turns out she doesn't, because once this dish arrived she happily helped herself and decided that her opinion on tiramisu was likely based on a traumatic/misleading childhood incident. Bare minimum, this place gets solid marks for rewriting history for her in the Italian dessert department. But it WAS delicious, which was a theme of our meal. The service was top-notch; our waitress was over regularly and had a strong command of the menu (which I think deserves bonus points, given that this was not Americanized and it helped to have a metaphorical lifeguard helping us navigate some of the trickier stuff; I studied abroad in Florence over 20 years ago, but you'd never know it). Very pleasant. BIg recommend; not a ton of establishments under the radar in Asbury, but this might be one of them.

i can see why there's always a wait, this food is AMAZING. the coffee is super creative and great…read moretoo. service here is a bit slow to get your order taken but once it's taken the food comes out fast! the cacio e pepe eggs were a dream come true, creamy, cheesy and plenty of flavor. the bread that came with it was also a sleeper hit. I tried their crab chips as well and those were amazing, they truly did not skimp on the crab here. I would've liked it try it when they still used fries but the chips were still good. i got one of their dirty sodas and will say it wasn't my favorite but i enjoyed the creativity and extra option past just alcohol and coffee. overall though the portions are massive and well worth the price, the food is creative, fresh, and outright delicious. if you're in the area this place is a MUST. No other brunch in the area can compare to what cardinal is doing. ambiance here is like any brunch place but a little more upscale, clean interior and a nice little counter service space as well. if you're gonna visit ashbury, be sure to hit cardinal.

Food was good; good portions…read more It took us a while to get in- at least a 30+ minute wait so we walked around for a bit. Service was excellent- they were very attentive and friendly. We had a booth and were able to comfortably have a conversation as noise level not too bad. Would come back to try different things.