Fun spot with good food, outdoor partying, and a lot of space. Perfect with the summer weather. Lot of fried and American food with cheesesteaks. Opted for the chicken Caesar since I was craving Caesar. Parking across the street $3/hour. Comfortable air conditioning and a great bar. read more

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Not from the area & I wanted to get an after dinner. Searched the area for a restaurant with a bar and maybe the particular area I was in only had BYO's but for some reason this place came. (Great thing). When arriving at the restaurant, realized the parking lot was a bit weird. It only fit 10 cars. Very odd. Parking lot across the street was the only option because the size of the parking lot was full with 10 cars. $3 to park at the beach lot. Only coming from a drink, I had an amazing visit here. The bartender was so nice! And made a great espresso martini. So glad that when I'm in the area next time I will remind myself to come straight for dinner. Menu looked good too! read more

Half Moon - Espresso martini - Bars Near Me - Keansburg, New Jersey

Been here a few times but I must say this was the worst experience. It was extremely cold and they didn't even turn the fire place on . I think they were also having a party or a gathering of some sort and it was so loud we could barely carry a conversation. Not to mention the beers weren't that good either . I asked for an I hello ultra that tasted more like a corona :( not to mention we literally had to scream our order to the bartender because the people behind us were so loud and she was on the other side of the bar instead of walking up to us . The only good thing was the hostess , very helpful with our coats and even put sore tv in for us . But aside from that it wasn't the best experience. A bit disappointing read more

I was with someone who just moved to the area, and we came over the holiday weekend. We came later in the night, and we sat at the bar and Dani took care of us. Right away she was super helpful answering any questions that we had. She was awesome! The restaurant had a very relaxing ambience. The lights were dim, and it was super cozy. We started off with some drinks, the pretzel, which was really good at an order of Thai chili wings. I personally would ask for the wings to be a little bit more well done next time. Everything came out pretty quickly, which was awesome though. They also have a Rewards program which I learned about. Can't wait to come and hang out outside and see live music and see what else this place has to offer. 100% will be back. read more

On Saturday night, 6/13, my husband and I went for a date night (which we don't get often) at Half Moon. Upon our arrival, we parked in the restaurant lot and noticed a car that had their door slightly opened and decided to tell who I thought was the hostess but ended up being the manager. I stated how I didn't want to touch it and she explained how there are cameras out there that would've proved I was just shutting their door anyway but okay she'll handle it. I didn't realize that was my job. Anyway-- We ordered drinks, appetizers, and entrees with every intention of paying for our meal. Had to get that out there.. you'll understand why I mentioned this detail in a minute. I ordered a lemon pasta dish for my entree. I took my first bite and it tasted bitter. I even had my husband try it to confirm that my tastebuds were working correctly and he agreed. I called over the male waiter and kindly explained how I didn't like the meal I ordered and it tasted bitter. He said he will get the manager. The manager marched over to my table with a menu and a box for my food and told me I could pick something else but I have to box up the food and it won't be credited off the bill. Fine. I guess? I ordered the short rib and had a better experience with that meal but they did not take my food away and I had to sit with the food in a box that I didn't like the rest of our time there as if I was being punished. I've never experienced a situation like this in any establishment. We won't be back simply because the food was meh overall and the service was odd. read more

Came here for brunch when we happened to be in the area. It is an adorable restaurant right off the beach. You can't actually see the beach from the balcony due to the high sand dune, but it's still a nice view. We got the enchilada and short rib hash, both were very good and the perfect brunch food. The service is friendly and prompt. read more

Half Moon - Bars Near Me - Keansburg, New Jersey

Half Moon is always a go-to spot! The staff is always so friendly right when you walk in the door until you leave. I always start with ordering a Maple Morning. It is a delicious and the flavors do not overpower the espresso. The wings and buffalo chicken dip are delicious. Thursdays are smash burger night, which they are always good. The specials are sometimes different, however, they work so well. There are also plenty of gluten free options for those with allergies. The staff is always accommodating and always checks to ensure the meal is gluten free. They also always decorate the restaurant for holidays and it's always so cute. I highly recommend Half Moon to anyone looking for a delicious meal! read more

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Half Moon is always a favorite dinner spot in the Keansburg/Bayshore area! When you arrive you'll notice the nautical themed decor in every bit of the space, with no detail overlooked! You'll find tables, high tops, bar seating, and a great deck for outdoor seating in warmer months. The menu is always changing seasonally, which I love for trying new items and eating flavors of the season. This includes the drink menu, in which they have a fun variety of drinks, including great mocktails. The happy hour menu is great if you want some light bites or shareables. In the past I've really liked Caesar salads, the fish and chips, and the brussel sprouts, to name some. The service is always great, with the staff being super friendly and attentive. I recently had an engagement party here with our families, and the Half Moon team went above and beyond to make it special for us, for which we are so thankful! They have fun events here often and it's always a great time when you visit! read more

Half Moon - Fish and chips - Bars Near Me - Keansburg, New Jersey

Half moon did it again !! Took my son here tonight to celebrate his birthday on "May the 4th". They had Star Wars themed menu, trivia and costume night. So much fun !!! And as usual the food was amazing. Service was great. Atmosphere so comforting !! read more

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I've been here a few times. It a quaint place with really good service with a neutral atmosphere. The food is good-something for everyone. read more

Super cool restaurant with fantastic food and a great view. I recently had the pleasure of dining at a fantastic restaurant right by the beach, and it was such a delightful experience! The moment we arrived, we were greeted by the friendly staff, who made us feel right at home. The atmosphere is very cool--think modern but laid-back beach vibes with a cozy feel. The decor really captures that coastal charm, and you can even se the shore while you enjoy your meal. Great view. Now, let's get to the food. It was just fantastic! From an amazing filet to delicious pasta, every dish we tried was bursting with flavor. You can tell they use fresh, quality ingredients and everything was cooked to perfection. Good portions too. We ended our meal with some dessert, and it didn't disappoint either. A sweet way to wrap up a great dining experience. Overall, if you're looking for a spot to enjoy a meal near the beach, I highly recommend checking this place out. Would highly recommend. Great food, terrific staff and a great view. read more

Another splendid evening this is my second visit and again food waz spot on..we had the very same server nick this guy was no joke he was bouncing between tables and he was spot on he remembered myself and my lady from our previous visit.i love this place food and service was perfect yet again read more

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The food and experience here is always great! Love supporting local small businesses and so do they. Always love checking out their events they host that support other local businesses. They bring the community together and provide amazing creations. Vegan and gluten free options are amazing and constantly changing. With beautiful decor and view of the city skyline it's great for all occasions. Definitely a huge breath of fresh air for Keansburg. read more

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Most of my gastronomic adventures occur either in Jersey City or Manhattan, so when my cousin asked if there was anywhere good to eat when he was in Middletown area I was really at a loss. A quick perusal of Yelp led my eye to the well rated Half Moon. Named after Henry Hudson's ship - Half Moon sits right across the street from the sea wall in Keansburg. The brunch is fantastic-- I got the eggs benedict which came on a biscuit. The eggs were cooked perfectly and if I came here again I would get it again. The biscuit - southern style - was moist and buttery. As for my cousin- his kid raved over the Croffel, which is a croissant inspired waffle. It looked delicious and his kids left happy. Service was quick and pleasant - it is the off season though so I can imagine this place gets pretty busy during the summer. Ambiance wise it's very much sea inspired given the location and namesake. There is a large bank of windows giving you a view of the sea wall and a bit of downtown Manhattan off in the distance. 10/10 would get brunch here again. read more

The weather was warm enough to dine outside on the deck. The food was marvelous and the service was friendly and attentive. Diane, one of the owners, stopped by to chat and she couldn't have been more welcoming. I ate every bite of the whipped ricotta appetizer with honey and pistachios. Mexican street corn was an inspired addition to avocado toast. It was perfection! My dining companion praised the lobster bisque and the short rib eggs Benedict. We will be back! read more

Half Moon - Whipped ricotta, with crusty bread for dipping - Bars Near Me - Keansburg, New Jersey

This place is amazing! I've wanted to try it out in the summer but we ended up going in October for the first time. Staff was friendly and attentive and the food was absolutely delicious! The drinks were also great and everything tasted so fresh -- definitely looking forward to our next visit. read more

Half Moon - Bars Near Me - Keansburg, New Jersey

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From start to finish, everything about our brunch experience was perfect. Beautiful weather allowed us to enjoy our meal on the deck, but the inside also had great ambiance. I started with one of their local summer cocktail specials, the "coco ocho." The drink was beautiful and delicious, complete with toasted coconut along the rim... you can tell that a lot of effort and expertise goes into creating their cocktail menus. I had the short rib Benedict, which sat on a fluffy biscuit with home fries and salad on the side. My husband stuck with a simple bacon egg and cheese, which he had said was the best he ever had. Both the manager and our waitress checked in to make sure we were enjoying our meal. Truly, our experience could not have been better. I can't wait to come back and enjoy their dinner menu as well! read more

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I'd have to say...Keansburg is really starting to come up these days with these new (to me) restaurants popping up in the area. One example of that is Half Moon. I went on a Friday for happy hour with my friend to celebrate her birthday. There really isn't much parking on the premises, if any at all, so you will have to park across the street in the parking lot. When we arrived, we sat at a table in the bar area. Our server came by and took our drink orders. I forgot the name of the drink I got, but it was good. It had peach in it. We also got some food items off the happy hour menu. I got the fish butty, boardwalk fries, and mac and cheese. I really enjoyed the fish butty and boardwalk fries. The mac and cheese was just okay to me. Overall, I had a pretty decent experience here and would definitely return again. They seem to have some fun events there as well. read more

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Half Moon is always high on the list for a night out. Last night was once again a great experience. The beautiful fall night on the deck paired well with their new fall menu and drinks. The new patio heater added to the coziness as the temperature got cooler. The beef brisket taco special was great. The filet with the herb butter was so tender and flavorful. We actually had dessert and the flourless chocolate cake with the banana sauce and peanuts hit the spot. Nick was our server and Michael helped out too. They both are great and always helpful with suggestions when asked. I highly recommend Half Moon. read more

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I started coming here about 2 years ago. I love this place. The food isn't Michelin but it's better than most. Brunch is my favorite. The staff is amazing. I've never had a bad experience here. Everyone I bring here loves it equally. Fun events too. A true gem. This is the last part of the central Jersey shore that hasn't sold out yet like the rest of the area. read more

I would highly recommend the whipped ricotta with honey and pistachios ($14) here. I had to ask for more bread because it was that good. The fish tacos (3 for $22) were really good too and had a slight kick of spice to it. They also came with a side of corn esquites, which is like a Mexican street corn salad. The fried chicken sandwich ($16) was a must have. I had the Painkiller mocktail ($7), with orange, coocnut, and pineapple - which unfortunately, I did not care for as much. It was marinated and fried to perfection. The service was really spectacular. We were able to sit outside and had a nice view of the beach. The restaurant was sailor-themed and was really giving nautical vibes. read more

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Came here with my husband, mother and 2 year old daughter on a Sunday. Was during the off season so the restaurant was not crowded. My daughter was being a typical 2 year old but we are always super considerate to not let her disturb other diners. And honestly there was no one around us - we were pretty much in the far corner in the restaurant. A man, who I can only assume would be the owner came over and chided us that she was being a distraction to other diners. I couldn't believe it. But of course I apologized and said we would keep her quiet. Not even 5 minutes later a drunk man at the bar starts yelling expletives at the TV because sports was on. Do you think he got talked to? No. We ended up asking for everything to go cause I wanted out of there fast. Will. Never. Return. read more

Went for brunch with family. Wonderful experience! There are only like 7 parking spots so there was no room to park, that was the only disappointment. We had to park all the way across the street at the beach parking lot (you have to pay via cc). But that wasn't a big deal. The food was fantastic & the service was spectacular! Loved it & highly recommend. French onion soup was one off the best I've had. Italian dip sandwich was fantastic! Croffles and lobster Mac (I didn't try) were loved by my family members. read more

Half Moon - Italian Dip sandwich. Whole thing was great--steak not chewy and the bread was fresh & delicious! - Bars Near Me - Keansburg, New Jersey

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This is my favorite local restaurant to go to. The owners are locals and incredibly kind. The vibe is just right - with beautiful open windows in the summer and plenty of natural light. Food wise, I love smash burger night - they come up with a new special burger each week and my husband and I always look forward to trying it! read more

Half Moon - Brunch - Bars Near Me - Keansburg, New Jersey

Went to Half Moon for a bridal shower & had the best time. From the service, to the food & drinks.... loved! We met the owner Diana who shared about the history of the restaurant and her husband who is the chef. Its nice to hear all the love they get from their locals and regulars and to see a family owned restaurant. The bartender made the BEST margs too! Such a cool vibe. read more

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I got to sit outside, enjoyed the pleasant ambiance (people watching) The food was a bit hit or miss. The mac and cheese was grainy and somewhat disappointing, but the pulled pork was delicious and flavorful. The wings were a standout--absolutely loved them! The calamari was just okay, nothing special but not bad either.I appreciated that the restaurant had a sign outside informing us they were short-staffed. This transparency was appreciated, and it set realistic expectations for the evening. Service took about 50 minutes from sitting down to the food arriving, which wasn't a problem given the heads-up. Overall, despite a few food misses and the wait, the enjoyable outdoor setting and some standout dishes made it a worthwhile visit. read more

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KEANSBURG: Named after the ship Henry Hudson sailed when he landed in Keansburg in 1609, Half Moon is a great restaurant at the Bayshore. Their heated outdoor deck is dog friendly and overlooks the Raritan Bay! A great American food menu and full bar, with special cocktails, are available for humans and doggie treats are available for the pups! We had a peaceful night hanging out with They Call Me Auggie Doggie enjoying dinner, great service, and as the sky darkened, a view of the stars. Follow Half Moon on social media for their latest specials and events! Now open for the season! read more

Half Moon - Bars Near Me - Keansburg, New Jersey

I love this restaurant and have been here several times, always bringing family and friends and recommending it to others. The food and staff are always excellent! (The delicious lobster bisque and funfetti cake are standouts!) Unfortunately, I won't be returning after tonight because I received a parking ticket even though I paid the meter and have a receipt, which I will now have to spend time fighting. (This was public parking, not the restaurant's lot.) I try to support local businesses as much as possible, but Keansburg would rather punish customers - and ultimately businesses - by writing bogus tickets. I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from frequenting Half Moon. Just be sure to document where you park and how you pay as much as possible. But I won't be supporting any Keansburg businesses going forward. read more

Never had a bad experience. I live super close to this bar and have had a great time every time. I love the bar and patio. I came here on the Saturday before Christmas and it was such a cutesy experience. Holiday themed drinks and the decorations made you feel like you were in your living room. I will always take my friends here when they visit. Delicious food, great drinks, better service. read more

Half Moon - Bars Near Me - Keansburg, New Jersey

11 of us for New Year's Day late brunch. The sign indicated they were short staffed. A full bar of seated guests, nearly all the tables occupied and our large group. You wouldn't have noticed they were short staffed. The team that was working were in constant motion and worked seamlessly together. Our waiter, the aptly named for the Season, Nick was spectacular. A couple of the orders changed with varying requests after they were placed; Not an issue. Nick, the others on the floor and the kitchen staff just kept everything flowing throughout the restaurant. The food, if you haven't been here before was delicious. The kind of silence at the table with the occasional Mmm and "Here, you've got to try this". The passing of each other's food is the ultimate compliment of how good each dish, no matter how simple sounding, is a must share must taste. Doesn't need to be a special day, event or occasion- JUST GO. Enjoy it all no matter if you're a single at the bar, a couple on a date, a family looking for a good meal at a good price or a large group of friends. They have room for us all and are very welcoming. Just a great vibe to go with the food and excellent service 01 read more

Went here for New Year Day on the strong recommendation of friends and Half Moon did not disappoint. The restaurant looks brand new but still has a 'like home' decor and full bar. Our table went all out on the mimosa flights and then proceeded to order half the menu lol. The lobster eggs Benny was my main and had the dulce de leche crowaffle. The former being succulent and savory and the latter being light, flaky and sweet. Overall the food was most delicious, the service was also prompt and friendly. This is a family run establishment and even had the newest member strapped to the owners to greet customers with the biggest smile ever. Please come and patronize this fine eating establishment right on the shore! You will not regret it. read more

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I love this place so much. I come as often as possible! The food, the cocktails, the service. There is not anything to like. It is vibrant and entertaining in the summer and cozy fireplace in the winter. I sound like a paid commercial, I realize, but it is so easy to support this lovely couple who pour their heart and soul into creating a family atmosphere with amazing food. Just go, you wont regret it. read more

It was our first time visiting Half Moon, and upon seeing wonderful reviews, we decided to give it a shot. Unfortunately, those reviews didn't live up to our expectations. Our first hint that this probably wasn't going to go well was upon arrival our server told us that the kitchen was pretty backed up, but we completely understood. Our appetizers came out. The lobster bisque surprisingly did have a lot of lobster in it, however, the bisque itself was pretty bland. The whipped ricotta was all right, but the bread it was served with was rock hard. Almost to the point where I thought it was going to chip a tooth trying to eat it. Entrées didn't go as well as appetizers. The red snapper was dry and bone-y, but the flavor was all right. The Thai shrimp could've been really great. The only catch was we were told it wasn't going to be spicy and it turned out to be the opposite. That ended up getting sent back, and we tried the strawberry salad instead. When I got to the table, it looked all right, but upon one bite, it was swimming in balsamic vinegar to the point where you felt like you were just eating vinegar and nothing else. This place has a lot of great reviews, so maybe we just went there on a bad night. I can't say we'll be going back, however, it does seem like a great local spot to hang out and get a drink. read more

First off, walk in and sat down at the bar for the happy hour. Wind was flying at me, damn near pushed me out of my chair. Come to find out all the doors are closed so I'm confused where this gust is coming from. I then turn forward and wouldn't you know it there is a huge window wide open blowing wind only on me. Buff chick dip was mediocre to put it nicely. Ever heard of chips?! Apparently they haven't. Weird vibe all around, especially from this guy sitting at the corner of the bar dead staring me and not saying a word. And to add to that, every time I looked at him, he would look away as if he was doing something wrong. Overall I'm just not a fan. Thanks read more

Super cute beachy atmosphere, welcoming staff, and delicious food. What else can you ask for? This was our first time dining here after hearing about it on instagram. It was worth the hype! Highly recommend that you check out Half Moon if you're in Monmouth County. You won't be disappointed! read more

The food was great, service better. Great drinks. Had a wonderful brunch! Recommend the warm ricotta...

Half Moon is currently in the process of building out their restaurant space, which will hopefully open in September. In the meantime, they have opened (beginning in June) an outdoor space which they call The Lot. The Lot has a bar, and offers a limited menu of items, all of which will be on their full menu once the indoor space opens. We were told that the full menu will have approximately 30 offerings. There is also (currently) a kids menu available, which offers a single slider, grilled cheese sandwich, and a couple other items. We visited about 5:30PM on a Sunday, and there were just a few other diners. We were told by our waitress Liz, that Sunday evenings are generally quiet, but that other evenings are quite busy. It was comfortable sitting out under the tent as we could feel the breeze off the water. I ordered the Morningside Margarita, and it was tart and flavorful. What I didn't realize was how potent the drink was, but I found out when I went to stand up when we were finished... and that was after only having the one drink! My daughter ordered the lemonade, and it was quite sharp, tasting like it was made with bottled lemon juice, not a drink to be ordered again. My daughter ordered the Smash Sliders sans the caramelized onions and special sauce. She said they were tender and flavorful. My husband and I shared three items, the Blistered Shishitos, Harpooned Shrimp, and the Cajun Fish Tacos. The Shishitos were flavorful, especially with the togarashi powder. I personally prefer them a bit more blistered, so next time I will make that request. The shrimp was two skewers of five shrimp each. The shrimp were plump and perfectly grilled. The sauce was mild, both sweet and spicy. The Cajun Fish Tacos were two street tacos, each with a nice portion of tender perfectly cooked Mahi-mahi. The seasoning was very mild, and to call them Cajun is a stretch, but a delicious taco nonetheless. My daughter finished her meal with a Good Humor ice cream bar. Our waitress Liz was super friendly and answered all our menu and restaurant questions. Our food came out quickly, everything was hot, fresh, and tasty. We're looking forward to trying more menu items, and we would definitely order all the items we had tonight again in the future. My Margarita was strong so there was no way I could have handled more than one drink, but I'm looking forward to trying some of their other specialty cocktails! The only "miss" of the evening was the lemonade. Definitely a nice addition to the Keansburg beach area. Note that a surcharge is added to the bill if paying with a credit card. read more

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Amazing restaurant and ambiance with such delightful service. We hosted my sisters engagement party here, and it couldn't have gone better. The team was great to work with and extremely accommodating. The space was perfect for this kind of event, and very cute overlooking the beach. All the food turned out amazing, few standouts were the tomato soup and grilled cheese, the eggplant parm and flatbread pizzas. Also their flourless chocolate cake is to DIE FOR! Will definitely be back at the restaurant. But overall was an amazing event space! read more

Our table was waiting for us when we got there and our server, Brianna, was by our table instantly! We shared the whipped ricotta and calamari appetizers. My husband's lobster bisque was very good. He had the filet mignon entree which was delicious, despite being a tiny bit overcooked. My fish and chips were fine. The owner (or manager) stopped by to check on us, and Brianna did too, several times. The service was excellent, and we're interested in going back again to try some of the other unique items on their menu! I almost forgot to mention their macaroni and cheese! I am very fussy about macc and cheese and have tried the offerings in many restaurants, always being disappointed! Not last night...the short rib version that I ordered was creamy and delicious! It was the first time I was not disappointed by my choice! I will definitely order it again next time, perhaps with lobster. You should try the Half Moon's! read more

Food was very good, staff very attentive, atmosphere really nice and drinks are good. Group of 8 and we all loved our food. GF options and staff knows their stuff. Really enjoyed our evening. read more