Belmar, NJ

Belmar, NJ: Beach Days, Waterfront Dining & Downtown Discoveries

Belmar brings together sandy ocean beaches, a scenic boardwalk, and a lively downtown filled with restaurants, cafés, and local shops. Spend the morning by the surf, explore Main Street over lunch, then head to the Shark River waterfront for dinner and sunset views. Fishing trips, marina mini golf, and local art add variety to a beach getaway, while waterfront bars and neighborhood restaurants keep the evening going. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a weekend with friends, or a relaxing escape for two, Belmar makes it easy to fill your day.

Follow a sun-filled beach day with waterfront cocktails, live music, and a sunset worth staying for. Come for an afternoon, settle in for the weekend, and leave with a few new favorite Jersey Shore spots.

Belmar Website & Social Media

Official Borough Website | Borough Facebook | Official Beach Information | Events Calendar

Plan Your Day

Beach badges: For the 2026 season, daily badges are $12, regular season badges are $80, and season badges for seniors 65+ and qualifying disabled visitors are $32. Children 13 and younger are free. Check the official badge page for current pricing and military admission benefits.
Buying badges: Order daily badges online and show your QR code at a beach booth to receive your wristband. Visit Taylor Pavilion at 500 Ocean Avenue for in-person purchasing assistance.
Parking: Free street parking is available throughout much of town. Paid areas include the east side of Ocean Avenue, Silver Lake, North Boulevard, and the marina lot closest to Marina Grille. Most paid zones operate May 1 through October 1, while the designated marina zone charges year-round. Use ParkMobile and check your space’s posted zone, hours, and rate. Parking details.
Swimming: Swim when lifeguards are on duty and follow their instructions about conditions and designated swimming areas.
Restrooms & rinsing off: Beachfront restrooms are listed at 5th, 8th, 11th, 16th, and 19th Avenues. Outdoor showers and foot rinses are available at beach entrances; there are no beachfront changing rooms.
Beach essentials: Food and nonalcoholic drinks are welcome, but alcohol and glass are prohibited. Tents are not permitted during the summer beach season.
Accessibility: Beach access mats, entrance ramps, and beach wheelchairs help visitors reach the sand. Contact the Beach Department for wheelchair availability and the best entrance for your needs. Accessibility information.

Things to Do in Belmar

Enjoy the beach and boardwalk. Make time for swimming, sandcastles, and an oceanfront stroll. The boardwalk is an inviting place to take in the Atlantic, enjoy the breeze, and start the morning with a walk.
Explore Main Street. Browse local shops, stop for coffee, and choose from casual lunch spots, Italian restaurants, and more polished dinner options. Explore Belmar dining.
Visit the marina. Head to Belmar Manutti Marina for waterfront dining, boat watching, and fishing excursions. Check individual operators for charter trips, shared fishing boats, and rental availability.
Play waterfront mini golf. Add a round at 9th Ave Pier Mini Golf before lunch or dinner near the marina. Hours depend on weather and season.
Bring the kids to Maclearie Park. This riverside park offers a playground, tennis courts, and picnic facilities near the marina, making it an easy addition to a family outing.
Discover local art. Belmar Arts hosts exhibitions, classes, workshops, and creative events at 608 River Road. Check the calendar for something that fits your visit.
Take a walk through Belmar’s past. Look for the Historical Society’s vintage photographs and postcards displayed along the beachfront, showing how familiar locations looked generations ago. Belmar Historical Society.

Where to Eat in Belmar

From waterfront seafood to neighborhood pizza, these dining spots offer a range of settings and budgets. Check restaurant websites for seasonal hours and reservations.

Monmouth County

Ocean County

Atlantic County

Cape May County

Restaurants with Bars

Marina Grille: Coastal American dining overlooking the Shark River. A relaxed sit-down spot with outdoor seating and sunset views. Full bar.
9th Ave Pier: Burgers, seafood, and casual bites in an outdoor waterfront setting with live music. A lively seasonal stop for food and drinks. Bar service.
Klein’s Fish Market & Waterside Café: Seafood and pasta in a casual, family-friendly restaurant on the Shark River, with outdoor dining and a fish market. Full bar and tiki bar.
La Dolce Vita: Italian dishes, seafood, and pasta across from the ocean. Comfortable sit-down dining suited to a leisurely lunch or date-night dinner. Full bar.
10th Ave Burrito Co.: Mexi-Cali burritos, tacos, and loaded favorites in a lively, casual setting with music and a strong tequila selection. Full bar.
Anchor Tavern: Burgers, chicken, and American tavern fare in a casual downtown setting with patio seating and live music. Full bar.
Beach Haus Brewery: A spacious brewery with a full kitchen, house-brewed beer, and a rooftop bar overlooking the Shark River. Relaxed dining with room to linger. Craft beer and cocktails.
Flames Brazilian Steakhouse: Brazilian rodizio featuring grilled meats carved tableside, plus a buffet and salad bar. A sit-down choice for a hearty meal or celebration. Full bar.
D’Jais Bar & Grill: An Ocean Avenue bar, restaurant, and dance club with an energetic beach-party atmosphere. Check the food menu and entertainment schedule before visiting. Full bar.

BYOB Restaurants

Brandl: Contemporary American dining with steaks, seafood, and creative specials. A polished sit-down choice for date night or a special occasion. BYOB.
Federici’s on 10th: Thin-crust brick-oven pizza and classic Italian dishes in a welcoming, family-run restaurant. Casual sit-down dining. BYOB.
F St. Social: New York-style pizza, pasta, appetizers, and Italian entrées in a cozy downtown setting. Casual sit-down dining with takeout available. BYOB; mocktails available.
Ragin’ Cajun: Louisiana-inspired dishes and seafood in a small, colorful restaurant with a relaxed neighborhood feel. Casual sit-down dining with scheduled live music. BYOB.

Casual Bites, Breakfast & Sweet Treats

Hoagitos: Creative chicken sandwiches, smashburgers, sliders, and comfort-food sides. An easygoing, quick-service stop for lunch or takeout.
Berg’s Smoked Meat: Montreal-style smoked-meat sandwiches and poutine in a small, casual shop with limited seating and takeout. A satisfying stop for something beyond standard beach fare.
Pizzeria ’Lucci: A neighborhood pizza spot in Belmar Plaza, convenient for a casual meal or a pie to take back to your rental.
Caffè di Famiglia: An Italian-influenced café serving breakfast, sandwiches, and specialty coffee. A welcoming choice for a relaxed morning or midday break. Coffee, tea, and café drinks.
Offshore Coffee Co.: Specialty coffee with a full breakfast and lunch kitchen on Main Street. Casual café seating for a morning start or an afternoon recharge. Coffee and espresso drinks.
Playa Bowls: Fruit bowls and smoothies in a beachy, counter-service setting. A convenient choice for a lighter meal or snack. Nonalcoholic drinks.
Coney Waffle: Ice cream, waffle sundaes, and colorful frozen treats. A casual counter-service dessert stop for families and anyone with a sweet tooth. No bar service.

A Little Belmar History

Belmar’s seaside resort roots reach back to the 1870s, when the community was known as Ocean Beach. Grand hotels, ocean bathing, and an early wooden boardwalk helped turn the shoreline into a vacation destination. Some hotel buildings were even brought from Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Exposition. Explore photographs, local stories, and exhibits through the Belmar Historical Society.

Events & Entertainment

Belmar’s calendar includes community festivals, seasonal celebrations, and holiday gatherings, while local restaurants and bars host their own music and entertainment. Check the Borough Events Calendar, Belmar Arts, and individual venue schedules before your visit.

Local Churches

Church of Saint Rose: Roman Catholic parish on Seventh Avenue. Parish contact address: 603 Seventh Avenue, Belmar. Visit the website for Mass times.
First Presbyterian Church of Belmar: Presbyterian congregation at 600 Ninth Avenue, with worship services and community ministries.
Fifth Avenue Chapel: A Bible-believing Christian congregation offering worship, Sunday school, Bible studies, and youth programs. Visit the website for directions and service times.