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Home to Cheesequake State Park and Laurence Harbor Beachfront, Old Bridge also has a bustling culinary hub full of upscale restaurants and chefs who are clearly passionate about what they do. Here you will find creative dishes and new American fare along with multicultural cuisine. We’ve listed our top picks for eating out in Old Bridge.

Comfi

Comfi serves your quintessential American style breakfast and brunch with Polish influences. In addition to all the classics, try the homemade pierogies, the enormous potato pancakes, Elvis French toast, or the ‘I’m still undecided sampler,’ which comes with a little bit of everything. Pancakes can come served in a multitude of styles including chocolate chip, banana strawberry, and Nutella. There are also some lunch options like chicken noodle soup, the New Wave Turkey Burger, or Hawaiian chicken. Iced coffees come towering with whipped cream if you so choose. The interior is cute and cozy with gold accents, exposed brick, and quaint decor.

Ponte Vecchio Italian Seafood Grille

Restaurant, Italian, Seafood

Ponte Vecchio Italian Seafood Grille is a place fit for a special occasion like a birthday or a bridal shower. The menu is filled with delicious goodies like lobster tails, veal chop covered in gooey melted smoked mozzarella, Cajun calamari, stuffed shrimp, steak, oysters on the half shell, and lobster ravioli. As you can see seafood is the predominating theme here but there are some other excellent selections as well. The restaurant has a classic style interior with wrought iron light fixtures, heavy drapes, and a large mural of a Florence cityscape. Ponte Vecchio offers an all round excellent dining experience.

Café Luna

Bar, Cafe, Restaurant, Italian, Seafood, Contemporary

Café Luna is one of the most upscale restaurants in Old Bridge. The menu specializes in Sicilian cuisine and artisan pizzas. Try the halibut topped with scallops, potato crusted sea bass, mussels, and lobster tail and filet mignon. The food is served with impeccable presentation. The best demonstration of this is in the chocolate lava cake, which comes adorned in an intricate array of sauces. Café Luna is also known for its famed chocolate bag dessert. The bar offers a variety of inventive cocktails as well, like the watermelon mojito. The interior is adorned in contemporary style with blue and purple lighting around the bar walls, art on display and accented in intricate tiling.

Nunzios Kitchen

Nunzios Kitchen is a quirky and fun joint specializing in unique pizzas and other Italian food. The options seem never ending and are boundlessly creative. Some examples of toppings include pizza with Scooby snacks, gnocchi, candied bacon, corned beef, mac & cheese, peanut butter & jelly, waffles, and coconut. Of course, Nunzios Kitchen has all the traditional pizza fixings as well. This is the place to go if you’re looking for a fun and memorable dining experience. Nunzios also sells sauces served by the jar and makes phenomenal pastas. Once you’ve had your fill, finish with a frozen espresso and a mini cannoli… or three!

Bagel Boy

Deli, American, Vegetarian, Fast Food, Vegan

If you’re in this region of the United States it’s imperative that you have a bagel. There’s just something better about them in New York City and surrounding areas. Bagel Boy is not limited to bagels, however. Bagel Boy serves pasta specials like eggplant Parmesan and wraps like the turkey BLT with avocado as well. Additionally, there is a large deli style display case filled with chilled side salads. Round out your meal with a freshly brewed cup of Bagel Boy coffee, one of the best companions to any bagel. The interior is casual and well lit. There are even fresh baked goods on offer ranging from breads to pies and even cannolis!

Just

Bar, Restaurant, American, Contemporary, Vegetarian

Just is as hip and upscale as the sound of its name. Dressed in contemporary interior style, this restaurant serves new American cuisine and gluten-free fare. Most ingredients are locally sourced and organic. Try the inventive crab cake corn dogs, pork sliders on lotus buns, tuna with avocado-jalapeño salsa and seaweed, and the cinnamon donuts served in a little shopping cart. There are many, many tasty things on the menu that it can be hard to choose! The presentation is as thoughtful as the dishes are inventive, and there is also a fully stocked bar and lots of wines to choose from. Just is a hidden gem with a romantic ambiance with excellent food on offer; here you can be sure to have a wonderful dining experience.

The Original Big Ed’s BBQ

Bar, Restaurant, American, BBQ, Vegetarian

The Original Big Ed’s BBQ serves all you can baby back eat ribs and other indulgent BBQ fare to satisfy even the biggest of appetites. The ribs come prepared in many different dry rubs and sauces. In addition to ribs, you can find pulled chicken, burgers, and BBQ chicken. The complementary buttery garlic bread is bound to leave you raving, and the sides are equally as delectable. Its no-frills exterior yields to an interior set up much like a sports bar with timber walls, floors, and seats. Finish your meal with some apple fritters, chocolate cake, or peanut butter pie!

Drew’s Bayshore Bistro

Bistro, Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, Vegan, Cajun, Contemporary, French

Drew’s Bayshore Bistro serves French and American creole cuisine with utmost sophistication. Blessed with a set of talented chefs, all food at Drew’s Bayshore Bistro is prepared with high quality ingredients and served to accommodate its patrons. Try the prix fixe menu, which comes with an entrée, appetizer, and dessert. Some menu items include jambalaya, voodoo shrimp, and chicken cordon bleu. Come here for decadent desserts like the salted caramel tart with vanilla gelato or the lemon pudding topped with blueberry sauce and merengue. Drew’s Bayshore Bistro is BYOB.

Raceway Café and Grill

Cafe, Restaurant, American

Raceway Café and Grill makes traditional American and Mexican cuisine with a penchant for breakfasts. The chorizo, egg, and cheese sandwich is always a hit. For lunch, the quesadillas, tacos, and empanadas never fail to deliver on quality and flavor. There’s an outdoor seating area illuminated with string lights overhead and Mexican music playing to set the atmosphere. If the weather’s warm we recommend sitting out here. Raceway Café and Grill offers authentic food for a great value. The owners are attentive to their customers and clearly passionate about what they do. This restaurant will make you feel like you’re on vacation even if you live nearby!

Taqueria Maria’s

Taqueria Maria’s serves Tex-Mex and traditional Latin American cuisine. The food is of elevated quality and well prepared. The result is an array of spicy and flavorful dishes that do not disappoint. The ceviche is excellent, and the guacamole is served with a mixture of fresh cilantro and pico de gallo. Taqueria Maria’s serves entrées like enchiladas, burritos, codorniz a la diabla, and burritos. The food is authentic and offered at a great price, not to mention prepared with love. Pair any meal with your choice of a variety of Mexican sodas to complete the experience.

About the author

Lily is a freelance writer and self-proclaimed social activist who recently moved to Berlin for love. You can find out more about her work at lilycichanowicz.com or via Twitter @liliaceaeflora.

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