If you can do all this stuff in a week at OCNJ, you'll have the best family vacation in the #1 family resort town in America!
The top 3 places in each category are featured.
The top 3 places in each category are featured.
Best Donuts
Browns Donuts
http://brownsocnj.com/ |
The Fractured Prune
https://fracturedprune.com/ |
Nauti Donuts
https://www.facebook.com/dotspastryshop/ |
I have a strong classic here in Browns and Dots paired with moderns Nauti Donuts and Fractured Prune. All 3 are great. Browns is a classic down at the very beginning of the board walk and the line for donuts is a mile long by 8:30am. They offer 6 flavors and I recommend you try them all but the chocolate and vanilla glazed are the best for me! The Fractured Prune has 2 locations and literally 30 different options of donuts. Unfortunately 30 is too many to try them all (for me anyway) but you really can't go wrong here. On a side note their breakfast sandwiches and fresh squeezed orange juice is also great. Nauti Donuts is a newcomer to the island in 2018 and the place is immaculate. Everything is brand new and exceptionally clean. They also have coffee on tap which is hard to pass up!
Best Pizza
Manco & Mancos
https://mancospizza.com/ |
Piccini Wood Fired Brick Oven
http://www.picciniocnj.com/ |
Preps Pizzeria
http://www.prepspizzeria.com/ |
Formally known as Mack and Mancos, Manco & Manco is the clear winner in the Pizza game in OCNJ. They have the most locations for good reason. Thin crust slices with good sauce make the place unique and the toppings here are under rated. I usually go pepporoni and sausage but its all good. Piccini is off the boardwalk on West but also has been around for decades offering wood fired pizza which is different from anything you'll find on the boardwalk. Preps has been around since the 60s but renovations are always making the place look brand new. Tons of great options with a bar set up make it easy for grab and go.
Best Ice Cream
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Kohr Brothers has been in OCNJ since 1919 and today is the Ice Cream powerhouse of the boardwalk with 5 locations which feels like every other block on the boards. Georges has been in the candy game since 1954 but recently brought ice cream to its iconic location. It's hard ice cream with some unique flavors. If you are not into soft serve, this place is for you! A La Mode is all the way up on 55th but worth the trip. It's got an old school parlor feel with splits, a la modes, and sundaes. If you are looking for a night away from the boards go up to 55th and enjoy the quiet side of town.
Candy / Fudge / Salt Water Taffy
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Shrivers, started in 1898 and the only thing better than its history is its Salt Water Taffy. If you stop in at the right time you can even watch them make it there right in front of your eyes. The store looks right out of a century ago and has the famous little doll doing flips in the window. The Fudge Kitchen is my personal favorite for Fudge. They sell and make so much of it and are always making fresh batches multiple times a day. Steels is another great classic since 1919 and would easily be ranked #1 anywhere else in the world.
Best Breakfast
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Browns doesn't just have the best donuts, they also have the best breakfast. I go almost every morning when down, the lines are ridiculous and the food is always worth the wait. If you are in a rush Oves is not very far behind. Try their apple cider donuts, you wont be disappointed! Bob's grill is on the other end of the boardwalk which is always an option if the boardwalk is packed and I don't want to ride my bike ALL the way down to Browns.
Best Seafood
1) The Crab Trap
https://thecrabtrap.com/ |
2) Ikes Famous Crab Cakes
http://ikesfamouscrabcake.com/ |
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The Crab Trap is right over the 9th street bridge and serves booze, a plus considering OCNJ is a dry town and its the closest restaurant to the island that serves adult beverages. It also happens to have a massive seafood menu and its all good. Ikes features some of the best crab cakes you can find anywhere with homemade chips in a real sand bucket, great for kids. Spadaforas is the classic in the group which features no space, it's always packed, and its beyond worth the wait.
Best Amusement Parks
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Gillians Wonderland Pier has been on the boardwalk for 90 years and it's been the traditional powerhouse since its been in existence. Playlands Castaway Cove has been around for 60 years and is always investing in new modern rides. Then the Water Park is what you do during the day before you go to Gillians and Playland!
