Black Whale Bar & Fish House

The food at The Black Whale is undeniably fantastic—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The decor strikes a charming balance between nautical and upscale, and the service was attentive and friendly throughout our meal. In terms of ambiance and execution, they’ve nailed it. But I can’t overlook the three-hour wait to get a table. That’s not just inconvenient—it’s unreasonable. Even for a popular spot in peak season, this kind of delay feels excessive and poorly managed. It’s hard to enjoy a great meal when you’ve spent nearly half your day just trying to get seated. If they can find a way to streamline their seating process or offer better transparency around wait times, I’d gladly bump this up to five stars. Until then, be prepared to wait—and wait some more.

I understand most people come here most likely for what this restaurant represents and for the very fresh seafood that they offer. As a local, I value these things as well, but I’m less likely to drive all the way down to Beach Haven to experience them, so on the off occasion that I did come out here I was sorely surprised by the interior. To start off, the food was delicious. I love that they make their own salad dressing. The food that came out was piping hot and fresh tasting, and really had a cohesive profile of flavors. However, I really didn’t love that you had to walk through a small bar area to get to the main dining tables. Also not a fan of how close the dining tables were in that I could very easily hear and if I wanted to, be a part of the next parties conversations, it was a little overwhelming due to the small space and I just feel like I would not come here just to sit at the bar and hang out because of that closed quarter feeling it gives. I did really appreciate all of the vintage photos on the wall near the bar area and almost feel like that would be better done near the dining table so while you’re sitting and waiting for the food to come out, cause there is a decent wait for your food to come out since it is prepared fresh, that would be a good time to look at these old photos and have conversations about them versus on your walk in and out of the very tight entryway I felt like I was blocking traffic if I wanted to observe them.

Never disappoints! Start with the espresso martini, it’s perfect! Buffalo calamari was good. 8 out of 10. Their house salad with a mix of both homemade dressings, it’s amazing!

Food was delicious, especially the broccoli and their house salad dressings. Service was great, portions and price were good too. Would definitely come here just for the salad dressings, thats how good it is.

The summer heat on Long Beach Island was relentless – hot, humid, and utterly stifling. Seeking a cool reprieve and a delicious lunch, we ventured to the Black Whale Bar & Fish House, nestled at 100 N Pennsylvania Ave in Beach Haven, NJ. Upon entering, we were immediately drawn to the inviting bar. Its metal-topped surface gleamed, and the comfortable chairs beckoned us to settle in. Though we were initially the sole patrons, the space soon began to fill with a friendly buzz as more guests arrived. This bar, perfectly sized and welcoming, was tended by Jenny, a striking blonde with bright blue eyes. She introduced herself with a warm smile and shared her passion for equestrian sports, quickly making us feel at ease. I ordered a crisp Black Whale IPA from Cape May Brewery, while my wife opted for a refreshing vodka and tonic. With the air conditioning a welcome blast and our drinks in hand, we easily struck up a friendly conversation with Jenny. As we perused the "Fish House" menu, it was clear this establishment lived up to its name, offering a grand assortment of seafood favorites. From Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes to succulent Sea Scallops, the selection was impressive, with prices reflecting the market. I chose the Maryland Crab Chowder to start, followed by the classic Clam Strips with fries, while my wife selected a garden salad and the enticing Grilled Tuna Sandwich. After another round of drinks and lively chatter with our fellow bar patrons, our food arrived. My plate featured a generous pile of golden-brown clam strips, freshly fried and glistening, served alongside a mound of crispy fries. A subtle, inviting aroma of the sea, mingled with the comforting scent of perfectly fried goodness, wafted up. Each strip was a marvel of texture: crisp and crunchy on the outside, thanks to a light, seasoned breading that shattered delicately with each bite. This satisfying crunch yielded to the tender, subtly chewy interior of the clam. Unlike whole belly clams with their distinct briny "pop," these clam strips, crafted from the "foot" of the clam, offered a milder, sweet oceanic flavor that was approachable and incredibly more-ish. A dip into the cool, creamy tartar sauce, with its tangy zest and hints of dill, perfectly complemented the savory clam, and a squeeze of fresh lemon wedge added a bright, clean counterpoint, elevating the flavors. These truly were the quintessential taste of the shore. My wife's Grilled Tuna Sandwich was equally remarkable – a vibrant symphony of fresh, savory, and zesty flavors, with a satisfying interplay of textures. At its heart lay a generous 4-5 ounce portion of fresh tuna, perfectly grilled to a beautiful pink in the center, showcasing its prime quality. Considering we were in Beach Haven, the prices were very reasonable, and the quality certainly made it worth every penny. I would wholeheartedly recommend the Black Whale Bar & Fish House to anyone seeking that authentic "down the shore" experience with exceptional food and a wonderfully inviting atmosphere. Black Whale Bar & Fish House receives a 4 out of 5 on the Kahoona scale

Been meaning to try this place for years and finally did, we were not able to make reservations but even though the place was busy they satbus quickly. Our main server Molly was excellent. The food was very good ( there was a $10 up charge for pasta as my side to my steak which was not cheap to begin with ) but besides that I would recommend you to give it a try. Don't worry about getting really dressed up as it isn't a fancy place.

I think this is my favorite restaurant in LBI. Absolutely incredibly seafood menu. Really friendly service. Amazing housemade salad dressings. This is my go to date night spot all year round

This LBI gem seamlessly combines the best of both worlds—a vibrant bar scene and an exceptional fish house. The star of the show, however, was an incredible salad that had me hooked from the first bite. The dressing was so divine that I couldn’t resist taking some home—it’s no wonder it’s a standout feature. Beyond the salad, the entire menu lived up to the restaurant’s reputation. Each dish showcased the freshness and quality of their seafood. If you’re in the mood for a memorable night, this spot is a definite must-visit, with the salad and the overall seafood selection stealing the show! Side note bring mason jars for the dressing and thank me later.

Wow was this place good, the wait was kind of long but the atmosphere around the restaurant was a celebration. We were able to get a couple cocktails and sit outside on the deck enjoying the weather and the huge amount of people walking around. We were seated ahead of schedule which made us feel great. Our waitress was super cool, very friendly and the food came out surprisingly fast. We had clams casino, steamers, scallops, giant plate of oysters and some broccolini for our veg. All of it was delicious. I'm definitely looking forward to visiting this place again when we revisit the island .

Good food. Good prices. Cold beer. Prompt service. Great no-frills, down-to Earth atmosphere. Case closed.

We've been going to the Black Whale since it opened. I've not been on LBI in a few years, so I wasn't sure what we'd find. I had grilled Mahi with slaw, which was perfectly cooked. My family had a fried and broiled seafood combo. My spouse had fish and chips. Everything was fresh, seasoned well, and delicious. It was the best dinner we've had all week by far. The service was attentive and pleasant. The restaurant is a homey, beachy place. I hope you'll check it out. I'm looking forward to my next visit.

Follow-up to my review from eight years ago - the food is just as fresh and cooked to perfection and the bartenders are on their game with a full court press to keep their diners happy and the cocktails and beer are poured with love. I could go on about the fresh clams, oysters and other seafood but you've got to try it for yourself. Been coming here to LBI for years and it's never been less than a five star experience for me. Do yourself a favor and get in here.

THANK YOU BLACK WHALE!! For helping my now fiance host an amazing suprise engagement party last weekend. We had an absolutely amazing afternoon. The upstairs event space was perfect and everyone raved about the mussels afterwards. Looking forward to being back again this summer!

Amazing. The food was all amazing. We had reservations based on a friend's recommendation. OMG. It was great. I had items off a seasonal menu. My favorite was the jambalaya. It was awesome. Fresh. Tasty. Could be the best I have had. Loved this place so much that we got reservations the next day (we were lucky when we called since this place is always busy - we know why now). This place is now one of my favorites.

We had lobster tails, cole slaw, salad & baked potato. All delicious except the Cole slaw. Howard's was better. Their balsamic salad dressing was so good we took a pint home! Service was conscientious and the ambiance, well, very noisy but you have to expect that especially on a Saturday night.

Came here for dinner with family and the wait was very long so we luckily snagged a seat by the bar. I tried out one of their specialty drinks and honestly didn't like it all that much but the food was fantastic. Similar to all their other restaurants their fried and broiled fish platter is delicious. Came with a crab cake, flounder, scallops - all fresh and very tasty. I was feeling clams so I went with the clams and linguine and it was absolutely fantastic. The broth was so flavorful and not too salty. Really a perfect meal when that's what you're craving. Service was good, I do think the dining room is a nicer ambience but again, we took what we could get with the wait times.

I don't know how my husband's favorite restaurant on LBI could have turned in to such a disappointment. We gave eaten at this restaurant 5 times prior and have been very happy with the grouper, flounder, etc We dined here on a Monday night in November around 6:30 The calamari was over down, the baked clams were great, but the nuts on my pistachio encrusted halibut were blackened and the fish was overcooked. My daughter's fried flounder was over cooked and dried- out. Prob as reason why she nearly touched it and asked for a box. The fried oysters had more batter than bivalve. Our waitress also had an impatient attitude. I think it is time to take a break from the Black Whale, sadly.

pretty satisfied with the service i received here, alongside with the delicious lobster bake and also the jumbo crab cakes. absolutely recommend this little spot in LBI for a great dinner. will definitely be back to try out the rest of their delicious sea food and lobster menu! the restaurant is cozy and the bar section is well removed from the main dining room if this is a concern to anyone.

Hung out and had dinner on Monday night, it was very busy but we only had to wait a couple minutes before two seats opened at the bar. We ended up staying there as opposed to waiting for a table and I'm so glad we did. We started with the Baked Garlic Clams and they were great. For entrees, I had the Crispy Lobster sandwich which was good but messy. My sister had clam strips and old bay fries which were fab. The bartenders were great and the drinks were amazing. But the ambiance in the bar area is very cool, I truly didn't want to leave. The vibe in there is old-school sea shanty bar (I've never seen the dining room, this is strictly the bar area) and they deliver with chill lighting and a great vintage soundtrack. It's just an overall cool place to be. I wanted to hang out all night! Will absolutely try to get bar seats here again next time I'm in LBI.

If you love clams or oysters fresh shucked and tasting of the waters they came from, then Black Whale is your final destination. And the great thing is happy hour M-F starting at 3, clams are only $1.00 each. Beer on tap round everything out. 2 dozen clams and two beers and I feel happy. I'm told everything else on the menu is great, but Coming from Az, clams on the half shell is what I want, and I always leave very full and happy. See you next year at Black Whale.

Black Whale is always one of our go tos when we're staying in LBI. Food drinks and service are always 10 out of 10! Highly recommended!

The food and service are fantastic. The restaurant has various seating areas each adds its own atmosphere your yards away from the bay at the Jersey shore. What could get better?

The ambiance is awesome! Customer service is second to none and the food is straight fire

Order the garlic clams for an appetizer and was by far the best clams I have ever eaten. I ordered the jambalaya (photographed) it was good. We also ordered the smoked salmon (photographed) and for someone who doesn't like salmon it was so good and I almost wanted to order another dish of it to take home. Service was very slow unfortunately.

Our server Alayna was very nice and very professional. Food was great as always! The baked clams with crabmeat and the broiled seafood combo are go-to orders! Festive vibe and loved the servers' Halloween costumes!

The food is excellent and the drinks are generously poured but that's not the best part when it comes to the Black Whale. What is most impressive is the incredible service and the "team" which is a 10/10. Service like this barely exists these days and we greatly appreciate the dedication of the servers and staff.

Been to the Black Whale many times but after tonight I've come to the conclusion that it's not for me. I do like the food but the atmosphere is just too loud and bustling. Very low ceilings and close tables don't help. The salad is standard but the 'secret' of mixing the two dressings make it super tasty. Calamari app was also standard but fresh and nicely fried. I really enjoyed my clams with chorizo and linguine. Although I wish the bread that came with it had been toasted as it was stale. Would have enjoyed my dunking more! The service was friendly and efficient but felt slightly rushed. The longtime hostess surely knows how to run the show (no easy task!) but can be just a bit abrupt. Perhaps understandably. If you plan to go, two things. Have a reservation or you will absolutely positively have a long wait. And if you are going with kids, save money by getting them a beer. Joking of course but my daughter's chocolate milk (with hardly any chocolate) was $6 and my Yuengling draft (cold and fresh) was $5. Go figure. Lastly, I'm old school but don't like signing the bill via a handheld device. Sever was nice and I'm sure if we asked it could have been printed. But happened so quickly/felt awkward so we just rolled with it.

The service was great! The food is delicious! The salad dressings are absolutely amazing! The ambiance could use some improvement. I do recommend this restaurant!

Went here for the first time for my birthday dinner tonight. Our waitress Adriana was not personable or attentive. When you see drink glasses that are empty, why wouldn't you ask if you need another drink instead of us asking every time. The atmosphere was so loud and we were not even near the bar. The food was ok nothing great tasted bland and the bread pudding dessert was mushy. We will not return, wasn't worth the hype.

We are foodies so what we put in our mouths matter. We started with the crab dip which was good. The homemade salad dressings were very good. We all had different fishes and enjoyed our meals. The restaurant is loud though.

Black whale was recommended to us from friends back home. We waited the quoted time for our table. Our server Kyle was very friendly and honest about questions we had with the menu. Much appreciated. Our food was served promptly and was very good. We would go back again

Got a gift card for the black whale with the "tide pool" or "tide family restaurants". When the check came they said we were not able to use it. They refused to accept it even after they agreed the were part of this group of restaurants but the black whale logo was not on the card. Even before we got the bill we said thank god we did not have to pay full price for the meal. Drinks: watered down and not good at all. Food: the swordfish Milanese tasted Ike a frozen fish meal. The bbq mahi-mahi tasted like something from long john silver drizzled with bbq sauce and not ripe mango. Would not recommend and will not be going back to this place

Your service was below par as soon as we walked. The waitress who walked us to the table was upset cause we wanted a larger table for six. She rolled eyes and we decided to leave she called us ASSHOLES.

As a walk-in in LBI, you expect to wait, especiallyfor good seafood. But the staff here is so rude. I don't think we will return. I would recommend going to Howard's or to the Beach House.

Food always great, so fresh. Service great as well! One of our favs! Love the broiled seafood platter which has a bit of everything.

Saturday night no reservations so we had an hour wait Not the best seats but we got seated! We were seated outside of the kitchen and had a birdseye view on what makes this place work like a well oiled machine ! Our waiter Kyle was spot on ! Impeccable service..food came out quick Delicious meals served promptly...as it should be and it was ! My second time here and definitely my favorite place in beach Haven hands down We cleaned both plates and talked about our meals the whole way back home to north Jersey

Consistently good place. Crab cake sandwich is the best on the island, no contest. It's pure crab and the buns are superb. Wings are excellent. Oysters are also great if that's what you're looking for. Bar and dining service are both great.

Absolutely unremarkable meal for it an incredibly inflated price. The halibut special that I ordered was completely overcooked and dried to the bone and served over a bed of pasta, which look like it was covered with Ragu sauce. Crabcakes were mostly filler and the french fries were tasteless, cold and overcooked.

We have gone to the Black Whale for years - especially for my birthday. This is a special place for me on LBI. The swordfish MILANESE and the Seared Grouper were cooked to perfection. The Chocolate Brownie was a great finish. The Clams Casino is delicious - ok you get it - the chef and staff are first rate. Over/under cooked swordfish is a killer - they got it right.! One thing - I loved how the wait staff would write their name with a crayon on the table, often writing their name upside down, and leave a crayon for the wannable graffiti artists - but not this year. Our very good waitress said she was just lazy - but i didn't see others do this. A small touch - bring this back!!! It was also loud upfront in the bar, the guitar player seriously didn't need an amp... but then again, I am older and more sensitive to sound. party on!

The food was just OK. For $40 there was nothing special about the crab cakes. Average. No zing, no sauce. Basic. Fries were excellent, though. The one star is for the service. I have never been in a restaurant, especially a decently expensive one, where the table behind you had screaming kids and management allowed that to continue, utterly ruining the experience. People around us were eating fast. I couldn't even finish half my expensive meal. It took everything to not say anything. But, that's the restaurants job. I understand in this day and age people are leery, but, you're destroying the dining experience for lots of other people.

Amazing dinner at the Black Whale on 9/18/23. Our server, Ryan was spectacular, pleasant, quick and most accommodating. The food was delicious. We started with the broccoli appetizer which was very creative and tasty. Also had the crab dip. I had the shrimp and scallop Santa Cruz, absolutely delicious, my wife had the lobster bake, outstanding and so much food and lastly my daughter had the lobster thermador, Aldo delicious. I highly recommend The Black Whale and will visit again before I depart LBI on Sunday, 9/24/23.

Such a smooth night having dinner with our group of 16. We sat quickly, then had very easy flow of ordering, bringing drinks, then apps, and finally main meals...super efficient. In addition, the menu is expansive and reasonable and everyone spoke highly of the food. So all in all a good experience especially for a large group, highly recommend compared to similar places in that area of beach haven.

We came for happy hour and they have a great happy hour menu. They had a good choice of oysters for buck a shuck and had good sauces to add more flavors. They also had great wings, super crispy but not breaded. Drenched in Buffalo sauce but not too intense. I would've tried more things on the menu but we were already set to go somewhere else.

Not worth the hype. Service was okay, not very welcoming or friendly to guests. Despite the waitress noting that a meal would be okay for a certain diet, it turned out not to be. Food was standard. There was little to no crab in the crab soup. Atmosphere was loud and crowded.

Have been there twice in last two weeks - food is exceptional and service is very attentive and friendly ... Tuna was perfect, cocktails excellent, swordfish and salmon so tasty...family friendly and great waitresses

Went twice and recent after Taylor swift was there. Great spot and great menu. The oysters are so fresh!

I've come here with my family to celebrate a birthday multiple times, and always had good experiences. I especially recommend the crab & artichoke dip as an appetizer. It's not cheap, but nothing is on LBI. There is plenty of seating, and a good beer & cocktail selection too.

Delicious food all around Service was great Ambiance was both family friendly or a place you would go with your friends and post up at the bar

We had a fabulous night at the Black Whale! Our group of 5 included Grandmom, parents, and a 2 year old. The staff were very accomodating and gave our 2 year old some stickers for "assisting" the doorman. She was thrilled. The salad and house dressings were to die for, I wanted more salad!! The bacon wrapped scallops app with bourbon sauce was wonderful as were all of our entrees!! Torr was our server and he was nice and efficient, ready to help but not intrusive! Great dinner and service. Highly recommend!

Bad service ruined what could have been a decent meal. The unfortunately our waitress(Jen) never showed up for game time. Not very friendly, had to be prompted to tell us the specials and fails to mention a $10 charge when we asked for a side wedge salad(instead of the salad that comes included in the meal). Never asked if we wanted another drink. The food was just OK. I had a Parmesan encrusted halibut, but the Parmesan was barely noticeable- it was drowned out with a sweet sauce that overpowered the fish. Wish I had been told about that prior to ordering. All in all, a disappointment and not worth repeating in the future.

Friendly and attentive bartenders for happy hour rush -thank you for your smiles& service!

We came to the Black Whale last minute because all of the other restaurants were fully booked. Cool name, okay food. I got the $34 Shrimp and Scallop Santa Cruz which looks incredible, however the dish was quite bland. You receive a salad for the table along with your entree which unfortunately does not feed many. We had 5 people and received a salad sized for about 2 people. They fool you by putting the salad bowl on a separate bucket of ice which makes it look bigger than it is. The star of the show was actually the bread, very warm, dense and tasty. The wait staff is good, restaurant is clean. I'm not raring to go back though.

Yummy. So good!! The salad and the salad dressing was delicious!! The seafood is soooo good!! My fish was not cooked well. But everyone else was. The swordfish was great!! The finger potato's delicious. I would totally come back!!

Great restaurant with the best crab cakes and delicious lobster rolls. Great service and fantastic outdoor space!!! Loved everything about this place! Would love to go back ASAP!!!

Highly recommend! We immediately fell in love with spot! Lots of great Seafood options and perfectly prepared. When we got our Bill we felt we got quality for the price.

[4.25 Stars] Our first trip to LBI this season found as many people at the Black Whale (end of April) as we had seen at the LBI hot spots in peak season. Having found Parker's Garage to be spectacular and Mud City to be monumentally disappointing (and grossly overpriced), we bet upon the Black Whale to fully redeem this restaurant group. Loud, boisterous and packed to the rafters, Saturday night found Black Whale ready to party. Surprisingly, on-street parking wasn't difficult. The wait staff was a bit terse, but adequate-- and extremely overworked. Our group of four began with two split appetizers: artichoke and crab dip and garlic baked clams. The dip was creamy and full of blue claw chunks. Dairy flavors were most noticable; a bit more salt and cayenne would have made a good appetizer even better. As for the clams, their sizes (and resulting doneness) varied greatly. The smaller clams were seriously overdone. Flavor of the baked clams was nicely garlicky. The four of us sampled entrees of fish and chips, king crab legs and gumbo. The always lovely Ms. G., a fish and chips connoisseur, proclaimed the Black Whale rendition to be among the best she has had in a long while. Similarly, all smiles were seen from my sister-in-law as she enjoyed the crab legs. As for my entree, the seafood gumbo was not without its quirks, but on balance, very good. Rather than a more traditional soupy broth, a thick melange of tomato, bell pepper and onion provided texture. Traditional Andouille was replaced by copious quantities of chorizo, overpowering all other flavors in the gumbo. A rather pedestrian grade of grits stood-in for the gumbo's rice, yielding a pasty and one-dimensional backdrop for an abundant serving of seafood. Two large shrimp, a split lobster tail, several plump scallops, well-cooked calamari, mussles and littleneck clams were each present. Each was fresh. Flavors were detectable, but again, hidden behind the barrage of chorizo. A more balanced hand might have made this a stellar dish. None the less, it was very good. We enjoyed a not-inexpensive feast at Black Whale, finding it to approach the level of enjoyment we found at Parker's Garage. A simpler fin fish entree might be my choice on a return visit, but that return would be welcome.

Food is great! I really like the food here. The service is good too. Ambiance is good it depends where you are sitting in the room.