Cafe Loren

First time here as a local. PHENOMENAL. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Caesar salad was wonderful and lemony. The halibut was cooked perfectly, the short rib was so different and felt like comfort food, and the dessert was out of this world. Some kind of chocolate mouse with Oreo and ice cream. The service was truly impeccable. Thank you for a great night out. We will be back!

High quality, unmatched, delicious food awaits your palate at Cafe Loren. The staff is incredibly welcoming and hyper focused on the quality of your dining experience. They were incredibly attentive and knowledgeable to my girlfriends gluten free needs without the compromise of flavor All servers are exceptionally delightful to the point where you can just tell this is a great work-place environment. I'd recommend you try something new every time you're here being every dish we've had has been some of the finest dining in New Jersey. This is the type of place I'd wait in line for if need be.

Simply the best! Service, food, and the environment were all A++! What a wonderful dining experience. The receptionist slowly walked to the table, waited until we sat down and then handed women the menus, and then subsequently the men. Within two minutes without asking, an ice Bucket was brought to the table. There is very little turnover of servers and we were greeted with a smile. Everybody loved their meals. Loren salad , seafood chowder and mussels were all excellent. Several of us had halibut with risotto which was mouth watering. The fish special for the day was a hit. Desserts were outstanding. I would like to see them or add to their tray choices in the future, it is our favorite restaurant at the Jersey shore, and I cannot even think of a constructive comment to make. I guess it would be nice when they announce all of these specials if they would give the price to each of them without us having to ask, especially when a few of them were more expensive than other items. Fantastic night!!

Fantastic restaurant. Impeccable service. Great BYOB opportunity for wine lovers. One of the few restaurants were the desserts match the quality of the food. One strong critique/recommendation… I love a good sear/crust on my proteins and on food in general, however the chef needs to look at the flavor the grill is imparting. For us the octopus and filet both had a really strong bitter burnt flavor. I’ve read other reviews that echo this same issue. But a wonderful dinner overall.

Great find! We usually go to Steve and Cookies when visiting the OC are but wanted to try something new this time around. We were so glad we did. The food was absolutely delicious, our service was wonderful and full of personality and the atmosphere was very warm and inviting. This will definitely be our new spot whenever we are in the area.

Great service, superb food, ceaser salad one best I've had, duck breast, veal dishes were done perfectly. Our servers were right on mark, it was great evening, they have nice outdoor seating area. Had a great evening!

A decade (and counting!) of dinners at Café Loren in Avalon, and it never fails to impress. From the halibut with its incredible sauces to a Caesar salad that truly has no rival, every bite reminds us why this has been a tradition for over 10 years. Nick always makes us feel so well taken care of, and the serene artwork by Monaco Zane sets the perfect backdrop for enjoying a glass of French wine over dinner. Already counting down to our next visit over Memorial Day. The best part? It’s steps away from @Fredsavalonliquors and The Princeton, so the night can roll right into great music after an unforgettable meal.

Year after year, visit after visit Cafe Loren never disappoints. Food is superb -- house salad, Ceasar salad and oh my gosh, the pistachio- crusted goat cheese & beets! Went twice in the past four days during restaurant week...BBQ pork chop, chicken, salmon...all excellent 👍. If there was a picture in the food dictionary of pan-seared scallops, it would be the ones prepared here. Food is so beautifully plated you really do have a visual feast before you ever take a bite. Desserts=yum! Staff, to a person, are outstanding--professional, friendly, go out of their way to accommodate you. Definitely five stars, would give more if I could! Another year, another visit and NO change! Food is excellent, superb, beautifully plated. Staff is outstanding. Wow. New year, same comments. A 10 star restaurant in every level. Wish I could say that things have deteriorated so people would stop going but that would be a straight -up lie. Cafe Loren - food, staff, plating - is incomparable. Truly excellent in every way, every visit. Look forward each year to as many visits as possible.

Returned with a party of 8. I normally get seafood. They all ordered seafood. Seafood here is great. But for some reason, wanted a steak. Excellent. Served with excellent carrots, Brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes and horseradish sauce. Oysters grilled appetizer good. And the Caesar salad was good too. So glad my son gets a reservation here for vacation week. Top notch service from Nick. And others. I would encourage Cafe Loren to try a new decor approach rather than just selling art. Pretty but a little staid. Just a suggestion. Go one notch modern and fresh. But the food and service are great.

Upscale atmosphere, wonderful service, and excellent food. Well worth the cost. Will absolutely be back again.

Went after a rec from a friend and was not disappointed! Cafe Loren has one of the top 3 Caesar salads I've ever had. So yummy with the perfect amount of dressing. The blueberry bqq short rib was delicious. Only wish they had some outdoor seating. This was a great experience and can't wait to go back!

The food here is always excellent. We had the Veal Loren and the halibut - both great! Service was also excellent and we love the ambiance. If you can get a reservation, go for it!

I was a little concerned as the place had a musty smell when we walked in. Needless to say, this place still got a 5 star from us! Food AND service was out of this world! Between the 3 of us not one person had something they didn't like. A couple dishes that stood out was the beet salad, Caesar salad (so good!!, and the blueberry crumble dessert. If you have a change to go here, then make a reservation and give it a try! This place is a BYOB so bring your bottle and enjoy'!!

My parents have owned property in Avalon for over 50 years. When the family is together we rarely eat out. We heard good things about Cafe Loren so we went. What a disappointment. The swordfish I had was way over cooked even the salad was nothing special. Small portions. Rushed service - we had to order our entire meal at the same time what are we in France? Frankly, everything was blah. AND for the $280 I spent on the 4 of us, it was a major let down. Now I know why I don't go out to eat in Avalon when I visit. Better food in Sea Isle, Stone Harbor, Cape May, Court House and even North Wildwood. Pay the bridge toll and get out of dodge for dinner.

We had dinner last for our anniversary. It was Lorens 1st dinner service of the summer season. I was was pleasantly surprised how ready they were. Our service was spot-on and even wished us a Happy Anniversary with a single candle on our delicious keylime pie. I had the MP 8 Oz filet, it was perfectly cook and the Mrs had the halibut that too was perfectly cooked. The decor is tired and needs a refresh minus one star.

The food was delicious and I'd definitely go back. Service was ok but other servers were much better and we overheard dessert options and specials we weren't told. Our server seemed over it. She was timely and attentive but not enthusiastic. But the food was great and made up for that.

Overpriced, underwhelming and BARELY three stars. Not sure what all the fuss is about quite frankly. Our service was good, which is why I kept this review at three stars. But this was the most expensive restaurant of my one week stay in the 7 mile area and the least inspiring. We started with the grilled octopus as we do at any restaurant that has it on the menu. We received ONE small and very skinny piece of Octopus (why do the photos here show TWO pieces?) which was sitting in a dill pickle sauce, the exact same kind you buy in your supermarkets seafood section - it tasted exactly the same. It did not marry well at all with the rest of the plate. The Trout roe should have added some brininess and salty-ness but had zero taste. Thumbs down. We ordered a bottle of sparkling water and our waiter brought out a second one on ice "in case we wanted it." More on that later. For entree's we had the Veal Loren which sounds good in theory. Props for very tender and properly cooked veal. However, the accolades end there as the white creamy sauce has very little flavor. The veal even though well cooked is very small and all of this sits on top of non descript potato things that I pushed to the side. The shrimp is no different than what you would get at your supermarket. Not a cheap dish either - another thumbs down. And about that 2nd bottle of sparkling water - we didn't want it nor did we open it. However, that did not stop them from adding it to our bill! Only later did we notice they billed us for this. Shame on you folks, not cool. This is a place that tries hard to convince YOU that it is upscale and elegant but falls way short with the only "upscale" part being the blown up prices they charge. There are WAY better restaurants in the 7 Mile area - I cannot recommend this place.

Wow!!! Omg....what a delicious surprise! The reviews were good for Cafe Loren but honestly this place should have way more clout than it does currently. Earlier in our trip, we went to Steve & Cookies and this meal at Cafe Loren blew that one out of the park!

First time at Café Loren. Love the BYOB! The dining room is kind of L shape. There are lovely paintings from a local artist along all of the walls of the restaurants - such a nice look - great ambiance. We sat in the hallway, which turned out to our liking because it was quieter than the dining area. You do deal with people walking past your table, but it was fine. The service at Café Loren was spectacular in our opinion. Our waitress was so friendly, helpful, and attentive, it made for a great evening. Returning would be due to her great service. We shared the jerked shrimp appetizer. It was fine, but not something we would order again. We also shared the Café Loren Salad. It was delicious and we marveled at how big each of our half portions were. For our entrees, we chose the Halibut and the Veal (their two biggest sellers according to our waitress). The Halibut was the better of the two in our opinion. I did not think the veal medallions had much flavor (they were a bit tough as well) and the reduction sauce was a bit sweet for my taste. In general, the food was disappointing for fine dining and maybe a bit above average in our opinion. I just don't see how this is a top 5 YELP restaurant on 7 Mile Island. Our dessert choice was the apple pear cobbler with ice cream. The apple/pear cobbler filling was very good, but we did not care for the crumb topping as it did not add much flavor. The vanilla ice cream was a great compliment.

While staying at the Icona we wanted a nice fine dining meal. Cafe Loren did npt disappoint. The service was outstanding and friendly. The server made great recommendations. I highly suggest the starting with the Scallops and for mains Halibut and BBQ Braised Short Rib. It was a outstanding meal.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED!! I picked this restaurant for me and my family for my sisters 20th birthday. I absolutely adored the atmosphere, the service and the food, it was a true home run. We started with the shrimp appetizer and it was amazing. For an entree I ordered the Halibut and it was so delicious & fresh and the risotto was such a good addition. They gave a desert on the house to my sister which was extremely nice. Our server was Nick and he was outstanding. Prices are upscale but 100% worth it. We will totally be back in the future. If you love seafood and are looking for a classy meal Cafe Loren is definitely the place.

Service was phenomenal and food also great but honestly the friendly service made our meal. Highly recommend the grilled oysters and the chickpea bruschetta.

Visited Cafe Loren for dinner on my birthday, and we were both quite pleased with our meal! It's very easy to walk past this "hidden" restaurant on the main drag in Avalon, but it's definitely a gem of the island. When we went in July, they were offering reservations for both indoor and outdoor seating, so we snagged res for outside. The outdoor space is a little unassuming (almost looks like an extension of the parking lot), but the tables are spacious and nicely spread apart. It basically functioned as its own little restaurant. Our waiter, Nick, was lovely, and he gave us his full attention, providing us his opinions on various dishes and making sure all our questions were answered. He honestly made the experience so much better! Cafe Loren is BYOB, so definitely be sure to bring a bottle with you! They chilled our white in an ice bucket while we ate, which was much appreciated on the humid day. In terms of food, Cafe Loren operates with a relatively small menu, which makes it easy for selecting your dishes. We split a first course between the two of us, opting for the coconut curry mussels. Neither of us are big mussel fans, but per Nick's recommendation, we went for it. It was such a unique dish, featuring Thai flavors with ginger, garlic, and curry all encased with the crusty bread. It was plenty for both of us! We each got a house salad as our second course, which was basic but nice. Loved the inclusion of the candied walnuts and the gorgonzola, and the salad wasn't overly drenched in the balsamic. For our mains, since we were on the shore, we both had to do seafood. My fiancee went for the scallops, which he spoke highly of - the plum sauce was a unique pairing with the succotash, but provided a bit of unexpected sweetness. They were meaty and quite filling! I went for the salmon - it was a massive piece, I was very surprised! The salmon itself was delightful with the honey glaze, and it paired so well with the fresh watermelon / feta / olive salad (a combo I would never think myself but was a hit). I wound up taking half of my main home since it was so filling! Although we were both pretty full already, Nick enticed us with dessert by bringing around the tray of offerings. We were suckered in to trying the ricotta pie - with Nutella, honey, and almonds in a light crust, it was a perfect ending to a great birthday dinner. Overall, we loved our dinner at Cafe Loren. This is definitely one of the finest (if not the finest) restaurants on the island and worth making a trip to for dinner. While the price is a tad bit steep, it's definitely bearable and worth it for a special occasion. We hope to make it back to try other seasonal offerings as the seasons change. Thanks for a great birthday dinner, Cafe Loren!

Great food. Great service. Entrees were plentiful and delicious. Leave room for dessert

One of the best places to eat in Avalon. Nothing special about the atmosphere but the food is always delicious.

We had a great experience at Cafe Loren! First of all, the food was great. Our table got the scallops, the burrata, and the salad, and they were all very good. For entrees, which was the 3rd course, I got a delicious steak. And we can't forget dessert, for we each stuffed ourselves with either the blueberry crumble, the caramel macadamia pie, or what I got, the peanut butter chocolate slice of pie. The service was amazing too! Our server was great, Denise, and she made sure we were enjoying our dinner while also catering to many other tables. We also enjoyed the nice inside area that we sat, in the back. There were fantastic photographs and paintings around the room. The lighting was nice too, and allowed for us to have a fun but relaxing dinner together. Overall, we had a good night.

We had dinner at the Cafe' after a 10 year hiatus. During high season it was difficult to get a reservation but we went early in the season and evening (5:30). When we left is was full. Very little had changed in the dining room which is a good thing. Even when full the room was quiet enough to have a conversation. Service was friendly and attentive and the food was was served at a nice pace and attractively presented. The nice piece monk fish was just ok, fresh but without much flavor. The scallops were very flavorful and served with polenta and sauces. Overall the food was very good but not exceptional and the portions wouldn't be considered "hearty". We enjoyed the meal, ambiance and service and will return, hopefully before 10 years passes.

This is a must try, with a true chef that puts together amazing depths of flavor. We were able to get early reservations on Friday night and liked it so much we asked for availability on Saturday and they allowed for an early reservation for Saturday. On the first night we both had the crab bisque which was very good, and split appetizers of grilled octopus, mussels, and grilled scallops. It is tough to say which appetizer was out favorite, however probably the mussels that was in a sauce which was really deep in flavor and had some crunch with cabbage, and an ever so slight spicy taste. The grilled octopus appetizer was as tender as it gets and was a light vinaigrette taste with white beans and cucumber. Our meals on night 1 were Halibut, which my wife had and I had to order on the 2nd night as it was the best I have ever had. The flavor of this fish, combined with the brown crusted sides and tender inside, made for a great taste. The sides for the halibut were risotto and a carrot ginger sauce which were good, however my wife liked more than me. I got the swordfish with clams, which was not what I expected (I thought more of a sauce), however still very good, however probably both of our least favorite dishes. On night 2 we had the special of potato leak soup, which was amazing and a Caesar salad which you will not have a better Caesar salad than this. My wife got the crab cakes on day 2, which she loved (I'm never a big fan) and since she is not a potato fan, I ate her side of potato and spinach with grilled corn, which was fantastic (she ate my risotto). Last, but definitely not last are the desserts, we both had the strawberry panna Cotta on day one which was as good of a dessert as I have had (a little more crumb topping and whipped cream would have personally made it even better for me) and on day 2 my wife stuck with the strawberry panna cotta (extra crumb) and I reluctantly took one for the team and tried the key lime pie (extra whipped cream) and it was really really good, and the crust was absolutely amazing, however I will stick with the strawberry panna cotta time. The people in this place are also some of the nicest and attentive staff you will meet, and the chef was nice enough (maybe because we came in 2 nights straight with Joanna as our server) to let us try a raw thinly sliced tuna appetizer there was a name that is escaping me), which was absolutely out of this world, and was as fresh a dish as I have had. Obviously we would highly recommend this place, for if you love fresh, thought out food, from an amazing chef, you will not be disappointed.

Our favorite dinner at the beach. Very consistent. Solid service staff. Veal Loren us my favorite as us macadamia tart.

Had an amazing three course meal!! The attention is like no other place I've been too!! The waitresses and waiter are super attentive!!! The meal was phenomenal Highly recommended!! RSVP BEFORE SHOWING UP BYOB WE HAD THE WAITER BY THE NAME OF MICHEAL SUPERB!!!!

Absolutely delicious meal from start to finish. This restaurant is such a gem! Adorable, beachy yet upscale vibes on the inside. Menu is very well rounded. The artichoke salad is one I will dream about forever - I can only hope it's still on the menu for when I next get to visit. Service was well beyond the standard. I honestly do not have one negative thing to say! Maybe just that I wish they were closer to home so I didn't have to wait until next vacation.

This was one of the most fabulous dining experiences ever. The food was absolutely amazing and the service was wonderful! I love a great BYOB. Very reasonably priced for the quality of food. The halibut was absolute perfection and the key lime pie was wonderful. I also had the mussels as an appetizer and the flavors were so amazing! Highly recommend this restaurant. I was with two other people and we were all impressed. I can't wait until I go back.

Excellent food, great service and the menu offers a nice variety of options. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Overall, it was a great meal! It is pretty chilly inside so bring a sweater. Very friendly, helpful waitstaff. Scallops and veal were amazing! Filet was a tad dry but still delicious.

Cafe Loren in my opinion is the best fine dining option in Avalon. As far as ambiance it's average but what really matters is the service and food. Well this restaurant has amazing service and the food is very good plus it's a byob which is always a plus! My steak and my fiancé's fish were cooked to perfection and the portions are perfect!

It's more than a restaurant... It's a true beachfront dining experience. We are very fortunate to have a good old fashion, husband and wife run restaurant in our neighborhood.. there is so much attention to detail, and effort to provide professional, happy faced staff. Plan ahead as you will need a reservation..

First of all, we were surprised there was parking. Thank you Café Loren. Next, for all the years we have had a home by the beach, we have never been to Café Loren. Why?? Not sure, but we will be back. Dinner was outrageously delicious. There was not one item on each of our plates that we didn't have a WOWZA. Obviously the Chef knows what he/she is doing and enjoys food. There was an obvious respect for the delivery, the design and the taste. We were very impressed with the many flavors and the color; of course, the originality!! Amazing. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Mike and Betsy

Ordered takeout from Cafe Loren tonight and it was amazing! The girl taking the orders was really nice and so was the delivery guy. The salads, both the house and the artichoke salad, were good sized portions and so yummy! Definitely get the scallop appetizer too! We will definitely dine in once everything opens up!

Absolutely delicious restaurant; and the fact that it is down at the shore makes it even better. Doesn't look the nicest when you walk in but the food is top notch. We ordered a ton since everything looked great and nothing disappointed. Lobster roll, shrimp and grits, swordfish, scallops - all were very well prepared. Service was solid. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend and/or go back. Cheers.

To please 8 different diners is hard to do. They completed this task with no problem. From steak to grouper to halibut to scallops, it was hard to pick the best dish of the night. The only appetizer that didn't hit the target was the calamari with polenta which was overly seasoned and lacking in focus. Expect to pay around $130 per couple with tax and tip. By far the best restaurant in Avalon.

This was the first take out that we have done other than pizza and the Veal Loren was truly amazing. Thanks so much.

Back again for the third time. My first time of 2018, we went with a party of 5 and everyone loves the food. The owners are so accommodating and our waitress was perfect. My boyfriend and I went with well known dishes. I had the halibut and my boyfriend had the duck. We had the scallops as an appetizer and a cookies and cream semi freddo for dessert(a special). The best place to eat in Avalon!

A notch above excellent. Four of us ordered 3 apps, each had an entree and we shared 2 deserts. Each was a home run. The old saying " you get what you pay for" is also applicable. The bill was $255 before tip. Thank goodness it's a BYOB. Worth it for special occasions or if cost is not an issue. Bob

Had an early October Sunday night dinner at Cafe Loren. Seating was outside (our preference with Covid still an issue). The staff was very attentive. I had the Seafood Chicken Gumbo Special. It was piping hot with just the right amount of spices. My wife had the Veal Loren which she said was excellent. We will be back for another meal.

Went with friends this weekend and the food here was absolutely delicious! The staff was wonderful, friendly and provided the best service I've had in a long time. If you are looking for a great place to take friends or for a nice date night. Head to Cafe Loren, you will not be disappointed.

Simply the best! Consistently great food, no matter what is ordered, that is beautifully plated. Staff is top-notch. Young man who is bussing this summer is a delight. Highly, highly recommend. Best restaurant on 7-Mile Island, hands down!

After reading all the raving reviews of Cafe Loren I had to give it a try. I was just there on September 21 and they close for the season on the 23rd. As some have noted in earlier reviews the decor is a bit old & plain. The service was fantastic as we had (3) people taking care us. For starters we tried the Calamari & fresh local scallops (2). Both app's were very good. The scallops get a solid 5 stars. The Calamari was served in a tomato based sauce and it was not fried. Small dinner rolls and butter were provided free of charge but I believe they might be store bought but i wasn't 100% sure. The butter was cold and I would have preferred for it to be served at least at room temp if not heated. For our entree's we tried the Veal Loren, Rack of Lamb, Scallops (6), Seafood Bisque & Filet. Each of our meals were fantastic. The flavors, texture & presentation were all top notch. Although the prices are high Cafe Loren is a BYOB and that really offsets the pricing of the entrees. I gave Cafe Loren 4 stars because I didn't leave feeling like I had to come back the next time I'm in Avalon.

This place is great. Great location, great food. Love this place! We will be back.

My husband and i ate here 2 weeks ago.. The scallop appetizer was delicious--the best scallops I have ever eaten! My husband had the halibut--also excellent. I ordered dessert to go, cannoli pie. So glad I did!

Excellent dining experience! We had filet mignon, halibut, and scallops. All were cooked to perfection and the corresponding vegetable concoctions that accompanied them were unique and well balanced for flavor and presentation. All were unique and better than I have had in a long time. We will be going back again and again. Johnston party.

I had an especially hard time picking from the menu because everything sounded insanely delicious. We settled on the lamb dish and filet. Bout we're outrageously delicious and cooked to perfection as you'd expect. Also recommend the grilled artichoke and panna cotta. The setting is very pleasant. Not to crowded together which is a usual problem in sore towns. Service was spot on - above and beyond. It's easy to see why cafe Loren continues to be successful and full every night.

Well deserving of 5 stars. The food is amazing, from taste and flavor to presentation and artistic style, Cafe Loren does not disappoint. Our server was a little off putting, but the service was still very good. It is BYOB and sits adjacent to a liquor store, which actually makes the meal more affordable by not getting up-charged for alcohol. Definitely my new favorite place for dinner at the shore, I strongly recommend dining at Cafe Loren.

I would give them 10 stars if I could. This place is amazing. The food is beyond good. The service amazing. They are taking every precaution for COVID-19 and we felt so safe and clean while we were there. They are constantly wiping down everything including the chairs. The menus are paper and tables are spaced out well. I can't say enough about this place. If you're in Avalon, Cafe Loren is a MUST.

This is our go to place to get a great meal on the Island. It never disappoints. The staff is professional, friendly and accommodating. And the chefs are first class. Perfect night out.

Look - this place is awesome. If you love expensive, gourmet food this is the place for you. It's BYOB so that helps a lot. Everything we tasted was presented nicely and we totally enjoyed everything. The portions are not small but basically the right size - that means you'll order an appetizer, entree, and dessert and you'll feel satisfied. We checked in a month or so back so I don't have the details on everything. However, I do remember eating the scallops and poached lobster appetizers are both were awesome. Really this place is awesome.

Best dinner food in Avalon! Amy was knowledge about the entrees and she offered fabulous recommendations! Seafood Stew was simple yet amazing. Portions were big, esp the octopus in the stew! The only complaint we had was that the seafood flavor of the Halibut and Scallops and Shrimp with Grits was over powered with additional unnecessary flavors....pancetta on everything, cream sauce, butternut purée etc...missing the actual flavor of the fish.

Phenomenal! Apps were the scallops, and beet and goat cheese salad. Entrees were halibut and the filet. Dessert was a chocolate banana something. Everything was perfectly cooked and presentation was beautiful. The halibut was the best I've had. Our server, Mary, was excellent. Friendly and knowledgeable and helped steer us to great choices. First time here and will go back.