Klein's Fish Market

The seafood is fresh and delicious (minimal seasonings to bring out the best of fresh seafood), and the lobster is probably the most fresh I've eaten in the US (including places famous for lobsters). The portion is big, and the prices are decent. The service is nice but slow. The atmosphere is random, while the view is industrial, overseeing 2 openable bridges, and some water. The worst is the actual dining table and the chairs we've sat on. They are like those not so good garden sets, extremely uncomfortable to sit on. Overall, it's a good place for seafood, but the wait (30 mins) and the slow service on a late weekday evening make us wonder it may not be a good idea to be here on weekends. And although it's by the water, there's practically no view. Will recommend it for food, and will revisit it.

We got calamari (but I'm saying like a north jersey italian you know? like "galamaaaad"), blackened red snapper, and a cod sandwich. Everything was excellent. Whenever I'm in a shore town I *need* to eat some kind of fried fish. The flavors were great, good portions, prices a little on the higher side but you just have to accept nowadays that eating out is apparently a privilege for rich people only. That said, I'm happy with my meal, but that's not to say it was a happy meal. Our server Luigi (forgot his name) was nice and attentive. My only issue is it was hot on the patio and their fans didn't quite reach us, but Luigi was kind enough to tilt one of them toward us for some relief. I'd go again.

We came here lunch, for appetizers we ordered the clams, oysters and fried clam strips, and for lunch we ordered the tropical roll, sevens roll and the sashimi roll. Everything was fresh and delicious. The service was excellent. Very cool atmosphere with the outdoor dining.

My friends and I went to Klien Fish Market in Spring Lake NJ, excited to try a well known spot. But wow, the place was packed for a Tuesday night dinner, and it felt chaotic. The lobster bisque special was super thick, starchy, and had no flavor, like eating custard. The calamari was okay, and the seafood pasta's sauce was decent but way too watery. Nothing stood out. The waitstaff were swamped, handling too many tables. I asked for hot sauce a couple times before getting it, and service felt rushed. For a busy and famous seafood spot, the food and attention to tables need a lot of work. Might try again, but I'm skipping those dishes.

It's been at least 4 years since I've eaten at Klein's and it was as great as it was then. I love this place! I love sitting on the patio and looking out at the water. I love the casual and fun atmosphere and the great service. Most of all, I love the fried flounder and fried shrimp platter that I ordered. My flounder was the freshest imaginable. It tasted like it just came off the boat. The shrimp were the perfect size and cooked perfectly. My family and I have tried so many places at the shore, and we haven't found any fresh fish that compares to Klein's. I do have a slight criticism- which is that our waffle fries were not hot. Our fish was- which is much more important. We probably got some fries that had been sitting out for a while. The coleslaw was really good, but not cold enough, as if it too had been sitting out rather than in the fridge. But the coleslaw was still really good. All in all, I can't wait to go back to get that fantastic fried flounder and fried shrimp. Oh- my son ordered a fried shrimp and fried scallop platter, and he loved it, too!

We wanted seafood for the 4th this year, so we headed to the beach. We found Klein's as a relaxed, fun place for fish. We were able to eat overlooking the waterway and enjoyed the busy but down home atmosphere. However, the portions weren't very large. My husband ordered the lobster special, and there was very little meat in the tail. Otherwise, everything was delicious and wonderful!

I am not one to be snotty or picky about food. I mean I love my McDonald's and I love a five-star restaurant so I'm not snooty as far as food goes I'll pretty much eat anything but..... this place was almost inedible. I mean maybe other people's food was good and the sushi looked okay but as you can see from the photos I got the fish and chips there was no fish it was all mush coating around very tiny little dried up overcooked pieces of cod that I literally had to scrape off of the dough. I also had a taste of the lobster bisque and it was so bitter, yes, I said bitter if you can believe that lobster bisque could be bitter... I had to send it back. This is a TOURIST TRAP for sure...very expensive, the view is so so.. you're basically looking at a train station and an overpass so not really much to see in the way of the sunset. My waiter was very nice but it looked like he had way too many tables and I had to keep putting my hands up to ask for things like napkins and ketchup things that should be on the table LOL anyway I recommend many other places like Atlantic Fisheries for fish and chips. Amazing

Great service and atmosphere! We loved our mussels ! Crab sandwich was great. Boom boom shrimp was average (shrimp were small and not as good) . Lobster bisque was the worst I’ve ever eaten.

Visited Klein's on Labor Day when the Jersey shore is supposed to be quieting down. Klein's does not take reservations or call ahead and we had a group of eleven and called ahead. We called and no promises were made but when we arrived a table had been held and we were seated immediately. The restaurant was really busy. While this was perfect for our group of oldsters, what was even better was the food and service. Think of eleven old people and then think that there were no complaints about any of the dishes they ordered. Our server got all the right dishes to the right person.. amazing. While the service was really prompt and the place was busy, we were not rushed out. Food was great, service was great and the arrangement for us was perfect.....All of us will return to Klein's

The only thing Klein's Fish Market and Waterside Cafe has going for it is the ambiance. The beautiful waterside experience, complete with views of boats, bridges, and wildlife, is truly lovely. The food, while fresh, was uninspired and lackluster. It didn't stand out in any memorable way. The service was also mediocre. Our large table of 8 people wasn't attended to attentively, leaving us feeling a bit left behind. If you go here, you'll certainly enjoy the feeling of having a waterside dinner, but the fish and service were simply OK.

Good ambiance, good food and good service. The employees are all nice and very attentive. Come visit the place. If you come on a summer best believe you are going to wait for awhile that's the only downside of it.

Stopped by for first time based on Yelp- thanks! Restaurant was on water and busy on a Friday @ lunchtime; would like to eat on dock sometime. I went to market which was busy. All fish looked great, no off smells, reasonably priced for fresh seafood. I bought local flounder; it was outstanding: sautéed in butter/ olive oil and some s+p. ( and simple butter/wine/ lemon pan sauce!). I'd go out of my way to buy fish from here again.

We went to Klein's a few weeks ago for lunch. The place was tucked away on River Rd, very easy to get to, park and was seated immediately. (It was around 12:30). The food was very tasty and portions were robust. We will go back without a doubt. Great choice.

Crab cakes are amazing Great ambience Lines can get long and parking is tough Get the water ice across the st

Beautiful view of the inlet with boats coming and going. Buttered Lobster roll was excellent and the Fish and chips was delicious and 2 large pieces of fish. Service was incentive.

The ambiance was perfect. We were seated next to the water, getting to watch the boats go by, and the bridge going up. There was live music being played, and there were patio string lights lighting up at dusk. The food was delicious. We got fried calamari as our appetizer and, for dinner, the seafood pasta and broiled shrimp and scallops.

Great seafood and nice waterfront ambience. Cool to see the train cross the water behind us while we were eating lunch.

Review is for the market - cannot beat the fresh fish here - Prices are slightly higher than other places but the fish is also consistently fresher. The guys are super helpful, cut almost perfect portions and always have a smile on their face. Shout out to Leo who gives me the best cuts for what I need.

Great summer spot, with great summer vibes. The food was excellent! Everything tasted fresh and was great! The servers were super nice too. Def a lil expensive but it's high quality seafood. And you're on the water! Great spot

I don't get where the 4 and 3 stars are coming from? The view 5/5 food 4.5/5, crowd 4.5/5. Will for sure return on many occasions.

Klein harbor side is very pleasant to sit for dinner snack or drinks. The food is just ok. It is expensive and middle of the road. The tuna sushi was very good nicely seasoned and fresh. That was 4 stars. Their New England clam chowder and Lobster bisque was also 4 stars. The fish is fresh but not exciting.

Spent a little time reading reviews for a seafood restaurant in Belmar and decided to try Klein's. Really glad I did. We did have to wait about 30 minutes so we headed to one of the bars and had a cocktail. Staff and patrons were very friendly. The restaurant is historic with several generations of the family running the place. We were seated and quickly greeted by our waiter. He was an excellent waiter who was attentive without being overly attentive. Has oysters on the half shell and they were very good. My son had a fried platter with shrimp and scallops and eat every bite on his plate. I had pan roasted halibut that was terrific. It was a very good meal and experience. I can't wait to go again next year.

My mom brought me to Klein's after a day at the beach when I was a child. So it's only right that I now bring my sons here. After about five hours at the beach my boys were finally hungry. Kleins has a great children's menu, and both my boys enjoyed their choices- cheeseburger sliders, and chicken tenders. I ordered the house Italian salad, that has a lighter than air dressing- and a piece of grilled salmon. My plate is pictured. Irene, our server, was super attentive, personable, and made our visit enjoyable. We got seated right along the marina, so our views of the water were a great treat. I'm so happy that Klein's hasn't declined after all these years!

It was better than their ratings, bartender was great and food was hot and fresh. Beer was cold and the outside seating was really good. They could put some money into the place and it would make it a lot nicer.

I have been here at least seven times and have never reviewed it until now. Since the summer crowd has basically gone home, it's always a nice time to go in September when the weather is still warm, and the scenery is still beautiful when dining outside service was good as well as the lobster roll.

Still an overrated joke that has all the charm of a shotgun wedding. Monstrous wait times, dingy resin chairs and indifferent service eventually deliver ill-prepared seafood that my cat would reject out of paw. This Margaritaville slum belongs to another time when the Jersey Shore was a carny-based food desert and options pivoted between inedible and catastrophic. Some would argue, "hey, cut them some slack, it's the shore." Nonsense. How about upping your game and justifying your outsized pricing. They have no incentive to improve since the crowds keep pouring in. Find the self-respect that I failed to muster and go anywhere else... Red Lobster would be a massive step-up. Zero stars.

Not a lot of seafood places on the water here. Klein has been around forever and never really hits the mark. Parking can be tough. They have a lot on the bridge side of the building. Clam chowder (Manhattan) lacked flavor. Lobster roll Was good but is more like lobster salad. Broiled flounder sandwich was ok. Waffle fries best part of meal. When you sit outside and pay $30 per enteee no one wants to sit on plastic lawn furniture.

They do not seat anyone unless the whole party is there. Travel from North Carolina to have this dinner with friends. My husband who is disabled was denied a seat prior to the other two arriving. I think that's very sad. The food was good.and the tab was pricey. Don't like when they do not split the bill.

Went to this place today for a flounder sandwich to go. ..For 23 $ I got a piece of fried flounder on a dry hamburger bun with a leaf of lettuce with few waffle FF, no ketchup, no napkins in the plastic bag ... Will never ever come back.

The view when you are eating is lovely and you can watch the boats pass by.The food was very well prepared but most importantly delicious. The service was good and our waiter was kind. Definitely recommend if you are in the Belmar area

I had a great time! The food, service and view were all in point! I got the fish and chips but instead of Cod I got flounder. It was seasoned so well and beautifully portioned. The fries were also delicious and had the right amount of seasoning. I also got the New England Clam Chowder. It was very fresh and tasty. My mom got the traditional fish and chips. She loved it as well! We got to sit on the patio and had a beautiful view and could watch as some of the boats went by. I throughly enjoyed everything I had. Would definitely recommend this if you're in Avon Beach.

Felt like it was time to update my review, especially after noticing some bad ones recently. My family and I have been coming to Klein's for about thirty years and I truly think it has never been better. Klein's is a must for us whenever we are down the shore, no matter the season. In the summer there is nothing better than a spot right on the water and in the winter they do a fantastic job at keeping the inside warm and cozy. Their food is absolutely phenomenal and incredibly consistent. Our personal favorites are their scallop/shrimp platter and crab cake platter (both with waffle fries...duh!) We have had numerous pasta specials and each one has been incredible. They also manage to keep their veggies fresh and crunchy, which is uncommon for many restaurants. Their portions are quite large so you won't leave hungry. If you do still have a bit of room after your dinner their pies are fantastic. I do miss all of the fresh fish options from when I was a kid, but unfortunately that is a product of the times problem, not a Klein's problem. As far as the plastic chairs...that is part of their charm! They're beachy and I wouldn't want it any other way. Their waits can be long in the summer, especially on a weekend but that's what their tiki bar is for! Grab a drink, listen to their live music and enjoy the sunset. If you really don't want to wait for a table do what we do; have a plan b if the wait is too long for you or go on a weeknight. Frankly I'm happy to see crowds, it means they will hopefully be open for a long time to come! Servers are always friendly and very competent. As good as it gets for a casual seafood restaurant.

Came here a 2nd time and didn't have the same experience as the first. The cowboy burger fell apart while eating and was overcooked for my order. The shrimp cocktail also smelled fishy. The salmon wasn't good either. Maybe it was an off night but almost every dish didn't work. The bang bang shrimp appetizer wasn't bad.

Food was actually excellent when we came. We ordered the drunken clams fish chips and the hot lobster roll. Delicious. Our server Johnny was extremely pleasant and knowledgeable. Definitely we will ask for him next time we come.

Bottom line: Great meal by the water for this visit to Klein's Fish Market and Waterside Cafe. Good service, tasty appetizers, and delicious entree in the Fish & Chips but the standout was the crab cake I ordered as my side, awesome. I am a fan! The Deets: During this year's "birthday season" spent in Asbury Park, we decided on going to Klein's for an evening meal. Klein's is a very large by-the-water restaurant and fish market complex in Belmar nestled between the bridges there. I like the open atmosphere and we sat outside on this rather brisk September evening, good thing we grabbed our hoodies before we left! Our server Jennifer was right on point the whole night, great service. We got drinks going and decided on a variety of appetizer/starters including the Mediterranean Calamari special, Spicy Tuna Tartare, and Gyoza. Each were very good, of what I had of the tartare and the gyoza hit the spot while I heard the calamari was also very good (I, myself, not a calamari fan did not sample). The tartare was not overly spicy to my delight, and the gyoza were a great surprise being pretty tasty. I went with the choice of Fish & Chips for my main entree, with a side of a crab cake. The Fish & Chips were delicious, and although steak fries are not my favorite fries choice they did well here. The star of the night for me was the crab cake, and I was so glad I went with this item for my side...perfect taste and texture, I really think if I am able to come back in the future I might get the crab cake entree here after enjoying this side choice. I topped the evening off with a slice of Key Lime Pie...a bit more tart than expected but still enjoyable, and nice finish to the meal. I liked this initial visit to Klein's, and hope to see them in the future!

Approaching 100 years in business and my guess is they won't make it. If this place wasn't in the location it was, it would have lower ratings than Taco Bell. Cold food, poorly prepared and way overpriced. Certainly wasn't always like this, but boy does it leave a lot to be desired.

It was our Wedding Anniversary dinner! A beautiful evening to eat al fresco on Klein's waterfront deck. We had two sushi rolls as our app with the Tile fish entree and Halibut entree. The tile fish was excellent, the halibut a little dry... perhaps over broiled. We asked for extra sauce which they provided a generous amount to compensate for the dryness of the halibut. The hostess, Jennifer was very nice and brought us each a glass of champagne! Our waitress, Clare was very accommodating and attentive. A definite return to enjoy the ambiance and cuisine!

Food, Service was great. Scenery was nice. We will return the next time we are in the area.

The lobster roll is one of the best we ever had. The buffalo calamari is different and amazing! It's spicy but not too spicy. The salmon is cooked perfectly and the views are amazing. The staff is friendly.

As always, wonderfully fresh seafood - oysters, clams, sashimi - served by Lisa D., the world's best waitress who got us our bar table, and kept our plates and glasses full. Klein's - a Labor Day tradition on the Jersey Shore!

This used to be my go to place but after today I doubt I'll be back. Flounder franchise was terrible, one filet of mushy fish with a broken sauce; horrible. My wife's meal, broiled scallops and shrimp; overdone with no flavor and my mom's special mediocre at best. Not worth the money at all and in my opinion, garbage for a "fresh seafood restaurant "! Go to La Dolce Vita 4th and Ocean......SO MUCH BETTER. Klein's has outlived its tenure, been downhill for years but this was the worst. Final note: Couldn't get a reservation at La Dolce...go figure

This is going to be a new go to spot for me. My boyfriend has mentioned this place to me for some time and we finally got to experience it this week. We took his boat over and docked it. It was a really cool experience. There was a wait. Downfall was that there was an open table for an hour and we were waiting and addressing it a few times. Finally after an hour they sat us at the open table. They do let you order drinks at bar while you wait and you can wait either near the bar or on your boat. When we sat down, the menu had so many amazing options. I was drawn to the Belmar beach roll. IT WAS SO GOOD Unfortunately, it is a bit pricey for the amount you get. My boyfriend had fish tacos - those were phenomenal too. I'll prob get those next time as they were more filling for the price. Can't wait to return back here! Really really love this place.

We popped in for lunch on a Thursday. Had a very good experience. Waterside/marina setting (albeit a bit "industrial" marina view...close to the NJ Transit train tracks). Loved the fried shrimp as a starter, followed by a good Caesar salad. Also had the spicy garlic shrimp and some sushi - and both were very good. Our waiter Sam P. was a very friendly and earnest young guy, and he was attentive throughout. We'll be back next time we're in the area.

Hey We stop by without knowing the Place Coming back from the beach place wow wow Fresh and great food LOBSTER fantastic Amazing service out waitress Kate was spectacular and fantastic Amazing service Great drinks Overall, I will recommend this place to everyone

Good seafood- had steamed clams and marinara mussels. Clams were delicious, mussels could've been a little better but overall very good meal! Fries were OK. Service was great. Go next door afterwards to get some seafood to take home!

I've lived locally for 50 yrs. Went for lunch with my daughter, husband and sister on Saturday afternoon. Weather was nice and it wasn't very busy due to it being early afternoon. We got seated right away and that was the only time we had prompt service. It took over 20 minutes to get drinks. May I add two of us drank water. 15 min after that to order apps and food. Nothing fancy. Tables around us had guest sit, order, eat and leave all before we even got our food. At this point we asked to speak to the manager. He seemed less than overly concerned but he comp'd our drinks and apps. The food and service was very disappointing to say the least. Guess being a local we expected better. We will never go back.

Been craving oysters, finally found a place right on the water, ordered dozen oysters. Just wish they knew how to shuck an oyster, mussel still attached, had to use fork to eat em, and all the natural juices were gone. Looks like they just opened removed juice and served, and you call yourself a seafood restaurant, I can open oysters and not lose the juice way better and I'm a plumber.

The food was excellent. the ambiance was really nice and the wait person was really good. the steamers were fresh and delicious. Crab cakes were all crab and no fillers. the lobster roll out of this world. expensive yes. but it was worth it.

Love the atmosphere. Great service. Beautiful view. Food is okay. Was definitely disappointed in the snow crabs, they were not meaty. But I'd go back and get something else. My mom liked her scallops and the shrimp app was yummy.

Had the combo platter of flounder, shrimp and scallops. It was seasoned and broiled to perfection. The vegetables and baked potatoes were equally excellent. The table on the deck next to the water with the summer breeze is a sublime experience! What wonderful ambiance! The best part of the whole meal was my server, Sam. He was friendly, prompt and answered all of my questions. I'll definitely be requesting his section again! If you want the perfect, authentic Jersey shore summer experience, you have to come to Kleins!

Way overpriced fish market. Out here charing $18/pound for some regular salmon, get the same stuff from ShopRite for $8/pound.

Go for the view and the jersey shore summer vibe. Have a seat at the tiki bar and enjoy.... but thats about it. IMO the old grey mare ain't what she used to be. Seems like the restaurant is run by teenagers that are just running around. Our dinner was what I expected... Bland & Fast Food. For being touted as a Fish Resturant the Fried Calamari was close to terrible. My Flounder Platter was so so.... with an undercooked baked potato and vegetables.

Ample parking. Following COVID-19 regulations with masks and gloves and socially distant tables outdoors on the waterfront patio. They have a happy hour menu with half priced and $5 drinks. The food is pretty good. Crab cake was pure crab meat and not fillers. The key lime pie was good, but a little more tart than I like. Cool place. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff.

The food is mediocre, although the location on the riverfront is nice (but not special). We went to the "sushi bar" portion on the eastern end of the restaurant, which has a more limited "bar menu." The sushi, calamari, spicy shrimp, and even my kid's chicken tenders were all bland. The sushi was worse than the kind you can purchase at Whole Foods, the calamari was dry, the shrimp overloaded with super sweet sauce, etc. On my way to the bathroom, I overheard the staff joking how much they dislike working here. I wasn't surprised. The bathroom was pretty gnarly too The riverfront is pretty industrial/commercial. It's not idyllic -- Klein's overlooks a marina, two major roadways, and the NJT tracks. It was enjoyable, but pretty much any access to the water is nice, so the bar is pretty low.

Have been going to Klein's for quite a number of years and to say the least the place has gone down hill and that's why I will never go again. For the food, the crab cake tastes like a pile of bread crumbs with old bay seasoning in it (little to know crab in the cakes). I'm a big eater and I always got the clam bake, but over the years the portions got smaller and the price increased (Nice way to boost your profits). The service is horrible. On one occasion, my wife and I were waiting for our name to get called for our table. Our name was not called and people who came in after us got tables while we waited. We went to the hostess and asked. The hostess said she made a mistake and did not call our name, however when an elderly woman that works there (most likely one of the Kleins because in any other place she would have been fired for her bad attitude) brought us to our table and then yelled at us saying that our name was called. However the hostess admitted she never called our name and apologized to us. So the elderly woman yelled at us and lied to us about the table. Did they offer us a free drink or anything? No. Because the owners of Kleins are CHEAP as demonstrated in the crab cakes and clam bake. Speaking of cheap, we were sent loyalty coupons for our dinner and asked if we could use them. The manager came to us and yelled at us and I quote "not happening!". He had to be somehow affiliated with the Klein family would be my guess, because any other place he would have been fired. McDonalds wouldn't have put up with that. Let's not forget the ambiance. Inside the place the rugs are dirty and drab. They look like the last time they were cleaned was during the Carter administration. As for the view, it's nice to eat by the water, but the view isn't anything special to say the least. I've seen better views of water from my Grandmother's balcony in Bayonne NJ looking at the Newark Bay and Port Newark. My advise to anyone with Klein's unless if you can go back 20 years in time when this place was good, AVOID THIS TOURIST TRAP LIKE THE PLAGUE.

This restaurant was recommended by a local fisherman and it was great. This restaurant was found in 1940s and owns a small seafood market next to it. At the entrance there is a sign about what kind of oil they used and how they cook fish and other food separately to keep taste and smell better. I don't recall any restaurant post such sign at the front. I had fried Flounder sandwich and coleslaw. oh it comes with waffle pirate fries. The crust was crispy and fish was juicy at the same time with adequate amount of seasonings. Accompany with nice Tartar sauce it was very tasty. The fish hanged over from the flex seed round buns and you can enjoy the crusty fish first before you reach to the buns. lol. My friend who tried a bowl of New England clam chowder said the soup was too salty but overall good. The price for their menu is $$$~$$$$ + Market price. But my sandwich was about $21 so mot bad at all. The seating was outside riverside and very open spacious under shade in fully sunny day. If you like seafood, I can recommend here.

Came here after recommendation from a friend. Saturday night, 5pm, was told there would be a one hour wait. At least they were able to take my phone number so we could walk around. Service was great and we really enjoyed the view and dining. Food was just okay for us though. It was fresh but just okay for the $175 we spent on dinner.