The Grand Tavern

This is my favorite restaurant in all of NJ. I moved to Florida 2 years ago, but on my trips back to NJ I make a point to come here more than once because it is that good. The creative dishes and drinks are always on point and made to perfection. Menu is changed up every 3 months or so, you never get tired of the same old menu items! The owner Ashley is always on site and is always absolute pleasure to deal with! Wine list is made up of very affordable and unique wines that you typically don’t see. Service is always top notch. Can’t recommend Grand Tavern enough!! I literally recommend every item on the menu.

Had some incredible dishes, uniquely crafted. Pork Belly Skins were perfectly cooked, crunchy, sweet with Thai sauce and peppers with some serious kick on the side. For Entree I had crispy pan seared scallops tender and very little sand (which is to be expected) Maybe only 2 out of 5 medallions had a grain of sand but the sauce and corn salad it came on took my dish to another level. Inside is dark and can be loud but we had a quiet corner for a Wednesday. Really looking forward to going again

This place is special! The food is good (the salt on the tuna crudo is a little intense, but the shrimp aguachile is lovely). The burger is a ten out of ten- super juicy, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The scallops were pretty good too but the burger stole the show. I would definitely come back here

Top 3, if not the best restaurant you can go too. Anything these guys cook up is absolutely fire. They don’t miss 😂 best burger east of the Mississippi. I got the tuna tartare, sword fish, chicken Milanese and burger. All 10/10. And that dessert SHEEEEESH. Orange cream aromas hitting your tongue

We’ve been coming here for three years in a row - always amazing food and great service. I highly recommend trying the scallops. They’re a little different each year, but always delicious. Special thanks for the music playlist 💔

Really fantastic meal & culinary experience all around. We got the oysters au gratin, rigatoni, wings, bangers & mash and burgers and each was somehow better than we could have imagined and the meal was spaced out at the perfect pace. The restaurant itself is sleek & charming and the ambiance was exquisite with great music, candlelight and camaraderie all night. We owe a special shoutout to Chef Ray who went above & beyond in making it an unforgettable meal for us! Can't wait to return & try out all of their future menus!

Grand Tavern is a hidden gem in Neptune! The food is always outstanding, we’ve truly never had a bad meal. The menu rotates with the seasons, and the fresh ingredients shine in every dish (the seasonal salads are a must). The cozy, welcoming atmosphere and super cute back patio make it a favorite year-round. Cocktails are always spot on. Pro tip: if you’re with a group, order one of each entree and share, you won’t regret it!

stumbled upon this place after a beach day- when I walked in, I was able to grab a seat at the bar. it took about 10 minutes before the bartender (Justin?) even acknowledged me. when he greeted me, it was super passive & I didn’t feel welcomed AT ALL - I even thought about leaving. I gave him the benefit of the doubt bc the bar was a bit busy. Drinks were great & so was the food (very pricey) one component on one of the appetizers I had was overly salty. genuinely enjoyed the food other than that & think the menu is very well put together. unfortunately the service never got better, even while the bar was emptying out / it just felt very cold (the hostess was so sweet and accommodating) . nobody quality checked the food after it arrived to me. don’t get me wrong, I think this place has a cool ambiance with good food, but the service is a deal breaker for me. I even heard the bartender be super rude to a guest (the guest was wrong, not rude, but you don’t need to be passive aggressive and give poor service for one slight comment made). I would try this place again, maybe a table next time. it’s interesting though; I was reading a lot of other reviews and I’m getting the same vibe regarding service through and through.

loved the food and atmosphere. Service was excellent. Need to make a reservation for next week!!!

I just spent a few hours at the GRAND and, let's just say, the name is an understatement. Grand was the most modest descriptor of the time we had; the experience was exceptional. You walk into a non-discreet building and immediately you're skeptical. We speak to the hostess who lets us know bar seats are for reservations but, as luck would have it, we have two seats available until our reservation begins (table for 7). Luck is always a friend to me so we embrace it! A few cocktails to kick things off? Yes please. Maine Brew Co Lunch and a few other beverages and I haven't even made it to the seats. That's a W. I take in the view; what a cute job they did with very limited space. I love peeking into the kitchen and there was ample view of the same. The bar was spacious and drinks were cold before they passed us off to table service. A beautiful young lady was incredibly attentive through the meal and couldn't be more sweet and patient. Consistently attended to, the apps arrive delicious and plentiful! We ordered Arancini, broccoli, and steak tartar. Wonderful! Drinks kept coming at a leisurely yet attentive pace. Dinner arrives, a few burgers, some chicken and a fish dish. 10 out of 10. We order dessert, carrot cake. No chance it lives up to the dinner experience. Wrong again! Outstanding and a night cap to boot. If you're in the mood for a fun, under the radar meal, please try this place. I would practically never go to the other side of the tracks but I will be back. Thank you again to our lovely server who made our collective evening!!

Local spot. Overall, food ok, service was on point, ambiance was that of a typical bar. We shared burrata app, delicious caesar salad, burger and salty fries.

Unassuming excellence is served daily at this dressed down gold mine. Everything from the burgers on up are marinated in flavor and served swiftly at this frenetic and loud shoreline bistro. The scallops are sublime with the hangar steak running a close second. Personally, I'd make a reservation but if you're nearby on a weekday or off hours, The Grand Tavern will become a fixture on your GPS... or just follow your nose. Five easy stars.

Reservations are a must here, especially in the summertime. During the summer, they only take reservations for outside or at the bar to make sure there's enough seating to move everyone inside if it rains. Otherwise - I assume walk ins get the indoor tables if there's no rain in the forecast. The menu changes here regularly and is slightly on the expensive side but worth it because the food is very good. This time we did have to sit inside before of rain (even though it never actually rained!), and it was quite loud - not the best acoustics. We started with the house ricotta on toast which was delicious (and I'm happy they gave us extra bread because it was a healthy portion!); I had the grilled swordfish with romesco sauce and broccolini, and my husband had the pan seared scallops, corn succotash. Dinner portions were also sizeable - too big for us to save room for dessert!

Doesn't live up to the hype in my opinion. We went after being told they had the best burgers around. Burger was tasty but wouldn't say it's the best. Didn't enjoy the cocktail and was squished into a corner, so it was hard to get in and out. It's pretty pricy and not the biggest portions.

Service 10/10 - friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and engaging Food - burger was so salty it was inedible and fries also over salted. Burrata delicious but accompanying bread excessively salty. Roasted oysters delicious. Drinks - fantastic Acoustics - brutal. So loud in the dining room it was impossible to have a conversation as no one could hear each other at our table.

Run here. The food is outstanding! As well as the service and the drinks. Truly, our server was the sweetest person. The Grand Tavern is fairly small, darkly lit and casual. However, there is nothing casual about their food. We ordered the Bibb lettuce and white lasagna for starters for the table. They were gone in 2 minutes. For mains I split the burger and the fried pork chop. My goodness. What an experience. Come here! Order great food and have some nice cocktails too. Would recommend for any occasion.

The Grand Tavern was an absolute gem!! I loved the ambiance, it was charming, intimate, and friendly. They have a decent sized bar in the center, with a fair amount of seating, then a few high tops and plenty of tables. Definitely make a reservation for bar or table seating! Now, to the good stuff: the drinks were fantastic, well thought out cocktails & a nice wine list. Their menu changes seasonally and it is crafted so well. For small plates, the three of us shared the Bibb Salad, the Fried Chicken Wings in a birria sauce, Roasted Beets with whipped feta, and the Cavatelli with short rib. Lets just say, I could've eaten those over and over again. They were all so different in flavors, but so well balanced & delicious. The hazelnuts on the Bibb with dijon vinegarette was such a new flavor combo for me, but fantastic! The cavatelli paired so well with the short rib that basically melted in your mouth. For dinner, we all got their infamous Burger. (Get it!!) A perfect medium rare, with white cheddar & garlic butter... it was a dream. The burger flavor profile changes seasonally, which makes it super exciting to keep trying. Finally, for dessert, we had the chocolate chip bread pudding with bavarian cream. The bread pudding was insanity. It wasn't too heavy, but a perfect blend of chocolately, bready goodness. The bavarian cream on top was like a literal cloud. One of the best desserts I've had in a long time. My brother & sister in law had always raved about The Grand Tavern & I can say, I now 100% know why!

Great food. Very busy establishment. Nice surroundings. Tough parking on street. Enjoyed a great burger and braised beef entrees. Bar makes good drinks!

Small, perfect menu. The burger is my favorite. Reservations are outside which sucks since inside is so charming but luckily it rained when we went so we got to eat indoors.

Food over salted!!! Service arrogant. Seems to lack strong management. Waited over a month to get reservation and place was half full. Not sure why. Over priced but biggest issue was attitude and bad vibe by staff from the greet at door to walking out door. Something is wrong with management ownership level.

The best restaurant I've tried at the shore. Their meat dishes are usually great and they change up their menu seasonally. I'm always looking forward to trying what's new here, dessert included.

Went to the Grand Tavern on a "date night". My former coworker was a burger aficionado and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED we go here for the food and specifically, the burger. Service was great, place is small and cozy but you could see all the locals hanging out at the bar and having a good time. Bar menu was creative! My wife got the Scallops and OMG.........the presentation was spectacular and creative sides that were the base of the dish. I had the burger, of course and it did not disappoint! 8oz, covered in caramelized onions and gruyere cheese that I requested medium rare and it came out perfectly on a light, brioche seeded bun which is my favorite bun for a burger! So juicy and flavorful you did not need any ketchup, pickles, salt or pepper on it. Perfection! Would recommend for the ambiance and the creativity of the drinks and food presentation. We had originally tried to get reservations but they were booked up (3 days in advance!) so plan ahead or, you can take a stab at going early (we went at 4:45pm) and see if there is an availability at the bar or a nice bar top!

This is one of those restaurants that has few menu items which they execute perfectly. Went with a large group to celebrate a birthday. They had Maine Brewing Company "Lunch" in a bottle so I couldn't pass on that. Tried the ricotta appetizer, and the Fluke. Ricotta was huge, enough for 5 or more people. Served with some charred bread. Excellent dish. The Fluke, which I haven't tried in years, was perfectly executed. Nice size piece, pan fried to a perfectly golden crust and so tender inside. Served atop a creamy mash. Very nice dish. Others at the table had scallops and pork chops. All looked excellent and was thoroughly enjoyed. Will definitely return to try the pork chop and burger, which also looked amazing. Service was awesome and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere.

The owners park in the handicap spot and the place looks scary. I think as the names states you need a grand to eat here as the prices are sky high.

This place lives up to the hype. I got the braised veal that melted in my mouth. It was on a bed of polenta. We ended our dinner with dessert - bread pudding.. the best I've ever had! Drink menu is great too! Def worth the wait for a reservation. We booked for a Saturday at 1730 a month in advance

I can't say enough about how great the service food and atmosphere is. Really spectacular. I started going here maybe two months ago ? I've been back three times. New favorite spot.

Burger was good. There were tons of waitresses yet Everybody did not give a crap about you. Never waited on Thursday night an hour for a burger crazy. When asked why we were waiting so long instead of being courteous or possibly bringing us something to eat instead of our fingers we were told to wait. And then wait and then it would be there in eight minutes and then 15 minutes went by and it was another 10 then it was another one. The burger was good but the attitudes of the staff and the service was horrible.

The food is consistently delicious and served hot! The staff is super friendly and happy to see you. The ambiance is low key and relaxing. Pls note that you must make a reservation for the bar now. There's an outdoor patio for summer.

Always consistent and the staff is super friendly and knowledgeable! I like the localness of the dishes.

The quality of the food is good, but menu is limited. My biggest negative is that it's a bit overpriced for what it is and what you get.

Classic food done right and surprisingly good service. A little niche that's worth exploring

This has been our go to place for the past 3 years. Small menu but everything is spectacular ...I just wish they switched up the menu more often or added nightly specials.

Like some of the other reviews have mentioned, I cannot say enough about how great The Grand Tavern is! Definitely make a reservation because they are almost always busy! Other than that, you really cannot go wrong! I have had most of the items on their menu, and everything is always fantastic. Most recently, we enjoyed the bibb lettuce and the cavatelli as an appetizer, and the chicken breast for the entree. I had 2 of the Jungle Bird cocktail, which was phenomenal - as always. Service is attentive and pleasant, and I truly enjoy every meal we have here!

Stopped in few weeks ago no reservation but they were able to seat us at bar. Cocktails offered and enjoyed. Fried oyster appetizer was wonderful. Shared a large mixed salad( pricey but very good and plenty to share) and a perfectly grilled rib eye steak. One of the best restaurants steaks we've had in this area of the shore. Doesn't look like much from the outside but, be brave and enter. You won't be disappointed.

Completely surprised by this place. I thought it would serve bar food, since tavern is in its name, but the food is upscale. It was a bit pricey, but def worth it! Also, get the chicken liver app. You won't be sorry!

Food was excellent but too pricey for me. A very Limited menu. The place is nice but the parking is tough.

Love the vibe, love the food- the staff is quite personable - I enjoy a spunky cocktail as a deeelish dinner is coming my way-consistently good . Fair price for a level above good dishes - there are very few places around like the Grand in this area.

Yummy When my friends in Asbury tell me there is a new favorite place then I always check it out. They are fun cuz we go nuts on the menu and try each other's stuff. A yelper's dream come true Love the front of this place. unique and comical with "grand" painted one front. Parking is street. Inside is cool but because of this stupid Covid pandemic - seating is limited to the outside patio in the back. It's small so reservations are important to secure before coming here. Place is open at 5. Menu is online . Small but yummy options Staff is super cool and friendly. Drinks are yummy . I had the " say no more " gin cocktail and I had a few of them :) Food is fantastic We shared the potato cheddar croquettes and the steamed middleneck clams. Poof! Yup all gone . For my meal- I ordered the fantastic 16oz boneless ribeye with chimichurri sauce . Large meat that you can share or you would gladly take home to give you a small meal at home another time. Comes with fries. Did I mention that ribeye is also my favorite steak !?!? Friends had the pork chop and the burger and they loved it! Was so full had no room for dessert but hear it is amazing.

Love the vibe Food is excellent but for people like me who don't eat red meat there's not a lot of selection

I think the food was delicious. Nice people. Wait time was quick. Didn't have no issue

I love the back patio at the Grand Tavern. Food feels a little pricey relative to what you get. Cocktail menu is creative. Def should check it out and decide for yourself!

Too Expensive ! Prices keep going up and up, Loud, slow service , very slow , cute help but mindless , just because the place is , "trendy" ? it's just not with it, Go somewhere else ,

You can always count on great food here, but the 'short rib sauerbraten with braised red cabbage' was outstanding! Don't go in expecting that they're gonna open a jar of Aunt Nellie's (no disrespect)... their cabbage is 'different', but extraordinarily tasty. It complements the cooked to perfection short rib. And while I would've enjoyed a bit more of the mashed potatoes, I'm not gonna quibble. Oh, and the "toffee pudding" was thisclose to perfect.

We finally made it here after many unsuccessful attempts, with the problem being us calling very last minute. It was worth the wait. Anyway... Started with a drink in their enclosed outside waiting area(handicapped parking spot). Great drink menu! Had a refreshing Tequila cocktail. Two local beers on tap, and the ipa was very good. Also, guy who serviced us was very good. Got seated in the back outside area. Big vegetable garden next to you. Casual setting as you are dining on picnic tables. Not as bad as it would seem. Actually, it was fine. Apps -Antipasta Salad-you could taste the freshness. So good! -Cavatelli pasta- Really, Really good. Super flavorful. Entrees Scallop- Excellent presentation! The scallops were nicely cooked, but smaller than expected. Whatever it was sitting on was super delicious and flavorful. Fried Veal Chop- It stole the show! It was seriously one of the best dishes I have had in a while. Came over a fresh tomato pomodaro sauce. Awesome dish! I will definitely be back!

We ate at The Grand Tavern last night for my best friends birthday dinner, it is her favorite place and she highly recommended that we go there while we were in town and visiting! Apparently, they get a new menu every few months and she loves going to try the new menu additions. Food: Definitely a 5/5- everything was SO delicious and fresh. We started with three appetizers, the radicchio, roast beef carpaccio, and ricotta anolini. All three were amazing and shareable. The salad was fresh with great summer ingredients. The roast beef carpaccio and ricotta anolini were my favorite- the flavors of each appetizer popped and were so delicious. There was 4 of us & we were able to share 3 appetizers comfortably! For dinner, my fiancé and I both got the pork chop & wow - we cleaned it to the bone. It was delicious! The hot peppers added a great spice and the potatoes were perfectly crispy. My friend got the salmon and she loved it and her boyfriend got the veal and he loved it and also had some leftovers! We also shared a side dish of broccoli rabe & it was great, fresh, like it came from the farmers market. The side dish was also enough to be split between the 4 of us. Drinks: 5/5- they had a great selection of speciality cocktails and wine! Service: Also a 5/5! Our server was excellent! She was so kind, knowledgeable, patient and just provided a great experience. Cost: This restaurant is a bit on the pricey side, but worth every penny! This is definitely a restaurant to treat yourself too & expect a great experience while in Asbury Park. Overall, I highly recommend coming here!

The food is very tasty especially the !! It was perfect! The play list for the music was awesome lots of great 70s and 80s hits you can find it on Spotify the grand tavern playlist. Staff was friendly and on pint.

From the food to the drinks and appetizers I can tell you it was a 10. My waitress was so friendly and service was great. I do not have one bad thing to say. I would go back. They change the menu every month. I highly recommend going it's worth it.

What an amazing dinner experience! We were in town for the fourth of July weekend and were getting a group together for dinner. I wasn't sure if they'd be able to accommodate our party of ten. They don't take reservations, but said if we came in right when they opened (5pm) they could make it work. I'm so glad they did because our early dinner was the best meal of the trip! The place is even smaller than I thought plus it was threatening rain all day making the outside patio inaccessible. Don't be like us and plan for a small group of two to five if possible. If you're a cocktail fan make sure not to miss out here. I started with a bourbon based one that I can't recall the name of, then moved on to the Angry Southerner (reposado tequila, kaffir lime-infused falernum, pêche de vigne, Hellfire bitters stirred) which was great, and I tasted the classic piña colada, and wished I had ordered one myself. Once the drinks are in start looking at small plates because there are so many good options to choose from. The table ordered half the list but the ones that made it my way were the ones I chose specifically. The cavatelli was coated in basil pesto and surprisingly shareable. So good that someone at the table ordered it as their entree too. The ricotta is an absolute must! I think the cheese changes seasonally, but there's always something similar. The charred pieces of crusty bread slathered with olive oil and perfectly spreadable cheese was divine. As for the entree's I chose the scallops. It's a favorite of mine and I was assured that it was a house favorite. You get five big scallops plated beautifully with peas, bacon, mushrooms, and a pea puree mousse on top. I loved it and wouldn't have traded my scallops for any other delectable dish on the table... except for maybe one. The dark horse was the pork chop. What's so special about a pork chop you ask? I'm not even sure I can say, but it was cut like a steak and just as tender and juicy. It came served over a bed of creamed corn, swiss chard, and jus that made everything taste magical. For real, if you get the pork chop, you will not be disappointed. Matching the quality of the food was the excellent service. From start to finish was seamless and was not rushed but didn't take forever either. It was a busy weekend and we had a large group so I would go as far to say the service was impeccable. Plus, the amazingly talented Chef Paul came out to make sure things were perfect. If you're in the area, this is the best choice you can make for an unforgettable dinner in a cool and casual setting.

Great food! Make a reservation as the restaurant is small and intimate. One of the Jersey Shores hidden gems!

Amazing food and service! Best burger and fries and awesome cocktails!

So it's been awhile since Iv reviewed a restaurant. You know Covid and all. Went with friends to The Grand Tavern. They have eaten there before and always rave about it. Like Jen said don't let the exterior fool you. Inside it's an upscale restaurant with a small bar putting out some really good mixed drinks and a professional mixed crowd. The food is soooo good. Everything we had was cooked perfectly with some serious flavor. We started with small plates roasted bone marrow, lamb belly, pork cheek ragu, and roasted beets. All were good but the bone marrow and lamb belly were on another level of delicious. For main dishes we had hanger steak, pork tenderloin, and the country fried chicken breast. I had the chicken. It was crispy, juicy, and paired so well with a bed of collard greens. I can't say it enough the food here is really good. I'll be back with more friends.

THE BEST PLACE EVER!!! Burgers, cocktails, salads, can't go wrong. Seasonal menu that reflects local produce. Gluten free options. Can't recommend enough. Best restaurant at the Jersey shore!

Always a solid move, just wish they had a couple more options. I do love the seasonal menus though!

I am so bummed to write that after years of coming here, the food has officially become way too salty to eat. The last 3-4 times I've come it's been salty but this time was to the next level! We used to love coming here all the time but really can't handle the sodium anymore

The food is out of this world! phenomenal. I wish I could give more stars!!!! best food in NJ Period! Drinks also awesome!!!!

Been here a bunch of times and I swear this place delivers EVERY time!! The menu is seasonal and fresh, the cocktails are awesome and overall the experience is everything you expect when you dine out. We came here with our kids and they were very nice about it. We brought our own hc so not sure if they even have one to offer. Either way we usually travel prepared with kids. This time we shared a bunch of tasty apps and had the veal chop. AMAZING! But the best best part was the amazing Bavarian cream paired with their donut dessert. I've never had Bavarian cream but let me tell you, this was too tastiest creams I've ever had! So like always, great experience and amazing food.

Good food, the menu is limited , check out the website before you go. Make sure you have a reservation or you may not eat there. I prefer the small plates when we go. Everyone raves about the burger and it was a large burger but the fries were disappointing.

loved it! the dark moody vibes are something different. our server was great. i had the short rib. the menu changes often but i can't wait to go back and try something else - cocktails also A*