As the summer winds down, we are reminded that we still have another month of lovely weather before actual fall arrives. If you are planning a last hurrah at the beach for Labor Day or day trip in September, Avalon and Stone Harbor, New Jersey, are two wonderful beach towns with plenty to do—and plenty to eat. Most of the restaurants on this island are family-owned and operated, and that makes it special for generations of beachgoers treating their families.
Seven Mile Island with Stone Harbor and Avalon are “Cooler by a Mile” because the island juts a full mile further into the sea. It’s gorgeous in the fall, with less humidity but still quite warm, and the restaurants are open until October or longer. Families and friends can enjoy clean, clear beaches with Cape May diamonds (little white rocks) washing up along the shoreline and black scallop shells keeping children entertained as they dash through the waves. Watching the sun come up over the jetty is a daily majestic sight.
Luckily, you won’t go hungry on this gorgeous resort island. A mini boardwalk boasts an arcade, pizza and ice cream, and more restaurants reside on the North-South-running Dune Drive in Avalon or East-West-running 96th Street in Stone Harbor.
Break the Fast
Start the day with a great breakfast at Brian’s Waffle House in Avalon (2408 Dune Dr.) or Uncle Bill’s Pancake House in Stone Harbor (304 96th St.). They have super-fast service, soft, melt-in-your mouth French toast, velvety scrambled eggs and delicious ham, sausage and bacon. Enjoy plenty of family seating and a solid breakfast before heading out to sun yourself on the beach. Kohler’s Bakery (2709 Dune Dr.) and Mallon’s Sticky Buns (2105 Ocean Dr.) are also island favorites. Why do so many of us head to the bakery at the beach? It seems that good food just tastes better in the salt air.
Pack a Snack
For a snack before you hit the beach, wander inside Stone Harbor’s The Bread and Cheese Cupboard (246 96th St.). It’s been in business since 1974, and owner Carrie took over after working there since high school. House specialties include sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, ham and provolone rolls and pepperoni rolls—savory meats and cheeses in a fluffy yeasty roll (a perfect portable lunch). The raspberry cream cheese danish is not to be missed. Coffee and other beverages, cheeses, cinnamon roll bread pudding, local honey and gifts are also offered. It’s a delightful store.
If you have—or need—a moment, head over to Stone Harbor’s Coffee Talk (299 97th St.). Juices, Fair trade coffee, an oatmeal bar, breakfast sandwiches and creative lattes will delight you. Relax in the funky chairs and take in the coffee aroma and beach breeze with a specialty coffee or tea creation. Fun fact: Taylor Swift strummed her guitar here in her youth as friends and family cheered her on.
High Noon
If your intention is to stay beach bound for a while, make sure you bring lunch or send the kids up to Dune Drive or Harbor Square to procure provisions. Seven Mile Island Deli (3101 Dune Dr.) in Avalon creates delicious fresh salads, sandwiches and soups, and Josh’s rice crispy treats are to die for. Everything is made to order, and fast. If it’s pizza you desire, check out Seven Mile Pies located in Stone Harbor’s The Walk at Harbor Square off 96th street (261 96th Street) for fresh, large slices that beat boardwalk pizza any day.
If you wander farther back in Harbor Square, check out the fun bathing suit shops, funky clothing stores and bookstores. Pop into Café Noir (261 97th St.) for a quick pick-me-up of iced coffee. Across the way is The Painted Pie (261 96th St.), a whimsical place that does year-round catering. Here you’ll find fresh pies, quiches, cookies, cakes and delicate macaroons.
If you need a break, there’s endless shopping and activities. To recharge, visit Orange Cryo Wellness Avalon (3101 Dune Dr.). Cryo is the latest in wellness, requiring you to spend three minutes in -256 degrees to ease muscle aches and give you an energy boost. There are limited hours after Labor Day, and it’s just two doors down from Seven Mile Island Deli. Wander around Avalon, and you’ll see many shops like The Preppy Palm (2533 Dune Dr.), Serendipity (2268 Dune Dr.) and Ellelauri (264 21st St.).
Drink in the Salt Air
After you’ve beached and swam and shopped, no doubt you have worked up a thirst. Start with drinks at the family-friendly The Watering Hull (261 96th St., Unit 202) in Harbor Square or Buckets Margarita Bar & Cantina (9601 Third Ave.), or go all-out for sophisticated martinis at the Water Star Grille at The Reeds hotel (9601 Third Ave.) and watch the sunset. Then pop over to Quahog’s Seafood Shack (206 97th St.), a casual BYOB restaurant with a beach shack feel and delicious food with a Brazilian twist, like the pacu fish ribs and corn and crab empanadas. For a seafood pairing, try the oysters, crab, lobster rolls or fish tacos.
Stroll along the 96th street shops in Stone Harbor, then turn the corner to Marabella’s Family Restaurant (9426 Third Ave.). This Stone Harbor BYOB fixture is family-owned and the place for Italian food, plus many seafood-inspired dishes like crab manicotti and classics such as chicken parmigiana, linguine and clam sauce and fettuccine alfredo. Enjoy fresh, homemade cannoli with coffee for dessert.
If you’re up on Dune Drive, head to the Windrift (105 80th St.). There’s a variety of options here, with several bars and dining rooms all with a fantastic view and food according to your liking—pub food, pizzas, sushi and fresh meats and seafood. Go for fun, a romantic evening or a friends’ night out.
Looking for an outdoor restaurant with ambiance and great food? Look no further than The Whitebrier (260 20th St.) in Avalon, offering three different dining experiences—happy hour, a full-service dining room or outside dancing on the deck. This place has it all, with crowd-pleasing fare like fish tacos, hand-rolled sushi and a variety of beer-infused dishes.
Sweet Tooth
For dessert, don’t miss Stone Harbor’s Springer’s Ice Cream (9420 Third Ave.), in business since Prohibition and serving more than 50 flavors of freshly made ice cream, sorbets and gelatos for hungry vacationers.
In Avalon, Sundae Best ice creamery (2900 Dune Dr.) has been making ice cream since the ‘90s. They love to work with local businesses, so don’t miss the Kohler’s Cream Donut ice cream made with donuts from Kohler’s Bakery.
After you’ve wined and dined and watched the fairy lights come on along Dune Drive, the sun has set and the tired children have gone to bed, it’s time to go to The Princeton Bar & Grille (2008 Dune Dr.). The Princeton boasts two giant rooms with large-scale televisions for watching the latest sporting event, a raw bar and two large U-shaped bars with the best bartenders around. Add in a late-night DJ and some light bites, and you’ve got your evening made.
The numerous restaurants on Seven Mile Island promise a variety of dining experiences. So whether you’re looking for sushi and live music outside, a romantic spot to soak up a Sunday or a family-friendly place where kids and parents can enjoy themselves, this island has it all. Don’t miss the next few weeks of sun and fun before fall officially arrives!
- Waffles photo: Pexels
- All other photos: Christine Tarlecki
