Dock-and-dine restaurants at the Shore offer seafood and more
Editor's note: A previous version of this story had incorrect information about Polly's Dock & Clam House, which overlooks Little Egg Harbor Bay.
Dinner by the water is a treat in the summertime.
Arriving to dinner from the water? Even more so.
Whether you own a boat, rent a boat or hop on a friend's boat, a meal that includes docking and dining should be on everyone's summer bucket list.
From casual bayside restaurants to upscale dining on the river, here are five Shore restaurants to visit by boat.
Polly's Dock & Clam House, Beach Haven
Local seafood on your plate and a sunset over the water await at Polly's, a hidden gem of a casual restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking Little Egg Harbor Bay.
Fans love the fresh clams in wine and garlic sauce with garlic bread for dipping, the clam bake dinner with potatoes and corn, and the fish and chips.
To make a day of your trip to Long Beach Island, rent a pontoon, skiff or center console boat from Polly's, or take one of the sunset cruises offered by the restaurant, then head back for dinner.
Go: 112 Northwest Ave.; 609-492-2194, pollysdock.square.site.
More: Lobster, pizza, drinks and more on the menu at these Jersey Shore outdoor dining spots
Sunset Seafood, Seaside Heights and Tuckerton
Both locations of Sunset Seafood have slips for boaters: The Seaside Heights location, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, sits on Barnegat Bay facing Harbor Island; the Tuckerton restaurant, serving lunch and dinner, overlooks Tuckerton Cove.
There is indoor and outdoor dining at both, with menus featuring crab cake sandwiches, surf and turf burgers, lobster rolls, freshly shucked oysters, steamed lobster and shrimp scampi.
Go: For Seaside Heights: 419 Bayside Terrace, 732-250-1686. For Tuckerton: 101 Parker Road, 609-294-4281; sunsetseafoodnj.com.
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Bahrs Landing, Highlands
Sail through Sandy Hook Bay and the Shrewsbury River to Bahrs Landing, which has been serving seafood by the water for more than a century.
Popular dishes include a seafood sampler of broiled or fried scallops, shrimp, fresh pollock fillet and fried clam strips. Also on the menu are whole lobsters and Manhattan clam chowder.
For a more casual meal with a bird's eye view, head upstairs to Moby's Lobster Deck for clams on the half shell, fried fish sandwiches, lobster rolls, burgers and ice cream.
Go: 2 Bay Ave.; 732-872-1245, bahrslanding.com.
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Captain's Inn, Lacey
Sail into a slip and take a seat at the tiki bar at this casual spot on the Forked River, which bursts with diners on summer nights.
The menu at the dockside tiki bar has Maine steamers by the pound, coconut shrimp, fried clam strips and shrimp tacos, plus margaritas and frozen cocktails.
For something a little fancier, head inside for clams casino, prime rib and pan-seared scallops.
Go: 304 E. Lacey Road; 609-693-3351, captainsinnnj.com.
More: A dozen more options for dock and dine
Eventide Grille, Sea Bright
Find Eventide Grille, another popular spot for sunsets, overlooking the Shrewsbury River at Navesink Marina.
Patrons come to listen to live music and dine on lobster and shrimp bisque, peel-and-eat shrimp, conch fritters, clam pizza and strip steak.
And don't forget the restaurant's signature rum bucket, filled with fruit juices and rums.
Go: 1400 Ocean Ave N.; 732-530-1414, eventidegrille.com.
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to [email protected], follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore restaurants: Dock-and-dine spots offer seafood, more
