Brandl
703 Belmar Plaza
732-280-7501; brandlrestaurant.com
Chris Brandl’s respected New American BYO is known for signatures such as Lazy Lobster (so called because the meat, poached in vanilla-bean butter, is removed from the shell) served over asparagus risotto.
Klein’s
708 River Road
732-681-1177; kleinfish.com
The deck overlooking the Shark River almost makes you feel you can dangle your toes in the water. Whether you dine outside or inside, Klein’s offers a choice of traditional seafood dishes or sushi. You can count on the freshness of both, because Klein’s is also a seafood market.
La Dolce Vita
400 Ocean Avenue
732-749-3177; belmarrestaraunt.com
Giuseppe Salpietro, a native of Sicily, and his nephew Nicola Fuccilli are in their eighth year of presenting La Cucina Italiana along with a waterfront view.
Nicchio Ristorante
1000 Main Street
732-280-1132; nicchiorestaurant.com
Opened in July 2009, this Tuscan-style trattoria features pancetta-wrapped scallops in an Amarone reduction and crudos, which it calls Italian sushi.
Ragin’ Cajun
1102 State Route 35
732-280-6828; ragincajunnj.com
Live music and New Orleans classics like gumbo, jambalaya and étouffée have kept this BYO rockin’ since 1992.
10th Ave. Burrito Co.
801 Belmar Plaza
732 280 1515; tenthaveburrito.com
Food Network’s Guy Fieri paid homage to owner Brian Katz and his BYO’s lively, proudly inauthentic “Mexi-Cali” cooking.
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