Dining Options for the Holiday Season
The holidays are here, which means many of your favorite traditional recipes and meals will be served over the next month. If you’re planning to spend some time at the shore to take part in the festivities, feast your eyes on the twinkling lights, and find unique gifts at the local small businesses, be sure to also plan to visit the great restaurants that remain open this holiday season. With menu specials, live entertainment and more, we invite you to gather your loved ones around the table for the season of eating!
A sample of Avalon Brew Pub’s Cozy Season menu offerings.
ICONA Avalon
7849 Dune Drive, Avalon
609-368-5155 | icona.com/avalon
Feast your eyes on the likes of roasted turkey breast, oven-roasted honey ham, shaved Parmesan Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole, and traditional cornbread stuffing during the Seaglass Ballroom’s Thanksgiving buffet! ICONA Avalon will offers its traditional feast with all of the fixings. Seatings will be available in the Seaglass Ballroom or on the heated Veranda from 1-5pm. The cost of the buffet is $59 for adults, $16 for kids, and reservations are required. The full buffet menu can be found at icona.com/avalon and reservations can be made by calling 609-368-5155.
For those who prefer an a la carte meal, the Avalon Brew Pub remains open throughout the year and will be open on Thanksgiving, serving its regular menu for lunch and dinner. As an added bonus, the Brew Pub’s Cozy Season Happy Hour runs from 5-7pm, Sunday to Friday, through April 2022. Cozy Season Happy Hours features a selection of $6 appetizers, $5 house wines by the glass, a $7 featured wine by the glass, a $9 drink of the day and $2 off select imported and domestic bottled beer. Nightly specials include Wing Night Monday, Taco Tuesday, Pizza Night on Wednesday and Sunday and Prime Rib Special on Thursday.
The property is closed over Christmas from Dec. 19-26 to give the staff members time with their families, then reopens and gets ready for a New Year’s Eve celebration. Make plans to enjoy dinner at the Avalon Brew Pub and ring in 2022.
The Reeds at Shelter Haven
9601 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor
609-368-0100 | reedsatshelterhaven.com
The Reeds at Shelter Haven has a full calendar of holiday happenings to help celebrate the season. First, The Reeds invites you to a bayside Thanksgiving dinner. Delight in all your holiday favorites at the traditional Thanksgiving buffet complete with all the fixings. Savor such options as carved turkey, prime rib, sweet potato gratin, mashed potatoes and more. The buffet is available from noon-6pm and reservations are required. The cost is $48 for adults and $24 for children 12 and under.
As soon as you’ve feasted on your turkey day dinner, the property transforms into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, festive garland, and a slate of special events! On Friday, Nov. 26, join The Reeds for its annual tree lighting ceremony at 4pm, a holiday sing-along, sparkles with Santa, fire pit Friday, and its Black Friday gift certificate special.
Get decked in your holiday best and head to The Reeds for Santa’s Brunch on Sunday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 12! From 10am-2pm, families will enjoy crafts, activities and festive treats while indulging in a brunch buffet. Kids will also have a chance to share their wish lists with Santa. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 609-368-0100.
The Reeds will also offer dinner at SAX Restaurant on Christmas from 5-10pm. Choose from a special holiday entrée or a daily SAX menu entrée. Reservations are suggested.
Make plans to ring in 2022 as you dance, sing and rejoice in the season! It’s never too early to reserve a table for New Year’s Eve! Dine at The Reeds for its annual prix fixe menu that evening. Overnight packages are also available.
Uncle Bill’s Pancake House
3189 Dune Drive, Avalon
609-967-8448 | unclebillspancakehouse.com
304 96th Street, Stone Harbor
609-368-8129 | unclebillspancakehouse.com
The aroma of fresh-made fluffy pancakes fills the air this holiday season at both Avalon and Stone Harbor locations of Uncle Bill’s Pancake House. Established in 1962 in Stone Harbor, the family-run business now boasts eight family-owned and operated locations with two at Seven Mile Beach. Dining here for breakfast or lunch has become a tradition that so many families look forward to each year, so why not make plans to celebrate during the merriest time of year? With both locations open daily year-round from 7am-1pm, customers can fuel up with fan favorites such as the Tiffany’s Delight, the stuffed French toast, or my personal favorite, chocolate chip pancakes.
Customers can choose from the regular menu as well as fall and winter seasonal favorites including pumpkin pancakes, gingerbread pancakes, sweet potato pancakes and more! In need of the perfect gift? Uncle Bill’s offers gift certificates, pancake mix, and syrup for the breakfast lover in your life, too.
Fred’s Tavern
314 96th Street, Stone Harbor
609-368-5591 | fredstavern.net
Open year-round and a staple for anyone visiting Stone Harbor, the holidays are not complete without grabbing a bite or sipping a cocktail at Fred’s Tavern. Whether you make plans to grab a burger by the fireplace or dance the night away to the sounds of a local band, lunch and dinner are served daily from 11am to 10pm and the bar is open until 2am. Live entertainment is on the calendar every weekend throughout the year, too.
The restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas, but Thanksgiving eve is a tradition you won’t want to miss. Connect with friends you haven’t seen since high school or bring your family and enjoy drinks, celebration, and live music by Nick Horn.
The 11th annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party returns on Dec. 23 at 9pm. Dress in your ugliest, silliest, and most festive holiday attire and enjoy a night out with friends. Be sure to snap a few priceless photos in your sweaters, too! There will also be a toy collection for local underprivileged youth.
No plans for New Year’s Eve? Look no further! The grand finale of 2021 happens at Fred’s Tavern! There will be dinner specials and live entertainment by Dan Ward as you ring in 2022 and toast to the New Year among family and friends!
Oar House Pub
318 42nd Place, Sea Isle City
609-263-3000 | oarhousepub.com
Sea Isle City’s Oar House Pub is open year-round and has a lineup of fun for all this winter. Peruse the pub-style menu featuring soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees and more. Known for its entertainment, the Oar House Pub offers live music every Friday and Saturday night throughout the year.
As a participant in Girls Weekend, the Oar House Pub will offer drink and food specials the weekend of Nov. 19 -21 featuring entertainment from The Insiders Band on Friday, Family Affair on Saturday, and Matt Quinton on Sunday. Stop by and check out all the fun with your girlfriends.
Thanksgiving eve is one of the most popular nights to catch up with old friends at a local bar or pub. Make plans for dinner and dancing at the Oar House Pub with live music from LeCompt. The restaurant also will offer a special menu on Thanksgiving. Check out the menu and plan ahead to dine overlooking the bay.
As Christmas and New Year’s come around, the Oar House Pub offers a venue to host your private parties of all sizes. Gather your family and friends to celebrate the season while the staff at the Oar House caters to you. New Year’s Eve entertainment features the Insiders Band and FunZaLuv, helping you ring in the new year at the Oar House Pub.
