Dining Options for the Holiday Season
The offseason on Seven Mile Beach is more magical than ever this year. There is a plethora of festive events planned throughout Thanksgiving weekend and leading up to Christmas and New Year’s. If you are in town, make sure you shop local. Many stores are open and are offering holiday sales. This is a great chance to pick up a few things to take home that remind you of your favorite shore town, and to pick up gifts for loved ones as well. In addition to the stores, plenty of restaurants are also open, offering everything from gift cards and live entertainment to full holiday buffets. So, settle in, let the professionals cook for you, and enjoy the magic happening right here in town.
The Reeds at Shelter Haven’s Seafood Pasta with Oregano Garlic Sauce
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, cider braised pork shoulder, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and more! The buffet is available from noon-6pm and reservations are required. The cost $54 for adults and $26 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. 25, join The Reeds for its annual tree lighting ceremony at 4pm, a holiday sing-along, sparkles with Santa, fire pit Friday, and the Black Friday gift card special.
Get decked in your holiday best and head to The Reeds for Santa’s Brunch on Sunday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 11! 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 609-796-7022. The most successful annual holiday cocktail party at the shore, the Reeds’ Holiday Bash, will be held on Friday, Dec. 9. The event is perfect for small local offices or businesses to mix, mingle and dance the night away.
The annual Holiday Sip and Shop will be held on Thursday, Dec. 15. Enjoy live music, sip specialty cocktails, and shop local for home goods, apparel, accessories and more from everyone’s favorite Stone Harbor boutiques.
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 recommended.
Make plans to ring in 2023 as you dance, sing and rejoice in the season! It’s never too early to reserve a table for the New Year’s Eve Champagne Ball! Dine at The Reeds for its annual prix fixe menu that evening. Overnight packages are also available.
Fred’s Tavern Burger
Fred’s Tavern
314 96th Street, Stone Harbor | 609-368-5591 | fredstavern.net
Fred’s Tavern is open year-round and is a local hot spot. Whether you are in town for a week or the weekend, stop in and grab a drink from one of your favorite bartenders or have a burger with the family. On those cold winter nights, Fred’s is the perfect place to relax by the brick fireplace while listening to live music. 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.
The lineup for Thanksgiving weekend is tough to beat. Thanksgiving eve is a popular tradition at Fred’s, offering a great opportunity to meet up with friends you don’t see often enough. Local performer Nolan Quinn will be strumming his acoustic tunes this year to keep the party going. The restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but the bar will open Thanksgiving night at 8pm for drinks only. On Friday, Nov. 25, Sean Loosh is in the house to keep the crowd entertained all night, and on Saturday, Nov. 26, Mike Beck will be playing.
The 12th annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party returns 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.
The restaurant will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but open daily otherwise. Make your plans for New Year’s Eve now! Come watch the ball drop with all of your closest friends. There will be dinner specials and live entertainment as you ring in 2023 and toast to the New Year!
ICONA Avalon’s Osso Bucco
ICONA Avalon
7849 Dune Drive, Avalon | 609-368-5155 | icona.com/avalon
The beautiful ICONA Avalon will once again be hosting its popular Thanksgiving Day buffet. Reserve a table for friends and family and enjoy a traditional turkey feast without the hassle! Seatings are available in the Seaglass Ballroom or on the heated Veranda from 1-5pm. The cost is just $59 per adult, $19 per child 12 and under. The extensive menu includes Autumn Squash soup, Caesar salad, plenty of sides, a carving station with roasted turkey, oven-roasted honey ham and roasted salmon, and a large assortment of desserts. Be sure to make your reservations in advance because this feast sells out every year. If you prefer an a la carte meal, the Avalon Brew Pub will also be serving its regular lunch and dinner menu on Thanksgiving. Reservations for the Avalon Brew Pub are also recommended.
There will also be festive activities planned during the season. On Festive Friday, Nov. 25, there will be cookie decorating for the kids from 12-4pm at The Sandbar. New this year, there will also be an ice-skating rink set up next to the pool from Dec. 1 to March 12. Season passes are available for $100 (does not include skate rental), or you can purchase a one-day pass for $10. Skate rentals are $5 per session. Hours are Friday 2-8pm, Saturday noon-8pm, and Sunday noon-6pm. Private parties are also available.
If you are looking for a gift for that special someone, or just want to stock up for yourself, there is a holiday bonus gift card sale from Black Friday through Christmas Eve. Purchase $100 in gift cards and receive a $20 gift card for free. These cards are valid at Avalon Brew Pub, Coastal Blue, The Sandbar, Shimmers, Star Beach Bar and Windrift restaurants.
Concord Café Cheesesteak
Concord Café
7800 Dune Drive, Avalon | 609-368-5505 | concordcafe.net
The Concord Café has been serving up delicious meals in Avalon for more than 32 years. Whether you’re craving pizza, pasta, crab cakes, salads, burgers, bar food, or some tasty cocktails, the Concord Café has it all! Located on the first floor of the Concord Condominiums at the corner of 78th and Dune Drive, the Concord Café is conveniently located right on the border where Avalon and Stone Harbor meet and within walking distance of many local hotels. This year, the Concord Café will be closing for the season right after Thanksgiving weekend. Its last day is Nov. 27. If you’re in town, be sure to stop in for your Concord fix and pick up a few gift cards from their holiday sale. Running through Thanksgiving weekend, buy $100 and get $20. These gift cards make a great gift, and you might want to stock up for yourself!
The Concord is open Thursdays and Fridays at 4pm; Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30am from Nov. 13-20. On Thanksgiving eve, Nov. 23, it opens at 4pm. It is closed for Thanksgiving Day. Its final weekend is Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 25-27; it opens each day at 11:30am.
Beachwood Seared Salmon with Wild Mushroom Risotto
Beachwood at the Dunes
8600 Landis Avenue, Sea Isle City | 609-263-3627 | beachwoodsic.com
Beachwood at the Dunes is open all year, with the exception of Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the offseason. Beachwood is home to classic Americana home cooking, but you cannot forget about its amazing craft cocktail selection! With the beachy yet cozy atmosphere, your friends and family are sure to get into the holiday spirit at Beachwood! It is open early on Sundays for football and happy-hour specials! And if you are looking for the perfect venue to host your holiday party, look no further. The restaurant will be serving a full Thanksgiving dinner. Be sure to make your reservation right away so you don’t get left out! Tables will start seating at 2pm with the last seating at 6pm. Call 609-263-3627 to reserve your spot today! Come by to take advantage of the gift card sale, or sit back with a cocktail and take a break from your shopping day.
Uncle Bill’s Pancake House Pumpkin Pancakes
Uncle Bill’s Pancake House
3189 Dune Drive, Avalon | 609-967-8448 | unclebillspancakehouse.com
304 96th Street, Stone Harbor | 609-368-8129 | unclebillspancakehouse.com
When your day is going to be filled with the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, starting off with a good breakfast is a must. Fortunately, we have the best breakfast and lunch spot right here. Uncle Bill’s has two convenient locations on Seven Mile Beach with one in Avalon and one in the heart of Stone Harbor. Typically, both locations are open daily year-round from 7am-1pm. This year the Avalon location will be closing Nov. 27 for renovations. The Stone Harbor location will be open throughout the winter so you can still get your pancake fix! Stop in and try one of its fall and winter seasonal favorites such as 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.
Son of a Sailor Shrimp Tray
Son of a Sailor Seafood
2150 Dune Drive, Avalon | 609-796-5908
Son of a Sailor Seafood was new to the island this summer and left quite an impression! It quickly became the go-to restaurant for all things seafood. While it is closed for the winter, it will be open Thanksgiving weekend with a limited menu. Friday hours are 11am-8:30pm and Saturday hours are 3pm-8pm. They will also have party trays available for Thanksgiving. The options include shrimp cocktail and crab bites. If you are interested in ordering a party tray, orders must be placed by November 21. Pick up is available Wednesday, November 23 (3pm-7pm) and Thursday, November 24 (9am-12pm).
Oar House Pub Rack of Ribs
Oar House Pub
318 42nd Place, Sea Isle City | 609-263-3000 | oarhousepub.com
The Oar House Pub is open year-round and has a lineup of fun all winter long. Its pub-style menu features 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, along with Jerry Blavat every Wednesday and Mike LeCompt every Thursday.
Stop in during Girls Weekend, Nov. 18-20. FunZaLuv will be in the house on Friday night. Then come back Saturday for FunZaLuv from 5-9pm, followed by Mike LeCompt from 10pm-close. On Sunday afternoon there will be Music Bingo from noon-4pm, with food and drink specials.
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 Jerry Blavat starting at 4pm.
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 FunZaLuv to help kick off your new year!
The Ludlam Bar & Grill’s seasonal cocktails: Apple Mule and Flannel Fiesta
Ludlam Bar & Grill
4004 Landis Avenue, Sea Isle City | 609-486-2179 | ludlambar.com
The Ludlam Bar and Grill is open four nights a week throughout the holiday season. From Thursday through Sunday, stop in for happy-hour specials and daily drink specials. There is live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night. A limited menu is available for dining while you listen to the sounds of Mark Fischer, Jim Bannach, Matt Quinton and more. The hours are as follows: Thursday-Friday opening at 3pm, Saturday-Sunday opening at noon, and closed Monday-Wednesday. Stop by during Girls Weekend to grab a bite and listen to the sounds of Jim Bannach and Adam Holcombe. Thanksgiving weekend is set to be an exciting one! New this year is the Winter Village Event, held Nov. 25-27. Get rested ahead of time because this event is going to leave everyone in your crew tuckered out for sure! There will be ice skating, holiday craft vendors, beverage tastings, live music, visits with Santa and more, all weekend long.
