Barrio Costero — Restaurant in Asbury Park

I cannot do this place justice with my words. Just go. I am frustrated it took me this long to get here because it was one of the great dining experiences of my life sitting at the Chef’s table in the back. But it started with front of house with the great hostess (Kerry IIRC) and all of the staff. Everyone obviously took pride in their jobs and it showed. And the staff at the Chef’s counter talked with us and answered our questions throughout the meal, showing off one beautiful dish after the other.

Cocktails were well crafted, artisanal spirits with interesting twists on classics. But the classic margarita was also great-and they had 6 or 7 options to salt the rim with.

The food was perfect in every way (one vegan one non-vegan). Amazing attention to detail in every dish. Beautiful presentation. The hand made tortillas were delicious and the toppings were all interesting. But the star of the show was the Macha Salsa which came with the Tostadas. Incredible depth of flavor and complexity without too much heat.

The dishes we tried were Tostadas (chips with guac and multiple salsas including the macha), Huarache (fried potato base/boat with great bean spread and other toppings; very filling), taco de cauliflower and taco de puerco. The tacos (two to an order) had unique salsas and toppings and came in hand made, perfect corn tortillas.

We did not get it, but the Milanese chicken they were plating look incredible and so did...

My friends and I visited Barrio Costero for a very late lunch on a summer Sunday, and it was an exceptional experience. The ambiance was vibrant, perfect for our group of four to unwind (after a few hours baking in the hot sun at the beach) and enjoy some delicious food and drinks.

To start off, I couldn't resist ordering the Hibiscus Margarita. It was the perfect combination of sour and sweet, truly refreshing and delightful. Definitely a must-try!

For appetizers, we opted for the Barrio Nachos, which were pre-loaded with guacamole, crema, salsa, chihuahua, and black bean paste. These nachos were incredible and hands down my favorite part of the meal (aside from the margarita, of course). The flavors blended beautifully, making each bite a treat.

We then sampled two types of tacos: Tacos de Pollo (adobo, romaine, jalapeno green goddess, queso fresco) and Tacos de Cauliflower ("chorizo" cauliflower, sweet chipotle, tofu, avocado). Both were delicious, but the Cauliflower Tacos stood out for me. They were packed with flavor and offered a unique twist that I absolutely loved.

Our waiter was kind and attentive, more than happy to answer any questions we had. The service added to the overall pleasant experience.

Barrio Costero is a fantastic spot for anyone looking to enjoy creative and flavorful dishes in...

Love tapas style Mexican dining and this place nails it. We ordered 4 dishes which came in no particular order. First came a shrimp ceviche which was the best we've ever had the flavors blended beautifully. Next was a unique take on nachos which were excellent. Chicken tacos again unique presentation, taste etc. and very good. Chicken enchiladas which I wasn't fond of only because I don't like kale but my wife does so her favorite of the 4. Wife's sangria was great as was my margarita with a cinnamon salt. I think our waitress rattled off 6 different salt options. Cocktail menu was very extensive would try something different each time I visit. My only gripe....and I love festive restaurants. You can't hear yourself think and you have to speak loudly for the person across the table to hear you which means the 2 top directly next to you is right in on your conversation. I've heard this said by many reading reviews and I said to myself how loud could it possibly be.? It''s loud. The 2 tops where we sat which line one side of the restaurant have wood walls that extend to the ceiling. If acoustic panels were put up end to end it would somewhat reduce the noise. This won't stop me from coming back by any means but I hope you guys take it into...