Anchor Tavern — Restaurant in Belmar

he Anchor Tavern in Belmar, NJ, is one of those hidden gems that offers a mix of local charm, great food, and a laid-back vibe. Located just a short walk from the beach, it’s an ideal spot for grabbing a bite to eat or enjoying drinks with friends after a day in the sun.

The Anchor Tavern has a casual, unpretentious atmosphere that perfectly matches its coastal location. It’s a no-frills kind of place where you can kick back and enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and drinks without any fuss. The interior feels like a classic beach town bar with wooden tables, a lively atmosphere, and a welcoming vibe that makes you feel like a local, whether it’s your first time or your hundredth.

Outdoor seating is available, and it’s a great spot to enjoy the fresh air, especially on a warm day or evening. The tavern attracts a good mix of locals and tourists, giving it a true "neighborhood" feel, and there’s usually a nice buzz of conversation and laughter in the air. Service:

The service at the Anchor Tavern is friendly and relaxed, with bartenders and waitstaff that go out of their way to make you feel at home. It’s clear that the staff is accustomed to the busy beach crowd but still manages to keep things personal. While it can get a little busy during peak times, the servers handle it with ease and are quick to check on you to ensure you’re taken care of. Food:

The food at the Anchor Tavern is simple, tasty, and satisfies just about any craving. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy comfort food without breaking the bank. Their menu features a range of seafood options, like their fried clams and shrimp, which are always a hit. The sandwiches and burgers are also crowd-pleasers, with the Anchor Burger being a fan favorite. You’ll find something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for something light like a salad or craving a hearty sandwich or basket of fries.

For those who prefer a lighter snack, their wings are a great choice—crispy, flavorful, and perfect for sharing with a group. The portion sizes are generous, making it easy to fill up without feeling like you’ve overdone it. Drinks:

The bar at Anchor Tavern offers a solid selection of beers on tap, including local craft brews, as well as cocktails and a range of wines. The drink prices are reasonable, and the bartenders are quick to serve up your favorite drink or offer a recommendation if you’re feeling adventurous. It’s definitely a great place to relax with a cold one after a day at the beach. Overall:

Anchor Tavern is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to enjoy a no-nonsense meal or drinks in Belmar. Its unpretentious, friendly vibe makes it perfect for anyone who just wants to relax and unwind. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, the Tavern has a way of making you feel like you belong. With great food, affordable drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s a place that should definitely be on your list next time...

My Father and I have been going here for the past two years. We spend almost every weekend in Belmar. We are fully aware of the 90 minute limit. But when there are no people waiting for a table, the servers themselves will tell you that you can stay past the time limit, which we have done many times. Today around lunch time our server informed us that there were people waiting for tables and we replied no problem, used the bathroom and started to walk out.

Then the recently hired new manager named Brendon, who seemed like a nice person, walks out with us and asks, which way are you guys walking? I wanna walk and have a talk with you. Then he goes on to say....what’s the deal guys?? What’s going on?? Why are you here so much?? As if he’s a therapist of ours. He claimed servers were complaining about us staying too long every time we come. I replied, that we always make it well known to whoever’s serving us that if there’s a wait to tell us and we’ll pay our check. Then he says....well you know young servers can be timid and they’ve complained to me about it, and besides you guys took for ever to leave after you paid your check, (which is because we used the bathroom before we left). Then he goes on to say...I could see if you guys were spending $400 here but your not and the waitresses have to make a living. REALLY?? we go here every Friday night through Sunday night!! I can’t imagine how much money we’ve spent here, and long before he has even started working here.

But the end of the conversation was what we found the most troubling. He ends it by saying....well for you guys to be here as much as you are is just really awkward....basically saying that my Father and I are losers and have nothing better to do then come here all the time. We both were extremely insulted by this comment, and we really hope the owner of this restaurant reads this and gives Brendon a little lesson on how to talk to customers and how to give...

Place has gone way downhill. It's always been hit or miss, but was just there this week and it definitely was a miss. We asked a hostess for anything for 2. She went in, said talk to the other hostess as if she had conveyed we wanted to be seated. When we approached the inside hostess, she had no clue what was going on and was chewing food at her station and looked like she had taken a xanax. There was also confusion as to who we were. We sat down, no menus... after about 10 mins of waiting, nobody coming up to us, and people being served who came after us, I went up and asked for menus. She said, I didn't give you menus? If you did, do you think I'd be coming up to get them? I mean, as a server for 15 years, I think when seating people, you'd make sure they had some. They then said the computers were down, couldn't take cards. Not a problem... we got a handwritten check, which was fine, and then our server went off to never never land. We had another engagement to get to, and I feel like she went on a lewis and clark expedition to god knows where. When she finally brought our to go container and the change, she just handed me cash. Not on a tray, or a booklet, nor a copy of the receipt, like she owed me money. Dunno, maybe it's me , but if I'm paying $65 for salad, grilled cheese and 2 glasses of wine and lil things, I dunno... maybe be more professional about it? You can tell it's not good, because of the turnover there. Everytime I have gone in, it's never the same staff. Towards the end of our meal, they had a DJ, which was so loud, I feel like I was at the Limelight in NYC... side note: You know it's bad when they no longer have a waiting area, because they put tables there to maximize profits rather than create an experience where people would wanna come back and not feel like they were cattle being shepherded...