Marina Grille — Restaurant in Belmar

An Anticipated celebration dinner that Fell Short: My Review of Marina Grill

After hearing good things about the Marina Grill, I decided it would be a wonderful idea to take my mother out for her birthday. Being an avid fan of quality seafood, we were both very excited about what we thought would be an incredible dining experience, reminiscent of the offerings at Seasons 52. Unfortunately, my expectations and reality turned out to be far apart.

The menu, I discovered, was more comparable to an Applebee's or other casual dining establishments, than the upscale seafood eatery we had envisaged. We found ourselves in a sea of grease-laden burgers and fries, a far cry from the healthy, creative, and tasty seafood dishes we'd been hoping for. For a place named Marina Grill, the only seafood item that made an appearance on the menu was salmon. While the salmon was competently prepared, it was not impressive, nor was it what we were expecting from a "seafood" restaurant.

On top of the questionable menu selection, the portion sizes were, quite frankly, laughable, especially given the price tag. My salmon was accompanied by two minuscule potatoes, each the size of a quarter. I thought I was on candid camera; the portions were so underwhelming. It seemed like a bad joke – a cruel twist to a birthday dinner that was turning out to be more miss than hit.

Receipt attached: The overall cost for the three of us + one toddler came to a shocking $152, plus an additional $20 for the tip. Comparatively, at my favorite restaurant, we could dine on more exciting and higher quality fare, with a wider seafood selection, for around $100. Two salmon for $60? Bonefish Grill is much better value with better portions.

On the service front, things were equally lukewarm. The staff, although polite, were quite slow. It seemed like they were struggling to keep up, and this, coupled with the disappointment of the food, only further dampened our spirits.

Now, I must give credit where credit is due. The saving grace of Marina Grill was its picturesque waterfront setting and impeccably clean environment. The atmosphere was truly delightful, a tranquil oasis that allowed us to enjoy the scenic view, earning a well-deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars. However, the ambiance alone can’t carry a restaurant.

To wrap things up, my ratings would be as follows:

Food: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) Service: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) Atmosphere: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) Price: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) As much as I’d like to end this on a high note, the truth is, I left Marina Grill not only with a lighter wallet but also with an unsatisfied appetite. I hate to say it, but it is highly unlikely that I will return to Marina Grill for another meal. There are simply too many other options in the area that offer better value, larger portions, and a more diverse, quality food selection. I honestly wouldn't have minded paying the $150 dinner if the food and portion was tasty and satisfying for a special occasion. Marina Grill, I believe it's time to cast your net wider and reel in some fresh ideas if you truly aspire to be a top-tier seafood restaurant. Thanks for reviewing...

Best location on the bay. Mediocre food at best.

I took my family down for a trip to Belmar and our usual hangouts were either closed or too busy to get in.

We've seen Mariana Grill passing by on the way home and decided to give it a shot.

The interior of the restaurant is lovely and open. Plenty of space, high ceilings, and you can sit out on the shaded deck to enjoy a sunset with some drinks.

Food? That's a different story.

We're not drinkers, so our goal was to enjoy some food before heading home. Since the menu was mostly seafood, almost all of us got a fish dish.

We ordered oysters, halibut, mahi mahi, tuna nachos, salmon, and even short rib.

You could say we tried a bit of everything And everything was underwhelming. Not only was it underwhelming but our server was not knowledeable about the menu and had our soups come out at the same time as our entrees.

*also, my wife ordered the "sweet tea" and had to send it back. It was so bitter you could have called it "salt tea."

(And they still charged us for the tea after we sent it back!)

My mahi mahi, the fish itself, was so bland. Even the supposed "nut topping" did nothing to add flavor. The only time it seemed to taste good was when I drenched it in the sauce of which there was not enough of.

My mother enjoyed the salmon but found the toppings gross.

My sister's boyfriend who works at a restaurant was cometely disappointed in the food but tried to be a good sport about.

My wife enjoyed the short rib only if it was paired with the potatoes.

Really, the food was just so disappointing. This "restaurant" should just go all-in on rebranding itself as a bar. The layout and decor is clearly designed to give drinkers a place to watch the games.

The food was honestly, abysmal, and bland enough to convince me never to return to the Marina Grille despitr having a beautiful view of the bay. Had I known the food was going to be so bland, I would have waited the hour and a half for the restaurant we really wanted to go to.

The worst part of it all?

Everything on this menu was over-priced. $258 dollars for 5 people may not seem like a lot. But it is when all 5 of those people hated their meals.

(With the exception of the tuna nachos. Everyone enjoyed those.)

That money would have been well-spent going to a different restaurant with better service and significantly better food.

I cannot in good conscience recommend anyone come here for dining in. Honestly, how does a seafood restaurant not know how to make good seafood?

Come for the ambience and the alcohol. Order the food from...

Our visit to Marina Grille started off rocky but ended on a higher note, thanks to our server Melissa and manager Carly (and in total transparency we were in the verge of walking out and this was going to be a one star review).

We arrived around 6:50 PM with a party of six and found the restaurant bustling with activity. The wait times given were somewhat confusing—30 minutes for indoor seating, 60–90 for outdoor, and “first available” quoted at 45 minutes, even though logically it should’ve matched the shortest wait. We chose first available and grabbed drinks at the tiki bar while we waited.

Unfortunately, updates were slow and unclear. After 45 minutes, we were told there were two parties ahead of us and to expect another 20-minute wait. Twenty minutes later, the estimate changed again—“maybe 10, maybe 20, hard to tell.” Meanwhile, we watched smaller tables turn over and get reseated quickly, some of which could’ve easily been combined to accommodate our group.

When we were finally seated, another party of six who had arrived after us was somehow seated first—despite us opting for “first available.” To add to the confusion, it seemed our server hadn’t been informed we had been seated, which caused further delay in being acknowledged.

Thankfully, once we were settled, Melissa took wonderful care of us and truly made us feel welcome. A member of our party had spoken with Carly, the manager, and her attention, professionalism, and genuine effort to rectify the situation made a remarkable difference in our evening. Despite the restaurant’s size and complexity, Carly was the only manager who seemed fully engaged and committed to ensuring guests were looked after.

The hosts, however, could use stronger oversight and clearer communication. We understand that wait times can fluctuate, especially on busy nights, but transparency and realistic expectations are vital. Sadly, the male manager frequently seen near the host stand seemed disengaged, and the overall host experience was disappointing.

In the end, thanks to Carly and Melissa, our evening was salvaged—and we’re grateful for that. However, unless seating is immediate, we’re hesitant to return given the disorganization and lack of honesty at the host stand. First impressions matter, and we hope the team can better support their front-of-house staff...