Hemingway's Cafe — Restaurant in Seaside Heights

Hemingway's Café: (Saturday, 7-17-21) The location is beautiful inside with a stage for entertaining, 4 pool tables, sushi bar (closed on my visit), 2 indoor bars and perfect A/C. Aside from the 2 bartenders at the front bar that were GREAT representatives, the remainder of the visit went from not so great to horrible.

Upon entry we had to wait about 5 minutes for someone to greet us and take our reservation for a party of 3. The manager did come to the front after about 3 minutes and asked us if we were being serviced, but she did not offer to take our reservation. We were told there would be a 15 minute wait (despite plenty of visible seating) so we had a drink at the bar, and then our table was ready after about 5 minutes. We placed our orders and this is where it started to go down hill.

Our server, though sweet, nice and polite, was hard to track down throughout this visit, and I also didn't like that she touched my leg and shoulder way too much for my comfort. Although I do recall mentioning "just bring the food out as soon as it's ready" (due to us being hungry from spending a day at the beach), there were huge gaps in time between each dish.

Guest #1's wedge salad with salmon came out 1st after about 10 minutes (the salmon was tasty). Guest #2's (me) wings came out about 7 minutes after that (the wings were very tasty) and then the coconut shrimp (average joes) about 3 minutes later. About 5 minutes later we became frustrated that Guest #3's (a vegetarian) pizza had still not come out. This is where tracking down our server began to become an issue. Our server checked in with the kitchen and we were not given an e.t.a. on #3's food after about a 7 minute time lapse.

We were all hungry after a day at the beach when we arrived so at this point #1 & myself felt bad about eating while #3 (a vegetarian) was still waiting indefinitely. The pizza making station was visible from our table and we saw pies flying out of there to other tables regularly, so #1 spoke to the staff in that area after speaking to our server again. After about another 10 minutes we resolved with the server that #1 & 3's meals would be removed from the bill as they left to eat elsewhere. I remained to resolve my portion of the bill even though I did not finish my meal (wings & shrimp), and then the pizza arrived. The server went to fix the bill and graciously offer to box up the pizza to take with me.

Now comes the horrible part...

About a minute afterwards the manager (same manager from before) comes to my table with an attitude and tells me, "you can just leave and not pay for anything". This left me speechless as I literally had a wing in my mouth. Before I could explain to her that I was going to pay my portion of the bill she started venting about restaurant staffing shortages and customers being rude. After swallowing the food in my mouth I tried to get a word in to deescalate the situation and to let her know that I hadn't complained or been rude to anyone, but the manager was not open to discussion or listening, and then she left.

It was at this point that my dining experience at this establishment was thoroughly ruined and I became upset at being berated by management for things that I did not do. I looked for my server (again), tracked her down at another table, told her what happened and to not bother with boxing the pizza, and that I left her a $20 at the table. The tip would have been less ($5 or $10) but I didn't have change.

Hemingway's Café management & owner: Get you management team's customer service act together! Wishing you success as you continue to resolve your staffing and work flow issues. This experience was...

Hemingway's Café in Seaside Heights, NJ, is a true gem along the Jersey Shore. From the moment you step inside, the warm and inviting atmosphere sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant beautifully blends a casual seaside vibe with a touch of sophistication, making it perfect for any occasion.

The menu at Hemingway's Café is both diverse and enticing, offering something for every palate. Seafood lovers will be thrilled with the fresh, expertly prepared dishes, from succulent lobster tails to perfectly seared scallops. The sushi selection is also a standout, showcasing the chefs' skill and attention to detail. For those who prefer land-based options, the steaks are cooked to perfection, and the pasta dishes are rich and flavorful.

One of the highlights of dining at Hemingway's is the exceptional service. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, always ready to offer recommendations or accommodate special requests. Their friendly demeanor adds to the overall welcoming ambiance of the restaurant.

The drinks menu is equally impressive, featuring a wide range of cocktails, wines, and craft beers. Whether you're in the mood for a classic cocktail or something more adventurous, the bartenders at Hemingway's have you covered.

The restaurant's location is another major plus. Situated in Seaside Heights, Hemingway's Café offers diners stunning views of the ocean, especially from the outdoor seating area. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a meal while taking in the beauty of the...

I can't believe I have been coming to the shore YEARS and have never been here. I'm so happy a friend recommended it and we came tonight! It is such a nice place. Loved the decor, the dining room where we sat was very nice, but the place is large with 4 bars and just beautiful. Tonight there were 9 of us (4 adults over 21 & young adults & teenagers) went for dinner, expecting to get full meals but we happen to get there at 630 which was still happy hour menu. So we decided to order a bunch of appetizers from the HH menu and we would order dinners after. First off, our server, Emily, was a doll. She greeted us with a smile, answered our questions, took our order and didn't lose that great smile throughout our stay. We ordered almost everything. Wedge salad, sushi rolls, stuffed clams, pizza, wings, coconut shrimp, quesadilla, and eggplant. All from the Happy hour menu and we all enjoyed everything. If I had to Critique anything...I'd just say the wings (although cooked nice and crisp) they completely lacked seasoning. But everything else was very good!! 0after dinner the men played some pool while my friend and I enjoyed a drink while enjoying the live entertainment Tonight was a gentleman on the piano He was great!! Another back-pat to Emily, who handled us and 5 other tables (from what I could see) and never lost her cool. She was friendly, Accomidating, professional & had a good sense of humor. We will definitely be back and will...