Some drives end at a parking lot. This one ends at the edge of Sandy Hook Bay, with boats drifting past and a lobster roll on the way to your table.
Highlands is a small Jersey Shore town with a big waterfront personality, and one dockside spot has been pulling people off the highway for years. Folks drive 45 minutes, hop a ferry from New York City, or roll in straight from a beach day at Sandy Hook just to grab a seat by the water.
The menu leans hard into seafood, the outdoor tables sit right along the bay, and the story behind the place includes a family homecoming. Keep reading to learn when to go, where to sit, what to order, and a few honest tips that will help your trip go smoothly.
A Waterfront Address in Highlands
Tucked at the end of a short street in a Monmouth County harbor town, this restaurant sits about as close to the bay as a building can get without floating.
Inlet Cafe is located at 3 Cornwall St, Highlands, NJ 07732, in the United States. It is a seasonal seafood restaurant built for dockside dining, with views across Sandy Hook Bay.
Highlands itself is a small waterfront community near the northern tip of the Jersey Shore. Sandy Hook, with its beaches and open shoreline, is right next door, which makes the cafe an easy stop before or after a day on the sand.
The restaurant calls itself a dockside seafood spot, and that label fits. Tables spread out along the water, and boats pass by while people eat.
Several other restaurants line the same stretch of waterfront, so the area has a lively, harbor-town feel. Still, this cafe has built a loyal following that keeps returning year after year.
Getting the location right is the first step to a great meal here, and the rest of the story only gets more interesting.
The Family Comeback Story
Every good harbor town has a story about someone coming home. In Highlands, part of that story belongs to this cafe.
The restaurant sold a few years back, and longtime fans noticed changes. Some felt the menu, the staff, and the overall feel shifted under new management.
Then word spread that the original family was back. For regulars who used to make the trip, that news was reason enough to return and see for themselves.
The menu after the return is different and smaller than it used to be. Even so, longtime guests have said the food is still very good, and some favorite desserts have come back just as they remember.
That mix of old and new makes the current chapter interesting. The family appears to be finding its sea legs again, and fans seem happy to give them room to do it.
A restaurant with a homecoming story tends to carry a little extra heart, and that sets the stage for everything on the plate and beyond.
Bay Views That Steal the Show
Ask almost anyone what they remember most about a meal here, and the answer usually starts with the view.
The outdoor tables face Sandy Hook Bay, and the waterfront location is one of the most talked about features of the cafe. People mention it again and again, even when they have mixed feelings about other parts of the visit.
Boat watching is a real pastime here. Vessels move through the water while guests linger over lunch or dinner, which gives the meal a slow, relaxed pace.
Some guests insist on sitting outside even when the weather is not cooperating. That says a lot about how much the scenery matters to the experience.
The oceanside tables also earn steady praise for being pretty and well placed. For many, the setting alone makes the drive feel worthwhile.
Bring a camera, or at least a charged phone, because the backdrop deserves a few photos before the food arrives.
The Lobster Roll Everyone Talks About
Lobster rolls and bay views make a strong team, and at this cafe they get top billing.
The lobster roll is one of the most mentioned items on the menu. Guests describe it as packed with lobster and full of flavor, which is exactly what people hope for when they order one by the water.
It is a popular pick for diners coming off the beach at Sandy Hook. A roll and a seat by the bay make for a simple but satisfying lunch.
Lobster also shows up in other forms here. Over the years, the menu has included lobster bisque, lobster mac and cheese, lazy lobster scampi, and a two full lobster special that has drawn high praise.
Menus change, especially since the restaurant now offers a smaller lineup than before. Checking the current options on the website before you go is a smart move.
For many guests, though, the lobster roll is the reason the trip happens in the first place, and it rarely gets skipped.
Beyond Lobster on the Seafood Menu
Lobster may be the headliner, but the supporting cast deserves a round of applause too.
Fish and chips is another favorite that comes up often. Crab dip, clams on the half shell, and a clams appetizer large enough to work as a full meal have all found fans.
Guests who prefer something not fried have been pleased with the selection. Broiled scallops, shrimp, and white fish in butter sauce, along with an assortment of grilled seafood, give lighter options.
Clam chowder full of clams, calamari, crispy tuna tacos, and a crab cake sandwich have also appeared on tables. Sushi has been part of the lineup in the past too.
Not every dish lands for everyone. Some diners have felt the fish tacos came up short on fish, so it may help to ask your server for current favorites.
With this much seafood in one place, deciding what to order might be the hardest part of the afternoon.
Desserts Worth Saving Room For
Here is a small secret: some regulars plan their whole meal around dessert.
The campfire sundae is a longtime favorite, and fans who returned after the family came back said it was just like they remembered. A s’more sundae and an apple tart have also earned big praise.
One guest even called dessert reason enough to make the trip. That is quite a compliment for a restaurant known mostly for seafood.
A sweet finish also gives you a few extra minutes at the table. That means more time to watch the boats and enjoy the bay before heading home.
Dessert options may shift along with the rest of the menu. Asking about the current choices is a good idea, especially if you have a favorite in mind.
Skipping dessert here would be like leaving the beach before the sun sets, so pace yourself during the main course.
Outdoor Tables in Every Season
Outdoor seating is the single most mentioned feature at this spot, and it is easy to see why.
The patio stretches along the water, and the space is roomy both inside and out. Many guests ask for a table by the bay as soon as they arrive.
Weather on the shore can change fast. On a blustery fall day, the restaurant has put up clear plastic windbreaks so guests could stay outside without fighting the wind.
When things turn rough, staff have been ready to move diners indoors. That kind of flexibility helps when the forecast is uncertain.
Planning tip: dress in layers. Even a sunny afternoon on the bay can bring a breeze, and you will want to stay comfortable for a long meal.
Grabbing an outdoor table is part of the fun here, and the patio might just become your favorite seat on the whole Jersey Shore.
Live Music and a Laid-Back Mood
Some restaurants feel formal and quiet. This one leans toward relaxed and upbeat.
Live music comes up regularly when people talk about the cafe. Combined with the water view, it gives the place a lively harbor-town energy.
The atmosphere is often described as relaxing and easygoing. Guests settle in, chat with locals, and hang out by the water without feeling rushed.
Happy hour is another popular draw. Many people stop by in the afternoon to take advantage of the deals while the boats roll by.
The cafe suits a wide mix of people. Couples on a date, families after a beach day, and friends on a day trip from the city all seem to find a spot here.
Check the restaurant’s website or social pages to see when music is scheduled, since catching a performance can turn an ordinary lunch into a mini event.
Servers Who Make It Personal
A great table and a great view go further with a great server, and several staff members here have built quite a following.
Many guests describe servers who are attentive, personable, and full of menu knowledge. Some say they were made to feel like family from the moment they sat down.
Helpful suggestions are a common theme. Servers have guided guests toward dishes and specials that ended up being highlights of the meal.
That said, service has not been perfect every time. Some guests have dealt with slow attention, mixed-up orders, or a server who disappeared after the plates arrived.
Since the ownership change, the experience seems to depend partly on the day and the crowd. Being patient during busy times and speaking up early if something is wrong can help.
When the team is on its game, the service becomes one of the best parts of the visit, right alongside the bay itself.
Ferry Rides, Beach Days, and Road Trips
Getting here can be half the adventure.
Some guests take the ferry from New York City and spend the day in Highlands, enjoying the food and the waterfront. That makes the cafe a fun stop for city folks looking for a shore escape.
Others drive in from around New Jersey. Longtime fans have happily made 45 minute trips just to sit by the water and eat here again.
The location also pairs well with Sandy Hook. Many people stop in after a day at the beach for a late lunch or an early dinner.
One handy trick is to call ahead before leaving the beach. Checking the wait time and getting on the list can save time during busy stretches.
No matter how you arrive, the trip feels shorter once a table by the bay is waiting at the end of it.
Hours, Costs, and Smart Planning
A little planning goes a long way, especially at a seasonal spot.
The cafe is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Wednesday through Friday, it is open from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm.
On weekends, the doors open earlier. Saturday and Sunday hours run from 9 am to 8:30 pm, which gives room for a morning meal by the water.
Because it is a seasonal restaurant, confirming hours on the website before you go is wise. Schedules can change with the time of year.
Prices have drawn mixed opinions. Some guests call the price point fair and the happy hour deals strong, while others have felt certain portions shrank without the price following.
In the past, a service fee for credit card payments has been noted on bills. Asking about fees up front and checking your itemized receipt is an easy way to avoid surprises.
Know before you go, and your visit will feel as smooth as calm water on the bay.
Why the Drive Still Pays Off
So, is this dockside cafe worth the miles? For plenty of people, the answer is yes.
The overall score sits at 4.1 stars across more than a thousand opinions. That reflects many happy meals, along with some honest bumps along the way.
The strengths are clear. A prime waterfront location, outdoor tables along Sandy Hook Bay, a well loved lobster roll, and desserts with a loyal fan base keep people coming back.
The return of the original family adds a hopeful new chapter. Longtime fans are glad to have their old favorite back, even with a smaller menu.
Go with realistic expectations, a flexible attitude, and an appetite for seafood. Pick a sunny afternoon, grab an outdoor seat, and let the boats set the pace.
A lobster roll, a bay breeze of conversation, and a front row seat to Sandy Hook Bay make a pretty convincing case for one more trip down the shore.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.