Matawan/Aberdeen Outdoor Dining Guide For Summer 2021

ABERDEEN, NJ — Looking for the best restaurants in and around the Matawan/Aberdeen area to enjoy a nice meal outside?

Now that the weather is getting nice, we rounded up our favorite outdoor dining spots:

MJ's at Buttonwood Manor: Enjoy their fine traditional American, strong cocktails and beautiful, serene lakeside views. Always been one of our favorites. Perfect for a quiet, classy lunch with grandma (hey, she can eat in restaurants again!), a sexy, secluded date date or even boisterous wine nights with the girls. 845 NJ-34, Matawan, NJ 07747 http://www.mjsrestaurant.com/

Maloney's Pub, Matawan: They have full outside seating and heated tents. Come enjoy classic American fare and bar food, plus tasty drinks. https://www.maloneyspubnj.com/...

Stewart's Root Beer of Matawan: A cold root beer and hot dog at picnic tables under the orange umbrellas. 'Nuff said. 347 Main Street, Matawan

Blue Rock Cafe: Keyport. A popular locals' favorite watering hole with an outdoor tiki bar on the harbor. The start of the famed Jersey Shore bar scene. 522 Amboy Rd, Keyport, NJ 07735 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Re...

On The Deck: Atlantic Highlands. Enjoy seafood, bar food with stunning views of Raritan Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and even the New York City skyline in the distance. https://www.onthedeckrestauran...

Patricia's of Holmdel: This longtime locals' secret has outside tables in the patio area. Come for a quiet meal of delicious, homemade and high-end Italian comfort food. BYOB. https://www.patriciasofholmdel...

Inlet Cafe, Highlands: Less of a boisterous bar scene than On the Deck, Inlet Cafe offers waterfront drinking and dining. But they still know how to party: Check out the tiki bar. Also a nice spot for a sophisticated meal or date night. http://www.inletcafe.com/

Almost Home General Store: Another quietly-kept locals' secret set among the suburban beauty and remaining farmland of Lincroft. Excellent for breakfast or weekend brunch, or a quick weekday lunch. Very good coffee. Enjoy their outdoor seating and feel like you are having a relaxing country breakfast on a farmhouse front porch. 276 Sunnyside Rd Lincroft, NJ 07738 https://www.yelp.com/biz/almos...

Donovan's Reef: Sea Bright. Save your jokes, we absolutely love this place. A tiki bar right on the beach; where else in New Jersey can you officially have a cocktail with your feet in the sand? To us, Donovan's is the official start of the Jersey Shore. And it only gets better as summer goes and you keep driving south down the coast. There's a reason it was voted among the 21 best beach bars in the entire country. 1171 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright NJ https://www.donovansreefbeachb...

Nicholas Barrel and Roost, Middletown/Red Bank border: Stop by Gov. Murphy's favorite local haunt (he lives about a mile down the road) for high-end dining and cocktails. The prices aren't cheap, but you'll have a relaxing meal and probably bump into many of your Middletown neighbors in this see-and-be-seen suburban "it" place. 160 Route 35 South Red Bank, NJ 07701https://www.barrelandroost.com...

Albariño Tapas & Wine Bar: In the Grove, Shrewsbury. At last! An eatery opens in Middletown that doesn't just serve steaks, seafood or Irish bar food! Come to this sophisticated wine bar for their Spanish/European vibe, high-end and expertly sourced wine list and upscale tapas. Modern, relaxing and decidedly not Irish nachos. 508 Broad St, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 https://www.albarinorestaurant...

Dowling's Irish Pub, Union Beach: Cheap, affordable pub grub and beer with lots and lots of spacious outdoor seating. Come for the live music and bands on the weekends. 910 Union Ave Union Beach, NJ 07735 https://www.yelp.com/biz/dowli...

Old Glory Kitchen: Keyport. Eat inside in this bar/restaurant in a former church, but they've also expanded their outdoor seating area. https://www.yelp.com/biz/old-g...

Burlew's Seafood and Steak: Keyport. Enjoy laid-back traditional seafood and steak fare, plus pub grub with views of the Raritan Bay. Right on the waterfront in Keyport. http://www.burlewsseafoodsteak...

If you know of a great spot we missed, share it in the comments or email carly.baldwin@patch.com.