Food on the boardwalk is bad. That being said, piccini and spadsfora in town are nice options. We own a house in ocnj and those are our go-tos when we don't cook at home.

Shop rite in marmora will deliver I believe

New PP, the parking situation on the island is bad (especially on summer weekends). Find 2 street spaces wherever you can and do NOT move those cars for the week under any circumstances.

Anonymous wrote:OP, if your family likes seafood, Spadafora's has great seafood that you can get prepared. Eat in without the hassle

New PP, there are two amusement parks on the boardwalk - they're smaller but with some "good" rides. The arcades and mini golf courses should help entertain the teens.

Spadafora's does have good takeout platters. They also have great breasted chicken for those who don't like seafood. Also Piccini's for pizza and pasta. Mildred's in Strathmere. Carmen's in Sea Isle City (it's a drive but much more family friendly than the Margate spots the PP recommended). Luigi's used to be a real hellhole but has apparently reopened under new ownership so that's probably worth a try. Yesterday's off the 34th street bridge isn't bad.

OP, if your family likes seafood, Spadafora's has great seafood that you can get prepared. Eat in without the hassle

New PP, there are two amusement parks on the boardwalk - they're smaller but with some "good" rides. The arcades and mini golf courses should help entertain the teens.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone. I have been going to OCNJ for years and every year I think the food options can't be this bad. We mostly eat in, but it would be nice to have one or two decent options for eating out, especially as I am the main cook. This year I thought I would try to find a nearby Whole Foods or Wegmans and at least get some prepared things one day but the closest ones seem to be pretty much Philly.
Appreciate the suggestions. We stay near the 8 th ( or 9th?) street bridge so we will try one of the largest Somersault Point suggestions.

Op again. Sorry. Somers point. And we will definitely be doing the water park at wildwood. Thanks!

OP here. Thanks everyone. I have been going to OCNJ for years and every year I think the food options can't be this bad. We mostly eat in, but it would be nice to have one or two decent options for eating out, especially as I am the main cook. This year I thought I would try to find a nearby Whole Foods or Wegmans and at least get some prepared things one day but the closest ones seem to be pretty much Philly.
Appreciate the suggestions. We stay near the 8 th ( or 9th?) street bridge so we will try one of the largest Somersault Point suggestions.

Not op but going to ocnj with tweens for a week as well. First time.

Do we have to drive to wildwood for rides for the tweens?

Also, what long term parking options are there, we only have 2 spaces and 4 cars.

I second Steve and cookies in margate. Also tomatoes in margate is good and close if you're staying on the north end of the island Surf or paddle board lessons would be fun for older kids and the wildwood water park

Groceries: Depends where you are staying! There is an Acme near both bridges, both of which are good, and there is a Shop Rite in Marmora if you're coming in over the 34th Street Bridge. There are also some little markets, Blitz's, that might be nearby if you find you need something quick.

Restaurants: We tend to eat in (we're a big group when we go to OC!) but when we go out, it tends to be outside of OC as we like to enjoy adult beverages when we go out. There are some great spots in Avalon (we like Diving Horse) and Steve & Cookies in Margate. These probably aren't the most family-friendly, though. The Anchorage Tavern right over the bridge in Somer's Point would probably work for a family, though -- their food is good! Same for Doc's Place.

For tweens, the waterparks in Wildwood might be fun. OC also has kayak and standup paddle board rentals that might be good for the bay.

Enjoy!!

I am from NJ and we've been to OC a few times over the past few years with my extended family and I can honestly say that it is the worst food I've ever encountered at a vacation destination. It's laughable how bad it is - even the airport has better food at this point! We bring lots of stuff from home and eat out as little as possible (mostly takeout - sandwiches, tacos, etc.). If you want a nice restaurant, you have to go to Atlantic City or Cape May.

Headed to OCNJ, where I have been multiple times, but was wondering:

What is your preferred place to get groceries?
What is your favorite restaurant (besides breakfast and the boardwalk fast food) in or around OC?
Any great side trips for older kids (tweens)? Know about the Cape May zoo (which we have aged out of), and of course Atlantic City. Anyplace else?
Thanks!