Asbury Park is an incredible place to visit as a vegan. The fabulous restaurants we have in the area have fully embraced vegan and plant-based diets and diners will be amazed by the selections. Asbury Park vegan dining has diverse and creative plant-based dishes, from diner food experiences with waffles and tempeh bacon to simpler options, like dairy-free cheese pizzas. Here’s a roundup of vegan restaurants in Asbury Park, Belmar, and beyond that you need to try.
Asbury Park
Betty’s Ice Box | 1300 Ocean Avenue (inside of Convention Hall on the boardwalk)
Betty’s Ice Box has vegan frozen dessert treats available right on the Asbury Park boardwalk. From shaved ice to soft serve cones, guests will not be disappointed in the plant-based options that are available to enjoy after a long day on the beach or at night after devouring a delicious vegan dinner (at Crust + Crumble, perhaps?) Betty’s has great options for those who follow a vegan, gluten-free, peanut-free, dairy-free, or dye-free diet.
Read More: Where to Find Gluten-Free Options in Asbury Park + Beyond
Cookman Creamery | 711 Cookman Avenue
Cookman Creamery’s vegan ice cream menu is an absolute dream. Not only does it have a rotating list of unique flavors – blue lavender, Key Lime patty, and lion’s mane coffee, just to name a few — but the team can also make guests a milkshake with dairy-free oat milk. The shop’s fridges have Cookman Creamery’s vegan to-go pints as well as gluten-free/vegan pies which are a must-have for any celebration.
Crust + Crumble | 633 Lake Avenue
Crust + Crumble has an incredible variety of delicious vegan options. From fried ravioli and mozzarella sticks to cheeseburgers, hot dogs, or chicken finger garbage plates, vegan diners’ heads will be spinning at all the things on the menu. Plus, it has a dessert case filled with V/GF goodies. AG recommends grabbing a “sexy brownie” (a local favorite, obviously) or a brookie (brownie-cookie hybrid, of course.) A full gluten-free menu is also available if needed. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. Lucky for us, Crust + Crumble is open every day from 11:30AM to 9PM.
Twisted Tree Cafe | 609 Cookman Avenue
Since 2003, Twisted Tree Cafe has been serving Asbury Park with delicious vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options all made from scratch. The quaint cafe located right on Cookman Avenue offers breakfast sandwiches, wraps, avocado toast, soups, salads, baked goods, and much more. It’s an easy spot to grab a small bite, a coffee, or a smoothie before enjoying a day bopping around AP.
Belmar
Kaya’s Kitchen | 1000 Main Street
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Kaya’s Kitchen specializes in plant-based cuisine and offers insanely delicious vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Patrons haven’t lived until trying Kaya’s gluten-free, vegan mac and cheese appetizer or the lentil loaf with mashed potatoes and gravy. The dessert menu changes often but diners always be presented with an insane variety of sweet treats, such as a vegan cannoli or slice of Key Lime pie. Kaya’s is BYOB with weekly live entertainment, music, and poetry.
Bradley Beach
Luna Verde Vegan Mexican Restaurant | 400 Main Street
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Luna Verde is a family-run restaurant in Bradley Beach featuring a menu of homemade, 100% vegan Mexican food. Tacos, burritos, flautas, chimichangas, desserts, seasonal specials, and gluten-free options can be found on the menu. Currently, Luna Verde only offers online orders for pickup with no indoor accommodations and limited outdoor seating.
Ocean Grove
Dale + Dollops | 69 Main Avenue
Dale + Dollops is Ocean Grove’s newest eatery that also happens to be a 100% vegan diner. The new vegan spot has a stacked menu that includes vegan pork roll egg and cheese sandwiches, sundaes, wraps, cheese fries, and smoothies. Don’t be surprised if it takes a long time to order: the options are overwhelmingly awesome. The inside of Dale + Dollops is brightly painted, reminiscent of a 1950s diner with a clean, modern flair. The peanut butter cup milkshake is an AG fave but the s’mores sundae comes in close second. There are also gluten-free options if needed.
Tino’s Artisan Pizza Co. | 50 Main Avenue
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Tino’s Artisan Pizza Co. takes its promise of “no junk pizza” seriously. Vegans can enjoy Tino’s special, terra cotta oven pizza, as well as other various items on the casual Italian menu. Tino’s offers vegan cheese substitutes as well as a gluten-free crust alternative, if needed. Plus, the menu is clearly labeled with a “VG” icon next to options that are naturally vegan or can be made to be vegan — which makes ordering so much easier.
See More: A List of Must-Try Jersey Shore Seafood Restaurants
Neptune
Cats Luck | 140 Steiner Avenue
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Cats Luck is 100% vegan with a menu that features everything from a loaded biscuit to pizza fries. Plus, breakfast and lunch are served all day long. Cats Luck is open Wednesday through Sunday for takeout only. Daily specials, events, and Milkshake Thursday announcements can be found every week on the restaurant’s Instagram.
