New Jersey is home to a number of towns that make for the perfect day trip. Located right by the Navesink River and just a few miles from the beach, Red Bank is the ideal location to spend a day in. Full of artisans, boutiques, cafes, breweries and arts and culture events, there are a number of places to explore within the quaint downtown. If you are looking for great restaurants and small businesses to support, here are some places to visit in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Grab Breakfast at Toast City Diner
With the cheeky mantra, “Peace, Love, & Pancakes,” Toast City Diner puts their own spin on a number of breakfast dishes. Think everything from red velvet and carrot cake pancakes to Nutella french toast. Savory brunch enthusiasts can also order pork roll sandwiches, crab hash, Irish eggs benedict and a plethora of other unique items. Don’t forget to top off your meal with one of their specialty drinks such as a turmeric, French toast or green tea latte.
Go Shopping in Downtown Red Bank
There are a number of small businesses that line the streets of Red Bank that are worth visiting on your trip. If you are looking to add to your music collection, head over to Jack’s Record Shoppe for a wide selection of vintage records and CDs.
For the eco-conscious, Greene Street is a store that should not be ignored. It once started off as a family-owned consignment shop in Pennsylvania and flourished to seven different shops located throughout New Jersey and Philadelphia. Since 1997, Greene Street has strived to provide an alternative shopping method to combat the fast fashion industry. Shopping selections include mid-to-high-end brands at a discounted rate.
If you are looking for edible purchases, Antoinette Boulangerie is a great place to stop by. This French boutique bakery located right in the heart of downtown Red Bank offers a number of Parisian-style delicacies. The bakeshop opened in Jan. 2014 and continues to crank out over 50 offerings daily, with a sole focus on traditional pastry methods of old-world Paris. Antoinette Boulangerie offers a number of dessert options such as almond tarts, almond croissants, baguettes, coconut macaroons and crème brûlée cups, just to name a few.
Next up, The Cheese Cave is an ideal pit stop if you are looking for more of a “salty” shopping excursion. You can buy a number of artisanal cheeses along with imported meats, olives, honey and fruit preserves.
Get Crafty at The Local Line
There is nothing more satisfying than a DIY project, and the Local Line is just the place to do it. The Local Line is all about supporting local artisans through the workshops they offer. Candle-making, glass etching and sea glass art are some of the classes held here. Workshops occur on Sundays and private sessions require a minimum of five participants. In addition, The Local Line also sells a number of goods made by local artisans such as home decor, candles and even beauty supplies.
Have Dinner at a Red Bank Restaurant
Red Bank is home to a variety of restaurants with all types of cuisines. Formerly known as Lino’s, Tino’s Mexican Kitchen has a menu packed with exciting dishes. The restaurant offers a number of unique appetizers such as roasted jalapeños, roasted cactus and even a Mexican shrimp cocktail. The unique menu items do not stop there. For your main course, you can order different options such as squash and mushroom quesadillas, burrito chistosos, or Mexican-style shrimp and chorizo tacos.
Another popular dinner location in Red Bank is the JBJ Soul Kitchen. The eatery is a non-profit community restaurant that is run by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. The eatery serves all paying and in-need customers. There are no prices on the menu, so if you are unable to pay the suggested donation, you get a meal no matter what. So far, 47 percent of the meals served at the restaurant have been paid for with donations. JBJ Soul Kitchen’s menu is continually changing, so there will always be something new for you to try. The menu specializes in American Regional cuisine. All ingredients are locally sourced or from the JBJ Soul Kitchen Farm.
Enjoy a Night Cap at a Local NJ Brewery
There is no better way to end your day in Red Bank than supporting a local brewery. Triumph Brewing Company is a popular spot for a night out, especially with live music being played every Thursday through Saturday with no cover. Red Tank Brewing Company is another popular location in the town. This brewery is a family-owned establishment that believes in utilizing the best farm-to-table ingredients in everything they make. The brewery is also B.Y.O.F, which you can enjoy with a number of their timeless beers. Red Tank Brewery also hosts live music events, trivia nights, beer and bingo Sundays.
Will you be visiting Red Bank, New Jersey? Let us know in the comments!
About the Author/s
Nicole is a tea lover and aspiring journalist studying Journalism, Creative Writing, and Digital Video Production at Marist College.
