- Attraction: The Buttered Biscuit
- Location: 700 Main St, Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
- Industry: Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant
- Website: https://www.thebutteredbiscuitcafe.com
A husband-and-wife team turned their culinary passion into Bradley Beach’s most beloved breakfast spot back in 2011, and the result has become nothing short of legendary.
The Buttered Biscuit fuses French bistro elegance with Southern comfort food, creating a dining experience that has locals lining up on weekend mornings and visitors detouring from their shore plans just to snag a table.
With chandeliers hanging above white curtains and framed prints adorning the walls, this downtown café manages to feel both upscale and wonderfully cozy.
Dave and Liz McAllister brought years of restaurant experience to their dream project, and their dedication shows in every detail. Dave’s been working in restaurants since age fourteen, while Liz’s great-grandparents once owned an eatery in nearby Asbury Park.
That heritage of hospitality runs deep here, where homemade biscuits are crafted fresh each morning by hand and corned beef hash undergoes a meticulous five-hour, six-step preparation process.
Related
More in New Jersey
Find Out Why People Wait Hours For A Taste Of The Famous Naturally Leavened Sourdough Crust At Razza
Keep Exploring →You’ll taste the difference immediately, and you’ll understand why this spot consistently ranks as the number one restaurant in Bradley Beach.
Signature Breakfast Dishes You Can’t Miss
Dave’s Homemade Corned Beef Hash: This dish alone has achieved cult status along the Jersey Shore. Prepared through an intensive five-hour process, the hash features generous chunks of tender, flavorful corned beef mixed with perfectly diced potatoes.
When topped with poached eggs, grilled asparagus, Swiss cheese, and hollandaise sauce, then served alongside that signature biscuit, you’re looking at what many call the best breakfast in New Jersey.
The hash strikes an impressive balance where it becomes part of the show rather than just a supporting player, with the corned beef maintaining moisture and seasoning that elevates every bite.
The Famous Biscuits: These aren’t your average biscuits. Liz tested recipe after recipe before landing on the perfect formula, and she still makes nearly 70,000 of them by hand each year.
More in New Jersey
Escape To The Heart Of BBQ Heaven With Smoky Pulled Pork And Creamy Mac And Cheese In Matawan
Discover MoreLight and flaky on the outside yet moist and tender inside, each biscuit arrives with honey cinnamon butter and organic raspberry jam.
The biscuits are substantial enough that you might find yourself taking some home, especially since they accompany many dishes. Breaking off warm chunks to soak up soft egg yolks creates pure breakfast bliss.
Biscuits and Gravy: Dave’s homemade sausage gravy gets prepared fresh every couple of days because the spices need time to develop their full flavor. Ladled generously over those incredible biscuits, this Southern classic has converted even skeptics who normally avoid the dish.
The gravy achieves a perfect consistency without being too heavy, letting you enjoy the hearty flavors without feeling weighed down.
Challah French Toast: Thick slices of challah bread get transformed into golden perfection, arriving fluffy and rich with just the right amount of sweetness. The French toast captures that ideal texture where the exterior has a slight caramelization while the interior remains custardy. Pour on some warm Vermont maple syrup and you’ve got yourself a winner.
Related
More in New Jersey
Don’t Miss The $2.30 Cookie! You Need To Plan Your Visit Around The Legendary 12 PM And 2:30 PM Drop Times
Keep Exploring →Copenhagen Benedict: This elegant twist on eggs Benedict features fresh caper cream cheese, paper-thin red onion slices, smoked salmon, wilted baby spinach, and perfectly poached eggs topped with homemade hollandaise. It’s a sophisticated choice that showcases the kitchen’s attention to quality ingredients and careful preparation.
Grilled Crumb Cake: Perhaps the most talked-about item on the menu, this breakfast dessert takes traditional crumb cake and grills it to create a whole new experience. The result delivers a delightful contrast of textures with a warm, slightly crispy exterior and tender cake inside, all topped with a generous layer of sweet crumb topping. Many describe it as nothing short of heavenly.
Ho Cakes: These Southern-style cornmeal pancakes offer something different from your typical breakfast fare. With a unique texture that’s slightly grittier than regular pancakes but lighter overall, they come served with butter and raspberry jam. The combination provides an interesting flavor profile that sets them apart from standard pancake options.
Bradley Beach Breakfast Burrito: Stuffed with cherrywood bacon, eggs, potatoes, and cheddar cheese, this burrito comes with comeback sauce on the side. The portions are generous enough that finishing the entire thing becomes a challenge, but you’ll want to try because the combination of flavors works beautifully together.
Lunch Offerings Worth Staying For
Crispy Fish Sandwich: This hand-breaded beauty features beer-battered haddock on a hard roll with lettuce, tomato, and Dave’s special homemade tartar sauce.
More in New Jersey
Sip The Signature “New Orleans Sludge” Coffee At This Montclair Fixture That Coffee Enthusiasts Rave About
Discover MoreThe fish achieves that perfect crispy coating that gives way to tender, flaky fish inside. Served with homemade coleslaw and pickles, it’s become a lunch favorite that some consider the best fish sandwich at the shore.
Signature Meatloaf: Comfort food at its finest, this meatloaf comes dressed with garlic butter, sautéed spinach, caramelized onions, and gorgonzola home fries.
The combination of savory and slightly tangy flavors makes this dish so satisfying that people have been known to order it to take home for dinner because their spouses can’t get enough of it.
Crab Cake Options: Whether you order the crab cake Benedict with poached eggs and hollandaise or opt for a crab cake in another preparation, you’ll find generous lumps of quality crab meat that justify the slightly higher price point. The cakes maintain their structure without being overly breaded, letting the seafood flavor shine through.
Gourmet Burgers: These aren’t thin, fast-food patties. The burgers here feature quality meat cooked to your preference and served with thoughtful accompaniments. You’ll notice the difference in both taste and texture compared to chain offerings.
Related
More in New Jersey
Plan Your Visit: The Lines Are Long But Move Fast For The Most Budget-Friendly, Quality Ice Cream In The Area
Keep Exploring →Atmosphere and Setting
French-Inspired Décor: The interior channels an upscale bistro vibe with its elegant chandeliers, white curtains, and carefully selected framed prints adorning the walls.
Despite the elevated aesthetic, the atmosphere remains comfortable and welcoming rather than stuffy or pretentious. The space manages to feel both special occasion-worthy and perfect for a casual weekend breakfast.
Seating Options: Inside, you’ll find a main dining room with counter seating and tables, plus a second dining area off to the side. A small gift shop area and coffee station add to the café charm.
During warmer months, outdoor seating on Main Street becomes available, letting you enjoy your meal al fresco, though you should know that the street location means some traffic noise and occasional exhaust.
Noise Level and Ambiance: The restaurant typically maintains a moderate noise level with pleasant chatter filling the space. Throwback music playing in the background adds to the nostalgic, homey feel.
While it can get a bit loud during peak times, especially when families with children are present, the energy feels lively rather than overwhelming. The space itself is average-sized, meaning it fills up quickly but doesn’t feel cramped.
Cleanliness: Tables stay spotless, and you’ll notice quick turnaround even during busy periods. The overall presentation reflects the care that goes into every aspect of the dining experience, from the food plating to the space maintenance.
Planning Your Visit
Pricing: With omelets around nine to twelve dollars, breakfast items in the eight to fourteen dollar range, and most lunch items under fifteen dollars, the pricing falls into the moderate category for the area.
Given the generous portions, quality ingredients, and from-scratch preparation, most find the prices fair and the value excellent. You’ll likely have enough food that taking home leftovers becomes common.
Wait Times: Weekend mornings bring the crowds, with wait times potentially reaching 45 minutes to an hour during peak brunch hours. Putting your name on the list and exploring Bradley Beach’s charming downtown for a bit makes the wait more pleasant.
Weekday visits typically mean shorter waits or immediate seating, with the food quality remaining just as exceptional. Coming early or visiting during the week offers the best chance at avoiding long delays.
BYOB Policy: Here’s a delightful perk that sets this spot apart from many breakfast places—you can bring your own bottle.
Champagne for mimosas has become a popular choice, and there’s a liquor store just a block away if you need to make a last-minute purchase. This BYOB option adds a special touch to your brunch experience without adding significantly to your bill.
Parking Situation: Street parking along Main Street serves as your primary option. During busy times, finding a spot might require a bit of patience and possibly parking a block or two away. The downtown location means everything stays walkable once you’ve found your space.
Family-Friendly Environment: The café welcomes families with children, offering a kids menu and maintaining a casual dress code. The atmosphere works well for multi-generational gatherings, though parents should be aware that the indoor space’s acoustics can amplify noise when multiple families are dining.
Dog-Friendly Outdoor Seating: Your four-legged friends can join you at the outdoor tables during the warmer months, making this a perfect post-beach-walk breakfast spot when you don’t want to leave your pup at home.
Best Times to Visit: Weekday mornings offer the most relaxed experience with shorter waits and the same quality food. If you’re committed to a weekend visit, arriving right when they open at 8am gives you the best shot at minimizing wait time.
The restaurant operates Thursday through Sunday during off-season and daily during summer months.
Reservations: The Buttered Biscuit operates on a first-come, first-served basis without taking reservations. Plan accordingly, especially for weekend brunches.
The Buttered Biscuit
📍 700 Main St, Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
