Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant, Long Branch, NJ:
A Dining Review

Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant, Long Branch, NJ, A dining review

Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant
100 Ocean Ave.
Long Branch, NJ

Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant:  Highlights

Fare: Seafood with a cajun influence

Price: Expensive

Food Quality: Creative, well prepared dishes using fresh local seafood sources supplemented by fresh flown in specialties.

Service: professional, knowledgeable. friendly and attentive

Ambiance/ Decor: Attractive, contemporary with awesome ocean front views from almost every table

Overall Rating: 3 Stars, one of the top seafood restaurants on the northern Jersey Shore

Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = Poor to Four stars = Best in Class

Noise Level: Moderate 

Dress: Casual

Recommended For: Diners who enjoy great ocean front ambiance, a lively bar scene, and fresh seafood

Not Recommended For: Diners on a limited budget who prefer a more casual, simple menu.

Recommended dishes: When available, The Pistachio Encrusted Salmon; "Ocean Jack's" Florida Grouper; and Rooney's Crab cakes.

Liquor: Two Full Service Bars. One indoors overlooking the ocean and the other outdoors open in the warmer months.

Rooney's, located in Long Branch along the northern Jersey shore, is a hit with seafood lovers who love good food with an awesome ocean view.

The interior decor is very spacious, stylish, with an open view of the ocean from almost any table. Most of the tables are not set with tablecloths, and with the lively bar crowd and large TV screens. During the warmer months, this a is great place to experience outdoor dining on their huge bi-level outdoor deck with stunning, up close views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant is popular with the 35 - 55 year old crowd who come out in groups of 4-6 people.

Considering the very good quality of the food and the generous portions of the dishes, the food is reasonably priced, although this comes with a caveat. The menu selections range from moderately priced dishes to a huge jump in price with some dishes.

The Indoor bar scene is lively with large windows and skylights for an outdoor vibe.

Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant also offers an exciting "Market Menu" of fresh seafood dishes under the direction of Executive Chef Thomas Schoborg, Chef Schoberg received his formal culinary training at the French Culinary Institute in New York City. He later honed his culinary skills at the Soho landmark The Cub Room, before he took a job as banquet chef at Tribeca's City Hall Restaurant, owned and operated by famous New York City Chef Henry Meer. Moving on to serving as executive Chef at Rosa Mexicano in Atlanta. Prior to joining Ronney's, Chef Schoberg opened a small Cajun Restaurant in Washington DC where lived out his love affair with Cajun food

Chef Schoberg's American seafood menu is creatively prepared using fresh Seafood with a New Orleans Creole influence. The menu features a Raw bar, fresh fish prepared and served  with a variety of preperation options, pastas, and lobster.

They are open seven days/week for lunch and dinner. On Sundays they offer a Buffet Brunch from 10:30 to 2pm with a raw bar, omelet station, carving station, seafood dishes, breakfast items, fresh fruit and breads, desserts and more.

Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant is Kid friendly and they offer a child's menu.

(updated: September 2024)

How Do We Review (analyze) Restaurants?

New Jersey Leisure Guide strives to provide analytic restaurant reviews.

The methodology used is research, analysis driven --- as opposed to that of a single restaurant critic or a social media platform, viewer comment posting board.

Learn More