Amelia's By The Sea, Spring Lake, NJ:
A Restaurant Review

Amelia's By The Sea, Spring Lake, NJ. A dining review

Amelia's By The Sea
1505 Ocean Avenue
Grand Victorian Hotel
Spring Lake, NJ

Best NJ Restaurant

Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.

Amelia's By The Sea: Restaurant Highlights

Fare: Contemporary Italian

Price: Very Expensive

Food Quality: Well-executed menu, creatively prepared using fresh ingredients.

Service: Welcoming, attentive, professional

Decor: Modern, trendy, elegant ambiance with beachfront views.

Noise Level: Moderate. On evenings when there is live music, the noise level can get to a high level.

Dress: Upscale Casual

Overall Rating: 3 Stars

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

Recommended For: Diners who enjoy well prepared, creative Italian food in an upscale, attractive setting.

Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who prefer a casual family style restaurant, or a traditional heavy red sauce, southern Italian food restaurant.

Recommended dishes: When available; The Black Spaghetti Lobster Fra Diavolo with Spicy lobster tomato sauce; The Spicy Clams Over Linguine With N'Duja Sausage; and The Horseradish Broiled Salmon Served over a Warm Vegetable Salad & Garlic Whipped Potatoes.

Liquor: BYOB Nov 15th through April 30th. From May 1st through November 14th, they have full bar Service with beer, cocktails, and an extensive variety of high end domestic and imported wines.

Nestled within the Grand Victorian Hotel, Amelia’s By The Sea is a premier oceanfront fine dining destination renowned for its sophisticated take on contemporary Italian cuisine, with a spotlight on expertly crafted seafood dishes.

Owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Liam and Carmen Moloney, the restaurant reflects their decades of culinary expertise. Prior to launching Amelia’s, the couple co-owned Bareli’s Restaurant & Bar in Secaucus and Del Monico in Cedar Grove. Liam’s deep connection to the location dates back to 2017, when he co-founded Bareli’s By The Sea on the same site. His storied career also includes partnerships in celebrated New Jersey establishments like Delmonico’s Steaks & Beyond, co-owned with the late actor James Gandolfini.

The restaurant’s ambiance strikes a balance between modern elegance and relaxed charm. Two distinct indoor spaces cater to diners: a refined, intimate main dining room and a luminous, heated porch overlooking the beach from across the street, offering year-round panoramic beach front views. Tables are dressed in crisp white linens, accented with fine china, oversized wine glasses, and the soft glow of candlelight, setting the stage for an upscale yet inviting experience.

While Amelia’s By The Sea has undergone a rebranding, its dedication to exceptional service and culinary excellence remains unwavering. The seasonal menu highlights pristine, locally sourced ingredients, showcasing inventive Italian-inspired seafood dishes and house-made pastas adorned with light, nuanced sauces that let premium flavors take center stage. Notably, the restaurant deviates from traditional heavy Southern Italian fare, opting instead for a fresher, more refined approach.

Live music enhances Thursday through Saturday evenings, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

Operating hours vary seasonally: During warmer months, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday, with a decadent Sunday Brunch featuring special menus for Easter and Mother’s Day.

Amelia’s also welcomes guests on major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve and Day.

Please note: The restaurant’s intimate setting is best suited for adults; it is not recommended for children.

(Updated: January 2025)

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