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Local Vibes

Local Vibes

Local Vibes

9 Places With The Best Linguine & Clams On The Jersey Shore

By Robyn Lane

The Best Linguine & Clams on the Jersey Shore can be found at many places. I’ve chosen to highlight 9 of them.

We have an abundance of seafood at our fingertips. We have local fisherman out on the water scooping up striped bass, bluefish, fluke, weakfish and kingfish, all common catches in the summer months.

Fresh caught crabs are one of my favorite things to eat, especially in a pasta dish. I also like to make fresh crabmeat salad with celery, onion, a little mayo, salt & pepper, finished off with chopped fresh dill.

As far as shellfish choices, clams are at the top of my list. I could eat clams every day. The shore waters are filled with clams that wind up on our dinner table or at our local restaurants.

I love clams prepared in a variety of ways. Clams Casino, clams oreganata, roasted clams, clams, sautéed  in a pan with olive oil. The only thing I don’t like is raw clams. It’s odd because I’ll eat raw oysters by the dozen. Raw clams just don’t do it for me.

Spots and tips for clamming, crabbing and mussel harvesting in New Jersey

One of my favorite ways to eat fresh clams is in a white wine clam sauce. I often make linguine and clams using clams from my local seafood market. I add good olive oil, white wine, tons of fresh garlic, a little butter, clam broth, red pepper flake, and I finish it off with fresh Italian parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Best Sandwiches On The Jersey Shore

Then there’s the bread to mop up all that goodness sitting in the bottom of my big bowl. Not just any bread, my friend. A nice crusty seeded Italian bread from my local bakery or favorite Italian specialty store.

I’m not sure what I like better, eating the bowl of linguine and clams, or mopping up all that delicious sauce at the bottom of the bowl. It may be a tie.

I eat out on occasion and if I’m in the mood for a big bowl of linguine and clams I head to my favorite places that make killer linguine & clams.

Who’s Got The Best Linguine & Clams On The Jersey Shore

All I had to do was ask the locals, and they delivered.

Here’s a list of places on the Jersey Shore known to make a fantastic dish filled with linguine & clams.

  • Zano Bros. of Brooklyn - 360 N Main St, Waretown, NJ 08758

    A fabulous Italian market & restaurant with some of the best food in the area. The stuffed artichokes are out of this world. The linguine and clams dish is filled with Middle neck clams . Don’t forget the crusty Italian bread to mop up the delicious sauce. Make sure to get a cold antipasto platter with the homemade stuffed pepper shooters…OMG!

  • The Squire at Branches - 123 Monmouth Rd, West Long Branch, NJ 07764

    The Squire at Branches is a newly renovated restaurant and bar in West Long Branch. I’ve been here for events, but never to dine in the restaurant. Cory R. from one of my favorite food pages was happy to recommend the linguine & clams. The menu description: Linguine Con Vongole – Cockle Clams, Garlic, Olive Oil & Parsley in White Wine Sauce. Sounds perfect.

  • Harvey Cedars Shellfish Company - 7904 Long Beach Blvd, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008

    Since 1974 The Harvey Cedars Shellfish has been a summer traditional for families on Long Beach Island for 50 years. This seasonal fish market and restaurant is loved by the locals and has the freshest seafood and clams prepared several ways. Chowders, calms on the half shell, clams casino. steamed clams, clams marinara, & sauteed clams aka Linguine & clams – fresh littlenecks sautéed in white wine, butter, garlic, parmesan cheese & herbs.  Waiting patiently for this place to open for the season in May 2024.

     

  • Antonio's Trattoria Cucina Italiana - 2420 NJ-35, Manasquan, NJ 08736

    Bill S. & Steve F. swear that Antonio’s makes the best Linguini & Clams- Red or White sauce –Little neck clams, sautéed garlic, fresh basil. Bill recommends the Stuffed Long Hots for an appetizer.  Spicy long hot peppers stuffed with prosciutto, gorgonzola cheese and provolone over a bed of bruschetta topped with caramelized onions poured over our homemade demi glaze.

  • Piccolino Italian Kitchen - 1177 Fischer Blvd, Toms River, NJ 08753

    You’d drive past it if you didn’t know it was there. Piccolino is in the same small strip mall as Breakin’ Bread Eatery.  A few people including Jeanette & Eddie have been here and raved about the food. I happen to have a friend whose wife is a server there on weekends and her family loves when she brings home food.

    Jeanette couldn’t get enough of the linguine & clams. Eddie had the Pasta ala Norma – which is pasta with roasted eggplant, with tomato, basil and ricotta salata.  It’s a tiny place with big flavors.

     

  • Mangiare Tu - 600 Main St #3, Bradley Beach, NJ 07720

    They call themselves Jersey’s Best Kept Secret.” They aren’t kidding! I’ve never heard of this place until a few people pointed out how exceptional the food is. Cathy S. mentioned that she had the most incredible Linguine & clams and a charred Caesar salad. I need to make a reservation soon.

  • That’s Amore Trattoria Italiana - 277 NJ-70, Toms River, NJ 08755

    Yet another place I’ve driven by a million times and never thought to stop in. That’s going to change, thanks to Nina and a few other folks on the local message boards. Nina had a hefty helping of fresh little neck clams in a garlic and white wine sauce over linguini. She also gives kudos to the osso bucco, and the grilled salmon dish. Kate also mentioned how amazing the linguine & clams were and said to get the white pizza too.

     

  • Cipriani's Italian Restaurant - 3701 Highway 33, 3705 NJ-33, Neptune Township, NJ 07753

    Ellen discovered this place by accident. She went to get bagels one Sunday morning and sort of noticed this  Italian pizza place & restaurant at the other end of the shopping center. I’m wondering if this is where Delvetto’s used to be. Anyway, Ellen mentioned the lovely bowl of Linguine & Clams she had at Cipriani’s. Her husband had what he calls the best chicken parm he’s had in years.

    Sipriani's Restaurant | italian food near me | 3701 New Jersey 33, Neptune City, NJ, USA

    Sipriani's Italian Restaurant Authentic Italian Cuisine Pizza Near Me

  • Black Whale - 100 N Pennsylvania Ave, Beach Haven, NJ 08008

    Southern Ocean County people came out in droves when I asked where people go for great linguine & clams.  Also mentioned was the salad dressing.  It’s so famous, they had to start selling it. Another seafood haven where clam dishes are plentiful. Clams on the half shell, clams casino, clams peppercino baked with pepperoni, pepperoncini, onions and parmesan, steamed little necks, clam strips, and of course the classic clams and linguine – one dozen littlenecks and freshly shucked & chopped Barnegat Bay chowder clams, served spicy red or white over linguine. 

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