Welcome to The Diving Horse
At The Diving Horse, nestled in Avalon, New Jersey, culinary artistry meets coastal charm in a vibrant atmosphere. Renowned for its new American seafood cuisine, the restaurant showcases a menu brimming with seasonal delights, from the perfectly grilled Hudson Canyon Swordfish to the succulent Creekstone Farms Short Rib. Each dish reflects a commitment to quality and sophistication, complemented by attentive service and a BYOB policy that invites guests to enjoy their favorite wine. With a focus on fresh, local ingredients and an inviting ambiance, The Diving Horse has become a cherished dining destination, making every meal an unforgettable experience.
- 2109 Dune Dr, Avalon, NJ 08202 Hotline: (609) 368-5000
Welcome to The Diving Horse, a hidden gem situated at 2109 Dune Dr, Avalon, NJ. This delightful eatery has garnered a reputation for its innovative take on New American cuisine, with a strong emphasis on seafood. With a commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients, The Diving Horse challenges the typical dining experience with its thoughtfully curated menu and a vibrant atmosphere that perfectly balances sophistication and laid-back beach vibes.
As you step into The Diving Horse, you are greeted by an ambiance reminiscent of upscale Montauk, inviting you to unwind and savor the moment. From indoor charm to outdoor seating, this restaurant is an ideal setting for date nights or family gatherings. Plus, as a BYOB establishment, patrons are encouraged to bring their favorite wine, adding a personal touch to the dining experience.
The menu at The Diving Horse is a treasure trove of enticing dishes, starting with imaginative starters like the Heirloom Tomato Strawberry with whipped mozzarella and crispy shallots, or the rich Cape Cod Mussels paired with beach herbs and coconut. Guests rave about the TDH Wedge Salad featuring jumbo lump crab, a perfect introduction to your meal.
- Starters:
- Heirloom Tomato Strawberry - $14
- Cape Cod Mussels - $13
- Calamari Fritti - $14
- Blue Moon Acres Arugula - $11
The mains are equally captivating, with options such as the perfectly cooked Barnegat Light Scallops, complemented by toasted farro and seasonal veggies, and the flavorful Hudson Canyon Swordfish in a lemongrass and ginger broth. Diners have noted how each dish tells a story of freshness and creativity, setting The Diving Horse apart from typical offerings in Avalon.
- Mains:
- Barnegat Light Scallops - $36
- Hudson Valley Duck Breast - $34
- Hudson Canyon Swordfish - $32
Service at The Diving Horse is noted to be exemplary—attentive yet unobtrusive, with staff who are well-informed about the menu. This dedication to hospitality ensures that every guest feels valued and cared for, allowing them to truly enjoy their culinary adventure.
And don’t forget to leave room for dessert! The house's signature Kit Kat bar is a must-try, offering a whimsical finish to your meal that has become a fan favorite among loyal patrons.
Customers have expressed gratitude for their unforgettable experiences, applauding both the delightful selection of dishes and the restaurant's charming atmosphere. Whether celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a night out, The Diving Horse promises a remarkable dining experience.
In conclusion, The Diving Horse shines not just for its exquisite cuisine but also for its ability to create memorable moments with family and friends. Book your table, bring your favorite bottle, and prepare to dive into a culinary wonderland that celebrates the best of New American and seafood fare right in the heart of Avalon.

Shocked at how amazing this place is. But the I realized it's partners with Pub & Kitchen. Not really much fine dining DTS but this place is clearly the star. Entire meal was great and the service was excellent. Definitely making a reservation when we go back to Avalon.

Went to Diving Horse on a Monday night date night and it did not disappoint. I feel I have always strayed away because it is hard to get a reservation, but with just two people they had a walk in table ready for us! BYOB so don't forget your favorite wine! The food, service, and ambiance were all top notch. It's hard to find food in Avalon other than your typical Italian spot. Diving horse packs fresh and delicious taste into each one of their specially curated dishes. We started out with local Sea Isle oysters and a garden salad. The oysters, although skeptical, were absolutely amazing. The salad (not pictured) was perfectly prepared with fresh veggies and a delicious citrusy dressing. Following that, we ordered the chicken Milanese and a wagyu short rib. The chicken had a breading and crunch to it that I have never experienced in a fried chicken cutlet. It was mouth watering at every bite and was complimented with pickled veggies and a delicious sauce smothered on the plate. The wagyu short rib also did not disappoint. Perfectly cooked, you could taste the smoke from the grille in every bite. Truly one of the best meals I have had in Avalon in many years. Will definitely be back in the near future! Thanks to Patrick our server, we had an incredible experience.

Always a phenomenal meal and experience. This is the best restaurant on the 7 Mile Island. Food is always outstanding as is the service. Get the short rib anytime it is on the menu. Their scallops are plump, sweet and always perfectly cooked. Oysters and bluefin tuna are always on point, fresh and delicious. Their signature Kit Kat bar dessert is always a fan favorite. All in all, this place cooks.

TDH is a go-to every year we stay in Stone Harbor/Avalon. It's our obligatory "fancy" dinner. But by fancy, it's not stuffy. It feels like you're having an elevated dinner with REALLY amazing sophisticated but hearty food at an old friend's house. The menu changes, I believe frequently. I got the scallops and lentils this time around -- and will be dreaming of it ALL year. One of the best meals I've ever eaten. My husband got the golden tilefish and my mom got the halibut. Both perfectly cooked. Our waiter, whose name escapes me, was a sweetie -- gave great recommendations (Sea Isle City oysters!!! Delish and briny! Who knew?!) He was attentive and really sweet to my three kids! Love TDH and will see the crew again next year.

Not only is it that good but TDH is my favorite restaurant down the shore! Saturdays dinner was fantastic. The "service by Travis", "hospitality by Emily" final "plating by Donny" is the "hat trick" to go along with delicious food and great vibe . Well done, again and again!!!!

My fiancé and I came here for dinner last night and had a great time. We got the baked clams and the crispy rock shrimp for appetizers. They were both pretty good but if I'd come again I would probably try something different. In my opinion the entrees were way better than the appetizers. We got the house made bucatini and the waygu short rib, which was incredible and definitely the highlight of the dinner. It also always helps that the restaurant is a byob. The one callout I do have is that the service was minimal, the server only came around to take our order.

one of my favorite places in the world.. I've just realized that I've never reviewed the Diving Horse before - been coming here for about 10 years now, and we absolutely love it The food at the Diving Horse is divine. I recommend you explore, you will find things here that aren't typical - they are exciting and new and delicious. If something looks or sounds strange - i recommend you try it, it's probably amazing The Diving Horse is easily one of the best restaurants South of Atlantic City - full stop. I think I neglected to review this place in the past because i didn't want to draw attention to it.. we love this place and didn't want to see it becoming a tourist haven. We come here early in the season May-June and then later in September. We don't come near the shore in the summer - so i cannot comment on what your results would be "in season" When we come here the food is divine. Everything. I'm not afraid of eating or trying anything they put out - it's all spectacular, artisnal, thought out, respectfully created and executed perfectly. Portions are a little small, i recommend a starter, a main and ordering a complementary side. Oh - and desert, cant forget that, the kit kat bar will roll your eyes inside your head - the home made sorbets and ice creams are simply juicy and delicious with fresh fruit flavors The restaurant can be a little loud - and by that i mean it can be crazy loud sometimes. When its full here and every table is occupied - this place is as loud as it gets. That's a bit of a detraction.. unfortunately. When its not so packed it's less of a problem - but in all fairness its a bit loud. It doesn't necessarily bother me though, i love this place with its great food and service and location.. i come here when its crazy busy and i just let myself go to the noise and the commotion.. were down the shore, i remember growing up eating at the old school places and the wild,chaotic -frezzy was intoxicating - so let yourself go and embrace the crowd a bit. The service here is top notch. They do it right. Whoever owns this place understands service and its done properly. Its not 5 star.. no. But its easily 4 star. Its not a 5 star restaurant and i wouldn't want it to be, it's approachable and comfortable. The restaurant itself is simple and beautiful - very well appointed and decorated h but not to detract from the food or servive - just simple and elegant. Your server will give you fresh cutlery with every course, they will open and fill your wine (byo) thoughtfully answer your questions about the menu and give informed recommendations - all while being friendly, delightful and adorable. And fast - things move quickly here. You will not be sitting around for long waiting for anything. Maybe a bit too fast?.. hard to savor the wonderful everything when you are in and out of here so quickly I want to thank everyone here, in the last 10 years or so, ive enjoyed some of the most memorable meals and experiences of my life, with my mother and my family - the Diving Horse has been a place of exceptional beauty for us - so many of the wonderful places we grew up with here are gone.. but this place did manage to grow in their place - yes its sad some of our "old school" favorites are gone - but the Diving Horse has grown and blossomed into a magnificent addition to the Jersey Shore, a spectacular jem here in Avalon Just bravo! - and thank you...

Been coming to Avalon for 5 years and never knew this hidden gem existed! Wonderful experience sitting outside at their community table. We sat close to another lovely couple. Inside seating is always full unless you want a 5pm dinner. Wait staff was super friendly and carried themselves well. Can't wait to come back next year!

Made a reservation for four at 9:45pm on a Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. That was the only time available. They called that day to say they could get us in earlier at 8:45pm. I was thrilled and asked to change to 7people. I was impressed they could accommodate us. Checkin was quick, easy, and friendly. Place was loud. But the lighting was flattering. Chairs were comfortable. Service excellent. Place is BYOB and Ryan quickly got our white wine on ice. Service was excellent and Ryan took good care of us. He was also very personable and chatted with the table later in the eve when things died down. They served bread with a delicious sweet butter. I started with the baked oysters. They were delicious. But they should have been served with an oyster fork instead of a large regular fork. Ryan said they were in order. Also, the chopped peppers on top were way too spicy for me. But I was able to easily remove them. I loved that there were only three. This left room for future courses. Highly recommend this appetizer! I tried a friend's cucumber salad and it was outstanding and very refreshing. I'd recommend that also. The tomatoe dish was well-liked by those who ordered it. But it was a heavy appetizer. For my main I got the tuna special with coconut rice. It was good. We also ordered all four sides for the table In terms of sides, the greens (collard ?) was the best with asparagus second. A bit disappointed in the Mac and cheese. The spicy fries with aoli went fast too but I prefer them plain. For dessert we got the popular "Kit Kat" bar. I personally liked all the ice cream flavors. Vanilla with peanut butter, and other interesting names. Bathroom was huge! Loved the wallpaper. One odd thing: No espresso- there should get a machine.

Presentation | Roasted Chicken | Service Presentation - The overall visual, vibe, and ambiance of Diving Horse is first class. The vibe is open and airy. They have a good amount of open space, white table cloths, with indoor and outdoor space. The ambience is upscale Montauk, so be sure to wear your best cocktail beach party outfit. White paints are highly encouraged. ;-) Roasted Chicken - I had the Roasted Chicken which is easily top 3 chicken dish I've ever had. It comes with fingerling potted and a creme kale. The chicken was marinated with some type of smokey marinate or was roasted with wood fire chips. The taste was exquisite and consistent with every bite. Will definitely get it again. Service - Our service was primo. The waitress was extremely knowledgable and helpful when we had questions. No water glass ever went below 1/4 full. The entire staff was very attentive and everyone treated us as if we were their customer. Whether it was the bussers, other waitresses, or the Maitresse whenever anyone looked around or had a puzzled look, someone came by to ask if we needed anything. Pro Tip: The establishment is BYOB. So be sure to bring your favorite bottle of Red or White. Pro Tip: There is not a great deal of parking around the restaurant. So be sure to take an Uber or be prepared to walk. Pro Tip: It has an upscale Montauk vibe. It is the ideal spot for a date night or whenever families/friends reunite and want to reminisce.