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Proving Ground Waterfront Dining, HIGHLANDS, NJ

Proving Ground Waterfront Dining

4.5
4.5
1284 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 18 times today
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Great for scenic views
  • Great for happy hour
THE STORY BEHIND THE PROVING GROUND…

WE TOOK A LITTLE HISTORY FROM THE AREA WHEN NAMING AND DESIGNING THE RESTAURANT AFTER THE SANDY HOOK PROVING GROUNDS. ESTABLISHED IN 1874, IT BECAME THE FIRST US ARMY PROVING GROUND TO TEST ARTILLERY AND OTHER MATERIALS. AND THAT’S WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT – TESTING NEW MENU ITEMS AND SPECIALIZING IN THE NEWEST CRAFT BEER AND COCKTAILS. WE LIKE TO MIX IT UP WITH OUR EVENTS, MUSIC, AND EXPERIENCE TO ALWAYS KEEP THINGS FRESH AND FUN.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Seafood, Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm Brunch Sun 10:00 am–1:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (732) 872-2266
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Bonnie Burton & Ed Sosa
  • Private party facilities
    The Proving Ground is the perfect spot to celebrate special occasions . With a stunning view of the water in our comfortable modern seaside space with spectacular food you cannot go wrong. Birthdays - Anniversaries - Bridal and Baby Showers - Engagement, Rehearsal Dinners, and Weddings. We have the space to do it all! Call today to speak with Ashley about booking your next private event with us. 732-872-2266 https://www.theprovingground.com/private-events
  • Neighborhood
    Highlands
  • Cross street
    Cornwall St & Bay Ave
  • Parking details
    Complimentary Valet in our busy times and seasons.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Offers

  • Burger Night on Tuesdays!

    Multiple dates available
    Tue - Wed - 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    Every Tuesday Night we offer $14 Gourmet Burgers! 8oz. blend of brisket, chuck, & sirloin - served with french fries! You can substitute any burger for a Turkey or Veggie Burger!

    Burger Night on Tuesdays! Photo
  • Every Wednesday is Pasta & Wine Night!

    Multiple dates available
    Wed - 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    On Wednesday nights, we feature Choose your own Pasta & Sauce night! You can add on a salad, garlic bread, Chicken, or (and) Shrimp for an additional charge! We also offer 1/2 off select bottles of wine!!

    Every Wednesday is Pasta & Wine Night! Photo
  • Fall & Winters at The Proving Ground

    Multiple dates available
    Sun - 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 8:30 PM,Mon - Tue - 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM,Wed - 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM,Thu - Fri - 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM,Sat - 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    All tables will be assigned inside but we have the BEST views in town! Should we have a gorgeous day, there is a chance the patio may open and we will let you know. Throughout the week we have live music & FUN events happening, so be sure to check out our website, Facebook & Instagram for updated calendars! All tables have a 90 minute seating to give all of our guests the same opportunity to enjoy their dinner. If you are a party of more than 6, please call the restaurant to inquire for availability. 732-872-2266. Thank you!!! We hope to see you soon!

What 1,284 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • New Jersey

    Hot spot

  • Monmouth

    Hot spot

  • Monmouth

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Monmouth

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Proving Ground Waterfront Dining boasts "great views" and a vibrant atmosphere, perfect for outdoor dining. Guests love the "friendly staff" and live music, enhancing the dining experience. While some dishes like the filet mignon and tuna poke bowl have mixed reviews, the cocktails, desserts, and attentive service consistently impress.

1,284 Reviews
  1. Cathleen

    New York City

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great view, attentive service, fresh and tasty food. Only drawback was the very loud conversation from nearby tables, which almost drowned out the conversation with my friend.

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  2. dave

    VIP

    Philadelphia

    33 reviews

    3.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on December 10, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Burratta was fabulous. Service was extremely slow for a quiet Tuesday. Screaming kids at table nearby didn’t help

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  3. Kirill

    New York City

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    The food was good, service attentive, the place had energetic ambiance of a sports bar.

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  4. adimitrakis

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    The hosting first floor really nice young lady. The host on second floor , really young looking fellow real short too, and I usually do not give bad reviews but when you are traveling from out of the area to sit by the window and enjoy a view and get lied too says a lot about the company and the management that is ok with that! We were a party of 7 got there for 11:30 res. A party of 8 left the table by the window . I asked to move to that table which was already done and set up and he lied about receiving a 10 people res for that table. We had to sit there and see how the servers dismantled the tables and no one ever showed up meanwhile we were there ready to enjoy a nice brunch by the window seat and he didn’t do his job! Customer service first! Food was not great at all I order steak and potatoes and eggs the meat rare when we ordered medium done. The frittata not great! Definitely not going back!

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  5. Eric

    Charleston

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Had not been in a while stopped in for Sunday football. A good buzz in the place food was OK, but you need to stick with the basics there on Sunday food much better when it opened years ago, but service was good and can beat the view.

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  6. Gail

    VIP

    Atlantic City

    33 reviews

    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on October 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was a Beautiful day to sit outside enjoy the view of the water, and enjoy great food with good friends. Celebrating a Birthday. Highly recommend Proving Ground. GREAT FOOD and Service

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  7. David

    New York City

    32 reviews

    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had the mussels fra Diablo (get the extra garlic bread to sop up the sauce) and the steak sandwich. Both were outstanding! The steak sandwich is a full steak on a bun (instead of sliced steak). Amazing! Dez was out server and she was attentive. Noise level is energetic. We have dined here before and will dine here again. Bring cash as they charge a 4%ish fee for using a credit card

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  8. Caroline

    VIP

    New York City

    9 reviews

    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    The view was great and the atmosphere was fun. I'd come back to watch a game and have a drink. I would recommend the Mediterranean Sampler, but would not come back for any of the other food we had for lunch.

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  9. Katarina

    New Jersey

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing place!! Wish we found this spot in the summer. But definitely coming back.

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  10. debbie

    Naples

    38 reviews

    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nice lunch, good service, great view. Had a very enjoyable lunch with friends

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FAQs

Proving Ground Waterfront Dining offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (732) 872-2266.

Proving Ground Waterfront Dining is rated 4.5 stars by 1284 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 18 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Proving Ground Waterfront Dining

56 SHREWSBURY AVE, HIGHLANDS, NJ 07732

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Cornwall St & Bay Ave
  • Neighborhood
    Highlands
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm Brunch Sun 10:00 am–1:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Seafood, Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Complimentary Valet in our busy times and seasons.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Bonnie Burton & Ed Sosa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (732) 872-2266
  • Private party facilities
    The Proving Ground is the perfect spot to celebrate special occasions . With a stunning view of the water in our comfortable modern seaside space with spectacular food you cannot go wrong. Birthdays - Anniversaries - Bridal and Baby Showers - Engagement, Rehearsal Dinners, and Weddings. We have the space to do it all! Call today to speak with Ashley about booking your next private event with us. 732-872-2266 https://www.theprovingground.com/private-events
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