Belmar Food Tour Draws 1,200 People, Features 30 Restaurants in 17th Year
The yearly Dine & Discover food tour in Belmar drew crowds of 1,200 hungry food lovers on March 9. What began with just five restaurants has evolved into a huge event showcasing 30 local establishments.
To manage the turnout, organizers provided four trolleys running up and down Main Street, quite a change from the single shuttle back in 2018. People grabbed tickets at $35 for early purchases, while late buyers paid $40 to try local dishes.
Popular spots like Beach Haus Brewery dished out their favorites alongside 10th Ave. Burrito Co. and Vinnie’s Cheesesteaks & Pizza. People could sample everything from spicy Mexican food to aromatic Indian curries, plus desserts from nearby bakeries and ice cream shops.
Event coordinator John Bonevich looked back on the tour’s remarkable growth from its modest start. “The idea behind Dine & Discover was born out of the tourism commission 17 years ago, beginning with just five businesses and 200 attendees,”
Special ticket deals helped drive attendance up. Groups of six got one free ticket, while parties of ten received two free passes. Longer hours from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. gave people plenty of time to enjoy each stop.
After the event ended, local restaurants saw more reservations coming in. The March timing helped businesses during typically slow winter months.
From its $25 price tag years ago to today’s rates, the event keeps getting bigger. Multiple check-in locations helped everyone quickly get their wristbands and start their food journey.
