Point Pleasant Beach, NJ – A trip to the Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk has become a summer tradition for generations of New Jersey families, but when it comes time to eat, many locals know there’s one easy way to stretch a vacation budget: leave the boardwalk.
A note before we start: The prices listed here are based on currently available online menus. Due to the rising costs of food, the prices are subject to change and may have changed since we started our research. Always check with the local establishment before you leave. Prices may not be accurate as of 8/3/2026.
Boardwalk pizza remains one of the area’s most iconic foods, but convenience comes at a premium. A plain slice now typically costs between $6.75 and $6.95, while a whole cheese pie ranges from about $34 to as much as $45.
Just a few blocks inland, many neighborhood pizzerias sell comparable-sized pies for $15 to $18. Some are leagues apart and better than what you would buy on the boardwalk itself.
For a family of four or five, that difference can mean saving $30 or more on lunch by walking or making a short drive away from the beachfront.
Why is boardwalk pizza so expensive?
The answer isn’t necessarily the pizza itself.
Restaurants operating directly on the boardwalk pay some of the highest commercial rents in Ocean County while dealing with seasonal staffing challenges, heavy summer demand and the costs associated with operating in one of New Jersey’s busiest tourist destinations.
It’s also the cost of operating on the boardwalk.
Many visitors also aren’t looking for the cheapest slice. They’re paying for convenience after a day on the beach or before heading back onto the rides and attractions.
That combination of high operating costs and prime beachfront real estate creates what many locals simply call the “boardwalk premium.”
Joey Tomatoes sits at the top of the price range
Among the most talked-about boardwalk pizzerias is Joey Tomatoes, where a large plain cheese or Sicilian pie costs about $42.
Individual slices sell for around $6.95, while regular toppings add about $4 for a whole pie and gourmet toppings cost about $5.
The restaurant recently gained renewed attention after a viral dispute involving a birthday cake, but it has long been known for charging among the highest pizza prices on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk.
Other boardwalk options
Little Mac’s charges about $6.75 for a plain slice and sits directly in front of the amusement park, making it a popular stop for families spending the day on the rides.
Boardwalk Bar & Grill also charges about $6.95 per slice, but offers one of the better values on the boardwalk during weekdays.
From Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, customers can purchase a plain pizza and four small soft drinks for $30 in the downstairs dining area—a deal that undercuts many neighboring restaurants.
Meanwhile, Martell’s Tiki Bar sells slices for more than $5, while large pizzas generally range between $27 and $34 depending on size and toppings.
Walk a few blocks and prices change dramatically
Leave the boardwalk and the numbers quickly become much more appealing.
Pizza Express offers one of the area’s lowest-priced large cheese pies at approximately $15.
B2 Bistro also sells a plain pizza for about $15, while Rosie’s Pizza offers its artisan-style pie for around $15.95. Rosie’s is also one of the highest-rated pizza joints in Point Pleasant.
Luigi’s Famous Pizza and Maria’s Pizza each sell large plain pies for approximately $18.
Individual slices at inland pizzerias typically cost between $3.50 and $4.50, roughly half the price of many boardwalk slices.
The savings add up quickly
Consider a family planning lunch after a morning at the beach.
Buying a large cheese pie on the boardwalk can cost between $34 and $42 before drinks.
The same family could purchase a large pie inland for $15 to $18, saving anywhere from $19 to $27 on the pizza alone.
If everyone orders slices instead, the math is similar. Four boardwalk slices can approach $28 before drinks, while four inland slices often total about $14 to $18.
Those savings can easily pay for ice cream, mini golf, arcade games or several amusement rides later in the day.
Locals know when to splurge
Despite the price difference, boardwalk pizza remains packed throughout the summer.
Many longtime visitors say grabbing a slice while overlooking the ocean is simply part of the Jersey Shore experience, even if it costs a few dollars more.
Others take a hybrid approach—buying pizza inland before heading to the beach or leaving the boardwalk for dinner after spending the day in the sun.
For families watching their vacation budget, however, the strategy is simple: enjoy the boardwalk, but don’t assume you have to eat there. Walking just a few blocks can cut the pizza bill nearly in half, leaving more money to spend on everything else that makes a summer day at Point Pleasant Beach memorable.
