By Holly Martin
When you’re searching for the best homemade Italian restaurant in Ocean City, skip the Boardwalk for an evening and head to Cousins Restaurant on Asbury Avenue. Known for its made-from-scratch Italian specialties, fresh seafood, and welcoming family atmosphere, Cousins has been a favorite for locals and vacationers alike for generations.
Owner and partner Bill McGinnity purchased Cousins in 2006, but his culinary journey began long before that. At just 15 years old, he started working in Ocean City’s sub shops, pizza restaurants, and even the historic Flanders Hotel during the 1980s. After graduating from the Academy of Culinary Arts, McGinnity combined years of experience with a passion for quality food to continue building one of Ocean City’s most beloved restaurants.
Working alongside him is Chef Alfredo, who leads the kitchen during the busy dinner rush.
“We’ve been together for over 20 years,” McGinnity said. “Him and all our staff are treated as family. I believe it’s important to not have employees, but to have team members. We are successful together, or we fail together.”
That family-first philosophy is evident from the moment you walk through the door. Manager Michelle has been with Cousins for nearly a year, while longtime server Brittany has welcomed guests for more than two decades.
“Everybody has a story about this place,” Michelle said. “People keep coming back generation after generation. It’s really beautiful.”
It’s easy to understand why.
As I browsed the menu, I noticed framed photographs of many of the restaurant’s signature dishes decorating the walls. Plenty of restaurants claim everything is homemade, but Cousins proudly lets its food speak for itself.
“We hand-bread everything on site, make all of our meatballs from scratch, and our sauce has been a trusted family recipe for years,” McGinnity said.
For my visit, I started with the Stuffed Mushroom Appetizer before enjoying the Twilight Special Salmon Dinner.
The meal began with a generous house salad served with Cousins’ homemade honey dijon vinaigrette. One bite immediately explained why customers regularly purchase the dressing by the pint or quart to take home. Sweet, tangy, and incredibly fresh, it’s the kind of dressing that makes you actually crave salad.
Next came the stuffed mushrooms, served sizzling in a hot metal dish bathed in melted butter. Instead of a traditional stuffing, each mushroom was generously packed with pure lump crab meat. Rich, buttery, and full of fresh seafood flavor, they were easily one of the standout appetizers on the menu.
The salmon entrée arrived perfectly cooked and topped with a vibrant mango salsa that added just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the fish. Served alongside creamy garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables, the dish felt balanced, fresh, and satisfying from the first bite to the last.
Of course, no homemade Italian dinner is complete without dessert.
Cousins’ homemade bread pudding has developed something of a local reputation, and for good reason. Served warm with a rich white brandy sauce and topped with freshly whipped cream made in-house, it’s the type of dessert people specifically return for. Soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweet, every bite lived up to the hype.
Throughout the evening, the staff checked in often, making sure every course met the restaurant’s high standards. The attentive service paired perfectly with the comforting, home-cooked meal, creating the kind of dining experience that feels more like eating with family than simply visiting a restaurant.
Beyond its popular Ocean City dining room, Cousins is also home to NOBIL Food Services, a full-service off-premise catering company serving communities from Cape May to Philadelphia. Operating since 1995, the catering team prepares weddings, graduations, corporate events, family celebrations, and other special occasions with the same homemade recipes that have made the restaurant a local favorite.
“We have an incredible catering program run out of our restaurant,” McGinnity said.
While Ocean City is famous for its boardwalk treats, some of its best meals can be found just a few blocks away. Whether you’re craving homemade Italian classics, fresh seafood, or a memorable family dinner, Cousins Restaurant on Asbury Avenue delivers a dining experience that has kept generations of guests coming back year after year.
Holly Martin has been immersed in the media world since 2012, building a dynamic and versatile career that spans nearly every corner of the industry. She has also hosted as a DJ and created the blog SNJ Sober Party Girl. She enjoys sharing stories that inspire connection and community.
