40 Best Vegetarian Restaurants near Barnegat Light

“Always great food and cold beers!“

“My daughter and her husband had their wedding reception at the Daymark on 10/27/2018. There was a nor’easter the night before into Saturday morning. There was flooding everywhere! Management and staff did an incredible job rearranging the room since we had to change the wedding ceremony to inside, instead of at the Lighthouse. The food and staff made it a memorable night. Everything was perfect! Thank you to all of the Daymark staff!“

“My daughter and I went here for lunch today and the food was amazing! We had homemade hummus and pita chips for an appetizer and sandwiches..I had the green burger which was to die for!! Honestly this food was so amazing and in generous portions! The potato salad was delicious! The staff was so friendly and accommodating even they were so busy! I can’t wait to go back😊“

“Best Manhattan Clam Chowder in Ocean County!!! Great food, great prices and friendliest staff in a long time! Have had only great meals since I started dining there. Do yourself a big favor...give "CJ's"a try. You will not be disappointed!!!“

“great food great portions great prices and very friendly staff and atmosphere.“

“I recommend EVERYTHING about the LBI Pancake House! The food - perfect. The atmosphere - stylish, retro chic. The people - awesome. And don’t even get me started on the Belgian Waffles…. I’m still dreaming about those slightly crispy outside, puffy fluffy insides served with warm butter and their signature maple syrup. Breakfast Heaven served oceanside on Earth.“

“We always have a great experience at Wally’s. The staff is wonderful and the food is fresh and tasty.“

“Most tasty & authentic Mexican in this area.“

“Fast friendly service as well as Drinks being tasty. The food portion size was plenty for a nice amount of leftovers for lunch. So very delicious.“

“If you’re heading down the Shore and craving something simple, satisfying, and reliably good, Shady Rest Restaurant continues to be a go-to for locals who appreciate classic comfort food done right.

This is the kind of place that doesn’t need a lot of fanfare. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, with that familiar neighborhood feel that makes you instantly comfortable. It’s not about trends here—it’s about consistency, and Shady Rest delivers on that time and time again.

On my visit, I opted to take something to go, which is always a great test of a kitchen—because if it holds up outside the restaurant, you know it’s worth it. I tried the sweet potato bisque and the Manhattan clam chowder, and both were excellent in their own way.

The sweet potato bisque was smooth, rich, and full of flavor. It had that perfect balance of natural sweetness and savory depth, without being overly heavy. It’s the kind of soup that feels both comforting and a little indulgent at the same time—especially on a cooler day.

The Manhattan clam chowder, on the other hand, offered a completely different profile. Light, tomato-based, and packed with clams and vegetables, it was fresh-tasting and well-seasoned. It didn’t feel overly salty or thick, which can sometimes be the case—it was clean, satisfying, and exactly what you’d hope for from a classic version of this dish.

The fact that both soups traveled well and still tasted this good says a lot. Even outside the restaurant setting, the quality held up, which isn’t always easy to do.

Beyond the food, Shady Rest has a reputation for being a welcoming, easygoing spot—somewhere you can dine in, grab a drink at the bar, or simply pick up something to enjoy at home. The outdoor space in warmer months adds to its charm, giving it that true Jersey Shore feel.

Service is friendly and efficient, whether you’re dining in or picking up. It’s clear this is a place that values its regulars—and keeps them coming back.

In a world of overcomplicated menus and trendy concepts, there’s something refreshing about a place like Shady Rest. It knows exactly what it is: a dependable local restaurant serving comforting, well-prepared food.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what you’re in the mood for.“

“I tried lefty’s for the first time tonight and ordered delivery. The food arrived fresh and hot and the burger was out of this world along side of their wings. Highly recommend to everyone one next time I will be dining in.“

“Great food. Great friendly service. We go every week during the summer.“

“We had Kate & Ally’s cater a party at our local community center for 100 people. Everything from securing the date, choosing the menu, the food, and the service was top notch! I am so happy we were able to provide such high quality and creative food, but also, to have had the opportunity to just enjoy the party while the Kate and Ally staff handled it all from set up to clean up! Huge thank yous to Dianne, Lindsay, Janet, and Rich for all their hard work to help make my event special!“

“I got to say for sorrows is good real good quick delivery times they're honest if they say a certain time they're there but you got to be careful because when it shows up it is real hot real hot and really good food excellent“

“Wow! I love veal. The last time I had veal this good was at a small place in Brooklyn with about 8 tables. That was about 45 yrs ago. I was like 10 years old. Some people call it milk fed, others call it abuse. Whatever you call it, if you love veal, this is the place to go. AMAZING!!!“

“Best donuts I’ve had in a long long time. The jelly and cream filled are to die for. On way to AC orcpionts south of LBI worth the “detour”.“

“I recently learned about Pietro's through being a delivery driver with DoorDash and wanted to order food from here. I live in Manahawkin, so I am normally eager to try something new. I ordered a pizza here today, along with Calamari, and the food is not a disappointment. Will come here again in the future.“

“Great expereince!! party of 9 for a 12 year old birthday lunch with friends!! staff was awesome. very attentive and accommodating!! 9 very happy customers“

“The chowder was absolutely incredible. 5 stars. Our lunch was great. Not a person in our party walked away unhappy with their choices.“

“I go to the Forked River Diner often. The food is incredible. Every menu item I have ordered is excellent! The staff is very friendly and the prices are very reasonable. I highly recommend it!“

“The best quesadillas and tacos we’ve had in a very long time. Fabulous everything!“

“Great food - both the pizza and dinners. Salads are great too - a lot in them including hard boil eggs, roasted peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, green & black olives, onions, and of course lettuce - delicious! We highly recommend it!“

“The Sub of the shore. Fantastic!“

“We ordered one of their party trays for a 21st birthday gathering & it was a HUGE hit!! Not only did it look amazing, it was so fresh & delicious! We will definitely be ordering again!!“

“Love their food and friendly staff. One of our go to places on the Island!“

“Great dinner with my husband. Lovely server!!“

“Still the best clam chowder and you cannot tell me otherwise. The bread bowl is toasted perfectly. Good bands and entertainment. Staff is always nice, decent selection of beers and alcohol. Good food overall. Our staples are the chowder, potato skins, and wings but have had their sandwhiches which have been good as well.“

“We stopped in here after our last evening of training at OCBJJ and the staff was super friendly. The owner made our pizza and was very hospitable. I would rank the pizza we had in my top 5 pizzas of my life. Was huge, and very delicious. If local or visiting you need to do yourself a favor and stop in for the best pizza in Jersey!“

“We ordered dinner last night, and it was great as usual!! Our food arrived quickly, and it was hot and delicious! We love Ray’s wings (hot and honey are our favorite) and pizza! My family has been ordering from Ray’s for over 5 years, and I don’t think we have ever had a bad meal… everything is consistently good! Ordering is easy and delivery is fast!!“

“This is a great example of a classic new jersey bagel Cafe. I love it. I moved away from NJ years ago but I go back several times each year and one of my favorite things to do is grab breakfast from a place like this.

Tip: get an extra egg on the breakfast sandwiches otherwise it's too much bread.“

“I’ve been coming to JT’s bagels since they opened and it’s literally the only place where I’ll get a bagel from! Consistency is key. I moved away 5 years ago and I’m officially back in Jersey for good and they’re still as perfect as I remember them! I would literally crave them. My 3 year old was born in Hawaii, a little local boy. He had his first ever, Jersey bagel from JTs and LOVED it! Needless to say, this is the best place to get your bagels from!“

“Nice food presentation. They had live music, which was a nice after dinner ending.“

“Doyle’s Pour House Barnegat is an awesome spot to relax and enjoy good food and drinks. The atmosphere is welcoming and lively, making it perfect for hanging out with friends or unwinding after a long day. The food is consistently delicious, and the drink selection is impressive with plenty of options on tap. The staff is friendly, attentive, and makes you feel right at home. Overall, Doyle’s Pour House Barnegat offers a great experience every time—highly recommended!“

“Today after a day at the Beach we went here for an Early dinner. The food we had was AMAZING; Delicious, fresh, and perfectly cooked. The service to our table was awesome where we received everything we wanted. The atmosphere was great too. I’d recommend them to EVERYONE!!!“

“I was visiting family from NYC, and decided to get some dinner. Wasn't sure what to expect...but was very pleasantly surprised. Quick, tasty and everything I wanted. General tso was better than any I've had from other places around here. My go to from now on.“

“Most people order to take out from this restaurant and pick it up themselves but i ate inside the restaurant which has tables, chairs and the service which are all basic and functional. My dish was served in a paper plates and with self serve plastic utensils. I ordered the Spare Ribs Combo which includes an Egg roll and fried rice. The portion was very very nice size, the taste of everything was excellent, honestly if you want great tasting Chinese food, it's here. Don't hesitate, and i will definitely be back for more.“

“As new Barnegat residents, we stumbled upon this gem while exploring our local businesses. The mussels marinar did not disappoint! My fiancé ordered the soft shell crab franchese, and was also very pleased. The bartender, Trish, was friendly, attentive, and made an amazing espresso martini. We will definitely be East Bay Italian Grille regulars.“

“loyal customer for years but the order takers need to pay more attention to the orders over the phone.“

“The food is great but you must save room for desert. The lemon coconut cake is scrumptious! The waitress mentioned a chocolate cake to try but I couldn't be swayed from the lemony goodness.“

“There was A Slight Mishap. We didn't bring it up but the manager John & Waitress Jess Noticed and brought it to our attention and Made It Right....It was a great experience, With Very Kind Staff/Waitress/Manager During A Crazy Busy Night....Much Gratitude“