50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants near Forked River

“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!!!“

“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“

“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!“

“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.“

“Always Great Service, and the food is always incredible“

“Whenever I come here I always sit at the bar. I’ve been lucky to catch Nick as the bartender for the majority of the visits. You will not find a better suited bartender than him. Nick is Super attentive, personable, and friendly. Definitely one of the top reasons to come back to this location!“

“I would give them 3 out of 5 stars. since the day they opened, inconsistent with food and drinks. one day the sliders are medium, the next well done. one day your $16 martini is full, the next it's missing the top inch of the drink. one day the pizza is ok, the next time is soup. last time the service was just ok. tonight she was great.“

“The cheesesteaks were delicious, but I wished I noticed the disgusting fan that was above the ordering counter before I ate there. The fan is full of so much thick dust that I felt sick after eating there. Makes you wonder if the kitchen is really clean.“

“The best service and food.“

“Thank you for the amazing catering that we ordered for our party today! The lamb, chicken and rice was a huge hit with everyone! The tzatziki sauce is out of this world. Our friends kept coming back for more🙌🏼 10/10 highly recommend!“

“thanks to the polite waitress and manager that took care of us last night... have a few too many Doms. They are the best and really hot the spot if you're looking to get a buzz... After our night of getting smashed we got cut off, and manager even gave us a ride to the hotel across the street. so thanks again for taking the time to truly care about your patrons....“

“I took my friend out to dinner for her birthday. We had the most amazing experience at Tardis! The food was absolutely incredible and the service was wonderful! This is most definitely a 5 star restaurant in every way! Highly recommended!“

“Finally got to eat here! it was delicious, fresh and large portions. The one owner Carlos is very nice and friendly! Will definitely be back!!!“

“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.“

“Do they serve any Gluten Free bread? Do they have a GF menu of any kind? Thanks“

“My family has been going to the Sand Castle Diner for decades and we still love the food. The owners and waitresses are always sweet and the atmosphere is very relaxed. Highly recommended.“

“Definitely come eat breakfast here! The food is delicious and reasonably priced. The staff is very attentive and polite. This place is an American classic“

“Came here for a quick, Sunday homestyle breakfast and was not disappointed at all. The atmosphere is unique, to say the least, but also gives a lot to start conversations amongst the table. Serving portions were superb and food was very tasty. I have seen other comments and reviews that were very negative and nasty, but everybody can have a bad day once in a while. They were complaining on the service and owner/waiter being rude and yelling. I've seen more positive ratings than negative ones. While not everybody has the same humor, people can definitely be some Debbie downers. All in all, we had a nice experience and enjoyed the food. Ihop who?? Lol will def be back!!!“

“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.“

“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.“

“Owner/chef is a great guy. Very personable! Will go out of his to ensure your satisfied. Found the Fire Pit by accident. So glad we did. Shrimp in his garlic and shrimp dish are large, not the usual small ones. His barbecue chicken is cooked on a barbecue coals, not in an oven or on a gas grill. Food is fresh. The spanish sausages were also high quality. Forgot to mention the pulled pork was also tasty.“

“Food was very tasty and exactly what you want and expect from a NJ diner. They had quite a few daily off menu specials and I went for a classic diner food. Chipped beef on toast, grits and coffee. All tasted really good.

Parking: Plenty of parking on premises

Kid-friendliness: Yes. Easily and happily welcomed“

“Food was delicious, the staff is friendly and service was great! The pho 🍜 was perfect. I highly recommend the cherry blossom shrimp wontons, we also tried the fried dumplings. Very yummy 😋“

“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!“

“Wife and I took a day trip to Seaside Heights; wanted something a little more substantial than boardwalk fare to cap off our beach day. TripAdvisor rated Klee’s highly, so we decided to give it a try and we weren’t disappointed. Maybe a 15 minute wait for our table, and Shannon took very good care of us while we were there. Food was a good temperature when served and was delicious; I had the fish & chips platter and Dee had the flounder off the daily specials menu. Would highly recommend and look forward to a return visit next time we’re in town.“

“Beth is hands-down one of the best servers I’ve ever had. From the moment she greeted our table, her energy, professionalism, and genuine personality stood out. She was attentive without ever being overbearing, and she anticipated what we needed before we even had to ask.
My order was perfect, the timing was smooth, and she checked in just enough to make sure everything stayed on point. On top of that, she was friendly, patient, and made the whole experience feel effortless.
Beth is truly an asset to the restaurant, and you can tell she takes pride in her work. I’ll absolutely be returning, and will be asking for Beth every time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-Star Review for Beth“

“We have never been disappointed with a meal at IL Giardinello's. Always excellent food & excellent service.“

“Always great food and cold beers!“

“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!!!“

“It’s the best pizza on this planet“

“The food, Service, and atmosphere were all excellent. The fresh brewed tea is spot on. The Firecracker sauce is Devine and you can't go wrong with the wedge salad. Not a bad thing I can say from my experience.“

“This place is a Hidden Gem...I can't wait to go back for Sunset Friday night dinner!! My husband is the most critical person when it comes to Restaurants, BUT he LOVES the Food here, 😉😁 See ya soon!!!“

“The restaurant was clean and orderly, and the staff were super friendly, not just to us, but to everyone that came in. It was a cold and rainy day so it could have been easy for anyone to be miserable, but they weren't at all.

Staff was sweet and friendly, even telling us about his the steak chunks just got bigger so they're re-learning how to wrap the burritos because everything is so much bigger now.

The food was standard to the chain, but one thing was off here. The guacamole tasted fine at first, but then left a horrid, bitter aftertaste, like letting pills melt in your mouth. It was a very disagreeable taste and we stopped eating it.

Besides that, everything was good!“

“Excellent food, excellent service“

“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!“

“This is our first purpose in going to Seaside, 2nd is walking the boardwalk. Fish is always done to perfection, never overcooked never undercooked. Always cooked to perfection 👌“

“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!“

“I wish I lived closer. 1st time here, it was best cheeseburger club and best french fries I have ever had. Fantastic waitress, and service too.“

“Food is delicious, service is friendly“

“I’m always a happy customer. They’re always hospitable and friendly, and food is delish!!“

“Wow! What a nice surprise! Great food and hospitality that's rare today. Authentic delicious made-to-order food and exceptional service. As first-timers, we were treated to a taste of their outstanding penne vodka and a creme-filled zepole. Wowee! We'll be back for sure. BYOB ???“

“Great Coffee. Good atmosphere. Nice Customer Service. I am one of the Local Neighborhood Experts: Sharon McKenzie-Venning. My co-host Kyle Farrell and I, are local residents of Beachwood and Bayville NJ. You can see us on Facebook Live on our pages, every Wednesdays at 12ish. On the show, we chat about our love for coffee, highlight local eateries and spotlight local events. WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD & BEYOND! Sharon is an incredible professional, serving as both an Estate Sales Agent and Realtor. Click the links to see how Sharon can help you with an Estate Sale &/or Real Estate - Selling/Buying/Investing. www.McKenzie-Venning.realtor & www.MckenzieEstateSales.com“

“These guys are hands down the best Pizzeria in the area. Our go to spot for pizza, subs and authentic Italian dishes. Very friendly group of guys, with fast delivery and they stay open late. Don’t bother with anywhere else in town.“

“The breakfast is awesome there I raped that place at 5 because every time I come in there the waitress the owners and all the workers are greathey're always helpful pleasant Goodness for a better experience than Town & Country bakery I would never go anywhere else for breakfast that is at awesome place I could never cheat I tried other places couldn't get the same breakfast Town & Country diner is the best couldn't ask her a better breakfast lunch breakfast or dinner“

“The Sub of the shore. Fantastic!“

“Wonderful staff. Great atmosphere and DELICIOUS FOOD!“

“Great food, pizza and salad were both fresh and very good. Local brewed beer was fantastic. Only issue is the techno music. Doesn’t fit the vibe at all. Change or delete music pipes in altogether and it would be a 5-star place.

Kid-friendliness: Lots of families here.“

“Awesome food. Real deal North Jersey pizza. Great subs as well. I highly recommend!“

“Great food and service and prices! Can’t wait to go back!“