50 Best American Restaurants near Highland Park

“First time back since 1973! Even better than I remember it. California cheese burger, fries and a soda. Served up in about 3 or 4 minutes, hot and fresh. I will not wait another 50 years to go back! LOL“

“Every time I’ve visited 418 Burgers it’s been a happy experience. The food is fresh & delicious & the staff is very courteous. 100% would recommend.“

“Best cheesesteaks in Somerset/Middlesex area. Consult with Nick or Maria as to their great selection of cheese, including provolone, Cooper, pepperjack and mozzarella.“

“So glad we have a place like Uncle Tanks in town! My favorite local go to.“

“Great service and the food and drinks were delicious 💕“

“We recently had my daughter’s soccer team lunch here on a Sunday afternoon. I spoke with the manager on duty the evening prior and it couldn’t have gone smoother. We had the whole top floor to ourselves. Service was amazing as was the food. We sometimes have issues splitting checks because the girls want to sit together away from their parents but they handled it with ease. I’m still dreaming of the delicious ice cream that was the cherry on top of a great experience.“

“NY Fries was incredibly delicious, loved the Poutine with Pulled Pork BBQ and Cheese Curds. Went to Canada a year ago Jul. where I ate some different types of Poutine. NY Fries does it great. I hope more locations pop up in NJ. I'll be coming back to try more things.“

“Nice spot with great vintage atmosphere and good burgers and shakes.“

“Perfect for kids, Plus the food is great!!“

“Was here for a soccer tournament and stumbled in from a quick search. Definitely get the wings! The food was overall great and exceeded our expectations. Drafts were cold and good as well. We came on a Tuesday evening so not busy but the bartender was also very friendly and attentive. Would definitely recommend“

“I had the pleasure of dining at Estime Cafe today, it was an outstanding experience! From the moment we walked in, the customer service was phenomenal, warm, attentive, and truly welcoming. This is the first Haitian restaurant I’ve visited that delivered such impeccable service, and it made all the difference. The atmosphere was inviting, and the food was authentic, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every dish was prepared with care, bringing out the rich, bold flavors of Haitian cuisine. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Haitian food or trying it for the first time, this place is a must-visit. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a fantastic meal and a top-tier dining experience. My husband and I will definitely be returning!“

“A good, clean,fun & family friendly restaurant and ice cream shop!“

“Excellent service from the entire staff, especially the chefs. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and made the experience even more enjoyable. The food was so good, the drinks were excellent, and the prices were very reasonable. I highly recommend this place and would definitely come back!“

“Our first time here. We had a wonderful dining experience. Food and desserts were AMAZING! Our server, Kelsey was awesome! I HIGHLY recommend! Prices are reasonable and, you get your money's worth! Can't wait to come back and try different dishes!“

“Great food, great atmosphere. Family owned and they make you feel like family. I was in town and stopped by because it was my dad’s favorite place to eat and do car shows before he passed. Tania and Paul came and talked with me I felt like we were all family. They knew so much about him. Made my day knowing how loved he was. Thank you.“

“Loved the place overall.amazing menu .“

“On a Tuesday evening, it was quiet--giving us time and space to talk with our friends, which was our goal. On Tuesday, there is also a special deal on appetizers: buy one, get one. We enjoyed our food. We looked over the check, which was just fine, as expected, but when we handed over our credit card, whoever ran the card put a different total on the charge, which we noticed as soon as the card was returned. They fixed it, but it should not have happened. Basically, a good place for appetizers, burgers, pizzas, and simple entrees. We will go back.“

“Great food! Great service! Bella was our waitress for a party and she was great and so friendly. We will definitely be back.“

“We got the Bratwurst at the New Brunswick Oktoberfest. Best I ever had and I've been going to them all over the tristate area for 25 years.“

“Excellent food and service. Our staff holiday luncheon has been held there for years. The staff gets a choice - and their choice every years is to continue to go there!“

“Very clean restaurant, Food Delicious, Waitress Lee courteous, polite, so nice a pleasure to talk to. Will definetely go back.“

“This ice cream is seriously SO good and so creamy. You can really taste the difference between this and other ice creams. They have so many flavors and every single one we’ve tried has been spot on and tastes exactly like what it’s supposed to. The staff is also amazing and so nice. We will definitely be back!!“

“It was our first time dinning at Kona grill and we loved it. We were treated like valuable guests and our food was brought quick. Everything was delicious. I highly recommend the flight margarita, it was amazing and perfect amount of alcohol. We loved it.“

“Excellent restaurant! The staff were great, terrific atmosphere, the food was outstanding and they made my wifes birthday really special.“

“Been going here for years with my family. Good food and friendly staff. I also belong to a Car Club and we go there on Friday nights during the car shows and Monday nights in the winter time. Allie is our Bartender. She's the best! 🍻
1/24/2026 Still going to Applebee's Friday night during the Car Show season and most Friday nights during the winter months. Alexa and Kait are our Top Notch Bartenders now 👍🍻. Allie left a while ago.
7/3/2026 Went to Applebee's tonight with my Car Buddies. The Car Show was canceled due to the extreme high temperatures. We had a good time eating at the Bar. Alexa and Meli were our Bartenders. Kait left for sunny Florida 🌞“

“Got the spicy chicken sandwich and fries and both were really good. The sandwich was crispy and flavorful, and the fries were fresh.. Everything came out fast and the staff were very polite and welcoming. I'll definitely order from here again.“

“I ordered catering for yesterday , stuffed cabbage , kofta, chicken shish and kabab hala honestly it was soooo good , very delicious, all the people were so happy I really highly recommend Taza restaurant 😍😍“

“We went to Ruby Tuesdays for a quick Friday dinner and was impressed. While the food and atmosphere was great, our server Christopher Roman was top tier! He was very responsive to our request and did everything with a smile. He had a playful yet professional demeanor that made dinner very enjoyable. He was well informed about menu items and... well overall great. Thanks Chris!“

“Awesome eatery and a great time to visit on a Monday afternoon. They're normally extremely packed and I can see why. Nice, big and spacious space. Their staff are extremely well mannered.

As for their food, it speaks to why they are usually busy. It is so delicious and portioned to the value you pay. Can't wait to try again.“

“We went for half apps on a Wednesday night and the vibes felt like a Saturday. Nisa was our server and was so sweet and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed and did so promptly. The manager, Mike, was very funny and personable. Thank you Nisa and Mike for making an ordinary Wednesday lit.“

“While not exclusively vegan I'm still going to give them 5 stars because their vegan menu alone is larger than many vegan only establishments. It's not fine dining, you're not going to find tons of fresh veggies or smoothies or raw vegan dishes BUT for vegan fast food it's our local go-to place.“

“Fun Place to grab drinks and a quick bite!“

“the food is great! I live this place. service is outstanding.“

“Good atmosphere and great food“

“Absolutely the best burger period!! Great fries and drinks! MILKSHAKES Yum!!“

“Amazing service been going there for as long as I can remember“

“We had a wonderful dining experience! The food was delicious, and you could really tell that high-quality ingredients were used. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and made for a very enjoyable meal. The service was outstanding as well our server, Mpho, was friendly, attentive, and made us feel well taken care of throughout our visit. Mpho's excellent customer service truly made the experience even better. We will definitely be back and highly recommend this restaurant!“

“Best seafood soup .so far I've ever tasted“

“They make good burgers and fries. If you like fish, they have some varieties here too.“

“A hidden jewel. This 50's themed diner is always immaculate. Staff is well trained and really friendly for this family owned business. We, until recently, worked our business from home so Chris's is our home from home. Always accommodating, food is excellent, prices fair. My happy place❤“

“This place is absolutely special. They have special menus and drink menus every night of the week a great happy hour and fantastic appetizers and entrées. It's a great place to hang out and watch a game or go with your family and eat. The staff is fantastic. 10 out of 10 every day of the week.“

“For a hotel, it certainly was refreshing. Traveling a lot you don't always get the best food selection.

With that said, the crispy Brussels sprouts, OH-EM-GEE. Hear me out. They were the best thing I think I've eaten...in well, ever. It wasn't just the whole Brussels sprout itself, it was mostly the outer skins that was coated in seasonings, oil, and crispy. They were SO GOOD!

I definitely recommend the French Onion soup as well, we had that twice. 😋“

“I’ve been to this place since I was a little girl my parents always ordered from here and now I go w my bf when I can I love their California cheese burger w fries never disappoints me ❤️❤️❤️

They are sweet people and always smile and say hi to you I hate all the negativity in the comments but Im going to say this place is the best ever never leave please I’ll always eat from here 🥹“

“I love this place, the food is delicious and the service is top notch. The sea food stew is delectable!“

“Soul Food in New Jersey gets no better than Dootsie’s Kitchen in Monroe, and that is no exaggeration. The place even rivals most soul food restaurants that I have experienced down south. You are truly transported to an authentic southern kitchen as soon as you enter the front doors, and the atmosphere is filled with warmth, joy, hospitality; and yes; the most delicious comfort food goodness that literally embraces your soul. We had catfish that was distinctly fresh, flavored to absolute perfection, along with the best macaroni and cheese (yes; with those dark bits of gooey cheese woven throughout) and every bite sent us to glory. Collard greens were top-notch. The southern chef personally came out to greet us, and the owner has such a genuine, dedicated and familiar demeanor that his presence clearly reflects the quality of the menu. Think attentive and detail-oriented, and your selections being packaged with care all. The restaurant has that spiritual after-church Sunday dinner gathering vibe and every bite is praise-worthy. Dootsie’s Kitchen will warm your spirit and your belly, whether you choose delivery or walk in - it is everything the other 5 star reviews testifies that it is.“

“This is the most lovely place!! Our sever Amanda made it especially lovely bc it was my birthday and made it so splendid with a bright little fireworks bottle display! Her warm delightful service brings us back repeatedly. Please ask for her. She will make your experience a very enjoyable one! The drinks are flavorful as is the food. The scenery and views are picturesque. 10:10 do recommend to a friend!“

“I like it .. best place ever I like bakra over here😂😂😂😂😂😂😂“

“Love it hot and spicy nice“

“What a wonderful place to dine. Everything tasted incredibly fresh and full of flavor. The team was welcoming, attentive, and made us feel right at home from the moment we walked in. The restaurant was spotless and well kept, which made the experience even more enjoyable.“

“With the bar as large as your is, the bartender, Anthony Kovach keeps constant vision on drink levels and show a very high level of customer service.. When in a bar and the bartender is good, I ask them for their name and yell them I appreciate the service.“