49 Best American Restaurants near Lacey

“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!“

“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.“

“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 service and food.“

“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!!!“

“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.“

“great food great service great ambiance ....I'll be back“

“We went to masons, pretty much right before they closed on a Saturday (1am), and Jeremiah treated us (and everyone else) like we were royalty. He was kind, responsive, entertaining, and pretty much made my bad night considerably better. It was the first time we had been to the bar and will definitely not be the last, for us or our friends. We are officially sold <3“

“We just picked up our first order,very good!👍👍👍“

“Don't know why an online order should have a convenience fee?“

“We went there the other night and I have to say I was impressed with the place.There are plenty of tvs if you like to watch sports and a big open area with tables if you just want to dine.The bartender was friendly and so wwere the customers that were sitting at the bar.The food was really good and we can't wait to go back .I'm going to try the Italian hot dog and my girlfriend wants to try the pizza.You owe it to yourself to try this place out.“

“This is the 5th time me and my wife have come for dinner,each time better the the last,the dinner hear is nothing short of amazing,the desert's are also delicious,I would recommend trying everything.😊.the staff is also so nice and attentive,for me the best meals I've eaten ever can't say enough.thank you clemmy's Carlos and Debbie“

“The Food is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and Sandy and all her Employees are ALL SUCH WONDERFUL PEOPLE. We ALWAYS leave with a Full Belly and Heart.“

“Had a fantastic time on River Lady Cruises in Toms River, NJ! The history cruise was informative and engaging, the views were beautiful, the food was delicious, and the staff were wonderfully attentive. We can’t wait to do it again. Highly recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“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!“

“Mateo was my server, 5 stars, he gave me a drink within as soon as I sat down. Very polite and also got our food to my table within minutes, the manager too was very helpful when it gets busy. The manager was also helpful as he walked around and asked if our table was okay and if we needed any refills. 5 star applebees COME HERE NOW IF YOU WANT THE REAL DEAL!!!!“

“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.“

“I was attending a wedding in Lakewood, NJ. There are surprisingly very few hotels nearby there that aren't on the shore. I had in the past stayed at a Ramada in Toms River, but I learned that it had been sold and turned into an office building. For some reason, Lakewood has very few hotels. I had stayed at one of the only other nearby hotels, a Hilton, but it is overpriced. I saw the Days Hotel, and it got good reviews. The bride's grandmother told me a friend had stayed there and had given a good report, so I booked a reservation. The Days Hotel Toms River was a pleasant surprise. It was the cleanest hotel I've ever stayed in! No dirt, no signs of bugs. no stains in the bathtub! No cracked tiles or mismatched wallpaper. And I asked for maid service after the first night, and they gave it to me, complete with all fresh towels, bedding, and amenities, made the bed, vacuumed, and cleaned the coffee area, even not waiting until late in the afternoon, as some hotels do. And it looked like the hotel had just been redecorated. Not 1950s dreary with holes in the carpet and broken tiles in the bathroom. Very tasteful with light, simple colors: just the way I like it. The hotel was very quiet, no rowdy guests, and it was set back from the highway, so no road noise, as well. And a big parking lot in front (free) with no driving around and around for a space, even after I returned from the wedding late at night. And it is conveniently located to the main streets leading to Lakewood, which was important to me. Staff was nice, and there were two computers in the lobby with Internet + a printer for guests to use. It's a four-story hotel, and I had a room on the top floor, which I had requested. I had noticed before I left that the room rate (AAA - two double beds) since I made the reservation had gone down. I pointed that out when I checked in, and the agent behind the desk matched that rate. And there was always someone behind the desk, regardless of time of day. And they answered the phone!! There was a restaurant in the hotel that I didn't use, but they were very nice and gave me plastic silverware and disposable dishes so I could eat in my room the special-diet food I had brought. The room also had a large mini-fridge (that functioned well!) So overall I would say it was much better even than staying at the old Ramada. And better than the Hilton. at a much lower price. And 1, 000 times better than an old Best Western I stayed in once, which apparently is also kaput. Only complaint was that one of only two elevators was out of order, and it wasn't fixed the whole time I was there (3 days, 2 nights). But there usually wasn’t a wait for the other elevator.“

“It can be a Great Experience depending on which Server you get. If you get the Rude one that treats you as if you are bothering them then you're Experience will Be Horrible! Be Careful the Rude Server will not even ask you if you need anything. No Refills! No Desserts! No Extra Tip😉“

“Had an awesome brunch this morning. Food was delicious...Danielle was amazing.“

“Had an amazing pre wedding reception this past Friday and it was exceptional! Pinky was amazing with communication and was such a help the day of the event. Everything we requested they provided and worked with our budget. I would absolutely come back again forever grateful for them providing the space for a memorable night!“

“Wow! Today was my first time eating Mahana Fresh! DELICIOUS! I created my own bowl, but I’m looking forward to trying more ! Honestly my new obsession !! Don’t hesitate just try it ! Healthy and delicious 🤤“

“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!“

“The atmosphere Is Beautiful and the food was amazing I got the special which was ribs with mac & cheese and they were so tender, and the mac & cheese was delicious our waiter was friendly (young man with curly hair) and it felt very homey in there on a rainy day drinks were very good too“

“Excellent food and friendly customer services every time!!“

“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.“

“My hubby and I had the best Italian Hot Dog at Dickey’s with a side of crispy onion rings and fried sweet plantains. Great service too! The place was immaculate and reminded us of a 50’s diner. I would highly recommend!“

“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“

“customer service was excellent and food was very good“

“We went there for dinner for the first time tonight and sat outside. Loved the atmosphere of the evening. The service and food were great. We will be going back soon.“

“Best Patty melt in the State of New Jersey fresh juicy Lots of saute onions equality meat Grill tasty rye bread You won't get another better than poppies Patty melt My go to Place for quality food“

“Great food and no wait at the bar, Nicole was awesome,highly recommend Stone Fire Grille“

“We have gone here every weekend ever since we found out about this place! I wish they opened earlier than 11 am :( - Their coffee (specifically lattes) are out of this world. Before, LaVazza had my favorite lattes, but now CB does! Not only that, but $4-5 for an amazing good sized-coffee? I have probably had 15 by now and I have never had a bad one. I've tried most of their specialty candy bar lattes but the Jack Frost is my favorite - Service is outstanding. I've been served by multiple employees and so far they've all been extremely nice and helpful. Both dine-in and take-out. They are also very fast - Food is also extremely good, but, in my opinion a bit too expensive for what it is. However, the size is decent and it tastes very high quality. 15% lower price would be better. The chicken parm sandwich and caesar salad are my favorites and one of the best I've ever had (longhorn beats their caesar). Food has not disappointed so far - Environment is also nice. Clean area, clean bathrooms, and bonus that it's not always jam packed so it's quite peaceful Food I have tried and enjoyed: quesadilla, grilled chicken nachos, fries, caesar salad, classic pizzette, cheeseburger, sicily stuffed chicken wrap, chicken brushette wrap, chicken broccoli cheddar wrap, chicken cordon bleu wrap. Their chicken is also fantastic“

“Excellent place to dine. Food was very good. Restaurant was very cozy. Server, Lauranne, is terrific.“

“My granddaughter & I were there for lunch today & we had Denise as our server (waitress), she was so nice & very patient - I give her 5 🌟 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🥰“

“Started strong with the friendly atmosphere, very cozy and was helped and seated immediately. Our waitress Adriana was a delight and swiftly put in our food! Ordered a breakfast platter and it was tasty and came out fast! Little costly but what isn't in this day and age. Would absolutely recommend and would return! :)“

“good food, great bartenders“

“We have been coming here for years and are never disappointed. The food is amazing, the service is great and the owner is wonderful. We will continue to enjoy our weekly visits and will always recommend to our friends and family.“

“We went today for opening day. We ordered burgers, chicken tenders and fries. We loved it all!! The chicken tenders were super juicy. My husband said the burger was great. The fries had a nice crunch. Everything was super good and can’t wait to go back!“

“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“

“This place is a gem! Best subs in the area and the folks behind the counter are always friendly and boy do the build a great sandwich!! If you're local or passing through, it's worth a stop. I drive from Forked River because it's worth it!!“

“Me and my girlfriend usually come here for date nights, for the first time we decided to sit at the bar and the bartenders Sergio and Nori were fantastic. I've rarely felt this level of hospitality in a restaurant and its definitely a much appreciated experience.“

“Just had the chicken sandwich and it was amazing get up the great work!!!“

“JB’s 57 diner and the staff are wonderful! I’ve been going there for years! The entire staff always support our military and veterans more than most places I’ve been too. Highly recommend!“

“I go there once every two weeks and their service and their professionalism with the outcome of the food is rewarding to say the least. There prices are always 4 to 5 dollars cheaper than anywhere else also.“

“The best decision we have ever made was to have Joe and his staff at Touch of Elegance cater our wedding! Joe was totally hands on from day 1. Our tasting was a phenomenal experience! Joe answered every one of our questions and even gave us information we didn’t even think to ask. When the wedding got closer he was so amazing with working with me to help me chose everything for our wedding. And the food- AMAZING! It was so amazing that we used him for our wedding and rehearsal dinner. I cannot say enough about our experience with Touch of Elegance, Joe, and the rest of his staff. We had the wedding of our dreams because of him and the Brant Beach Yacht Club! Our guests can’t stop talking about the food! And the amount of food we were sent home with?? Insane! Thank you Joe for EVERYTHING!“

“excellent service and value.“