50 Best American Restaurants near Lakewood

“I wasn’t sure what to expect here, but I guess I’d call it a not-quite-balabus level steakhouse.
I went with 4 other people and ordered a steak which was okay, tasty but nothing crazy. When your paying their prices, a satisfactory steak just doesn’t cut it.
The design? Meh. And this was before all the competition came around. Now you really gotta up your game.
Not impressed by the ambience.
The service was ok too.
Listen though, I walked out with a full stomach, and that, my friend, always deserves 4 stars.“

“The other day my friends and I had the pleasure of eating at the Langhorn Steakhouse on Rt 70 in Lakewood. The meals were more than reasonably priced, and they were delicious. The staff was attentive, extremely friendly and courteous. Ty, the host, met us so amiably and showed us to our table. The server, Sharon B., was so attentive we never had to ask her for anything. Anything we needed she was right there to give it to us. We couldn't have asked for more.“

“When I arrived I wasn't expecting much. I sat at the bar and was greeted promptly. I asked what was good and was told that if I like Sushi that is was really good! So I ordered some. It was fantastic!!

Good food, fast service and great atmosphere! I am definitely coming back!“

“Wings were excellent, entertainment was fantastic, no cover,the band "Wallnutz" played a great variety of music, from the 50's right up to today, bartenders were excellent, general manager Stacey was accommodating and super personable, will definitely be back to chill and listen to an excellent band!!!“

“Absolutely delicious. One of the best lobster risotto and stuffed shrimp entrees I have ever had. & The calamari appetizer was mouth watering! The staff is so kind— the waitress Marchella is HILARIOUS and very attentive. Don’t walk… RUN to Dina’s.“

“Amazing food, great service, it’s truly wonderful what this kitchen does for the community.“

“The best service and food.“

“We have been going to Connie's for several years now and always love the great food , friendly staff and atmosphere. My favorites for breakfast are 3 eggs over easy , hashbrowns , bacon or sausage patties , rye or wheat toast along with coffee. My wife's favorite is blueberry pancakes or french toast and also scrambled eggs sometimes with home fries or hashbrowns. I wish they would also add eggs benedict to the menu as this is also one of my wife Wendy's favorites . All in all a great place for individuals , friends or families to gather for a great breakfast or lunch with fair prices.“

“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!!!“

“This was our second cruise but first as a Sunset dinner cruise.
The captain was very friendly. Table service was great. Our only wish was that there were more menu options, like meat, besides chicken and salmon, but i think if this happens the price of the River Lady Cruises would go even more up and, in this case, not everyone would be able to afford River Lady Cruises.“

“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.“

“Today was my first tome ver coming in to Wavershak’s. The owner of as super friendly and the sweet. I got the corned beef sandwich special. It was fantastic! I’ll be back for sure.“

“Houlihan's Tuesday special for $14.99 was chicken tenders with French Fries. I received 6 large tenders and a plate full of crispy fries. The Chicken Taco Soup was delicious too. There was even enough to take home for another meal! Nicole is an excellent server!“

“Consistently Excellent as always ! Great food Great service. Menu has something for everyone ! Local items are featured.! Be back soon“

“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“

“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.“

“first time my wife and I were there for breakfast today the best bacon egg and cheese I ever had very clean courteous staff we will be back.“

“Very friendly staff and deliciously crafted food. This is no diner. You will get a great small town feel meal that is creative and delicious.“

“First visit today. Great breakfast and lunch menu. I had an omelet with home fries. Good was excellent. will definitely return!“

“Excellent food! Friendly service 🥰👍“

“So it is Friday 11: 20 pm i ordered pretzel bites with cheese and chicken fingers with honey mustard. You know, at 5 stars, I gotta give it 3, not bad. Not bad at all. I've had better, but this is this is acceptable very acceptable. And the bartenders that were there, the 2 girls, the brunette and the blonde hair girl, which served me was amazing. At her job considering she was dealing with 15 other drunk people in the bar. I was not intoxicated while I was there to stare to give food. But good job, guys, keep it up your bartenders. There are pretty damn good.They handle a situation, especially when there's only two em in there“

“So cute inside and out! Our food was DELICIOUS and all of the staff was super friendly! Will go again for sure!“

“Amazingly friendly customer service, great food and coffee with a good selection of gluten free options.“

“Love what you did in support of the young man being harassed with racial slurs! My family and I will be visiting you soon! Thank you!“

“Had a good time, TVs were excellent, the mood was perfect. We enjoyed the food, and our waitress was Excellent. She was very polite, friendly and really cared about how we were as we ate our meal. Courtney R., Applebee’s, Manchester, NJ. checked on us a few times. She definitely did her job well. Thank you to her!!! Richie & Lori
We liked it here, as we rode past.“

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

“We took a long weekend to the Jersey Shore. We stopped in at Meg's Grill for breakfast. Clean, welcoming staff and a great breakfast! What else can you ask? Oh, and pet friendly.“

“Best Stewart's Root Beer anywhere“

“Amazing. We had our daughter’s sweet 16 last weekend at this venue and can not recommend this place enough! From the planning down to the nights end, the owner and his staff were incredibly attentive and bent over backwards to please! The food was excellent and plentiful, the venue was kept clean, the staff were on top of any soiled dishes and cups on the tables, and the outside area is gorgeous at night with the lights and waterfalls. There were small touches I wasn’t even aware of until the evening of our event. The mocktail bar for the kids had a menu where our daughter’s name was included in the names of all the drinks, flavors of the ice cream were more than the chocolate and vanilla other venues offer, the coffee was amazing, and the staff even helped clean our decorations at the end of the party. Everything I just mentioned and likely much more I’m forgetting at the moment all less expensive than most other venues we considered. Thank you again to Ravi and his staff for an incredible experience!“

“My favorite restaurant in this area. Food is great as well as pricing, service and atmosphere. If you haven’t been there yet, give it a try. You will not be disappointed!“

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

“Great Lobster and soup was delicious. I highly recommend“

“Went there with a party of 11. Everyone ordered something different and everyone's meal was excellent. And, the staff was extremely friendly and made everyone feel welcome. Wonderful experience.“

“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“

“Writing a review for Red Robin restaurant:

The service at Red Robin usually depends on who is serving. I had excellent and unprofessional service. The food is always great and 90% of the time no wait.We like it so we keep going.

Here’s a polished, balanced version of your review:

I’ve had mixed experiences at Red Robin, and it really depends on who’s serving you. On some visits, the service has been excellent—attentive, friendly, and efficient. Other times, it has felt unprofessional and lacking in care.

That said, the food is consistently great, which keeps us coming back. Most of the time (about 90%), there’s little to no wait, which is a big plus.

Overall, while the service can be hit or miss, the quality of the food and convenience make it a place we continue to visit.“

“The food is delicious 😋 The delicious food, the atmosphere and polite waitresses.“

“The fried calamari is the best!!!“

“Third visit each time at a different location. Million dollar bacon #1 pick. Arianna in Brick was all alone on the floor @ 9am on a Sunday but she didn’t miss a beat. Great service!! Food amazing ! I’m not a coffee drinker usually but coffee was good enough for a second cup. Morning Meditation is great too
We will keep coming back“

“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!“

“I had an all around great experience here today for lunch. My server, Krystina, was awesome. She was so friendly, relatable and went above and beyond to make my lunch really great. I got the lemon pepper chicken and it was phenomenal. I can’t wait to come back. Thank you so much. 😊“

“Verace is my go to frequently, their wraps are delicious, I recommend the buffalo chicken wrap with your choice of fries or onion rings, and a MUST try is their Grandma thin crust Sicilian square cooked to a perfect golden crust, topped with plum sauce, fresh mozzarella and torn basil. You will love this one! Owners and employees are great, you can't go wrong with anything off their menu. Give them a try!“

“Always friendly staff. Bartenders are always so nice. Love the happy hour specials.“

“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 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.“

“I’ve been coming here for years and can count on friendly service and consistent food. They have good pricing on food and we often opt for the 2 for $25 deal where you get two meals and an appetizer. There are a few options on that menu that increase the price a few dollars but it’s still a great deal. I’m also a fan of their margaritas. They are very sweet and you get a good amount (probably enough to fill the glass close to three times).“

“My husband and I LOVE River Rock's outdoor dining. We enjoy seeing the boats coming and going while we eat. The Manasquan River is a beautiful sight. Any food items that we have ordered are delicious. Lauren Guenther is one of our favorite servers. She's a sweetheart. She's very friendly, personable, and very focused on what she's doing. We know Lauren from when she served at Carrabba's. She was very special to us back then as she is now. Being local residents, we visit River Rock frequently during the summer and we will ALWAYS request either Lauren or Kelsey Conover because we simply adore them both. River Rock is our outdoor Happy Place during the summer. 💗💗“

“Over the weekend we made a trip to Toms River, New Jersey but this time to attend the wake of our dearly beloved Roger, who reposed in the Lord at the age 89. Afterwards, we had the pleasure of dining with my family at Sweet Carolina Barbecue Company (1839 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753), a delightful hidden gem in a strip mall. The food was delicious, awesome barbecue sauce too, and our server happened to be the owner, Suzanne, which made our experience even more special. We enjoyed a great meal and wonderful conversation on a freezing cold day, which brought us comfort during an otherwise painful time of grieving.“

“The food is great. The service is very professional. I highly recommend the gyros and the fried chicken.“