50 Best American Restaurants near Maplewood

“Second baptism brunch I've attended here. The staff and food the last time were incredible but the staff this time were above and beyond incredible!! The food was very good and the place was extremely clean! Only issue I had was they put salad on top of each meal after serving a salad to start the meal. Didn't make much sense to me. But I still highly recommend this place!!! Too bad I could only give 5 stars to the service as it deserves 10!!!“

“Awesome. Been here three times. Everything I have had has been amazing!“

“Dope every time I go amazing food.“

“The best food and customer service“

“LOGAN IS AMAZING!!!!! He made all of our drinks to PERFECTION!!!!“

“Good place to eat, located on the main street in the city of Maplewood. Outside there are several tables and chairs to sit in the summer. The atmosphere is good and the service too. The food served is satisfactory to the customer's taste.“

“Good food and great service! Shout out to Sherell!“

“HLS is an absolute true gem! The wraps are not only healthy but incredibly tasty, with the perfect balance of fresh ingredients and bold flavors. My favorite is the chicken cheesesteak with a side of sweet potato fries. Every bite feels like it’s made with care, and I love the variety they offer—you can’t go wrong no matter what you choose. The smoothies are out of this world too—smooth, refreshing, and made with the best fruits. I come here for lunch everytime I'm in town for work because the food is consistently amazing, and it keeps me energized for the rest of the day. The staff is always friendly and welcoming, and the service is quick. If you’re looking for a go-to spot for healthy, delicious meals, this is it. Highly recommend!!“

“This place is right next to the Hamptonn Inn in Elizabeth which is pretty convenient. It wasn't super busy and they sit you down quickly with some good drinks. Our server seemed newer at her job, or perhaps not very good but the food was pretty tasty we had no complaints. \n\nIt's not fine dining but unless you want to eat at the food court at Jersey Mills or IHOP, this was the best option we found.“

“The food was amazing, customer service is incredible. Prices were definitely reasonable and the quality was excellent. The place is clean , everything was made to order. Couldn’t ask for more ! The staff was great. The owner is pleasant and cheerful, great asset to the community.“

“Amazing food, service, and atmosphere. 5/5“

“Great music, service and food! Hip spot. Def recommend.“

“Everything was perfect from the atmosphere to the excellent service to the delicious food!“

“Seasonal dishes fresh and beautifully presented! Friendly and helpful team with excellent dish recommendations :)“

“I have dined there a few times. Twice with my daughter. Their food is delicious. Great tasting burgers and Beef Nachos. The Staff are very friendly. The atmosphere is relaxing. I learned how to say mushrooms in Spanish. Thank you.“

“Stopped be for a preflight bite and a mimosa. Both breakfasts were delicious. Coffee was great. Prosecco is n top. Rosemary was behind the bar, so friendly.“

“Delicious food. Great service by Sydney! It started with amazing honey bread at the table. Flatbreads yum, especially the one with fig topping. Muscles, tuna tartare, noodle flush, brussel sprouts, calamari salad, and more! All yum! Would absolutely go there again. We had 8-10 people and the service was excellent.“

“Delicious cakes and other items ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️“

“This is one of the best airport restaurants I've experienced. The prices are reasonable, especially at an airport, The food and drinks are varied and excellent. Service is very good as well. It's best to enjoy in a leisurely easy if you have plenty of time before your flight boards.“

“Sat at the bar and CT was serving. She provided awesome service !“

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

“Omg this place is AMAZING! Definitely a new North Arlington favorite! The gentleman that makes everything are so friendly. They also accommodate you if you want to switch something for your dish. This is the second time I've been here and had the linguine garlic pasta ( they make it homemade too). The first time I only had it with shrimp. The second time I added grilled chicken and shrimp. I am obsessed!

Great atmosphere, owners, and service. Every time I come back I want to try something different but I stick with the pasta. It's my favorite!

I had the gluten free calamari and that was fantastic as well. The breading was seasoned well and it wasn't rubbery. That a must to try as well!.

My boyfriend had the grilled chicken, rice, and broccoli and everything was seasoned wonderful.

Keep doing your thing! We will be back! ☺️“

“Great spot for drinks and a drink 🥃 what a great time and place, we well be coming back“

“Too bad I live out of state because this is my FAVORITE restaurant in NJ. Wonderful staff and food. Not as noisy as other places because of the decor/layout. The prices seem a little high but when you can't even finish your food - that's a good deal. The menu is phenomenal. If you can't find something to eat here then you are insane.“

“I love their Sunday brunch! We have been here for the regular Sunday brunch which is always very nice with a good selection, but their Easter Brunch was absolutely the BEST! The food was phenomenal with a great selection - skirt steak-yum, pepper steak-the best, eggplant parmigiana-wonderful, sausage and peppers, etc.
But the best was when the Easter Bunny came in. He went to each table, posed for pics, had eggs (with I guess a toy inside) for all the children, and what truly impressed me, a lady who had a little difficulty walking, the Easter Bunny happily escorted her back down the steps and to her seat after she had posed for a pic with him!
These people made it a wonderfully enjoyable Easter for all their guests.
To all the staff-thank you for all your hard work.“

“Outstanding craft cocktails and delicious food! I only wish I had found them on my first night in Rahway rather than my last. I would have been here every night…“

“Everything was pretty much perfect except for that lobster malfadine. literally what was that? probably the worst thing I’ve ever tasted. Wow. Vanilla & Lobster? Maybe im missing something. Jesus Christ. I can’t even exaggerate how terrible it was. Apps were great and drinks were ok. Mind boggled by that pasta still“

“The staff was friendly and knowledgeable“

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

“The food was absolutely delicious, and they were able to make vegan dishes for me, also!“

“New Providence Bar and Kitchen was the perfect place for my wife and I to celebrate our anniversary. We came for lunch and immediately the staff made us feel very welcome. The menu, from the drinks to the entrees, put a fun spin on familiar dishes—just enough to be unique without deviating too much from traditional favorites. The calamari appetizer with chili peppers and capers was the best I’ve ever had— flavors were amazing. The Parmesan-crusted salmon was also tasty and my wife loved her meal too. A wonderful experience!“

“Great atmosphere for a delicious steak dinner & crab cakes! # 1 steak dinner. Good music & great service!!!“

“I eat their tasty hamburgers all the time. Friendly people. Very clean. Close to where I live. Very convenient location for me.“

“Amazing stuffed meatballs!“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Must-Visit Gem—Years of Great Memories and Consistency

I’ve been coming to Tops Diner since 2011, back when it was still in the old building. Over the years, it’s grown and evolved, but the heart of what makes it special has always remained the same. Tonight, I returned again with my family to celebrate a birthday dinner and once again, it did not disappoint.

Right from the moment we walked in, I felt that familiar buzz of energy. Tops Diner is always alive and moving, yet warm and inviting. It truly earns its title as the No. 1 diner in New Jersey.

As usual, I ordered Cuban coffee—a personal favorite. Being part Cuban myself, I appreciate the richness and quality of it here. It’s something I treat myself to every time I visit. And of course, I couldn’t pass up my go-to dish: the Pasta Bolognese. This meal has become a tradition for me—comforting, flavorful and always perfectly prepared.

What stood out this visit was the beautiful presentation of all the dishes. My relatives ordered a mix of different entrees and I took a moment to really admire the design and artistry that went into each plate. As someone who appreciates the small details—especially from a diner—this matters. It’s rare and refreshing to see a place care this much about aesthetics without losing the generous, down-to-earth portions diners are known for.

The bathrooms were spotless, which I always take as a reflection of a place’s deeper standards. The wait staff was professional, respectful and very present. Not once did I see anyone on their phones or distracted—every staff member was alert, attentive and working with each other to keep things flowing smoothly. That kind of team energy is rare and deserves serious credit.

Now, I always give honest feedback and my only very minor critique was that I noticed the manager (who was incredibly sweet and attentive, I must say) had his shirt untucked and pants riding a little low, which felt slightly unprofessional for a place of such high standard. That said, it didn’t take away from the overall excellence of the evening—just something to note as a small room-for-improvement detail.

The appetizers were delicious, the energy was vibrant and as always, the food spoke for itself. Tops Diner is one of those must-visit spots—not just for locals, but for anyone coming in from out of state. It’s absolutely on my list of “Hot Spots” to hit when I’m back in NJ.

There may not have been birthday singing (which was totally fine by us!), but there was a shared sense of joy, celebration and satisfaction from every table around us.

With that, I stand by this review with pride: a full 5 stars. The service, food, environment and consistency through the years continue to earn it.

Can’t wait to return again.
Much love and gratitude to the Tops Diner team!“

“Our wedding at The Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course was nothing short of magical. From start to finish, the venue exceeded our expectations in every way. First and foremost, the location itself is stunning. The beautiful golf course provided a breathtaking backdrop for our photos, and the elegant ballroom was the perfect setting for our reception. The combination of modern elegance and natural beauty created a warm and inviting atmosphere that made our special day feel even more magical. The staff at The Clubhouse were incredible. From the moment we started planning, they were attentive, professional, and genuinely invested in making our wedding perfect. They guided us through every step of the process, ensuring that every detail—big and small—was taken care of. On the wedding day, their service was impeccable, making sure everything ran smoothly so we could simply enjoy our celebration. A special thank you to our Event Manager, Kristina, who was absolutely amazing. From our initial meetings to the final moments of our wedding day, she was incredibly organized and detail-oriented, ensuring that everything was perfect. Kristina made us feel so confident that everything would go smoothly, and she was always there to support us, whether it was with last-minute adjustments or simply offering a reassuring smile. She truly made the planning process easy and stress-free, and on the day of the wedding, she executed everything flawlessly. Another special thank you to our Bridal Attendant, Ellis, who went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. He was incredibly attentive, making sure we had everything we needed throughout the night. From keeping us on schedule to ensuring we always had a drink or a bite to eat, his kindness and professionalism made a world of difference. We truly appreciated his dedication and effort in making our day stress-free and enjoyable. The food was another highlight of our experience. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about the delicious menu, and we were beyond impressed with the quality and presentation. Every dish was flavorful and beautifully prepared, adding to the overall luxury of the event. We truly couldn’t have asked for a better venue to celebrate our love. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that offers elegance, exceptional service, and a breathtaking setting, we highly recommend The Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course. They helped make our wedding day unforgettable, and we will always be grateful for the experience they provided.“

“Love the place. Just had a few beers but great and friendly staff“

“I have never been an Applebees person but I went there with my granddaughter and found that the food menu is better than it used to be. I had the shrimp and sausage with penne pasta. SO GOOD…
The drinks are still a bit “weak” but they were good tasting. The service was good too considering that our waiter had a whole section to work by himself.
Overall, I enjoyed the food, atmosphere and service. I will be returning again.“

“is becoming a favorite of mine.“

“Ordered calamari and it was so salty when we got towards the bottom. Ordered the Easter special entrees (prime rib and short rib) with mashed potatoes, same thing. Too salty that it wasn't safe to eat for someone like me with high blood pressure. Manager came over making his rounds and we told him about the overly salty food today. He went to the kitchen to check and came back and agreed with us. He said they were making a new batch but never heard from him again even though he was in our area multiple times. There was no offer of comping part of our meals considering that my wife and I did not have an edible side (mashed potatoes) to go with our meal. Have been dining here for years and this has been the worst experience we've had at this establishment. Disappointed that we didn't get another side to eat with our meal.“

“We love the VAG! Incredible food each time we visit. Hari is an amazing person and you can tell he loves making people happy with the food he serves. Highly recommend this place! They deserve every star!“

“good service, great food! very flavorful!“

“Had a fabulous time at this IHOP location, served very quickly and had the best customer service from a worker by the name of Cliff. He effortlessly made us, the guests, feel welcomed as if we’d entered a humble abode. I commend IHOP for having such a great workforce!“

“excellent food and customer service always“

“Nice Irish theme sports bar“

“This place is amazing!!
First time here tonight while visiting family in westfield
Food was perfect and atmosphere was good..
Katie is absolutely gorgeous and loved the tattoo art work she has, couldn't keep my eyes off her xxxx.“

“After the very first time I went here, I didn't stop going back. Very friendly, GREAT FOOD! Amazing atmosphere! Even if they're not doing Karaoke, if you and your friends or family would like to, they will hook it up for you to enjoy your time! Definitely ? a MUST TRY! Sincerely, “

“Amazing Restaurant! Good food, service and cocktails .. Sam the server was very informative about the restaurants daily events ( happy hour, brunch etc.) I will definitely return ..“

“Great fun on a Friday of course! But killer ribs on Thursday. Music on Wednesday is always a good time! 😄“

“So after being in New Jersey and going to about 8 bagel shops, I guess this is the one. So... I pull up and the first thing you will notice, parking is an issue. Luckily, people are coming and going so it took around 5 minutes to attain a parking spot. From the look of things, there may have been a parking lot in front of thee establishment before but it would seem that they decided to fill the parking lot with outdoor seating. From speaking to a patron, I understand because he told me that he always walks to the place. So on a nice day, I suppose the outdoor seating is great. You go inside and it's a small space and they have a few tables and chairs inside as well.

Inside and I'm in a line. Probably about 8 people ahead of me. I'm already thinking that these bagels must be damn good. Took about 10 minutes until I put my order in. In total I spent about 25 minutes at this spot. As I'm leaving, there are more people in line than when I got there. Just from seeing the bagels, they look soft and fresh. Just happy to have found the place. I get home and the bagels are just as good as they look. This clean bagel shop comes highly recommended and will be back! Great job guys!“