45 Best American Restaurants near Ocean

“I always enjoy the sunset diner ever since I use to go out with the leauge after bowling and recently when I had my big sister in jersey for a weekend I took her there after bowling we had lunch together this place brings people and family together with excellent service and great food“

“We always have great service and the bar style food has been yummy…thanks Big Rob at the Ocean NJ location tonight for a great night YOU ROCK!“

“Good eats and super nice owners/staff and customers!!“

“Aug. 2025
Stopped in on tge way home from a event.
The one thing about chain restaurants is they all look the same and the menu are relatively the same. Which is a good thing. But tgey should allow them the opportunity to have 2 or 3 menu item that are independent from cooperate and their sister restaurants.

Mimi was exceptional with her service. Along with smile and ability to read people.
Our food was all typical for Applebee's. The exception here was that tha manager walked around to each table and asked about the food and service .
Atmosphere, hey cooperate. It's time to change a few things around and clean up the look.
This place is children friendly and parking is plentiful along with handicapped friendly.“

“Soul Kitchen is amazing! Our students love working with the great staff and always feel welcome and learn great skills and life lessons. The student favorite part of the soul Kitchen experience is of course the delicious food made by Chef Emily and her staff. The Matawan Regional staff and students want to thank Bon Jovi and all his supporters for a great experience and relationship!“

“Wow! We really love this place. Would come every week. The food and drinks are great.“

“Food was excellent and great service“

“Staff was very friendly. Food was very good. Prices reasonable. First time there and we didn’t know it was cash only or Venmo, but that’s ok. Will definitely be back“

“Great little place. Food is excellent, waitresses are so nice. Very relaxing and enjoyable!“

“Amazing food and the service is great too. The portions are big, I get 2 meals! Come in for the baked items, so yummy!“

“The staff was stellar! The filet mignon and mashed potatoes were amazing. I enjoyed the asparagus; my boyfriend substituted the Brussels sprouts, and they were also delicious. The bread was warm and crusty, which we loved.

It was our anniversary, and they greeted us with well wishes when they checked in with our reservation. There was a Happy Anniversary card on the table, and as we left, the waitress wished us well again.

We asked for water with no ice, and later when another server refilled our glasses, he confirmed that we wanted no ice — a small detail, but much appreciated.

The atmosphere is rustic and romantically lit. The only small concern was that we were a bit chilly. We were seated by a window, and I believe a vent from the very high ceiling was blowing on us. If you go, you may want to bring a light sweater or scarf.

Overall, it was a wonderful choice for a special occasion.“

“fune dining at its best! friendly staff. we just love it“

“7-19-2025.. The food was amazing! 7 members of my family today, 6 different dishes..everyone of them outstanding: Cobb Salad (2), Shrimp & Grits, Steak salad, Avocado Toast, Grilled Cheese, Flatbread..Creme Brulee, Blueberry Cheesecake. The service, the atmosphere..all perfect!. Thank you Chef Lou! I ❤️ my town and we are so lucky to call you and The Blend our own!“

“Was there after the lunch crowd today 2/1/22. The place was spotless, the restroom was also. Excellent choice of burgers and sandwiches. My wife and I both had burgers and we both agreed they were the best we have had in at least 20 yrs. Grade A meat and the french fries were freshly cut and fried. Can't wait to get back. If you are a movie buff like me you will love the decor. The service was great also.“

“breakfast, lunch, or dinner... they have the best sandwiches at the most reasonable prices around“

“Visited this excellent restaurant for the first time today. Our experience was terrific. The food was delicious, great presentation and the service from our waiter David was outstanding.“

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

“I am leaving a production catering review. My Kitchen Witch provided catering to a large production crew and security where I work (a large historical building on Wall Street). I couldn't believe how quick and professional that My Kitchen Witch was in set-up, the meals, and the breakdown of their service. The food was excellent, especially the pork carnitas and Mexican street corn! I definitely highly recommend and would love to head to their cafe in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey!“

“This is the go to place for all your fun and entertaining. The place is very cozy. The food is great and the service is very friendly. The manager Cheryl knows how to handle any situation. And no, we’re not related… Ha ha ha
Come early stay late till 2 PM“

“What is referred by my brother-in-law i was not disappointing“

“This is one of my favorite lunch spots. It’s so hard to find healthy options. I love that there are many dishes that are not only healthy, but delicious, at the same time. We don’t live in the area, but make the trip for a great lunch a shopping. It’s the perfect spot for a day trip.“

“The breakfast there was amazing and the bacon pancakes are to die for. That’s how good they were. That was the breakfast my family had“

“Great place ! Music and TVs for the games outside what can be better at the beach !“

“The breakfast is excellent at the Riverside Cafe . Their pancakes are among the best I have ever had with great texture and flavor, (no need for syrup). I also liked their egg sandwiches and homemade hash browns. Looking forward to trying more food from here. It is nice to have friendly service while enjoying the view of the boats as they move through the inlet.“

“Nothing fancy, but excellent food and service with a smile …. One of my favorites.“

“I was shocked to walk in and see only a few tables taken. The ambience in here is wonderful. Lighting is not too dark or too bright, and although small it didn’t feel crowded. Starting with the menu options, wonderful selection of vegan, gf, and special diet. Everything is made fresh so modifications were not a problem. Besides the delicious food, the best part was the waitress!! By the end of the night, we felt like family and she even snapped a bunch of photos for us by Santa 🎅 . We had 1 child with us, who usually won’t even look at the staff, well he ordered his own meal and customized it to his liking. She was so patient and kind. My father thought she was an owner because of how much knowledge of the place she had and shared her love of Elli’s and history. I ordered the pineapple fried rice with chicken and shrimp, served IN a halved pineapple! Wow!! OUT OF THIS WORLD DELICIOUS! Everyone’s dinner was fantastic!! The child even tried calamari for the first time and loved it! To sum it up and not ramble on forever, this is an easy top 5 restaurant in ALL of New Jersey!! Run“

“Most relaxing place to dine.pancakes fantastic. Great coffee. Great people come to eat & relax.“

“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.“

“Had the Tricolore Salad with grilled shrimp today and it was DELICOUS!!!! Dad has the poke bowl and loved it. Service and atmosphere were great!“

“Ham salad, Soups, Sloppy Joe's“

“Delicious meal from start to finish! Don’t skip dessert ?“

“lovely little gem in Fair Haven! Met a friend here for lunch on a whim and was pleasantly surprised! Excellent service and The grilled shrimp entrée was perfect. Don’t believe everything you hear, try for yourself…“

“Awesome food! My Maui Sliders were the BEST! Tater Tots with Cheese were so good as well!“

“Stayed overnight for a one day work trip. After a 51/2 hour drive the last thing I wanted to do was drive anywhere for dinner ( didn’t want food in take out containers either) sat at the bar, had a Caesar salad and pasta primavera, added salmon.
The salmon was perfectly cooked as ordered ( medium rare) and it was excellent! A bit pricey, but excellent food and service!“

“If I tell you how wonderful the place, the people, the plates are will you promise not to go? It’s hard enough snagging a reservation without hoards of people trying to book a table after reading justifiably rave reviews. OK, here goes. Agnolotti pasta and sweet potato hush puppies as appetizers to start and oh, what a start it was. Monk fish and a bacon-jam encrusted pork chop, both cooked to perfection, as entrees. Lemon tart and a you-gotta-try-it-once-in-your-life “budino,” for dessert. (Do you know stressed spelled backwards is desserts?) What’s a budino you ask? Adult pudding, whipped by angels, so addictive it must have been created by Satan. Farm to Table, fresh, sustainable, local, tucked away on a side street in Red Bank… and you get to bring your own favorite wine. Don’t go. Don’t tell your friends. Let this gem be all mine.“

“It was Awesome! Best Branzino fish I ever had in NJ, the Riesling wine was also good, dessert was excellent and the staff was delightful and attentive, great job guys I give you 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️“

“Excellent service. Friendly atmosphere“

“Great food, drinks and great service. great atmosphere.“

“I love this place. Great food, people, clean, friendly. Good vibe. Good music.“

“Lovely friendly staff that serve a delicious cuppa too . The gorgeous Chris is an asset to the cafe!“

“Creative menu, excellent food and the staff was attentive. Highly recommended.“

“Everything was delicious! Lovely Tiffany lamps and plenty of food options on the menu.👍“

“We love the Oyster Point Hotel! The bartenders and servers are awesome.. couldn’t be nicer!! But… we miss the wasabi snacks!“

“This restaurant is little gem at Bradley beach!!!! 🏖️ I normally buy their cheeseburgers and chicken tender combo meals. The food is always delicious and affordable!!!!! Shout to Jay z and the whole team !!!!! They’re great!!!!!!! ❤️
Also, they only accept CASH 💵“

“Manager is amazing!!!!!!!!“