50 Best American Restaurants near Surf City

“We always have a great experience at Wally’s. The staff is wonderful and the food is fresh and tasty.“

“Great expereince!! party of 9 for a 12 year old birthday lunch with friends!! staff was awesome. very attentive and accommodating!! 9 very happy customers“

“A unique, yummy, hotdogs experience! The staff greeted us promptly and our order came out quickly. It was neat to see our Hawaiian Hotdog order made while we waited. All of the ingredients were delicious and fresh and not too salty. The Surf City Dog House is a wonderful addition to our community.“

“Pompano Beach HYB was our go to every morning on vacation. Smiling staff knew our name and our order every day. Yummy coffee, too! Highly recommend.“

“Really great quality. Would highly recommend“

“The best quesadillas and tacos we’ve had in a very long time. Fabulous everything!“

“Lobster rolls are amazing 🤤“

“Tried this for the first time and got my son and I some fruit smoothies. They were amazing! Portions were large and we were greeted with a friendly smile that was so genuine. Looking forward to going back and trying more goodies!“

“great food great portions great prices and very friendly staff and atmosphere.“

“My whole work staff in Philly loves the Key Lime Pie. I decided to drive to HSB and pick one up for the work week. While there I had some great food( the Warfield chicken sandwich, great bay fries, and strawberry milk shake) yummy. The service is always great too. Highly recommend this place.“

“Bartender Tiff is awesome! Always upbeat and smiling. Very attentive to patrons. Another reason we keep coming back is Manager Mike. The overall atmosphere is lively and the store is always clean and friendly.“

“Great , fun place! Good food too!“

“Had the #6, blue cheese burger and fries for Fathers day dinner delivered. Wow!!! Double meat patties cooked perfectly, heap if crispy fried onions, 2 thick fresh tomato slices, fresh chopped lettuce and a heap if blue cheese. The fries are addicting, I had to stop myself from eating them so I could take a bite of my burger, lol. Other places would charge $15.00 or more for a burger this big but it was only $10.00 and bogo, which my wife unfortunately did not take advantage of, I most likely would have have had it for breakfast the next day. Burger n fries 10/10, delivery 7/10, it was starting to get cold, the restaurant is 10 minutes from my house.“

“Love this place, but was very disappointed in the happy hour oysters on 7/9/25….. very small….. other than that, everything else was great“

“This place is phenomenal!! James was our server and made the experience even more special. We got there early- 440pm and were seated right away but as we were leaving it was getting packed. The pork belly, steak, tuna and tile fish were all amazing! The strawberry pavlova was the most unique dessert I’ve ever had. The orange cake was also phenomenal. Honestly everything on the table was delicious. I haven’t had a meal this good in as long as I can remember. Definitely go check it out!!!“

“I recommend EVERYTHING about the LBI Pancake House! The food - perfect. The atmosphere - stylish, retro chic. The people - awesome. And don’t even get me started on the Belgian Waffles…. I’m still dreaming about those slightly crispy outside, puffy fluffy insides served with warm butter and their signature maple syrup. Breakfast Heaven served oceanside on Earth.“

“Been coming here for a while and its a good breakfast place if you get tired of your staple places. Sat right away. Took some asks to get a water but was still taken care of. Some flies but thankfully they have those electric fans to help if they are bad. All around good meal and service.“

“Shelly was a great waitress! She was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. Our food came out quickly, she checked on us at the right times, and overall made our experience really enjoyable. Thanks, Shelly, for the great service!“

“Great spot! We come to the area for a few days each year, and this is our go-to lunch stop. Everything we’ve tried has been great and perfect to take with us for a day at the beach. Consistently fresh, quick, and reliable. Highly recommend!“

“Food and service very good“

“Always top notice! Whether dining in or taking out, the food and service are always top notch! Long time favorite! It’s what I think of when I think of LBI!! Looking forward to many more meals and memories.“

“I celebrated my birthday with my sisters at The Gables last night. It is clear that this restaurant knows that a dining experience is more than just about the great food. The ambiance and charm of the restaurant with its meticulous attention to detail translates to understated elegance. Their staff—my experience felt like we were the only ones in the restaurant and they had nothing else to do but take care of us! Our server, Cathy, was so warm and unshakable on a rather busy evening. The room managers strolled throughout the room making sure that every person was seen and noticed. It’s the nicest place I’ve ever dined. Thank you for a truly lovely evening!“

“Their Bloody Muddy Mary the best!! Oysters always my appy! You can't go wrong with any choice from. menu!“

“Our go to place when we go to the island.“

“It stated with the fabulous interaction with the 2 Hostess, one with turtle shell colored eyes. Complete professionalism from young ladies.

Our server Sam, was was one of the the nicest servers that we have encountered.She knew the menu and spoke of the specials with professionalism and a smile.

Hats off to the manager, who we did not meet.The training you provided has obtained a well oiled machine.
To the kitchen staff, your entrees are delicious!
Cheers to continued success, it has been earned by all !

Sincerely,
Michael and Diane Webb“

“I have to give it to this place, it does not look like much sitting inside Fantasy Island Amusement Park in Beach Haven LBI, however with the expanded seating area and some pretty cool menu items like ribbon chips drizzled with bacon and sour cream and cheese and pulled pork sliders, it really hits the spot! I was pleasantly surprised how good it was and how clean the seating area is as well. Staff is really friendly as well. Make it a point to grab something to eat here while visiting!“

“Always a 5 star meal, they never disappoint!“

“We love all that Mainland has to offer! So much family fun, delicious food, and great atmosphere.“

“Great dinner with my husband. Lovely server!!“

“First time here this past Tuesday. The food was phenomenal. I took a friend from Brooklyn and she was very impressed also! We got the local oysters, New England clam chowder, Flounder picatta and the roasted chicken dish. All excellent!!“

“Such a special place- every staff member, and every time of type of food! We had the tuna steaks for dinner- YUM!!!! So simple and delicious! Breakfast/ sandwiches, coffee, desserts….Quality and excellence on all the levels!“

“Food and staff are always impeccable! It’s been our go-to place for years! Highly recommended!“

“What a gem on LBI! Great establishment! Awesome food! The staff are a bunch of hard working fun folks! Stop in for a latte, lunch or dinner. You will not be disappointed!! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟“

“Always great food and cold beers!“

“Nice food presentation. They had live music, which was a nice after dinner ending.“

“Everyone knows about the wings and the rest of the great food. This time sat outside with the family in the covered bar and dining area. Plenty of space for the kids to run around and play Cornhole and Connect 4. Great drink and food specials, definitely a go to place after a day at the beach.“

“The best seafood on the island!“

“Great place-Many flavors to choose from and very reasonable in price too.“

“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 husband and I went to Dune 18 last night for restaurant week and it was fantastic! The food is incredible and the staff is so friendly. We personally love the PEI mussels in the white wine garlic sauce and the shrimp tempura. I tried the spinach salad last night and it was delicious, the dressing is made in house and is so yummy. We tried the chocolate mousse cake & carrot cake last night, both of which were so tasty but the chocolate mousse cake was the best mousse cake I’ve ever had… Can’t wait to come back again soon!“

“This restaurant is absolutely fantastic and exceeded all expectations. Our meal was an unforgettable culinary experience. All recipes felt intentionally crafted and precisely balanced, and dishes were executed perfectly by the kitchen staff. My large group ordered multiple appetizers, entrees, and desserts to share, and everything was truly incredible (the sourdough and meatball appetizers, hot honey pizza, and olive oil ice cream were particularly memorable). I also strongly recommend their cocktails, which were among the best I’ve ever had. From the hosts and wait staff to the chefs and management, all of whom took the time to check in with our table, the service at this restaurant is hands-down the best on the island. Black Eyed Susan’s is a must-visit and I look forward to returning!“

“Had a great dinner, pistachio crusted halibut was one of the best pieces of fish I've ever had out at a restaurant , Ryan was an excellent server. Drinks alittle on the pricey side, but a great date night!!“

“Great food with a great view!“

“Outstanding food, wonderful staff, great experience! And outstanding vegan accommodation!“

“One of my top favorite restaurants in town. Burgers are 1/2lb and flame grilled, as they should be. Great lunch and dinner specials. Highly recommend the "Adult Steak Sandwich" 😋“

“If you close your eyes and picture a classic Jersey diner, Mustache Bill’s is probably exactly what you’re imagining. But on LBI, it’s more than a diner. It’s a way of life.

This isn’t just a place for tourists. It’s packed with locals, which tells you everything you need to know. The staff is always friendly, welcoming, and helpful, and there’s a reason people have been coming back for generations.

One of our favorite things is the fun-shaped pancakes for the kids. They even turn the butter into part of the artwork, which is a small touch that always brings a smile to the table.

For breakfast, I highly recommend the Eggs Louie, their take on crab cake eggs Benedict. It’s outstanding. That said, I’ve worked my way through a good portion of the menu over the years, and you really can’t go wrong with anything.

The prices are fair, especially for being on the island, and the portions never disappoint.

One tip for first-time visitors: bring cash. Mustache Bill’s is cash only, and there isn’t an ATM on site. If you forget, there’s one just down the street.

Whether you’re a longtime local, a summer regular, or visiting LBI for the first time, Mustache Bill’s is one of those places that should be part of your island tradition.“

“Had a great stay for our first time here. Professional and extremely nice staff. Beautifully decorated for Christmas! Kids loved the pool.“

“A must try if only for the range of sauces & disco fries. Garlic Spice and Santos Sauce are two wonderfully, original takes on hot sauce which pair with many items on the menu. Sadly quality has taken a small drop since ownership changed hands a few years back.“

“Excellent food, excellent service“