19 Best Diners near Lakewood

“Nestled along the bustling stretch of Rt 70 in Lakewood, the Rt 70 Diner shines as a beacon for breakfast enthusiasts. Upon arrival, the diner’s popularity was immediately evident, greeting us with a crowded scene that hinted at the local favoritism it enjoys. This initial impression set high expectations for the culinary experience to come.The ambiance of Rt 70 Diner blends the quintessential American diner aesthetic with a dash of modernity. The lively atmosphere, characterized by the hum of conversations and the clinking of cutlery, was infectious, making us eager to dive into the menu.The diner’s menu boasted an extensive array of breakfast options, from classic pancakes and eggs to more inventive dishes that intrigued the palate. Each dish we ordered was served with a generous portion size, ensuring a satisfying start to the day. The quality of the food was notable, with every ingredient tasting fresh and meticulously prepared. The pancakes were fluffy and light, while the eggs were cooked to perfection, paired with crispy, golden-brown hash browns.Service at Rt 70 Diner was commendable, despite the crowd. The staff maneuvered the busy environment with efficiency and a friendly demeanor, making us feel welcome and attended to throughout our visit.“

“Absolutely one of our favorite go to places to eat for breakfast and lunch . It’s a place that we also love to go to not only for their food, but because they always make you feel so welcome and treat their customers like family. Highly recommend Connie’s .“

“We go here every weekend (best grits, breakfast quesadillas, good omelets, good service!) while eating today they asked if we could switch tables to accommodate a larger party which we didn’t mind anyway, but they comped the bill! Good people great food!“

“By far the best brunch place in Brick. Turning Point has become overpriced bleh food and Taylor Sams can never seem to get an order right and their famous biscuits isn't all that, as claimed and the noise level is deafening.The Lox Benedict blows Turning Point away by a mile for the quality and taste and portion. The Carnitas Egg Benedict is also amazing. The pulled pork was perfectly moist.The best part is their burgers. A blend of ground chuck, short rib and brisket, cooked to order. Let me repeat that. Served any way you want it. Yes, you can have a medium rare burger because they grind their own beef just like Bobby's Burger before they left Monmouth Mall. And it's served on a real brioche bun. Not the fake stuff you see advertised at other bars or like at Shop Rite and it's a mound of dry bread. This is the real deal. Soft and buttery and holds up perfectly to not fall apart when you bite into it, to create the right bun to meat ratio. I had the Ultimate Brunch Burger and I was hooked. Five Guys or Smash Burger can't even compete with this delicacy of perfection.They had a special of short ribs on a burger. OMGosh, by far the best burger I’ve had in awhile. This is the ultimate “man” burger. Not just a dollop of short ribs but a pile of it that was tender, juicy and yummy. This should be a staple.Their sweet potato fries are also the best in town. Their truffle oil regular fries with short rib is amazing and enough for leftovers and microwave very well the next day since they are fatter than your typical fast food which wilts once you nuke it.I don’t recommend the calamari. Typical gummy and over fried like any other place. If you want the best, go to La Mondina and you will discover what calamari should taste like.If you hate the noise especially on their busy Sundays, I highly recommend going during the afternoon. The best seating is in the side parlor and behind the VW bus next to the bar to block out the noise.Update. Decided to order online due to Mothers Day rush. Big mistake. Place was a mad house, not enough help at cashier to handle crowd. Ticket did not include side of fruit even though I paid for it on their website through Door Dash. Not employee fault, fault with bad communication between online ordering and print out at restaurant. Had to tell cashier to include it.The worst part was some short order cook decided to burn an English muffin to a black crisp that was inedible and include it in my wife’s lox Benedict. Thanks for my wife’s Mother’s Day breakfast. FYI, the sweet potato fries are a smaller portion to goNever again will I order online and pick up the food because you can’t inspect the food until you are home and I didn’t want to return to that disorganized restaurant.Update:The brioche bread is replaced with Kings Hawaiian sweet bread which still holds up and not fall apart. Not as buttery and great as a brioche but still acceptable. Bacon could be crispier on their Ultimate Breakfast Burger for texture. Bacon was a tad soggy and chewy. Perfectly cooked to order meat though, medium rare.Sweet potato fries are now tri colored but still crispy and amazing. If you desire tater tot style, Brick House Tavern in Neptune offer scrumptious gems that are crispy and not soggy.Lox with poached eggs breakfast now has crispy fried potato cakes which is an excellent replacement to the typical English muffin. A novel way to add texture to elevate this dish.“

“Outstanding service and portion sizes are huge for reasonable prices. My 14 year old son frequents here alone, and they always treat him with the utmost respect and kindness. They allowed the girl scouts to setup a place to sell, which I thought was nice. Especially on a busy Saturday morning.“

“Friendly staff, locals eat there often. Recently, cucumbers changed - bitter, fries are smaller and not fresh tasting, Cole slaw tastes different, and cream cheese switched from Philadelphia to a "spread." The entrees are delicious! Try the stew, Salmon, and more.“

“I have had a lot of french toast in my day. In my opinion, none do it better than the Roadside Diner. Fairly priced, large portion, nice thick slices; The ideal plate of french toast. The coffee was nice and dark, so no complaints there. The service has been great every time. The owner really seems to care about the food he puts out as he always makes sure to ask how it is. While the booths may be tight by todays standards, I do not mind as it adds to the vintage charm of the classic rail car. I also appreciate the decor that adorns the walls. I especially appreciate the New Jersey Devils and baseball memorabilia. If you appreciate good food, good atmosphere, good service, and good prices, The Roadside Diner is for you.“

“I usually hate small cramp diners. So when I first walked in I was like "oh boy." To my surprise Everything about this place was great. The hostess and wait staff were friendly attentive and engaging.The coffee was better then an average cup. I want to know what brand it is. It had a bolder taste then standard diner coffee. The potatoes were awesome. The wooden menus were cool. Really had an old time local feel, in a time where that is just missing from everywhere and everything. The pork roll egg and cheese was good, but those potatoes were top notch. I'm going to come here again soon.“

“Great little hole-in-the wall diner! Not fancy but cutely themed for the older folks. Been coming here for years and it's always consistently good. We usually only have breakfast but I have had their triple decker club sandwiches and burgers which are also very good. Cash only!“

“Small location, really cozy, bright & clean with parking. Seems like the place where everyone would know your name. Really fresh food, great service. Had a turkey burger which was just ok until I added the coleslaw to it that took it up a notch. all the ingredients were fresh & my wife had the buffalo chicken sandwich which was just great. We were the last customers before closing & had some fried mozzarella rice calls as appetizers That were fresh & delicious. Had the coffee cake & gluten free apple cinnamon cake that my taste buds could not tell & they taste like small batch grandma baked cakes, Butter Warning! I actually ordered another set of each to take back home with us. Was so full, we drove down to Ashbury park to walk along the beach the burn off some calories. Will definitely keep this spot on my list of place for breakfast or lunch when down this side of Jersey or driving up through Pennsylvania.“

“I always wanted to try this place, cute fifties vibe at the front entrance, lots of fifties memorabilia on the walls inside. Black and white checkered flooring. It is not a huge place but they were plenty busy when my spouse and I visited for lunch. Waitresses were nice, we sat at a small counter there. There are booths along both sides of the wall.I have to say that we were both surprised by the food quality for the price. I had a mushroom Swiss burger, my spouse a classic cheese burger. They were a good sized burger, delicious french fries, small side of coleslaw, pickle, lettuce and two slices of tomato (who does that anymore?) The unexpected surprise was two onion rings. I have to say, its the little things that sets a place apart. Those onion rings were delicious, in fact our whole meal was. I will definitely visit againThey have a giant menu, since I like to do reviews, I had to mention that. They put up a roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings. It smelled so good I wish I had ordered that, but I will try it another time. Breakfast was still being served the patron to my right had a ample plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and home fried potatoes. Looked awesome.The only con I noticed was that the air vents needed to be cleaned, other than that, this place is a hidden gem in the Manchester plaza. ❤️☕❤️☕❤️“

“Nice cozy space. Friendly staff Stopped in for breakfast, got my signature breakfast (2 eggs scrambled soft with American cheese and cornbeef hash). Food came out hot and tasty. Also, pancakes here are done really well. My partner had an omelet (very good).. I recommend this diner to anyone in the area.“

“Perfect quick bite with super friendly service. Everything is freshly prepared. This is truly a classic American diner. I ordered a turkey club on toast, side of Russian dressing. It comes with fries and coleslaw. It was on point. My husband ordered a grilled chicken Caesar wrap which Aldo came with fries. We left full and happy. That's what a finer is about!“

“Went there today. The breakfast egg white omelet was cooked perfectly, and you get a huge portion of home fries. Coffee was good quality and strong. Waiter service was prompt and friendly. My friend got the roast beef club sandwich and it was huge. He needed a doggy bag for one half of it that he could not immediately eat. George is an excellent waiter, cooperative, quick and friendly. Diner was very clean, well lighted and full of customers, as most of them look like they were "repeat" customers. I have been to many diners in NJ but this is now, my number one choice. I am planning on being "a repeat customer" too.“

“Twas a dark and mildly overcast night with a few sprinkles hanging in the air when the urge came up on me... I want to go to the diner and not be so alone. Being alone is a horrible thing. So stop in did I and what to my eyes did behold a smattering of people and weary wait staff who still have genuine smiles and care for people. I got my food cooked to order and just the right amount of checking not too much not too little. With a laugh as I went to pay the bill the manager asked if I'd like to go cup or did I like the glass that much. Great people and diner food you expect in NJ. I'll be returning.“

“It was our first visit on very sad rainy day, but from the moment we were seated the sunshine came in the form of our wonderful waitress Mary, who was in happy mood, dancing and being just everywhere she could there for us...that was amazing first impression of our dinner and everything else was great - the food was very good (the portions were humongous), the atmosphere is very nice, place is spotless and looks like it was refurbished not to long ago (besides the bathrooms, they need attention). The kind of music they played was perfect (at least for us) and the volume level was also good - we could have comfortable conversation... If nothing would be good (but it was), I still would definitely come for the cheesecake - out of this world..we definitely going to be back for breakfast and lunch too (we will be back Mary..! - there is something about Mary)...?????“

“A Classic Diner Experience: Four Seasons DinerThe Four Seasons Diner in Toms River, NJ is a true classic. It's a place where locals and visitors alike can come together for satisfying, no-frills diner food in a warm and welcoming environment.The menu at Four Seasons Diner is a diner lover's dream. You'll find all the staples—from fluffy omelets and pancakes to burgers, sandwiches, and hearty dinner plates. Don't miss their daily specials, often featuring classic comfort foods. The portions are generous, so come hungry!While you won't find groundbreaking dishes here, that's part of the charm. Four Seasons Diner is about simple, well-prepared food that hits the spot. My personal favorites include the crispy breakfast potatoes, the perfectly cooked burgers, and their comforting meatloaf dinner special.If you're looking for a satisfying diner experience with friendly service and affordable prices, Four Seasons Diner is a great choice. It's a true Toms River institution that's sure to leave you happy and full.“

“We had a late dinner on Sunday here and we were so impressed by how nice the renovations are. Our food arrived very quickly and it was FABULOUS! My husband had fried flounder and I had an amazing eggplant parmigiana. The portions were more than generous and the staff was very attentive and cheerful. We will be back!“

“We had a large party and needed a place to accommodate us last minute. Thankfully, the manager, Tom, was incredibly helpful and very welcoming! He assured us he could get a room ready for our group, which was a huge relief. This great first impression was followed by the food! It was delicious. Everything tasted fresh and well-prepared. Overall, a fantastic experience. Thanks to Tom, staff, and great food, we had a positive experience. 10/10 would recommend to anyone in area.“