Diners' Choice: American restaurants in New Jersey

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in New Jersey? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Cafe Loren

5.0

5 (1840)

$31 to $50

American

Avalon

About the restaurant

The Café Loren was opened in 1978 and offers fine dining in an atmosphere of casual seashore elegance. For four decades our menu has kept pace with American culinary trends. Over the years our heavy French influence has given way to American cuisine, a happy hybrid of styles, methods and ingredients from around the globe. Our menu can best be described as "American Coastal Cuisine". American because of our diverse preparations and Coastal because of our emphasis on seafood. But meat lovers have not been forgotten. We offer superbly prepared lamb, veal, beef and pork.

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined on Oct 26, 2024

The meals here are always the best. It’s a delightful experience. Nick, our server, was well versed on all the menu items and made excellent recommendations.

Discover more

5.0

5 (366)

$50 and over

American

Frenchtown

About the restaurant

Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton—the women behind Canal House Station—are cooks, writers, and artists. In 2007 they founded Canal House, which includes a publishing venture and a culinary, photography, and design studio. Their cookbook "Canal House Cooks Every Day" received a James Beard Award in 2012.

In 2019, Christopher and Melissa opened Canal House Station, a hidden gem tucked into an elegantly restored 1870s train station on the banks of the Delaware River in Milford, NJ. Their idiosyncratic, modern American cuisine is inspired by local ingredients that are ripe and in season in Hunterdon and Bucks County. They are two women, cooking together, and sharing their love of gathering people around the table to eat good food. They have been nominated twice for a James Beard Foundation “Best Chef: Mid Atlantic” award.

Canal House Station offers "Sunday Dinner" every Sunday. It is available for Private & Corporate Events, and Celebratory Gatherings throughout the year.

Top review

SuzanneVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Such a wonderful experience - phenomenal food, service and atmosphere.

Acacia of Lawrenceville

4.9

4.9 (1113)

$30 and under

American

Lawrenceville

About the restaurant

Welcome to Acacia where simplicity is key. We use local ingredients whenever possible. From our food to our service, we strive to give our guests an exceptional dining experience, one that they can come to expect time and time again. We offer both heated, covered outdoor dining and indoor dining.

Top review

John

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

This was a very deliberate return trip while visiting the area from out of state. We were not disappointed— EVERYthing was delicious! Eager for the next reason to come back!

618

4.9

4.9 (6812)

$30 and under

American

Freehold

About the restaurant

Top 1% of restaurants in the world
Ranked #32 most romantic restaurants in the United States
*Reservation times are not guaranteed. As a high-volume restaurant we will do our best to accommodate you as close to that time as possible

The 618 experience doesn't have to end after dessert. Bring a piece of 618 home with you or send it to family & friends. We offer an array of our signature items such as an Espresso Martini Candle, Decanter sets or the most comfortable sweatshirt you'll ever own!

*** https://www.618nj.com/618athome ***

Top review

Toni

Dined 4 days ago

First time at 618 and the service and food were amazing. Joe N made sure, as first timers, provided us with some amazing recommendations and didn’t steer us wrong! Will definitely be coming back!

Discover more

Short Rib Ravioli Appetizer

The Grand Tavern

4.9

4.9 (1131)

$31 to $50

American

Neptune

About the restaurant

Beef, fat, butter and cream. Isn’t life Grand?
#beeffatbutterandcream
#isntlifegrand

Top review

DeborahVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Simply the best around on every level. It's a testament to the great attitude of the owners that staff turnover at this restaurant is so minimal, and that good feeling pervades the space.

Stella A Kitchen and Bar

4.9

4.9 (505)

$30 and under

American

Lakewood

About the restaurant

Casual fine dining in an eclectic atmosphere, serving dinner Wednesday-Saturday.
Booking special events on Sunday and Monday evenings and luncheons everyday.

Top review

mary

Dined 2 days ago

We LOVE Stella’s the food is always delicious the atmosphere is cozy with a great vibe! I wish that the space was large so that they could accommodate walkins they fill to the max on Friday and Saturday so if your going make a reservation!

Robin's Nest Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2149)

$31 to $50

American

Mount Holly

About the restaurant

The Robin's Nest is an independent restaurant devoted to customer service. You are invited for a delicious lunch, intimate dinner, relaxing Sunday brunch or evening cocktail. Our menu offers an eclectic mix of favorites with an American flair. The eco-friendly restaurant uses the best available ingredients from local farms, featuring many vegetarian and gluten free dishes on the daily menu. Customers are always encouraged to share special food needs with the chef so that every dining experience is completely satisfying. No Outside Food allowed.

The Robin's Nest Restaurant is situated in a beautifully restored Victorian building filled with antiques; and, located in the heart of downtown Mount Holly overlooking the Rancocas Creek. Our upstairs seats 60 with the downstairs offering several private dining rooms and an old fashioned bar. Warm weather brings with it the opening of the waterside bar and dining. The patio is always dog friendl

Top review

Anthony

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Great service, delicious and creative food. Always enjoy coming here.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (167)

$31 to $50

American

Long Branch

About the restaurant

Hello, Salve, Hola, Bonjour, Olá,

Alex and I started our first business, Bella's Pizzeria in 1996, in partnership with my dad, Mario.

After 25 years, we have decided to take our experience and open a new, fine-dining restaurant located in the heart of downtown Long Branch at 202 Broadway.

We began this journey in October 2020 with an idea which then became a dream and it has finally become a reality: American cuisine with a Mediterranean fusion.

We look forward to serving you.

Top review

LouVIP

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

Great food, wonderful singer doing Sinatra on weekends. Service is top notch and very cool atmosphere. 21A is one of the best restaurants in Monmouth County

d'floret restaurant

4.8

4.8 (712)

$30 and under

American

Lambertville

About the restaurant

Husband and Wife team, Dennis Foy and Estella Quinones, are committed restaurateurs who counterbalance each other’s exacting artistic standards. Estella’s passion for design and Dennis’s interest in painting clearly reflects this sensibility.

The exciting twenty-eight seat restaurant d’floret is a modern elegantly-lit stage, featuring an open kitchen and adjoining dining room that exhibit the chef’s dual passions: Foy’s paintings and culinary mastery. The space is accented by a floor-to- ceiling Black Walnut Nakashima panel, lighting by Ayala Serfaty, the Israeli artist, with Arnie Jacobsen modern Classic chairs, finishing the sleek warm welcoming room.

Please note, due to high demand and limited seating, in addition to online holds we require diners call the restaurant to reconfirm your by 12pm day of, or it will not be honored.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Dennis and Estella have never disappoint. We have been coming here for years and are always amazed by the flavors, the selection and the amazing atmosphere that they have created!

Chef Fredy's Table

4.8

4.8 (2081)

$30 and under

American

Morristown

About the restaurant

At Chef Fredy’s Table you’ll experience the food and service of a fine dining restaurant with just enough touch of casual.

From the moment you step through our doors, the titillating aroma drifting from our kitchen will seduce you towards a seat at one of our tables. The methodically designed interior that surrounds you will add the memorable touch to any special occasion be it a first date, rehearsal dinner, or 50th anniversary.

For years Chef Fredy’s Table has received spectacular reviews by prestigious publications like The New York Times, The Star Ledger, The Daily Record, and NJ Monthly.

With the cool silverware brushing at your fingertips, that favorite bottle of wine you’ve been hiding in your cellar and our unique flavors within your grasp, all you have to do is dig in and enjoy. Our staff will ensure your experience with us goes even better than expected because when you’re at Chef Fredy’s Table, you’re family.

Top review

GeorgeVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always excellent! My wife had a seafood /pasta dish that she said was the best she has ever had. I had the Jambalaya which is always right on point..

Discover more

Popular dish

Creole Style Jambalaya

Explore Diners' Choice best of New Jersey