Top 10 Best Lakewood Kosher Restaurants
As one of the fastest-growing Jewish communities in the world, Lakewood, a once sleepy vacation town in New Jersey, has increasingly become a go-to destination for the kosher foodie in a dynamic scene of other “hot kosher cities” such as Miami, Paris, and New York’s Manhattan and Brooklyn.
From the traditional pizza joint to modern fusion and concept restaurants, Lakewood offers a kosher restaurant option for practically any taste profile, mood, or occasion. With so many choices, it can be overwhelming to find the right choice.
Here, we have overviewed the top 10 best Lakewood kosher restaurants. We utilize a combination of qualitative and quantitative metrics in our ranking to include Google reviews, popularity, uniqueness, and, at times, first-hand experience.
There are so many contenders for the best kosher spots in Lakewood and its surrounding communities, such as Howell, Brick, Toms River, and Jackson, that we have added a few bonus restaurants to the top 10, with a particular focus on exciting new entrants.
Mike’s Chicken Crunchers
Best Fast Food (Meat)
In only a few years’ time, Mike’s Chicken has become a household name. On offer is a variety of perfectly crisp chicken items with a plethora of unique and delicious sauces. Our favorite is definitely the fire poppers!
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Entree
Best Fine Dining (Meat)
From a variety of steaks to craft drinks, Entree brings New York City fine dining to Lakewood, NJ. With a focus on best-in-class hospitality and service, Entree is a great choice for that special date or to close that much sought-after business deal.
There are other great options, too, though, such as the recent entry of The Loft, a well-loved Brooklyn fine dining restaurant, which we cover in greater detail in this article under “the new additions.”
Bagel Nosh
Best Breakfast
A fixture of Lakewood, Bagel Nosh is one of the originals when Lakewood food and shopping consisted of Clifton Avenue and not much else. With a full lineup of bagels and much-loved donuts in all shapes, colors, and sizes, Bagel Nosh is the go-to place for a solid breakfast.
Pizza Plus
Best Pizza
Like Bagel Nosh, Pizza Plus is one of the original guards, harkening from an era where Lakewood had only a few kosher stores. Even though there are now enough pizza options in town to make one dizzy from decision fatigue, Pizza Plus holds its own and offers a reliable spot for a solid slice time after time.
Ottimo
Best Fine Dining (Dairy)
One of the older fine-dining dairy restaurants in Lakewood, Ottimo offers a wide selection of pizza, pasta, fish, and more. Perfect for a night out with friends or a date night, Ottimo is a great option for an evening of dairy delicacies. It is also a popular location for events that take place in their dedicated event space.
Sushi Nation
Best Sushi
In our humble opinion, a kosher food hotspot without a solid sushi option is just missing something important. Thankfully, Lakewood has Sushi Nation, which offers a tantalizing array of rolls, appetizers, and platters.
Cafotteria Modern Eatery
Best For Brunch
With unique decor combined with a winning lineup of breakfast and lunch favorites, including pancakes that are a must-try, Cafotteria is a great choice for that perfect brunch. Located in a more upscale outdoor shopping plaza, eating outdoors on a nice day is an extra special touch.
Lampost Bistro Bar & Lounge
Best Bistro (Meat)
A fusion of a bistro and lounge, Lamppost is located in Pine Beach, New Jersey, and is only a few minutes from Lakewood. Offering a stellar menu of bistro favorites to include steaks as well as craft cocktails. The decor is unique and inviting and adds a new and refreshing aesthetic to Lakewood’s ever-growing restaurant scene.
Mentoast By Keepshuto
Best Israeli Cuisine
Offering Israeli favorites that one craves when not in the Holy Land, Mentoast by Keepshuto (what a name!) is the choice for everything Middle Eastern, from Schwarma to falafel, as well as some American favorites, including burgers. We recommend getting shawarma in a laffa for a truly delicious throwback to Israel.
Yapchik
Best Take-Out
Both a sit-down restaurant and take-out, Yapchik provides a wide assortment of cuisines and is a top choice for take-out. From Chinese and American food to Jewish-specific favorites, Yapchik has practically all that one could fathom.
Two Bonus Additions
As an illustration of the many great kosher restaurants to choose from in Lakewood, in addition to the top 10 best choices listed above, there are two additional favorites, in our opinion, that one should consider trying. Glatt Bite is one of the original fast-food joints of Lakewood offers very efficient service, and has a large seating area. On the dairy side, Panini Cafe offers reasonably priced items, including pasta, fish, and sandwiches.
Three Impressive New Entrants
With a list of the top ten best Lakewood kosher restaurants plus the previous three bonus additions, including more restaurants might seem to be a bit overdone, but we think it is simply a testament to Lakewood’s incredibly dynamic food scene.
The Loft Steakhouse – “Jersey”
Best New Steakhouse
The Loft Steakhouse, originally of Brooklyn, a much-loved destination and a ranking member of our Top 10 Best Brooklyn Kosher Restaurants, has opened in Lakewood at 1600 NJ-70. The Lakewood location follows in the footsteps of its sister location and is heavy on premium decor and finishings with a standout menu to match. This is truly a game-changer for the Lakewood restaurant landscape, and we couldn’t be more excited.
Taquito
Best Kosher Mexican Food
Taquito (not to be confused with “El Taquito,” a non-kosher Lakewood restaurant) is a new taco joint that opened in 2023 and offers the most “authentic Mexican” kosher fare that we have seen in the NY Metro. The namesake of the restaurant – the “taquitos” and the (chicken) chicharrones are go-to items off the menu. We especially like that the menu items seem fresh and that the sauces and condiments are made in-house.
Ishtabach
Best Kosher from the Shuk
Ishtabach, the renowned Kurdish restaurant from Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda Market, has opened its first U.S. location in Toms River, NJ, near Lakewood. Known for its signature dish, the Shamburak—a savory pastry filled with Indian mashed potatoes and braised meats—Ishtabach brings a unique culinary experience to the area. With a commitment to authenticity and a cozy atmosphere reminiscent of its Jerusalem roots, this kosher eatery is set to become a favorite among local food enthusiasts seeking delicious Middle Eastern flavors.
Lakewood Continues To Surprise To The Upside
What was once a sleepy vacation village, Lakewood, NJ, has grown into a hectic center of business, food, and culture of the Orthodox Jewish community. In particular, Lakewood continues to surprise to the upside with the interesting and exciting kosher restaurants it adds to the kosher food landscape.
