Kosher food, reviewed honestly.

Fish Grill

The most amazing fish store — a real taste of California here in Lakewood. The vibes, the flavors, this place is amazing whether you're stopping in for a nice lunch or a full dinner. You can't go wrong here.

My go-to is the fish tacos — all the different types, and I could eat them every single day. The salmon is amazing off that charcoal grill, cut to perfection and always so fresh. I get it as a salmon pasta. The seabass is amazing too, and the nachos and guacamole are both delicious.

They recently started a sushi stand which is also really well done, and if you're into poke bowls, they make them like no other. The tacos are honestly something I dream about — I've never had a bad experience at this store. And their large chocolate chip cookies — wow. Make sure you go check it out.

Bonsai

One of the newer additions to the kosher food scene, serving the Lakewood crowd from just a short drive away in Toms River. Bonsai brings a nice mix of sushi and Chinese food in a clean, mid-scale to mid-upscale setting — a great option whether you're looking to sit down for a meal or grab quick takeout.

The menu focuses on sushi and classic Chinese dishes, making it an easy place to go with a group since there's something for everyone. The sushi is fresh and well-prepared, and the Chinese dishes are flavorful and distinct in their own right.

The staff is great — service is friendly and helpful, which makes the experience even better. Overall, Bonsai is a great addition to the Lakewood-area food scene. I've already been back a bunch of times, and I keep going back. Hopefully you'll get a chance to check it out.

The Cookie Corner

An underrated gem in Lakewood — this place deserves way more attention than it gets. Beyond the world-renowned cinnamon buns, the famous drinks, and the churros with delicious dipping chocolate, they've also got some great cafe-style items for sitting in, plus amazing seasonal specials. The salads are a people favorite too.

My personal favorites are the artisan pizza, roasted red pepper campanelle pasta, and creamy lemon garlic pappardelle pasta. The avocado toast and cheesy egg croissant are also outstanding — wow. Every single dish I've had here has impressed me, both flavorful and well executed.

Lamppost Bistro Bar & Lounge

A beautiful date-night spot with a warm, romantic atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in for the evening. The drinks are great, the food is delicious, and the overall vibe makes every visit feel like an occasion rather than just another dinner out. It's easily one of my favorite steakhouses in the greater Lakewood area.

Standouts on the menu include the Korean chicken, steak tataki, and lamb riblets, along with the surprise steak, which never disappoints. But the lamb chops are the real star — the best in town, hands down. The cocktail menu deserves just as much praise; everything I've ordered has been well-crafted and consistently great.

Ishtabach

Ishtabach traces its roots back to the Machane Yehuda Shuk — the kind of place I could go back to every single day. We got lucky to have some real shuk vibes land here in Toms River. The menu is packed, with so many items to choose from, including their signature shamburak, which you can fill with a variety of different meats.

The schnitzel sandwiches are delicious, and the shamburak with asado filling is worth all the hype. If you want the shamburak fillings without the bread, they also do a great shepherd's pie. The shawarma is great too. They also put together a standout Thursday night menu. Their cholent stands out as well — unique and genuinely delicious.

Cafotteria Modern Eatery

One of my favorite cafes in Lakewood, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a wide variety of options no matter what time you come in. Service is quick and efficient — the food comes out fast once you order.

My go-to is the Asian nachos, every time. The lox benedict is a standout for breakfast, and the avocado toast and nicoise salad are both great lighter options. For something heartier, the wild mushroom pizza, penne alla vodka, and homemade pappardelle all deliver. They've also got great pastries and drinks to round things out.

Abu Laffa

Delicious and fresh shawarma and falafel, served with generous portions of food and salads. The staff is friendly and the prices are reasonable, which makes it an easy spot to come back to often.

A great spot with real Israeli vibes if you're in the mood — works just as well as a nice, easy date night over fast food as it does for grabbing a quick bite with the family. Great Israeli music playing throughout adds to the atmosphere.

Sushi Metsuyan

A top-rated sushi spot in Teaneck, whether you sit in or take out. This place is great — always the freshest rolls, with the authentic feel of a real sushi store. It's my go-to whenever I'm in the Teaneck area.

Standouts include the classic rolls like salmon avocado and spicy salmon — so refreshing, yet so simple — along with the TNT roll, Godzilla, torch salmon, Honada, and Mad Hatter. The yakisoba pan noodles and fish and chips are worth ordering too. I usually go for the large platter so I can get a variety of everything in one order.

Middle Feast

Another great shawarma and schnitzel spot, serving authentic Middle Eastern food with especially fresh and flavorful shawarma and schnitzel. Portions are generous, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the staff is great.

Another quick and easy spot for a nice date night or an outing with the family, with real Israeli vibes throughout.

Abaita

This restaurant shouldn't even be on a list with everyone else — it's that good. You walk in and immediately feel like you're in another world. The margherita, salmon, oven-baked lasagna, and black fettuccine are all standouts, and even the small things — their bread, the mixed olives — are done right.

Everything you order is packed with flavor in a way I just don't see at other spots. These chefs understand the science of food and palates on a different level.

Akimori

Akimori wins my vote for favorite kosher sushi experience in the tri-state area. We did the omakase experience and got a bunch of rolls on the side — the fish was so fresh and delicious throughout. Watching the chef prepare the sashimi with such artistry and precision was a show in itself; everything was so fresh and so flavorful.

This is truly an experience, not just a meal. A baal teshuva at our table who'd traveled to Japan said it was as good as anything he'd eaten there — high praise, and well earned.

Noi Due

Noi Due is one of the top dairy cafes in New York, serving delicious and fresh Italian dishes. In my opinion, it's the closest thing to a real Italian spot you'll find on the kosher scene — there are so many amazing dishes here I could write about, but I'll cover a few I always get.

The margherita pizza and marinara pizza are both excellent, and the mac and cheese balls and mozzarella sticks are great starters. The salads are amazing too — my wife's go-to. But the funghi pasta is the real headline: I'd drive two hours just for that dish alone. And you almost have to finish the meal next door at their ice cream shop.

Wall Street Grill

Wall Street Grill doesn't just do steak well — it does everything well, which is rare. Start with the crispy beef, roasted cauliflower, and meat flatbread; they all disappear off the table fast. The Korean chicken and hanging beef bring real flavor variety, the beef carpaccio is sliced thin and dressed just right, and the truffle fries are dangerously easy to keep eating.

The ribeye is where they really shine — cooked exactly how a steak should be, every time. What genuinely surprised me is the sushi: fresh and well made, not something you'd expect from a steakhouse, but worth ordering here regardless. When it's time to wind down, the chocolate lava cake closes things out right, and on drinks — the cocktail menu is strong across the board, but the mojito is my go-to every time.

Sen Sakana

Sen Sakana brings together Japanese and Peruvian dishes in a way that feels like a real culinary journey — this isn't your regular flavors or experience. Start with the Japanese cucumber, an appetizer of thinly sliced cucumbers in a sweet and tangy sauce, simple but genuinely delicious. The ceviche nikkei is packed with flavor, and the quinoa-crusted chicken is a standout you don't see anywhere else on the kosher scene. The chirashi bowl is excellent too.

The sushi here was some of the finest I've had — fresh and well made. We didn't get to try the meat dishes this time around, but the cocktail menu is well worth exploring too.

Sushi Tokyo

My favorite sushi store since I was a kid, and it's still my favorite today. More places should learn from them — every roll here is just amazing. The freshness of the rice, the ratio of rice to fish, it's all perfect. The fish is always so delicious.

Some places you go to for the specialty rolls to get more flavor — here, you can just stick to the basics. The salmon avocado, spicy salmon crunch, and tuna avocado are all amazing. As for specialties, the Manhattan roll is always a favorite, along with the truffle toro roll, tsunami roll, tiger roll, Mexican roll, and ninja roll.

Falafel Tanami

My favorite falafel outside of Israel, hands down. I make sure to hit this place every time I'm in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn. The falafel laffa and the pita are so fresh and amazing. The chatzilim (eggplant) is amazing, the fries are great, and the falafel plate comes with massive portions.

The sabich pita is so good — everything in the sandwich is great. Truly worth a trip.