Location: Forked River
Top Restaurants in Forked River
Forked River Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Forked River
Forked River (pronounced fork'id ri'ver) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Lacey Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 5,244.
Things to do in Forked River
1. Forked River German Butcher
Overall Ratings
5 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By Suzymobile47 - Port Charlotte, Florida
We're visiting in South Jersey, to settle a family member's estate, and were cheered by discovering a gift certificate to The German Butcher Shop in his Christmas mail. The couple who gave it to him agreed that he would have wanted us to enjoy it as much as we did.
We headed off to Forked River on the eve of the east coast's first blizzard of the new year, and it was mobbed with people stocking up on wursts before the storm hit. Higher on the priority list, obviously, than shovels and ice melt.
Even though the place was slammed, the counter staff was friendly and efficient, helping us through our order. We got dinner to go, and fish and chips for lunch.
Would I recommend fish and chips from a butcher shop? I don't know about anywhere else, but these were the best chips and fried fish we've had in a long time! Coming up for dinner: a massive platter of wursts and pork chop, and a Reuben the size of my head. We won't go hungry tonight either!
Thank you, Barsch family!
2. Biagio's Trattoria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By William H - Forked River
Nice Italian restaurant that seats approximately 100 people. Great Italian food at very reasonable prices. The waitress staff are familiar with the menu and capable of suggesting different faire. On occasion the owner, Ray, leaves the kitchen to speak with the customers. A real nice, casual restaurant that truly serves good Italian food.
3. Mrs. Walker's Famous Homemade Ice Cream Parlors
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By SteveE461 - Waretown, New Jersey
Mrs. Walker's has a great selection of treats. As a Diabetic, it's good to have no sugar/sugar free selections when the sweet tooth i beckoning. One of the other great options, ready made and package are their "Chipwich" treats (Ice cream wheel sandwiched between chocolate chip cookies).
Only complaint is the lack of regular milk for shakes with sugar free ice cream. I was disappointed that they only use the soft serve mix as their shake liquid. Kind of defeats the purpose of a sugar free shake!
4. Starbucks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Bernardo F - New York City, New York
Right in the Forked River rest area. Service was pretty decent and the coffee was hot enough. Convenient to get on and off the Parkway.
5. Manhattan Bagel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Ginger M - Waretown, New Jersey
Rather inexpensive foods, drinks, and muffins. Staff are very friendly, kind and professional in dress and demeanor. Unless early arrival, you won't find space to seat on Sunday mornings. My favorite? Poppy-seed bagel with peanut butter & Jelly! YUM!
6. Ralph's Italian Ices and Ice Cream
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By gostartraveler - Forked River, New Jersey
This is our go-to place for dessert, with sit-down tables and a counter to enjoy water ices and ice cream. We mourn when it closes and rejoice when we see the sign telling us when it will be open in the spring. Great place to enjoy a family night out for dessert.
7. Captain's Inn Restaurant & Tiki Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 284 reviews
The Captain's Inn Is a restaurant that serves a variety of meals for lunch and dinner while overlooking the Forked River. We have a full size bar with live entertainment on the weekends. We have multiple rooms for special occasions such as weddings, sweet 16's, bridal showers, etc. We also do catering events and private parties as well.The Captain's Inn also has an outside Tiki Bar. It has a full size bar with two decks for dining overlooking the water. It is open seven days a week and we provide entertainment all seven days as well. You can dock your boat and join us for lunch or dinner. Our menu includes an array of sandwhiches, bugers, panini's and so much more.
Reviewed By traveldoc2011 - Jackson, New Jersey
We were in the area on business and my wife said we should try this restaurant. It was wonderful. I had what may have been the best seafood dish I have ever eaten and my wife enjoyed hers as well. We ordered an inexpensive Pino from their very nice wine list (they have a full bar) and started our meals with both of us ordering She Crab Soup with sherry. The soup was served piping hot and the sherry added to the great and hearty flavor. My wife then had a sea food fra diavolo main course and I had a mixed broiled sea food plate (I believe called the Captain's platter). The stuffed flounder, shrimp and scallops were perfectly prepared (and cooked just as I had ordered them slightly underdone and with no salt) the clam was also delicious. The vegetables were cooked to a firm consistency and the rice that I had was well prepared. My wife's pasta was excellent. The ambience of the restaurant is great. They have daily specials. The day that we were there the special was prime rib and it was served from a buffet table. They also have a lobster night. Service was great, pleasant and attentive and the server made every effort to make us comfortable and answer all our questions. Even at 8 p.m. on a weekday night the restaurant was doing a very active business and the bar was full. I must say that I loved the evening and can't wait to go back.
8. Anthony's Pizza & Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By gostartraveler - Forked River, New Jersey
Quick with delivery or for taking to go, this is our go-to place for pizza. Usually never a problem, the one time we had a concern it was promptly dealt with courteously and efficiently.
9. Jt's Bagel Hut
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By Amy R - Mount Airy
We have family that lives down the street from here. Every time we visit them or they visit us our kids can not wait for their bagels! Especially the french toast bagels. The bagels are huge and so fresh! This year they tried the pizza bagels.
10. Kate & Ally's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By ConnieB1135 - Forked River, New Jersey
We recently moved to Forked River and have been trying out local restaurants, and finally found one that is par with the NYC area, which is where we came from. Everything we ordered was delicious! The crab taco appetizer was all crab and very fresh! The she crab soup was the best I have ever tasted and the homemade ricotta gnocchi with white truffle sauce and pancetta was amazing. For our main courses we had lamb chops wrapped in bacon with roasted potatoes and pork osso buco that melted in your mouth, with a delicious light brown gravy instead of the usual heavy wine sauce with carrots, etc. gravy. It was served with french string beans and blue cheese mashed potatoes. All quite delish! The restaurant itself is small and quaint, but could use some better lighting. Other than that, this is the place to eat if you are in the area. Make a reservation as they are only open 3 days a week. They are a little pricey, but well worth it, plus its a BYOB, which is always a plus! Service was also very attentive!
