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The Forked River Diner

3.7 (49 reviews)
Open 5:00 am - 3:00 pm

The Forked River Diner Photos

THE FORKED RIVER DINER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - The Forked River Diner

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Can you find the sign that says cash only? - A pink flower-shaped paper placemat is on a counter at a diner checkout, with a cash register, coins, and a jar nearby.

Good food. Great service. BUT! I walk up to pay and I'm told cash only. They get 1 star for not posting CASH ONLY anywhere except behind the register in the wall facing towards the interior of the diner. (See Photo) I am sick and tired of these diners not posting cash only on the door before you enter where it can easily seen. I would had went elsewhere as I forgot my cash at home. It's a scam in order to get you to use their ATM. As much as I enjoyed my breakfast, I refuse to support an establishment that scams its customers.

a plate of pancakes - Two golden-brown pancakes with small dark spots are presented on a white plate, accompanied by butter and syrup packets.
Scott S.

If you ever leave NJ, one of the things you will miss most are NJ diners. Forked River Diner seemed like it fit the bill for NJ diner experience I've missed so much. Really old school looking place, but clean. Mozzarella sticks and blueberry pancakes were everything I could have imagined them to be. The sticks were divine, and even the sauce was good. Other items like bagels and ham & eggs were more ehhhh (luckily for me I didn't order them though).

classic diner architecture - A retro diner building with a curved roof, metal siding, and stone foundation, featuring neon signs and large windows. A woman stands outside, looking at her phone.
Nina M.

I wanted to go to a place with that quintessential New Jersey diner feel that it's so famous for, and this place is totally it. After a friends weekend in LBI, we stumbled upon this adorable vintage spot. And oh my gosh, the coffee? Exactly like the classic diner brew we'd been gushing over earlier. The service was speedy, and the food was delicious! Everything tasted so fresh, oh just make sure to ask for the water ;) This diner is a must if you're nearby.

Breakfast Deluxe with blueberry pancakes and rye toast!   Oiled to perfection - A breakfast plate features pancakes, fried eggs, bacon, and sausage links, served with toasted bread on the side, in a diner setting.

Amazing food and service - a real throwback to the good old days! I try to come here at least once on every trip back to Jersey!

Porkroll, egg & cheese with tatters. Hearty breakfast with 5 slices of meat.
Steven H.

First time at this true old time Diner and worth visiting, plenty of hearty home cooked food & great service too

When you wake up craving sausage and eggs and know Forked River diner is down the road. Dated: Nov 2016

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6 months ago

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3 months ago

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

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8 months ago

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11 months ago

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6 months ago

We have been here plenty of times. Good food, good size portions, nice friendly staff, clean and you can have a meal in peace.

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6 months ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

Yes yes one of the only diners open super early food is good service great coffee excellent

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9 years ago

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5 years ago

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8 years ago

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5 years ago

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

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11 years ago

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7 years ago

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9 years ago

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9 years ago

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9 years ago

The staff is friendly and always up beet,makes it a pleasure to step back in time and enjoy good old diner food at its best.

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14 years ago

A Forked River landmark. Good food and great people what more could you ask for.

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7 years ago

Love this place - busy on the weekends! Great breakfast and reasonable priced!

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10 years ago

Super nice staff and the best corned beef hash on the planet!!! Great old diner. We will definitely be back and often.

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10 years ago

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13 years ago

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9 years ago

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Review Highlights - The Forked River Diner

you know that when there's creamed chipped beef on the menu & turns out to be some of the best I've ever eaten.

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I can't say for sure whether snow on New Year's Day brings good luck, but it certainly brings a…read morewhole lot of joy. Waking up to a fresh snowfall is always a gift--made even better after an exceptional New Year's Eve at The Waterfront NJ Restaurant in Lacey, NJ. This year marked our 35th consecutive celebration with our best friends the Fays, a tradition that grows richer every time we gather. The ballroom was beautifully decorated for the holidays, and the band "Slap Happy" delivered an outstanding performance. With the drinks flowing, at one point, we even found ourselves at the microphone, adding our own spirited contribution to the night. While our table was a bit close to the stage--and the volume certainly matched the energy--the music, dancing, and drinks created a vibrant, festive atmosphere. Angolina, our server, was outstanding, helping to elevate the evening from the moment we arrived. Warm, attentive, and effortlessly efficient, she kept the celebration flowing. We began with our first round of drinks, and I made sure to savor my final dirty martini of the year. After three rounds and plenty of laughter, Angolina returned to take our dinner selections. Jeanne Marshall Schrader chose the jumbo shrimp stuffed with crab, finished with a luxurious lobster‑sherry cream, and served with rice and vegetables -- $35. I opted for the Zuppa D'Pesce: a beautifully prepared combination of jumbo shrimp, sea scallops, crab meat, little neck clams, and mussels in a spicy marinara over linguini -- $42. Carolyn Fay and Bob both selected the GF filet -- an 8oz center-cut topped with compound butter, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes and a side of demi‑glaze -- $42. It was a flawless New Year's Eve--excellent food, exceptional service, lively entertainment, and the best company to welcome another year together.

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Clemmys is hands down our favorite local restaurant. We go every chance we get, and it's the one…read moreplace we consistently crave. The menu is small and changes constantly based on what's fresh, local, and available, which makes every visit feel special. Every single dish is packed with flavor in a way that surprises you -- the kind of food that makes you stop after the first bite because you know you could never recreate it at home. And the Caesar salad... we genuinely dream about it. The atmosphere is just as perfect. It's a small, cozy space with candlelight, fresh flowers, and music that's always interesting and new. Nothing fancy or pretentious -- just thoughtful and inviting. They don't take reservations, so sometimes you have to wait or hope for a couple seats at the bar, but it's always worth it. It's BYOB, which makes it even more fun. We've gone so often that we've become friends, and you start to recognize the other regulars too. It really feels like a small family of people who all share great taste and appreciate how special this place is. This place is such a gem, and we're so lucky to have it locally.

This was our first time here and all I can say is Wow. This restaurant is hidden away in a small…read moreplaza and it's truly a gem. The place is cozy, dimly lit, but yet perfect for date nights or a family dinner. We arrived half hour after they opened and I'm glad we did because when we left there was a long wait outside. Their menu is simple, but does offer a variety of food. We ordered: -sourdough toast with ricotta, pistachios and honey -NY strip steaks -toffee sticky pudding Our server Jackie was so friendly as was the rest of the staff. I can see why it was so packed. We will definitely return.

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The Forked River Diner - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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