A Central Jersey Local’s Guide to Dining on Route 18 in East Brunswick
East Brunswick’s Route 18 strip provides so much to do with many convenient stores for shopping. And of course you’ll want to eat too. So Central Jersey InMotion compiled a list of some of our favorite places to dine along the strip. Bon appetite and thanks for supporting these great locally owned restaurants and eateries!
For flavorful Thai cuisine, with hearty portions, N Thai Palace is the place to be, especially Tuesday nights, when ladies can get 50 percent off an entrée! 1020 Route 18, East Brunswick (732) 257-1172.
Frank’s is a great place for a quick bite of pizza, but if you’re in the mood to sit down and try something else, go for the linguini with red clam sauce – it’s just like Grandma used to make it! 300 Route 18, East Brunswick 732-698-1500. http://www.frankspizzeriaeastbrunswick.com/
If you can’t decide if you want Japanese, Chinese or Thai, Ichiban 18 has a wide array of authentic delights to choose from. The signature East Brunswick Roll is a must – shrimp tempura and asparagus inside, topped with salmon, spicy mayo, and tempura flakes. 1020A Route 18, East Brunswick (732) 390-0077 http://www.ichiban18eastbrunswick.com/
This family owned restaurant is a great place to eat, whether you’re feeling a good old fashioned cheeseburger, a Greek salad, or just a slice of cheesecake from their award winning bakery. 1035 Route 18, East Brunswick (732) 254-1125 http://www.thesevillediner.com/
Gusto indeed! Established in 10 years ago, this restaurant is definitely one that exceeds expectations. There’s an extensive wine and beer list. And a menu that showcases fresh seafood, USDA choice cut steaks, pastas, Kobe Beef burgers and great pizza. It’s a fun place to be for a birthday celebration or just to chill out and have a bite. 1050 Route 18 North, East Brunswick (732) 651-2737 http://www.gustogrill.com/
Enjoy a magnificent meal in an elegant surrounding. There’s a huge variety of Chinese cuisine to choose from – Szechuan, Cantonese, and Hunan. Dishes can be altered to taste, from mild to very hot. Sunny Palace was voted Best of East Brunswick Chinese Restaurants by the U.S. Local Business Association. 1069 Route 18 South, East Brunswick (732) 651-8668 http://www.sunnypalace.com/
This gem of a restaurant has it all – ambiance, great service, and delectable cuisine – making it the perfect local hot spot. Fresh seafood is imported daily from the deepest and cleanest seas of the Mediterranean. Don’t pass up the Lobster Roll with a mix of organic herbs – it’s truly amazing! 1126 State Route 18 North, East Brunswick (732) 967-9220 http://www.thebluewaterseafood.com/
It’s a salad lover’s heaven! Build your own fresh salad choosing from various lettuces, meats, toppings, cheeses, and dressings. You can even choose from a variety of “crunch” such as candied walnuts, peanuts, croutons, or quinoa, to name a few. If that’s too much to think about, you can also choose from several “signature” salads. There are also smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, soups and specialty snacks. 300 Route 18, East Brunswick (732) 387-2666 http://www.artofsaladcafe.com/
Offering some of the finest selections of Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Malaysian, and Taiwanese cuisine, this is one of the best places to go when you don’t feel like cooking. With plenty of vegan options on the menu, the veggie dumplings and spring rolls are outstanding. 647 Route 18 South, East Brunswick (732) 238-5900 http://www.orchid-eb.com/
Teppanyaki Grill and Supreme Buffet
Fourteen buffet bars with over 250 different choices are waiting for you! Dig in and enjoy a culinary journey featuring various Chinese, Japanese, American, Italian, and Mexican cuisines – including a salad bar and a sushi bar. 275 Route 18 South, East Brunswick (732) 238-3088 http://www.teppybuffetnj18.com/
A staple in the East Brunswick Community, it’s a great place to go for a meal or simply a cup of coffee. Generous portions, reasonably priced, and great service make for an overall very good dining experience. 560 Highway 18, East Brunswick (732) 254-4858 http://colonialdiner.com/
There’s a café to grab a quick bite or the dining room, where guests are welcomed into a beautifully decorated, peaceful, and intimate setting to have the perfect meal. There’s a wide range of both meat and vegetarian dishes to enjoy, including a kid’s menu. 647A Route 18, East Brunswick (732) 955-6449 http://thekoyturkishgrill.com/
Everything is made with love in this family-owned and operated since 1979 restaurant. Dine in, take-out, or have a pie delivered to your home. Serving the East Brunswick, Old Bridge, Spotswood, and surrounding areas. 1020 Route 18 North, East Brunswick (732) 254-7171 http://brotherspizzaeb.com/
Located in the Village Green Shopping Center, Bollywood Tadka brings you the best assorted gamut of dishes from the cultures in the North West Frontier regions of India. Food is very good and inexpensive. Service is quick. 415 Route 18, East Brunswick (732) 238-2352 http://www.bollywoodtadkanj.com/
While this one isn’t exactly on Route 18, it’s not far off. They’ve been serving fresh sushi and other authentic Japanese dishes since September 2000. Ambience is enhanced with soft playing Japanese music. It’s a friendly, relaxed, intimate environment. 77 Tices Lane, East Brunswick (732) 254-9988 http://www.wasabieb.com/
Recently voted, once again, as Central Jersey’s best ice cream and yogurt, this is the place to go for the absolute best soft ice cream there is to offer. There’s a large variety of sundaes and soft ice cream flavors – including seasonal. There’s a healthy choice menu that has “no sugar added” hot fudge, granola, yogurt, and carob toppings. 500 State Route 18, East Brunswick (732) 238-7975 http://www.magnificosicecream.com/
Offering a variety of high quality homemade foods since they first opened their doors in 1955, this is ultimate place to shop for lunch meat with no preservatives from age-old recipes. Not far from Route 18, there’s an extensive take-out lunch menu as well as dozens of specialty meats to purchase. And best of all – pierogis, dumplings, and blintzes! 301 Old Bridge Turnpike Road, East Brunswick (732) 254-7156 http://www.ehpdeli.com/
This family owned and operated business is another staple in the East Brunswick community. Fresh ingredients are imported from Brooklyn, N.Y. daily. Atmosphere is casual and family oriented. Flat screen TVs are lined along the wall, and always playing the day’s sporting event. The eggplant parm with penne and garlic knots is fantastic! 293 South Route 18, East Brunswick (732) 387-8805 http://www.mancinipizza.com/