This NJ Restaurant Is Among Top US Restaurants In New National Ranking

A Freehold restaurant is among the top 100 “drool-worthy” restaurants in the country, according to the review and ratings site Yelp.

Yelp said its Top 100 US Restaurants 2026 ranking showcases the highest-reviewed restaurants by its users. Chefs across the country “are plating up memorable, can’t-miss meals at fine-dining rooms, food halls, counter-order favorites, cozy cafés, and wallet-friendly gems that deliver big flavor without the big bill,” Yelp said.

618 in Freehold Borough ranks at 95 on the list. Yelp reviews cite the eatery as a special occasion sort of restaurant, where reviewers go to celebrate anniversaries and birthdays. One reviewer called 618 a "must-go location," while another wrote "One of the best meals I've ever had. If I could give them ten stars I would!"

"This restaurant encompasses everything a great restaurant should be," another reviewer wrote.

Prior to making Yelp’s 2026 ranking of the Top 100 U.S. Restaurants, 618 was also named to OpenTable’s list of the most romantic restaurants in the U.S. multiple times.

In a 2023 interview with Patch, 618 Co-Owner Liz Borowski described making the OpenTable list multiple times as "an honor" and said that they love to share special occasions with their guests.

• Read More: 618 In Freehold Is Among 'Most Romantic' Restaurants: Poll

Yelp said trends for the 2026 include:

• “Grandma-core”: “Nonna-stalgia” brings simple, slow-cooked family recipes, often with mismatched dinnerware.
• Sandwiches for dinner: Elevated comfort food sandwiches are popular after dark, with nine spots on the list.
• All-day breakfast: Cafés and brunch spots claim nine slots.
• Japanese flavors dominate: Japanese cuisine, including sushi and Nikkei fusion, takes 10 spots.
• Worth the splurge: Special-occasion dining is also favored, including at restaurants specializing in upscale steak and seafood.

According to Yelp reviewers, the top 20 restaurants nationally are:

1. Ci Siamo, New York City
2. Taste of Texas, Houston, Texas
3. NAM Kitchen, Gardena, California
4. Waffle and Berry, Honolulu, Hawaii
5. Comfort Cafe – San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
6. Adela’s Country Eatery, Kaneohe, Honolulu, Hawaii
7. Broken Mouth, Los Angeles, California
8. GW Fins, New Orleans, Louisiana
9. Slackwater — Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Utah
10. Pepp & Dolores, Cincinnati, Ohio
11. Butcher’s Union, Grand Rapids, Michigan’
12. Porzana, Minneapolis, Minnesota
13. Leven Deli, Denver, Colorado
14. RJ Skillets, Portland, Oregon
15. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Kansas City, Kansas
16. Greek Bistro, Glendale, California
17. Tsukiyo Sushi, Los Angeles, California
18. Papi’s Ohana, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii
19. Fat Of The Land, Santa Ana, California
20. COTE Miami, Miami, Florida