Tops Diner

Amazing place. It has a huge wait if walking in so highly recommend to reserve the tables. Bar sides available for walkins. Extensive menu, delicious food and drinks. The servers and staff are very courteous and attentive. Super quick with serving. We ordered tres leches French toast, lobster tacos from their specials. Oh my god the lobsters were so fresh and juicy. Loved it. Will be visiting again soon.

Consistently ranked as one of the best diners in New Jersey and the country and deservedly so. The menu is extensive as one would expect, the food comes quickly, the coffee and water glasses are refilled often and the portions are large. The prices aren’t cheap but comparable to other Jersey diners. The dining room is large, clean and filled with energy. The space is retro chic but definitely modern due to the renovation so it’s fitting but definitely feels disneyfied because the ceilings are too tall the air circulation too good and the menus, booths and cutlery and utensils too new. Otherwise the food was good to great and well worth a visit. The fried chicken needed more seasoning. The sides needed more gravy or sauce but the chicken parm was great as were the triple decker sandwiches. We didn’t get the disco fries but they looked immense and tasty (seemed like every other table had them)!

Quality does not decrease here with the quantity of options. Every dish was perfection. And even better, was the service. I highly recommend this spot for any occasion, small or large. I will definitely be going back. There’s also a DJ playing great vibey music all day.

NJ is Diner paradise and Topps is definitely at the top. Service is always outstanding here. Attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. Food is always solid to great, and the portions are huge. Best to come with a group so you can try a little bit of everything. Prices are closer to what you would pay at a restaurant than a local diner, but I would say tops food is equivalent to a nice restaurant so it’s a great deal.

I really enjoy visiting here; the food is always delicious and beautifully presented. I do feel that the host department could make a little more effort to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, as they are the first people customers see. They aren’t intentionally unfriendly, but a bit more kindness could really make a difference. I've visited during both calm weekdays and bustling weekends, and the hosts maintain the same courteous attitude throughout. The servers have consistently been kind and attentive, and I appreciate their hard work, especially given how large the place is and how much running around they do. The food is genuinely fantastic with so many appealing options. I absolutely love the coffee selection—top quality all around. The lemon blueberry bread, steak and eggs, and tres leches French toast are just a few favorites; I could go on. Everything I’ve tried has been truly delicious. I look forward to coming back and enjoying this lovely place again.

I’ve been meaning to visit Tops Diner for ages, as it’s often called the best place to dine in Newark. Arriving mid-day, I was immediately struck by its classic, movie-like atmosphere and my own excitement. The menu is a novella—page after page of temptations. With only a limited time, I relied on my fantastic server, Laurene, whose recommendations were spot-on from start to finish. She started me off with a local draft beer that paired perfectly with what was to come. Whenever I visit a new diner, I test its mettle with either a Reuben or a cheesesteak. Laurene steered me toward the Reuben, and I’m glad I took her advice. I believe a great Reuben shows the depth and professionalism of the kitchen. Despite being disappointed by Reubens at other places, this one topped the charts. The corned beef was high-quality, tangy sauerkraut, just-melted Swiss, and a velvety Thousand Island dressing that tied everything together. I swapped the usual fries for onion rings, and those golden halos were textbook-perfect—crisp on the outside, sweet and tender within. Tops doesn’t coast on nostalgia; it delivers across the board. Service stayed attentive even though the place was packed, the kitchen was firing on all cylinders, and not one detail slipped. I ended on another high note with the house-made cheesecake—silky, rich, and a fitting finale. I’m not prone to unbridled praise (my other reviews prove it), but Tops Diner earns every accolade it gets. From food to service to atmosphere, it hits all the marks and then some. Easily one of the best diners I’ve visited anywhere in the U.S.

Portion sizes can’t compete to other places! We were full after 3 appetizers and still had 3 entrees! Loved the Spinach and Artichoke Dip! Alfonso was great at serving us. Wish we had room for dessert. 5/5 must visit while in NY/NJ!

I ordered from Topps Diner via DoorDash a couple of years ago and wasn’t very impressed at the time—likely because the food arrived cold. But coming here in person years later completely changed my opinion. The food this time was phenomenal. First of all, the portions are exactly what I want. I’m very much a portions person, and it drives me crazy when dining out is already expensive and the food barely fills you up. Here, you get plenty—enough to eat until you’re actually satisfied and still have leftovers to take home, which I love. The Amazon fried rice was amazing. The combination of ribs with the rice was perfect and incredibly satisfying. I also ordered a salmon bowl special, which was fabulous. Everything tasted fresh, the vegetables were great, and the salmon was cooked beautifully. The disco fries were the one letdown for me. The gravy itself was delicious, but the cheese wasn’t as melty or stringy as I prefer and ended up cooling too quickly. It was also a bit too salty for my taste. I love mozzarella, but something about the balance here didn’t quite work for me. Service was unbelievably fast—our food came out in what felt like three minutes. I honestly don’t know what’s going on in that kitchen, but it was the fastest service I’ve ever experienced, which was impressive. One downside: the restaurant was very loud. The music was as loud as club music, which made it feel less like a cozy diner and more like a high-energy, clubby atmosphere. If you enjoy that vibe, great—but it’s definitely not a quiet, classic diner experience. That said, the space itself is very nice and looks newly renovated. It doesn’t feel or look like a traditional diner at all. Overall, the food, portions, and speed of service really won me over this time. Despite the noise level, I’d definitely come back again.

Food amazing, service also amazing, cleanliness, attention to details towards the guests and place.

The breakfast was incredible, and our waitress, Carla, provided exceptional service. The entire staff was very attentive, and the atmosphere was perfectly inviting. As a Dominican, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious their tres golpe was.

Tops is always a good place to stop at for any type of meal. The food is always made fresh and the portions are big. I had the jerk chicken and waffles for brunch and it was delicious, the chicken fell off the bone and the jerk sauce was amazing. The waffle was also good and soft, Service was excellent as expected with TOPS. Our server was kind and attentive. He got the entire order correct and it came out in a timely matter. Great place to stop by with family, friends or on a date.

This place fell off...HARD. And lost its soul along the way. Apparently, the original owner's kids have taken over and it's so obvious that they've come in like money-hungry vultures and proceeded to carve out the very soul of what used to make this place amazing. The food itself has suffered...tremendously. Cheap ingredients. Bread is no longer served either. Bottled water isn't even an option anymore, and it's pretty clear from the look and smell of it that they're just refilling glass bottles from the tap. Ordered a medium rare steak...came out nearly well-done. Overall taste is mediocre at best, but menu prices remain the same, if not higher. You're better off going to another random diner in NJ...you'll probably pay a fraction of the price for better quality food. The front-of-house staff is another signal that the owner's children have cut costs. Hosts are full of anxiety and thus come off as hurried and rude. A few of the wait-staff are pleasant enough, but often lack any kind of warmth. Last two visits, items in my order have been left out, so kitchen staff is most likely not the same either. It's so sad. This place used to be really fantastic. Was excited to bring my in-laws, but left feeling embarrassed that I had brought them here. I get that you're running a business, but at what point do you risk the longevity of your revenue by carving out the soul of your food & service in favor of short-term profits? Because reservations here on the weekend used to be hard to secure. Now they're readily available...sigh. Safe to say I won't be coming back. Feel bad for the original owner's legacy.

My friend recommended Tops as I was taking my sister and her husband for breakfast during the week and my friend said it has the best variety, big portions and is iconic. She also said there shouldn't be a wait given that we were going late morning on a Thursday so I decided Io give it a shot. The place was packed and we we were told it would be about 20 minutes for the type of table we requested (a true table and chairs and not a booth bc of an injury my sister had). We were called in a little over 20 minutes and taken to a booth .... i informed the gentleman that we couldn't sit at a booth and had indicated that upon checking in. He apologized and we were taken back up front and waited another good 10 minutes to be called again and this time taken to a table, but; a table for TWO and we were a party of THREE ... WOOOOOSAAHH! At this point I was IRKED and explained that this was now the 2nd time we were taken to a table that couldn't accommodate us and it's been over a half hour. They allowed us to stand in the middle of the restaurant while they scrambled to find a table that would accommodate us and after another 5 minutes we were finally seated. The menu is massive just like any good Jersey diner menu and we all decided to go with Cuban coffee while we decided on entrees. The "Cuban" coffee looked and tasted like a latte / cappuccino but given the fiasco of being seated earlier we just like it slide. The food was pretty good overall and the portions were massive as my friend mentioned but our server was pretty terrible ... forgetting requests, having to hunt her down when we needed her ... yet she became the friendliest person after she saw that despite our experience we tipped her 25%. I am never intentionally coming back to Tops.

Always a great time at Tops. HIGHLY recommend you to with a reservation. It gets very busy, especially during weekends. They renovated a few years back to offer more parking and a bigger diner - and it still feels super busy. This time, had the Amazon fried rice. Was delicious and very hearty. Def a NJ staple. Must visit. Will continue coming back.

Haven't been here in YEARS. I am a native of Newark and Tops is located right across the bridge in Harrison. Tops underwent a huge remodeling/expansion and now the location is more modern and larger. They have a wrap around parking lot, a bar and you can even order food to go which seemed like a popular idea for many. We stopped in last weekend to eat but the wait was over an hour without a reservation, so we came today, the Saturday after Valentine's Day. We booked earlier in the week, making sure to make a reservation this time. Since it's Valentine's Day weekend we got lucky and got the last time slot for the day. Our visit was absolutely worth the wait. Tops diner was established in 1942, and for many years had been named the best diner in NJ which explains the need for a reservation and long wait times. When we arrived, they directed us to wait in the blue room... Which is their waiting area where you can also order bakery items. We waited for maybe five minutes until a server came and escorted us to our table. My husband ordered off of the Valentine's Day brunch menu and chose the guava French toast. I ordered the buttermilk pancakes which came with four and we both added on a side of eggs and bacon. We each got two drinks. I opted for a ginger wellness shot and iced salted caramel latte. My husband ordered an orange juice and cappuccino. I expected the prices to be astronomical due to the diner's reputation of being the best in the area, but they weren't, at all. This all put us at a bill less than $80 which we thought was great value for what we got. The diner itself is gorgeously furnished. The menu prices are reasonable and the food and service were top notch! I will definitely be back soon! Thank you, Tops for an amazing breakfast & great start to my Saturday!

Omg. What a treat. Tops has completely revamped its style inside and out. It's a completely different restaurant, the interior is absolutely gorgeous. It gives upscale first class airport lounge vibes. Pro tip right off the bat - make a reservation. My friend and I came for Valentine's Day. I thought since we were coming in the morning, we'd be fine and almost made fun of her for making reservations, but I was clearly in the wrong here. We were seated in a beautiful area of the restaurant. A nice booth right under the skylight, it was just absolutely gorgeous. The detail of the design from the lights on the ceiling down to the plates on the table is impeccable. Everything is a work of art. A huge difference from the old Tops. The service is phenomenal too. This place is a well oiled machine. Our serve Virginia was amazing. We shared a ton of apps, the French onion soup, the cheesesteak eggrolls, the Caesar salad salad, and last, but not least the mountain of Disco Fries. The eggrolls were delicious, flavorful enough on their own but truly enhanced with the dipping sauces. The salad was fantastic, especially loved the croutons. The star of the show is the disco fries. They come piled high on a plate served with their own gravy boat. What more could you ask for? Their Arnold Palmer is absolutely delicious as well. My friend and I decided we'll try and do a monthly visit to Tops because there's just too much good food on the menu to try. Also the lighting on these pictures because of the skylight - incredible. Amazing job Tops!

Tops always exceeds my expectations! It has truly become a NJ institution and a must visit if you're in the area. It was beautifully upgraded and expanded a few year ago, making it not your usual diner vibe. It has become a place you can go for an upscale version of your favorite diner food. We chose to have our Valentine's Day dinner here and were beyond impressed! For a diner, you'd never expect to have such great food and champagne. They had an amazing 3 course Valentine's Day dinner which included 2 glasses of champagne. It offered a starter, a pasta dish and a main entree for $65. We loved the seafood bisque which was amazing with their complimentary bread. The vodka sauce on their lobster ravioli was to die for! Finally the filet mignon was cooked perfectly and came with 2 sides, we loved the roasted beets and mac & cheese!! I hope they have this 3 course offering more often I will always go back time and time again to Tops as it always promises great food and always excellent service! Their pancakes are also delicious! Be sure to make a reservation, it's busy at all times of the day and for good reason

Without a doubt, The place is a special place. Very big lit up correctly service is terrific considering size. The food was excellent, and it's like a family style diner that serves food. The place is packed. we had a ricotta toast with strawberries, n blueberries were fantastic. i had breakfast, and burrito was killer. My wife had a burger, a small one that is anything but. Also, in the blue room, we had a smoothie and a cuban coffee that was phenomenal. We have been here several times and each time they deliver. The portions are large and the food is good. Also had the tuna fish sandwich that was fantastic. The cappuccino is out of this world. Because of how good it is you better get reservations. If not the wait is to long and an hour minimum. I highly recommend this place thee best diner i have ever went to.

Best food ever!! When I tell you, the food was absolutely delicious. I enjoyed my food. My friends enjoy their food 10 out of 10 experience. I went on a Sunday. They had a DJ in there playing great tunes. The customer service was exceptional. The food came out quickly. The food came out hot and fresh as well. I will be going back.

The absolute best diner I have ever been to and arguably in America. This place has it all, everything you could possibly want on the menu,. Great entertainment and even champagne.. They literally have a DJ. My food has always been great and fresh. I just love this place and wish there was one in Florida!

This Diner delivered on its promise of great breakfast. The food was good. Each plate was served hot and with fresh ingredients. However, the service didn't quite match the quality of the food. While the staff was polite, I often found myself waiting longer than expected for refills or for someone to check on our table. It wasn't overly busy during my visit, so the lack of attentiveness stood out. I would try it again as it could be just a new waitress. Place looks amazing outside and the decor inside it's pretty cool.

This diner is one of the best in New Jersey. Higher end dining experience with great food and service. It's always best to make reservations for breakfast during the weekend or dinner. We were lucky that we were able to get in on a Saturday night at around 8:30. Despite the crowd..the service and food were still top-notch

I was driving back to MD from NYC. I wanted to get some breakfast, but outside of the city. I found this diner! It was about 27 minutes out of SoHo. There is a BIG parking lot, thank the Universe! We went on a Tuesday and were able to get seated right away. Our waiter came by within 5 minutes with water and we asked for a bit more time with menu. We ended up ordering a grilled cheese and catfish brunch item. Everything was super good! The catfish was perfectly fried and the grits had flavor and love the added onions on top. I ended up getting the last one they had - how LUCKY! Our drinks were also freshly squeezed. Also super random - the pickles from this place are good! I mean REALLY good. Like I asked for one to munch on the road. I made my gf share her last bite of the pictured pickle lol. In all - it's a beautiful place inside. Definitely modern vibe. Whoever is on the aux deserves an award. The food was amazing and service top quality. I would recommend coming here - it deserves the hype it gets

Service? Superb. Ambiance? Amazing. Food? Delicious. I haven't been to Tops for years and the new and improved Tops Diner has me sold. Make a reservation because it does get packed. You can't go wrong with the cheesesteak egg rolls to start. They were fresh and had a great meat to cheese ratio. I tried the 24k margarita recommended by our server Natalie and it did not disappoint. The burrata rigatoni with crispy chicken was divine. You can't go wrong with the five nut brownie with ice cream combo. I loved that the ice cream wasn't frozen and the brownie didn't freeze up. Will be returning!

I would start by saying that I'm not a fan of diners and had to be convinced to give Tops a try. Experiencing Tops might have changed my mind. It is clear why it is listed as one of the best in the entire state of New Jersey! After viewing their video of their kitchen in work mode, my respect for the establishment has gone through the roof! We came on a Thursday evening, we had pre-planned reservations because it can get busy. There was a mixture of couples, families, and friends enjoying their meals with good R&B playing in the background. Our party of two was seated quickly since we had reservations. The menu is vast! I'm usually concerned when I see large menus because usually nothing ends up being good. But this is not the case at Tops, everything was sooooo good! I had the spicy seafood pasta and it was one of the best seafood pastas I've ever had. And with the large portions there were leftovers for 2 additional meals! The menu was also very versatile, great seafood dishes, steaks, delicious appetizers, and the best desserts. Not the classic fried food and burgers. The brunch menu is great too! The cocktails are made with pride and delicacy. I settled on a tequila passion fruit cocktail then a glass of white wine. The entertainment is on point with an air of elegance. There is a dj booth for different themed nights, days, and events. I can't wait to go back and continue to explore their menu and the experience.

Tops is always such a fun time! The portions are huge, the ambiance is lively, and the desserts are delicious. I got the fillet mignon cheesesteak, which was honestly more like a French dip. It was yummy, but nothing special other than it being huge. This would be a nice one to split with a side of their mac and cheese :) For dessert I got a creme brûlée, thinking I'd be able to finish it with minimal help from my friends, but boy was I wrong! It was MASSIVE and definitely meant for 4 people. The food is always reliably good, but I have yet to find one thing that I love so much I'd keep getting it (except the mac and cheese!).

Overall great experience, staff and food were amazing. My only downside was the wait time, it would about double what the hostess quoted because my friend showed up and I thought she saw that but it wasn't until I said something that she marked the party of 2 there. Anywho, on to the important stuff, the food: 1. Bread is always so good when you're starving haha but I did notice they don't always bring it out if you don't ask so don't be afraid to ask. 2. Filet mignon cheesesteak was very good. Every bite had a chunk of meat and it was so filling that I personally could only eat half with some fries. 3. My friend for the Cajun avocado burger and was a bit disappointed in the small slice of avocado it came with. But she said the burger over al was good, oh and she must've not noticed that it came with an onion ring because she didn't like that. 4. Tiramisu was just okay, we didn't finish it. It tasted more like coffee than anything else so we both felt like it overpowered the usual tiramisu taste we all love. I wouldn't get this again Like I said to start, overall it was still a great experience and I know I'll be back again. Tops is a classic

Food (5/5): Food for a diner was absolutely amazing. I had the lobster Mac and cheese and it was super delicious. The Firecracker shrimp and disco fries we had as app were also very good Service (5/5): Service was super friendly and they came out with the food fast. The servers checked up on us frequently and refilled our waters often. Ambiance (5/5): Large diner ambiance with nice holiday decorations. The entire place was super clean and looked fancy. Feels like an upscale diner. The only issue we had was when you add up the items on the receipt it doesn't add up to the subtotal. Subtotal says $188.72 but there isn't even any cents in any of the items we had and it totals to $181. When we asked they claimed it was tax but the tax was clearly another line item saying $12.53 that was added on top of the $188.72 making the total $201.25. Also it wasn't the tip since that's not included in the receipt. We didn't want to make a big deal of it since the rest of the experience was great, so we just left it as is but we still don't understand where the extra $7.72 charge came from. If someone from can explain that'd be helpful.

This is hands down the BEST cheesecake I've ever had. The smoothness was unreal and it wasn't overwhelmingly sweet, the balance was perfect. This is a must try. Cheesesteak egg rolls tasted great as well, the meat clearly a better quality than that of a regular diner. Disco fries were delicious too and held up well considering they were delivered quite far. WOW factor at this diner for sure!

I truly enjoyed everything about this diner. My husband and I were in town for the night and chose Tops to grab something to eat before getting back on the road. There was a little wait seeing how we did not have a reservation but not terribly long. The place was beautifully decorated and everything flowed nicely. We were seated and our server, Tamika was amazing. She offered suggestions, took our order, had a warm, friendly demeanor, and was overall very attentive. The coffee was nice and hot, the Bellini was delicious and the food was good and filling. I will definitely be returning when in Newark again. Keep up the great work!

Tops Diner isn't just a diner--it's an elevated dining experience, and the recent modernization proves it. With its expanded dining space and ample parking both in the front and back, it's a convenient stop no matter the time of day. The holiday vibes were already in full swing during our visit, with festive decor and even a DJ setting the tone with great music. Pro tip: call ahead or check their website for reservations--this place gets busy fast, and for good reason. While waiting for our table, we were sent to the cozy Blue Room, where the menu caught my attention right away (hello, Ube Shake!) although we didn't order it on this winters cold Jersey afternoon. Once seated, we were greeted warmly by Piero, our server, whose hospitality set the tone for an exceptional meal. Starting with a basket of freshly baked bread--crispy on the outside, soft inside, served with perfectly whipped salted butter--we knew we were in for a treat. We kicked things off with the crispy calamari appetizer, which was huge and perfectly cooked. The golden batter was crisp, not greasy, and the portion size was more than generous--definitely a highlight. For my main, I ordered the Cajun Avocado Burger, subbed with chicken, mayo, and barbecue sauce on the side, paired with a green tomato salad. While I enjoyed it, I do wish they used ground chicken rather than grilled breast for a true "chicken burger" feel. My cousin ordered the All-American Burger with sweet potato fries instead of regular fries (a great choice), my young nephew went for the Chicken Parmigiana with penne instead of spaghetti, and my other cousin enjoyed the Fried Chicken and Waffles. Every dish delivered in taste, quality, and portion size. While the prices might lean on the higher side for a diner, the experience absolutely justifies it. Piero's stellar service was the cherry on top, locking in my 5-star review. You could always have any leftovers in a doggy bag for a snack or even a meal later.

This place had soooo muchh energy, and it's easy to see why! The food was delicious, the staff was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was both spotless and beautifully decorated. We stopped in for a quick bite, mainly appetizers, but we'll definitely be returning to try the entrées. The menu offers an impressive variety of options--unlike any diner I've been to before! Our waitress, Thais, went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience. Absolutely loved everything about this spot! Egg Rolls 7/10 Calamari 8/10 Wings 9/10 Chicken and Waffles 10/10 Drinks 10/10

Once again, AMAZING! Tops never misses! Came with a large group and tried a myriad of dishes. Let's full and happy, as always

Review #500 Used to go here a lot during college since it was relatively nearby and open late at nights. So it was a long time and recently came back. It was always full and a line to get in, even back then. Which is understandable since it is one of the best diners in NJ. So when we visited recently, it didn't look like anything like I remembered in the late 1990s. Recently renovated and given a much better updated sleek look. Food and service are both excellent. The experience is chic. Tops is a classic NJ diner. Recommended!

Update to previous review: Food and service is still great. Music was great. Parking lot was hectic. I feel like seating patrons can be quicker and more organized. Otherwise Tops is always a safe bet for any occasions.

The most popular diner in New Jersey and for good reason! If you come here around brunch time (11am), you'll get a notice to come back in around 45 mins when your table is ready. I ordered the George's Special which has a little of everything. It had eggs, hash browns, two pancakes, bacon and pork sausage links. I came here hungry and I still wasn't able to finish this meal. The portions are very generous. The diner itself was large with plenty of seating (although usually occupied). They also have a DJ come in to play on the weekends. Servers are very friendly too. Would come back multiple times!

After seeing Tops Diner on social media and hearing wonderful things about them, my boyfriend and I finally decided to visit! We made the fatal mistake of coming on a weekend evening without a reservation and was faced with a two hour wait. We ended up leaving and made a reservation a separate time. Although they have their own private parking lot, with how popular the diner is, it does get filled up. Once we entered the diner and informed the hostess of our reservation, she led us into another waiting room where we were retrieved a couple minutes later to be seated. The interior of Tops isn't like any regular diner and is noticeably more upscale (but is still casual). The restaurant itself is impressively large and the waiting room we were in was just for dessert orders. Like any diner, the menu was very extensive and had better options than normal diners. I opted for the lobster mac and cheese, my boyfriend got a burger, and we shared the mango smoothie and firecracker shrimp. We were given complimentary bread to share and the smoothie came out along with the shrimp a couple minutes later. The smoothie was delicious with raspberry syrup and a cut lime on the rim. We were given chopsticks to eat the shrimp with, which I thought was interesting, but I also thoroughly enjoyed the shrimp! After about 15 minutes, our entrees came out and my mac and cheese looked amazing. There were large chunks of lobster on top and the portion was huge. The mac and cheese tasted as good as it looked and I highly recommend it. I ended up having to take half of it home, so it's definitely worth it for the price! Definitely make a trip to Tops and be sure to make a reservation to avoid the wait!

Haven't been since the upgrade and was reluctant because my last experience here didn't live up to the hype but oh my goodness, REDEMPTION!! Art Deco Heaven! I'm so I'm love with the aesthetics!! Could TRULY sit in this diner & admire it for days! What a GORGEOUS upgrade! I'm so impressed. Also, the bar is top shelf, pun intended. They take reservations so add that to the things I love about Tops Diner. The service was attentive and she was definitely on it. The food was over-the-top Jersey diner massive...everyone left with a doggy bag so you kinda don't mind the equally as over-the-top prices. Aside from the prices, my only other gripe is the noise level. But I get it...it's a diner with a wide open space. Sounds travels. But overall, a good time. But then again, any time with my homegirls is a good time! What we ate: * Disco Fries * Fried Catfish & Cheesy Grits * Chicken Ciabatta Sando with Onion Rings * Penne Vodka Rigatoni with Burrata & Shrimp * Rasta Pasta * Chai Latte * Gin Martini, olives on the side * Beignets

After hearing great things about Tops Diner from a friend, my girlfriend and I decided to give it a try. The first time we went, we didn't realize how popular it was and arrived without a reservation, only to find the wait time was over two hours. Not wanting to wait that long, we decided to plan ahead and made a reservation for a Saturday night. When we returned, the diner was just as packed, but thanks to our reservation, we were seated within 10 minutes. The menu had a wide variety of options, which made it hard to choose, but we decided on the mango smoothie and firecracker shrimp as a starter. For our entrees, my girlfriend got the lobster mac and cheese, and I went for the wagyu burger. The mango smoothie was refreshing, and the firecracker shrimp was delicious. My girlfriend loved her lobster mac and cheese but found the portion too large to finish, so we took the rest home. My wagyu burger was good, though I felt it could have used a bit more seasoning/sauce to elevate the flavor. Overall, the food, atmosphere, and service were great, and I'm excited to come back and try more items from their extensive menu.

Tops stands out in the land of diners. While the renovations and menu adjustments disappointed some, Tops Diner is still an efficient diner delivering will above average food. Be prepared to wait for a table. The service is attentive.

Let's get into that Topps Diner breakfast--waffles, eggs, and home fries. They serve up a waffle that's golden, crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside, with just the right amount of sweetness. Paired with eggs cooked exactly how you like them, each bite is like breakfast perfection. And those home fries? Crispy edges, soft centers, seasoned to give you that savory kick that rounds it all out. It's the kind of breakfast that's both hearty and, the perfect way to start the day. Topps knows how to do breakfast right, and it shows. Live laugh and love - Sha

I've been to Tops a handful of times and I've never been disappointed. In previous visits I've had some of their sandwiches and pasta, but this time I opted for the Amazon Fried Rice. Our group decided to order truffle fries and shrimp as appetizers, so by the time the entree came, I was actually pretty full. I ordered the Secret Garden and it's definitely one of those drinks that would sneak up on you. As a group of 4, we went on a Wednesday evening around 8:30pm with no reservation and no wait, but it never hurts to have one if you are planning a visit. You just never know! Our server is was incredibly patient with us as well. Out of the 4 of us, there was only one newcomer, but we did somehow have a few questions and asked for his advice when making choices.

EVERTHING about this place is five stars. We didn't even care that the wait time was an hour, it was a Saturday morning, it's absolutely worth the wait! The food was AMAZING, the ambiance is an absolute vibe. Our server Sarah was also great. Fast service very attentive. We are in the area from VA and this will absolutely be added to our stops from now on. 5+ stars!

Food was 5/5, the truffle fries were amazing, didn't even need the sauce. The burger was cooked perfectly, just a tad messy, but that's a good burger. Only reason we didn't give a 5 is because they were out of the two beers I wanted. Great casual place to come with friends and our server was really nice and helpful.

Never thought I'd give a diner a perfect rating. After eating here, there is no surprise why this was named one of the best diner's in the country. Going here on a Saturday late morning/ early afternoon without a reservation is pretty bold but was worth the wait. A diner that has been around since 1942 & should survive for another 100 years. Putting our name down for a table & being told it was about a 45 minute to an hour wait would turn away most people but we & everyone else didn't bat an eye. We very surprisingly got a table after only a 30 minute wait. Promptly was met by our server with water after just a couple minutes & given a Cheesecake Factory style menu (HUGE variety of items). Our waitress was phenomenal, pleasant, kind & checked in at almost the perfect moments & helpful. Started off with an iced matcha latte that was very much the best matcha latte I have had so far. Was not overly bitter, sweet or watered down, if you like matcha it's a MUST try. We started our brunch with the house cornbread paired with strawberry butter. I could eat an entire loaf of this in one sitting. It was packed with so much flavor, light, fluffy & had a great consistency to stay together until you took a bite that would melt in your mouth (no diddy). The cheddar grits were everything you want from grits, made extremely well, had so much flavor but the cheese wasn't over powering or messed with the texture. The mushroom Swiss burger was BIG, did not lack any flavor, tasted like they use top quality beef. The lettuce, tomatoes, onions & mushrooms tasted fresh. The Parmesan truffle fries were the perfect complement to the burger, as some restaurants barely use any truffle or Parmesan on their fries tops did the total opposite. They were fried to perfection, crispy exterior and soft, hot interior. The chicken & waffles were DELICIOUS, the chicken tasted like it came right out of a soul food restaurant, it comes with a side of hot honey that you almost want to drink right out of the sides cup. The waffles were large, soft, not over cooked. Topped with some powdered sugar, comes with butter & maple syrup. The waffles were so large I could only eat one. They have a full bar, filled with too notch liquor, a handful of bartenders, churning out perfectly concocted drinks at a fast pace. This diner gives huge portions, service is top notch, the bathrooms were spacious, clean. This place feels more like a too tier restaurant than diner & I think that speaks volumes. It's somewhere that's worth you going way out of your way for. A MUST TRY DINER, especially if you're from Jersey.

Thanks again I really need a business to better myself and food service and ambulance

Just an update on my favorite diner! Food is superb, as always. The service is top notch and attentive each time, no matter if I am with a big/small group or dining by myself. I continue to be impressed by the long-awaited upgrades and rebuilding. It's perfect to grab a quick bite, go on a cute date, or just to satisfy a craving on the menu.

I came here when they first opened and wasnt left with a great first impression, so i havent been back since today. The food is just as good as it was before they reopened, which i LOVE because my parents are just as critical with food as am i. Service is perfect, server comes by often and asks if we need anything. As for ambiance, the bass could be dimmed down some, as i found my parents and i raising our voices to speak to each other and we were right next to each other.

My visit to Top's Diner on a Friday night turned out to be a pretty big letdown overall. Despite having reservations, we still waited about 30 minutes to be seated, which made the whole point of reserving feel pointless. To pass the time, we headed to the bar, where I had a Woodford Reserve Smoked Old Fashioned, and my girlfriend tried the Mango Bay Breeze. Both drinks were solid and strong, but at nearly $45 for both, they felt overpriced. The vibe inside was modern and had a lounge feel with a DJ playing music nonstop through the night. Once we were seated, I ordered an American Trilogy (their version of an Old Fashioned) and a Stir It Up, a pineapple-based drink. Both were good, with my American Trilogy being particularly strong, which hit the spot. For appetizers, we went with the Firecracker Shrimp, which seemed to be the most popular choice. Unfortunately, it was just okay. There was way too much mayo in the sauce, overpowering the shrimp. They did give a decent portion, but the flavor left much to be desired. I wouldn't recommend it, and I'm not sure why it's so popular here. For entrees, we ordered the Shanghai Steak Bowl and the Crybaby Noodles with the combo (steak, shrimp, and chicken). The Shanghai Steak Bowl was disappointing, it was bland, soggy, and worse than takeout lo mein. While the portion of meat was generous, the overall flavor and texture were major letdowns, and I barely ate more than a few bites before deciding to take it to go. The Crybaby Noodles were better, with a decent level of spice and a good amount of meat, but still lacked the authentic flavors I was hoping for. It felt like a missed opportunity for both dishes. To end the meal, we tried the Vanilla Bourbon Bread Pudding, which was quite good, featuring candied pecans, cinnamon, and whipped cream. However, the presence of raisins (which I detest) was a downside for me. I've noticed they tend to add raisins to several desserts here, as I had the same issue with their carrot cake on a previous visit. One bright spot of the meal was the Cuban coffee I had to finish. It was perfectly sweetened, with great foam and latte art. Honestly, it was the best thing I had all night and might be the only reason I'd consider returning. Our waiter, Alberto, was attentive and friendly, offering good recommendations throughout the night. There was one hiccup when we received the wrong drink, but he handled it well, removing it from the order without issue. Overall, my first sit-down visit to Top's Diner was underwhelming. The reservation system seems useless, the drinks are overpriced, and while the portions are generous, the flavor is lacking. I'm leaning towards not returning anytime soon.

By far the best diner I've ever been to! Top notch food, service and vibes! We came here with a large group of 12 people on the weekend, and waited about one hour prior to getting seated. It was definitely worth the wait. The decor of the restaurant is very nice, and is like a mix of a modern and old-school diner put together. The restaurant is huge and they have a lot of different seating areas for parties of all sizes. They have a takeout section near the entrance. They also have a huge bar. The music that they played was great even though I didn't recognize the songs. The servers were super nice and went above the beyond. They were so accommodating and helpful, especially as they explained the huge menu. I got the mango smoothie and it was delicious. I would definitely recommend the cornbread and calamari for the appetizers. I would highly recommend the Amazon fried rice which comes with barbecue ribs. It was definitely enough for a whole second meal. For dessert, the beignets were delicious and had a variety of dipping sauces. I would highly recommend this place, and I would definitely come here again! Make sure to make a reservation, especially if you're coming with a large party so you don't have to wait as long.

Food 10/10 Judging by the dinner standard. The food are good. I definitely did not expect this quality considering this is your neighborhood diner. The burger was a little average tho, so I dont recommend ordering that Ambiance 10/10 Overall this place is clean and well decorated. It feels like this is a fine dining from looking at the interior tbh. Service 8/10 The service was nice until we saw the check. The amount didn't add up! The final amount is $8 more compare to what we have ordered. The waitress told us there is a "hidden New Jersey tax" that will not shown on the bill. Not sure I believe that, but we didn't want to stay longer and argue for $8. I've never heard of hidden tax in my life

Third time visiting Tops Diner to grab dinner with friends! I wanted to try something new and decided to go with the grilled chicken gyro with sweet potato fries..at first glance it looked delicious and filling. The sweet potato fries were fresh and just came out of the fryer. However, first bite of the gyro was dry and tasteless. It was a disappointing rendition of a classic Greek wrap. They didn't skimp on the fillings but it was lacking in flavor and texture. The tzatziki sauce didn't help and brought the dish down. It was weirdly thick... and also tasteless. It felt like cream cheese instead of the zingy light character of the dip. However despite the disappointing meal, Tops diner never fails to make us feel special and valued as customers. The waitress was attentive , as well as the other staff members.

The hype behind this place is what drew me in - all the YouTube videos about it, social media posts, new articles. With how many described Tops I was expecting some amazing food, but seemed to forget that at the end of the day, I'm still eating at a diner and should lower my expectations a little bit. The food here is great when you're taking into account the fact you're in a diner. Traveling from Brooklyn, we are all too familiar with diners and the greasy snack food you can get from them. This was definitely way better than your average diner burger, and the portion sizes were HUGE! We left the restaurant with so many leftovers and all came to the consensus that this was one of the best diners that we have gone to. If you remove the fact you're at a diner from the equation, the food is just okay. Diners aren't notorious for the food quality, but you could tell Tops really cares about the food that they put out. We did think the food here was overpriced and couldn't believe how much we spent on our dinner here, but once you remember how much publicity this diner has, you sort of understand. We visited on a weekend evening for dinner, and made sure to make reservations online (+ reconfirmed over the phone as well). Even with reservations the diner was packed and we had ended up waiting 30+ minutes past the reservation time for our table. Service was just as you would expect for an insanely busy diner, not the best and most attentive, but the workers did try their best with the amount of demand there was for their presence in all areas of the restaurant. As for noteworthy food: Fried chicken. The only reason I got the fried chicken was because of the videos I had seen of their pressurized deep fryer, and I will say it was a pretty good piece of chicken! Don't really know if it was worth the price & the wait, but it was crispy & juicy & flavorful.

This is my first time here, and I was greatly surprised. The food was excellent, and the desserts were spectacular. The service was really really good a little crowded at the time that we went for Sunday night, but it was a good experience.

There's a huge hype around Top's Diner. It certainly is a very special place with lots of history. It's a blend of a classic NJ diner and a nice restaurant. Because of that, prices are a little high, but the service and food quality is better than you'd find at a typical diner.

I love Diners and Tops is definitely one of the better ones in NJ (of the 100s of Diners to choose from). We ordered plenty of food and almost everything tasted pretty good, and the Coctails were good. Staff were polite and friendly, and service was quick enough considering how packed they were. Price wasn't very high, and the quantity and quality of food is definitely a plus. Atmosphere was fancier than a regular diner, so good enough for Family Dinners or even a low-key Date.

Came here on a Saturday with no reservations and lots of people waiting. Luckily we were only a party of 2 and only waited 30 mins and got bar seats. Me and my boyfriend ordered the turkey club and lobster mac and cheese, both were delicious, and huge. We had to take it to go. I loved the bright ambiance with a dj playing music in the back.