Best seafood takeout on LBI. The flounder was fresh and flaky and the scallops were to die for. Kudos to the chef.

Amazing food great value always consistent just wish we could dine in addition to takeout

This is a fantastic little restaurant, and I stress little, on the north end of Long Beach Island. The cozy atmosphere is only open Thursday through Sunday, so in peak summer season you will certainly need a reservation. The traditional menu caters to the fresh seafood of the area, but non-seafood eaters can still find a nice fillet. On this night, we had the broiled flounder, swordfish, and a 7 ounce black Angus filet mignon. In every case, we found everything absolutely delicious, fresh and delightful. Considering the focus on seafood the 7 ounce filet mignon was cooked perfectly as well, no small feat in my mind. Your table will be served hot rolls, and a really neat cold appetizer tray that consists of a variety of cucumbers, pickles, hot peppers, carrots, celery, just a really nice touch on a hot summer day. During our visit, one thing I found a little bit funny, was the fact that all of the specials were "foreign ". Meaning that the red snapper was from Florida, the lobster tails were from south Africa, and there was a third item that was from somewhere else around United States. Just figured that even the specials would be local, nonetheless the regular menu was perfect. Given that the restaurant is quaint, and local, the service is good but could be a bit more if the servers talked a little bit more about the available dishes. Almost an upsell possibility if you will. Lastly, as is most of Barnegat light, this is a cash only restaurant, expect to pay around $40-$50 per head with tip, depending on how much you might get into additional appetizers and or dessert. Not unreasonable for the beach. Like most of Barnaget Light CASH only. read more

Good food for 20+ years. Awesome seafood and always good service. A shore favorite.

Ordered delivery for a large group. Food was exceptional. Best meal and friendliest service without a doubt. Been to the northern part of the island for so many years and never knew about this hidden gem! So great and so accommodating. Filet mignon was delish Volcano shrimp app outrageous. read more

Most amazing dinner in LBI! Family run restaurant with the best food on the island. Highly recommend the swordfish!

One of the 3 restaurants in BArnegat Light that serves fresh fish and scallops directly right from the fleet in Viking village. If it's sword, mahi mahi, tilefish, or fluke than it's locally caught. Not sure about Tuna? Service is always great, kids are welcome (at least if they are cute) and it's is a treat to eat here. I would say a hidden gem because they do not advertise. A throwback kind of place that if you are lucky enough to find, you count your blessings. read more

First time staying here in Barnegat Light and this place is right across the street. Ordered takeout on a very rainy day and it didn't disappoint. High quality and delicious. A hidden gem! And the staff was lovely and gracious to deal with. read more

My family and I (5 total), make it a point to eat here every summer when we come down to LBI, Everything we eat is delicious and you can taste the pride and detail in everything that comes out of this kitchen. Because of the 7/4 holiday we opted for takeout as the island is packed with more people than usual and it did not disappoint, everything we ordered was still piping hot and packaged very carefully and with consideration which is more than i can say for other places on the island that specialize in take out (off the hook i'm talking to you) and still manage to mess up a a large take out order, and then barely package it up correctly where stuff isn't spilled all over the car. I'm pretty certain over the years we have ordered almost everything on their menu and it was all delicious. Favorites are the salmon, baked or blackened, the tuna or the swordfish. All excellent options. Also a big fan of their clams oregonatta. This is a must have for dinner if you are on this part of the island. Looking forward to many more meals here. read more

Great food. Reasonable prices. Would like it if they had indoor dining again. We keep getting takeout from them

Call NOW---walk there NOW. This place should be open EVERY day! I have missed eating here for years due to piss-poor planning (53 summers I've been here at our Magic Cottage) and this year it was on my calendar reminder to order yesterday. I walked (do not use your car when you are at the beach!!!) to pick up the very best order of Clams Oreganata I have ever had and the crab imperial. Clams, scallops, flounder and swordfish are the local catches, so I would advise to look at those! Yea--I ordered crab. haha, LOVED IT! Tonite, I will order more clams (why oh why can't there be 12 clams??) and the flounder. This food puts the restaurant down the street, (whom shall not be named) to shame. Forgetaboutit---do not drive south, do not pass go. Walk directly to the 18th St. Cafe and order!! $$$$$ but worth every penny. You might spend $5 extra bucks over another spot, but it's $100 better! Well Done 18th St!! read more

We have been coming here on visits to the island for over 20 years. The talented chef grew up on island, and has fishermen friends who save him the top fish, sushi quality, and he prepares it simply and well, as it should be. If you want tuna with a pineapple salsa, this is not the place for you, but if you want perfectly cooked and seasoned top drawer tuna, you will be happy. My fave has always been the crab- stuffed flounder, and my husband adores their blackened swordfish, but everything is excellent. Barnegat is not The Hamptons. It is Simple, unaffected beach life as it should be, and this small restaurant with a warm and inviting atmosphete exemplifies that summer lifestyle at its best. I am mystified at the reviewer who complained about the owner being " old" and " rude" because Lisa is neither of those things. She is always warm, friendly, welcoming and helpful. There is a somewhat older looking waitress who has been there forever, but I have never found her to be rude. As for dated decor, I, a visually attuned artist, do not find it at all jarring or unattractive. Yes it is the same as it has always been, but it is fine. Reservations are needed, and because it is so popular, you may still have to wait outside for a while. It is worth the wait. read more

Being a local seasonal resident of the immediate area and having jogged past this place for years we finally decided to go for it. Also very skeptical of the reviews thinking this local joint couldn't possibly be that good and with very few photos I thought the reviews were employees. Wow was I wrong on all counts! This hidden gem is seriously that good! Although small and a bit dated on the interior the quality of the food was equally matched by the service. Great taste from apps to entrees...started with baked clams and chili shrimp which had fantastic flavor. Enjoyed twin lobster tails, scallops and shrimp and wife had chicken....all were tops!! The final bonus was the reasonable charge for the evening. Thanks to 18TH ave and well definitely be back. read more

We have been dining at the 18th St Cafe for 22 years and we love it. Watched Lisa and Seth's kids grow up. While the decor could use a facelift and the ac isn't the greatest; the fish is spectacular. Seth prepares the BEST fried scallops and flounder We have ever tasted. Succulent, tender , non-greasy and scrumptious. Our grandkids, who don't know better, order the chicken tenders but the four adults in my family order flounder, scallops, and/or lobster plus shrimp cocktail. The service can be slow but they are always cordial and responsive. read more

Best meal on the Island this year. Waitress Susan was awesome. The owner made sure we had a comfortable table for 4 adults and 2 small children. Very welcoming. Food was out of this world. I had the tuna special for an appetizer - can't say enough how great it was. Then surf and turf for dinner. Filet Mignon was cooked to perfection and the lobster tail was delicious and a great portion. Will be back again for sure next year. Maybe more than once! read more

Small, cozy, family-run restaurant in Barnegat Light. The crisp relish appetizer tray is a delightful change. The menu has a range of options and there are always some good specials. I had broiled scallops with a sweet potato on the side and it was excellent. Not a dessert place, only option was apple pie. As with many Barnegat Light businesses, its BYOB, no credit cards accepted and higher prices for the convenience of not leaving the north end. read more

Flounder + jumbo crab meat = yum Tuna with soy and ginger = yum Tuna without the soy and ginger = needs more flavor Fried shrimp didn't have too much breading and lamb was also good. They were busy so water refills were a little hard to come by but servers were friendly and polite. Bring cash! read more

Just down the block from us and we wait eagerly for the summer opening! Lisa, Seth & family are wonderful people and they all work together like a well oiled clock. The food is delicious and the choices are many. You cannot go wrong with dinner here. Make a reservation well in advance and BYOB and ENJOY!! read more

We went a few years back and the food was okay but the price was to high to match the quality. If quality was better rating would increase. Other than that it was a great little place and was quiet. Short walk to the beach from the restaurant. read more

The freshest fish as always and a warm welcome for the summer season. A wonderful place for real food. Make a reservation and bring your own wine. Enjoy read more

This is a hidden gem. My son and I had the shrimp cocktail as an appetizer. Beautiful large shrimp, delicious and fresh. We ordered the filet mignon with crabcakes. Excellent!! I have driven past this place for years. Now it is my go to place. read more

This restaurant has the freshest seafood on the island. The swordfish is the best I've ever had! Everyone that works there is friendly and the service is great. We eat there several times during the summer and miss it when they close. It is also a BYOB, which we prefer. read more

I was recently here for the first time. A cute, smaller and cozy space with a homey ambience in peaceful Barnegat Light. The servers were friendly and responsive. The meal is started with a complimentary crisp relish tray on a bed of ice: olives, radishes, pickles, celery, carrots. Warm rolls and butter are served with entrees. The menu consists of a selection of mostly seafood and steaks with a board of daily specials posted on the walls. I enjoyed crabcakes with lots of crab meat, a baked potato and shrimp cocktail starter. I enjoyed my meal and will be back again. read more

Horrible service. Selective on who they let. Not very welcoming. I would avoid this place. The gas station across the steer has better service read more

Fresh, uncomplicated seafood at its best. This family run restaurant is never a disappointment. Old fashioned, friendly service. The decor is very dated, but the food and service make up for it! They take reservations. Cash only! read more

On a busy 4th of July weekend, we had a confirmed reservation at this restaurant. Unfortunately for us, the 18th Street Cafe has the worst customer service ever. My reservation was confirmed via text message four days in advance, but when we arrived at the restaurant we were informed that we had never confirmed and as a result, the hostess gave our reserved table to someone else. My party of six included a surprise for my daughter who unbeknownst to her was being proposed to by her boyfriend. As a result of the rudeness and incompetence of the hostess of the 18th Street Cafe, we were unable to celebrate this joyous event as planned. Despite the positive reviews here, I will never attempt to eat at the 18th Street Restaurant again. Instead, I will tell all of my friends to NEVER make a reservation there. read more

Wow...best meal I have had on the island. All the years here and I've only just eaten here? Shame on me. If you haven't eaten here yet, shame on you. All the basics done extremely well. Veggie platter to start, very good. House salad, simple but great. Off the special menu, cajun shrimp over greens, amazing. If you like a nice spice to some grilled shrimp, get it. Made my own combo of NY strip and blackened swordfish. Blackened swordfish was amazing. Great seasoning and cooked to perfection (I am extremely picky with my steaks). Paired with the strip I was in heaven. The strip was seasoned very nicely and cooked exactly to medium rare as requested (most places serve medium when you order medium rare). The baked potato that went with it was delicious, had an almost crisp crust to it. My wife had the scallops and said they were amazing. BYOB and very attentive and friendly service paired with the best dinner on the island make this place a must. Definitely a small space and not a place to linger after your meal, but if you cant recognize that when you walk in, you dont deserve the deliciousness they serve up. We will be back...and we will come hungry. read more

This is undoubtedly the freshest seafood that I've had in recent years! The owner was absolutely delightful, and as she recommended different options, she was sure to let us know if any of the "components" were frozen (i.e. The shrimp). We had swordfish topped with lump crabmeat and flounder stuffed with crab. Both were over the top, and the salads, relish tray and rolls were extremely fresh as well. Drive by the other "trendy" places on LBI, and come down to 18th Street in Barnaget Light. It's worth the drive from anyplace on LBI! read more

MYSTERY: how could a family of "foodies" who have been coming to LBI for 60+ years and adore BYOs, overlook this gem? They score very high on four of the big five categories (food, service, atmosphere, value, creativity). Starting with the food, I don't think I've ever had fresher and better tasting seafood. The swordfish was spectacular, arguably the best we have ever tasted. The seared scallops were also amazing. When you factor in the terrific service (warm, friendly) and the cozy atmosphere, this place is a "home run". And the value (price / experience) is phenomenal. Ok, so the menu was not the most creative in the world but who cares - this is LBI, not NYC. We had an exceptional dining experience last night. Kudos to the owners, the staff and of course the chef. We'll be back - again and again. read more

A family favorite for over 15 years. Food is consistently fresh, delicious, and plentiful. Your meal starts with a complementary vegetable tray. Fresh bread and rolls also brought. If you have little ones, they have plenty of toys, crayons, and things to draw on. The fish is fantastic, typically caught locally and prepared simply but flavorful . It is a small restaurant, gets packed, cash only, and it's BYOB. It is a highlight of our yearly trips to LBI. read more

We made a reservation 1 week in advance. When we came the hostess told us to wait while she got our table ready. 45 min later she tells us there's no table! Blames it all on us that we never told her we wanted a reservation. Just Terrible customer service. Don't go! read more

True story...my wife and I stayed in Barnegal Light for a weekend in September of 2005 to learn more about the town...we went to dinner with our FOUR-MONTH-OLD daughter...and the service was SO bad...they were SO horrible...that Lisa held/carried our daughter while my wife and I ate our dinner. Truly HORRIBLE service - right? Needless to say, it made QUITE an impression on us...and was no small factor in our deciding to buy a house in Barnegat Light (on 18th street...no less!). Ignore the haters. The 18th Street Cafe is a JEWEL of north LBI...just grab a bottle of your favorite wine, and let Lisa and Seth provide you with an OUTSTANDING dinner. It is not the cheapest place...but it is worth EVERY penny! read more

Wow! My first time having swordfish. I was over the moon! Absolutely delicious. I had the swordfish topped with lump crab meat and Bernaise sauce. There were 4 of us, and nothing but raves for the entire meal! You can order several items and mix and match. BYOB and make a reservation. Go early! Fresh off the docks. Lovely folks here. The best meal we have had in a very long time. Cooked to perfection! We also liked the relish tray. It brought back memories. Oh! Cash only, no credit cards. read more

My husband and I had an absolutely lovely dinner there on Labor Day! The food was simply, but very well prepared. The staff was extremely warm, welcoming and attentive! The atmosphere was homey and clean. This was one of the best meals we have had on LBI this summer. And the cheesecake we shared for dessert ( prepared by our waitress's sister in law) was seriously the best on the planet! We will be back often! Just know that no credit cards are accepted. Cash or checks only! BYOB read more

We've been coming here since I was a kid (I'm 32) and it's always a hit. Great food, great service, and it's family owned. The main waitress and waiter are the owner and her son. The next gestation of my family are now going too and they're happy to accommodate a big party and are great with the kids! It's BYOB so bring some wine. read more

I have been going to LBI for 47 years and the Eighteenth Street Cafe is by far the best place to eat on the island. For the past ten years five of my high school buddies and I spend a weekend on the island. We stay at Ellas Motel, which is great and we eat at Eighteenth Street both nights. The owner and staff are super friendly, but we go there for the food. Really good fresh sea food at reasonable prices. It is not even close this is the place to eat. read more

This is my favorite restaurant on the island. I love that it is family owned. The food is always good. There is a great selection of choices. As an added bonus the beer mugs and white wine glasses are chilled enhancing the bottles you bring. read more

Not sure what happened with Alex B., but I've been to 18th Street a number of times and the service has always been great. It's a family business and that's exactly how they make you feel. The food is great. My favorite is the lamb, but I've never had anything other than a great meal here. read more

We have been going to this great, casual family-run restaurant for 15 years. Take the best ingredients, cook it perfectly and you have the secret to the outstanding food at 18th St. The fist is wonderful (our favorites include the tuna appetizer, crab cakes, swordfish, blackened salmon, fried shrimp and lobster tails) but the meat is also outstanding, particularly the lamb if they have it. Before we owned a house on the island, we would drive two hours for a meal here. read more

Like other reviewers, I have been eating at the cafe for years. It is superb: quiet, grown-up atmosphere, friendly service, excellent seafood and steaks. read more