618 Restaurant in Freehold Borough has been a hot spot for years, and now it’s getting major national recognition. 618 is the only New Jersey restaurant to make Yelp’s Top 100 U.S. Restaurants list for 2026, ranking 95 based on customer ratings and reviews of its food selections, cocktails, decor and overall vibe.
Also named the Most Romantic Restaurant in New Jersey by OpenTable for the fifth consecutive year, 618 gets high marks for its ambiance and hospitality. Matthew Borowski and his restaurant group Death of Hospitality (a nod to the responsibility restaurants have to their guests) also own Mezcal Modern Mexican Steakhouse in Old Bridge, a franchise of Jersey Freeze in Colts Neck, and the soon-to-open Elizabeth’s Italian in Old Bridge.
Recent specials at 618 from Chef Christopher Dutka’s menu include chicken tortilla soup, Granny’s meatballs, short rib ravioli, an 18-ounce cowboy steak with aji verde sauce and cactus salad, Pat LaFrieda 16-ounce NY strip steak covered in au poivre sauce with asparagus and handcut fries on the side (add on lobster tail or scallops or make it gluten free), sautéed littleneck clams with chorizo compound butter and red chimichurri, and fried red snapper with rajas poblanas.
The drinks are made for Instagram. Think fresh flowers on your glass, dry ice to make it smoky, and stemware to match the theme. Warmest Regards is a choice of Zacapa 23 Rum or vanilla-infused Ketel One vodka with orange, vanilla, apple cider and Averna; the Nor’Easter has Botanist Gin, blueberry, sage, lemon and elderflower foam. The Valentine’s special A Little Birdie Told Me is Ketel One vodka, strawberry hibiscus, lemon and orange blossom. You can even order a collection of cocktails to go, including espresso martini, pistachio martini (a longtime fave) and cosmopolitan. The collection right now is for Super Bowl Gameday cocktails; plus Valentine’s to-go kits (Be Mine, desert pear margarita, pistachio martini and white cosmo) are available all month long.
618 has also become a destination for happy hour, half-price wine and live music on Wednesdays, cocktail making classes, and tastings. Besides the main dining area, there are separate party rooms, an upstairs banquet room with fireplaces, a newly renovated bar, and a dance floor.
The Romance Experience is available throughout February, with a four-course prix fixe menu including Granny’s meatballs or short rib ravioli, burrata, NY strip steak or Point Pleasant scallops, and pistachio olive oil cake. Add on Be Mine for a toast with Botanist gin, raspberry, lemon and egg whites. 
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Kids are welcome, too. There’s no set menu, but they can order the pasta with marinara sauce or butter, or chicken fingers with fries and top it off with a Shirley Temple.
Top off your meal with homemade ice cream sandwiches, a chunky monkey brownie sundae, or warm sticky toffee cake.
618 Restaurant is located at 618 Park Ave., Freehold Borough.
Check out the romantic vibes via our Instagram page.
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