When I think about what restaurants make me nostalgic, I always come back to old-school delis. There’s something special about places like this, where you walk in to a massive deli counter with a huge selection of smoked meats and there are free pickles on the table. I always look for a place that delivers the same great tastes and vibes, along with classic dishes like knishes, brisket, and hard-to-find delicacies like kasha varnishkes or kishke. I found all that and more at Nostalgia Kosher, definitely the most retro deli in New Jersey. Located in a Lakewood shopping mall, many of the recipes here don’t just date back to the golden age of the American deli – they call back to historic Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine in 19th century Hungary and other countries of Europe. So head to Lakewood to step back in time and discover this old but far-from-forgotten cuisine for yourself!

Located in a Lakewood shopping strip, Nostalgia Kosher is a low-key deli with some big flavors.
Mendy Friedman/Google Local
The small space has a clean, modern, but undeniably old-school vibe that we love.
David Hager/Google Local
You can tell it's a classic deli - the counter is front and center, and Nostalgia does a brisk business in catering orders.
Chily Rosenfeld/Google Local
But to get the full experience, you'll want to eat in - complete with a pickle plate and all the old-school delights you can handle.
Shopping Weels/Google Local
A kosher deli is partially judged by its matzo ball soup, and this is a classic - a massive matzo ball, surrounded by noodles, chunks of chicken, and a flavorful broth.
Mendy Friedman/Google Local
Knishes are another staple, but the pastrami knish with an Everything Bagle topping is an instant classic.
Mendy Friedman/Google Local
Of course, for those who want a hearty deli sandwich, the corned beef and pastrami here are among the state's best.
Moishy Muller/Google Local
But you've also got some truly classic dishes you can't find anywhere else. Try the shlishkes - a Hungarian potato dumpling, here topped with sweet-and-spicy pulled chicken.
Moishy Muller/Google Local
For the truly daring, this menu even has Tongue Polonaise and stewed chicken gizzards on the menu.
Even the desserts are authentic. Ever had babka a la mode? You'll be glad you did.
Yanky Graus/Google Local

Have you visited Lakewood to dine at Nostalgia Kosher? Tell us about your visit to this retro deli in New Jersey in the comments section! The deli keeps a low profile online, but you can visit the Nostalgia Kosher Instagram page for more pictures of their mouthwatering cuisine. Lakewood is also home to an old-school European deli, one of the best international supermarkets in NJ. If you want to extend your visit to this laid-back town, consider staying the night at the Hilton Garden Inn Lakewood.

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Nostalgia Kosher, 1200 River Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701, USA