Explore the coastal oasis in Cape May, NJ! Indulge in the flavors of our vibrant community as we invite you to explore the culinary wonders of local restaurants and bars. Delight in a curated list of establishments, each offering a unique taste of Cape May's diverse and delectable cuisine. You can find our recommended list of restaurants and bars below.
Avalon Coffee of Cape May 7 Gurney St 609-898-8088
Coffee Tyme At The Beach 315 Beach Ave 609-435-5647
Magic Brain Cafe 31 Perry St n/a
Golden Stop 120 Park Blvd 609-602-8830
Ostara’s Coffee House 600 Park Blvd 29 -3 609-770-7718
Out There Coffee 315 Ocean St - Unit 22 n/a
The Buoy Coffee Shop 722 Beach Ave 609-305-5825
Bagel Time Cafe & Hip Whip 727 Beach Ave 609-408-7596
Dock Mike’s Pancake House 110 Broadway 609-884-2855
George’s Place Cape May 315 Ocean St 609-600-2941
McGlades on the Pier 722 Beach Ave 609-884-2614
The Mad Batter Restaurant 19 Jackson St 609-884-5970
Uncle Bill’s Pancake House 261 Beach Ave 609-884-7199
Aloha Smoothie Co. 7 Gurney St 609-600-2721
Playa Bowls 307 Beach Ave - Unit 2 352-451-4919
Nikki's Café and Juicery 600 Park Blvd - Unit 32 609-600-2393
Fish House — 502 Sunset Blvd | 609-699-5696
Since opening in August 2024, Fish House has become one of the hottest spots on Sunset Beach, with bar stools perfectly positioned in front of an oversized window framing scenic shore views. Upscale casual with great ambiance.
Fins Bar & Grille — 142 Decatur St | 609-884-3449
A well-regarded Cape May staple with solid seafood and a comfortable, relaxed dining room — great for a leisurely lunch.
Carney's — 411 Beach Ave | 609-884-4424
A beloved beachfront spot with a classic Cape May feel, popular with the local crowd and repeat visitors.
Boiler Room — 200 Congress Place | 609-884-6507
Located inside the historic Congress Hall, this spot offers timeless classics and seasonal dishes made from farm-fresh ingredients, with a sophisticated old-world charm.
La La Lobster — 732 Beach Ave | 609-854-4215
A fun, quality seafood stop right on Beach Ave — lobster rolls and fresh catches appeal strongly to this demographic.
Quincy's Original Lobster Roll — 709 Beach Ave | 609-600-3571
A focused, quality concept. Lobster rolls are a quintessential Cape May lunch for visitors who appreciate fresh, well-made food.
El Pueblo Taqueria 2 — 730 Beach Ave | 609-305-5112
This family-run Mexican spot serves some of the area's best tacos and tortas and is a reliable option for a casual, satisfying lunch.
Big Wave Burrito — 605 Lafayette St | 609-898-8646
A local favorite with a loyal following — a solid casual option that's a step above typical beach fare.
Dry Dock Ice Cream Bar & Grill — 1440 Texas Ave | 609-884-3434
A fun, laid-back grill with broad menu appeal — good for groups with varied tastes.
Cape May Grilled Cheese Co. — 315 Ocean St, Unit 8B | 609-305-4276
A charming, unique concept that stands out — elevated comfort food that resonates well with the 45+ crowd looking for something casual but memorable.
Lobster House — 906 Schellengers Landing Rd | 609-884-8296
A Cape May institution. This dockside seafood landmark sits on Fisherman's Wharf with its own fishing fleet, a full-service restaurant, fish market, and raw bar. Voted Best of the Best in South Jersey in the 2023 Jersey Choice Restaurant Poll. A must for any visitor.
Blue Pig Tavern — 200 Congress Place | 609-884-8422
Named for an 1800s gambling parlor inside the historic Congress Hall Hotel, Blue Pig serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch in a light-filled rustic dining room with patio seating — with a menu of classic American comfort dishes made from farm-fresh ingredients.
Mayer's Tavern — 894 3rd Ave | 609-435-5078
Once billed as one of the best dive bars in America, Mayer's reopened in 2018 after a full renovation with a short, carefully curated menu spotlighting local farm produce and fresh seafood. Highly regarded by critics and locals alike.
Harry's Ocean Bar & Grille — 1025 Beach Ave | 609-884-2779
Recently named by Philadelphia Magazine one of the best places to drink outside, Harry's features fantastic ocean views from its second-floor deck, live music in season, and signature dishes like the Lobster BLT.
Lucky Bones Back Water Grille — 1200 NJ-109 | 609-884-2663
Created by the team behind the Washington Inn, Lucky Bones offers crisp brick-oven pizzas, creamless clam chowder, steaks, chops, and fresh seafood in a 150-seat space open year-round. Great for groups.
Rusty Nail — 205 Beach Ave | 609-884-0017
From the bar inside to the large sandlot out back and nightly live music, Rusty Nail is a go-to for a casual dinner-and-a-beer situation in Cape May — with Adirondack chairs and a fire pit adding to the laid-back vibe.
George's Place — 315 Ocean St | 609-600-2941
With tasteful whitewashed walls, exposed brick, and a pergola-shaded patio strung with fairy lights, George's Place is a local favorite open year-round, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Freda's Café — 210 Ocean St | 609-884-7887 A well-loved neighborhood gem with a loyal local following, known for thoughtful New American cooking in a warm, intimate setting — a great fit for the 45+ crowd.
Louisa's Café — 104 Jackson St Simple, well-prepared food and genuine hospitality have been winning loyalists since Louisa's opened in 1980. The menu focuses mostly on seafood with generous portions, and desserts are a particular strong point.
Ugly Mug — 426 Washington St | 609-884-3459
A Cape May classic and a beloved gathering spot with a long history on Washington Street. Perfect for a relaxed meal with a cold drink in a true local atmosphere.
Washington Inn — 801 Washington St | 609-884-5697
One of Cape May's most enduring fine dining landmarks, set inside an 1840 plantation-era home. The menu leans into refined American cuisine — think expertly prepared crab cakes, seafood cioppino, and seasonal specials — with one of the most impressive wine lists in the region. A beloved special-occasion restaurant that locals and repeat visitors return to year after year.
410 Bank Street — 410 Bank St | 609-884-2127
A Cape May original since 1984, this one-of-a-kind restaurant draws you in through a lush tropical garden before delivering a menu that blends New Orleans soul with Caribbean heat and French finesse. The unhurried, atmospheric setting — ceiling fans, candlelight, dignified service — makes it a standout evening from start to finish.
The Ebbitt Room — 25 Jackson St | 609-884-5700
Tucked inside the historic Virginia Hotel, this farm-to-table gem sources much of its menu directly from Beach Plum Farm. The dining room strikes a rare balance — genuinely elegant without being stiff — with rotating seasonal menus, polished service, and the option to dine on the hotel's lovely porch.
Maison Bleue Bistro — 653 Washington St | 609-435-5554
The only dedicated French restaurant in Cape May, and one that more than earns its reputation. Named one of New Jersey's best new restaurants in 2024, the BYOB menu showcases classical French technique applied with real creativity — the duck confit alone is worth the trip.
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant — 1301 Beach Ave | 609-884-9090
Consistently voted Cape May's most romantic restaurant, this 1907 beachfront mansion offers five gracious dining rooms plus a seasonal ocean-view veranda. The menu — featuring dry-aged steaks, day-boat scallops, and elegant daily specials — matches the setting's timeless charm.
SeaSalt — 1035 Beach Ave | 609-884-7000
A sophisticated seafood-forward experience inside the Ocean Club Hotel, SeaSalt blends coastal ingredients with subtle Asian and Mediterranean influences. Guest reviews rave about the precise cooking, inventive flavor combinations, and an impressive wine and cocktail program that complements every course.
Tisha's Fine Dining — 322 Washington St | 609-884-9119
A beloved BYOB on Washington Street that punches well above its intimate size. The kitchen turns out standout pasta dishes — including a rich short rib Bolognese and a lobster fettuccine in pink sauce — alongside creative American plates that make it a favorite for repeat visitors.
Iccara Italian Bistro — 315 Ocean St #4 | 609-884-0200
Chef-owner Vincenzo Sanzone brings his Sicilian roots to every plate at this warmly regarded BYOB. Traditional recipes are executed with care and a light touch, and the early bird prix fixe menu — three courses for $30 — makes it a particularly savvy choice for the 45+ crowd who appreciates both quality and value.
Union Park Dining Room — 727 Beach Ave | 609-884-8811
Set inside the historic Hotel Macomber right on Beach Avenue, Union Park offers a bright, resort-style dining room with views toward the water. The New American menu is polished and consistent, with the kind of attentive service and refined atmosphere that suits a leisurely dinner.
Andrea Trattoria Italiana — 412 Bank St | 609-884-0366
A refined Italian trattoria just a step away from the more well-known 410 Bank Street, yet holds its own with house-made pastas, classic veal and seafood preparations, and a warm, intimate dining room that feels genuinely transported from the Italian countryside.
Cione Gelato 315 Ocean St #10 267-496-7788
Fine Fellows Creamery 313 Beach Ave 609-854-7902
Kings Ice Cream 401 Lafayette St
Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard 512 Washington St 609-884-8610
Peace Pie 326 Carpenters Ln 609-435-5321
Scoops on Sunset 102 Sunset Blvd 609-742-7793
Uncle Charleys Ice Cream 306 Washington St
Beach Plum Farm Bakery & Cafe 484 West Perry Street 609-770-8261
Chez Michel 600 Park Blvd 609-435-5982
Cape May Peanut Butter Co. 516 Carpenters Ln 609-898-4444
Madison’s Bakery (multiple locations) 609-305-4641
Crepe May 306 Washington St 609-408-4751
Louisa’s Chocolate Bar 108 Jackson St 609-884-5519
The Original Fudge Kitchen 513 Washington St 609-884-2834
Briganti By The Bay 221 N Delsea Dr, Cape May Court House 609-465-0075
Cape May Winery 711 Town Bank Rd 609-884-1169
Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery 600 S Railroad Ave, Rio Grande 609-846-7347
Jessie Creek Winery 1 Route 47 North, Cape May Court House 609-536-2023
Turdo Vineyards & Winery 3911 Bayshore Rd 609-884-5591
Willow Creek Winery 168 Stevens St 609-770-8782
Behr Brewing 513 Seashore Rd 304-609-2347
Cape May Brewing Co. 1250 Hornet Rd, Rio Grande 609-849-9933
Cold Spring Brewery 733 Seashore Rd 609-854-3077
Gusto Brewing Company 3860 Bayshore Rd 609-849-8260
MudHen Brewing Company 127 W Rio Grande Ave, Wildwood 609-846-7918
Slack Tide Brewing 1879 Route 9, Clermont 609-478-2343
Whale Tale Brewing Company 28 Indian Trail Road, Cape May Court House 406-451-2589
Nauti Spirits 916 Shunpike Rd 609-770-3381
