Cape May Restaurants
The New York Times has called Cape May the culinary capital of New Jersey and many fine dining experiences await you here. Seafood is a particularly good choice in many of the area restaurants, as Cape May ranks first on the east coast in commercial seafood landings. At the inn and hotel, we keep current menus of many of the local restaurants for your perusal and encourage our guests to write their own comments in our restaurant review book. Many Cape May restaurants encourage you to bring your own wine, beer or cocktails.
Doug & Anna Marie's List Of Selected Restaurants
Please check the opening schedule also! Reservations are recommended.
Listed below are a variety of restaurants Doug and Anna Marie and our guests enjoy. This list is not inclusive, and it is very personal, but the way these restaurants treat our guests shapes our opinions. We have also listed some casual or "tavern fare" places, for your consideration. We recommend reservations at all times, but for Saturday night dinner reserve in advance!
LEGEND:
A restaurant open in the winter or for a longer than usual season
Denotes restaurant has a liquor license
Denotes BYO
Cape May Classics
The Black Duck on Sunset
(609) 898-0100
About a 15 minute walk from the inn, this is a distinctive restaurant with an airy atmosphere and creative menu and great raw bar choices! The Black Duck is owned by Chris Hubert, a renowned local chef who also owns the restaurant "Godmothers".
Cucina Rosa
(609) 898-9800, Mall and Perry Streets
Located at the west end of the Washington Street Mall, this is our favorite Italian restaurant. Prices are reasonable, the service is great, and the expansion upstairs has opened up their table spacing. Cucina Rosa features wine from the Cape May Winery (but we like to bring our own).
Mad Batter
On Jackson street, just steps from The Queen Victoria, the Mad Batter is a Cape May landmark. Though our guests don't often try their famous brunches, the Mad Batter is a good destination for either Lunch or Dinner. We particularly enjoy dining on the front porch, watching folks stroll down scenic Jackson street and savoring any of the fine entrees offered. The Mad Batter was awarded the 2006 New Jersey Tourism "Diamond" award in recognition of the role it plays in making Cape May the restaurant capital of New Jersey.
Freda's Cafe
(609) 884-7887
Freda's is one of our favorite Cape May restaurants. It is a reasonably priced, charming neighborhood bistro on Ocean street, just one block from the inn. Continental flavor with a hint of soul. Home of the best Crab Cakes in Cape May (maybe the world)!
George's Place
(609) 884-6088
George’s is unbelievable. If you like incredibly good food at tremendous value pricing, you need to visit George’s for at least one dinner the next time you are in Cape May. Georges is a Greek restaurant, but most of the really Greek dishes are on the appetizer menu. All dinner entrees come with a very generous Greek or Caesar salad at an average price of about $12.
410 Bank Street
(609) 884-2127, (their name is their address)
This is one of Cape May's finest and a real favorite of ours. The French Creole cuisine is a wonderful explosion of flavor. The menu features a lot of seafood with some wonderful steaks as well. The portions are large and nobody ever goes home hungry from 410 Bank.
Martini Beach
If you're looking for great food from an interesting menu and the best ocean views in town, make plans to visit Martini Beach during your stay with us. Anna Marie and I really love the food and the atmosphere. Lots of folks love the "Tapas Menu", allowing them to sample several offerings instead of an entree for dinner. Martini Beach is just a few steps from the inn.
Union Park
(609) 884-8811, 727 Beach drive (at Howard)
Union Park is located in the Hotel Macomber, just a few blocks from the inn. Union Park offers elegant dining, great service, delicious food. We have chosen to have many of our holiday dinners here and we've never been disappointed. Union Park is probably the prettiest dining room in town. They’ve also started serving on the porch for an outside, ocean view dining option.
Fresco's
(609) 884-0366
Fresco's is owned by the same folks that own 410 Bank Street, which is located right next door. It features an interesting Northern Italian a-la-carte menu. The service is attentive, the setting is pleasant, and the food is great. We always enjoy Frescos.
La Verandah
(609) 884-5868, 107 Grant Street
La Verandah is located in the Hotel Alcott on Grant street, about 10 minutes walk from the inn. La Verandah offers southern elegance with dining both inside and on the romantic verandah. The food is unbeatable and the service is wonderful. Another favorite of ours!
Henry's On the Beach
(609) 884-8826
Henry’s is nearby on the Boardwalk, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It is a very casual, family restaurant with moderate prices. Henry’s is a good place to go for a burger and a view of the beach.
The Pier House
(609) 898-0300
The Pier House is a contemporary restaurant located in the building formerly occupied by "The Water's Edge". That is to say that it is about 1 mile away from The Queen Victoria® . a long walk. It is a wonderful restaurant with a creative menu and the food is excellent. It features a two indoor dining rooms (one in the bar) and outside dining as well. This restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (though we recommend our breakfast!)
Lobster House
This is a big tourist restaurant located 1 mile from the inn at a major fishing dock. We recommend it as a fun lunch excursion (poke around the docks as well). Except for winter weekdays, we do not suggest it for dinner - no reservations and long waits.
Peter Shields Inn
(609) 884-9090
Peter Shields is an elegant fine dining restaurant with ocean views from some tables. In the summer they also serve on their front porch for a pretty ocean view. The menu is creative and interesting and sure to please a discerning palate. Cape May wine offered
Tisha's
(609) 884-9119
Tisha’s is located on the boardwalk in our Solarium, just west of Convention Hall. The service is great and accommodating. The menu has an Italian Flair and the food is excellent. This is a great place to get some beautiful ocean views, especially at sunset.
Washington Inn
(609) 884-5697
One of the best of the best, advance reservations needed for popular times. Excellent service, sophisticated menu, one of the best wine lists in NJ.
Casual Tavern Fare
Jackson Mountain Cafe
(609) 884-5648
On the Washington Street Walking Mall at Jackson Street. Great place to grab a burger and a beer.
Carney’s
(609) 884-5648
Carney's is actually two restaurants and bars, both of which are popular evening haunts. The food at Carneys is better than Anna Marie and I usually expect from a Pub/Tavern, and would be our first choice in this category.
About BYO
For those of you not familiar
According to some regulatory pundits in Trenton, who have never heard of tourism, the State's second largest industry, Cape May, with 5,000 permanent residents, should only have 2 liquor licenses. Luckily we were grandfathered in with more, but not enough. Thus it is popular and acceptable to Bring Your Own Bottle of wine or beer. Without a doubt, one of the most popular places in town (and, appropriately, on the highest ground) is:
Collier's Liquor Store
(609) 884-8488Near many of the restaurants, at Jackson and Lafayette, they have an excellent selection of wines and micro-beers. Many selections are rated by stars - trust them. They deliver to the inn, making it great for a special gift.