|
Cape May is known as a "foodies" mecca, with
some of the best fine-dining restaurants in the entire state. But even
if you aren't a gourmand, there are plenty of places to indulge your taste
buds. The following are some of our favorites.
Copper Fish
Open for dinner Thursday, Friday & Saturday
nights.
Located across from the South Jersey Marina as you enter town, this small,
intimate restaurant is one of Cape May's undiscovered gems. An innovative
menu features items like Lobster Mango Tango Margarita, Seaweed & Cucumber
Salad, and Sharon's favorite, East Coast Crab Cakes. The restaurant offers
wine from the local Turdo Vineyard or you may bring your own. Moderately
expensive, reservations are recommended. Currently the Copper Fish is
offering cooking demonstrations on Wednesday nights and live music on
Thursday & Friday. (609) 898-0354.
Union Park
Reopens this weekend.
The only restaurant in Cape May to receive four stars from the AC
Press, Union Park is housed in the Macomber Hotel. Executive Chef John Schatz has created an outstanding menu featuring the
freshest and finest ingredients.
All major credit cards are accepted. Moderately expensive. Union Park
does not have a liquor license but you are welcome to bring your own. 609-884-8811.
Washington Inn
Open Friday - Sunday.
Expertly prepared continental-style cuisine, an attentive staff and
distinctive setting all combine to make your dining experience a
memorable event. The wine cellar contains over 8,000 bottled
wines, making their wine list the most extensive in all of South Jersey. Open for
dinner, all major credit cards are accepted, proper dress is required and off-street and
valet parking is available. Reservations are definitely required. Expensive. 609-884-5697.
The Pier House at the Water's Edge
Open weekends for dinner.
Located at the site of the former Water's Edge just around the corner
from the Angel. One of Cape May's newest restaurant. Not a lot of feedback
from guests so far, but what we have heard has been mostly positive.
Expensive. Full bar. 898-0300.
Ebbitt
Room at the Virginia Hotel Open nightly for
dinner.
The Virginia Hotel's acclaimed restaurant is known for its gourmet
dining and culinary diversity and offers a comprehensive wine list, fresh
seafood and American and international specialties. The Ebbitt Room is open nightly for dinner and
accepts all major credit cards. New this year is a small portion lounge
menu. Dress is nice casual and valet parking
is available. Reservations are highly recommended. Very expensive. 609-884-5700.
Lobster House Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner daily.
The largest and most popular restaurant in town, the Lobster House
delivers the freshest seafood around at moderate prices. Open daily for lunch and dinner,
the restaurant does not take reservations, but you can ask at the front desk about
Angel
Priority Seating. Can be loud and touristy but the service is fast and efficient. In summer enjoy the outside Raw Deck
or enjoy cocktails on the Schooner America. All major credit cards accepted. Off-street
parking. 609-884-8296.
Cucina Rosa
Open Friday & Saturday for
dinner.
Excellent, moderately-priced Italian food in a friendly and relaxed setting are featured
at Cucina Rosa. Menu items include their house specialty Chicken Involtino
and Seafood Lasagna. Bring your own wine or beer. Non-smoking throughout. Located right on the
Washington
Street Mall, finding on-street parking can sometimes be a problem in season. All major credit
cards, casual dress. 609-898-9800.
The Black Duck
Open weekends for dinner.
Chef Chris Hubert of Union Park has opened a second restaurant in
Cape May at the site of the former "Peaches on Sunset". The atmosphere and food are
advertised as "casual, cool." With Hubert at the helm it should be a welcome
addition to the local restaurant scene. Casual dress, all major credit cards,
some off-street parking available, along with handicap access. The Black Duck does not have a liquor license, but you are welcome to
bring your own wine or beer. 609-898-0100.
Cape Orient
Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Cape May's only Oriental Restaurant, this family owned and operated
restaurant offers a wide menu of traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Thai
cuisines, with a special daily "fusion menu." Located in the Victorian
Village Plaza across from the mall, the Cape Orient offers free parking and
take out service. All major credit cards and BYOB. 609-898-0088.
Mangia,
Mangia Closed for the season.
Good family-style Italian dining at the most reasonable prices in town. BYOB and
non-smoking throughout. Open for dinner only, Mangia, Mangia does not take reservations.
Dress is casual and most credit cards are accepted. On-street parking. Inexpensive. 609-884-2429.
Tisha's Closed
for the season.
Enjoy fine dining in a romantic setting right on the beach in Cape May. The menu changes
bi-weekly and features American and Italian specialties. Bring
your own bottle, most major credit cards are accepted. Parking can be a problem, but Tisha's is only a leisurely stroll from
the inn. Expensive. Reservations. 609-884-9119.
Alexander's
Serving dinner Friday & Saturday.
White glove service in an intimate bed & breakfast setting, Alexander's is probably
one of Cape May's best kept secrets. The menu changes weekly and offers a choice of ala
carte or prix fixe dining. Bring your own wine. Hint: Because of its location on
Washington Street, parking can be a problem, but the search for a space is well-rewarded
by the food. Very expensive. 609-884-2555.
Mad Batter Open
daily for lunch & Wednesday - Saturday for dinner.
For years, the Batter has been a favorite with locals and visitors alike
and with good reason. An eclectic menu in a charming and friendly setting
make this restaurant a sure thing. Open daily for lunch and dinner. The
porch is the place to sit for some of the best people-watching in town.
Moderately priced. The Batter now has a liquor license and full bar.
609-884-5970.
The Merion Inn
Open weekends for dinner.
Serving food and spirits since 1855, Watson's Merion Inn is one of
the oldest restaurants in town. Fresh seafood and sizzling steaks, along
with a full service bar, make The Merion Inn popular with tourists and
locals alike. Entertainment by jazz pianist George Mesterhazy on his brand
new Steinway grand. A real plus is on-site parking.
Casual dress, credit cards, reservations. Moderately expensive.
609-884-8363.
Axelssohn's Blue Claw
Open for dinner Friday and Saturday and Sundays on holiday
weekends.
An alternative to the Lobster House, the Blue Claw also specializes
in fresh seafood. But here the atmosphere is much more intimate and upscale,
and the cuisine is definitely gourmet. Dinner is served nightly and there
are some dress requirements in the formal dining room. George Karavan plays
piano in the lounge. Located about a mile out of town on the road to
Wildwood Crest. Ask at the front desk for directions. All major credit cards
are accepted, parking is available and reservations are required. Very
expensive. 609-884-5878.
Geckos
Open for lunch and dinner Thursday - Saturday.
Another restaurant from the Millers, owners of Frescos & 410 Bank
Street. Specializing in southwestern cuisine in a relaxed casual
atmosphere, Geckos is located just around the corner from the Washington Street Mall,
Because of its location parking can be a problem. BYOB. Moderately priced.
609-898-7750.
A Ca Mia
Closed for the season.
Enjoy fine Northern Italian and contemporary American cuisine in a lovely Euro-style
dining room located right on the Washington Street Mall. The menu features fresh local
seafood, pasta, steak, poultry, and veal prepared in an innovative manner. The lunch menu
has something for everyone -- great sandwiches on house-baked breads, pastas, salads,
gourmet pizza and, of course, fresh seafood. Outside patio dining and Early Bird specials
are available. BYOB, credit cards,
casual dress. Moderately expensive. Parking can be a problem because of its location.
609-884-6661.
Oyster Bay Open weekends.
Oyster Bay bills itself as Cape May's only Steak House and
features a selection of sizzling steaks, prime rib, charbroiled seafood,
whole lobster, crab cakes and surf & turf combos. The big news is Oyster Bay
now has a full liquor license and bar. Located just across from the Acme on
Lafayette Street, Oyster Bay has off-street parking. Dress is casual and
most major credit cards are accepted. Moderately expensive. 609-884-2111.
Louisa's Open
Friday and Saturday for dinner.
Hidden away on Jackson Street, just off the mall, this storefront
eatery is one of Cape May's best kept secrets. The eclectic
Caribbean/Pacific influenced menu changes daily and is written on a
chalkboard in the rear of the restaurant. Desserts are home-made. The dining
room seats less than two dozen and tables are set very close together, so
it's almost impossible not to meet your fellow diners and enjoy some
spirited conversation. Reservations are required and only held 5 minutes, so
don't be late. Louisa's does not accept credit cards and does not have a
liquor license, so bring cash and your own wine or beer. Because of its
location parking can be a real problem. Moderately priced. 609-884-5882.
Aleathea's Open nightly for dinner.
Located in the famous Inn of Cape May, Aleathea's offers porch dining
just across from the beach. Enjoy ocean breezes, as you sample their menu
that includes everything from homemade Meatloaf to Chilean Sea Bass and
Lobster Penne. Off-street and valet parking is available and all major
credit cards are accepted. Expensive; dress is nice casual. Aleathea's has a
full bar. Reservations.609-884-5555 or 1-800-582-5933
Frescos
Closed for the season.
Dine by candlelight in a restored 1880 Victorian cottage at what the
NY times calls, the best Italian restaurant in Southern New Jersey.
"This award-winning restaurant specializes in Northern and Regional Italian
cuisine with signature menu items that include Saltimbocco Classico and Osso
Buco alla Frescos," raves the NY Times. All major credit cards are accepted
and off-street parking is provided nearby. Frescos does not have a liquor
license, but you are welcome to bring your own. Dress is casual and the
atmosphere is friendly. Reservation are definitely required. Be aware that
Frescos does not offer a waiting area and because of their popularity there
is sometimes a long wait even with reservations after 8 pm. Expensive.
609-884-0366.
410 Bank Street
Closed for the season.
410 Bank offers diners award-winning New Orleans-style French
Caribbean cuisine. Fish steaks, seafood, prime steak and veal dishes are
grilled over an open fire with 410's famous specialty sauces. Menu items
include Chilean Sea Bass Creole, Blackened Prime Rib and Mesquite Grilled
Lobster Tail. Dine in either their Tropical Garden or secluded veranda.
Reservations are a definite must, BYOB, casual dress and all major credit
cards. Nearby off-street parking is also provided. Like its sister
restaurant, Frescos, 410 does not offer a waiting area for dinner and later
diners may have quite a wait to be seated. Very expensive. 609-884-2127.
Godmother's Open
Friday & Saturday for dinner.
Godmother's bills itself as Cape May's Original Italian restaurant
and features classic Italian cuisine in a friendly and casual atmosphere.
The restaurant changed hands last year and the new owners have updated both
the decor and menu. All their pasta is homemade and early bird specials are
offered nightly. Godmother's accepts all major credit cards and guests are
welcome to bring their own beer or wine. On-street parking is available
nearby and reservations are accepted. 609-884-4543.
Freda's Cafe
Open Friday through Monday.
Located just around the block from the Washington Street Mall,
Freda's offers light contemporary fare in an elegant bistro-style setting. A
late night dessert menu is offered along with live music on weekends in the
summer. Parking can be a problem because of their location and no credit
cards are accepted. Cash only. BYOB and casual dress. Moderately priced.
609-884-7887.
The Magnolia Room
Closed for the season.
Enjoy real Southern-style dining in the Chalfonte Hotel's unique
Magnolia Room. Dinner is served family style with a choice of three or four
varying entrees nightly. Don't look for any nouvelle cooking here;
dishes are baked or fried and the preparation is kept simple. Credit cards
are accepted and reservations are definitely required. There is a dress code
and on-street parking is usually available nearby. Be warned -- the
Chalfonte is not air-conditioned. Moderately priced. 609-884-8409.
Sunset
Beach Grill Closed for the season.
If your looking for someplace a little different for lunch or a
snack, check out the Sunset Grill. Steaks, fries and ice cream with a
terrific view of "where the ocean meets the bay". The only place to watch
the sunset. 609-898-81967.
Sorry we couldn't get to all the restaurants in town, but space prevents
us from mentioning some of our other favorites. All menus are available in
the parlor and we try to keep them updated. Many restaurants in town are
BYOB, all are non-smoking and a few have rather minor dress codes. Anyone at
the front desk will be happy to answer our guests' questions and make your
reservations and give directions. Happy eating!
BACK TO
THINGS TO DO
HOME |
