Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May Dining Guide
Our personal picks for the best restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and hidden gems in Cape May — from someone who eats here every day.
Taste Cape May
Dining & Drinks
From award-winning fine dining to the perfect morning coffee, Cape May’s culinary scene punches well above its weight. These are our personal picks — the places we actually eat, drink, and send every visitor who asks.
Date Night & Fine Dining
Fine Dining · Farm-to-TableThe Ebbitt RoomIf you eat one meal in Cape May, make it here. The Ebbitt Room sources ingredients straight from Beach Plum Farm, and you can taste the difference in every single bite. The nightly prix fixe menu is an experience — Victorian elegance meets farm-fresh flavors that feel effortless.(609) 884-5700 • @theebbittroom
Fine Dining · BYOBTisha’s Fine DiningA Cape May fine dining institution that’s earned every bit of its reputation. Italian-influenced seafood on the Washington Street Mall in an atmosphere that feels both special and welcoming. BYOB, so bring something you love.(609) 884-9119 • @tishascm_
Fine Dining · BYOBPrimalLet’s talk about the lobster. It’s a New Zealand lobster, and it will blow your mind — the best you’ve ever had. Primal is high-end steak and seafood right on the beach, BYOB, and one of the hardest reservations to get on the island. Pro tip: they only book through Resy.Resy only • @primalbymia
Fine Dining · ItalianSecondoThe chicken parm is out of this world — truly some of the best you’ll have anywhere. Secondo brings scrumptious food and a great atmosphere together for a date-night-worthy dinner. Their old fashioned cocktail is the perfect way to start the evening.(609) 600-2115 • @secondopanicos
Family-Friendly Favorites
Seafood · Cape May IconThe Lobster HouseEvery Cape May visit needs a Lobster House trip — it’s been a family tradition for four generations. Fish market, raw bar, dock bar, full restaurant. But here’s the local move: grab takeout and sit by the Schooner. The breeze, the boats, the harbor — that’s the real Cape May experience.(609) 884-8296 • @the_lobster_house
American · SeafoodLucky Bones Backwater GrilleMarina views, brick-oven pizza, fried oysters, and cold local beers — Lucky Bones works for everyone. Bring the whole family, bring your out-of-town visitors. And don’t sleep on winter — it’s just as great when the crowds thin out.(609) 884-2663 • @luckybones_capemay
American · Late NightCarney’sFamily-owned for over 40 years with soul to spare. Pizza, full dinners, live bands, late-night dancing. Fresh coastal renovation coming Spring 2026, but the energy that makes Carney’s Carney’s isn’t going anywhere.(609) 884-4424 • @carneyscm
Beach Bar · FamilyThe Rusty NailThis is a vibe, full stop. Head to the sand first, cozy up to a firepit, and let the kids loose with beach toys while you sip something cold. Our favorite bartenders on the island work here.(609) 884-0017 • @rustynailcapemay
Casual Seafood · Sunset BeachFish HouseSmall, quaint, and quietly high-end. The smoked fish dip is a must, and the Sunset Beach location can’t be beat. Come at golden hour with rosé, catch the flag ceremony, and watch the sun drop into the Delaware Bay.(609) 699-5696 • @fishhousecapemay
Seafood · Sushi · NightlifePort MarinaHamptons meets Cape May. The 2025 renovation brought sleek dark-wood interiors, a killer seafood and sushi menu, and actual DJs. Worth the drive outside of town — this is the spot when you want to feel somewhere special.(609) 884-5444 • @portcapemay
Seafood · Neighborhood GemFreda’sThe crab cakes at Freda’s are to die for. Even better? Our neighbor owns this restaurant, so every meal feels like supporting family. That’s what Cape May is all about — great food made by people who are part of the community.(609) 884-7887
Waterfront · FamilyMad VikingFamilies, this one’s for you. Mad Viking overlooks the basin and Coast Guard Academy, with a playground right there for the kids. Grab a drink, let the little ones burn off energy, and enjoy some of the best waterfront views in town.(609) 899-0990 • @madviking.capemay
Brunch & Breakfast
Farm-to-Table · BrunchBeach Plum FarmAl fresco brunch on an actual working farm in West Cape May — feed the chickens, walk back to see the pigs, then sit down to a meal made from ingredients that were growing that morning. Even when it’s busy, there’s space to breathe. Unlike anything else in Cape May.(609) 602-0128 • @beachplumfarm
Brunch · Congress HallThe Blue Pig TavernTucked inside Congress Hall, The Blue Pig has vintage coastal energy that just works. The iced coffee is legit, the food is good, and the people-watching from inside one of Cape May’s most historic buildings is half the fun.(609) 884-8422 • @bluepigtavern
Happy Hour & Bar Scene
Live Music · RooftopHarry’s Ocean Bar & GrilleVoted Best of Cape May for live music, and it lives up to it. The real move: orange crush on the rooftop deck overlooking the ocean. The kind of place where one drink turns into a whole night.(609) 884-2779 • @harryscapemay
Mexican · Tequila BarTaco Caballito TequileriaIncredible tacos and even better margaritas. Happy hour turns into the whole evening — windows open, music playing, ocean air drifting in on Beach Ave. The coastal vibe here is unmatched.(609) 546-3935 • @tacocaballitocapemay
Lounge · Congress HallThe Brown RoomThe upscale lounge inside Congress Hall with killer cocktails and a fireplace that makes winter feel intentional. We actually work from here in the off-season. Their old fashioned is a must.(609) 884-6542 • @congresshall
Pizza · Burgers · Full Bar5 West PubDon’t let the North Cape May address fool you — 5 West is a serious food spot. Same team behind Tisha’s Fine Dining downtown, and the quality shows. The dirty shrimp is legendary, and they serve Tisha’s famous calamari.(609) 889-7000 • @5westpub
Hidden Gem · Marina DistrictMayer’s TavernA true hidden gem in the Marina District, off the beaten path. The menu is small but every single thing packs serious flavor. The kind of place locals keep to themselves — but we’re sharing it with you.(609) 435-5078 • @mayerstavern
Coffee & Quick Bites
Coffee · Multiple LocationsCoffee TymeTwo locations — one on the Mall, one by the beach — so you’re never far from a good cup. Quick, easy, consistently good coffee to fuel your Cape May mornings.(609) 435-5647 • @coffee_tyme
Coffee · Baked Goods · West Cape MayOstara’sThemed signature drinks, fresh smoothies, and homemade baked goods in West Cape May. Great gluten-free and vegan options. Welcoming, inclusive, and LGBTQ+ friendly — the kind of neighborhood spot every town deserves.(609) 770-7718 • @ostarascoffeehouse
Organic · CafeGolden StopOrganic, non-GMO, and made fresh daily. Golden Stop in West Cape May is a hidden gem for clean breakfast and lunch — the kind of place that makes you feel good about what you’re eating. Year-round.(609) 602-8830 • @goldenstopcm
Bagels · Quick BiteBagel TimeGreat bagels for a quick grab before the beach. Cute patio for sitting in the sun, and don’t miss the Instagrammable neon wall. Fast, fun, and exactly how a shore morning should start.(609) 408-7596 • @bageltimecafecm
Coffee · Cozy VibesMagic Brain CafeQuaint little spot in a charming old building. Not a lot of bells and whistles, but the coffee is solid and the vibe is chill. A quiet morning go-to.@magicbraincafe