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Cape May County,
New Jersey
Dining at the Jersey Cape
What’s the capital of New Jersey? For those
who enjoy eclectic menus, superb service and
trendy ambiance from sophisticated elegance to
shabby chic, Cape May is definitely the culinary
capital of the Garden State.
Much of Cape May’s renaissance in the late
1970s is attributable to the culinary revolution
that helped Cape May morph from a sleepy, little
beach town to a Victorian seashore resort filled
with restored, turn of the century mansions and
new restaurants that favored exotic fish, good
wines and exciting desserts.
Now, however, there’s plenty of competition.
The restaurant renaissance that started years
ago in Cape May has spilled into the Wildwoods
and north to Stone Harbor, Avalon and Ocean City
with an ever-increasing number of gourmet
restaurants.
Stop by Fishermen’s Wharf at the Lobster
House - Cape May is one of the largest fishing
ports on the East Coast – and watch your dinner
being unloaded when some of the area’s largest
boats dock after a day, weeks or longer at sea.
And, Jersey Fresh produce – corn, tomatoes,
berries, melons and more – much of it grown
right here in Cape May County, is the perfect
complement to any meal.
Outdoor dining, usually overlooking the
ocean, the bay or the inland waterway, is one
way to have it all: cool breezes, a great view
and probably some good music thrown in. The
decor is courtesy of Mother Nature as sailboats
glide along, sightseeing boats or a
paddle-wheeler passes by as the sun sinks slowly
toward the horizon. Several restaurants in Cape
May, the Wildwoods and Strathmere offer dock
facilities for patrons who prefer to arrive by
boat to enjoy a leisurely dinner or raw bar
specialties as fresh as you can get anywhere.
Ethnic menus – popular Italian variations,
Japanese sushi, Mexican fajitas, Thai, Asian,
Greek gyros, Key West-style conch chowder - add
more choices to mealtime. New restaurants are
added each season, it seems, plus there are
always the perennial favorites, ones that have
been around literally for decades, in virtually
every town in the county. Of course, there are
always those fries, hoagies, cheese steaks,
funnel cake, hot dogs and other summer choices
on the boardwalks in shore communities – just
watch out for those pesky seagulls who are
always looking for their next meal!
Several county towns are dry: West Cape May
(but that might change in the next year or so),
Wildwood Crest which has a couple of great
restaurants that are actually in Lower Township
so liquor is sold, and Ocean City where there is
no liquor, not even BYOB. Except for Ocean City,
customers can bring in their choice of beverages
to restaurants without a liquor license and
several of those restaurants even have a
selection of wines from local vineyards
available for purchase with dinner.
For early birds or anyone who thinks
breakfast is the most important meal of the day,
there are plenty of choices from pancake houses,
diners or Boardwalk concession stands – a great
place for anyone who enjoys a morning bike ride
or run.
Many restaurants cater to families and are
kid-friendly with special children’s menus,
crayons, or other activities to keep the little
ones happy.
At the other end of the day, early bird
specials or prix fixe dinners add value; a few
restaurants offer dessert service until around
midnight, perhaps with a cappuccino or after
dinner drink.
From the fun and funky to the upscale and
elegant, the casual and family friendly, to eat
in or take out, no one ever leaves Cape May
County hungry!
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