28 Best American Restaurants in Cape May

“I went to Lucky Bones on New Year’s Day, for lunch!! They did not disappoint!! Wed’s are Oyster day specials!! Had the best Ousters Rocketfellers!! Then I had the BOLT sandwich!’it was soo good!! Highly recommend Lucky Bones! Plus, I added point to my rewards card!!“

“First time in cricket club. Bar has nice vibe they were busy and the bartender was attentive. We all enjoyed our meals and desserts. Service was excellent never waited for our next dish. Will definitely be eating here again.“

“Great food and atmosphere“

“We had an absolute perfect dining experience. Each course was outstanding. Peach & Burrata salad, delicious. Scallops perfectly done and chocolate panna cotta so good. Loved every thing about Grana BYOB.“

“On Friday evening my husband and I didn’t have a reservation so we were able to get two bar seats and it was PERFECT. The bartender was so knowledgeable and suggested some great food. Can’t wait to go back!“

“Absolutely delicious! We stayed at La Mer and were very impressed by the food and staff. I wish I could’ve tried everything on the menu. I had the following: Octopus appetizer Avocado Toast Rigatoni Cape May eggs Benedict All fresh and delicious!!!“

“Always go when in Cape May…fabulous food“

“I absolutely recommend Peter Shields Inn for a wedding venue. We had a small wedding on the beach and our wedding dinner was handled by Peter Shields. We worked with Amy (their event coordinator) and she was so helpful in every way. She went above and beyond to make everything so easy for us. I literally handed them a box of our wedding decorations and the tables and everything was set up perfectly! I didn’t have to lift a finger. Their bartender served up our signature drinks with a smile. Our guitarist serenaded guests on the porch while they enjoyed cocktails and wonderful hors doeurves. Dinner was seriously some of the best food I’ve ever had. Perfection hands down!“

“Enjoyed The Y.B. during restaurant week. Was our first time and we will be back. Everything was fresh and well presented. The service was excellent. I’ve probably walked past this little gem a hundred times and never stopped in for a meal. I’m just sorry I didn’t try it sooner! Thanks for an excellent meal! We can’t wait to come back! Cheers!“

“Great casual restaurant at the beach. Nice view, good food and friendly efficient servers. Don't forget your wallet, as cash only, but there they do have an ATM.“

“Servers were very nice! It’s byob and surprisingly good for dinner! Only a surprise because I’ve always been gor breakfast.“

“Great food and a beautiful setting to enjoy it!!!“

“Always delicious at Backstreet!“

“I’m all for tradition, but after 207 years, I think it’s time for a makeover, even for Congress Hall. 🐷“

“Always a great experience awesome bartenders and food“

“EXCELLENT FROM SOUP TO NUTS !!!!“

“The wait staff needs to get their act together, always miserable & rude.“

“We celebrated our 53rd anniversary there tonight. They could not have been nicer to us. They treated us to a very special evening. Balloons at the table and complimentary champagne. They also treated us to a dessert of our choice. The food was delicious. I think we found our new favorite restaurant.“

“Freshly made, quality food. Fried oysters were huge and cooked to perfection. Great choice!“

“The only difficulty you'll have at The Smash Shack is deciding which of their items to pick! The cheesesteak is one of the best we've had — definitely get it with Cooper cheese and onions. For breakfast, the pork roll, egg, and cheese (also with Cooper) is amazing. And a beach front smash burger is tough to beat. A pro tip: grab your food to go and eat it across the street on the sand! Just watch for the seagulls.“

“Always a great time! Love the Atmosphere!!“

“Just landed in Cape May looking for a place to grab a quick bite we stopped at the ugly mug in Cape May. The service was excellent. The crabcakes had so much crab in them that I could not finish them. Their coleslaw is excellent out of a 10 I would give this old-time Kate Bay Restaurant 10 out of 10.“

“The new chef is doing great! Best dinner in Cape May this year! The fried chicken is better than Red Rooster in Harlem. Everything was delicious and cooked perfectly. And of course, sitting on the beautiful porch was one of the highlights of our vacation. Holly recommended.“

“Fins is amazing. Hope you’re lucky enough to be there on a day Kenny is. He’s an amazing bartender with a great spirit and can help fill you in on all things Cape May. He makes the best drinks and will find exactly what you’re looking for menu wise (everything is great!) Fins is a must do!!“

“My husband and I come down every summer...you are always our first stop when we hit town. Absolutely love your food and atmosphere! Nick took care of us and he was phenomenal! He was so kind, accommodating and truly just a great person. We stopped on our way out to let the manager Erik know how great Nick was. It wasn't just a thank you and move on...Erick, despite the place hopping took the time to ask us what we had...did we enjoy the menu...customer service all around was 150%. Highly recommend the rooftop, Crab Dip with homemade pita chips, Brisket Bites, Fish tacos and the very best Blood Orange margarita on the island!“

“Not sure why this place has a 3.9 rating - we had a wonderful time! Our server, Agnieszka, was great. Oysters were solid. Branzino was superb. Shrimp bruschetta was perfectly balanced with a lot of flavor. Our 2.5 year old daughter was treated great, and thoroughly enjoyed her hot dog and french fries. The Malbec was good, as was the St. Germain Spritz. It was a bit pricy but that’s to be expected for the location. Would go again!“

“I will come back because I like the place but I just want to say that is has downgraded over the renovation.“

“Elaine’s Cape May totally nailed it! From the moment we walked in, the vibe was cozy and welcoming, with a cool beachy feel that set the tone perfectly.

Tracy, our waitress, was awesome. She was super friendly and made us feel right at home. She knew the menu inside out and gave us great recommendations. Her service was spot on—attentive but not overbearing.

And let's talk about the food—absolutely delicious. Each dish was bursting with flavor, and you could tell they use fresh, top-notch ingredients. From starters to desserts, we were blown away.

The overall atmosphere was laid-back and relaxed, but still classy. It’s the kind of place you can chill with friends or have a romantic dinner without feeling out of place.

Overall, Elaine’s Cape May delivered big time. Great service, amazing food, and a vibe that’s just right. Tracy and the team really know how to make you feel special. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, do yourself a favor and check it out. You won’t be disappointed!“