New American Restaurants near Wildwood Crest, NJ

“Our new favorite in CMC. Everything was fantastic. That appetizer that's a big plate of various meats is my new favoritest thing ever.“

“This was our first time at Lemma's and it definitely won't be the last. We went for breakfast and everything was top notch. Everything we had tasted incredible not to mention the family atmosphere. The staff was so incredibly friendly. This is definitely a great place for breakfast or lunch.“

“Good food and good service and amazing staff“

“we had breakfast here it was close to our hotel so we stopped in..
so glad we did the food was amazing and alot of it for my daughter's and I.we were so pleased we went back the next day too...we have added this food stop to our go to again list in wildwood.cant wait till next year's visit.c u then..and the sausage is excellent I love the smaller links..was glad to see they had them... everything waS excellent..“

“The best dinner I've ever had! The Grilled Octopus was amazing, the Caesar Salad was awesome...the Scallops were delicious...but the Ricotta, Honey, Almond and Nutella Torte was out of this world! Amy was the best waitress, her attentiveness and service were stellar! We cannot wait to go back!“

“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.“

“Chanterelle BYOB. is definitely a up and coming fine dining experience. if you have followed Chef Jeremy Palumbo from PSI to Swine Bar to Provence and now to Chanterelle. you know that his culinary excellence will leave the colors plated to perfection on your plate and the taste of his culinary excellence exploding on your palet. the restaurant Is beautifully decorated with a calm and soothing atmosphere. the staff was excellent at their jobs and showed pride in their work . I would highly recommend this new establishment on 96th St in Stone Harbor. I have to give it 5 stars .“

“Always good!!They do a great job!! The best!!“

“We dined on Friday, 10.31.25 supporting the Cape May Restaurant Weekend. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her Red Snapper Alla Plancha that was impeccably simmered in a tomato-saffron cream sauce along with the delectable additions of mussels, rock shrimp, creamer potatoes and confit fennel. I had the wonderful opportunity to sample the Grilled Duroc Pork Chop with aged gouda potato purée, ginger glazed vegetables, sherry wine cream sauce and seasonal mostarda that was done to absolute perfection. I haven't cleaned my plate like that for years! My wife echoed that it was one of the top three dinners that we have ever had as a couple....Our service was second to none from the expediters, bussers and our very warm and personable server, Anna, who just added to the overall dining experience. A five star event for sure!“

“Everything was perfect!! Food was outstanding! Service was fantastic. Very chill atmosphere. I highley recommend.“

“WoW WoW WoW ! Today was my first time dining here and it certainly won’t be my last. Everything was incredible. Shrimp tempura for a starter and it was outstanding. The salmon dish was out of this world and like no other salmon entrée I have ever had. You will not be disappointed and the service was top notch! Well Done jays on third“

“Fond memories here - great food and service.“

“Thank you for an amazing memorable birthday dinner. A true gem of Stone Harbor.“

“This place has the best grilled cheese and fantastic customer service! My boyfriend goes every year and I finally got the chance to this year. His favorite is the chicken bacon ranch grilled cheese and the day we went they had a smash burger grilled cheese as a special that I got. Absolutely delicious! I highly recommend for anyone in town!“

“Great dinner waitresses were great fast service excellent meal“

“Delicious hidden gem in Cape May!“

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

“This restaurant is amazin! We ate breakfast there once and dinner twice on our vacation. Very good food and wait staff. Nice Friendly people to be around“

“We’ve been a few times, and the food is consistently good.“

“We were drawn to this place because it seemed like a “real” restaurant rather a showplace for the latest trends. And it’s true! There are no “apps” here, and no “handhelds.”” It’s not fancy in the least, though the atmosphere is colorful and relaxing. The food’s not fancy either; instead, it’s simple, extremely plentiful and delicious. It was refreshing to be there!“

“Excellent!! Our only disappointment is that we just discovered this Wildwood gem after coming here for years. Everything was fantastic & the staff were all awesome! The live music was the icing on the cake. Fantastic!“

“EXCELLENT FROM SOUP TO NUTS !!!!“

“Living in Court house, the choices for pizza were limited and mediocre. Moved to Del Haven (in delivery distance now) we ordered Rino's pizza BEST PIE IN TOWN! Perfect crust, silky cheese, savory sauce & speedy delivery! I'm hooked!“

“Thought I would try an upscale dish (since they were offering it) to see how a Boardwalk Restauranteur would perform. I ordered the Shrimp Pasta with Marinara. Needless to say, I was "Stunned"! This is a favorite dish of mine and I usually reserve ordering it to finer esoteric Bistros and Trattorias I frequent. Yes, I dare say it, BOLDLY that the Chef Olympic Flame not only went "toe to toe" with the finer eateries I am familiar with but actually bettered the lot of 'em!! After this most satisfying experience, I was desperate to meet the Chef behind this most Perfect Pasta dish. The waitstaff directed me to the Chef, who was extremely appreciative when I explained the aforementioned to him. Anyone out there visiting the Jersey Shore and wants to have a truly "Unique" dining experience, I strongly recommend ordering the Shrimp Pasta (or any Pasta Course) "The" Olympic Flame Restaurant. You Will Not Be Disappointed!!“

“Really good kid friendly place to eat and get some seafood on the boardwalk. The lobster roll and the fried shrimp both were great. I like that they have a to go counter for a quick bite as well as sit down option for dinner. We will definitely eat here again.“

“My friends and I had been wanting to try Provence, and it surpassed our expectations. Upon arrival, we were taken in by the stunning decor and historical architecture and character. LOVE the exquisite wallpaper throughout!
We decided on the 3 course meal and were in awe of the presentation, immersed in the delectable flavors, and impressed with the portion sizes. Many of us took home leftovers. All 6 of us were very pleased with our meals. I highly recommend Provence!“

“Water Star Grille | Waterfront Lunch & Bayfront Dining in Stone Harbor, NJ

If you’re searching for one of the best waterfront restaurants in Stone Harbor, a place to enjoy fresh seafood with bay views, or the perfect spot for a relaxing lunch overlooking the marina, Water Star Grille should be on your list.

Located directly behind The Reeds at Shelter Haven, Water Star Grille offers a true bayfront dining experience where the scenery is just as memorable as the food. Whether you’re visiting for lunch, brunch, cocktails, or simply to enjoy the waterfront atmosphere, this is one of those restaurants that immediately puts you into vacation mode.

We chose to have lunch outside on the waterfront patio, and it couldn’t have been a better setting. Boats cruised through the marina while guests enjoyed the sunshine, waterfront views, and the relaxed coastal atmosphere that makes Stone Harbor such a special destination.

The highlight of our lunch was the beautifully presented seafood tower, featuring fresh lobster, oysters, shrimp, and chilled seafood. It wasn’t just visually impressive—it showcased the quality and freshness you’d expect from a premier Jersey Shore seafood restaurant.

The outdoor seating is spacious and comfortable, making it an excellent choice for couples, families, friends, or anyone looking to enjoy lunch with one of the best bayfront views in Cape May County. It’s also the kind of place where you can easily spend an afternoon enjoying the scenery with a cocktail in hand.

Service throughout our visit was friendly, attentive, and professional. From the moment we were seated until the seafood tower arrived at the table, everything felt polished and well-paced.

If you’re staying at The Reeds at Shelter Haven, spending the day in Stone Harbor, or simply searching for a waterfront restaurant with outstanding seafood, beautiful marina views, and a relaxing coastal atmosphere, Water Star Grille delivers an experience that’s worth making time for.

The Philly Food Fanatic Take: Water Star Grille isn’t just about the food—it’s about the entire waterfront experience. Fresh seafood, attentive service, boats passing by, and panoramic bay views come together to create one of the most enjoyable outdoor dining destinations in Stone Harbor. It’s the kind of place where lunch naturally turns into an afternoon you’ll remember.“

“Good food good bartenders great service“

“This is a great spot for parents and kids. Parents can enjoy excellent service, great cocktails and decent barfood while knowing the kids are in a relatively safe environment. It beats going to Disneyland with all those weird middle aged forever kids riding scooters around the park.“

“Abigail was a great server Great way to kick of MDW2025“

“Great food and atmosphere“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We’re locals and chose Sax at the Reeds to celebrate our anniversary on a Tuesday night in September. Since many of the local steakhouses were closed, we decided to give Sax a try — and we’re so glad we did! From the moment we walked in, the staff was warm and welcoming. Our server, Patrick, was absolutely outstanding. He was attentive, incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and wine list, and even made something as simple as choosing a steak knife a fun and memorable experience. He explained where the knives came from, what they were made of, and offered his favorite — such a unique touch! The food was just as impressive. I went with a mix of apps and a salad — the shrimp cocktail (huge shrimp!), perfectly seared local scallops (I was expecting three and got closer to eight!), and the truffle cheese burrata salad, which was loaded with heirloom tomatoes, arugula, basil, balsamic reduction, sea salt, and basil oil. Everything was fresh and delicious. My husband had the New York Strip with truffle fries and grilled asparagus — a perfectly cooked, hearty steak that left him very satisfied. We left completely full and so happy with our experience. Sax exceeded our expectations in every way, and we’ll definitely be back soon. Highly recommend for both locals and visitors looking for a special dinner spot!“

“Whether it’s breakfast or dinner, you can't go wrong here! The food is always so fresh and made with local ingredients. Love coming here for Sunday breakfast or to celebrate big moments with family and friends.

Pro tip: dinner on the porch during the Howard Street Ramble is always the move 🎶 ✨“

“Boardwalk facing location with great views of the amusement piers. Really good sandwich options - cheesesteaks, buffalo wraps, and even lobster rolls. Don’t miss out on the bang-bang shrimp and have a Coronorita to go with it! Great fun!“

“Terrific food. And when we had a little problem with our table Manager Jackie went above and beyond to make it more than right. She did this with grace and professionalism. We’ll be back.“

“I probably don’t contribute to reviews as often as I should, but when I saw the negative reviews for the Blue Water Grille in Wildwood I had to write something.

We started coming here late last season and immediately became regulars for their Thursday Night Happy Hour and dinner special. They rotate their Happy Hour food specials. Their Shrimp cocktail is excellent and extremely reasonable but their Steamers (IMHO) are the absolute best on the island and the main reason I was addicted to coming here on Thursdays. And their Prime Rib Thursday dinner special for $25 can’t be beat.

We are retired and we are lucky enough to be able to spend our summers up here and our winters in Florida. We have had instances when we were looking forward to getting back to one of our favorite places in both Wildwood and Florida and when we got there, we found out that things had gone downhill since the previous season. New management, new kitchen staff, cost cutting due to inflation… who knows? but its very disappointing when that happens.

I went online to verify that the Thursday Happy Hour Specials hadn’t changed and when I did, I that, I saw a few pretty negative reviews and we were concerned that the Blue Water Grille may have gone the same route.

I’m very happy to report that it did not. We went Thursday night and everything was excellent!!!

We ended getting 3 orders of steamers, 2 shrimp cocktails and my wife and I split the prime rib dinner.
The soup of the day was crab and asparagus. I’m not a big asparagus person, my wife is, so I didn’t expect to like it. OMG it was fantastic. If it’s the Soup of the day when you are there, get it!

Our bartender, Stephanie, was great. She’s usually at the outside bar so this was the first time we me her and we felt like old friends by the time we left. The restaurant had gotten pretty crowded and I didn’t notice anyone having issues over the food or the service.

I feel bad fo the people that said they had a bad experience. Like I said we were regulars last season and we never had any issues here at all.

A couple of thoughts though. A few people mentioned wanting water front views. There are a few Blue Water Grill(e)s around the country. This one is several blocks from the beach so I have to wonder, did they post the review here for a different Blue Water?

Also, having grown up in another shore resort I know that, unless a restaurant is geared to locals instead of tourists, you can’t always get a fair assessment of a restaurant if you go off season. College kids are back at school, staffing can be tough and we know that often the Head Chefs head to busier southern resorts in the winter. I’m not saying that happened here, just speculating. I saw it happen where I grew up.

I noticed a few people complain in their reviews about how long they waited for food. This is a real restaurant, not a fast food place. Food is cooked to order. If you are looking to grab a fast bite, you might be better off grabbing something on the boardwalk, If you want a good dinner in a really nice setting , check out he Blue Water Grille“

“Always a great experience awesome bartenders and food“

“We were a party of seven. Was able to make reservation same day for dinner. Service excellent. Food excellent - appetizers and entrees enjoyed by everyone. Menu offered a nice variety with specials. Gluten-free options available. Hidden gem for Cape May. Highly recommend and will be back! Thank you to everyone in the front and back end of the house!“

“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.“