Grabbed one of the last reservations available on a Thursday in late April. Arrived early and…read moreenjoyed a first glass of our Merlot at their bar. They honored our reservation and seated us five minutes early. They started us off with two pieces of their excellent focaccia. The pesto dip was better than the chili oil. The calamari app was excellent - tender rings, chunks of pork belly, shrimp, and a spicy tomato sauce. The artichoke app comprised two long stem hearts, with stems, and a Parmigiano topping. Good but not at the level of the calamari. Next up a composed mixed green salad with generous shaved Parmigiano. Complimentary! The thick slice of halibut was on point. Moist, perfectly cooked. Not an afterthought by any means. The 20 oz. Cowboy cut rib steak was tender and perfectly seasoned but maybe a degree or two past medium rare. The side of grilled vegetables was splendid. And another freebie -- dessert for two -- butter cakes with cream and chocolate crunch. Sort of like a deconstructed tiramisu. Also delicious. Service managed to be friendly and professional. A great experience and a solid value. The ambiance was modern steakhouse. Would have preferred some jazz on the playlist, but no complaints. I would definitely return.

This was our second visit to Primal, and this time we brought our boys along so they could…read moreexperience one of our favorite restaurants at the shore. We were fortunate enough to snag a 6:30 p.m. reservation at the last minute. Normally reservations need to be made well in advance, so I'm guessing we benefited from a cancellation. We arrived around 6:00 p.m. and were told we'd be seated in a few minutes. There was a table for four right at the front that we assumed was ours. As it turned out, it was--but they wouldn't seat us until our actual reservation time. It wasn't a huge deal, but it was a little frustrating to see the table sitting empty while we waited another 30 minutes. Once we were seated, everything else reminded us why we enjoy coming here. The food was every bit as good as we remembered. One of the things that makes Primal unique is that the steaks are wood-grilled, giving them a nice char on the outside while staying perfectly cooked inside. My son and I both ordered the 8-ounce filet, my other son went with the impressive 22-ounce ribeye, and my wife chose the surf and turf with a 6-ounce filet and lobster. Every meal was cooked exactly as ordered and absolutely delicious. Another nice touch is that your meal includes complimentary fresh-baked bread, a salad, and dessert. On this visit, dessert was mini donuts filled with salted caramel, and they were outstanding--the perfect sweet ending to the meal. The service wasn't quite as polished as we remembered from our first visit, but it was still friendly and attentive enough that it didn't take away from the overall experience. A couple of tips for first-time visitors: Primal is BYOB, so don't forget to bring your favorite bottle. When making reservations, you can also choose between seating near the open kitchen, where you can watch the chefs at work, or the ocean-side dining area, which offers a beautiful view. We always look forward to dining at Primal whenever we're at the shore, and we're so glad we were able to grab a last-minute reservation. We'll definitely be back again.

Peter Shields Inn and restaurant is situated across the beach Peter Shields Inn is the perfect…read moresetting for a romantic dinner in Cape May! Located directly across from the beach, this stunning property has a grand, elegant feel, with its beautiful white columns, expansive front lawn, and gorgeous ocean views. From the moment you walk into the foyer, you're greeted by a beautiful chandelier and the sound of a piano, setting the tone for a luxurious dining experience. The downstairs is equally gorgeous, with an elegant, timeless atmosphere. We dined on the patio, which offered a romantic setting with stunning views. The service was exceptional--attentive, efficient, and prompt without ever feeling rushed. We started with the scallops, which were cooked to perfection, and the mushroom bisque, which was absolutely fantastic! They also offer an impressive selection of cocktails and wines to complement the dining experience. Between the gorgeous atmosphere, beautiful views, delicious food, and impeccable service, Peter Shields Inn offers a truly memorable dining experience. A wonderful choice for a romantic evening or special occasion in Cape May. Highly recommend!

Loved the porch ambiance with a view of the ocean between a gap in the trees. Service could have…read morebeen more attentive. We waited for about 10 minutes before our waiter introduced himself. It didn't get better the rest of the night (other than time to provide the bill and run my credit card. Cocktails were great (Bees Knees and martini). Table bread was boring and tasteless. I'd just skip it next time. Our first course was fantastic! The Beet and Lobster salad was delicious and I highly recommend it. Also had the Foie Gras which was a large slice and delicious but the beet and lobster salad was better. For our entrées, my wife had the Bolognese, which comes with large penne pasta and pretty good. I would've preferred fettuccine noodle or shorter tube to pasta. The large tube penne was impossible to get in your mouth by itself. I had the tile fish entrée which was OK. I just probably wouldn't get it again. For dessert, we shared the blueberry cobbler. It was a bit cold, but had a good flavor. Not an inexpensive evening, so I wish things have gone a bit better given what we paid. Kind of interesting that the manager came by and made sure to talk to every table but ours on the porch. Not sure why, but it didn't give me a chance to express how things were going either.

Friendly Staff ! Wonderful menu choices Never disappointed…read more We highly recommend a visit here when you're in town

We stopped at haven hawk a local winery and had suggestions for wine…read more Pairing with the food They were spot on The tuna was excellent and the duck was amazing Service was excellent

Went years ago. Great experience. Perfect for a special occasion. I went in winter and it was…read morelovely.

This visit we sat on the porch. We felt like the ambience there was perfect. It was sprinkling…read moreoutside, but the awnings are so large. We never felt to drop. Service by Kate was good. But the service by the woman who brought our water, welcomed us, and bussed the table was even better. We, of course, began with the Parker house rolls. So delicious! We also had the shrimp cocktail and the carpaccio for starters. Both were exceptional and I highly recommend both. For entrées, my wife had the halibut and I had the Cape May scallops. I had a sampling of the halibut and it was probably the best halibut I have tasted. It had a perfect crisp and was so juicy, tender, and flavorful. The Cape May scallops were cooked to perfection and so delicious. I wasn't a big fan of the corn risotto they sat on, but everything else was great. For dessert, we tried Kate's recommendation. The Lemon-Pistachio Semifreddo was good but I wasn't a big fan of the pistachio layer. All in all a wonderful evening!

What a beautiful setting on the grounds next to the Emlem Physik estate. I treated my girlfriend to…read morean amazing birthday meal here and it did not disappoint.

We arrived for brunch on a gorgeous June morning and loved everything about this place! Our server…read morewas engaging, friendly and efficient. We sat on the lovely patio which was lined with flowers. We all ordered the crab Benedict. It was beautifully presented and ingredients were fresh tasting with lots of crab beneath two perfectly poached eggs and sliced ripe tomato. The hollandaise was the perfect topping and subtle yet flavorful. Lovely experience !

Excellent food, courteous waiter, and great location to eat before cruising. Highly recommend!read more

Came into town and stopped for lunch. Friendly staff, the wings, were excellent. The atmosphere and…read morethe day time bartender was great. Friendly, happy, and pleasant.

We just had dinner there and were very pleased with the entire experience. Everything was excellent…read morefrom start to finish. For appetizers, we ordered the stuffed long hots with sausage, shrimp cocktail, and burrata--all of which were delicious. My wife and I both chose steak for our entrées. She had the New York strip, and I ordered the ribeye. Surprisingly, the ribeye had very little fat and was cooked to perfection. Our entrées were served with mashed potatoes and broccoli, which complemented the meal nicely. Our server, Sam, was prompt, attentive, and provided excellent service throughout the evening. We'll definitely be back.

The entrance of Oyster Bay Restaurant & Bar is absolutely darling, and I was impressed by the size…read moreof the parking lot. The spaces are fairly narrow, though, so be careful to park fully between the white lines. If you come in through the back entrance near the bar, you'll need to turn right and walk all the way to the front to find the hostess stand. The bar-area staff seemed a little annoyed when people asked where the hostess stand or restrooms were, although I imagine they probably get those questions often. The hostess was pleasant and seated us promptly. One note for anyone who tends to get cold: bring a cardigan or light jacket. There was a floor vent right beside our table, and I got pretty chilly as the evening went on. The menu offered a wide range of options, from pork chops and duck to salmon, but I was not especially excited by many of the pairings. I started with the crab soup and ordered the blackened sea bass special with coconut rice for my entrée. For the table, we shared the bang bang shrimp and burrata. Both were adequately portioned for our party of five. The bang bang shrimp had the right amount of heat, and the burrata was a nice combination of warm pita bread, portobello mushroom, cooked red peppers, fresh greens, and burrata. I would recommend both appetizers. My crab soup arrived hot and was perfectly seasoned. The spice level was just right, and I liked the balance of small strips of crab throughout, along with a few larger pieces. In my opinion, it had an excellent ratio of crab meat, vegetables, and broth. Unfortunately, the entrées were less impressive. They were all beautifully presented--colorful and nicely portioned--but the flavors left something to be desired. My sea bass was certainly blackened, but I would have enjoyed it much more if the skin had been crisp. Instead, it was soggy, likely because it was placed directly on top of the coconut rice, which also became soggy. The mango pieces were larger than necessary, and there was far too much of the tomato, green pepper, and onion mixture on top. At $46, I expected more in terms of flavor. On a positive note, our waitress was friendly and professional, and the young man who brought out our food was pleasant as well. The food also arrived quickly. Since this was my first visit to the area, I would like to explore other local restaurants before returning. Still, I would not be opposed to giving Oyster Bay Restaurant & Bar another chance and trying a different entrée--possibly the swordfish.

The waitress was very accommodating. The food was very good with ample portion sizes.read more

Came here for breakfast and everything was great! They even have bloody mary and mimosa carafes…read more Belgian waffles, pancakes, avocado toast, healthy options like breakfast bowl and parfait - something for everyone here. Servers were kind and attentive. Inside is renovated and modern, with large windows overlooking the outside. Would recommend!

WOWWWW! We come to Cape May every. single. year. And this year we wanted to try somewhere different…read moreand got a rec to come here- all I can say is wow. I cannot believe we wasted so many years not coming here. Melissa, our waitress, was absolutely amazing. She went above and beyond to make this night perfect. So kind, accommodating, and attentive! She suggested the perfect wine to go with my meal, and as someone that can usually never tell the difference in what white wine I'm drinking, all I can say is wow- she truly hit the nail on the head. It was perfect. All night we kept saying we felt like we had the best seat in the house- we were in one of the closed-in patio sections that had a gorgeous view at every angle (definitely call ahead and see if they can seat you in there!). The food was to die for. We got the lobster salad app (INSANE ), oysters, the blue crab risotto, and the scallops, and everything was divine. Perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned. For dessert we had the choco cello drink- it was the best thing i've ever tasted in my life. Not kidding. We also had the lemon mousse cake and vanilla ice cream.... so so so good. We left feeling SO content, happy, full but not STUFFED. Genuinely a perfect night. Thank you so much to Melissa and all of the staff at Washington Inn! Truly an incredible crew of people- the hostesses, the bus boys who attentively and respectfully cleared our dishes, the manager who checked on us with such a friendly and kind energy... they have something truly special going on at this restaurant!

We came here on the night we got engaged and had the most magical time! Incredible appetizers and…read moresuggested entrees. Champagne upon arrival, and the best blood orange sorbet dessert. You're treated as one of their own!

The meal we had here was absolutely amazing. They don't serve alcohol so you are able to bring your…read moreown bottle of wine. I had the tuna tartar appetizer which one of the best I ever had. Served on a crispy wonton, layered with seaweed salad. Amazing flavors. The lamb I had was perfectly cooked, sliced and served with a gremolata on top. My wife had the chicken breast which was also cooked perfect, crisp on top and moist when cut. Our waitress was very attentive and helpful. Wanted to eat there a second time but ran out of time. A most enjoyable dinner.

This is one of our favorite restaurants in Cape May. I love the ambience especially their lovely…read moreoutdoor porch. The price-fixed menu is an excellent deal. I ordered the bay scallops appetizer, the twin 4-ounce poached lobster tails, and the brownie for $75. Quite impressive for lobster! Everything was delicious. Plus, we brought two bottles of premium wine as they're byob. Service is impeccable. It's very unusual that a restaurant like this hits it out of the park every time and makes you feel like a VIP, but they manage to do it consistently.